❓ Mr. Healy asks about the second phase of planning and local government reforms and how they will support business, jobs, and place activation. The Minister responds by highlighting red tape reduction for small businesses, standardising local laws, and simplifying crossover approvals.
AnsweredQoN 198Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PLANNING
REFORM
198. Mr T.J. HEALY to the Minister for Local Government:
I refer to the McGowan Labor government's planning
reforms, which have cut red tape, supported business and helped drive the state's
economic recovery. Can the minister update the house on how the second phase of
planning and local government reform will further support business, help drive
jobs and assist in delivering better place activation in our local communities?
REFORM
198. Mr T.J. HEALY to the Minister for Local Government:
I refer to the McGowan Labor government's planning
reforms, which have cut red tape, supported business and helped drive the state's
economic recovery. Can the minister update the house on how the second phase of
planning and local government reform will further support business, help drive
jobs and assist in delivering better place activation in our local communities?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for his question and his passion for small
business. I am proud to be part of a government that has driven a very strong
reform program in planning and, in particular, in cutting red tape for small
business. In the first tranche, under the Minister for Planning, we saw
significant changes, including abolishing change-of-use approvals for small business,
which meant that when a small business was opening, expanding or changing the
nature of the business, there were fewer hurdles in the way. I am now proud to
stand with the Minister for Planning again to deliver a second tranche of
reforms, focused in particular on cutting red tape for small business. From my
perspective as the Minister for Local Government, it is very clear that small
businesses—many members will have heard
these complaints from small businesses and households—have to navigate
many different local laws that are in place. For example, if a small
business wishes to expand an al fresco area or its signage, it may be hit by
costly hurdles. It is our intention to better standardise local laws across Western
Australia.
There is another area that
I am very passionate about that will cause the eyes of many in this chamber to
glaze over —that is, crossovers. Crossovers are that pesky piece
of concrete between the road and a driveway, over a verge. It has been hell for
many people to work out how to build one and get it approved by local
government. I want to assure members that we intend to standardise —
Ms M.J. Davies : You're really making a big
difference in the portfolio.
Mr J.N. CAREY : The Leader of the Opposition laughs
about this, but for small business, which the Leader of the Opposition clearly
does not understand, this kind of cutting of red tape is critical. The Leader
of the Opposition may laugh about it and mock small business, but small
homebuilding firms deal with this issue every day. When I announced it at a meeting
with the Master Builders Association of WA, I suspect that was the only room in
Western Australia where I would get a cheer for saying I was standardising
crossovers! Let us be very clear: these reforms will save money and time for
small businesses. The Nationals can mock it. They can laugh about it. But this will be meaningful change. Perhaps opposition
members might want to talk to small businesses in their electorates a little
more and hear what they are saying.
business. I am proud to be part of a government that has driven a very strong
reform program in planning and, in particular, in cutting red tape for small
business. In the first tranche, under the Minister for Planning, we saw
significant changes, including abolishing change-of-use approvals for small business,
which meant that when a small business was opening, expanding or changing the
nature of the business, there were fewer hurdles in the way. I am now proud to
stand with the Minister for Planning again to deliver a second tranche of
reforms, focused in particular on cutting red tape for small business. From my
perspective as the Minister for Local Government, it is very clear that small
businesses—many members will have heard
these complaints from small businesses and households—have to navigate
many different local laws that are in place. For example, if a small
business wishes to expand an al fresco area or its signage, it may be hit by
costly hurdles. It is our intention to better standardise local laws across Western
Australia.
There is another area that
I am very passionate about that will cause the eyes of many in this chamber to
glaze over —that is, crossovers. Crossovers are that pesky piece
of concrete between the road and a driveway, over a verge. It has been hell for
many people to work out how to build one and get it approved by local
government. I want to assure members that we intend to standardise —
Ms M.J. Davies : You're really making a big
difference in the portfolio.
Mr J.N. CAREY : The Leader of the Opposition laughs
about this, but for small business, which the Leader of the Opposition clearly
does not understand, this kind of cutting of red tape is critical. The Leader
of the Opposition may laugh about it and mock small business, but small
homebuilding firms deal with this issue every day. When I announced it at a meeting
with the Master Builders Association of WA, I suspect that was the only room in
Western Australia where I would get a cheer for saying I was standardising
crossovers! Let us be very clear: these reforms will save money and time for
small businesses. The Nationals can mock it. They can laugh about it. But this will be meaningful change. Perhaps opposition
members might want to talk to small businesses in their electorates a little
more and hear what they are saying.
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