Safety isn’t just something you add to a design at the end. In Perth, it’s increasingly expected that safety is built into the planning and design stage—especially for developments that interact with the public. That’s where CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) reports come in.
More local governments are requiring CPTED assessments as part of Development Applications. These reports help planners confirm that a proposed development won’t unintentionally create spaces that encourage crime or feel unsafe. When done well, they don’t just help with approvals—they create places people want to live in, visit and invest in.
CPTED vs Security Risk Assessment — What’s the Difference?
These two terms often get mixed up, but they’re not the same thing.
A CPTED assessment is design-focused. It looks at how the physical layout of a development influences behaviour—sightlines, lighting, access points, activation of spaces and how people naturally move through the site. It’s usually done at the planning or concept stage.
A Security Risk Assessment is broader. It follows the ISO 31000 risk management framework and looks at specific threats, likelihood, consequence and risk treatments. It can include technology (like CCTV and access control), procedures, staffing, emergency management and operational security. It’s not just about design—it’s about protecting people, assets and operations.
Put simply:
- CPTED = design for safer environments
- Security Risk Assessment = managing security threats and impacts
Why Councils in Perth Are Asking for CPTED Reports
Local governments and planning authorities request CPTED reports to ensure crime prevention and safety are built into developments before approval.
These reports support compliance with:
- Safer Places by Design (WA Planning Commission) – the main state guideline for designing safe public and private spaces
- ISO 22341:2021 – the international CPTED standard that sets out principles and methodology
Councils such as the Town of Victoria Park, City of Perth, City of Stirling and DevelopmentWA regularly include CPTED requirements in development approvals, especially for projects involving public access or higher-density living.
What a CPTED Report Typically Covers
A strong CPTED report is structured, clear and practical. It usually includes:
- Project and site context – surrounding land use, pedestrian movement, crime or safety history
- Analysis using CPTED principles – natural surveillance, access control, territorial reinforcement, lighting and maintenance
- Design risks or gaps – blank walls, isolated spaces, poor lighting, unclear ownership of areas, uncontrolled access points
- Recommendations – practical changes that improve safety without compromising architectural intent
- Alignment with standards – clear reference to Safer Places by Design and ISO 22341 compliance
- Annotated drawings or diagrams – only where needed to show visibility, movement paths or design adjustments
When Is a CPTED Report Required?
Not every development needs one, but you’re likely to be asked for a CPTED assessment if your project includes:
- Public-facing areas like plazas, laneways or open spaces
- Medium-to-high density residential developments
- Community facilities such as libraries, youth centres or sporting precincts
- Car parks, underpasses, shared pedestrian routes or mixed-use buildings
- State-significant or DevelopmentWA-led projects
Submitting the report early—at concept or DA stage—helps avoid delays during planning approval.
The Framework Behind CPTED Assessments
Two key documents shape CPTED reports in Western Australia:
Safer Places by Design (Western Australia Planning Commission)
This provides the WA planning approach for embedding safety into urban design. It focuses on context-specific CPTED solutions and encourages natural surveillance, activation and strong maintenance strategies.
ISO 22341:2021This is the international standard for CPTED. It supports a structured approach to design-based crime prevention, requiring site analysis, identification of threats and justification of recommended strategies.
Common CPTED Issues Identified in Development Designs
Even well-designed projects can unintentionally include security vulnerabilities. Common issues include:
- Blank façades facing streets or public areas
- Poor or inconsistent lighting, especially between public and private zones
- Landscaping that blocks sightlines or creates hiding spots
- Uncontrolled access to service areas or back-of-house zones
- No long-term plan for maintenance or management
The earlier these are identified, the easier—and cheaper—they are to fix.
How Independent Consultants Support the CPTED Process
Architects and planners already consider safety—but CPTED reporting requires technical accuracy, planning policy knowledge and objective assessment.
Independent consultants, such as Smartsec Security Solutions, support developers by:
- Preparing CPTED reports that meet council and DevelopmentWA requirements
- Ensuring alignment with Safer Places by Design and ISO 22341
- Working alongside architects and planners without altering design intent
- Providing practical, defensible recommendations for planning submissions
- Maintaining confidentiality of projects and stakeholders
Why It’s Worth Doing CPTED Properly
Beyond meeting council requirements, a quality CPTED report delivers long-term value by:
- Reducing crime, vandalism and antisocial behaviour
- Improving public perception and community satisfaction
- Supporting leasing, sales and investment outcomes
- Avoiding expensive retrofits during or after construction
- Making planning approvals smoother and less stressful
In short, CPTED isn’t just compliance—it’s good design.
Final Thoughts
CPTED reports are now a key part of the development process in Perth. They help ensure that safety and functionality are considered early, reducing both risk and long-term costs.
By aligning with Safer Places by Design and ISO 22341, and by understanding how CPTED differs from security risk assessments, developers and architects can deliver projects that are safe, functional and more likely to be approved.
Independent support is available when you need it—whether that’s reviewing preliminary plans or preparing a full CPTED report for submission.
