The peak bodies representing the state's building and property industry have welcomed the passing through state parliament of legislation to reform the planning approvals process.
The peak bodies representing the state's building and property industry have welcomed the passing through state parliament of legislation to reform the planning approvals process.
Planning Minister John Day said the Approvals and Related Reforms Bill 2009 would modify the Planning and Development Act 2005 to make the state's planning system more transparent, consistent and efficient.
"With Western Australia on the cusp of another period of significant economic activity and growth, the State Government is determined that future growth is not hindered by an unwieldy or unresponsive approvals process," Mr Day said.
"For too long the red-tape and inefficiencies of the current planning system have led to wide-spread frustration, and these changes address the source of these frustrations to benefit all involved in planning - including local and State governments, communities and investors," he said.
The Master Builders Association said it was the first step in reforming the state's building and planning approval process.
MBA housing director, Gavan Forster said it would lead to a more transparent, timely and impartial planning approval process.
"The introduction of Development Assessment Panels will overcome problems where self-interested councilors have in the past delayed approval of important community infrastructure," Mr Forster said.
"The new system will provide a more objective and timely assessment of the merits of a planning proposal which will hopefully speed up the approvals process," he said.
The Property Council of Australia said the assessment panels will transform the state's cumbersome development approvals process.
"The reforms will drive systematic improvements to the way local governments can process large development applications," said Property Council executive director Joe Lenzo.
"Finally everyone in the development process can proceed with the confidence that applications will be handled consistently, reliably and transparently across all local governments," he said.
The WA branch of the Urban Development Institute of Australia said new home buyers will be the big winners under the legislation.
"Streamlining the approvals process for residential land development will save on the costs associated with delays and that means less cost to the end purchaser," said UDIA CEO Debra Goostrey.
UIDA figures show that a six month delay in final approvals can add approximately 7 per cent to the end price of an average block of land.
"Based on today's average price that's about $17,000," said Ms Goostrey.
