Swan Canning Riverpark permits, planning and development | Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:21
Swan Canning Riverpark permits, planning and development | Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
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Swan Canning Riverpark permits, planning and development
Overview of the approvals process for development and other works, acts or activities that require approval in and around the Swan Canning river system.
John Tonkin Reserve, East Fremantle. Photo by by Leuan Hook
The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) has planning and development authority over the
Swan Canning Development Control Area
(DCA) and consults with the
Swan River Trust
, local government and other agencies in the assessment of applications.
The
Determination Processes
document outlines the statutory planning responsibilities of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the Swan River Trust in relation to the DCA. It details the determination processes associated with the SCRM Act and SCRM Regulations and those proposals subject to control under the Metropolitan Region Scheme.
Applications in the DCA
Permits for works, acts and activities in the Swan Canning Riverpark
Permits for works, acts and activities in the Swan Canning Riverpark
How to lodge a permit application for works, acts and activities in the Swan Canning Development Control Area.
Page
Making an application for development
Making an application for development
Find out what is considered development and how to prepare and lodge a development application in the Swan Canning Development Control Area.
Page
Decisions on development applications
Decisions on development applications
Decisions on development applications within the Swan Canning Development Control Area.
Page
Land use planning and development and some works and activities within the DCA require approval under the
Swan and Canning Rivers Management Act 2006
(the Act) and the
Swan and Canning Rivers Management Regulations 2007
(the Regulations). The types of applications processed by DBCA include (see figure below):
Part 5 (development) approvals
(for development on a lot that is wholly within the DCA)
Permits for commercial operations (for example boat cruises, stand up paddleboard hire, tours)
Permits for minor works or non-commercial activities that are not considered development in accordance with the Regulations (for example repairs and maintenance, minor building upgrades, scientific studies)
Image
Application process
Below is an outline of the process for applications submitted to DBCA. Please note that the application process may vary depending on the level of complexity and risk associated with a proposal.
Image
Once you have an idea of what you want to do in the Swan Canning Riverpark, we recommend that you
chat to us
about your proposal. We can let you know what kind of approval you’ll need and help you prepare your application. We can also advise what policies will apply to your proposal, which government agencies we’ll likely refer your application to, and what conditions your approval might include.
For information on the processes for applications that are referred to DBCA but processed by the local government or other agencies, refer to the
Approvals that may affect the DCA page
.
Applications referred to DBCA for advice
DBCA and/or the Swan River Trust provides advice on approvals by other authorities that may affect the Swan Canning Development Control Area (DCA) . These types of approvals are processed by the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) or Local Government.
More information on the DCA, including how to find out if your property is affected by the DCA, is available on the
Swan Canning Development Control Area page
.
Even if your application is not processed by DBCA, we encourage you to
chat to us
before submitting your form to the WAPC or Local Government as this can speed up the 42-day period that DBCA is given to respond to your proposal. We can also advise what policies will apply to your proposal and what conditions DBCA (or the Swan River Trust) may recommend for your approval.
Types of applications that may affect the DCA
DBCA provides advice on behalf of the Swan River Trust to the WAPC for the following type of applications made under Clause 45(2)a of the Metropolitan Region Scheme, when:
development is proposed on a lot that is partly in and partly out of the DCA (Clause 45(2)a(i) of the MRS); or
development is proposed on a lot that abuts the waters (the rivers) of the DCA (Clause 45(2)a(ii) of the MRS)
DBCA has 42 days to provide a response to these applications. The WAPC must adhere to DBCA’s recommendations for these types of applications.
DBCA also provides advice on behalf of the Swan River Trust to the local government for applications made under Clause 45(2)b of the Metropolitan Region Scheme when:
development is proposed on a lot that abuts the DCA (Clause 45(2)b(i) of the MRS – see Figure 1 below); or
development is proposed on a lot that is likely to affect waters of the DCA (Clause 45(2)b(ii) of the MRS
DBCA has 42 days to provide a response to these applications and the local government is to have regard to this response.
DBCA also provides advice on:
Proposed subdivisions or other types of development that are not directly adjoined to the DCA but are likely to affect the waters of the DCA. Some examples include:
Development that might mobilise sediment, nutrients, or contaminants to the DCA via tributaries or stormwater.
Development that may impact groundwater flows or groundwater quality to the DCA such as shallow groundwater management infrastructure or onsite wastewater systems.
Development that might alter the hydrology of the waterways and wetlands in the DCA.
Scheme amendments, structure plans, or any other strategic documents that include or are likely to affect the waters of the DCA.
Jump to our
policies, plans and guidelines manual page
to see the information required by DBCA for a proposed development around the river. These are the most common policies that apply to the types of applications listed above:
State Planning Policy 2.9 Water
Policy 42 – Planning for land use, development and permitting affecting the Swan Canning Development Control Area
Policy 48 – Planning for development setback requirements affecting the Swan Canning Development Control Area
Policy 49 – Planning for stormwater management affecting the Swan Canning Development Control Area
Policy 51 – Planning for wastewater management affecting the Swan Canning Development Control Area
How to apply
Refer to your local government website for details on how to apply for approval, or the
Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage application page
.
If you’re unsure whether your proposal requires an approval through DBCA or another government agency, please come and chat to us. We can let you know what kind of approval you’ll need and advise which DBCA policies will apply to your proposal, and what conditions DBCA may recommend.
Image
Some examples of types of approvals that DBCA and the Swan River Trust provide advice on
Frequently asked questions
Read through the
frequently asked questions
and if you require assistance, please contact DBCA’s Swan Canning Waterways Branch, Statutory Assessments Unit, on 9219 9000 or at
rivers.planning@dbca.wa.gov.au
.
Swan Canning DCA
More information on the Development Control Area, including how to find out if your property is affected.
Chat to us
Not sure where to start or have some questions? Complete this quiz and we will help you out.
Socials
Related
Decisions on development applications
Decisions on development applications
Decisions on development applications within the Swan Canning Development Control Area.
Development applications under assessment
Development applications under assessment
Development applications in the Swan Canning Development Control Area being assessed by DBCA.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions for development and other applications in the Swan Canning Riverpark
Making an application for development
Making an application for development
Find out what is considered development and how to prepare and lodge a development application in the Swan Canning Development Control Area.
Permits for works, acts and activities in the Swan Canning Riverpark
Permits for works, acts and activities in the Swan Canning Riverpark
How to lodge a permit application for works, acts and activities in the Swan Canning Development Control Area.
Policies, plans and guidelines
Policies, plans and guidelines
Information that will be considered when assessing an application for land use planning and development within, abutting, or affecting the Swan Canning Development Control Area.
Swan Canning development control area and maps
Swan Canning development control area and maps
Maps of the Swan Canning development control area and Swan Canning catchment
Swan Canning Riverpark Enquiry Quiz
Swan Canning Riverpark Enquiry Quiz
Not sure where to start or have some questions about permits or development in or around the Swan Canning Riverpark? Complete this short quiz and we can help you out.
You might also be interested in
Swan Canning Riverpark
Swan Canning Riverpark
The Swan Canning Riverpark and the rivers at its heart are the centrepiece of Perth.
Swan Canning Riverpark foreshore risk identification and mapping project
Swan Canning Riverpark foreshore risk identification and mapping project
Project to understand erosion and inundation risk across the Swan Canning Riverpark and promote risk-based adaptive foreshore reserve planning and management for climate resilience.
Swan River Trust
Swan River Trust
The Swan River Trust is an advisory body providing high level strategic advice on the management and protection of the Derbal Yirragan Djarlgarro (Swan Canning river system).
Skip to main content
Swan Canning Riverpark permits, planning and development
Overview of the approvals process for development and other works, acts or activities that require approval in and around the Swan Canning river system.
John Tonkin Reserve, East Fremantle. Photo by by Leuan Hook
The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) has planning and development authority over the
Swan Canning Development Control Area
(DCA) and consults with the
Swan River Trust
, local government and other agencies in the assessment of applications.
The
Determination Processes
document outlines the statutory planning responsibilities of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the Swan River Trust in relation to the DCA. It details the determination processes associated with the SCRM Act and SCRM Regulations and those proposals subject to control under the Metropolitan Region Scheme.
Applications in the DCA
Permits for works, acts and activities in the Swan Canning Riverpark
Permits for works, acts and activities in the Swan Canning Riverpark
How to lodge a permit application for works, acts and activities in the Swan Canning Development Control Area.
Page
Making an application for development
Making an application for development
Find out what is considered development and how to prepare and lodge a development application in the Swan Canning Development Control Area.
Page
Decisions on development applications
Decisions on development applications
Decisions on development applications within the Swan Canning Development Control Area.
Page
Land use planning and development and some works and activities within the DCA require approval under the
Swan and Canning Rivers Management Act 2006
(the Act) and the
Swan and Canning Rivers Management Regulations 2007
(the Regulations). The types of applications processed by DBCA include (see figure below):
Part 5 (development) approvals
(for development on a lot that is wholly within the DCA)
Permits for commercial operations (for example boat cruises, stand up paddleboard hire, tours)
Permits for minor works or non-commercial activities that are not considered development in accordance with the Regulations (for example repairs and maintenance, minor building upgrades, scientific studies)
Image
Application process
Below is an outline of the process for applications submitted to DBCA. Please note that the application process may vary depending on the level of complexity and risk associated with a proposal.
Image
Once you have an idea of what you want to do in the Swan Canning Riverpark, we recommend that you
chat to us
about your proposal. We can let you know what kind of approval you’ll need and help you prepare your application. We can also advise what policies will apply to your proposal, which government agencies we’ll likely refer your application to, and what conditions your approval might include.
For information on the processes for applications that are referred to DBCA but processed by the local government or other agencies, refer to the
Approvals that may affect the DCA page
.
Applications referred to DBCA for advice
DBCA and/or the Swan River Trust provides advice on approvals by other authorities that may affect the Swan Canning Development Control Area (DCA) . These types of approvals are processed by the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) or Local Government.
More information on the DCA, including how to find out if your property is affected by the DCA, is available on the
Swan Canning Development Control Area page
.
Even if your application is not processed by DBCA, we encourage you to
chat to us
before submitting your form to the WAPC or Local Government as this can speed up the 42-day period that DBCA is given to respond to your proposal. We can also advise what policies will apply to your proposal and what conditions DBCA (or the Swan River Trust) may recommend for your approval.
Types of applications that may affect the DCA
DBCA provides advice on behalf of the Swan River Trust to the WAPC for the following type of applications made under Clause 45(2)a of the Metropolitan Region Scheme, when:
development is proposed on a lot that is partly in and partly out of the DCA (Clause 45(2)a(i) of the MRS); or
development is proposed on a lot that abuts the waters (the rivers) of the DCA (Clause 45(2)a(ii) of the MRS)
DBCA has 42 days to provide a response to these applications. The WAPC must adhere to DBCA’s recommendations for these types of applications.
DBCA also provides advice on behalf of the Swan River Trust to the local government for applications made under Clause 45(2)b of the Metropolitan Region Scheme when:
development is proposed on a lot that abuts the DCA (Clause 45(2)b(i) of the MRS – see Figure 1 below); or
development is proposed on a lot that is likely to affect waters of the DCA (Clause 45(2)b(ii) of the MRS
DBCA has 42 days to provide a response to these applications and the local government is to have regard to this response.
DBCA also provides advice on:
Proposed subdivisions or other types of development that are not directly adjoined to the DCA but are likely to affect the waters of the DCA. Some examples include:
Development that might mobilise sediment, nutrients, or contaminants to the DCA via tributaries or stormwater.
Development that may impact groundwater flows or groundwater quality to the DCA such as shallow groundwater management infrastructure or onsite wastewater systems.
Development that might alter the hydrology of the waterways and wetlands in the DCA.
Scheme amendments, structure plans, or any other strategic documents that include or are likely to affect the waters of the DCA.
Jump to our
policies, plans and guidelines manual page
to see the information required by DBCA for a proposed development around the river. These are the most common policies that apply to the types of applications listed above:
State Planning Policy 2.9 Water
Policy 42 – Planning for land use, development and permitting affecting the Swan Canning Development Control Area
Policy 48 – Planning for development setback requirements affecting the Swan Canning Development Control Area
Policy 49 – Planning for stormwater management affecting the Swan Canning Development Control Area
Policy 51 – Planning for wastewater management affecting the Swan Canning Development Control Area
How to apply
Refer to your local government website for details on how to apply for approval, or the
Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage application page
.
If you’re unsure whether your proposal requires an approval through DBCA or another government agency, please come and chat to us. We can let you know what kind of approval you’ll need and advise which DBCA policies will apply to your proposal, and what conditions DBCA may recommend.
Image
Some examples of types of approvals that DBCA and the Swan River Trust provide advice on
Frequently asked questions
Read through the
frequently asked questions
and if you require assistance, please contact DBCA’s Swan Canning Waterways Branch, Statutory Assessments Unit, on 9219 9000 or at
rivers.planning@dbca.wa.gov.au
.
Swan Canning DCA
More information on the Development Control Area, including how to find out if your property is affected.
Chat to us
Not sure where to start or have some questions? Complete this quiz and we will help you out.
Socials
Related
Decisions on development applications
Decisions on development applications
Decisions on development applications within the Swan Canning Development Control Area.
Development applications under assessment
Development applications under assessment
Development applications in the Swan Canning Development Control Area being assessed by DBCA.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions for development and other applications in the Swan Canning Riverpark
Making an application for development
Making an application for development
Find out what is considered development and how to prepare and lodge a development application in the Swan Canning Development Control Area.
Permits for works, acts and activities in the Swan Canning Riverpark
Permits for works, acts and activities in the Swan Canning Riverpark
How to lodge a permit application for works, acts and activities in the Swan Canning Development Control Area.
Policies, plans and guidelines
Policies, plans and guidelines
Information that will be considered when assessing an application for land use planning and development within, abutting, or affecting the Swan Canning Development Control Area.
Swan Canning development control area and maps
Swan Canning development control area and maps
Maps of the Swan Canning development control area and Swan Canning catchment
Swan Canning Riverpark Enquiry Quiz
Swan Canning Riverpark Enquiry Quiz
Not sure where to start or have some questions about permits or development in or around the Swan Canning Riverpark? Complete this short quiz and we can help you out.
You might also be interested in
Swan Canning Riverpark
Swan Canning Riverpark
The Swan Canning Riverpark and the rivers at its heart are the centrepiece of Perth.
Swan Canning Riverpark foreshore risk identification and mapping project
Swan Canning Riverpark foreshore risk identification and mapping project
Project to understand erosion and inundation risk across the Swan Canning Riverpark and promote risk-based adaptive foreshore reserve planning and management for climate resilience.
Swan River Trust
Swan River Trust
The Swan River Trust is an advisory body providing high level strategic advice on the management and protection of the Derbal Yirragan Djarlgarro (Swan Canning river system).