Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan at a Property Council event
The West Australian Government has released a slew of proposed reforms aimed at streamlining development and increasing density in the state.
The planning reforms, to be introduced to Parliament later this year, amends the planning act to change the composition and operation of the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC), and deliver reforms to Western Australia’s Development Assessment Panel (DAP) system.
The first of the changes will decrease the number of DAPs from five to three and lower the opt-in criteria for eligible projects from those with ten or more homes to projects worth at least $2 million and containing two or more homes.
Proponents can still seek approval through the relevant local government, which will retain the power to create a Strategy and Local Planning Scheme for how their communities will evolve and have representation on the DAPs.
“These changes will improve consistency in decision making across the state and enable proponents to choose the most appropriate and efficient pathway,” Premier Mark McGowan said.
Announcing the reforms at a Property Council event, Mr McGowan said high-density developments have been “portrayed as some kind of ogre that lurks among the suburbs”.
“I’m proud to say my Labor Government supports greater infill,” he said.
“We are advocating for density. It’s simple. Greater density will deliver greater housing supply – something that we all agree is needed in our growing state.
“And we support a clear planning system that enables these outcomes.”
Mr McGowan said ensuring there is a consistent approach to planning is essential.
“Cutting red tape and driving consistency will encourage more private investment, which is critical for driving our economy, creating jobs and delivering more housing choice for our community,” he said.
Mr McGowan also announced the creation of a new, permanent assessment pathway.
The government will retain the WAPC and also introduce a 120-day timeframe for assessment and determination for what is considered to be of state and regional significance.
Also among the announcements is an $80 million infrastructure headwinds fund.
The fund will help developers offset the costs of providing water, sewerage and electricity services to new housing developments.
Property Council of Australia’s WA Executive Director Sandra Brewer welcomed the announcement by the state government as a means to increase housing supply within the state.
“We welcome these initiatives by the state government which will help unlock development sites previously considered unfeasible and provide more choice in planning pathways, resulting in a much-needed boost to housing supply,” she said.
“The Property Council is committed to working with the state government to ensure there is a robust pipeline of homes to meet the needs of all Western Australians.
“In these unusual market conditions, it is imperative government and industry work collaboratively on innovative approaches to preserving housing affordability in WA.
“New Property Council WA polling found that three quarters of Perth residents agree there is a lack of affordable housing supply in their area, and eight in ten believe that a lack of new housing will make housing less affordable.
“We know housing affordability is critical to talent attraction and as our state grows, we need to ensure that housing delivery keeps pace with demand. These measures are an important step towards ensuring this,” Ms Brewer said.
The day after the event, Planning Minister Rita Saffioti announced Western Australia’s first ever planning policy to guide medium density development across the State.
“Current medium density residential development is resulting in a lack of housing diversity and affordability, loss of trees in many suburbs and limited access to natural lighting and ventilation which – as a result – increases costs for the homeowner,” she said.
“The new policy addresses what really matters to people, having choice about how and where they want to live, reducing their energy bills and making housing choices that prioritise good natural light, less concrete, more greenery and local amenity.”