The Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA WA) has welcomed the State Government’s announcement today that the Station Precincts Improvement Plan has been approved to catalyse housing delivery in key metropolitan train station precincts.
Today’s announcement follows last year’s commitment to establish improvement plans and schemes in priority station precincts, aimed at streamlining planning decisions and driving higher density development in these areas.
The plan outlines the station precinct boundaries for eight of the ten stations announced last year.
UDIA WA CEO Tanya Steinbeck said the announcement represented an important next step in creating a more consistent, coordinated and delivery-focused planning framework for well-located infill housing in the identified precincts.
“This is the kind of strategic approach to infill housing delivery that industry has been calling for, and it is particularly important at a time when Western Australia remains in the grips of a housing supply crisis,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“We need a balanced approach to the creation of new homes in both new and existing areas and facilitating a pipeline of medium and higher-density infill development through identifying these precincts is a critical part of that response,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“Facilitating and incentivising viable density, such as around transit-oriented locations is essential if we are serious about delivering more housing choice close to public transport, employment, services and amenity,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“Boosting housing supply in these areas means that purchasing or renting a home becomes more accessible to more people who really want to live in these areas.”
“We support State level leadership in regard to planning and approvals that will shift the dial on housing supply across the continuum,” Ms Steinbeck said.
The identified station precincts will effectively come under State planning control, with the State setting height and density parameters and acting as the responsible decision-maker for development in these areas.
Ms Steinbeck said that while the approach may attract debate in some locations, it is a necessary and proportionate response to the scale of the housing challenge.
“This is a necessary response to our current housing needs,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“We are not in a situation where we have an abundance of housing. Our structural undersupply will not meet the needs of our current and growing population, and that means all reasonable options need to be on the table.
“This decision on its own will not lead to apartments appearing overnight,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“This is about removing the regulatory and prohibitive cost barriers that are impacting project feasibility, combined with strategic decision-making, that supports developers in their role to meet market demand.”
UDIA WA has consistently advocated for the Western Australian Planning Commission and the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage to work with industry and local government to identify key infill areas that can feasibly deliver increased density, and to initiate improvement plans and schemes to facilitate delivery.
That includes upcoding in appropriate locations, particularly where lots are of a suitable size to support medium and higher-density homes, such as station precincts and activity centres that are well-serviced in metropolitan areas.
“We would like to see these precinct plans supported by ongoing collaboration with industry and local government to ensure planning settings are commercially feasible, context responsive and capable of delivering more homes sooner,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“Getting the settings right for Keystart’s project financing products will provide additional support for apartment projects that remain challenged by construction cost and capacity constraints.”
UDIA WA looks forward to continuing to participate in the ongoing engagement process as the precinct plans and subsequently the improvement schemes are finalised in the coming year.
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Contact:
Gemma Osiejak
Executive Manager Communications & Engagement
P: 0421 506 819
E: gosiejak@udiawa.com.au