Perth’s housing crisis: Developers warn the Cook Government’s intent is not matched by action

Perth’s sprawl is still outpacing infill, according to a new report that’s urging the Cook Government to accelerate its plans for residential development around Metronet precincts to make Perth more “connected” and liveable. The Property Council’s Turbocharging Perth’s Transit Precincts report warns that a drastic uplift is needed to meet the Government’s own 47 per cent target for higher density to combat the city’s housing shortfall. In 2025, 80 per cent of completed homes were single detached dwellings. The report blames “lingering pockets of NIMBYism” across Perth and says there are “growing concerns” about the gap between Government “intention” versus “implementation”. Property Council WA executive director Nicola Brischetto said there has been “limited progress” on key transit precincts, despite Labor’s pledge to fast-track developments within 800 metres of 10 train stations. “There is a clear need to explore practical, near term policy levers that can unlock the full potential of density around strategic precincts and METRONET stations,” she said. “These transformative projects represent a generational opportunity to reshape how Perth grows. To fully realise their benefits, it is essential that planning, policy, and investment align with broader social policy objectives.” The 10 train stations identified in November 2025 for higher density development were Ballajura, Bassendean, Oats Street in Carlisle, Claisebrook, Cottesloe, Glendalough, Morley, Mosman Park, Redcliffe and Swanbourne. “Many key precincts continue to face fragmented planning, infrastructure gaps and market viability challenges,” the Property Council report says. “Compounding these challenges is an extremely constrained labour market putting additional pressure on construction costs.” The report calls for the Government to invest more funding into improved “pedestrian connectivity”, provide temporary land tax relief, and to extend and increase the Infrastructure Development Fund to $20,000 per dwelling, and to cover NBN and Design Review Panel fees. Without more assistance, developers claim market conditions render many high-density projects financially unviable and say costs have increased by an average of about 45 per cent since COVID. Ms Brischetto said rising fuel costs are added motivation to move Perth’s growing population closer to transport. “Public transport could play an important role in shielding West Australians from some of the worst financial impacts of rising fuel costs,” she said. “The closer people’s homes and workplaces are to major transport hubs, the greater the financial shielding will be. “As one of the least densely populated cities in the world, Perth needs to double down on transit-oriented development. “The current fuel crisis is a wake-up call on that need.” Housing Minister John Carey has shifted blame for the slow pace of some developments onto the Opposition. “We are at a critical point in our State’s history where we should be seeing a bipartisan approach to the delivery of housing and crucially, density near train stations,” he said. “It is disappointing that we have a Shadow Housing Minister who once championed station precincts, but now lacks the courage to support much-needed housing. “Our Government will continue to streamline planning along transit corridors, and while these plans are backed in by industries who deliver new housing, increasingly it is also supported by young people and first homebuyers who want to continue to live in the suburbs they grew up in.” In Parliament two weeks ago, his target was Basil Zempilas. “On the other side, we have perhaps the most anti-housing political party in the country,” Mr Carey said. “They attack, they attack and they attack, and they do not listen to the advocates.” The Liberal Leader has bristled over Labor’s claims he opposed high-rise in Floreat. In February, he vowed to support development in the western suburbs - if it “stacks up”. “We are in the middle of a housing crisis, and I am not against density, never have been and have never spoken against density,” he said. “We’ve talked about the style, but in terms of reaching the target, the dwellings that’s required, we absolutely understand the (imperative) in our community.”