This information sheet outlines the planning requirements for reception centres, including their permissibility across different zones, when a Development Application is required, the applicable development standards, and the information required to lodge an application.
To help you find the information relevant to your proposal, refer to the following sections
Land Use Definition and Permissibility – Explains what is considered a reception centre and outlines permissibility across different zones, including when a Development Application is required.
How do I find details about my property? – How to confirm your property's zoning, lot size, and other planning constraints using the City’s Public Mapping Tool.
Public Drinking Water Source Areas – Additional considerations for properties located within Public Drinking Water Source Areas. Refer to “How do I find details about my property?” to confirm if your property falls within a Public Drinking Water Source Area.
Lodging a Development Application – Development Application requirements, statutory timeframes, supporting plans and documentation including site plans, floor plans, planning reports and technical assessments.
Duty Planner Bookings – Information about the City's free pre-lodgement planning advice service.
Lodging a Building Application - The next steps following planning approval, including building permit requirements and timeframes.
Are any other approvals required? - Outlines additional approvals that may be required depending on the nature of the proposal, including Food and Beverage Licenses.
Reception Centre – premises used for hosted functions on formal or ceremonial occasions.
A reception centre is an ‘A’ use in the Rural Landscape Interest zone. An ‘A’ use means that the use is not permitted unless the Council has granted planning approval after public giving notice via advertising (Development Application and public notification required).
A reception centre is an ‘X’ use in Special Rural, Special Rural, Rural Agriculture and Rural Conservation zones. An ‘X’ use means that the use is not permitted in that zone.
These use classes are demonstrated to the right.
Refer to Planning Layer on the City’s Public Mapping Tool to confirm your lot size, zoning and/or density of the property.
You can also find out if your property is located within a Bushfire Prone Area or within a Public Drinking Water Source Area.
Water Quality Protection Note 25 (WQPN25) provides guidance on land uses and activities within public drinking water source areas (PDWSAs) to protect drinking water quality and public health. To identify whether a site falls within a PDWSA and the associated priority (P) of this PDWSA, refer to the online mapping tool. The land use compatibility for ancillary dwellings in PDWSAs are tabled below (taken from WQPN25).
A reception centre within a PDSWA therefore can only be supported in a P3 area. For applications in a PDWSA, a referral to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulations (DWER) may be required as part of the Development Application process, and it is recommended to contact DWER for further advice.
To lodge a Development Application, please complete the Development Application Form and Checklist linked below.
Form and Checklist
The following is required to be lodged with the application:
Survey plan of the site
If the site has a significant change in natural ground levels across the site, a survey plan may need to be provided to demonstrate the change in levels across the site and any associated cut and fill proposed to level the site. We request details of any earthworks (cut, fill, retaining walls) in relation to the natural ground level (NGL). Note, fill will count towards the height of the buildings above natural ground level. NGL to be based on Australian Height Datum;
Bushfire Prone Area
If your property is located within a Bushfire Prone Area, you may need a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Assessment. Depending on the BAL rating you may also require a Bushfire Management Statement or Bushfire Management Plan. Contact an accredited bushfire consultant to find out more.
Water Catchment Area
If your property is in a Water Catchment Area additional supporting documentation may be required. Refer to the associated State Planning Policy 2.9 – Water information sheet to confirm if additional information is required.
Public Drinking Water Source Area
If your property is located within a Public Drinking Water Source Area, the application will require referral to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation who need details about the effluent disposal system, expected number of customers, fertiliser use, spray use or anything else that affects water quality. The City will execute the referral on your behalf, however, please refer to the associated State Planning Policy 2.9 – Water information sheet to confirm if additional information is required.
Clearing vegetation
If you are proposing to remove any trees or vegetation you will need a landscaping plan showing existing trees and trees proposed to be removed. Larger scale clearing or clearing of native vegetation may require a clearing permit. Clearing permits are assessed by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER). Contact DWER for further advice and to confirm if a clearing permit will be required.
Traffic
If you are increasing the number of visitors onsite you will need to check how many parking bays are required, see Table 3 – Parking Requirements in the Local Planning Scheme. If it will have a significant impact, you may require a Traffic Impact Statement or Assessment by a qualified traffic engineer. Swept paths may need to be demonstrated if the proposal involved the movement of heavy vehicles (e.g. trucks).
Operational Management Plan
An Operational Management Plan (OMP) is a practical, site-specific document that explains how a development or land use will be run on a day-to-day basis to ensure it complies with planning approvals and minimises impacts on surrounding land uses.
Waste Management Plan
A Waste Management Plan (WMP) is a practical, site-specific document that explains how a development or land use will effectively manage on-site waste disposal both to ensure it complied with health and waste requirements and minimises impacts on surrounding land uses.
Acoustic Report
Where the land use may result in additional noise, an Acoustic Report may be required to demonstrate the land use will not have an adverse impact on any surrounding properties.
Details on proposed and/or existing effluent disposal systems
Ensures that effluent disposal systems can effectively manage the proposed land use and can manage the proposed capacity of people on site. The Environmental Health team will review this as part of the Development Application and impose associated conditions and advice notes to ensure effluent disposal management systems can support the proposed land use. Contact the City’s Environmental Health team for further advice on 9257 9999.
Geotechnical report
A geotechnical report is required where site conditions may constrain development, including areas subject to reactive soils, slope instability, high groundwater, or variable soil profiles. The purpose of the report is to inform the design of earthworks, footings, and drainage infrastructure, ensuring the development can be constructed safely and will not result in land instability, structural failure, or adverse off-site impacts. The report is to be prepared by a suitably qualified geotechnical engineer and is to provide site classification, design parameters, and any recommended mitigation measures to address identified constraints. Contact the City’s Developmental Engineering team for further advice on 9257 9999.
Stormwater management details
Stormwater management details are required where a development has the potential to alter natural drainage patterns or increase stormwater runoff. The purpose of these details is to demonstrate that stormwater generated from the site can be appropriately managed on-site, in accordance with best practice principles, without causing nuisance, inundation, erosion, or adverse impacts to adjoining properties or the local drainage network. The submitted information is to outline the proposed drainage strategy, including collection, conveyance, treatment, and disposal methods. Refer to the Stormwater Design Guidelines for further information or contact the City’s Developmental Engineering team on 9257 9999.
Crossover details
Where the proposal requires a crossover to be added or modified, a crossover permit may be required. Refer to the Crossover Guideline for further information or contact the City’s Developmental Engineering team on 9257 9999.
NOTE: It is recommended to book a Duty Planner meeting to check if the above Supporting Plans and Documents are required.
It is recommended to contact the City’s planning team on 9257 9999 or enquiries@kalamunda.wa.gov.au to obtain pre-lodgement advice for a Reception Centre land use. It is also recommended to engage with a private planning consultant to prepare the Development Application and associated technical documents. Once all plans and reports are prepared, submit the Development Application to the City by emailing all documents to enquiries@kalamunda.wa.gov.au.
The City offers a free Duty Planner service to help landowners and community members with planning matters. This service provides general guidance only – staff can outline key considerations and likely information requirements, but they cannot assess proposals or indicate whether they would support them.
If you would like to discuss your proposal, you can book a Duty Planner meeting here: Duty Planner – Online Booking. You can also contact the City directly on 9257 9999 or via enquiries@kalamunda.wa.gov.au if you need further advice.
Please note:
Once you receive your planning approval, the next step is to lodge a Building Application.
For further details on the Building Permit process, you may refer to the City’s Building Checklist and Guidelines Webpage, the WA Building and Energy Website and/or contact the City on 9257 9999.
Where food is prepared for customers, a Food and Beverage License is to be lodged concurrently to the City’s Environmental Health Department.
For the sale of liquor, a Liquor License is to be submitted to the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor, concurrent to the Development Application process.
This information sheet is for guidance purposes only. This information sheet relates to the general development application process and does not account for special or extenuating circumstances. The City of Kalamunda assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions contained in this information and shall not be held responsible for the misinterpretation or misapplication of the information contained in this document. In some instances, the local government may require additional information from the applicant, referral to related government agencies or public advertising beyond the scope of a standard application to make an informed decision on the application.
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