At an industry summit hosted by the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA WA) this morning, the Minister for Planning and Lands the Hon. John Carey, announced the next tranche of planning reforms aimed at streamlining processes and accelerating the delivery of new housing across the state.
These reforms, presented at the UDIA WA Red Tape Summit today, are in response to the Institute’s sustained advocacy efforts, that focus on realistic solutions to accelerate the delivery of housing to address supply and affordability constraints impacting buyers and renters across the state.
“UDIA WA continues to take a collaborative approach to achieving a more streamlined approach to the delivery of housing in Western Australia,” UDIA WA CEO Tanya Steinbeck said. “This is critical for our state’s future and our ability to provide appropriate housing for our growing population.”
“Getting the processes right, to support the delivery of much needed housing right across our state, is critical to ensuring that more people can find and secure a home that meets their needs,” Ms Steinbeck said.
The overall aim of the reforms is to reduce duplication and delays across planning, structure plan, and subdivision processes.
The reforms include the introduction of concurrent region and local planning scheme amendments; and faster amendments of a region planning scheme when there is an approved District Structure Plan.
Enhanced oversight by the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) to call-in, modify, or cancel structure plans as needed is also a key area of the reform package, providing a resolution pathway for when structure plans are not progressed by local government.
Streamlined agency referral processes, clarified escalation pathways and clearer accountability and performance expectations across the planning system will have a significant impact on getting housing to market, faster.
“The enhanced oversight of WAPC and the streamlining of referral processes is a critical element of reform, given the delays and uncertainty that is caused by some agencies and local governments taking too long to respond or make decisions on projects,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“These reforms should help remove duplication and avoid conflicting or overlapping conditions being placed on projects from different referral agencies,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“These reforms could have a material impact on overall project timeframes, feasibility and the ability of developers to get land and housing market ready – without impacting on the quality or adherence to existing regulations and policy requirements” Ms Steinbeck said.
“Improved consistency, transparency, and certainty is good for developers, and it is good for the wider community who have a right to expect access to appropriate and affordable housing,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“UDIA WA looks forward to further engagement and consultation to ensure the reforms deliver practical benefits across the planning system.”
“Efficient planning processes are essential to meeting Western Australia’s housing needs, and we appreciate the State Government’s focus on continuing to cut red tape and support industry in our important role in delivering the homes we need now, and for our future,” Ms Steinbeck said.
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Contact:
Gemma Osiejak
Executive Manager Communications & Engagement
P: 0421 506 819
E: gosiejak@udiawa.com.au