The Property Council has welcomed today's announcement by Planning Minister Rita Saffioti and Local Government Minister John Carey, which will see consultation begin on a new tranche of proposed planning reforms focused on driving efficiency and transparency in the WA' planning system.
Property Council WA Executive Director, Sandra Brewer, said the proposed consultations demonstrate the McGowan Government's ongoing commitment to continuous improvement in the planning system.
"WA has experienced strong recovery in the residential property over the last year. Reforms to remove red tape will deliver productivity gains which will ultimately lead to faster housing supply and keep a lid on rapidly escalating house prices."
"Initiatives to streamline approvals with State Agencies, utilities and departments will be supported by industry in the consultation. Evidence in other States shows that establishing a State Referral Agency improves confidence in the system and is central to driving sustained economic growth."
Property Council research shows that inefficient planning systems remain a high hurdle to the delivery of housing.
"As the WA Government looks for solutions to boost housing supply, measures that improve efficiency in planning and ensure a continuous pipeline of supply will be vital to tilting the balance back in favour of homebuyers."
"We know that a 12-month delay in project approvals can increase the cost of a development by as much as four per cent. These costs ultimately end up impacting homebuyers and housing affordability."
"Now more than ever, streamlining planning processes will increase efficiency and help generate long-term economic activity, accelerating the contribution of the private sector to our recovery, at no cost to government,"
In its election platform, Recovery and Growth: Powered by Property, the Property Council WA stressed the importance of improved certainty and transparency particularly around local government planning processes as a necessary step to reducing developments costs and delivering project is a timely way.
