Developers say housing affordability a priority Posted July 11, 2012 10:20:52
Vince Russo wants changes to laws, taxes and charges to improve housing affordability. (Michael Janda: ABC News) MAP: Perth 6000 A new lobby group representing developers has called for a State Government minister to be dedicated to housing affordability.
The group, Development for the Future WA, is calling for an overhaul of the laws, taxes and excessive red tape it says are stifling affordable development.
The call comes after figures released this week showing a record 1,500 home repossessions in WA last financial year.
The group's founder, Vince Russo, says there needs to be a ministerial focus on addressing the disincentives to affordable development.
"Certainly high land costs, bureaucratic procedures with utility companies, antiquated local Government policies, high costs in terms of interest rates on bank fees and stamp duties," he said.
Mr Russo wants changes to the laws, taxes and charges.
"What I really hope is that we can have proper reform," he said.
"Not just changing the systems that we've currently got but actually scrap what we have, with a fresh approach and stop living in the past."
The State Government says it is working on a range of measures to fast-track building approvals and will introduce changes to the Building Act when Parliament resumes.
