The Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) is the authority responsible for determining applications to subdivide or amalgamate parcels of land. Application forms are available at the Council Office where initial discussion with Council’s planning staff is recommended and advice can be obtained about the subdivision potential of land and how to apply.

Applications accompanied by detailed scaled plans of the proposal are made to the WAPC which consults with various service and environmental agencies over a 42 day period. In complex cases it may be advisable to appoint a Town Planning Consultant, Civil Engineer or Land Surveyor to prepare and submit an application to subdivide.

After approval by the WAPC arrangements have to be made by the applicant/ landowner to construct the subdivision according to the WAPC’s conditions. Agencies are required to confirm that conditions affecting their specifications have been satisfactory complied with when asked to “clear” conditions relating to road construction, connection to water, sewerage and other services and development of open space. Survey documents, clearances and fees are then lodged with the Department of Land Administration (DOLA). DOLA seeks endorsement of the plans by WAPC and creates titles for the new properties that are then available for use or sale.

The table below is a guide to residential lot sizes in the Town.

Dual road frontage is fairly common and preference will be given to the subdivision of lots with this advantage. "Battleaxe" subdivision of land is not encouraged.

For further information, please contact the Planning Department on 9622 6100 or email records@northam.wa.gov.au