Home / Community / Branches / ACA WA / ACA WA Advocacy

ACA WA Advocacy

The ACA met with the Hon. John Carey MLA, Minister for Planning and Lands; Housing and Works; Health Infrastructure, regarding unnecessary barriers to housing delivery in Western Australia. He has listened to our feedback that subdivision policies are hindering innovative housing projects and the community’s need for housing diversity.

The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage is open to better understanding how subdivision policy is hindering housing projects, and we are seeking feedback from architecture businesses experiencing issues with subdivision-related red tape and rigid lot sizes, which have stifled innovation or contributed to the loss of tree canopy and neighbourhood character.

If your practice has projects currently delayed by red tape or other subdivision issues, please contact us immediately with:

• Project details and location
• Specific delays or barriers encountered (including whether the delay is with the WAPC, local government or other)
• Timeline impacts
• How the project meets design quality standards under SPP 7.0

This is a critical opportunity to influence policy reform with actual evidence.

Why This Matters:

Many ACA member practices routinely deliver high-quality, design-led projects that comply with State Planning Policy 7.0. Yet these projects still face redundant regulatory hurdles, such as requiring additional proof of compliance to access higher density before subdivision approval. This creates unnecessary delays for housing that already meets or exceeds the intended quality outcomes.

Our Position:

Projects that demonstrate design excellence and comply with SPP 7.0 shouldn’t face additional subdivision barriers. Current requirements create delays that restrict much-needed housing supply without improving development outcomes.

Your input will directly inform our advocacy with the Minister.

Please respond to Claire Harloe at wa@aca.org.au by Monday, 15 December, to ensure we can include your projects in our submission.

Thank you for supporting this important advocacy work.