New policy delivers 'happy medium' of housing choice and design

Planning Minister Rita Saffioti has today released Western Australia's first ever planning policy to guide medium density development across the State.
  • McGowan Government releases new planning policy for medium density developments
  • New policy will support infill development, masterplanned communities and METRONET precincts
  • Policy settings informed by extensive consultation, industry testing and research
  • Better design and housing mix at centre of planning for new residential developments 

Planning Minister Rita Saffioti has today released Western Australia's first ever planning policy to guide medium density development across the State.

The Medium Density Housing Code is the culmination of more than three years of research, consultation and testing to establish new policy settings that will support an improved quality of housing that better suits the needs of a modern community.

The policy, which is a new part of WA's unique Residential Design Codes (R Codes), focuses on designing homes that are sized appropriately and suit the context of the land, as well as delivering better outcomes in the design of living spaces and for the sustainability and efficiency of new homes.

The State's first ever Medium Density Housing Code will deliver:

  • improved tree canopy across suburbs with incentives for the retention of existing trees and the requirement for new trees and deep soil areas to be included in all new developments;
  • delivery of more housing diversity through a new deemed-to-comply pathway for terrace-style homes, and the requirement for a range of dwelling types in larger grouped and multiple dwelling developments;
  • improved housing design with new requirements around minimum living and garden sizes and the need for them to be linked, and the orientation of new homes to deliver better energy efficiency and natural light;
  • better neighbourhood amenity with consistent street setbacks and the requirement for new developments to consider impacts on neighbouring properties including noise, privacy, outlook, vehicle access and parking; and
  • site area concessions and the removal of occupancy restrictions to incentivise the development of gold level accessible houses and encourage greater housing diversity and opportunity for ageing in place. 

In response to public consultation and feedback from industry, the policy will be subject to a two-stage implementation program.

Current policy settings will continue to apply until 1 September 2023 to allow decision makers to become familiar with the new code. Residential builders and local governments will advise landowners on the relevant code that will apply when designing and assessing house plans.

A further two-year transition period will apply until the end of August 2025 for purchasers of house and land packages in new estates to finalise their current contracts.

The new policy was informed by more than 220 community and industry submissions, tested and trialled by 24 leading architects and builders, reviewed by eight local government authorities and analysed for feasibility and affordability against 38 home designs created for the new code. 

For more information about State Planning Policy 7.3 Residential Design Codes Volume 1 (Medium Density), visit https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-planning-lands-and-heritage/medium-density-housing-code

Comments attributed to Planning Minister Rita Saffioti:

"As our population grows, our housing needs are changing, and medium density developments are becoming more and more common across our neighbourhoods.

"We need to ensure that our planning policies keep up with the changing housing needs of the community, and the Medium Density Housing Code will deliver better designed homes into the future.

"Current medium density residential development is resulting in a lack of housing diversity and affordability, loss of trees in many suburbs and limited access to natural lighting and ventilation which - as a result - increases costs for the homeowner.

"The new policy addresses what really matters to people, having choice about how and where they want to live, reducing their energy bills and making housing choices that prioritise good natural light, less concrete, more greenery and local amenity.

"The policy will also address the loss of neighbourhood tree canopies with incentives to be provided where existing trees are retained, and a requirement for new trees to be planted in all medium density developments.

"The transition period for the new policy will be six months for typical infill development and two years for greenfield development, which provides certainty for people with existing house and land packages and financing arrangements.

"I want to thank the significant number of industry professionals and local governments that were able to be part of this process through research, consultation and testing and I look forward to the innovative responses industry will deliver to the market in the years ahead."

Minister's office - 6552 5500



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