OPPOSITION BACKS LONG-OVERDUE PLANNING REFORMS TO BOOST HOUSING

Media Release | 2 July 2026
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Hon. Neil Thomsonc MLC
Shadow Planning & Lands Minister
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Sandra Brewer MLA
Shadow Housing Minister
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The Opposition has welcomed today's announcement of proposed reforms to the Residential Design Codes, saying any practical measure that increases housing supply and cuts unnecessary planning red tape deserves support.
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Shadow Minister for Planning and Lands Neil Thomson said the reforms were sensible but long overdue.
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"We support planning reforms that make it easier to build more homes, but the obvious question is: why has it taken so long?" Mr Thomson said.
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"The Government announced this tranche of reforms more than a year ago, yet we're now being told the detail won't be released until later this year and implementation isn't expected until the middle of 2027.
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"Western Australians cannot afford another year of delay while the housing crisis continues.
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"Today's announcement is also silent on regional planning reforms. Regional Western Australia is facing many of the same housing pressures as Perth, and those communities deserve to know when they will see similar action."
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Mr Thomson said the announcement was also an acknowledgement that the current planning system was not delivering the housing Western Australia needs.
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"Planning reform is welcome, but it should have happened years ago. We will assess the detail during consultation and continue to support practical reforms that genuinely increase housing supply," he said.
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Shadow Housing Minister Sandra Brewer said planning reform to unlock housing was important but was only one part of the solution.
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"While changes to the Residential Design Codes is a good step, West Australians won't judge this Government on another announcement. They'll judge it on whether more homes are actually built," Ms Brewer said.
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"After almost a decade in Government, families are still facing soaring rents, record house prices and a chronic shortage of homes.
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"The Government has failed to deliver promised apartments around METRONET stations and activity centres, while also failing to bring sufficient new greenfield land to market.
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"Planning reform to unlock greater density in existing suburbs is welcome, but it must be matched by better strategic planning, faster approvals and the timely release of residential land.
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"The housing crisis won't be solved by another announcement. It will only be solved when more Western Australians can find an affordable place to live."
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Media contact: Graham Mason 0419 194 792

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