Civil Society And Industry Call For Density In Perth

Civil Society And Industry Call For Density In PerthCivil society groups and industry bodies are calling for communities to support infill development and greater housing density in Perth.The Property Council of Australia, the Planning Institute of Australia, the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, the Conservation Council of WA, the Western Australian Council of Social Services and the Heart Foundation say that density is essential to reducing congestion, increasing housing affordability and diversity, improving quality of life and protecting the natural bushland surrounding Perth.Property Council of Australia WA Deputy Executive Director Lino Iacomella said “Perth needs to embrace infill development and greater housing density in order to achieve more affordable housing choices. The perfect opportunity to create more housing diversity and take advantage of existing infrastructure is to build up density around busy centres and along major transport corridors.””The lack of affordable housing continues to push lower income households out to the fringes of our city, where there are few jobs and services and little public transport” said WACOSS CEO Irina Cattalini.”Infill development creates more vibrant communities and gives those with limited mobility, including seniors, people with a disability or those with young children greater opportunities to participate in and contribute to our society.”Planning Institute of Australia (WA) Executive Officer Emma De Jager said “Perth’s intensifying urban sprawl is placing immense pressure on Perth’s existing infrastructure, roads and public transport networks. As a community we need to look towards a more sustainable future by introducing carefully designed urban infill projects that will inject life into our older suburbs, rather than moving people to the fringes.”Heart Foundation CEO Maurice Swanson said “liveable, compact neighbourhoods are good for health. Healthy design creates the ‘nearness factor’ – where most of our needs – shops, schools, workplaces, public transport and recreation are in close walkable or cycle-able distance to where we live. Healthy urban design is linked with lower chronic disease, lower obesity and better heart health.”Perth needs to learn from the world’s ‘successful’ cities and provide a future which is not clogged by congestion and where our children will be able to walk, cycle or take public transport and have more time to enjoy a healthy lifestyle with their families.”Australian Institute of Landscape Architects WA State President Nathan Greenhill said “If Perth is going to successfully house its expected future population growth and reach State Government targets of 47% infill for new residential development, it must continue to progress urban infill, but it must be done with strategic planning and community consultation and be supported by appropriate green infrastructure networks, fixed public transport solutions and functional public open space.””Perth’s periphery is experiencing expansive housing growth leading to the loss of biodiversity in what is a significant and fragile ecosystem, recognised as one of 35 biodiversity hotspots in the world. Urban infill will help to maintain those environmental values through managing the growth of Perth’s urban footprint.”Conservation Council Director Piers Verstegen said “The environmental benefits of infill development are clear. For every sustainable apartment that is built, less energy is used, less waste is created, less natural bushland is destroyed and more trips are taken by public transport.””We encourage developers, planners and Councils to think creatively about how we can make Perth a more sustainable city by supporting increased density and eco-friendly infill developments.”