New Medium Density housing code welcomed

The State Government introduces a new Medium Density Housing Code.

The Code provisions form part of the amended State Planning Policy 7.3 Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) Volume 1.

Background

In December 2020 the McGowan Government released a draft Medium Density Code (amendments to Residential Design Codes Volume 1) for public comment.

It was put forward as a part of the State Government’s Design WA initiative, and applies to residential buildings up to four storeys high, encouraging a wider range of housing types from semi-detached houses, villas and townhouses through to terrace homes and low-rise apartments.

Higher Quality

Shelter WA warmly welcomes the release of Western Australia’s first ever Medium Density Housing Code which promotes a much higher quality of housing design and liveability, and includes requirements for more gardens and trees, safer and more healthier indoor spaces, and greater range of typologies, diversity and choice in housing so desperately needed in our residential developments.

More diverse housing options are needed, not only to accommodate Perth’s growing and changing population, but also to provide affordable housing options for the most vulnerable people within our community.

We acknowledge the hard work that’s gone into this and look forward to working with our sector to continue to deliver sustainable, well-designed and affordable housing and communities. For Shelter WA, facilitating an effective housing and support system that enables all to thrive is at the heart of everything we do, and the new Code is an absolutely crucial part to achieve this together.

Further Information

Read the media release from Hon Rita Saffioti BBus MLA, Minister for Planning here.