Perth Flood Risk Advice - Council & State Guidance

Land Use and Zoning Western Australia 4 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026 Flag of Western Australia

Perth, Western Australia faces localised flood risk from intense storms, low-lying creek corridors and coastal inundation in some suburbs. This guide explains where to get official flood-risk advice for a specific site in Perth, which agency enforces rules, what evidence to supply with a development application, and the practical steps to obtain mapping, clearance or planning advice.

Start early: get flood advice before buying land or lodging a development application.

Where to get official flood advice

For site-specific advice start with the City of Perth planning and building team for local development requirements and any local planning policies. For authoritative flood mapping and hazard data use Western Australia state resources, and for warnings and emergency guidance use DFES.

How official advice is used by planning and building

Local planning officers use state flood mapping and any local flood studies to determine whether a site is in a hazard area and what conditions apply to a development application. Typical outcomes include requiring an engineered site-specific flood assessment, floor level conditions, drainage works, or refusal where risk cannot be managed.

A site-specific flood assessment is often required when state mapping shows potential inundation or when local policy flags a risk.

Penalties & Enforcement

The City of Perth enforces planning and building controls and may take compliance action where works or use do not meet approved conditions or where development occurs without approval. Specific monetary penalties and fee schedules for flood-related breaches are not quoted verbatim on the primary City planning pages and are therefore not specified on the cited page.[1]

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited City of Perth planning page; consult the City for current penalty units and infringement details.[1]
  • Escalation: City enforcement typically progresses from advice/notice to fines, orders and court action for continuing breaches; exact escalation and repeat-offence amounts are not specified on the cited page.[1]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: compliance or remedial orders, stop work directions, rectification notices and prosecution through courts are options described in City enforcement practice; specific forms and thresholds are not specified on the cited page.[1]
  • Enforcer and contacts: City of Perth Planning and Compliance teams enforce local planning and building rules; to report unauthorised works contact the City via its planning pages.[1]
  • Inspection and complaint pathways: the City inspects on complaint or after a referral; state agencies provide technical evidence (mapping) to support enforcement.[1]
If you receive a compliance notice, note the review and appeal time limits stated on the notice and seek prompt advice.

Applications & Forms

The City publishes development application guides and forms for planning and building approvals; state technical datasets and advice are provided by DWER and DFES. Specific form names and fees should be obtained from the City of Perth planning pages and the state agency pages cited above; where a specific fee or form number is not shown on the cited page the text notes this explicitly.[1][2][3]

  • Development application forms and guides: available from the City of Perth planning pages; fees and lodgement methods are listed there.
  • Site-specific flood assessment reports: commission a suitably qualified hydrologist or civil engineer and attach the report to your DA as required by the City.

Practical action steps

  • Early check: obtain state mapping and City advice before purchasing or lodging a DA.
  • Commission an engineer if mapping indicates any inundation risk.
  • Attach flood assessments and proposed mitigation to your development application.
  • Pay any application fees and allow time for referral to state agencies if required.

FAQ

How do I find if my Perth property is in a flood area?
Check state flood mapping and local City planning mapping, then get a site-specific assessment if mapping shows any potential inundation.
Do I need a development application for raised floor levels or drainage works?
Often yes; the City requires applications where works change ground levels, affect stormwater, or alter building floor levels—confirm with the City planning team.
Who issues flood warnings in Perth?
DFES issues warnings and community guidance for floods in Western Australia.

How-To

  1. Gather site details and address, then view state flood mapping and the City of Perth planning requirements.
  2. If mapping shows risk, commission a site-specific flood assessment from a qualified professional.
  3. Prepare and lodge a development application with flood assessment and proposed mitigation measures attached.
  4. Respond to City or referral agency requests, pay fees, and comply with any approval conditions or remedial orders.

Key Takeaways

  • Start with City of Perth planning and state flood mapping before making purchase or lodgement decisions.
  • Site-specific assessments are the usual technical requirement where mapping indicates risk.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Perth - Planning & Building
  2. [2] Department of Water and Environmental Regulation - Flood mapping
  3. [3] Department of Fire and Emergency Services - Floods

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