In a stark illustration of Perth's escalating housing crisis, determined homebuyers have resorted to camping outside a sales office in the northern suburbs, queuing day and night ahead of a highly anticipated land release this weekend. This extreme measure underscores the fierce competition and scarcity plaguing the city's property market.
Desperate Measures for Scarce Land
A small group of approximately half a dozen hopeful buyers has set up camp outside the Burns Beach sales office, braving challenging conditions to secure a prime position in the queue. The developer, Peet, is releasing just nine land lots exclusively in person from midday on Saturday, operating on a strict first-come, first-served basis. This limited availability has fueled a frantic scramble among prospective homeowners.
One buyer at the front of the line, who chose to remain anonymous, described the experience as demanding. "We've been lucky there's been a bit of a breeze, but it's still quite hot," they remarked. While Peet provided temporary access to air-conditioning during daylight hours, campers were required to return outside overnight, highlighting their commitment to securing a plot.
A Historical Echo and Current Shortfalls
Although such scenes may seem unusual in contemporary times, they are not unprecedented in Perth. During severe land shortages two decades ago, buyers were known to camp in queues for weeks at a time. Today's situation reflects ongoing systemic issues, with the Property Council of Australia warning that Western Australia is falling behind its housing targets. The state is currently about 4,500 homes short, and dwelling completions have hit their lowest level since 2014.
Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas has criticised the State Government over stalled housing developments, particularly during a visit to Beaconsfield. "They are not very good at their jobs in this space — they have let the people of Western Australia down," Mr Zempilas stated. He questioned the lack of progress on land earmarked for future housing as far back as 2017, demanding accountability from government ministers.
Government Response and Developer's Stance
The Government has defended its record, attributing delays at sites like Beaconsfield partly to the need to relocate social housing tenants before demolishing older, often rundown dwellings. Meanwhile, Peet has expressed openness to feedback but remains committed to what it describes as a fair and transparent process for land releases.
The company emphasised that customers value clearly understanding their place in a queue and has encouraged those camping to prioritise shade, water, and sun protection. Peet has also announced another land release scheduled for next month, indicating that similar queues may soon form again as buyers continue to brave the elements in pursuit of homeownership.
This situation vividly captures the intense pressures within Perth's property market, where limited land availability and high demand are driving prospective buyers to extraordinary lengths, with broader implications for housing affordability and policy in Western Australia.
