❓ Opposition questions the Housing Minister on the government's plan to increase residential land supply, particularly in regional WA. The Minister defends the government's record and attacks the opposition's lack of a housing plan.
AnsweredQoN 564Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
RESIDENTIAL LAND —
SUPPLY
564. Mr K.J.J. MICHEL to the Minister for Housing:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
commitment to create a pipeline of housing opportunities across Western Australia.
(1) Can the
minister outline to the house what action this government is taking to increase
the supply of residential land across the state, particularly in the regions?
(2) Can the minister advise the
house how this will support the delivery of more houses?
SUPPLY
564. Mr K.J.J. MICHEL to the Minister for Housing:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
commitment to create a pipeline of housing opportunities across Western Australia.
(1) Can the
minister outline to the house what action this government is taking to increase
the supply of residential land across the state, particularly in the regions?
(2) Can the minister advise the
house how this will support the delivery of more houses?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I thank the member for his question and his
commitment to growing housing in the regions. As members know, our government
is doing everything it can to boost housing supply across Western Australia. Of
course, since 2021, we have made a record
investment of $3.2 billion in social housing and homelessness, and we have a
target of 5 000 new social homes. To date, more than 2 400 homes have been
delivered, with another 1 000 under
construction. On top of that, more than 1 500 homes have had major
refurbishments to extend their lives. We have also created the community housing
grants scheme for regional communities. That is $50 million to help grow
community housing, specifically for regional communities in Western Australia.
We
also understand that we have to take a very strong role in unlocking land in
regional Western Australia. The simple reality is that getting housing
projects over the line often means a substantial investment in getting the land
development-ready, and we should not underestimate that. Our regional land
booster program is having a powerful effect. From the program's
inception in July 2020 to 30 June this year, 751 lots have been contracted
across 99 projects in 83 regional towns. They have a combined value of more
than $176 million. Currently, DevelopmentWA has 482 residential and mixed-use
lots for sale. We are getting that land ready and available for the private
market.
Of course, we have our $80 million
infrastructure fund that is funding the headworks of workers' accommodation and making land ready for housing.
Most recently, we struck a deal with Perdaman, which is in the member's
electorate. That deal is for $48 million to get 174 lots available, and a key
component of them will be purchased by Perdaman to create 100 homes over five
years. This is an extraordinary investment that is getting land development-ready
and creating housing in regional communities.
It is no surprise that the opposition
criticises everything we do. Hon Steve Martin cannot help himself; he
criticises at every opportunity. I keep looking for the Liberal Party's
plan for housing. It is quite amazing because the Liberals are talking about
the plan in election and campaign material. The Liberal candidate for Nedlands
has said that he will commit to —
Provide considered residential
solutions to address the housing and rental shortage and provide local options
for young adults �
The Liberal candidate for Churchlands
is even more explicit. He has said —
Our local plan will restore the dream
of home ownership for every Western Australian �
I ask the Leader of the Liberal
Party: What is the plan? Name one point. Is it three points? Is it five points?
There is no —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Minister, resume
your seat. Member for Cottesloe, please do not interject.
Point of Order
Mr R.S. LOVE : This is
question time. It is for members to ask questions and ministers to give the
response, not for ministers to ask questions directly of other members. I ask
that the minister be directed to respond properly to the questions being asked.
The SPEAKER : Minister for Housing, a few rhetorical
questions here and there are a typical debating technique, but you are
overdoing it. Please do not continue with it.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Mr
J.N. CAREY : Thank you, Madam
Speaker, for your guidance. The point I am making is that Liberal candidates are out in the community saying they have a plan when there is zero plan. This
is fraud by the WA Liberals. Absolute fraud! There is not one policy release.
What's more, they are claiming credit for Labor initiatives. The Liberal candidate for Churchlands said that he
wants to ensure that rentals are ''affordable and dignified'' and
secure . That is interesting, because the Liberals voted against our
rental reforms that were providing tenants with secure and affordable rentals.
There is a clear line in this place. There is the side of the WA Liberals, who
are absolutely being fraudulent to electors in their local communities by
claiming they have a housing plan when they have not one policy released, and,
on this side of the house, we are seeing a government that, at every measure,
is working to drive and accelerate the delivery of housing.
commitment to growing housing in the regions. As members know, our government
is doing everything it can to boost housing supply across Western Australia. Of
course, since 2021, we have made a record
investment of $3.2 billion in social housing and homelessness, and we have a
target of 5 000 new social homes. To date, more than 2 400 homes have been
delivered, with another 1 000 under
construction. On top of that, more than 1 500 homes have had major
refurbishments to extend their lives. We have also created the community housing
grants scheme for regional communities. That is $50 million to help grow
community housing, specifically for regional communities in Western Australia.
We
also understand that we have to take a very strong role in unlocking land in
regional Western Australia. The simple reality is that getting housing
projects over the line often means a substantial investment in getting the land
development-ready, and we should not underestimate that. Our regional land
booster program is having a powerful effect. From the program's
inception in July 2020 to 30 June this year, 751 lots have been contracted
across 99 projects in 83 regional towns. They have a combined value of more
than $176 million. Currently, DevelopmentWA has 482 residential and mixed-use
lots for sale. We are getting that land ready and available for the private
market.
Of course, we have our $80 million
infrastructure fund that is funding the headworks of workers' accommodation and making land ready for housing.
Most recently, we struck a deal with Perdaman, which is in the member's
electorate. That deal is for $48 million to get 174 lots available, and a key
component of them will be purchased by Perdaman to create 100 homes over five
years. This is an extraordinary investment that is getting land development-ready
and creating housing in regional communities.
It is no surprise that the opposition
criticises everything we do. Hon Steve Martin cannot help himself; he
criticises at every opportunity. I keep looking for the Liberal Party's
plan for housing. It is quite amazing because the Liberals are talking about
the plan in election and campaign material. The Liberal candidate for Nedlands
has said that he will commit to —
Provide considered residential
solutions to address the housing and rental shortage and provide local options
for young adults �
The Liberal candidate for Churchlands
is even more explicit. He has said —
Our local plan will restore the dream
of home ownership for every Western Australian �
I ask the Leader of the Liberal
Party: What is the plan? Name one point. Is it three points? Is it five points?
There is no —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Minister, resume
your seat. Member for Cottesloe, please do not interject.
Point of Order
Mr R.S. LOVE : This is
question time. It is for members to ask questions and ministers to give the
response, not for ministers to ask questions directly of other members. I ask
that the minister be directed to respond properly to the questions being asked.
The SPEAKER : Minister for Housing, a few rhetorical
questions here and there are a typical debating technique, but you are
overdoing it. Please do not continue with it.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Mr
J.N. CAREY : Thank you, Madam
Speaker, for your guidance. The point I am making is that Liberal candidates are out in the community saying they have a plan when there is zero plan. This
is fraud by the WA Liberals. Absolute fraud! There is not one policy release.
What's more, they are claiming credit for Labor initiatives. The Liberal candidate for Churchlands said that he
wants to ensure that rentals are ''affordable and dignified'' and
secure . That is interesting, because the Liberals voted against our
rental reforms that were providing tenants with secure and affordable rentals.
There is a clear line in this place. There is the side of the WA Liberals, who
are absolutely being fraudulent to electors in their local communities by
claiming they have a housing plan when they have not one policy released, and,
on this side of the house, we are seeing a government that, at every measure,
is working to drive and accelerate the delivery of housing.
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