Many people will be well aware that the long anticipated updates to Part 6 of the R-Codes have been in incubation for quite some time now. On Friday 24 May 2019, State Planning Policy 7.3: Residential Design Codes Volume 2 – Apartments will become operational. This is a policy for apartments and mixed-use developments which focuses on improved design outcomes for apartments, and will replace Part 6 of the existing R-Codes.
Volume 2 of the new R-Codes will provide a far more comprehensive (and some will argue a far more complex) guiding document for design and assessment of ‘apartments’ in this sector. Clearly this is in response to broad concerns in the community about the quality and appropriateness of some built form that has emerged in recent years. There is plenty of further information available on the complete suite of changes that fall under the umbrella of ‘DesignWA’ which can be accessed online at: https://www.dplh.wa.gov.au/designwa
Proponents considering or preparing applications that will be affected by the new R-Codes should not assume there is nothing to be wary of if they lodge such an application before the implementation date. To the contrary, any application in the system and not yet determined by 24 May will be considered and assessed against the new R-Codes. In addition, any decision on an application under review at SAT will also be affected by the implementation date. A decision-maker will not retrospectively have regard to the framework at the lodgement date.
Altus Planning’s advice to clients is that from this point forward, any new application should be prepared on the basis that the new R-Codes will come into effect before a decision is likely to be made and therefore will be subject to the new requirements.
