Planning, government charges, and the costs of land and housing

This research seeks to identify the range of government and planning related costs that arise through the residential development process, and quantify their relative weight as a proportion of the total cost of development. By using a multiple case study methodology that extends across three Australian State jurisdictions and several local planning authority areas, the study also seeks to determine the extent to which such costs might differ in different regulatory settings. This positioning paper is the first research output in the overarching study. It reviews existing research and literature on the impacts of government land use regulations and charges and the costs of housing development, both internationally and within Australia. It sets out the overall research aims and a methodology for the empirical case study component of the research.