❓ Question regarding deficiencies in land valuations by Landgate and DevelopmentWA, as highlighted in several Auditor General reports. The Minister's response focuses on housing supply, compliance with accounting standards, and remediation efforts.
AnsweredQoN 1615Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
The Office of the Auditor General's (OAG) Reports on 'Financial Audit Results - State Government 2023-24' (30 April 2025), 'Fraud Risks in Land Transactions by DevelopmentWA' (28 May 2025), 'Valuation of Property held by the Public Education Endowment Trust' (3 December 2025), and 'Financial Audit Results – State Government 2025' (3 December 2025) found deficiencies, fluctuations and errors in land valuations involving Landgate and DevelopmentWA. Can the Minister advise: (a) Whether he is concerned with the findings of these reports, especially given the current nature of the Perth property market; (b) What specific action he has taken with respect to the findings in each of these reports and when; (c) What action he proposes to take with respect to the two reports issued on 3 December 2025; (d) If no action has been taken on one or more of these reports, why not, for each one; (e) Whether he is satisfied with the processes and methodology in place for land valuations by Landgate; (f) If so, why, given the OAG’s findings; and (g) If not, who is responsible for the deficiencies and what action has been taken?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
17 February 2026
Responded by
Minister for Planning and Lands
Response time
1 days
(a-g)
The Cook Government is focus on unlocking land to deliver housing supply to all West Australians, whether that be private, social or affordable housing.
The valuation methodology adopted by Landgate complies with accounting standards.
The change to valuation methodology was in response to the revised accounting standard that took effect 1 January 2025, which agencies are obliged to comply with.
Landgate has accepted all recommendations within the OAG’s report.
Landgate is already undertaking a valuations continuous improvement program that commenced in July 2025. The OAG is aware of this program.
The Knutsford Street land was historically used for fuel storage, and is heavily contaminated with hydrocarbons. Partial remediation was funded by Department of Education and the land is formally classified as Remediated for Restricted Use in the Contaminated Sites Database. The site is considered suitable for residential use with restrictions, including prohibition on groundwater extraction, ongoing testing and monitoring, and health and safety measures for intrusive works. Residential development can incur additional costs associated with the restrictions.
Despite the contamination issues at the site and Remediated for Restricted Use classification, the independent valuation states that the valuation was made “ on the assumption that there are no contamination issues which would impact the value or marketability of the property” . The independent valuer explicitly acknowledges they “are not experts in the detection or quantification of environmental problems, and accordingly, have not carried out a detailed environmental assessment”.
The Cook Government is focus on unlocking land to deliver housing supply to all West Australians, whether that be private, social or affordable housing.
The valuation methodology adopted by Landgate complies with accounting standards.
The change to valuation methodology was in response to the revised accounting standard that took effect 1 January 2025, which agencies are obliged to comply with.
Landgate has accepted all recommendations within the OAG’s report.
Landgate is already undertaking a valuations continuous improvement program that commenced in July 2025. The OAG is aware of this program.
The Knutsford Street land was historically used for fuel storage, and is heavily contaminated with hydrocarbons. Partial remediation was funded by Department of Education and the land is formally classified as Remediated for Restricted Use in the Contaminated Sites Database. The site is considered suitable for residential use with restrictions, including prohibition on groundwater extraction, ongoing testing and monitoring, and health and safety measures for intrusive works. Residential development can incur additional costs associated with the restrictions.
Despite the contamination issues at the site and Remediated for Restricted Use classification, the independent valuation states that the valuation was made “ on the assumption that there are no contamination issues which would impact the value or marketability of the property” . The independent valuer explicitly acknowledges they “are not experts in the detection or quantification of environmental problems, and accordingly, have not carried out a detailed environmental assessment”.
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