Driveways

What is a driveway?

A driveway is the vehicle access to on-site car parking spaces provided either

from the primary street frontage, or
from a secondary street; or
from a communal street or right-of-way available for lawful use to access the relevant site and which is adequately paved and drained from the property boundary to a constructed street.

The R-Codes set out the provisions for setbacks and size.

NOTE: Driveways onto State Roads - Main Roads approval required

Main Roads controls all vehicle access and driveway proposed to the following roads:

Great Eastern Highway & Bayley Street Coolgardie
Coolgardie -Experience Highway or
Goldfields Highway.

Main Road Approval is required for any vehicle access onto these roads. Main Roads have a formal and separate application and determination process which can be obtained from their website.

Is Planning Approval required?

YES - Planning approval is required where a residential driveway that does not meet the exempt development provisions below.

YES - All driveway and crossovers to multiple dwellings, commercial developments or caravan parks will require a development (planning) application.

NO - Exempt development is a where the driveway complies with the following:

Driveway to primary or secondary street provided as follows
- driveways serving four dwellings or less not narrower than 3m at the street boundary; and
- no driveway wider than 6m at the street boundary and driveways in aggregate no greater than 9m for any one property.
- Driveways shall be
  - no closer than 0.5m from a side lot boundary or street
  - no closer than 6m to a street corner as required under 1;
  - aligned at right angles to the street alignment.
  - located so as to avoid street trees, or, where this is unavoidable, the street trees replaced at the applicant’s expense or replanting arrangements to be approved by the Shire
- Where new hardstand (driveways) is being built, 50% of the street setback area is landscaped.

Planning Approval Requirements

Completed Planning Application Form - Signed by each owner of the property.
Planning Application Fee payable
Certificate of Title (issued within 6 months)
Site Plan – Scale 1:200 showing:
a. North Point
b. Lot boundaries
c. Existing dwelling and other structures on the lot (refer to the example below).
Elevation Plans – Scale 1:100 showing front, side and rear elevations and dimensions natural ground levels. Refer to the example below.

Do I need a Building Permit?

NO, If the driveway does not support any structures

YES, for the section of the driveway that forms part of the foundations to any structures such as a carport or garage.

Neighbour Approval / Comments

NO - Not Required - Exempt development – Neighbour approval is not required.

YES - Required Consultation - Where a development application (planning approval) is required and/or the proposed involves variation, then the adjoining, affected Neighbour (landowner(s) consultation is required. If the neighbour objects to the variations the proposal may require Council determination.

Site details

Information on your property, lot sizes, dimensions and recent aerial imagery is available from: -