When undertaking an assessment of development in Perth, security and safety considerations are no longer optional. Increasingly, planners, councils, and approving authorities expect developments to demonstrate how crime prevention and public safety have been considered as part of the design.
This is where Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) plays a critical role.
At Smartsec Security Solutions, we provide independent CPTED assessments and reports to support development applications across Perth and Western Australia. With over 19 years of experience in security risk, CPTED, physical security, and public-facing environments, we help developers, architects, and planners ensure their projects are not only compliant, but genuinely safer and more functional.
What is an assessment of development?
An assessment of development refers to the evaluation of a proposed project against planning requirements, design standards, and regulatory expectations before approval is granted.
This process typically considers:
- land use and zoning
- built form and design
- traffic and access
- environmental impact
- community interface
- safety and security
For many developments, particularly those involving public access, mixed-use spaces, residential density, or commercial activity, CPTED is now a key component of that assessment.
In practical terms, this means developments are expected to demonstrate how the design reduces opportunities for crime, improves natural surveillance, and supports safe use of the space both during the day and after hours.
Why CPTED is required for development approvals
Across Perth and WA, CPTED is increasingly embedded into planning frameworks, development conditions, and design expectations.
CPTED reports are often required for:
- mixed-use developments
- apartment buildings
- shopping centres and retail precincts
- car parks and transport interfaces
- hospitality and entertainment venues
- public realm upgrades
- education facilities
- large-scale or high-traffic developments
In many cases, CPTED is not just a “nice to have” — it is a condition of approval or a requirement to satisfy planning authorities before a project can proceed.
A well-prepared CPTED report demonstrates that security has been considered early, rather than retrofitted later at higher cost and with reduced effectiveness.
What a CPTED assessment of development looks at
A CPTED-based assessment of development focuses on how the design of a site influences behaviour, visibility, access, and safety.
Rather than relying purely on guards or technology, CPTED looks at how the built environment itself can reduce risk.
Typical considerations include:
Natural surveillance
How visible are key areas of the site?
Are there blind spots, hidden corners, or poorly overlooked spaces?
Access control
Are public, semi-public, and private areas clearly defined?
Is there a risk of unauthorised access into residential or restricted areas?
Territorial reinforcement
Does the design clearly communicate ownership and boundaries?
Do users understand where they should and should not be?
Lighting and after-hours visibility
Is the site safe and usable after dark?
Are pathways, entries, and car parks adequately illuminated?
Movement and circulation
Are pedestrian and vehicle movements logical and safe?
Are there conflict points or areas of congestion?
Activation and legitimate use
Does the design encourage positive use of the space?
Are there areas likely to become inactive or underutilised?
Interface with the public realm
How does the development connect with surrounding streets, laneways, and neighbouring properties?
Are there vulnerabilities at these transition points?
These elements are assessed together to form a clear picture of how the development will perform from a safety and security perspective.
Common CPTED issues identified in developments
Through our experience working on developments across Perth, there are several recurring issues that arise when CPTED is not properly considered early in the design process.
These include:
- concealed entry points or poorly overlooked accessways
- residential access points exposed to public areas
- car parks with limited surveillance or poor lighting
- unclear separation between public and private zones
- inactive edges creating opportunities for loitering or antisocial behaviour
- glazing, landscaping, or structures that obstruct visibility
- after-hours vulnerabilities not addressed in the design
- reliance on technology without supporting environmental design
These issues are often difficult and expensive to fix once construction has progressed. Addressing them during the assessment of development stage is far more effective.
Our CPTED assessment services for developments
Smartsec Security Solutions provides CPTED assessments tailored specifically for development projects in Perth and WA.
We work with:
- developers
- architects
- town planners
- project managers
- local government stakeholders
Our role is to provide independent, risk-based advice that aligns with planning expectations while remaining practical for the project.
Our CPTED assessment services can support:
- development applications (DA submissions)
- planning conditions requiring CPTED input
- design reviews at concept, schematic, or detailed design stages
- mixed-use and residential developments
- commercial and retail projects
- public realm and streetscape upgrades
We focus on identifying risks, highlighting design opportunities, and providing clear recommendations that can be incorporated into the project.
Importantly, our advice is independent. We do not sell or install security systems, which means our recommendations are based purely on what is appropriate for the development.
Why early CPTED input matters
One of the most common challenges in development projects is that security is considered too late.
By the time issues are identified, the design may already be locked in, budgets allocated, and approvals underway.
Engaging CPTED advice early in the assessment of development process allows for:
- more efficient design outcomes
- reduced need for costly redesign
- smoother planning approval processes
- stronger justification for design decisions
- improved long-term safety and usability
It also provides confidence to stakeholders that security has been properly addressed, rather than added as an afterthought.
Why choose Smartsec Security Solutions
Smartsec Security Solutions brings over 19 years of experience in security risk, CPTED, and physical security advisory.
We understand how developments operate in practice, not just how they appear on drawings.
Clients engage us because we offer:
- independent CPTED advice
- strong understanding of WA planning context
- practical, buildable recommendations
- experience across residential, commercial, and public projects
- alignment with recognised frameworks and standards
- clear, professional reporting
Our focus is on helping you get the development right from the start, rather than identifying problems after they occur.
When do you need a CPTED assessment for development?
You should consider engaging a CPTED assessment when:
- preparing a development application
- responding to planning authority requirements
- designing a mixed-use or public-facing project
- reviewing safety and security in early design stages
- upgrading or redeveloping an existing site
- addressing concerns raised by stakeholders or councils
Even where CPTED is not explicitly required, it is increasingly expected as part of responsible design and planning.
Assessment of development in Perth: getting it right the first time
An assessment of development is more than a planning exercise. It is an opportunity to ensure that the project is safe, functional, and fit for purpose from day one.
CPTED plays a key role in achieving this outcome.
At Smartsec Security Solutions, we help developers and project teams across Perth deliver safer, more resilient developments through independent CPTED assessments and security advice.
If you are working on a development and need a CPTED report or security input as part of your assessment of development, we can assist.
Click on our contact page here to get in touch.
