Australian Property Investor
The Western Australian State Government has launched a major planning reform program in an attempt to overcome Perth’s housing crisis and redress its reputation for being a low density city beset by urban sprawl.
The Roger Cook Government announced that improvement plans and schemes will be established in up to an 800-metre radius around the 10 train stations to facilitate housing development and enhance consistency in planning and decision-making.
The 10 locations are: Ballajura, Bassendean, Carlisle/Oats Street, Claisebrook, Cottesloe, Glendalough, Morley, Mosman Park, Redcliffe and Swanbourne. More are expected to be announced in the future.
Planning and Lands Minister, John Carey, said these precincts will “supercharge” the delivery of more supply in targeted locations.
“This initiative is one way we are streamlining and simplifying the planning system to accelerate housing supply.”
Perth remains the Australian capital with the highest percentage of detached houses, which make up just over three quarters of all dwellings.
Tanya Steinbeck, CEO of the Urban Development Institute of Australia in WA, said the Western Australian Government’s decision may stir up some dissent but was ultimately justified.
“The decision may be divisive, yet it is also necessary; we need all forms of housing across Greater Perth and our regions whether that be infill, brownfield, greenfield.
“We are not in a situation where we have an ‘abundance’ of housing – we are in a housing crisis.
Ms Steinbeck said density around transit oriented developments is essential and no one suburb or station should be exempt.
Visit the Australian Property Investor to read the full article – including further comments from UDIA WA CEO Tanya Steinbeck.