What is a community layout plan?

A community layout plan consists of three parts:

• a plan showing the future layout of the community (where new things should be built;
• a set of written provisions setting out how development should occur (development process); and
• a background report.

Layout plans combine mainstream town planning principles with a community's social and cultural values. This requires a flexible approach to delivering services and understanding local needs. Layout plans also identify the location of existing and proposed development and land uses within a community. The Guidelines for preparing community layout plans in WA Aboriginal communities were published in 1999.

The types of uses in community layout plans are generally:

• residential (where people live)
• commercial (shops and other businesses)
• industrial (workshops)
• open space/recreation (ovals, playgrounds, parks)
• community purposes (meeting areas, schools, clinics, women's centres)
• cultural purposes or 'no-go' areas (protection of important places and sites)
• utilities (power houses, bores, sewerage ponds)
• rural purposes (gardens, orchards, natural values)
• buffer zones (buffers to separate incompatible land uses or protect water sources)

There is variation between layout plans, to reflect the lifestyle and needs of the individual communities. Layout plans can be viewed on this site.

How are community layout plans developed?

The WAPC is funded to prepare plans in-house, and engage consultants to work with WA's large, permanent and remote communities to develop community layout plans.

Determining priorities for preparation of community layout plans occurs in consultation with the Department of Housing and Works through the Aboriginal Housing and Infrastructure Council.  A layout plan is considered final when it has been endorsed by the community council, local government and WAPC.

The endorsement of the community layout plan by the WAPC should be seen as the state's final approval to the plan. All government agencies and developers must then make sure that whatever they build in a community is in line with the community layout plan.

If a community or a developer wishes to change the plan, an amendment process should be undertaken. This process will provide opportunity for people to comment on the plan and for any changes to be registered with the local government and the WAPC.

Benefits of community layout plans

The main benefit of community layout plans is to bring to communities the services and facilities that people in WA take for granted, such as protection of drinking water, separation from noisy, smelly or dangerous activities, sealed roads, serviced housing lots and adequate drainage. Town planning provides a sound basis to achieve a better standard of living in Aboriginal communities.

Communities are also able to use their community layout plans to negotiate with developers when housing or construction is due to take place in their community. The Aboriginal Lands Trust (ALT) has resolved that all development on ALT land should conform with community layout plans, and has introduced a Land Use and Development Policy.