Proposed major reforms to Western Australia’s residential design codes would mean an additional 50,000 homeowners could subdivide their land and sell their backyards, or demolish and redevelop, helping to boost block values and increase density.
Land blocks of 700 square metres zoned R20 and below would be able to be subdivided, a massive decrease from the 900 square metres currently required.
The R20 density code generally applies to the most common suburban residential properties across the Perth metropolitan region, but the local government areas expected to be the most impacted by the changes include Joondalup, Stirling, Wanneroo, Canning and Cockburn.
Housing and Planning and Lands Minister John Carey announced the proposed changes at a Planning Institute of Australia WA breakfast at the Anzac Club in the CBD on Thursday morning.
The government is also looking at reducing single-home approvals from 60 to 30 days, reducing duplication to make the R-codes easier to navigate, and cutting red tape so more simple residential projects, such as single houses, renovations, patios and carports, no longer need planning approval.
The review is being guided by an expert advisory group comprising representatives from the planning, local government, architecture and property development sectors, with further stakeholder engagement to continue.
Carey, who predicted it would be the most significant change to R-Codes in decades, said the draft changes were anticipated to be released for public consultation later this year, with implementation expected from mid-2027.
The state government has also released a “health check” of its plan for the Perth and Peel region hitting 3.5 million people by 2050.
Perth’s annual urban infill rate has been below the 47 per cent target, the document showed, but the most recent data revealed an increase from 34 per cent in 2023 to 39 per cent in 2024.
“The changes we are proposing are among the most significant reforms to the R-codes since they were brought in three decades ago and build on previous changes to the medium density codes and our broader nation-leading planning reforms,” Carey said.
“The proposed changes enable tens of thousands of existing properties to be subdivided that couldn’t previously – providing more opportunities for housing in existing suburbs.
“These changes will make it easier for a range of simple residential projects, like single homes, extensions and patios, to get off the ground by ensuring they aren’t caught up in unnecessary red tape.
“This package is also about enabling more medium and high-density housing, including by changing car parking requirements and allowing greater building height in these areas.”
The Urban Development Institute of Australia WA has also welcomed the announcement, labelling it an important step toward increasing housing supply, housing choice and affordability across Perth.
Chief-executive Tanya Steinbeck said there was a particular need to reduce unnecessary complexity, improve certainty and unlock additional housing opportunities within established suburbs.
“At a time when WA continues to face significant housing pressures, reforms that help deliver more homes, faster, should be welcomed,” she said.
“Importantly, the package focuses on removing unnecessary barriers and complexity that can delay projects, increase costs and ultimately limit housing supply.”
Steinbeck said the government’s “health check” of its 3.5 million plan showed Perth remained below its long-term infill housing target, but that the proposed changes would hopefully get plans back on track.
“Reforms that support apartments, ancillary dwellings, townhouses and other medium-density housing forms will also be increasingly important as Perth continues to grow,” she said.
Holly Thompson is a journalist with WAtoday, specialising in education and the environment.Connect via X or email.From our partners
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