The state government has created the new role of land release coordinator to free up more land for housing, a pressing issue raised by the property industry.
Marion Thompson, senior planning consultant with extensive industry and government experience, has been appointed as a land release co-ordinator reporting directly to Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan.
"The endorsement of the role and the appointment by Cabinet will give Ms Thompson the authority to work across Government to get results," Ms MacTiernan said.
Given the unprecedented demand for housing lots across Perth, the Minister said the Government wanted to fast-track land on to the market.
"There are more than 40,000 lots across Perth with conditional approval and Ms Thompson's first task will be to work with planning authorities and developers to see some of these blocks delivered into the market," the Minister said.
The consultant's appointment follows a recent summit attended by developers, builders, contractors, planning agencies and other Government land service providers.
"Ms Thompson has extensive industry experience in both the public and private sectors and has a track record as a problem solver," Ms MacTiernan said.
Ms Thompson has 25 years of experience as an urban planner in Australia, Europe and the Middle East.
Specifically, the land release co-ordinator will:
- identify high growth areas and key subdivisions to free up lots;
- expedite major subdivision applications;
- review planning conditions which are delaying land releases; and
- consult with industry and planning agencies.
Ms MacTiernan said Western Australia's booming economy had seen demand for housing lots skyrocket.
"In the past five years, the number of final approvals granted in Perth has increased from just more than 7,000 in 2001 to an expected 15,000 this financial year," she said.
"Even at current record demand levels, there is 18 years of land supply zoned residential - we need to identify how more of this land can be brought on to the market more quickly."
Ms Thompson's appointment is initially for six months.
