Boddington Gazettes New Rules for Short-Stay Accommodation
On September 1, 2026, the Shire of Boddington officially approved an amendment to its Local Planning Scheme No. 3, directly modifying definitions and permissibility for short-term rental and tourist accommodation. This crucial Planning Amendment was gazetted, marking a clear move by the regional council to bring the evolving short-stay market under tighter planning controls.
What happened
In a recent Gazette notice, the Shire of Boddington formally approved an amendment to its existing planning framework, Local Planning Scheme No. 3. This amendment specifically targets the categories of "short-term rental" and "tourist accommodation," redefining their parameters and how they are permitted within the Shire. The change reflects a broader trend across Western Australia where local governments are grappling with the impacts of platforms like Airbnb on housing availability and community amenity. This follows similar moves by other councils, signaling a growing consensus on the need for local regulation, as seen with amendments in the City of Wanneroo, the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale, and the City of Busselton.
What this means for you
If you are a property owner, tourism operator, or a short-term rental host in the Shire of Boddington, this amendment directly impacts your current or future operations. The modification of definitions and permissibility means that what was once allowed or implicitly understood might now be subject to new rules, requiring specific approvals or potentially limiting your ability to operate. It's crucial to review the updated Local Planning Scheme No. 3 to understand how these changes affect your property's zoning and any required permits. Ignoring these new regulations could lead to compliance issues and penalties. This is not just a bureaucratic tweak; it's a fundamental shift in how the Shire views and manages its local tourism and rental landscape.
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What this means for WA
The Shire of Boddington's action is part of a larger, undeniable pattern across Western Australia. Local governments are increasingly taking the reins to regulate short-term accommodation. This signals a policy direction where local control over housing and tourism infrastructure is paramount, often in response to community concerns about housing affordability and residential character. The cumulative effect of these local amendments could lead to a patchwork of regulations statewide, making compliance complex for platforms and hosts operating across multiple shires. It also suggests that the Cook Labor Government is content to let local councils lead on this issue, rather than imposing a single, overarching state-wide framework.
The numbers
The Shire of Boddington's amendment is officially recorded in the Gazette as an approval to modify definitions and permissibility for short-term rental and tourist accommodation. This single record, dated September 1, 2026, reflects a proactive stance from the Shire, distinguishing it from other local governments that have also recently updated their planning schemes. For example, the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale's Local Planning Scheme No. 3 Amendment No. 11, focused on zoning for residential and public open space, is detailed in its own Gazette entry. Similarly, the Town of East Fremantle's amendment to their Local Planning Scheme No. 3 designated specific lots for single-house use, detailed in its own Gazette notice. These examples underscore that while planning scheme amendments are common, Boddington's specific focus on short-term rentals highlights a targeted regulatory intervention in a rapidly evolving sector, and you can track all such planning changes on GovScanner's planning hub.
The evidence base for this pattern includes [the eighth selected Gazette record](https://govscanner.com.au/Gazette/Planning/Planning Amendment).
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