Legislation to introduce a new planning appeals system was promulgated on 18 April 2003. The new legislation abolished the right to appeal to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and introduced a revised process associated with appeals to the Town Planning Appeal Tribunal. All planning appeals are now made to the tribunal. An outline of the key changes introduced under the new legislation is provided below.

In addition this planning bulletin outlines changes to the WAPC's policy on processing minor amendments to the Metropolitan Region Scheme - these changes have been prompted in part by changes to the appeals legislation.