- New $80 million Infrastructure Development Fund launched to unlock more land for housing
- Funding to help remove barriers to housing development
- Program to improve feasibility of urban apartment projects and regional worker accommodation
The McGowan Government has launched a new $80 million fund to unlock a pipeline of new apartment developments in metropolitan Perth and worker accommodation in regional areas by removing key barriers to housing development.
The Infrastructure Development Fund will help local governments and developers to offset the costs of providing water, sewerage and electricity services to new housing developments, improving the economic feasibility of these projects.
Equal funding will be made available for metropolitan and regional areas, with $40 million allocated for proposed apartment developments in urban infill and METRONET station precincts.
A further $40 million will be invested in regional areas to address water, wastewater and electricity infrastructure constraints and support the delivery of much needed accommodation for essential workers.
The funding program will also be available to proponents partnering with State Government through the Housing Diversity Pipeline unlocking the development potential of land.
In many cases, the upfront costs of upgrading and improving service infrastructure, particularly in infill areas, has prohibited private sector investment in new housing developments.
The Infrastructure Development Fund is the latest in a program of McGowan Government initiatives designed to support the delivery of more housing for Western Australians.
To apply, proponents will need to meet set criteria and once approved, funds will be administered to service authorities, as a contribution to connection costs or to undertake the required works.
Applications will open in March 2023. For more information visit https://www.wa.gov.au/infrastructure-development-fund.
Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:
"Unlocking affordable housing opportunities across Western Australia is a key priority for our Government.
"We've listened to the housing and construction industries, and we're acting to tackle one of the biggest barriers to developing new housing.
"This fund will help to ensure we bring more housing online as quickly as possible right across the State, from the inner city to our regional communities."
Comments attributed to Planning Minister Rita Saffioti:
"This new funding program will remove barriers to housing developments, as well as facilitate the supply of key worker accommodation in regional areas.
"We want to support and encourage new developments that provide greater housing choice and create vibrant, well-connected precincts close to Perth, and to address challenges in retaining key workers in our regional areas.
"There are significant opportunities to provide a diverse mix of housing in METRONET station precincts, such as infilling suburbs and land across the metropolitan area - and we want to support innovative proposals that might otherwise be hindered by a heated construction market.
"Through this funding program, we will work with service providers, local government and industry to unlock development potential and boost the viability of multiple dwelling projects, creating a future pipeline of medium to high density housing over the next two to five years."
Comments attributed to Housing Minister John Carey:
"The McGowan Government is investing a record $2.4 billion in housing and homelessness services in WA over the next four years, including programs specifically aimed at boosting the supply of housing.
"We have responded to feedback from the building and construction industry about the incumbent costs associated with providing power, water and sewerage services which become a barrier to new housing developments.
"This funding program will focus on infill apartment developments that can ensure more people have the choice to live close to key public transport connections and local amenities, and will increase the supply of housing in our regional centres."
Minister's office - 6552 5200
