Leading industry bodies, including the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia, have welcomed the Western Australian State Cabinet's decision to continue with strata title reforms.
The property industry has congratulated Landgate and the McGowan Government for taking leadership on reform of the State Titles Act.
The Western Australian State Cabinet's decision to continue the strata title reform process has been welcomed by leading industry bodies the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia, Strata Community Association WA, Property Council of Australia, and Urban Development Institute of Australia WA.
The Honorable Rita Saffioti MLA said that strata title reform is important to future housing needs in Western Australia, and said the McGowan Government would be progressing with the legislation as quickly as possible.
The proposed reforms to the Strata Act, which were drafted by Landgate, cover seven key areas:
REIWA President Hayden Groves said reform to the Strata Titles Act was long overdue, and he was pleased the new state cabinet would be implementing these reforms.
“REIWA is committed to the strata title reform process, and we are particularly supportive of more buyer information being disclosed and making sure buyers know what they are getting into,” said Groves.
Strata Community Association President Scott Bellerby said the drafted reforms are desperately needed and would help provide more flexible and sustainable housing options.
“The current reforms are a good first step to helping define the role of the strata manager and will provide improved management of schemes, however, further regulation and licensing is still needed," he said.
"The Minister should commit to the formation of a working group after the current reforms are passed, to deliver a licensing platform for the State Government to adopt early next year,” said Bellerby.
Property Council Executive Director, Lino Iacomella, said the introduction of community titles in particular will make a real difference by encouraging more mixed-use development in and around activity centres and retirement villages, offering greater amenity to residents and more sustainable local economies.
“These reforms will also provide better outcomes for communities, improving housing choice and affordability for all West Australians,” Iacomella said.
UDIA WA CEO Allison Hailes said The Urban Development Institute of Australia strongly supports the proposed reforms to the Strata Title’s Act, particularly the introduction of community title schemes, leasehold strata and staged strata development.
“The reforms will bring Western Australia’s strata titles legislation in to line with other Australian jurisdictions and result in more affordable and diverse housing being delivered. UDIA encourages all decision makers to support the passage of the new legislation through Parliament as a matter of priority,” Hailles said.
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