Key planning reform supports more housing delivery

• Changes to State planning system set to take effect from 1 March 2024
• Revised State Planning Policy 7.3 including revised medium density provisions due for early March 2024 release
• New planning website and online application system in final development and testing

The Cook Government has announced amendments and finalisation of the State Planning Policy 7.3 Residential Design Codes including revised Medium Density Code provisions, which coincide with a number of major planning reforms to come into effect from 1 March 2024.

Following gazettal of the Planning and Development Amendment Act 2023, a number of changes to Western Australia's planning system will come into effect in the coming months, helping to boost housing supply.

Effective from 1 March 2024:

• Reforms to Development Assessment Panels (DAPs) will see:
  • The new Metro Inner, Metro Outer and Regional DAPs become operational.
• The new Significant Development Pathway becomes operational.
  • Projects valued at $20million or more in the Perth metropolitan area and Peel region and $5 million or more in regional areas can be lodged with the Western Australian Planning Commission for determination.
• An online system for lodgement and tracking of applications and a new user-friendly website will be available to help community members, applicants and stakeholders navigate and understand State planning processes.

An Expression of Interest campaign for new DAP members to commence shortly.

Changes to the Western Australian Planning Commission are also underway with a recruitment campaign for new Commissioners expected to commence in the coming weeks, in readiness for a reformed Commission to be in place from 1 July 2024.

Also from 1 July 2024, development applications involving single houses and any associated development, except where heritage is involved, must be determined by technical experts, through the chief executive officer or local government employee and can no longer be referred to or 'called in' by council for determination.

Supporting regulations, including fees, will be finalised over the coming weeks. A raft of operational changes within the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage will also be implemented to support these reforms – including establishment of the new State Referral Coordination Unit.

The State Government deferred the Medium Density Code noting Western Australia's efforts to bolster affordable housing and the continued challenges facing the housing construction market across Australia.

Following the review of the amended State Planning Policy 7.3, single homes in areas coded R40 and below will not be subject to the Part C provisions for medium density development and existing standards from the R-Codes Volume 1 will continue to apply, minimising impacts on popular housing products in new residential estates.

The changes respond to industry feedback to help reduce any further impacts on the housing construction sector and keep the cost of delivering affordable housing down.

The new Part C of the State Planning Policy 7.3 – Residential Design Codes is an addition to Western Australia's R-Codes and will apply to single houses coded R50 and above, grouped dwellings coded R30 and above, and multiple dwellings coded R30-60.

The revised policy will retain the site area incentives for small dwellings and accessible dwellings in areas coded R30-R60. It also provides potential for ancillary dwellings on grouped dwelling sites and removes the previous minimum 350sqm lot size.

The amended State Planning Policy 7.3 will be released in early-March 2024 and will become operational after Easter.

For more information about planning reform and the R-Codes, visit dplh.wa.gov.au.

Comments attributed to Planning Minister John Carey:

"The Cook Government is doing everything we can to accelerate the delivery of housing throughout Western Australia and that includes policy and system reforms that streamline planning processes and reduce unnecessary red tape.

"Our Government's planning reforms are aimed at boosting housing supply throughout Western Australia and complement our unprecedented $2.6 billion investment in housing and homelessness measures.

"Our planning reforms have created one of the most streamlined planning systems in the country – helping to accelerate the delivery of housing in Western Australia.

"The latest planning reform initiatives taking effect on 1 March 2024 create a planning system that is easier to navigate and understand and helping to deliver greater housing choice.

"I did not take the decision to defer the Medium Density Code lightly and as Housing Minister I must do everything I can to boost housing in Western Australia.

"We have engaged with and listened to industry and understand that retaining many of the existing R Code provisions for single dwellings in most residential developments will reduce further pressure on the housing construction sector.

"These practical policy changes also keep the cost of affordable housing down.

"The new policy provisions will be published in early March and add to our R-Codes system and ensure that higher density coded areas with smaller blocks will deliver greater housing choice and reduced household running costs.

"From 1 March, greater choice for applicants in assessment pathways and contemporary planning systems will take effect."