Govt’s ‘lazy land’ scheme progresses

Property developers have eight weeks to tell the government which land would be best freed up for housing.

Housing Minister John Carey today announced more details about its expanded housing diversity pipeline, which were flagged at an industry lunch in June.

Under the scheme, developers are being invited to lodge their submissions to government about how to best utilise state government land.

In the past, the government decided which sites it would free up for development, but that scheme has had little take up by industry.

Additionally, the government announced its $80 million infrastructure development fund would be expanded to include NDIS-registered Specialist Disability Accommodation units and extended until January next year.

Under the fund, apartment developers can access $10,000 per apartment to connect utilities.

Since it was launched, 16 projects comprising 1,321 dwellings that have been funded have commenced construction and a further 63 developments are in the pipeline to receive funds, for 4,000 apartments.

Speaking at a Devwest project in Subiaco today, Minister Carey said both initiatives were designed to bring more housing to the market.

He said 22 new projects comprising 1,700 apartments would share in $16.91 million of funding under the $80 million scheme.

The Property Council of Australia WA Division and Urban Development Institute of Australia WA welcomed both initiatives.

"This latest Expression of Interest phase is a critical step in further addressing the State's housing supply crisis," UDIA WA Cchief executive Tanya Steinbeck said. 

“On behalf of industry, UDIA WA recommended that providing the opportunity for private developers to identify appropriate government land for residential development, would ensure that viable sites are selected that can facilitate more housing on the ground, faster.”