WA TODAY
Western Australia stands “on the precipice” of the most significant strata title reforms in 30 years, according to a peak industry body.
The Urban Development Institute of Australia expects the state government’s long-telegraphed reforms to strata title – individual ownership of part of a property – to go before parliament in the coming weeks.
UDIA WA chief executive Allison Hailes said the reforms – if passed – would “change the way we can deliver mixed-use and other forms of strata developments in WA”.
“Perth is evolving, and with the further densification of our city, the rise of more mixed-use developments and changing buyer expectations, it is imperative that our strata legislation keeps up with the times and supports this evolution,” she said.
Drawn up by Landgate, the changes will seek to inject more flexibility for staged subdivisions, overhaul strata management practices and make dispute resolution a simpler process.
The changes were outlined to an industry breakfast on Wednesday morning, with the main focus on two new forms of land ownership – Community Schemes and Leasehold Schemes.
A major change could be the establishment of multiple management bodies to oversee a common property, aimed at mixed use buildings where residential, business and retail are all present but have different needs.
Work on the reforms was first begun by the Barnett Liberal government, then continued and refined by the McGowan Labor government, and is emerging as a key element for the push for greater urban density across Perth’s metropolitan area.
“The property industry is excited at the prospect of more flexibility to achieve enhanced community outcomes such as greater amenity; the introduction of improved management schemes; and a simplified dispute resolution process,” Ms Hailes said.
“The introduction of Community Titles in particular, will provide a framework to ensure the best possible outcomes for mixed use development, specifically addressing issues around different uses and sharing of facilities.”