- Planning and
Development Amendment Bill 2023 passes WA Parliament
- Green light
for major reforms to reduce red tape and boost WA housing supply
- Reforms
include permanent significant development pathway for metropolitan and regional
projects and changes to Development Assessment Panels
- Bill delivers
on Cook Government's priority planning reforms
Major changes to Western Australia's planning system that will
accelerate the delivery of housing supply across the State have been passed by State
Parliament.
These planning reforms are a key pillar of the Cook
Government's plans to boost housing supply and align with the National Planning
Reform Blueprint agreed to by National Cabinet.
The Planning and
Development Amendment Bill 2023 enables
the delivery of the Cook Government's priority planning reforms, which were
identified through significant community and industry consultation undertaken
over the past six years.
Key elements of the Bill to facilitate the acceleration of housing delivery and
cut unnecessary red tape include:
- a new
permanent, significant development pathway for projects;
- clearer
decision-making in local government for single houses;
- changes
to Development Assessment Panels;
- updates
to existing planning processes, to further cut red tape and duplication; and
- reform
of the Western Australian Planning
Commission (WAPC).
The new permanent significant development pathway will create a
streamlined, efficient and coordinated pathway for complex proposals of more
than $20 million in the Perth and Peel regions and of more than $5 million in
regional WA.
For single house developments, the legislation requires decision-making
by the local government administration and not the council, except where
heritage is involved. These applications will be determined by technical
experts, through the Chief Executive Officer or local government employees,
ensuring a more efficient process for homeowners.
Other reforms include changes in the membership and operations of the WAPC,
a reduction in the number of Development Assessment Panels (DAPs) from five to
three and the appointment of fixed-term full-time members and changes in
eligibility thresholds for DAPs.
The reforms complement the
Cook Government's $2.6 billion investment in social housing and homelessness
measures, which includes funding to deliver 4,000 new social homes.
They also build on
previous reforms that removed the need for planning approval for some
change-of-use applications and small residential projects such as pergolas, decks
and granny flats.
Comments attributed to
Premier Roger Cook:
"These significant
reforms are a key plank of my Government's response to the current barriers to
housing delivery.
"As Governments
across Australia face challenges with housing supply, Western Australia is
leading the nation in delivering planning reforms, taking another important
step today towards meeting our commitments under the National Planning
Reform Blueprint.
"These reforms focus
on five key areas to boost the delivery of homes for Western Australian
families as well as the infrastructure required to meet the needs of future
generations.
"The passing of this
comprehensive Bill complements my Government's record $2.6 billion investment
in housing and homelessness measures, which includes delivery of 4,000 additional
social homes."
Comments attributed to
Planning Minister John Carey:
"As Planning, Housing and
Homelessness Minister my resolute focus continues as we are using every lever
we can to accelerate the delivery of housing.
"The passing of this Bill is critical in accelerating the
delivery of housing across all parts of the housing continuum in Western
Australia.
"Our planning reform agenda will streamline existing
processes, cut unnecessary red tape and build efficiencies into the State's planning
system, ensuring that there are no unreasonable impacts on progressing planning
and subsequent development of new homes.
"Our Government will continue to deliver and support reforms to
assist WA to meet the housing and density infill developments that it
desperately needs to boost housing supply."
