- Changes to planning regulations elevate significance of community housing developments
- Apartment developments with minimum five per cent community housing in selected areas will have access to Significant Development Pathway
The Cook Government has announced further planning reforms to boost the delivery of affordable housing, with apartment developments of any value, in targeted locations that include a minimum of five per cent social or affordable housing to be eligible for the Significant Development Pathway.
These significant changes will be in effect from 30 May 2025. Changes to planning regulations have expanded the eligibility criteria for the significant development assessment pathway, designed to further enable community housing through access to greater discretion in the decision-making process and a more strategic assessment of the social benefits of complex applications.
The projects must be located in inner-city and medium to high density areas, including areas close to train stations or in regional centres. Additionally, community housing once constructed will be required to be managed by a registered community housing provider.
Further information is being developed to support the new regulations, which come into effect from 30 May 2025.
As stated by Planning and Housing Minister John Carey:
"The Cook Labor Government continues to deliver our nation-leading planning reforms to bolster the supply of housing across Western Australia - particularly for the most vulnerable members of our community.
"These important reforms cut red tape for community housing providers and is another innovative solution to support the needs of vulnerable Western Australians with the aim of cutting red tape to deliver more housing at this critical time.
"This reform complements our Government's record $4.5 billion investment in housing and homelessness measures, and aligns with the National Planning Reform Blueprint and the National Housing Accord to streamline planning, zoning, land release and other measures to boost housing supply."
