The latest HIA/ACI Population and Residential Building Hotspots report was released this month and shows WA again dominating the latest league table, with six of the top 20 hot spots located in WA.

A hot spot is defined as a local area where population growth exceeds the national rate and where the value of residential building work approved is more than $100 million. This year’s report shows the top six hot spots in WA as Forrestdale-Harrisdale-Piara Waters, Yanchep, Baldivis, Byford and Bertram-Wellard (West) and Ellenbrook.

The report also provides a Building Momentum short list which identifies a number of regions where further upward momentum in building activity is likely. Local areas on the short list have demonstrated consistently strong rates of population growth in recent years in addition to an increase in the estimated value of new-home building work approved in 2014/2015. The top five in WA were Perth City, Mandurah-North, Ellenbrook, Yanchep and Byford. Perth City topped the list with a staggering 84 per cent estimated growth in residential building approved for 2014/2015, valued at $324.9 million, which has been driven by an increase in high-rise development.

WA has continued its development along the coast (and north-east), where there are many superb masterplanned communities to choose from, with many West Australians preferring a traditional detached home. However, the State Government, through urban consolidation, is looking to reduce future development in greenfield areas at the edge of the city.

The Western Australian Planning Commission recently released its important Strategic Plans in the form of draft sub-regional planning frameworks for the Central, North-West, North-East and South Metropolitan Peel. These areas outline where future homes and jobs should be located and where important environmental assets should be avoided and protected. This is all in preparation for population growth expected to be 3.5 million for Perth and Peel by 2050. This framework builds on the principals of the previous Directions 2031 document, which establishes a density target of 47 per cent of all new growth being achieved through infill. Visit planning.wa.gov.au/3.5million.

Creating affordable housing choice is extremely important now more than ever because of our ageing population and diversity, which has essentially grown from a spike in net overseas migration in WA.

It is important when looking to build a home to meet your specific needs, to do some groundwork before you start househunting. Discuss with everyone in your household what they want in the new home and surroundings. Community is an important consideration, such as the distance to work/shops, traffic, public transportation, schools and child care, places of worship, hospitals, libraries, green spaces and recreational facilities.

When looking at your home, you should consider style, size, number of bedrooms, home office space, layout, privacy needs, mobility restrictions, health considerations; indoor air quality, energy and water efficiency, outdoor spaces, pre-wiring for automation, security systems, communication, entertainment, business and special features — the things you have always dreamt of having.

Remember, it’s your choice.

John Gelavis is the executive director of the WA Housing Industry Association.

Picture: LandCorp