- Applications are now open for new $80 million Infrastructure Development Fund
- Funds available to reduce costs for connecting water, electricity and sewerage
- Targeted funding to support housing developments in infill and regional areas
The State Government is calling for applications for its inaugural $80 million Infrastructure Development Fund to remove barriers for new housing developments across Western Australia.
Planning Minister Rita Saffioti said feedback from the development industry indicated that the cost of providing water, sewerage and electricity services was a considerable constraint to developing land for new housing.
The Infrastructure Development Fund was established to unlock land and facilitate development and has three streams - a targeted apartment rebate, funding to unlock priority infill precincts and funding to support the delivery of regional worker accommodation.
Up to $10,000 per multiple dwelling is available to support new apartment developments in selected local government areas, METRONET Station precincts and Housing Diversity Pipeline sites.
The second funding stream is available to tackle more complex infrastructure bottlenecks and facilitate medium to high density housing projects in priority infill areas across metropolitan Perth, particularly where it is not feasible for a single developer or landowner to coordinate services for a broader precinct.
In addition, developers, landowners and local governments can also apply for funding through a third stream for proposed key worker accommodation projects within (or in the vicinity of) an existing regional centre, townsite or community.
The Infrastructure Development Fund will also unlock the potential of land identified through the State Government's Housing Diversity Pipeline.
A number of proposals received for nine State Government-owned landholdings are currently under assessment including a combination of long-term ground lease, partnerships and build-to-rent models.
The Infrastructure Development Fund can support the cost of servicing these large parcels of land that have potential to deliver medium to high density housing close to existing and new train stations.
Funding has been allocated equally with $40 million available for metropolitan and regional WA projects. Apartment developments receiving funding under the program will be required to commence within two years of approval and complete construction within four years.
Applications are open for 18 months, until 6 September 2024. For eligibility guidelines and to apply, visit https://www.wa.gov.au/infrastructure-development-fund.
As stated by Planning Minister Rita Saffioti:
"Our Government is committed to ensuring that we provide more housing choice in close proximity to good public transport links, employment opportunities and key community services.
"This includes maximising the potential of new housing in priority infill locations, METRONET station precincts and key regional centres and we want to support development proposals that may otherwise be constrained.
"This Infrastructure Development Fund will reduce costs for the provision of water, sewerage and electricity services, unlock development potential and most importantly help grow the availability of affordable housing in Western Australia.
"It will create a pipeline of medium to high density housing over the next two to five years, help secure regional workforces and create vibrant, well-connected communities with a diverse mix of housing in METRONET precincts and priority infill suburbs of Perth."
As stated by Housing Minister John Carey:
"The McGowan Government is committed to boosting the supply of affordable housing across Western Australia, particularly in new apartment and infill developments that provide greater housing choice.
"We have received strong interest from the private sector in the Housing Diversity Pipeline to transform large, underutilised parcels of Government owned land into new housing developments over the coming years.
"The Infrastructure Development Fund will support the costs of deconstraining land and providing services to help ensure those new housing projects are delivered.
"I encourage all developers, landowners and local governments to review the eligibility criteria and consider what housing projects in their community could be unlocked by a funding boost to provide essential services."
