Reform needs to tackle slowing infill

Reform needs to tackle slowing infillThe slowing rate of infill housing development in Perth demonstrates a clear need for regulatory reform, including the introduction of community strata titles, to make infill development easier.The WA Planning Commission’s latest Urban Growth Monitor revealed the proportion of infill development versus development on Perth’s urban fringe dropped from 32 per cent in 2011 to 28 per cent in 2012.Joe Lenzo, Property Council of Australia executive director, said, “Perth’s infill development strategy needs a shake-up, otherwise we will never achieve the 47 per cent infill target in Perth’s strategic growth plan, Directions 2031.”The decline in the infill development rate in Perth highlights the frustration in the development sector around forward planning for inner-city housing developments. This includes a raft of regulatory difficulties faced by infill developers that require the cooperation of energy and water utilities and other agencies that are traditionally geared to service single residential greenfield development.”The government’s report on infill development says that over time, as large-scale infill projects are introduced and structure planning progresses, it’s anticipated projects with higher dwelling yields per lot will make up an increasing proportion of all infill development. This is concerning because planning for large-scale infill projects takes many years and this style of development is still in its infancy in Perth.”One of the main things holding back infill development in Perth is the outdated strata title system and the lack of community titles.”Community titles will encourage larger-scale precinct-style infill housing development to occur, similar to other states. This includes more mixed-use development around suburban centres and strategic infrastructure investments such as train stations.”