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New WA Planning Rules Make Building a New Home Easier

Announcement posted by Origin Projects - Land & New Homes in WA 08 Sep 2014

Developer of house and land packages in Perth reveals the effects the new rules will have on those building new homes.
Perth, WA, 8 September 2014 - In a statement given on 12 August 2014, Planning Minister John Day commented on the second phase of changes and reform to WA’s planning rules. The first phase began in 2009 and the second phase is now being implemented. The changes are designed to provide faster approvals for housing and save builders and consumers a lot of time and money.

According to the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA), the reform is “a breakthrough” that will significantly affect future housing affordability.

The Changes

The main changes are designed to streamline the process of housing approvals. R-code compliant houses will no longer need approval. Planning applications will now be lodged and tracked online. Approval for complex urban infill developments and high-density developments will focus on quality design.

Thresholds will be changed to allow schemes to go directly to panels that assess development. There will be more consistency across local governments when processing development applications. Local planning schemes and the Metropolitan Region Scheme (MRS) will undergo concurrent amendment.

According to Mr Day, when the changes have all been instituted, it will “ensure quality outcomes with shorter time frames and quicker decisions.” Mr Day feels that the changes will simplify and realign the statutory process that controls the rezoning of land for economic development and housing at every stage of the process.

Currently, 11 of 30 councils require planning approval for those building single houses. Soon, no approval will be necessary, saving homeowners time and money.

What It Means to Homeowners and Builders

According to Madeleine McErlain, Marketing Manager of 4Land Property Group, a developer of land estates in Perth, the implementation of the second phase is great news for anyone planning to build a new home. According to Ms McErlain:

“We are very happy to see phase two of the streamlining go into effect. As far as we’re concerned, the streamlining process is long overdue. For many Australians, building a new home feels like an endless battle to overcome mountains of red tape. There is already so much paperwork that goes into building a new home that the consumer is in sore need of some relief. Phase two is going to provide a lot of that relief.”

Ms McErlain continued, “It is becoming easier and easier to build a new home now. For first home buyers who can take advantage of the stamp duty exemption and the $10,000 First Home Owner Grant, a new home is even closer within their reach. In the past, it almost felt like those who were building new homes were being penalised. Now the pendulum has finally swung back toward the new home builder.”

Ms McErlain concluded, “Chances are, it will never be easier or less expensive to build a new home than it is now. It is time to take action.”

4Land Property Group develops house and land packages on land estates in Perth. They specialise in making great locations affordable for first home buyers but also serve downsizers and those looking for sea change. To learn more about 4Land Property Group, call (08) 9301 4445 or visit their website: http://www.4land.com.au/.