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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 404 asked in the Legislative Assembly on 12 August 2021 by Ms M.J. Hammat

Parliament: 41 Session: 1

PLANNING REFORM

404. Ms M.J. HAMMAT to the Minister for Planning:

I refer to the McGowan Labor government's efforts to drive greater investment in our economy that will support local jobs and local businesses. Can the minister outline to the house what this government's efforts to cut red tape and support our economic recovery through the state development assessment unit has meant for local workers and businesses; and can the minister advise the house whether she is aware of anyone who opposes these efforts to support local jobs?

Ms R. SAFFIOTI replied:

I thank the member for Mirrabooka for that question. Last year we introduced a number of reforms to help deliver economic recovery to this state. A number of reforms were implemented, including the new streamlined pathway. That was aimed at creating more investment certainty to ensure that we have better designed buildings and, of course, to ensure that we have a pipeline of work to allow us to get out of any potential economic turmoil the state might face. So far, 12 developments have been approved, representing $375 million in total investment and 2 000 construction and ongoing jobs.

I was there with the member for South Perth at the sod turning for the first project delivered under the new pathway, at 8 Parker Street in the good Labor stronghold of South Perth! It was great to see the local landowners involved in getting that project up, and I am so glad that we are delivering it. Since July, more than 70 applicants have expressed interest in accessing the pathway, and another 12 developments are now under consideration, worth more than $1 billion and thousands of new jobs.

Projects that have been approved include the State Football Centre in Queens Park, Minister for Sport and Recreation; residential aged-care facilities; the wharf extension at Henderson; student accommodation; multistorey apartment buildings; and, of course, regional projects such as the liquefied natural gas plant in Mt Magnet and a shopping centre in Dawesville.

This is all about making sure our economic recovery continues, because it does not stop today; it continues, and we need a pipeline of work, whether it be civil, construction or business investment across the state. The Liberal Party argued that this new pathway should finish today. The Liberal Party believes that the economic recovery needs to finish now—that we can all wipe our hands and go home. The economic recovery has to continue. We need to continue a pipeline of projects throughout the state to ensure we continue to provide job opportunities and create economic opportunities.

Yesterday, the member for Cottesloe argued for public housing. This is the member who opposes every development across the state. He opposes multimillion-dollar apartments because they have a street frontage of 21.2 metres and not 21 metres. This is what the member for Cottesloe does—he opposes every development. To deliver social and other housing, we need construction and development approvals, and that is what we will continue to do. Yesterday, the member argued that he wanted more public housing in Cottesloe. Does the member still subscribe to that?

Dr D.J. Honey interjected.

Ms R. SAFFIOTI: Whereabouts, member?

Dr D.J. Honey: The southern part of Mosman Park is perfect for redevelopment.

Ms R. SAFFIOTI: The member said the southern part of Mosman Park. Does the member want additional public housing?

Several members interjected.

Ms R. SAFFIOTI: I am glad to hear that, because we are implementing new housing opportunities across the state, across the suburbs, and we will continue our economic recovery and creating jobs. We are not listening to Liberal Party members—economic vandals who believe economic recovery has finished. That is what they believe—''Scrap the pathway. Let's all go home; economic recovery is finished.'' We know it has not. We need to continue to create jobs and opportunities for the entirety of Western Australia.