From the CEO
It has been a year of growth, change and progress on many fronts, so it was even more pleasing to recently receive confirmation that UDIA WA has achieved recertification as a Great Place to Work®. I think this is testament to the strong leadership from Tanya and our Executive team, Council and of course all our fantastic team members throughout the year.
The certification recognises employers who create an outstanding employee experience, and it is based on a survey of all team members, along with a ‘culture brief’ about our organisation. The certification certainly puts us in esteemed company, with other certified organisations including the likes of Adobe, Hilton, Specsavers and Allianz.
This is a fantastic reflection of our positive team culture and, for our members, the ongoing exceptional service that we strive every day to provide through our advocacy, events, education programs, communications and wider member services.
The recertification is also timely, as we celebrated moving back into our newly refurbished office space in Wexford Street, Subiaco over the last couple of weeks. We now have a much more welcoming and engaging office environment for our team, as well as for members and stakeholders. We look forward to hosting our last Council meeting of the year in the new space next week.
As I reflect on another busy week of welcoming government announcements at both a Federal and State level – that have been directly related to our strong advocacy work throughout the year – I think it is important we all take a step back every now and then, celebrate the successes of our teams and take stock of how much we have achieved.
I hope our members can take the opportunity to do the same over the coming weeks, in between the many events, end of year commitments and deadlines that we are no doubt navigating!
Acting CEO
Sarah Macaulay
$105 million infrastructure boost
UDIA WA welcomed the joint Federal and State Government announcement of $105 million as part of their Housing Support Program earlier this week.
The Investment will be allocated across 21 projects in several key growth areas in Perth and Regional WA and used for critical infrastructure, boosting the supply of development-ready land with the aim to support the delivery of 28,000 new homes, including social and at-market housing.
Many of the projects announced were identified as part of the Residential Lands and Housing Delivery Ministerial Oversight Committee hosted Developer Roundtable on 19 June 2024 in direct response to UDIA WA’s advocacy.
The funding allocation includes:
- $50.6 million for Water Corporation infrastructure projects that will deliver an estimated 23,280 residential lots, including $7.3 million for two regional projects to deliver over 3,000 lots in Bunbury and Dardanup;
- $30.5 million for projects delivered by Western Power, DevelopmentWA and the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage that will deliver an estimated 4,565 residential lots and 19 social housing dwellings; and
- $23.8 million for construction projects that will deliver 51 social housing dwellings in High Wycombe, Stirling and Innaloo.
While Tuesday’s announcement is another step in the right direction to accelerate much-needed housing supply, more can be done. UDIA WA’s Infrastructure Requirements Report identifies crucial enabling infrastructure items to enable land to be unlocked to support the ultimate delivery of around 90,000 new homes in key growth areas.
Working collaboratively to plan, coordinate and deliver infrastructure at the right time is essential to support and leverage industry to deliver the homes we need, faster. UDIA WA will continue to engage with the State Government on our priorities to help more West Australians into a home.
Read UDIA WA’s 2024-25 Pre-Budget submission from December 2023 and read UDIA WA’s 2025 State Election Campaign which have underpinned much of our proactive engagement with the State Government to date.
Read UDIA WA’s Growth Areas Infrastructure Requirements Report: Perth Metropolitan Area report for more information on the key areas we have identified and the enabling infrastructure required.
Core Skilled Occupations List expanded
Tuesday’s announcement from the Federal Government expanding the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) to include housing construction trades has been welcomed by UDIA.
The CSOL outlines those jobs deemed necessary to address Australia’s skill shortages. The list covers 456 jobs, including in the construction, agriculture, cyber security, health and education sectors — from carpenters and bricklayers, to psychologists, private tutors, software engineers, bakers and beauty therapists.
Relevant to our industry, stonemasons, joiners, painters, floor finishers and electricians, are also included on the list.
“A lack of skilled labour is one key impediment to housing delivery and we commend this decision to better focus skilled migration towards the housing construction jobs we desperately need to get housing supply and prices under control,” UDIA National President Col Dutton said.
“This is a welcome change that will help alleviate one of the many upfront barriers to housing delivery.”
UDIA looks forward to working with Government to ensure these measures drive greater housing capacity.
It has been a busy week of government announcements, kicked off on Sunday when the State Government, in partnership with the Federal Government, announced 1800 new social and build to rent homes across WA to be delivered in the next four years.
The joint announcement of a $443 million investment into the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) and the National Housing Accord Facility (NHAF) came from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Federal Housing Minister Clare O’Neil, Premier Roger Cook, WA Treasurer Rita Saffioti MLA and WA Housing Minister John Carey MLA.
Through the HAFF and NHAF the money will be delivered across 21 projects in metro and regional areas, including METRONET sites, and used to build 360 social homes and 1440 apartments and single homes with those 1440 to sold back to Community Housing Providers for affordable rental accommodation.
The investment presents a significant opportunity to attract new CHPs to WA and increase capacity in this sector, with CHPs also potentially set to benefit from access to complementary support subject to agreements being finalised with Housing Australia.
UDIA WA has been calling for an ‘all hands on deck’ approach to addressing the current housing supply crisis, and it is promising to see housing continuing to be a spotlight issue in the lead up to the 2025 State and Federal elections.
Sunday’s announcement will contribute to much-needed housing supply, and it is great to see the commitment and collaboration from both levels of government to address the current crisis that is impacting on people not just in WA, but nationwide.
As we lead into the 2025 elections, we expect to see a continued focus on supply side solutions, and ways to further support private industry in their pivotal role in delivering the homes we need, faster.
New Speakers – UDIA WA State Conference
Join us in beautiful Busselton for our annual Development Conference in February 2025!
With a theme based around ‘Developing the future of WA’, we have a diversity of speakers lined up to challenge delegates and provide the latest information relevant to the property industry in WA.
Speakers & panelists to date include:
- Inspirational Keynote – Kendall Whyte from The Blue Tree Project
- Professor Peter Klinken – Chief Scientist of Western Australia
- Lucy Saunders – Director of Healthy Streets (UK)
- Darren Walsh – EPA Chair
- Warren Giddens & Tracey Whyte – City of Busselton
- Jay Walter – General Mager at JWH Group
- Ryan Hunter – Project Director at Parcel Property
We will be announcing many more high caliber speakers over the coming weeks!
Registration & accommodation spots are very limited so please book in early to avoid missing out!
Book now to secure early bird rates.
Accelerating Smarter Development – Industry Survey:
Delos Delta invites you to participate in the collaborative project Accelerating Smarter Development being undertaken by NBN and Urbis to drive interest and engagement in smart development, analyse industry perspectives, and ultimately develop an industry informed Prospectus to serve as a resource for all stakeholders.
Consisting of 22 questions, the results from the survey should serve to complement the workshops and engagement sessions undertaken earlier in the year, taking approximately 12-15 minutes to complete. The deadline for participating in the survey is 18 December.
Participate in the Accelerating Smarter Development Industry Survey.
ECU City campus reaches new heights
This week the construction of Edith Cowan University’s city campus hit a major milestone, with the facility reaching its full structural height.
Premier Roger Cook said, “with the campus reaching its full structural height, this major milestone shows the scale of this project and the incredible impact it will have on Perth.”
Set to open for semester one 2026, The $853 million 11 super-level inner-city campus expects to facilitate 10,000 staff and students coming into the city to work, learn, and create. Aiming to create a vibrant hub of learning, research, creativity, and technological innovation, the campus spans over 65,000 square metres and integrates the Perth Busport.
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said, “the landmark ECU City project is part of the Australian Government’s broader strategy to continue investing in building a strong future for our nation.”
Designed to redefine higher education and industry collaboration, ECU City will feature state-of-the-art learning, engagement and performance spaces, including:
- Eight WAAPA public performance and rehearsal spaces, as home to more than 300 performances every year;
- Next-generation technology teaching, research and industry spaces, such as an operational Cyber Security Operations Center (Cyber SOC);
- Radio, television and film production studios;
- Visual arts and design studios;
- Moot court;
- Public gallery and event venues; and
- An industry engagement hub.
WA Treasurer Rita Saffioti said, “with the campus just over 12 months away from completion, ECU City will revitalise the Perth City Link precinct with a thriving community of students, staff and visitors, supporting businesses and creating a vibrant and thriving CBD day and night.”
The ECU City project is a collaborative partnership, with the Australian Government committing $294 million, the Western Australian Government investing $199 million and ECU contributing $360 million.
Take part in the Homes for Home’s Christmas Charity Drive:
Homes for Homes is UDIA WA’s Charity partner for 2024-25. This Christmas we would like to encourage our members to donate to Homes for Homes.
All donations will go toward supporting Homes for Homes in their fight to end homelessness through building more social and affordable homes.
To find out more about Homes for Homes and the partnership opportunities available for developers, contact Homes for Homes Partnerships Manager WA, Adrian Talbot: atalbot@homesforhomes.org.au