Metropolitan Region Scheme

The Metropolitan Region Scheme (MRS) provides the legal basis for land use planning within the Perth metropolitan region. It defines the future use of land by applying broad zones and reservations. The scheme is administered by the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC). It is one of three regional schemes in Western Australia. The MRS is updated via an ongoing process of amendments. Amendments to the MRS are typically informed by a series of strategic plans prepared by the Department of Planning, Lands & Heritage. Detailed land use planning within the area of the MRS is undertaken by local governments and other statutory authorities which prepare one or more local planning schemes within their administrative boundaries. Local plannings schemes must be consistent with the MRS and require the approval of the Minister for Planning. The acquisition of land reserved under the MRS is funded by a hypothecated land tax called the Metropolitan Region Improvement Tax.