❓ Dr. Honey questions housing delays despite increased Landgate funding and staffing. The Minister acknowledges pressures due to increased construction and criticises the opposition's stance on planning reform, accusing them of supporting red tape.
AnsweredQoN 827Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
LANDGATE — LAND REGISTRATION SYSTEM
827. Dr D.J. HONEY to the Minister for Housing:
I
refer to media reports of housing developments being held up by excessive
delays of up to 135 days to register land title changes, notwithstanding that
the budget shows Landgate's expenses rising 17.8 per cent, or nearly
$19 million last financial year, along with 31 additional staff, and
with further funding and staffing increases budgeted.
(1) What is the minister's
understanding of the problems behind these excessive delays?
(2) Why have the budget and staffing
increases failed to improve Landgate's performance?
827. Dr D.J. HONEY to the Minister for Housing:
I
refer to media reports of housing developments being held up by excessive
delays of up to 135 days to register land title changes, notwithstanding that
the budget shows Landgate's expenses rising 17.8 per cent, or nearly
$19 million last financial year, along with 31 additional staff, and
with further funding and staffing increases budgeted.
(1) What is the minister's
understanding of the problems behind these excessive delays?
(2) Why have the budget and staffing
increases failed to improve Landgate's performance?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I thank the member for his question. It is
well on the record that we have an unprecedented level of housing construction and housing approvals. This is well known. In fact, multiple
ministers have been on the record about the impact of that accelerated
delivery. It has affected all tiers of government—local, state and
federal—on a range of approvals. Where we see an acceleration in
subdivision and housing approvals, that clearly creates pressure in the system.
As the member stated, Landgate has provided additional resources to address
this issue and it is working through it as quickly as it can. I will say this : this is why our government is looking
across the board at measures and reforms to assist with the acceleration of delivery, whether it is land or housing supply.
That is why I am looking forward to the opposition's response on
planning reform, given that at the recent roundtable, as stated by the Premier,
there was widespread support from small to large builders and developers for
our planning reform.
To date, we know that the
opposition supports more red tape. I will be very clear : in the most challenging housing environment in Western Australia
and Australia, it supports more red tape. In fact, on ABC radio news, the Leader of the Liberal Party clearly did
not understand the issue. She was tongue-tied on planning reform and was
unable to give a coherent —
Ms L. Mettam : I did give a response.
Mr J.N. CAREY : No, you did not! It was not a coherent
answer. That is because you do not have a position. That is because you have no
position. That is because you allow the member for Cottesloe to dictate your
policy! You are very weak on planning reform. You are missing in action on
planning reform. The Leader of the Liberal Party supports more red tape!
During the Aboriginal cultural heritage debate, she talked
about private property rights and held them close to her chest. Yet on planning
reform, she wants to make it harder for Western Australian families to get
approval for single homes. There is a clear
line here. The Leader of the Liberal Party supports more red tape for families
to build their homes. That is where you stand! You have no understanding
or detail on planning! Every time you get on a radio, you shut yourself up with
your lack of basic understanding of planning in Western Australia.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please! Enough.
well on the record that we have an unprecedented level of housing construction and housing approvals. This is well known. In fact, multiple
ministers have been on the record about the impact of that accelerated
delivery. It has affected all tiers of government—local, state and
federal—on a range of approvals. Where we see an acceleration in
subdivision and housing approvals, that clearly creates pressure in the system.
As the member stated, Landgate has provided additional resources to address
this issue and it is working through it as quickly as it can. I will say this : this is why our government is looking
across the board at measures and reforms to assist with the acceleration of delivery, whether it is land or housing supply.
That is why I am looking forward to the opposition's response on
planning reform, given that at the recent roundtable, as stated by the Premier,
there was widespread support from small to large builders and developers for
our planning reform.
To date, we know that the
opposition supports more red tape. I will be very clear : in the most challenging housing environment in Western Australia
and Australia, it supports more red tape. In fact, on ABC radio news, the Leader of the Liberal Party clearly did
not understand the issue. She was tongue-tied on planning reform and was
unable to give a coherent —
Ms L. Mettam : I did give a response.
Mr J.N. CAREY : No, you did not! It was not a coherent
answer. That is because you do not have a position. That is because you have no
position. That is because you allow the member for Cottesloe to dictate your
policy! You are very weak on planning reform. You are missing in action on
planning reform. The Leader of the Liberal Party supports more red tape!
During the Aboriginal cultural heritage debate, she talked
about private property rights and held them close to her chest. Yet on planning
reform, she wants to make it harder for Western Australian families to get
approval for single homes. There is a clear
line here. The Leader of the Liberal Party supports more red tape for families
to build their homes. That is where you stand! You have no understanding
or detail on planning! Every time you get on a radio, you shut yourself up with
your lack of basic understanding of planning in Western Australia.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please! Enough.
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