City
of Perth | City Planning Scheme No.2
Planning Policy Manual - Section 4.5.1 – Bonus Plot Ratio
Amended March 2015
6
Bonus Plot Ratio
Planning Policy Manual – Section 4.5.1
Bonus plot ratio of up to 20% may be awarded in accordance with the Public Facilities Bonus
Plot Ratio Plan and the Heritage Bonus Plot Ratio Plan contained within City Planning Scheme
No. 2 for development which includes one or more of the following public facilities or
amenities:
Public space
Pedestrian facilities
Conservation of heritage places
Provision of specific facilities on private land
Awarding of bonus plot ratio will also be subject to compliance with the Maximum Bonus
Plot Ratio Plan contained within City Planning Scheme No. 2.
The facilities and/or amenities provided must result in the provision of a “public good” which
will benefit the population of the city and the community as a whole, enhance enjoyment of
the city, and contribute positively to the overall physical environment and ambience of the
city. The nature of the facility must be such that it would be unlikely to be included as an
integral part of a development in the event that bonus plot ratio was not on offer and that it
is fulfilling an identified or demonstrated strategic need.
Where a small amount of bonus plot ratio (approximately 150m
2
of floor area or less) is
sought and the likely benefits to the public of a proposed facility or amenity are limited, the
purchase of transfer of plot ratio is encouraged as a more appropriate alternative (refer City
Planning Scheme No. 2 Policy 4.6.2: Transfer Plot Ratio).
A development must meet the applicable Essential Criteria and adequately address all of the
applicable Performance Requirements to be awarded a bonus. The extent of bonus awarded
in any individual circumstance will depend upon:
the public need for and the location priority of the proposed facility or amenity;
the design quality of the facility or amenity proposed and achievement of the
Performance Requirements;
the inherent difficulties in providing each particular facility or amenity, or conserving the
place, as the case may be; and
the relationship between the value of the increase in plot ratio for the property and the
public benefit(s) received in exchange.
5.1
Public Spaces
The intent of this bonus plot ratio category is to encourage the provision of high quality
public spaces within appropriately located developments that will provide new unique
opportunities for the public to experience and enjoy the city. The City’s Urban Design
Framework seeks to establish a network of urban spaces that punctuate the city’s street
network and to maximise opportunities in large scale developments to address the
imbalance of public spaces within the city. Public spaces include plazas, courts, public
squares, pedestrian “retreats” and parks on private land.
5.1.1 Essential Criteria
The space must be strategically located in an area where there is a significant identified or
anticipated public need for such a space.
The space must be freely available and accessible to the public for the majority of the
year.
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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
The space must be of an outstanding design quality and attractive and inviting to the
public.
5.1.2 Performance Requirements
The space must be located in an area where there is a significant identified or anticipated
public need for such a facility as identified by the City and/or satisfactorily demonstrated
by the applicant with supporting statistical data or modelling.
The space must have sufficient area, a regular shape and horizontal and vertical
proportions of an appropriate scale to produce a usable and comfortable facility. Access
ways to buildings and driveways will not be considered as part of a public space.
The space must be located and designed so that its availability for use by the general
public during the day and the night is obvious, and the space must be available for public
use for the maximum time which can be considered reasonable given the facility’s
location in the city, its primary function and its site context.
The space must be well defined with building continuity, edges which incorporate activity
and opportunities for passive surveillance and an appropriate level of detailing which
contributes to making the space interesting and attractive to the public.
The space should have a distinctive identity and character which is appropriate to its
location and welcoming and inviting to the public.
The space must have moderate to high levels of sunlight access in the middle of the day
(10am to 2pm) between August and April each year.
Part of the space should have some weather protection (from wind, rain and sun) to
enable year-round use and it should not create or exacerbate wind problems in the
locality.
Adequate landscaping and functional seating of a high quality must be provided.
Particular attention should be paid to the provision of seating around the edges of the
space both in terms of amount and orientation.
Visual attractors, such as public art, should be provided to draw the public to the space.
Land uses provided at the edges of the space should be varied in nature with a range of
operating hours to provide extended activity, attraction and opportunities for passive
surveillance to the space during the day and night, including during weekends.
A small percentage of the space may be permitted to be used for alfresco dining in
association with adjoining land uses to provide activity and attraction, but it should not
dominate the space. Commercial uses (such as a café or florist) within the space may also
be permitted to increase public interest and to encourage its use (but will be considered
as part of the floor area of the building).
Lighting should be an integral element of the design to enhance the space at night and
provide for the safety and security of the users.
The design and detailing of the space must ensure the safety and security of the users,
particularly at night. Particular regard should be given to the form and location of
planting, the layout of the space, the avoidance of entrapment areas and opportunities
for passive surveillance from within the site and from surrounding sites.
The space must provide universal access and variations in levels avoided wherever
possible unless integral to the design.