A planning loophole that has enabled small housing subdivisions in Western Australia to be built without connection to telecommunications infrastructure is now being fixed.
New policy measures to ensure appropriate internet access in future land developments have now been released for public comment.
The draft Fibre Ready Telecommunications Infrastructure Position Statement will help keep communities connected by making it a condition for developers to provide telecommunications infrastructure to new lots at the subdivision stage.
It will provide guidance on greenfield and infill subdivision and development applications of land for residential, commercial and industrial purposes.
Mirrabooka MLA Janine Freeman raised the issue in State Parliament last year after constituents in Balga were left with the costly burden of retrofitting internet and phone connections after building their first home.
Considering fibre-ready facilities and telecommunications infrastructure early in the development process will help prevent expensive retrofitting, and ensure more homes and businesses are readily equipped to connect to the internet.
The position statement is available for public comment here.
As stated by Planning Minister Rita Saffioti:
"By 2050 we anticipate an additional 800,000 new homes will be needed to accommodate Perth and Peel's growing population.
"Increasing infill development is key to the McGowan Government's METRONET plan to build well-planned, vibrant and connected communities.
"We want to ensure the infrastructure is in place so that everyone living in these new communities can have access to reliable internet services.
"I encourage people to download the draft position statement and provide comment."
As stated by Mirrabooka MLA Janine Freeman:
"When someone is building their first home, it is natural for them to assume that power, gas, water and a phone line - that is, telecommunication - would be part and parcel of the build when they move into their house.
"Strangely, provision of telecommunications has not been a requirement in Western Australia for subdivisions, unlike other States in Australia - which is sadly what some constituents of mine found out the hard way.
"I am happy to have worked with the Planning Minister on closing this loophole so that residents can be assured their new homes have access to an essential modern-day requirement."
