The Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA WA) has welcomed the introduction to Parliament today of the Metropolitan Region Scheme (MRS) Bill 2024 as another step toward further streamlining Western Australia’s complex planning approvals process.
“We are in a housing supply crisis and any positive reform measures that will facilitate more homes getting on the ground, faster, is good news for West Australians,” UDIA WA Executive Director Strategy & Policy Sarah Macaulay said.
“UDIA WA released figures today that show land prices have reached near record highs in the June 2024 quarter due to critical supply shortages that are threatening Perth’s housing affordability,” Ms Macaulay said.
“The rapid rise in the average price of new land is another warning bell that action must be taken now, to keep a lid on price escalation and ensure there are more homes available to those that need them,” Ms Macaulay said.
The MRS defines the future use of land and provides the legal basis for planning in the Perth metropolitan region, dividing it into broad zones and reservations. Local government town planning schemes should then provide detailed plans for their part of the MRS.
The biggest change under the proposed legislation, is that most development on zoned land will be exempt from requiring approval under the MRS, except where explicitly stated by the WA Planning Commission.
“Removing the requirement for approval under the MRS means that most development on zoned land will only need approval under the relevant Local Planning Scheme,” Ms Macaulay said.
“This will help to remove the unnecessary duplication that leads to more paperwork and longer approval timeframes.”
“UDIA WA is pleased that the State Government is continuing to listen and respond to industry concerns around housing supply constraints, and what levers they can pull to get more homes on the ground and available to the market,” Ms Macaulay said.
“While today’s announcement is another step in the right direction, there is more that can be done to alleviate housing supply pipeline blockages and deliver homes for our current and growing population,” Ms Macaulay said.
UDIA WA will officially launch a State Election Campaign next Friday, outlining a clear set of priorities for the next State Government to work collaboratively with industry on, to deliver desperately needed housing supply.
“Our campaign will focus on three key pillars – making it easier to create the homes we need; keeping the cost of new homes down; and ensuring we plan for our housing needs now, and for the future,” Ms Macaulay said.
Property tax reform, cutting red and green tape and investing in enabling infrastructure all form part of the campaign.
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