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HIA Executive Director WA, Michael McGowan, said the reforms recognise the need to reduce unnecessary complexity and provide greater certainty for home buyers, builders, and developers.
“Today's announcement is another positive step by the Cook WA Government towards simplifying what had become an increasingly complex planning framework,” said Mr McGowan.
“Western Australia needs a planning system that supports housing delivery, encourages innovation and allows the market to respond to the changing needs of consumers. The intent behind these proposed reforms is an important move in that direction.”
Mr McGowan said a more streamlined and user-friendly set of planning rules would help reduce delays and costs that ultimately impact housing affordability.
“Over time, the R-Codes have become layered with additional requirements, interpretations and processes that can make the system difficult to navigate. This combined with more than 137 Local Governments and Shires in WA can make planning more complex than it really needs to be.
“A simpler framework will make it easier for industry, local governments and consumers to understand the rules and get on with delivering much-needed housing,” said Mr McGowan.
HIA also welcomed reforms that provide greater flexibility for market-led outcomes, including allowing the market to determine matters such as appropriate car parking provision based on location, consumer demand, and access to transport.
“One-size-fits-all approaches do not always reflect how people live today. Providing greater flexibility around issues such as car parking can deliver better housing outcomes while supporting affordability and housing choice.”
Mr McGowan said the reforms also have the potential to support increased housing density while maintaining the characteristics that make Western Australian communities attractive places to live.
“Western Australia needs to accommodate a growing population, but we need to do it in a way that reflects local expectations and lifestyles.
“We have a large volume of housing zoned R20 between 5km and 20km from the city. Being able to grow gentle density through corridors like Carine, Dianella, Belmont and Leeming promotes density in a genuinely Western Australian way.
“While we welcome today's announcement, further work will be required to ensure the reforms achieve their intended outcomes. This announcement represents a strong foundation, but the detail will matter.
The Federal Government has announced that the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will continue to accept credit card payments for tax liabilities until the end of the 2026-27 financial year, delaying changes that were previously due to take effect on 1 December.
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) welcomes the Federal Government's stepping in and agreeing to delay the Australian Taxation Office's (ATO) proposed ban on credit card payments, providing builders, tradies and suppliers with much-needed breathing space while a longer-term solution is developed.
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) says the Victorian results in the HIA National Housing Accord Update released yesterday, while not as poor as some other states, highlight the urgent need for a reset in housing policy after the upcoming state election.
HIA’s annual Safety Summit is being held today in Adelaide (8 October) and will bring together industry leaders, regulators and workplace safety experts, providing practical guidance to help residential builders and tradies create safer worksites and support compliance in an ever-changing world.