Perth councils falling behind infill targets: Damian Collins
GUEST OBSERVATION
Half of Perth’s metropolitan councils are dragging their heels in meeting the Western Australian government’s urban infill development targets, according to a progress report.
One of the key aims of the state government’s planning blueprint Directions 2031, which was released in 2011, was to increase housing densities to slow Perth’s urban sprawl and accommodate 3.5 million people.
As part of the measures, the WA government set a long-term urban infill target of 47%, which means 47% of new residential developments must be built within established suburbs in the two decades to 2031.
However a report card on the blueprint released by the state government recently revealed that just two (Claremont and Kwinana) of the 32 local councils were currently meeting the target.
It found that 14 councils were tracking towards the target while 16 councils, or 50%, were stuck in the ‘early planning phase’.
Source: Directions 2031, Damian Collins.
Local councils falling behind the target include Subiaco, Cambridge, Melville, Nedlands, Canning and South Perth, among others.
The report stated: “These initial figures suggest that there would have to be a significant increase in residential infill development over the next three years if short-term infill targets are going to be met.”
Although Directions 2031 is a 20-year plan, local councils need to start taking substantial action now in order to meet the state government’s target.
While I acknowledge that Perth councils have been distracted by the WA government’s failed amalgamations agenda, some councils have simply sat on their hands purely because they’re against higher density.
However, if Perth is to adequately accommodate and manage its rapidly growing population, a concerted effort is needed by all local councils to offer a mix of housing options.
Councils need to create their own planning schemes to meet the objectives of Directions 2031, including rezoning to allow high-density housing in strategic areas of their precincts, including around transport hubs and shopping and activity centres.
The report card on Directions 2031 was released just months after the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) revealed that Perth’s infill rate was actually declining, despite the push to increase infill developments.
The WAPC report, using the latest figures available, found that the infill rate dropped to 28% in 2012, down from 32% in the previous year.
Failing to meet the infill targets will only increase pressure on Perth’s public infrastructure, particularly its road networks, and force more people to live on the urban fringe.
Damian Collins is the founder and managing director of Momentum Wealth, a Perth-based property consultancy that specialises in building the long-term wealth of its clients by assisting in the strategic selection, financing, acquisition, development and management of their investment properties.
