Housing and Planning Reform

The State Government outlined new tax reform and incentives to boost housing and land supply, infill development and social housing in this year’s State Budget. It has also maintained its commitment to planning reform.

 
Initiatives include:
  • Off-the Plan transfer duty rebate increased to 100% for residential apartments in multi-storey developments valued below $500,000, from June 1, 2022, tapering to 50% rebate for apartments valued at $600,000 and above
  • 50% land tax concession for eligible build to rent developments, commencing July 1, 2023. 
  • A density bonus will be offered for developments that include at least 5% social or community housing.
  • Keystart loan product for medium and high-density residential units in METRONET precincts and priority urban infill areas.
  • Keystart eligibility limits permanently increased to $105,000 for singles and $155,000 for couples and families.
  • $19 million to subsidise residential lot development in Kalgoorlie and Karratha.
  • $6 million over 2022-23 and 2023-24 on Planning Reform Phase Two. 
  • Additional 23 FTE to the Department of Planning Lands and Heritage (DPLH), primarily related to supporting the implementation of planning reform.
  • $4.6 million over 2022-23 and 2023-24 to DPLH to address identified structural deficit issues and investigate options to increase cost recovery.
  • $2.4 million (over the forward estimates) to progress changes to the Bushfire Framework, including implementing improvements to the Bushfire Accreditation Framework.

Urban Forest
The Budget provided no funding to support urban forest initiatives, such as street tree planting grants. WALGA will continue to advocate for the establishment of a $20 million grant program for Local Governments to support tree planting in the public realm.

Coast WA Program
The Budget continues the five year $33.5M program announced in last year’s Budget to support the CoastWA program. WALGA will continue to advocate for additional funds for Local Governments to complete and implement coastal hazard risk assessment, and adaptation planning to manage coastal erosion and inundation hot spots.
WALGA will continue to keep the sector informed about upcoming changes to the planning system through our Planning Improvement Program and Planning and Building News.