The City’s endorsed Local Planning Strategy identifies character areas within the City that have distinctive built and landscape features that contribute to their unique sense of place.
Draft Character Area local planning policies (LPPs) have been prepared to ensure that future development within these areas contributes positively to the city and its neighbourhoods.
The draft Character Area LPP’s set out design requirements for development within these areas to maintain their distinctive features.
The following Character Areas are proposed:
Ord and Outram Street Character Area
The Ord and Outram Street Character Area in the West Perth neighbourhood is a predominately business and mixed-use area with high-quality landscaping and tree-lined streets. Medium-scale development is seen throughout, set back from the street and side boundaries, reflecting the landscaped setting of the area.
Click to watch a video of the Ord and Outram Street Character Area.
The draft Ord and Outram Street Character Area Local Planning Policy was approved for consultation by Council at its Ordinary Meeting on 28 May 2024 (Item 11.1). Click here to view the Officer Report.
Kings Park Road Character Area
The Kings Park Road Character Area overlooks Kings Park. It is situated along Kings Park Road, a wide tree-lined boulevard and major entry to the city. The area accommodates high scale mixed use development with larger floorplates within a landscape setting.
Click to watch a video of the Kings Park Road Character Area.
The draft Kings Park Road Character Area Local Planning Policy was approved for consultation by Council at its Ordinary Meeting on 28 May 2024 (Item 11.1). Click here to view the Report and Minutes.
St Georges Terrace Character Area
The St Georges Terrace Character Area in the heart of the Central Perth neighbourhood is comprised of landmark tower developments which sit on the ridge line of St Georges Terrace, creating an atmosphere of prosperity and status.
High rise buildings of glass and concrete sit amongst older masonry buildings. Ground floor lobbies are expansive in height and area providing important threshold spaces connecting the building to the street.
Click to watch a video of the St Georges Terrace Character Area.
The draft St Georges Terrace Character Area Local Planning Policy was approved for consultation by Council at its Ordinary Meeting on 26 May 2026 (Item 11.1). Click here to view the Report and Minutes.
Hay Street Neighbourhood Centres Character Area
The Hay Street Neighbourhood Centres Character Area comprises two neighbourhood centres on Hay Street.
The Hay Street West Character Area, encompasses the West Perth neighbourhood centre, which caters for the daily needs of local office workers and residents. It is characterised by narrow shop fronts, generally built to street and side boundaries with awnings providing pedestrian shelter.
The Hay Street East Character Area, encompasses the East Perth neighbourhood centre which provides day-to-day shopping, eating and service needs for local workers and residents. The area is characterised by a mix of traditional low scale narrow shopfronts and newer medium scale residential buildings generally built to the street and side lot boundaries.
Click to watch a video of the Hay Street Neighbourhood Centers Character Area.
The draft Hay Street Neighbourhood Centers Character Area Local Planning Policy was approved for consultation by Council at its Ordinary Meeting on 24 September (Item 11.3). Click here to view the minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting.
Northbridge Character Area
The Northbridge Character Area is the premier entertainment area of Perth, with a diverse mix of hospitality venues, retail, offices and accommodation. Its urban form reflects its energy with expressive architectural styles and built form that is varied yet cohesive in its fine grain with vertical rhythm along the street.
Click to watch a video of the Northbridge Neighbourhood Centres Character Area.
The draft Northbridge Character Area Local Planning Policy Character Area Local Planning Policy was approved for consultation by Council at its Ordinary Meeting on 30 July 2024 (Item 11.2). Click here to view the minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting.
Terrace Road Character Area
The Terrace Road Character Area is comprised of high density residential development overlooking Langley Park and the Swan River. High-scale residential towers at the rear of properties step down to a low-scale built form of up four storeys along the street. Non-residential uses at the ground floor provide passive surveillance of Langley Park.
Click to watch a video of the Terrace Road Character Area.
The draft Terrace Road Character Area Local Planning Policy was approved for consultation by Council at its Ordinary Meeting on 27 August 2024 (Item 11.1). Click here to view the minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting.
Hay and Murray Streets Character Area
The Hay and Murray Street Character Area is characterised by narrow shop fronts within a high quality public realm. East-west pedestrian-focused streets are intersected by a north-south network of laneways, arcades and malls that link through to St Georges Terrace. The area is rich in built heritage which contributes to the sense of place.
Click to watch a video of the Hay and Murray Street Character Area.
The draft Hay and Murray Street Character Area Local Planning Policy was approved for consultation by Council at its Ordinary Meeting on 29 October (Item 11.1). Click here to view the minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting.
Mount Street Character Area
The Mount Street Character Area is a leafy inner city residential neighbourhood defined by the steep slope of Mount Eliza. It comprises medium rise apartment buildings that are set apart, creating a more vertical than horizontal built form and allowing view corridors through to the Swan River.
Click to watch a video of the Mount Street Character Area.
The draft Mount Street Character Area Local Planning Policy was approved for consultation by Council at its Ordinary Meeting on 10 December 2024 (Item 11.2). Click here to view the minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting.
Royal Street Neighbourhood Centre Character Area
The Royal Street Character Area encompasses the Claisebrook neighbourhood centre, providing daily to weekly shopping, services, and recreation within an active, pedestrian-friendly environment. The area is defined by tree-lined streets and low-scale mixed use buildings with active ground floor retail frontages, with commercial and residential uses above.
Click to watch a video of the Royal Street Character Area.
The draft Royal Street Character Area Local Planning Policy was approved for consultation by Council at its Ordinary Meeting on 24 September 2024 (Item 11.2). Click here to view the minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting.
Brown and Kensington Street Character Area
The Brown and Kensington Streets Character Area is currently defined by light industrial and warehouse buildings alongside some newer low to medium-density residential development. Future growth will emphasise residential use within a mixed-use context, enhancing tree-lined streets through generous setbacks and landscaping.
Click to watch a video of the Brown and Kensington Street Character Area.
The draft Brown and Kensington Street Character Area Local Planning Policy was approved for consultation by Council at its Ordinary Meeting on 24 September 2024 (Item 11.1). Click here to view the minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting.
The Character Areas map below shows the extent of each of the proposed Character Areas.
For further information, please refer to the documents in the side panel.
Frequently Asked Questions
A character area is an area identified by the Strategy as having unique built and landscape characteristics that create a special sense of place.
LPPs guide development in these areas to ensure new buildings respect and enhance the existing character.
Character areas focus on maintaining the streetscape and neighbourhood character, while heritage areas focus on protecting cultural and historical significance.
The purpose of a character area is to maintain the existing streetscape and built form character, not preserve specific heritage buildings.
Character areas help to:
- Recognise distinctive local areas across the city,
- Ensure new development fits with existing character,
- Maintain attractive and cohesive streetscapes,
- Strengthen the city’s sense of place
You can check by searching your property address using the City’s online mapping tool.
You can still develop your property. However, new development must follow the relevant Character Area LPP.
These policies guide design to ensure development:
- Complements the existing character
- Reflects local building scale and setbacks
- Incorporates landscaping and appropriate materials
- Contributes positively to the streetscape
