Clay isn’t something most people think about when they picture a house. But for Western Australia’s construction and housing sector, locally sourced clay is a key ingredient in delivering affordable, durable homes at scale. With WA facing pressure to meet housing demand in a growing market, especially in regional and outer-urban areas, the importance of […]

Cartography has always been about helping people get where they need to go. But thanks to GIS (Geographic Information Systems) technology and powerful analytical tools, modern maps do a lot more than just point the way. They combine detailed data and technology to reveal patterns, impacts, and possibilities that static maps simply can’t show. At […]

Consulting the community is now a standard part of land use and strategic planning, and for good reason. It helps planning authorities understand local values, concerns and priorities. But in regional WA, it’s becoming clear that traditional engagement methods don’t always deliver the full picture. Back in the 1960s, Cherie Arnstein developed the Ladder of […]

For decades, regional Western Australia has battled steady disinvestment. More and more local shops are closing, as services shift online or relocate to city hubs. State government is reducing its local presence, leaving local governments to carry the weight of community support — often while understaffed and under-resourced. Yet amidst the challenge, a quiet opportunity […]

Taking the time to properly assess a site can be the difference between the success and failure of a project. Doing this initial research, before the project design phase, ensures you don’t waste time and money on unsuitable or sub-optimal sites. Here are more reasons why strategic site selection can improve the success of your […]

Energy governance in Australia is currently fragmented between Federal and State government, and across quasi-commercial energy entities. This fragmentation limits the effective delivery of renewable energy networks and projects in Australia. Although the government has had a lot to say about renewable energy, action has been arguably slow. On the flipside, we’ve seen proactive behaviour […]

Understanding the complexity of solar farm development requires an understanding of diverse legislative practices across Australia. Being aware of best and current practice arguably enables us to adopt the most streamlined and effective approach to assessments and approvals. The most effective approach often means adopting local adaptations, which focus on enhanced practices and benefits to […]

Climate change and rising sea levels pose a significant threat to coastal amenities around Australia, and the world. It’s now more important than ever to engage communities and stakeholders affected by coastal hazard risks. We believe that effective engagement is key to driving collective action. But how do we make this happen? Here’s more on […]

Over the past 20 years, we have seen businesses in the extractive industry face more and more red tape when it comes to securing planning and environmental approvals. Operators often require numerous approvals at local, state and Commonwealth levels, and regulations and compliance requirements are becoming increasingly onerous. Principal Environmental Planner, Sharee Rasmussen, has been […]

Working with local shires and communities in regional Western Australia is a big part of what we do. Earlier this year, The Shire of Ravensthorpe engaged us to develop a Mainstreet Improvement Strategy for the townships of Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun. The primary goal of the strategy was to encourage locals and tourists to visit the […]

The State Administrative Tribunal (the Tribunal) handed down a decision last month, which has major implications for local planning in Western Australia. In the case of West Australian Shalom Inc. v City of Joondalup [2023] WASAT 63, (the Matter) questions were raised as to whether development approval was required under the Metropolitan Region Scheme (MRS), […]

Community Consultation  These days everybody has an expectation to be consulted, yet there is a difference between public participation and community consultation in planning.    The requirement for community consultation is enshrined in planning legislation as well as State Planning policy and planning regulations. This establishes a requirement that it be done, however the quality of […]