Planning red tape is costing Western Australia’s economy millions of dollars each year, but a new Property Council report provides 36 ideas to transform planning.
Three key takeaways:
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Against a backdrop of evolving community expectations, stretched resources, development constraints and COVID-19, the Property Council has launched Planning to Deliver: Ideas to transform the Western Australian Planning System.
“Planning to Deliver provides a clear roadmap for reform that will elevate the WA planning system,” says Property Council WA executive director, Sandra Brewer.
Brewer says a robust, well-resourced planning system empowers decision-makers and gives the community a clear future vision and channels to contribute to the process.
“Progress can only occur where the planning systems underpinning our built environment supports innovation and encourages new investment,” she adds.
The report presents reforms across five themes: a strategically-led planning framework; clarity; certainty; a strong state planning agency; and a vision that is championed and reflected across the diversity of decisions and investments.
There are ‘quick wins’ that simply require adjustments to existing instruments and processes, as well as proposals that would require a considerable work program from government.
Brewer says the report underscores the inherent strengths of the state’s planning system.
“The Western Australian Planning Commission has a clear purpose and approachable people, we have a mature infill policy and leadership from our state government. Our governments’ collective appetite for planning reform is refreshing, and an unmissable opportunity for us to work together,” she says.
“As WA grows, so too will the demands on our planning system. We will need homes, schools, hospitals, retail spaces, ports, transport links and tourism precincts, and our aspiration should be to deliver these efficiently so everyone can benefit,” Brewer concludes.
Download Planning to Deliver: Ideas to transform the Western Australian Planning System