Perth zoning changes will lead to eight apartments on one block

Changes to zoning regulations will lead to higher density development in Perth.

The minimum required area for a two lot subdivision has decreased from 1000 square metres to 900 square metres.

The minimum size for a subdivided lot is now 350 square metres with an average of 450 square metres among the two blocks.

The Western Australian Planning Commission will also consider a 5% variation on this meaning the minimum size potentially required to subdivide is potentially 855 square metres.

Perth-based property investment consultant Damian Collins says this allows much higher density development in Perth.

“Fit in with changes made two years ago with multiple dwellings where you used to be able to put three townhouses or three villas can now put up to eight apartments,” Collins told Property Observer.

“Not all suburbs will be able to do this, but a number of them will. It’s all related to the Directions 2031 strategy for Perth where they’re trying to condense a lot of that growth within existing catchment areas.

“Half of the new growth over the next 30 years is to come within existing suburbs.”

The zoning changes also have implications for granny flat investors.

First it was the small dwelling scheme enabling Fremantle homeowners to build granny flats without the need for a granny.

Now the city has taken its density planning to new lengths with a draft planning scheme amendment allowing homeowners to build dwellings on eligible sites, irrespective of the site’s planning density coding.

The city is now seeking public comment on the proposed planning scheme amendment (Amendment 50) to provide greater flexibility for homeowners and result in more diverse and affordable housing in Fremantle – a key objective of the city’s Strategic Plan 2010-15.

The amendment will allow the development of one additional dwelling per lot on residential properties where the lot benefits from front and rear road access. This will assist in the delivery of infill housing, at a range of different densities, because homeowners won’t be confined to the standard lot size requirements of the R-Codes.

The provisions require new dwellings to address the alternate frontage to the existing house on the site, meaning rear streets will benefit from improved street activation and surveillance.

Fremantle mayor Dr Brad Pettitt said the amendment would provide flexibility in delivering different forms of housing as well as improving the appearance of rear streetscapes.

“Fremantle homeowners will have greater choice in developing new forms of housing to address local needs and demands that, otherwise, may not have been allowed by the density code of their area,” Pettitt said.

“The additional dwellings will also help to address Perth’s urban sprawl issue and will have the added benefit of transforming typical rear access streets into active and appealing streetscapes.”

Key requirements of the provisions in the proposed amendment are:

* The property must have frontage to more than one gazetted road. The provisions will not apply to properties with a secondary frontage to a right-of-way or private street. Properties at street corners are also excluded

* The additional dwelling will need to address and gain access from the rear street

* The additional dwelling will still need to meet other planning requirements, such as those relating to parking, setbacks, building height and open space

* The provisions will not apply to subdivision, meaning they will not create vacant sites.

The amendment is currently being advertised for public comment until October 4.