Infill could save Perth billions

Infill projects could save Perth billionsEvery 1000 infill lots developed instead of greenfield sites would save the Western Australian government $94.5 million, finds a new report that analyses the true cost of residential development.The #designperth study is the result of an unlikely partnership between the Property Council of Australia, the Australian Greens, CODA Architecture and Urban Design, and the Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute.The report finds the cost of providing infrastructure in greenfields sites – roads, water, communications, power, health, education and emergency services – is $1,390 per lot, compared with $55,830 per infill site.This translates to an extra cost to the community of $94.5 million for every 1000 lots developed in greenfield sitesIncreasing Perth’s current infill target from 47 per cent to 60 per cent would save $23 billion by 20, and would pay for the entire Perth Light Rail network 12 times over or fund nine new hospitals the size of the Fiona Stanley Hospital, the report finds.Aside from infrastructure costs, Perth households spend an average of $6600 per year in extra travel costs. In addition, the report estimates $1400 per lot per year is spent on environmental, health and productivity costs. According to the Property Council’s executive director in WA, Lino Iacomella, #designperth is a powerful demonstration of how Perth can “achieve more growth through greater housing diversity, including infill development”.Australian Greens leader Richard Di Natale says the report presents a holistic approach that saves millions of tax payers’ dollars and mitigates 4.4 tonnes of carbon pollution per house per year”This report imagines a city where we leave our cars behind, travel on public transport to the doctor or the shops and results in reduced air pollution, which is better for our health and the environment,” Di Natale says.The report also shows a vision of what is possible by bringing together some of Perth’s best architects and urban designers in a ‘design charette’ to problem solve some of Perth’s most challenging potential infill sites.”Our bold vision showcases how underutilised space in metropolitan Perth, and along key transport corridors, can be transformed through innovative and well-designed infill development. Not only will this create vibrant precincts, but it will save money,” Iacomella concludes.