Industry groups have welcomed the state government’s interim measures to reduce inconsistent public open space policies across local governments in Western Australia.
Industry groups have welcomed the state government’s interim measures to reduce inconsistent public open space policies across local governments in Western Australia.
Planning Minister John Carey today announced interim measures in a bid to reduce regulatory barriers for public open space contributions, which had been welcomed by Property Council of Australia WA Division and the Urban Development Institute of Australia WA.
A draft public open space policy was published for consultation earlier this month and will continue to be open while the interim measures are implemented.
Public open space is provided at a minimum rate of 10 per cent of the subdivided residential land at all new greenfield sites, with contributions sought from those subdividing land.
Under existing policy, all proposals that increase the number of lots could be required to make a land or monetary contribution to public open space, including apartments and mixed-used developments.
Mr Carey said one of the main issues was that contribution requirements vary across the local governments in the state.
The interim measures include making the Western Australian Planning Commission as the decision maker on public open space contributions applications instead of local government delegations.
The applications covers public open space contributions for built strata applications in the Perth metropolitan area and the South West.
Property Council WA executive director Sandra Brewer said the move was commended and a decisive action by the minister.
"The timely changes announced by [Mr] Carey to ensure a consistent approach to public open space contributions is a victory for common sense,” she said.
“Perth already boasts an abundance of public open space, and infill development plays a vital role in preserving it, by enhancing the amenity of high-value areas, and reducing the necessity for urban sprawl and additional infrastructure development.
"The potential impact on housing affordability resulting from this policy cannot be underestimated.”
UDIA WA chief executive Tanya Steinbeck said the interim measures and reconsideration of the draft Public Open Space policy were strongly welcomed.
“Amidst the current housing crisis that is impacting WA, it is more crucial than ever for such policies to be closely examined through a housing affordability lens and for the acceleration of supply to be prioritised,” she said.
“We have been clear that the draft policy, and the way some local governments are interpreting the existing policy in imposing cash-in-lieu requirements on built strata subdivision, is a major threat to the viability of infill projects and longer-term housing affordability.”
Mr Carey said he would not accept any new changes to the policy that would negatively impact the delivery or housing projects or lifts delivery costs for projects.
"Given the current heated construction market and cost escalations across the industry, as planning minister, I want to assure the sector no new changes to the public open space policy will be introduced that halt or create price increases to infill developments,” he said.
"It's also acknowledged, we need a stronger policy framework that will complement our government's significant investment in the development of new communities in Metronet precincts and across our suburbs and regions now and into the future.
"I have requested the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, at the conclusion of the consultation period, to provide a summary report of all views presented to help inform next steps."
