Planning changes to ‘cut red tape’

The property industry has welcomed the state government’s latest planning reforms, which aim to further streamline the approvals process.

Housing Minister John Carey announced a modernisation of the Metropolitan Region Scheme, which described as a move to boost housing supply.

The scheme defines the future use of land and provides a framework for the Perth metropolitan area, dividing land into series of zones and reservations.

Under the proposed legislation, most development on zoned land will not require approval under the MRS, except when the Western Australian Planning Commission explicitly requires it.

This means that, in most cases, developments will only require approval under the relevant local planning scheme.

Mr Carey explained that this would reduce the requirements on developers to duplicate planning applications and lift the administrative burden on local governments.

The statement read that the new MRS Bill was part of the government’s “continued efforts to cut red tape” through planning reforms.

The proposed legislation also provides new powers to the WAPC to prepare and approve strategic, regional-level planning documents, including special control areas, district structure plans, region planning scheme policies and regional infrastructure plan areas.

The latest changes are part of a raft of reforms to the state’s planning system, which critics say has diminished the decision-making authority of local governments.

Mr Carey described the latest move as a significant moment for WA’s planning system.

“It is the first time the sixty-year-old Metropolitan Region Scheme text has had a significant update, with these changes ensuring it remains contemporary and fit-for-purpose,” he said.

“These changes will reduce the amount of planning applications required, and Western Australians will no longer need to submit two application forms for the one project, removing duplication and unnecessary red tape from the planning system.”

Urban Development Institute of Australia WA chief executive director strategy and policy Sarah Macaulay welcomed the changes, citing the urgent need for more housing.

“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,” she said.

Ms Macaulay referred to recent figures from the UDIA showing that land prices had reached near record highs.

“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,” she said.

Housing Industry Association WA executive director Michael McGowan also welcomed the changes, which he described as a win for both the wider and outer metropolitan areas.

“The proposed changes are expected to cut the administrative burden for the design, assessment and delivery of shovel-ready land, especially in key corridors,” Mr McGowan said.   

“The ever-increasing market reality of fragmented land tenure during the early stages of land development is difficult enough to overcome on its own, with infrastructure planning, bushfire overlays and environmental approvals adding to the burden.”

Australian Institute of Architects WA president Sandy Anghie said the reforms could help reduce WA’s reliance on urban sprawl.

"We can’t keep building out [into outlying suburbs],” she said.

“It’s essential that capacity for denser forms of housing is created via the planning system, providing greater housing diversity while maintaining urban canopy."

Property Council of Australia WA Division executive director Nicola Brischetto said streamlining the planning system was an important step in making the system easier and faster to navigate.

“By closing the loophole for dual approvals in the metro area, the Cook government is providing the community and industry clarity and certainty around the planning approval process,” she said.

“A clear, consistent and strategic approach to planning across Perth will give our industry more confidence in embarking on major housing projects, such as apartment buildings.

“These reforms will also help strengthen the WA Planning Commission's strategic planning focus through the Special Control Areas and District Structure Plans frameworks, which will help unlock desperately needed housing and investment in key strategic locations across our city.”