City
of Perth | City Planning Scheme No.2
Planning Policy Manual - Section 4.5.1 – Bonus Plot Ratio
Amended March 2015
4
Bonus Plot Ratio
Planning Policy Manual – Section 4.5.1
4.0
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
4.1
Available Bonuses and Calculation of Bonuses
To gain additional plot ratio above that specified on the Plot Ratio Plan within City Planning
Scheme No. 2, a development must incorporate one or more of the eligible bonus plot ratio
categories identified within Clause 28 of City Planning Scheme No. 2 and detailed within this
Policy. These bonus categories are:
Public Facilities and Heritage: Maximum 20% bonus
Includes public spaces, pedestrian links, conservation of heritage places and provision of
specific facilities on private land.
Residential Use: Maximum 20% bonus
Special Residential Use: Maximum 40% bonus (20% for special residential use or 40% for high
quality hotel use)
The areas eligible for each bonus plot ratio category and the maximum applicable bonus plot
ratio are identified in the Public Facilities Bonus Plot Ratio Plan, Heritage Bonus Plot Ratio
Plan, the Residential Bonus Plot Ratio Plan and the Special Residential Bonus Plot Ratio Plan
contained within City Planning Scheme No. 2.
The extent of bonus plot ratio awarded for public facilities and heritage will be variable up to
20% and determined in accordance with the criteria outlined in Section 5.0 of this Policy. The
extent of bonus plot ratio awarded for a residential or special residential use will be fixed at
20%, or for a special residential use in the form of a high quality hotel will be fixed at 40%
(except where a lesser bonus plot ratio is sought by the applicant or is necessary to comply
with the Maximum Bonus Plot Ratio Plan). These bonuses are subject to compliance with the
criteria outlined in Sections 6.0 and 7.0 of this Policy respectively. Notwithstanding this, the
awarding of any bonus plot ratio will be subject to compliance with the Key Considerations
identified within Section 4.2 of this Policy.
Depending on the location of the development site it may be possible for a development to
incorporate a combination of bonus categories and also transfer of plot ratio to achieve a
maximum plot ratio increase of up to 20% or up to 50%, as shown on the Maximum Bonus
Plot Ratio Plan contained within City Planning Scheme No. 2. The maximum increase which
can be permitted for a combination of a public facilities and heritage bonus plot ratio and
transfer of plot ratio is 20%. (Refer also to City Planning Scheme No. 2 Clause 47 and Policy
4.6.2: Transfer Plot Ratio)
Public facilities or conservation of heritage places previously granted bonus plot ratio will not
be retrospectively awarded bonus plot ratio. Bonus plot ratio may only be granted where
these are upgraded or enhanced and the upgrade or enhancement meets the relevant
essential criteria and performance requirements and is considered to be worthy of a bonus.
In the case of a building approved prior to the gazettal of City Planning Scheme No. 2 with a
floor area which exceeds the current maximum plot ratio by at least 20% and is not eligible
for transfer of plot ratio, it may be possible to achieve a minor bonus plot ratio for internal
alterations or the provision of pedestrian interest and activity at street level.
4.2
Key Considerations
Bonus plot ratio is an award that must be earned for development that delivers a facility,
amenity or use which will meet an identified strategic public need or benefit. Development
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Amended March 2015
City of Perth | City Planning Scheme No.2
Planning Policy Manual - Section 4.5.1 – Bonus Plot Ratio
Bonus Plot Ratio
Planning Policy Manual – Section 4.5.1
must achieve the identified requirements for the relevant bonus category as set out within
this Policy.
Plot ratio is only one of a number of controls and performance measures utilised within City
Planning Scheme No. 2 to determine acceptable built form. Compliance with maximum plot
ratio and the identified requirements for the relevant bonus plot ratio category alone will not
ensure development approval. Development must also meet the built form objectives of the
Scheme, Precinct Plans and Policies.
Bonus plot ratio will only be granted for development which achieves a built form, height
and
scale that is appropriate to the amenity, streetscape and desired character of the Precinct in
which it is proposed. Similarly bonus plot ratio will only be granted for development which is
not likely to have a significant adverse impact on an adjacent property in the general locality
or on a place or area of cultural heritage significance (declared in accordance with Clause 30
or 31 of City Planning Scheme No.2 and identified in City Planning Scheme No. 2 Section 8.1:
Register of Places of Cultural Heritage Significance).
Bonus plot ratio will only be granted where a development will deliver a high standard of
architectural and design quality appropriate within the capital city. Creativity and innovation
in design will be encouraged. Developments will be required to be designed in accordance
with
City Planning Scheme No. 2 Policy 4.1: City Development Design Guidelines.
4.3
Assessment of Applications
In order to determine the quality of a proposed bonus plot ratio facility or use and to provide
greater certainty as to the feasibility of the proposal and the intent of the applicant,
significant detail will be required to be submitted at development application stage. A
comprehensive planning report shall be submitted with all development applications seeking
bonus plot ratio which addresses all of the identified requirements. Additional perspectives
and technical reports as listed under each bonus plot ratio category shall also be submitted.
In accordance with Clause 40 of City Planning Scheme No. 2, the appointed Design Advisory
Committee will be consulted and its advice taken into consideration by the Council when a
development application involving bonus plot ratio is determined. Other expert bodies or
individuals may also be consulted for advice as considered relevant by the City.
The Design Advisory Committee will be requested to provide advice on the architectural and
design quality of all development applications seeking bonus plot ratio. Where a bonus is
sought for a facility or amenity falling within the Public Facilities and the Heritage categories
under Clause 28(2) of City Planning Scheme No. 2 or for a minor bonus at street level under
Clause 28(6)(ii) of City Planning Scheme No. 2 the Design Advisory Committee will also be
requested to provide advice on the extent of bonus plot ratio which is warranted. In the case
of bonus plot ratio for a residential or special residential development the extent of bonus
plot ratio will not be assessed, although for those hotel developments seeking the maximum
40% bonus plot ratio the advice of the Design Advisory Committee will be sought on whether
the hotel development meets the criteria of a high quality hotel as identified in Section 7.2 of
this Policy.
Bonus plot ratio should be awarded in a consistent manner to ensure the integrity of the
system. The City will therefore maintain a Register of Bonus Plot Ratio awarded, and record
the basis for the Council’s individual approvals.
5.0
PUBLIC FACILITIES AND HERITAGE