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WA builders say plans to shave up to two months off the time it takes to build or renovate will make housing more affordable. In some cases the changes, which form a key plank of WA’s
biggest planning shake-up in decades, could cut costs by $8000. Housing Industry Association WA executive director John Gelavis yesterday hailed as “major reforms” changes to allow
homeowners and industry to bypass council planning approvals for single houses that comply with residential design codes. It means compliant homes will no longer have to go through planning
approvals, which can take 60 days. The rule will apply to renovations, such as a new carport or granny flat. The way planning applications are dealt with will also be standardised across
councils and other changes will exempt small business from needing approval to change a property from one permitted use to another. Details of the changes, most of which were flagged this
time last year, were revealed yesterday as new local planning scheme regulations were gazetted. LATEST CHILDREN CHALENGE FATHER'S WILL UNIONS PUT JOBS AT RISK: PREMIER FISHERMEN COME
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ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS The regulations will come into effect in October. Mr Gelavis said the group’s modelling suggested rent or land-holding costs could add $750 to $1000 a week to the
cost of building and those costs were passed on to homeowners. Removing the need for planning approval as well as a building permit could reduce that wait time by 60 days, or about two
months, which could equate to up to $8000 in reduced costs. “That benefit will be passed on to the consumer,” Mr Gelavis said. “It will have a profound effect on the industry but also a
profound effect on all consumers.” Planning Minister John Day described the changes as “a major reform that, for the first time, will introduce a consistent planning process across all
schemes”. GET THE LATEST NEWS FROM THEWEST.COM.AU IN YOUR INBOX. Sign up for our emails