Property Editorial, Published in The West Australian Newspaper, Wednesday 29 July 2026
Reforms set the pace
Land supply to benefit from less red tape but will savings pass on?
Kim Macdonald
Land supply is set for a boost with planning reforms to shave 12 to 18 months off the time it takes to create a new housing estate, following significant changes.
The reforms, revealed by Planning Minister John Carey at an event held by the Urban Development Institute of WA on Tuesday, will streamline the approvals process through a raft of measures.
It includes the introduction of concurrent regional and local planning scheme amendments.
The WA Planning Commission will also be given the ability to call in, modify or cancel structure plans, ensuring problems can be more quickly resolved when structure plans are not progressed by local government.
UDIA boss Tanya Steinbeck said the reforms have the potential to shave more than a year from the time it takes to bring a land subdivision to market.
But she conceded that it remained to be seen if any savings — through reduced holding costs — are passed on to consumers in the form of cheaper blocks.
Ms Steinbeck said simplification was necessary given the the red tape in the system.
“Livingstone Estate in Canning Vale was developed in the 1990s with five subdivision conditions,” she said. “A similar estate today will include 40 to 50 subdivision conditions.”
Another key change will prevent delays created by agencies such as councils, Main Roads and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services during the the referral process.
Ms Steinbeck said that historically, agencies tended not to give feedback until the the day before deadline, often with unnecessary queries, which dragged out the process. The agencies’ response sometimes included unnecessary conditions.
The reforms to streamline the agency referral process mean these agencies are now subject to performance expectations and will be held accountable for their role in the process.
It is understood the planning commission will have the right to make a decision without their input.
“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 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,” she said.