10.06amWA government eyes major R-code reformBy Holly ThompsonProposed major reforms to Western Australia’s residential design codes could see an additional 50,000 homeowners subdivide their land and sell their backyards, or demolish and redevelop, potentially providing a boost to block values and paving the way for increased density.Under the reforms, revealed this morning at a Planning Institute of Australia WA breakfast, land blocks of 700 square metres zoned R20 and below would be able to be subdivided, a huge decrease from the 900 square metres currently required, as the state government turns its focus to increasing density.WA Housing Minister John Carey.The R20 density code generally applies to the most common suburban residential properties across the Perth metropolitan region, but the local government areas expected to be the most impacted by the changes include Joondalup, Stirling, Wanneroo, Canning and Cockburn.Housing and Planning and Lands Minister John Carey told the breakfast at the Anzac Club in the CBD on Thursday morning the government was also looking at reducing single-home approvals from 60 to 30 days.Also on the cards is reducing duplication to make the R-codes easier to navigate, and cutting red tape so more simple residential projects, such as single houses, renovations, patios and carports, no longer need planning approval.The targeted review is being guided by an expert advisory group comprising representatives from the planning, local government, architecture and property development sectors, with further stakeholder engagement to continue.9.49amBushfire tears through Cable BeachBy Residents and holidaymakers at a WA tourist hotspot were put on alert overnight, with a fire tearing through Broome’s Cable Beach.Parts of the beach were closed as the blaze ripped through bushland, however it was quickly attended to by firefighters and, as of Thursday morning, is at a bushfire advice level of warning.A bushfire at Broome’s Cable Beach.9News PerthThe fire was reported about 6.37pm on Wednesday, with locals at a nearby tavern capturing vision of flames leaping high into the air. Firefighters monitored the area overnight, and the cause of the blaze remains unknown. 9.49amAcross Australia and around the worldBy Here’s what’s happening elsewhere today:Seemingly minor legislative tweaks could hamper the military’s ability to fight terrorist groups and other enemies, put Australian troops at risk and expose veterans to retrospective war crimes charges, a decorated former air force commander has warned.Karl Stefanovic has rounded on his former industry for promoting “beige” broadcasters after Nine and radio company ARN ousted him following a string of incidents culminating in a controversial interview with British extreme-right activist Tommy Robinson.The under-the-microscope Australian outpost of private equity giant TPG, led by convicted negligent driver Joel Thickins, paid its 30 staff a whopping $62 million last year as business boomed and profit soared at the controversial firm.Nick Kyrgios has bid an emotional farewell to Wimbledon after an expletive-laden run-in with a chair umpire as a knee injury threatens to stop Serena Williams from playing doubles with older sister Venus.9.49amToday’s weatherBy 9.49amWelcome to our live news blogBy Good morning readers, and welcome to our live news blog for Thursday, July 2.Making headlines today is news that the super-sized mortgages Australians need to buy into the property market have left most borrowers weighed down by interest bills even larger than when official interest rates were almost 20 per cent.West Australians are taking on bigger and bigger mortgages.Adobe StockNew analysis by KPMG shows Australians are being forced to devote near-record levels of their income to servicing the interest bill on their mortgages.Read the full story here.1 of 1