The Real Estate Institute of Western Australia is hoping that the change of government at the weekend might help bring about some needed reform in the property sector.
President of REIWA Rob Druitt, said the previous government's tax reforms around stamp duty and land tax were modest and overdue, and that housing issues were much broader than mere tax implications.
"Premier-elect Colin Barnett has indicated some further easing of property taxes, however with dwindling stamp duty revenue coming from fewer sales this may be a difficult policy to deliver if at the same time he has to find more money for the regions to satisfy his accord with the Nationals," Mr Druitt said.
Mr Druitt said he was keen to meet with the relevant incoming ministers to discuss business broking legislation, residential tenancy disputes, the Network City policy, land size requirements for sub-division and an overall housing affordability strategy.
"We seek a reassurance that the Liberal Party has agreed to dump Labor's unwelcome business broking legislation, but we are concerned about Mr Barnett also dumping Labor's Network City policy which encouraged greater urban infill."
"Encouraging local councils to facilitate more units, townhouses and sub-divided lots is an important element towards addressing affordability. We also seek an assurance from the new government that it won't prevent residential blocks of between 900 and 1,000 square metres, and zoned R20, from being sub-divided," Mr Druitt said.
Mr Druitt said the government needs to provide for more appropriate housing stock in metropolitan Perth.
"Slowing urbanization at the metropolitan fringes is necessary if we are serious about stopping the suburbs growing out of reach of public transport and other community infrastructure," Mr Druitt said.
Mr Druitt called on the new government to disaggregate land taxes for owners of multiple properties to encourage greater investment in the rental system.
"We would also like to see residential tenancy disputes between owners and renters removed from the Magistrate's Court, and relocated to a simpler and less time consuming alternative, such as the State Administrative Tribunal," he said.
Mr Druitt said achieving affordable and appropriate housing in the state could only come about through a sensible combination of tax reform and changes to development and construction habits.
"We look forward to working with the incoming government to focus its attention on the recommendations of the State Tax Review and to provide for greater housing diversity and appropriateness in the metropolitan area.
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