Medium density housing code gazettal deferred

• Planning Minister defers medium density housing code gazettal
• Deferral to help keep housing construction costs lower to deliver affordable housing in Western Australia

The Cook Government has deferred gazettal of the medium density code to keep the cost of delivering affordable housing down, due to continuing challenges in the housing construction market.

The State Planning Policy 7.3, which is a new addition to Western Australia's R-Codes, was prepared to guide the development of medium density housing across the State. However, this new policy is now subject to a deferred gazettal period.

The State Government will also seek to rework the policy for the new provisions to be applicable to R50 and R60 coded development only. The R Codes Volume 1, along with the R-MD provisions, will continue to apply for R30 and R40 coded land.

Comments attributed to Planning Minister John Carey:

"I want to be clear, our Government is acutely aware of the current heated housing construction market and cost escalations. In acknowledgement of this, we have deferred the gazettal of the medium density code to reduce any regulatory burdens.

"The medium density code has been progressing since 2019, and clearly the COVID-19 pandemic and post-COVID circumstances have radically reshaped and impacted housing and construction markets across the world.

"We have listened to feedback from stakeholders and the deferred gazettal will enable more time to consider amendments to the planned implementation approach.

"This will also further align with other States and Territories, who are considering planning changes to reduce the cost of delivery of housing across the nation.