The Western Australian government’s new and highly anticipated amendments to the residential design code came into effect earlier this month and were welcomed by developers and planners though with caveats.
The 2024 so called “R-Codes” were made to “deliver better housing choice across Perth to reflect…changing lifestyles and housing needs and create more vibrant communities.,” said the Western Australian government.
The R-codes were no longer state planning policy but rather a “planning code” – which makes regulations “clearer in terms of power” in legislation, the government said.
The Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) WA said the new “Part C” of the R Codes will encourage better quality and liveable outcomes for single homes deemed zoning code R50 and above, grouped dwellings R30 and above, and multiple dwellings between R30 to R60.
Definition for R-Zoning, according to design code.
| R30 | For single and grouped dwellings, the minimum site area is 260 square meters sq m and the average site area is 300 sq m sq m per dwelling. For example, three dwellings could be built on a 900 sq m sq m lot. |
| R50 | For single and grouped dwellings, the minimum site area is 160 sq m , and the average site area is 180 sq m per dwelling. For example, four dwellings could be built on a 720 sq m lot. The maximum building height for multiple dwellings in R50 is three storeys. |
| R60 | For single and grouped dwellings, the minimum site area is 120 sq m , and the average site area is 150 sq m per dwelling. For example, approximately six dwellings could be developed on a 1000 sq m lot. The maximum building height for multiple dwellings in R60 is three storeys. |
UDIA WA chief executive Tanya Steinbeck said the amendment was crucial in addressing the state’s housing crisis, where demand outstrips supply – by providing different housing options that suit different needs and budgets.
“The new codes provide greater certainty and clarity for industry around the design and delivery of high-quality medium density housing,” Ms Steinbeck said. “We hope this means we will see more of this type of development in Perth and the regions moving forward.”
She adds that high quality medium density development was a crucial to housing choice, that have so far had a “missing middle” between single residential homes and high rise apartments – which will become more popular as household sizes shrink.
According to the government’s now “active in force” document, the Western Australian Planning Commission will also consider an amendment to local planning schemes. The amendment will apply development restrictions on how many multiple dwellings can be built within 800 metres of walkable or proposed catchments and catchment of a train station and high frequency rail routes.
“These new codes will ensure that new projects meet minimum requirements in relation to gardens, buildings and the streetscape,” Steinbeck said, adding that residents can expect more consistently well designed buildings and green spaces.
She believes the standards would be adopted quickly as many developers were already delivering density projects that “meet or exceed the new standards” – pointing at precincts such as Montario Quarter and Claremont on the Park.
Planners approve the changes but with some concerns
The Western Australian Planning Institute of Australia also welcomed the new medium density housing code although with a more lukewarm response, saying that while there were greater costs to not introducing the code, there were timing issues.
PIA WA state president Amanda Sheers said that while the need to do better was something the industry could agree on – “determining the appropriate timing for the implementation of these changes presents a significant challenge”.
Ms Sheers reminded the state government to keep in mind that both planning and development industries will require a period of transition and the impact of the transition to the industry “isn’t to be underplayed.” Especially in an “extremely challenging construction market”. Local government would also face additional work in aligning local planning policies and structure plans over the next two years.
The predominant presence of poorly designed triplexes lacking gardens, natural sunlight, and ventilation highlighted the need for better outcomes, she said.
A report by SGS Economics and Planning for the Department of Planning Lands and Heritage in 2020 noted that the wider community was losing an additional $29,200 for every new business-as-usual dwelling that was poorly designed for medium density.
“Extrapolating these costs to a WA wide level, new medium density housing could be creating $117 million in additional costs to society every year if there is no change in the planning, design, and development of medium density housing. Over a decade this accumulates to a cost of $1.17 billion” the report said.
Ms Sheers said the PIA WA welcomed the changes as long as the government could find a balanced approach of implementation that considered the long term costs and benefits for the wider community.
The organisation said that if utilised correctly, the new code could significantly improve liveability and sustainability of the medium density house stock – and encourages local governments, developers, and community to embrace the code and seize the new opportunity.
SBS Dateline last week, on Sweden’s modular homes industry could be of interest
I own a 4 level terrace house that is 6m wide, but level 3 encroaches on the neighbours by 3m so as to give mine 4 good sized bedrooms and the neighbours 3.
Under this zoning it would be designated apartment, but it’s really terrace.