Residential Land Subdivision Planning & Design – 101

In Person

Date: 27/05/2026|Time: 8:30am - 4:00pm|Course Format: In Person|Duration: 1 Day Course

Our next course intake will be in May 2026 please reach out to events@udiawa.com.au for more information.

Enquire about our May course

Learning Outcomes

Delivered by industry experts, this course is designed to increase the understanding of:

The land subdivision process, key stakeholders, and foundational principles.
How to plan and design a basic residential land subdivision project, emphasising compliance and feasibility.
The approval process, construction requirements, and how to identify key risks throughout the project life cycle.

Course Summary

Residential Land Subdivision Planning & Design – 101 offers a comprehensive introduction to the end-to-end residential land subdivision process in Western Australia. This practical, activity based course covers the key principles, activities, considerations, and stakeholders, equipping the participants with essential knowledge to effectively navigate the process through planning, design, and approvals.

This course blends the technical know-how with real-world case examples and interactive activities to maximise the learnings. So, whether you’re thinking about subdividing, working with those who do it or you’re in the field and want to refresh your knowledge, this course will provide you with a solid foundation for successful residential land subdivision.

Who Should Attend?

Local or State government staff interacting with the industry wanting a better understanding of the subdivision process from a development perspective
Development Managers and Project Managers (from Assistant to Senior)
Consultants and real estate agents wanting to understand the process as a potential sales tool
Those new to the WA development industry seeking to build their local knowledge

Course Outline

Foundations of Land Subdivision in Western Australia

Introduction to Land Subdivision:

What is land subdivision, and why is it important for property development?
Types and scale of subdivisions (e.g., greenfield, infill, strata, and freehold subdivisions).

Regulatory Framework:

Overview of Western Australia’s land development, planning and approvals framework.
Key agencies and their roles (e.g., WA Planning Commission, local councils, utilities).

Essential Terminology:

Explain terms such as R-Codes (Residential Design Codes), zoning, and development approval.

Planning and Design of a Residential Subdivision

Site Analysis and Basic Feasibility:

How to evaluate a site for subdivision potential.
Considerations: zoning, size, access, utilities, environmental factors.
The role of valuation

Subdivision Planning Process:

Steps involved: preparing a concept plan, submitting applications, and obtaining approvals.
Infrastructure upgrades (e.g., roads, drainage, utilities).
Environmental and heritage considerations.

Design Principles:

Practical tips for lot layout, road placement, and open space requirements.
Balancing profitability with liveability and compliance.
Implications of medium-density code on subdivision design.

Approval, Development, and Beyond

Subdivision Approval Process:

Application to the WA Planning Commission.
Navigating conditional approvals and managing approval risk.

Subdivision Construction Overview:

Civil construction & engineering process for basic subdivision.
Dealing with local government, utilities & services.
Managing construction risk.

Final Steps & Common Challenges:

Completing subdivision conditions and obtaining titles.
Minimising delays and holding costs.

CPD Points

The Urban Development Institute of Australia is an official Registered Provider with the CPD Standards Office. Any Delegate who attends this course may be issued with a CPD Certificate of Attendance, which they can subsequently use with their formal CPD record for a professional body, institute or employer. Attendance at this course attracts 4.5 REBA CPD points. Register your intention to claim points when you register for the course by providing your license type & number.