Perth 19 November 2014. The Real Estate Institute of Western Australia has welcomed a suite of changes by the State Government that will speed the approval process for building applications and prevent delays in construction.
Yesterday, Planning Minister John Day said that under the changes new small-to-medium businesses would no longer need to seek approval to change a property from one permitted use to another.
“Owners will be able to open the doors to their new business faster,” the Minister said.
REIWA President David Airey said this was a great initiative that will help commercial tenants get their lease under way more quickly.
“Currently, the lease and rent can’t start until the planning approval is given for a change of use that, more often than not, is a permitted use - but the local authority’s planning scheme will still require the applicant to go through an approval process which can take two or three months.
“The new system will much more efficient, cost effective and help small business to get on with business.” Mr Airey said.
Mr Airey said there was too much ‘red tape’ involved in dealing with many different councils with different rules for simple matters like approval for driveways, crossovers, patios, sheds, home offices, garage enclosures or just fitting a door to a carport.
“These changes which really should be quick and easy will be welcomed across the community by property owners and councils alike”, Mr Airey said.
Separate changes announced yesterday by Commerce Minister by Michael Mischin are aimed at red tape for builders.
“These are excellent steps to improve and speed-up the building process that will potentially save home builders thousands of dollars in interest and rent bills because their new house can be built more quickly,” Mr Airey said.
In news of further ‘red tape’ reduction out today, Finance Minister Dean Nalder has announced that there will be a reduction in the delays in the valuation process for conveyancers, agents and property buyers and sellers of up to ten days.
“The improvements increase the range of actions that could be self-assessed online and also give taxpayers the ability to pay at the time of settlement and the option of an Electronic Valuation Request,” Mr Nalder said.
Mr Airey said his members were delighted with the changes.
“On behalf of all property owners and investors, I congratulate the government for these milestone changes which will not only reduce red tape delays, but potentially save people who are leasing, building or simply renovating, thousands of dollars. Not to mention time and frustration,” Mr Airey said.
