From the CEO
We live in a VUCA world.
Introduced by the US military following the cold war, the news of the last 24 hours of escalating conflict in the middle east is an eery reminder that our global geopolitical environment remains volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous.
This translates to us here in Australia in many ways and in practical terms, we need to remain agile and informed. Our development industry landscape has always been evolving, evidenced again in the last week by the green light being given to the $1.3 billion acquisition by Stockland of a portfolio of Lendlease’s housing estates. Yesterday, it was announced that Frasers Property will be exiting WA once their existing projects come to completion.
As your industry body, we continue to monitor all aspects of the market and keep our finger on the pulse with our valued committee members feeding in intelligence from what is being experienced on the ground as you look to get projects commenced and housing into the hands of consumers.
In the background, we have been actively pursuing agile responses to local government delays in clearances and approvals, better coordination and funding of lead infrastructure for growth areas, increased targeted support for infill and apartment projects that remain unfeasible and many other issues that are slowing down the flow of new housing.
At UDIA, we prioritise what we can practically influence and prepare to respond for when those things we cannot control inevitably change. We also know that a problem shared is often a problem halved, that is why we encourage you to reach out with the issues you are facing so we can do our best to resolve or minimise the impact.
When the pressure increase, cracks can appear. Mistakes are inevitable, its how we respond to them that makes all the difference. I recommend not going toe to toe with Geof Parry at Channel 7, on camera, if you can avoid it.
We are incredibly fortunate to call Australia home. Our mission remains centred around ensuring everyone has a place to call their own. So that no matter how volatile and uncertain the world around us is, we all have the safety and security of a roof over our heads.
Tanya Steinbeck
UDIA WA Chief Executive Officer
UDIA WA offices are getting a makeover!
We are excited to advise that UDIA WA headquarters is getting a much-needed makeover! Our offices at Wexford Street, Subiaco will be undergoing renovations and will be closed from Tuesday 8 October for approximately six weeks. But don’t worry, all UDIA WA member services and activities will operate as per usual during this time!
Throughout the renovation period, the UDIA WA team will be working from home, providing all member services as per usual. We have also made arrangements to host face to face meetings when needed, with a big thank you to Okeland Communities for offering their meeting rooms and office space for our use where required.
If you need to contact any of the team during this time, you can call the main office number or team members direct lines/ mobiles as per usual and we will be available to assist.
The renovation will ensure that our offices are fit for purpose and can accommodate our growing team. As always, the UDIA WA team is here to assist, and we look forward to welcoming members to our refreshed office space once it is officially reopened later this year!
Infill Development Industry Engagement
UDIA has continued engagement with our Infill Developments and Precincts Committee members to further explore different mechanisms and levers to boost the viability and supply of infill development across Perth. UDIA remains committed to advocating for the items which would benefit infill development as outlined in our Pre-budget Submission from late last year and our priorities for the 2025 State Election, including:
- Measures to address high costs like land tax.
- Expansion of the IDF to include a broader range of statutory fees and charges.
- Making the transfer duty concession (pre-construction and under construction) permanent, extend it to grouped dwellings and remove the purchase price thresholds so buyers of all new apartments and townhomes benefit.
We look forward to working with our members, the Property Council of Australia and the State Government to ensure an improvement in the ability to deliver infill supply.
UDIA pinpoints infrastructure priorities
UDIA WA was pleased to release a report earlier this week, outlining priority enabling infrastructure requirements for a development-ready residential land supply pipeline in key growth areas across Metropolitan Perth. Identifying these ‘building blocks’ and working collaboratively to plan, coordinate and deliver infrastructure at the right time is essential to leverage industry to deliver the homes we need, faster.
UDIA WA’s report sets out critical enabling water, wastewater, power and transport-related infrastructure requirements for the key growth areas of:
- North Ellenbrook and Bullsbrook
- East Wanneroo
- Mundijong and East Wellard
The immediate priority enabling infrastructure requirements identified are items/packages where Industry believes there is a direct correlation between the infrastructure funding and accelerated delivery to market, and there is currently no funding committed (unless otherwise stated) or it’s not at the right time. The infrastructure timings consider the projected population growth, but importantly are also reflective of development intention for infrastructure planning and provision at the right time.
The work was carried out with a Working Group of representatives from UDIA WA’s Infrastructure and Masterplanned Communities committees and involved engagement with a range of key stakeholders. Thank you to all our members and stakeholders who provided input.
The intent is for the report to be regularly refreshed, with infrastructure requirements in other growth areas such as Yanchep, Wungong, Karnup and the South West region to be considered further.
While this report focuses on the delivery of housing supply in new areas, infill development is a critical piece of the housing supply puzzle. However, the constraints on infill development are different in nature, and our Infill Development and Precincts Committee continues to also identify opportunities to increase the viability of medium and higher density infill projects and accelerate the delivery of supply in that sector as well.
This work has previously fed into UDIA WA’s 2024-25 Pre-Budget Submission and 2025 State Election platform, and UDIA WA has been actively engaging with the State Government on:
- funding for the identified growth areas infrastructure requirements;
- funding for service agencies to ensure the required CAPEX budgets for business-as-usual capital works plans, to avoid approval delays and enable residential land development to proceed for more immediate supply; and
- an enhanced mechanism for strategic infrastructure coordination and for the planning, funding and delivery of infrastructure at the right time to ensure a sustainable pipeline of forward housing supply.
As a direct response to UDIA WA’s advocacy, a developer roundtable was held on 19 June 2024 by the Residential Lands and Housing Delivery Ministerial Oversight Committee. UDIA WA has welcomed the State Government’s willingness to engage and work collaboratively to identify and progress solutions to address WA’s housing crisis, including addressing land supply blockages and viability issues for infill.
Quality and diverse new homes are urgently needed right across the housing continuum – this includes for rental and ownership across a range of housing types, sizes, and price points, in new and existing areas. We will continue to engage with the State Government on our priorities to deliver the homes we need, faster.
Read the 2024 Growth Areas Infrastructure Requirements Report.
Environmental Policy update
Review of cost recovery fees and charges
On Friday, UDIA formally provided a submission into the review of fees and charges under Part 4 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986.
UDIA’s stance on the cost recovery scheme has long been that the fees being charged should transparently and clearly be used to improve service delivery by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation. This was reflected in the Submission in which we communicated the current experiences of industry and our desire to see a greater level of efficiency and effectiveness and associated transparency with how this delivered.
EPA Cumulative and Holistic Impact Assessment Guidelines
On Wednesday, UDIA submitted a response to the EPA regarding the draft Cumulative and Holistic Impact Assessment Guidelines. Our response acknowledged that the document was largely formalising the current practice in relation to cumulative and holistic assessment but that there are concerns formalising in this way when it is currently causing delays and increasing costs for the delivery of much-needed housing supply.
With the high-level nature of the document as currently drafted, the requirement for consideration of ‘reasonably foreseeable future activity’ was raised as an issue as this will pose challenges, particularly without it and the process being clearly defined in the context of the planning frameworks for areas that have been identified by government to accommodate our growing population.
UDIA also sought clarification on a variety of points where some matters were arguably left up to interpretation which creates greater uncertainty in the process.
Former UDIA WA Treasurer appointed as EPA Chair
UDIA WA congratulates our former Treasurer and Council member Darren Walsh on his appointment today as Chair of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
“Darren Walsh joined the EPA less than 12 months ago and has already made a significant contribution to the board,” said Hon. Reece Whitby, “I look forward to seeing the expertise and experience he brings to the Chair position”.
Darren will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from both government and private industry to the role in relation to environmental and planning related matters. We look forward to working with Darren and the EPA Board moving forward.
Streets Alive Stream 2 Closing
Applications for Town Teams Streets Alive, Stream 2 Grants close Monday 7 October.
Designed to create vibrant, safe, and connected communities, Streets Alive aims to empower local citizens to be engaged in the planning and development of their local streets, transforming them into inclusive spaces for all members of the community feel safe and welcome to walk, ride, wheel, play or drive around the neighbourhood.
Town Team Movement is working in partnership with the State Government and the Western Australian Local Government Association to provide funding to enable communities to deliver projects designed to calm traffic on local roads across WA.
Stream 2 offers up to $100,000 in funding.
Learn more about Streets Alive.
View the Streets Alive eligibility and guidelines.
Apply for a 2024 Streets Alive Stream 2 Grant.
UDIA National Congress update
A new star has risen on the banks of the Brisbane River. A destination like no other, nestled at the heart of the multi-billion-dollar Queen’s Wharf precinct. The 2025 National Congress will be hosted at the brand new The Star Brisbane and we have secured fantastic rates for delegates to access over the Congress dates.
These won’t last long, so be sure to act quickly and secure your accommodation for Congress to avoid disappointment!