❓ The Premier outlines measures to unlock land for housing, including streamlining development assessments, reducing development assessment panels, and establishing an infrastructure development fund.
AnsweredQoN 69Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
HOUSING — PLANNING REFORM
69. Mr D.R. MICHAEL to the Premier:
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's commitment to deliver more housing for Western Australians.
(1) Can the Premier update the house on the measures
being taken to unlock land for new housing opportunities in
well-connected and vibrant communities?
(2) Can the
Premier advise the house how these measures will ensure that more people can
benefit from having an affordable home?
69. Mr D.R. MICHAEL to the Premier:
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's commitment to deliver more housing for Western Australians.
(1) Can the Premier update the house on the measures
being taken to unlock land for new housing opportunities in
well-connected and vibrant communities?
(2) Can the
Premier advise the house how these measures will ensure that more people can
benefit from having an affordable home?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
member for Balcatta for the question.
(1)–(2) Since
taking office, we have relentlessly pursued our vision for a city with greater
infill and terrific public transport linkages, predominantly Metronet but also
major investments in roads across Perth. We have been advocates for density. We
have understood the need for additional housing, particularly in proximity to
train lines and proximity to amenity, such as hospitals and the like, and also
proximity to the CBD.
Today, the Minister for Planning, the
Minister for Local Government and I announced a series of reforms to help us create better communities, and to
strengthen and streamline our planning system. First, we will establish a
permanent pathway for the assessment of development applications of state and
regional significance. Over the last few years, although that has been
temporary, it has provided billions of dollars of additional investment and
over 14 000 jobs. We will make that permanent. We will also ensure that there
is a 120-day decision time frame for the special development assessment unit.
Secondly, we will reduce the number
of development assessment panels across the state from five to three—one
for the inner metropolitan area, one for outer metro and one to service
regional WA. The three-panel arrangement
will be in place next year. It will be an opt-in process for proponents and
will reduce the cost for a development that can access the DAP to $2 million.
There will be exclusions for single homes. Multi-unit developments will be able
to access the DAP if the cost will be more than $2 million. Alternatively,
proponents can go to their local government.
We also announced the $80 million
infrastructure development fund—$40 million for the city and $40 million
for regional WA. That is to help with headworks, regional workers'
accommodation, and water, sewerage and electricity, all those things that are
necessary and that might tip a project into activity when it might not quite
make it otherwise, and provide additional housing out there.
We
know that housing is a big issue in Western Australia. We know that providing
additional opportunities and additional choice is very important. That
is why we are taking real action, both financial and also legislative and
regulatory, to ensure that we make it easier for proponents to get out there
and provide additional housing for Western Australians, and particularly choice
in housing.
member for Balcatta for the question.
(1)–(2) Since
taking office, we have relentlessly pursued our vision for a city with greater
infill and terrific public transport linkages, predominantly Metronet but also
major investments in roads across Perth. We have been advocates for density. We
have understood the need for additional housing, particularly in proximity to
train lines and proximity to amenity, such as hospitals and the like, and also
proximity to the CBD.
Today, the Minister for Planning, the
Minister for Local Government and I announced a series of reforms to help us create better communities, and to
strengthen and streamline our planning system. First, we will establish a
permanent pathway for the assessment of development applications of state and
regional significance. Over the last few years, although that has been
temporary, it has provided billions of dollars of additional investment and
over 14 000 jobs. We will make that permanent. We will also ensure that there
is a 120-day decision time frame for the special development assessment unit.
Secondly, we will reduce the number
of development assessment panels across the state from five to three—one
for the inner metropolitan area, one for outer metro and one to service
regional WA. The three-panel arrangement
will be in place next year. It will be an opt-in process for proponents and
will reduce the cost for a development that can access the DAP to $2 million.
There will be exclusions for single homes. Multi-unit developments will be able
to access the DAP if the cost will be more than $2 million. Alternatively,
proponents can go to their local government.
We also announced the $80 million
infrastructure development fund—$40 million for the city and $40 million
for regional WA. That is to help with headworks, regional workers'
accommodation, and water, sewerage and electricity, all those things that are
necessary and that might tip a project into activity when it might not quite
make it otherwise, and provide additional housing out there.
We
know that housing is a big issue in Western Australia. We know that providing
additional opportunities and additional choice is very important. That
is why we are taking real action, both financial and also legislative and
regulatory, to ensure that we make it easier for proponents to get out there
and provide additional housing for Western Australians, and particularly choice
in housing.
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