Scheme Amendment No.1 – Short-term Rental Accommodation (STRA)

The Town of Bassendean is proposing changes to Local Planning Scheme No.11 (LPS11) to align with new State Government requirements for Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA).

What is STRA?

STRA refers to the practice of renting out a property (or part of a property) to paying guests for stays of up to three months. These bookings are usually booked through online platforms like Airbnb.  

In November 2023, the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) released new state-wide reforms for Tourism and STRA. These include:

  • A mandatory State-wide Register for STRA properties.
  • New land use definitions and exemptions.

Types of STRA

Hosted STRA which is a property (or part of a property) that is rented on a short-term basis, and the owner or occupier continues to reside at the property during the short-term rental arrangement. No development approval is needed.  

Unhosted STRA which is when a property is rented on a short-term basis without the owner or occupier remaining on-site. Development approval is not needed if rented for 90 days or less per year. If rented for more than 90 days, development approval is required.

For more information on the new State Government STRA please visit:

State Government STRA Requirements and STRA Register. 

These State reforms mean changes are required to the Town’s LPS11 and Local Planning Policies.

The process so far

At its Ordinary Meeting held on the 25 March 2025, Council resolved to initiate Scheme Amendment No.1 – Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA).

The amendment was then submitted to the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH). Before allowing it to be advertised, DPLH requested minor wording changes to clarify how STRA is treated in the General and Light Industry zones—particularly in relation to caretaker’s dwellings.

The Town made these changes, and they are included in the version now open for public comment.

The Town is also reviewing Local Planning Policy No.18 – Short-Term Accommodation to make sure it aligns with the new rules. This updated policy will be presented to Council at a later date.

About the Amendment

The purpose of the proposed amendment is to bring the Towns scheme in line with the State STRA reforms.

Key changes include:

  • Removing old land use definitions for ‘Short-Term Accommodation’, ‘Bed and Breakfast’, Holiday Accommodation’, ‘Holiday House’, ‘Motel’ and ‘Serviced Apartment’.
  • Adding in new definitions being ‘Cabin’, ‘Chalet’ and ‘Tourist and Visitor Accommodation’.
  • Amending the Zoning Table (Table 3):
    • Removing outdated terms as above.
    • Adding the new terms as above.  

Scheme Amendment No. 1 LPS11 - STRA

Making a submission

You are invited to make a written submission about the proposed changes.

Submissions can be made via:

  • Email at [email protected].  
  • Via mail at Town of Bassendean, PO Box 87, Bassendean WA  6934.
  • In person at Town of Bassendean Customer Service, 35 Old Perth Road, Bassendean.
  • Or simply completing the below web form.

Hard copies of the Scheme Amendment are available at the Town’s Customer Service Centre at 35 Old Perth Road, Bassendean between 9:00am and 4:30pm Monday to Friday, or at the Bassendean Library at 46 Old Perth Road, Bassendean during its hours of operation.  

Submissions close 5:00pm on Wednesday 17 July 2025.

What next?

Following the public advertising period, the Town will review the submissions. A report will then be prepared and presented to Council with a final recommendation.

The proposal and Council recommendation will then be forwarded to Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage for a decision for final determination.