A planning loophole that has enabled small housing subdivisions in Western Australia to be built without connection to telecommunications infrastructure is now being fixed.
New policy measures to ensure appropriate internet access in future land developments have now been released for public comment.
The draft Fibre Ready Telecommunications Infrastructure Position Statement will help keep communities connected by making it a condition for developers to provide telecommunications infrastructure to new lots at the subdivision stage.
It will provide guidance on greenfield and infill subdivision and development applications of land for residential, commercial and industrial purposes.
Mirrabooka MLA Janine Freeman raised the issue in State Parliament in 2018 after constituents in Balga were left with the costly burden of retrofitting internet and phone connections after building their first home.
Considering fibre-ready facilities and telecommunications infrastructure early in the development process will help prevent expensive retrofitting, and ensure more homes and businesses are readily equipped to connect to the internet.
Source: WA Government