This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
HOUSING development is set to be easier to achieve in WA with a new $80 million fund set to break down the barriers that have hindered progress for years.
The $80 million Infrastructure Development Fund launched by the McGowan Government is set to improve the feasibility of urban apartment projects and regional worker accommodation.
The fund will focus on a number of key areas that need improvement, in order to break down the barriers that are blocking the progress of new apartment developments in metropolitan Perth. It’ll also help speed up work on worker accommodation in regional areas that have stalled.
Local governments and developers will be boosted by the fund as they aim offset the costs of providing water, sewerage and electricity services to new housing developments.
Funding will be split equally for metropolitan and regional areas. $40 million will go to proposed apartment developments in urban infill and METRONET station precincts.
The other $40 million will be poured into the regional areas to focus on issues regarding water, wastewater and electricity infrastructure. It’ll also be dedicated to providing accommodation for essential workers.
“Unlocking affordable housing opportunities across Western Australia is a key priority for our Government,” premier Mark McGowan said.
“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.”
Applications will open for the fund in March 2023 for 18 months. There are three funding programs within.
Targeted Apartment Rebate
- $10,000 per multiple dwelling available to assist with water, wastewater and electricity infrastructure costs
- Available to apartment projects within Perth metro-central sub-region, METRONET Station Precincts and Housing Diversity Pipeline sites.
- Developments required to commence within two years of funding approval and complete construction within four.
Unlocking infill precincts
- Address constraints in water, wastewater and electricity network at a precinct scale.
- Facilitate medium to high density development within the Perth metro-central sub-region, METRONET station precincts and Housing Diversity Pipeline sites.
- Applications based on evaluation of a business case, including consideration of co-contribution opportunities with industry.
Unlocking regional worker accommodation opportunities
- Address infrastructure constraints in the water, wastewater and electricity network at a precinct or strategic site scale impacting the delivery of regional worker accommodation.
- Applications based on evaluation of a business case, including consideration of co-contribution opportunities with industry.
- Mining/resource worker accommodation and proposals outside existing centres are ineligible.
Housing minister John Carey says it is another strong addition under the housing commitment in WA.
The McGowan Government has been working on the housing issues in WA with a pledge of funding to improve social housing supply announced in November.
“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,” Carey says.
“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.”
