Subdividing my property

There are two main types of residential subdivision in WA:

Green-title (freehold) subdivision creates two or more separate lots, each with their own certificate of title. Each lot is privately owned with no shared land. This is the most common type for splitting a residential block into two.

Survey-strata subdivision divides land (and sometimes buildings) based on boundaries shown on a registered survey-strata plan. Survey-strata lots may or may not have common property shared between owners. This type is common for grouped dwellings and some infill developments.

If you are unsure which type suits your situation, a licensed surveyor or planning consultant can advise you.

Whether you can subdivide depends on several things:

• Minimum lot sizes. Your property's zoning sets the minimum lot sizes that apply to any subdivision. These are set by the State Government's Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) and vary depending on the density code that applies to your land. Contact a planning officer to confirm what applies to your property.
• Servicing. New lots must be capable of being connected to reticulated water, sewerage, power and telecommunications. If your land is not currently serviced, you may need to extend infrastructure at your cost.
• Existing buildings. Where an existing dwelling would remain on one of the new lots, it must comply with setback and building requirements for the new lot size.

Subdivision applications are lodged with the WAPC, not the City of Mandurah. The process works like this:

1. Engage a licensed surveyor to prepare your subdivision plan and lodge the application with the WAPC through the WAPC's online portal.
2. WAPC refers the application to the City. The City has 42 days to assess the application and provide comments. We assess it against the Local Planning Scheme, relevant Local Structure Plans, Local Planning Policies and the R-Codes.
3. WAPC decides. The WAPC must decide within 90 days of the application being lodged. They may approve it unconditionally, approve it with conditions, or refuse it. If approved with conditions, you must meet all conditions before new titles can be issued.
4. Clear the conditions. If approved, the WAPC will issue a list of conditions that must be met before new titles can be issued. Conditions come from multiple authorities - the City, Water Corporation, Western Power, Main Roads and others may all have requirements. Your surveyor will generally manage this process on your behalf, contacting each authority to confirm their conditions have been met.
5. New titles issued. Once all conditions are cleared by all relevant authorities and the WAPC is satisfied, Landgate issues the new certificates of title.

If your WAPC approval includes conditions that require the City's sign-off, you will need to apply to the City for subdivision clearance before new titles can be issued.

Common conditions the City clears include street tree planting, crossover construction, drainage works, public open space provision and compliance with any local planning requirements.

To apply for clearance, lodge your application through City of Mandurah Online and include a cover letter explaining how you have addressed each relevant condition, with supporting evidence (photos, certificates, invoices, as-built plans etc.).

If you own two or more adjacent lots and want to combine them into one, this is called amalgamation. Like subdivision, amalgamation applications are lodged with and decided by the WAPC.

Amalgamation is useful when you want to build across what would otherwise be a lot boundary, or to simplify ownership of multiple titles.

Your surveyor can prepare and lodge the amalgamation application on your behalf.