WA Planning Commission

Business groups in WA are taking the lead on forming a peak infrastructure council after state government failure to support the concept.

Tom Hatton has been named the next chair of the WA Environmental Protection Authority, succeeding Paul Vogel who announced his retirement last week.

Perth's established suburbs accounted for just 28 per cent of all urban land development in 2012, well below the long-term 'infill' target of 47 per cent, prompting calls for regulatory reform from the Property Council of Australia.

The Barnett government has trimmed back its record capital works spend further, deferring spending on key infrastructure projects including the Swan Valley Bypass.

The WA Planning Commission has moved to address a shortage of large industrial plots in the metropolitan area, seeking to rezone large swaths of rural land in Hazelmere to allow for industry use.

SPECIAL REPORT: The state government's efforts to boost housing affordability have resulted in an increase in diversity of housing options for those buying their first home, with developers saying Perth is coming of age as a modern city.

SPECIAL REPORT: Despite the state government's best efforts, developers say bureaucracy is the main barrier to getting land to market in a timely fashion.

Property experts are divided on the question of how much housing is needed to meet WA's growing population.

The contentious development of Smiths Beach near Yallingup has taken another twist, with the owners of the 40.5 hectare site putting the land on the market.