The City of Karratha has secured national support for stronger housing and community planning requirements linked to major projects.
The Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly endorsed the City of Karratha’s motion to embed place-based housing and community planning within Commonwealth project approval and funding processes.
As part of the motion, the Federal Government would require Housing and Community Impact Assessments for nationally significant projects that receive Commonwealth approval, funding or facilitation.
The assessments would consider both individual and cumulative impacts from multiple projects occurring at the same time and ensure plans are in place to address housing and essential infrastructure pressures.
City of Karratha Mayor Daniel Scott said the motion aimed to make sure communities were able to keep up with the challenges brought on by nationally significant projects.
"We support investment, economic growth and the nationally significant projects that are critical to Australia's future," Mayor Scott said.
"However, we also see firsthand the impacts when workforce demand generated by major projects is not adequately planned for.
“In Karratha alone, we have identified more than $400 million in community infrastructure and facility projects needed to support our growing population and maintain liveability.
“Yet the need for this infrastructure is generally not considered as part of project approvals, leaving local governments and communities to manage the consequences after decisions have already been made."
Mayor Scott said the motion was not intended to delay projects or create unnecessary red tape.
"This is about ensuring housing and community impacts are properly assessed upfront and that there is a practical plan to address them before they are felt by local communities," he said.
"If Australia is serious about unlocking major economic opportunities, we must also ensure the communities hosting those opportunities have the housing, infrastructure and services needed to support them. National productivity depends on strong local communities."
The endorsement means the proposal is now supported by local governments across Australia and will form part of the Australian Local Government Association's national advocacy to the Federal Government.