❓ Hon Steve Martin questions the State Government's 35,000-home yield estimate for station precinct development, querying data sources, local government input, and achievability. The Minister's response attributes the estimate to the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, based on planning data and growth forecasts, highlighting the influence of local planning schemes on housing delivery.
AnsweredQoN 928Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the two-page spread in The West Australian on 16 November 2025 on pages 8-9, featuring an article and analysis by Joe Spagnolo announcing the State Government's plans to establish 10 station precincts for higher density housing in an 800 metre radius around train station sites. I note that the article says, "the State Government believes the 10 train-station precincts could accommodate an additional 35,000 homes", and I also note that the Western Australian Government Media Release distributed later that day did not mention the 35,000 homes figure, and that the Facebook posts from the same day by the Minister and the Deputy Premier also did not mention the figure, and I ask: (a) what State Government body provided the advice of the potential 35,000-home yield; (b) what data was used to compile the figure; (c) what input did local governments have in assisting with the generation of the 35,000 figure, with respect to the involvement of: (i) professional staff; (ii) elected representatives; and (iii) the Western Australian Local Government Association peak body; (d) what non-government organisations, if any, assisted in the generation of the 35,000 figure; (e) has the Minister received any feedback from non-government organisations on the 35,000 figure; (f) if yes to (e), what was it in relation to achievability; and (g) has the Minister received any feedback from local governments, individually or from peak or group bodies, in relation to: (i) what component or contribution towards the figure their relevant site or sites has been estimated to contribute to the 35,000 homes; and (ii) whether the 35,000 figure, or their individual expected contribution to it, is realistic or achievable?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
24 February 2026
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Housing and Works
Response time
8 days
(a-g) The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage estimates the 10 precincts have the capacity to deliver up to 35,000 additional dwellings, based on available planning data and growth forecasts.
The dwelling numbers referred to are estimates of how many homes could be built and will be dependent on final built form outcomes. Providing this type of estimate is standard practice in strategic planning to understand the future capacity of different areas. Another example of this is demonstrated in the Perth and Peel @3.5 million land use planning and infrastructure frameworks which were initiated under the former Liberal–National Government. The State Government does not directly build most private housing.
Housing delivery depends on a range of factors, including local planning schemes being kept up to date by local government. Low density controls in local planning schemes continue to dominate many well-located areas of Perth.
This is why the Cook Government has acted decisively to assume planning responsibility for station precincts, ensuring these strategically important areas can meet their full potential.
The dwelling numbers referred to are estimates of how many homes could be built and will be dependent on final built form outcomes. Providing this type of estimate is standard practice in strategic planning to understand the future capacity of different areas. Another example of this is demonstrated in the Perth and Peel @3.5 million land use planning and infrastructure frameworks which were initiated under the former Liberal–National Government. The State Government does not directly build most private housing.
Housing delivery depends on a range of factors, including local planning schemes being kept up to date by local government. Low density controls in local planning schemes continue to dominate many well-located areas of Perth.
This is why the Cook Government has acted decisively to assume planning responsibility for station precincts, ensuring these strategically important areas can meet their full potential.
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