From the CEO
Welcome to 2025.
Trump is in, Trudeau is out. Elon Musk is de-facto Vice President of the United States and not even a net can stop the sharks from circling in on Cottesloe.
The campaigning has begun in earnest in WA and federally to convince the voting public that the end is near to the cost of living and housing crises. The pendulum has shifted on interest rates towards a likely cut in February, though I approach that with scepticism.
Just before Christmas, the Cook Government announced a $400M investment in lead infrastructure to unlock housing supply in priority growth areas in Perth. The Housing Enabling Infrastructure Fund (HEIF) is in direct response to the Growth Areas Infrastructure Requirements Report prepared by UDIA WA and many months of advocacy. Matched by the Liberal Party, a bi-partisan commitment to infrastructure prioritisation and funding for growth areas is no small feat and a solid return on investment for a UDIA WA membership.
As we all know, it’s not all about the money – it’s about delivery. The establishment of a Priority Areas Working Group chaired by WAPC Commissioner Paul Lakey is going to make sure that happens, underneath the eagle eyes of our Deputy Premier and Minister for PLHH. We will continue to work with the government on bringing the HEIF to fruition on the ground.
Dwelling approvals are up in WA, the highest in the nation with a good chunk of that multi-unit residential. The stubbornly high cost of capital remains a handbrake on apartments, though hopefully we see some improvement in the coming months.
Whatever 2025 holds, we are ready for it. I hope you are too.
Tanya Steinbeck
UDIA WA Chief Executive Officer
Infrastructure Fund to Boost Housing Delivery
UDIA WA welcomed the State Government’s announcement of a $400m Housing Enabling Infrastructure Fund (HEIF) over the Christmas period to support the delivery of critical enabling infrastructure to unlock much needed housing supply.
“Prioritising and planning for key infrastructure to unlock housing supply has been reactive and consequently too late for decades,” UDIA WA CEO Tanya Steinbeck said. “Any housing supply shortage will be exacerbated by not having the necessary power, water and sewer infrastructure planned years in advance”.
The announcement comes off the back of recommendations made in UDIA WA’s recent Growth Areas Infrastructure Requirements Report, which highlighted three key growth areas where the planning, funding and delivery of key infrastructure could facilitate the delivery of up to 90,000 new homes.
UDIA WA has predicted that WA will fall significantly short of the Federal Government’s lofty Housing Accord targets unless immediate and effective action is taken to deliver more housing across the spectrum from social and affordable homes through to home ownership options.
“It is critical that infrastructure coordination, funding and delivery aligns with development pipeline intentions for undeveloped urban zoned land, and potential future urban land,” Ms Steinbeck said. “Overcoming infrastructure constraints in key areas through planning, coordination and delivery of infrastructure at the right time to catalyse development for the creation of new homes is paramount”.
Read the UDIA WA Growth Areas Infrastructure Requirements Report.
Read UDIA WA’s State Election Campaign.
Don’t miss our annual State Conference!
Hear from our wonderful speakers and panelists as they unpack this year’s theme of developing the future of WA over the course of a packed two-day event that will explore the current challenges and opportunities facing the development industry.
With ample opportunities for networking, and to explore what Busselton has to offer, our annual conference is a favourite on the industry calendar. Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of this exclusive event hosted along our beautiful coastline.
Register for the annual UDIA WA State Conference.
Calling new and aspiring leaders
Designed for supporting professionals in Western Australia’s urban development industry, the UDIA WA Emerging Leaders Program is perfect for aspiring leaders and those new to leadership roles. Providing the fundamentals of effective people leadership through a one-day course, the program explores the values and attitudes of effective leadership, how to understand and develop your team, and examines how to create a solid foundation for delivering growth.
The one-day course is complemented by the opportunity to undertake 1-on-1 mentoring delivered by industry leaders over the following six months.
Reflecting on his participation in the program so far current mentee Luke Oliver said, “skill and knowledge building can come from a variety of places and the UDIA program provides an opportunity to learn from the ‘best of the best’ in our industry.”
Read the December edition of The Urbanist for further insight into the benefits of mentoring from Luke and his mentor Lex Barnett as they reflect on their experience in UDIA WA’s Emerging Leaders Program.
Register to be part of the next Emerging Leaders cohort.
PEF Regatta Early Bird Extended!
Early bird rates for the annual PEF Regatta have been extended until Friday 17 January!
Connecting students and professionals, the Annual PEF Regatta is a highlight event for the property industry. The Regatta is a fantastic day on the water that provides a great opportunity for quality team building and client entertainment!
Don’t miss your opportunity to take advantage of the extended rate! Register for the PEF Regatta!
Navigating Australia’s Economic & Political Landscape
Gain crucial insights into our evolving political and economic landscape among the looming Federal and State elections, as well as broader national and global challenges. This is a must attend lunch for anyone wanting to ensure their business or organisation can respond effectively to what is to come in relation to:
- Geopolitical Insights: an outline of global developments, both economic and political, that may impact Australia’s foreign policy, national security, and economic stability
- Western Australia’s Role: understand the unique political dynamics at play in WA, and how broader global and national trends will shape our local context
- Election Landscape Analysis: the potential outcomes of the Federal & State elections, including key policy platforms that will impact industry
- WA’s Economic Outlook: how the economy is expected to perform in 2025 and into the future
Join Associate Director of the Australia Geopolitics Hub at KPMG, Jon Berry as he offers expert analysis and strategic advice for navigating the complex landscape of geopolitical risks and opportunities. With over 20 years of experience as an international trade, investment, and geopolitical analyst. Jon has advised many of Australia’s largest export industries and represented their interests in Canberra and at international cooperation forums.
Following Jon, Cassandra Winzar will drill the conversation down to a more WA specific economic context and provide her opinion on what the industry might expect in the wake of a federal and state election and how our economy is expected to perform, what the disruptors might be, challenges and opportunities. Cassandra leads CEDA’S research and policy work across areas including productivity, the energy transition, migration and disadvantage and offers a portfolio of research identifying practical solutions to deliver better humans services for Australians.
Register your seat at the March Industry lunch.
Building a Culture of Collaboration
UDIA WA has secured the two newly appointed Chairs of the organisations with strategic oversight of planning and environmental policy and process in WA to speak exclusively to our members!
Join us for breakfast and hear from Emma Cole, newly appointed Chair of the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) and Darren Walsh, Chair of the independent Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
Discussion will focus on the critical collaboration between government and industry needed to deliver much needed housing supply across the State.
Ms Cole will outline her vision for the WAPC moving forward, the culture she plans to foster as the new Chair and any opportunities for enhanced collaboration across government and industry.
Mr Walsh will discuss his vision, priorities and initiatives underway relating to the streamlining of WA’s environmental assessment and approval system, and potential for enhanced collaboration with WAPC, to achieve greater efficiency.
Don’t miss the chance to be a part of this transformative conversation that intertwines creativity with action to drive change in housing development.