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Have your say on Draft Local Planning Policy #8

Posted: 28/07/2025 Closing Date: 25/08/2025 04:15 PM

The Shire has prepared Draft Local Planning Policy #8 to reduce approval requirements for the development of new dams.

Under existing rules, planning approval is required for the development of all new dams.

The aim of this policy is to remove the requirement for planning approval for dams that meet identified acceptable development standards.

Dams that meet these standards can proceed without planning approval. Other dams may be considered subject to planning assessment against the criteria outlined in the policy.

The policy is weighted towards supporting dams on rural land for productive land uses ahead of aesthetic water features on lifestyle properties.

The policy does not take a position on water availability within a catchment area (this is managed by the State Government in certain areas only).

Please refer to the following documents for further information.

Draft Local Planning Policy No. 8 – Dams & Water Features

Draft Information Brochure – Dams & Water Features

Council Report & Attachments

Feedback is welcome by email to [email protected] or post to PO Box 48 Mount Barker WA 6324 by 4.15pm on 25 August 2025.

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No 8 Dams and water features

I am concerned about your Acceptable Development Standards as applied to commercial farms. I can understand that on small and hobby blocks there needs to be some control as dams could easily affect their neighbors but in relation to more commercial farms say 100 hectares and up a great many would have more than a hectare of water already on my 293 hectares I estimate I would probably have 3 or 4 hectares of water coverage already. so if I wanted to build another dam or enlarge and existing dam I would need planning approval and perhaps an engineering certificate as well. This I believe is quite unnecessary. We are in a drying climate and farmers need to improve their water storage. If we have to get approval it is adding unnecessary cost and will act as a disincentive to make your farm more water secure. With the cost of building a dam no one is going to build a dam unless they really need to.
I think with land holdings over a certain figure say somewhere between a 100 and 250 hectares the building of new dams and enlarging existing ones should be without restriction. Thank You.

Posted: 30/07/2025 10:24:11 AM

Drying climate,more regulation needed not less

This is a reply to No 8 Dams and water features

I believe we need more regulation not less. Our environment is not only for humans but for all the flora, fauna, birds, and water animals etc Especially as we know our shire still doesnt even have an up to date policy which protects any of our beautiful and unique flora fauna, creeks or rivers, so having an open dam policy would just create mayhem. Plus as from the shires own admission it states "The policy does not take a position on water availability within a catchment area" so how can the shire even be able to say its open to anyone.

Posted: 7/08/2025 1:18:47 PM

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