WA Today
Proposed major reforms to Western Australia’s residential design codes would mean an additional 50,000 homeowners could subdivide their land and sell their backyards, or demolish and redevelop, helping to boost block values and increase density.
Land blocks of 700 square metres zoned R20 and below would be able to be subdivided, a massive decrease from the 900 square metres currently required.
The R20 density code generally applies to the most common suburban residential properties across the Perth metropolitan region, but the local government areas expected to be the most impacted by the changes include Joondalup, Stirling, Wanneroo, Canning and Cockburn.
Housing and Planning and Lands Minister John Carey announced the proposed changes on Thursday morning.
Chief-executive Tanya Steinbeck said there was a particular need to reduce unnecessary complexity, improve certainty and unlock additional housing opportunities within established suburbs.
“At a time when WA continues to face significant housing pressures, reforms that help deliver more homes, faster, should be welcomed,” she said.