REIWA has welcomed the State Government’s newly announced reforms to the R-Codes (Residential Design Codes) and planning approval processes, calling it a significant step toward boosting housing supply across Western Australia.
What’s Changing
| What’s Changing | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum lot size (R20 and below) | Dropping from 900sqm to 700sqm, allowing more homeowners to subdivide |
| Planning approvals | No longer required for simple residential projects — single houses, renovations, patios, and carports |
| Building height (R40 zones) | Increasing from two storeys to three storeys |
| Parking requirements | Minimum parking rules removed for apartments and granny flats |
| Timeline | Reforms not expected to take effect until mid-2027, with full uptake potentially taking 10–15 years |
REIWA’s Perspective
REIWA President Suzanne Brown said housing supply has been an ongoing challenge for the WA property market, placing real pressure on the established homes sector — both for buyers and renters. She noted that with Perth unable to keep expanding outward, and high-density development posing its own challenges, urban infill needs to be part of the solution. REIWA has long advocated for greater support of medium-density housing in established suburbs, along with planning reforms that speed up the delivery of new supply, and believes these changes go some way toward addressing that.
To illustrate the impact, Ms Brown pointed to a homeowner in the Perth Hills who wants to subdivide her 1,725sqm block, zoned R10 with two street frontages, into two family-sized homes on blocks of 800sqm or more — one for herself and her children, the other to rent or sell to support her in retirement. Under current rules, she falls about 25sqm short of being able to do this, and can currently only create a smaller block suited to a one-bedroom, one-bathroom dwelling. Ms Brown said reforms like these could help homeowners in similar situations and boost housing supply in their local areas.
Who Benefits
Ms Brown said the reforms should ultimately mean more housing options for:
- First home buyers — who often prefer established, closer-to-city locations over Perth’s outer fringe
- Downsizers — many of whom want to stay in the neighbourhood they know, but on a smaller block
- Renters — as new builds created through subdivision remain eligible for negative gearing, which may encourage more rental stock in established suburbs
Concerns to Balance
Ms Brown was clear that urban infill needs to be done well, acknowledging several community concerns tied to the reforms:
- Traffic — increased congestion on local streets and pressure on main transport routes
- Parking — particularly given the removal of minimum parking requirements for apartments and granny flats
- Overlooking — the shift to three storeys in R40 zones raises concerns about privacy for neighbouring homes, making good design essential
- Noise — with more people living in closer proximity and more traffic, features like double glazing may become increasingly important
A Gradual Rollout
For those wary of the changes, Ms Brown offered some reassurance on timing. The reforms aren’t expected to come into effect until mid-2027, and given how long it takes to actually build a home, the real-world impact may not be felt for several years. She also noted that not every homeowner with a 700sqm block will rush to subdivide — in fact, Planning Minister John Carey has said he expects it could take 10 to 15 years for homeowners to fully take advantage of the changes.
The Bottom Line
These reforms represent a long-term shift in how established suburbs like Yokine could evolve — more flexibility for homeowners, but a gradual rollout rather than immediate change. If you’re curious about what this could mean for your own block, the team at Holdsworth Real Estate is happy to talk it through.
Source: REIWA, July 2026
