From the CEO
There is very big difference between hearing and listening.
To be heard is one thing but to be truly listened to is entirely different. From an advocacy perspective, banging the table may get you heard but the target audience may not necessarily be listening. The challenge is to not become part of the ‘white noise’ one hears in the background and to present the challenges together with compelling, realistic and politically palatable solutions. It’s about trust, credibility, timing and mutual understanding.
It is with this approach in mind that UDIA WA tackles the very real and urgent issues facing our members today and in the future. Western Power, Medium Density Code, Aboriginal Cultural Heritage, POS Contributions, environmental assessments & approvals and the list goes on. There is a lot of work going on in the background by our team and our dedicated Councillors, Committee and Advisory Group volunteers to represent and escalate when necessary the issues preventing our members from delivering their projects.
In the lead up to UDIA WA’s Annual General Meeting and confirmation of our Council for 2023-2024 in mid-October, we are proactively seeking the frank and fearless feedback from both our government stakeholders and you, our members on what and how UDIA WA delivers value on behalf of industry. Next week you will receive an invitation to provide that feedback and I encourage you to do so as it will guide our activities and approach moving forward.
Our Premier has clearly stated he will lead a government that listens. UDIA WA continues to have a voice that is listened to. You guide the messages that we deliver. We are fortunate to have a broad-based membership and with the benefits that brings also has its challenges in that we won’t always please everyone all the time. Which is why obtaining as much input from as many members as possible is important so we can strike the right balance.
They say we have two ears and one mouth for a reason. We continue to listen so that our voice when used, speaks volumes.
Ministerial Engagement
UDIA had a productive meeting with Minister Ellery on Tuesday to discuss a range of issues impacting the industry including:
- Measures to support apartment supply such as extending off-the-plan concession scheme for apartments to projects under construction and removal of the foreign buyers surcharge.
- An update on the indemnity insurance for apartments work that had been commissioned by the Government.
- The changes to the Residential Tenancies Act.
- Assessment of Government policy through a housing affordability lens.
We were particularly enthused with the Minister’s appreciation of the challenges for industry in supporting government in the response to WA’s housing crisis, and the need to avoid unintended and unnecessary implications for affordability.
The National Housing and Homelessness Plan
This week UDIA attended a stakeholder roundtable for The National Housing and Homelessness Plan, and a key and consistent message in the discussions was that the private sector should not be relied upon in responding to Australia’s social housing needs.
Additionally, government needs to ensure an appropriate level of consistent funding to tackle homelessness and provide social housing and the necessary wrap around services.
UDIA WA will be feeding into a UDIA National submission on the Plan. As part of this submission, we welcome general input on the Issues Paper from members, and any specific examples that demonstrate the practical implications of inclusionary zoning / mandatory social and affordable dwelling requirements.
The Department of Social Services is undertaking more consultation sessions around Australia, including online. More details can be found on the Department’s website.
Submissions are due by 20 October 2023. Please email policy@udiawa.com.au with any relevant information by 29 September.
Land Report
UDIA WA are pleased to announce the Land Report, the special liftout in The West Australian that uses exclusive Urban Development Index data will once again be published next month and advertising opportunities are now available.
The bi-annual publication provides readers with an insight into the current state of the land market in WA and has an audience of 500,000 Saturday readers.
The audience, which is made up of landbuyers and homebuilders, will have access to a wealth of information provided by the UDIA and the West’s team of real estate journalists.
This will include:
- The latest market data and analysis from UDIA WA.
- Commentary from leading developers.
- Region-by-region analysis.
- New trends in infill and greenfield development.
- Creating a connected and vibrant city.
- Housing supply and affordability.
For you chance to include an advert in this year’s publication, reach out to Carla Wray (here) or Mahwish Ali (here) by Thursday 28 September to receive complimentary written editorial.
For more information, click here.
Aboriginal Heritage Legislation Implementation Group
UDIA has continued working in its capacity as a member of the Implementation Group and have provided initial input, through engagement with our relevant Committees, on the early thinking of what will be included in the Aboriginal Heritage Regulations and Policies that are currently under development.
We have requested further information and clarification in areas of uncertainty and will continue to engage as the detail is worked through.
Expansion of Statewide Residential Housing Construction and Refurbishment Panel
This week the Cook Government announced it is calling for new builders to join the State-wide Builders Panel to further accelerate the delivery of social housing across Western Australia.
As part of the annual process for the State-wide Builders Panel, the State Government is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from registered builders of all sizes, interested and capable of delivering residential dwellings as part of its record $2.6 billion investment in housing and homelessness services in WA over the next four years.
In late 2022, the Department of Communities established a panel of registered builders to further accelerate the State Government’s delivery of social housing, with the panel primarily supporting the delivery and refurbishment of social housing.
Refurbishment, construct-only and design-and-construct opportunities are available for those appointed to the panel, and builders will be asked to nominate their capacity to deliver as part of the panel procurement process.
To encourage participation, particularly for smaller-scale and regional contractors, the process for qualifying for the panel has been simplified.
Builders of all sizes and from all regions are encouraged to respond to the Request for Expressions of Interest, which is currently live on TendersWA and closes on Tuesday, the 3rd October 2023.
Land Tax Seminar
This week UDIA WA released a new event that will provide members with a detailed understanding of the Land Tax assessment process.
Taxes on property were identified in the State 2022/23 State budget as the State’s largest tax after payroll tax. Land tax and the Metropolitan Region Improvement Tax generated $886 M in revenue for the State last financial year.
The purpose of this session is to better equip members in reviewing their Land Tax assessments, to ensure that the valuations applied, and the corresponding land tax assessments are fair and reasonable.
This detailed seminar will cover:
- What is Unimproved Value and how it is applied
- How valuations inform land tax assessments
- Factors influencing valuation, the principles applied and what to look out for
- Steps to take when you receive your next land tax assessment.
- The statutory valuation and land tax review process
In a climate of increasing costs and housing affordability impacts, UDIA WA is working to assist developers to improve their understanding of their land tax liability, how it is assessed and what they need to consider when reviewing the valuation principles that have been applied to their land.
The event takes place on Thursday 21 September at Engineers Australia.
To book your spot, register here.
Last chance to register 2023 Awards for Excellence!
Tomorrow is the last chance to book in for the 2023 Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner to make sure you’re there to celebrate the best and brightest for another year.
The Gala Dinner is always the development Industry’s night of nights, with this year set to be no exception. Make sure to join us by booking here. Be quick as registrations close tomorrow Friday 8 September.
Invest Cockburn survey
The City of Cockburn is working with Pracsys Economics to progress the ‘Invest Cockburn’ project with the purpose of advancing business prosperity and employment opportunities in the region and ultimately developing an investment strategy.
The Cockburn economy has one of the highest gross regional products in Metropolitan Perth. This project will help us communicate our unique local advantages to support sustainable investment growth and resilience in the local economy.
They are in Stage One which focuses on research, analysis and industry engagement. The industry engagement is focussed on talking to business owners and operators in the City and those who may be attracted to the City.
The following survey will provide the City with an understanding of the decision making processes for businesses from across the Perth Metropolitan area and key factors that may facilitate investment attraction.
Your responses will be kept confidential with the data only being made available to UDIA; the Stage 1 report will remain internal and aggregated findings will be used to inform investment attraction content.
You can complete the survey here and it will be kept open until 14 September.
RBA holds cash rate target
For the third successive month the Reserve Bank of Australia has chosen to hold the official cash rate target at 4.1%.
This remains the highest the rate has been since December 2011, however on the back of softening inflation outgoing RBA Governor Philip Lowe chose to keep the rate steady in his final cash rate decision as Governor.
Incoming Governor Michelle Bullock will start her seven-year term on 18 September.
Shelter WA Symposium
UDIA WA are proud to be supporting the Community Housing Organisations (CHO) Symposium hosted by Shelter WA on Tuesday 19th September 2023. The event brings together stakeholders from the community housing, government and private sectors, to showcase the community housing industry in Western Australia.
The Innovation in Community Housing Showcase in the morning will highlight the existing achievements of the sector through presentations putting the spotlight on innovation in areas including energy efficiency, diversity and tenant engagement within the sector.
The afternoon ‘Commonwealth Funding Ready’ session will bring industry, government, the community housing sector and other key stakeholders together to identify areas of reform in systemic policy and brainstorm solutions to best leverage upcoming Commonwealth Funding for WA and attract further investment.
Professionals who are working in Community Housing, the Homelessness sector, government representatives (local, state and federal) and sector allies such as developers and builders should all attend this event.
Ticket price includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.
Ticket sales for the full day event close 4 pm Saturday 9th September.
For more information and to book your tickets visit here.