Region scheme – a planning scheme continued under section 33 (1) of the Planning and Development Act 2005 or any region planning scheme made in substitution for that scheme.  The scheme therein for regulating and controlling the use of the land the subject of the scheme and the purposes for which the land may be used and includes –
(a) The provisions of the scheme;
(b) All maps, plans, specifications, and other particulars contained in the scheme and colourings, markings or legends of the scheme

Region planning scheme - means either the Metropolitan Region Scheme in force under the Metropolitan Region Scheme Act 1959 or any regional planning scheme in force under the Western Australian Planning Scheme Act 1985 prior to the Planning and Development Act 2005 or section 33 (part 4)

The region schemes are the legal land plans covering the Perth metropolitan and Peel region. It classifies land into broad zones and reservations. As the regions develop, so the schemes must be amended.  It is available for inspection at a council office or at the Department for Planning and Infrastructure.

Zones are large areas, which have been identified as being suitable for purposes such as industry (industrial zone), residential (urban zone), central city zone or rural.

Reservations are areas, which are reserved for a public purpose. Some examples include school sites, railways, major roads, parks and recreation areas, bushforever sites and public purposes.

Prior to land being rezoned or reserved, owners are approached and invited to make a submission on the proposed changes through the amendment process that requires an Act of Parliament.  Land, which is affected by a reservation, will ultimately be acquired by the Government, but can generally remain in private ownership until it is actually needed for the public purpose.

There are several options available to the owners of reserved land:

• Retain ownership and continue with the quiet enjoyment of the property until it is needed for the public purpose. You may complete any development or subdivision of the property that was approved prior to the reservation coming into effect.
• Sell the property on the open market to another person/s. The Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) recognises that due to the reservation this may be difficult and, subject to acquisition priorities and the availability of funds, would be willing to consider the purchase of a reserved property if an owner is unable to achieve a private sale on the open market.
• Offer the property for sale to the WAPC. Subject to acquisition priorities and the availability of funds, the WAPC would be willing to consider the acquisition of a reserved property. The property is purchased at the current market value had it not been affected by the reservation, with the value determined by independent valuations.
• Make a claim for compensation for injurious affection following the WAPC’s refusal of a development application or approval of a development application subject to conditions that are unacceptable to the applicant.  In such cases the WAPC may elect to purchase the property instead of paying compensation with the purchase price being determined in the same way as a negotiated purchase.