The Western Australian Government has identified the creation of housing near transport hubs among twelve key performance indicators for its Our Priorities: Sharing Prosperity program.
As it oversees construction of METRONET, the WA Government plans to grow housing opportunities nearby to its transport nodes.
This target aims to increase the number of homes in the Perth and Peel region in close proximity to a public transport node by 45 per cent by 2031.
The WA Government’s targets will require collaboration across government and the wider community to achieve the outcomes expected.
Other priorities for the program include the creation of 150,000 jobs by 2023-24, the expansion of land reserved for conservation and reuse or recycle 75 per cent of all waste generated in WA by 2030.
A new, standalone unit will be established within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet to help guide the implementation of the priorities program.
WA Premier, Mark McGowan, said, “They are not just about words on a piece of paper; they include measurable targets that holds my Government to account, in a transparent manner.”
Industry responds
The Property Council of Australia has warmly welcomed the ‘Our Priorities’ program.
The Council’s WA Executive Director, Sandra Brewer, said it was a forward-looking, city-building policy.
“The people of Perth, not only today but in years to come will benefit immensely from planning that will see more homes connected to public transport hubs,” Ms Brewer said.
“The WA Government has set an ambitious target, aiming to increase the number of homes in Perth and Peel close to a public transport node by 45 per cent by 2031.
“As our Great Cities research demonstrated, the key to good growth is smart investment in city-shaping infrastructure.
“By encouraging development around transport nodes this will enable West Australians to spend less time in the car and more time at home with friends and family.”
Ms Brewer said that as Perth is maturing as a city, government and government bodies must to create high liveability, high amenity suburbs.
“While greenfield development will always be a key part of the housing mix, we strongly support moves to more effectively deliver housing especially close to infrastructure in the inner and middle rings,” she said.
“This is the essence of creating great places and the great opportunity that Perth has; to embrace contemporary urban environments.”
