Housing issues dominate Federal Election campaigning
UDIA has welcomed the housing policy announcements from the two major parties this week. The Prime Minister has promised a 5% deposit to first home buyers complimented by $10bn to industry and state developers to deliver 100,000 homes for first home buyers. Across the aisle, Peter Dutton announced that the Coalition will provide first home buyers with five years of interest deductions for new home builds.
Both sets of announcements aim to ease the challenges to securing financial aid from established lenders allowing first home buyers into the market, while also addressing the lack of housing supply.
Of Labor’s announcement, UDIA President Col Dutton said, “the cornerstone of any good policy in this housing crisis is more homes. The creation of 100,000 homes, reserved for first home buyers, is a big step in the right direction.”
Specifically, a re-elected Labor government will work with industry and state developers to, where possible, develop government land and fast-track land release to deliver 100,000 new homes for first home buyers. These measures, in combination with promising government-guaranteed homes loans with only a 5% deposit to first home buyers, aim to overcome housing shortfalls and reduce development roadblocks.
Also targeting first home buyers, the Coalition’s promise of interest deductions aims to help buyers into new dwellings while making it easier for them to secure finance from the banks. If elected, the Coalition’s promise means that a first home buyer building a home will be able to deduct mortgage interest payments for five years on the first $650,000 of their home loan. The first home buyer tax deduction will be complimented by the already announced $5 billion enabling infrastructure fund that aims to improve housing supply.
With the critically important National Housing Accord target of 1.2 million houses falling short by about 400,000 dwellings it’s imperative that our next government continues to prioritise addressing Australia’s housing crisis.
“UDIA looks forward to working with the Federal political leadership to accelerate housing, infrastructure and skilled workers so we can shrink the housing shortfall as quickly as possible,” Mr Dutton said.
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UDIA WA are pleased to launch our newest introductory virtual course Sales & Marketing for Residential Projects 101! Expanding our online offering through the UDIA WA Educate platform, join us for three interactive 90-minute webinars to develop your sales and marketing skills.
Sales & Marketing for Residential Projects 101 will provide participants the confidence and competence to develop effective sales and marketing plans, assess market position, align product mix and pricing strategies, build compelling project brands, and implement successful sales campaigns.
Guided by industry experts steeped in sales & marketing best practice, expand your understanding of the role and structure of a project sales & marketing plan. Examine a range of case studies to unpack how to assess market position, align product mix and pricing; and how to confidently choose the appropriate communication tools that complement the chosen project’s brand.
Designed for new and established industry professionals, our new course is perfect for individuals looking to upskill into sales & marketing; develop their understanding of the WA development industry; or for those in complimentary roles who work closely with sales & marketing.
Register for Sales & Marketing for Residential Projects 101.
Old ways are gone with LandNow’s online marketplace
Buying a home often begins with the purchase of vacant land, especially for couples and families who are moving into emerging suburbs on the edge of our cities, and those who have chosen to live in regional Australia.
New owners of a block will see endless potential in the home they’re planning to build – it’s a truly wonderful time of possibilities.
Their euphoria can be dampened by the bureaucracy they’re about to encounter – an old process that LandNow has brought into the 21st Century with a state-of-the-art online platform for buying land in Australia.
For a moment, let’s take a look at the antiquated system that has so desperately needed updating to give you a better experience of buying a house and land package.
Traditionally, prospective buyers have relied on home builders to connect them with available lots. While this approach can offer convenience, the choice is often limited.
Home builders can prioritise land that aligns with their own construction projects, potentially overlooking land that the buyer might prefer. This can result in a compromise in which they settle for a location or block size that isn’t ideal.
For the buyer, this makes the finding and securing land opaque, with hidden costs and complex negotiations.
On many occasions, they are required to navigate a maze of paperwork and deal with multiple parties. This lack of transparency leads to frustration and makes it almost impossible to get a clear picture of overall costs and timeline.
It’s also time-consuming, which can be particularly challenging for busy individuals and families without the time to dedicate to attend meetings, make multiple phone calls in work hours, and sift through paperwork in their evenings.
All these layers of complexity slows down the land-buying transaction and has the potential for miscommunication.
That’s the old way – and thankfully, LandNow’s new online platform is changing land buying in Australia.
LandNow now offers transparency, choice and efficiency with its centralised land buying marketplace in Australia.
Buyers can take control of their land search by accessing a comprehensive database of available blocks.
Features such as “advanced search” will filter information, such as desired location, block size and budget, to highlight land packages that best suit the buyer’s needs.
This level of control and customisation is impossible if the buyer gets caught up in the traditional land package business model.
LandNow’s online marketplace also provides a far more detailed profile of each block of land available, including price, site plan and relevant council approvals.
By using the online platform, buyers are able to make a more informed decision about their land purchase. They do not need to rely on home builders or intermediaries to source a selection of vacant blocks.
By centralising information and streamlining communication, LandNow will significantly reduce the time and effort required to find and secure land.
Disruption of the old ways isn’t about technology but providing convenience and more choice.
At LandNow, we believe our online land-buying marketplace is putting power back in the hands of the consumer.
As technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see more innovative solutions, further transforming the way Australians find and purchase land for their dream home.
Westport business case endorsed by Infrastructure Western Australia
The State Government has welcomed Infrastructure Western Australia’s (IWA) assessment of the Westport Business case.
Considering the key drivers for the new container port, alignment with other strategic projects in WA, impacts to the economy, society and environment, the design process and the deliverability in terms of timing and cost, the IWA assessment endorsed the business case and planning is now progressing to the next stage.
Acting Transport Minister John Carey said, “IWA’s advice provides further assurance for Western Australians that Westport has undertaken a thorough and exhaustive planning process, including the consideration of design options, the assessment of those options, supported by extensive consultation.”
November’s business case for the Westport upgrade found that if no work was done to address future constraints on trade through reaching Fremantle’s capacity, the West Australian economy could lose $244 billion through increased costs. Under a moderate growth scenario, Fremantle Port is expected to reach operational capacity no later than 2040, necessitating the completion of a new port by the late 2030s.
Speaking to The Urbanist late last year, Westport’s Managing Director Patick Seares outlined the importance of the Westport project, stating “we have one container terminal and gateway for the western side of the continent and our entire economy is dependent on it.”
As the Westport project progresses, Perth’s South West Metropolitan region continues to emerge as a critical hub for economic development and innovation as major infrastructure projects are undertaken – including providing Defense housing to support AUKUS in Rockingham.
More central housing choice with 314 new homes at Perth City Link
The Perth City Link continues to progress, reaching the milestone completion of the Perth Hub earlier this week. The residential development’s completion brings 314 homes to the heart of Perth in the form of a 32-storey mixed-used apartment complex.
Premier Roger Cook said, “with more dwellings to become available in the coming months and years, we are working hard to ensure more housing is on the market where people want to live and work.”
Delivered by Far East Consortium, the Wellington Street complex features 37 affordable dwellings enabled through a partnership between the State Government and Foundation Housing.
“Perth Hub is delivering hundreds of new homes right here in Perth’s CBD,” Housing Minister John Carey said, “this includes affordable homes, delivered in partnership with Foundation Housing, close to education and job opportunities and other amenities.”
Once completed, the Perth City Link will also include a 19-storey student accommodation facility for more than 1,100 students; a 32-storey build-to-rent residential tower; a 26-storey hotel and short-stay apartment complex; and be home to Edith Cowan University’s city campus which is set to open in 2026.
Government Departments taking shape
Following the reforms from March, the State Government have commenced searching for Department heads ahead of the new reform structure commencing 1 July 2025. Searching Nationwide, the government are recruiting for:
- Under Treasurer of the Department of Treasury and Finance;
- Director General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet;
- Director General of the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport;
- Director General of the Department of Housing and Works; and
- Director General of the Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration.
Premier Roger Cook said, “The Public Sector Commissioner is searching nationwide for new directors general of four departments as well as the State’s new Under Treasurer.”
Changes to leadership of other departments due to the reforms will also take place at the start of the new financial year. As part of the reforms, Lanie Chopping will head up the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety. Jodi Cant will finish her role as Director General of the Department of Finance on 30 June 2025.
The targeted reforms aim to deliver on the government’s goals of job creation through economic diversification, local manufacturing and energy transition; delivery of hospitals and other major infrastructure; and the building of houses across Western Australia.