Wanneroo and Serpentine Jarrahdale Update Planning Schemes to Regulate Short-Term Accommodation

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Two WA councils, Wanneroo and Serpentine Jarrahdale, are updating planning schemes.

What happened

The City of Wanneroo is amending its District Planning Scheme No. 2, while the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale is updating its Local Planning Scheme No. 3. Both amendments, as published in the WA Government Gazette, focus on defining and regulating short-term accommodation, like Airbnb rentals. Wanneroo's amendment is numbered 228, and Serpentine Jarrahdale's is amendment number 9. These changes involve updating definitions and outlining where short-term accommodation is permissible. The notices appeared in the Government Gazette, the official record of government decisions.

What this means for you

If you own or manage a short-term rental property in Wanneroo or Serpentine Jarrahdale, these changes may affect your ability to operate. If you are considering purchasing a property to use as a short-term rental in these areas, then you should review the updated planning schemes to understand the new regulations. These amendments could introduce new restrictions, fees, or compliance requirements. For example, you might need to obtain a permit or adhere to specific zoning rules. Failure to comply could result in fines or the inability to rent out your property.

What this means for WA

These amendments in Wanneroo and Serpentine Jarrahdale reflect a growing trend among WA councils to regulate short-term accommodation. This indicates a potential shift in policy, driven by concerns about the impact of short-term rentals on housing availability, neighborhood amenity, and the traditional tourism sector. With Premier Roger Cook's Labor government holding a majority in both houses of parliament, further statewide regulations on short-term rentals could be on the horizon. This trend suggests local governments are seeking to balance the economic benefits of tourism with the needs of residents and long-term housing affordability. Similar moves have been seen in other councils, such as the City of Canning, which also recently updated its planning rules for Airbnb and tourist accommodation.

The numbers

Amendment No. 228 for Wanneroo's District Planning Scheme No. 2 and Amendment No. 9 for Serpentine Jarrahdale's Local Planning Scheme No. 3, explicitly target short-term accommodation definitions. The original land exemption for Cockatoo Island was declared on March 16, 1987, highlighting the long history of land use regulation in WA. Nine deceased estates were listed by the Public Trustee in a single gazette entry, demonstrating the volume of legal notices published. The City of Busselton's Activities in Thoroughfares and Public Places and Trading Local Law 2026 shows that local laws continue to be actively updated and enforced.

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