Industry Issues
Streamlined planning decision around station precincts
UDIA WA has welcomed the weekend’s announcement aimed at fast-tracking more housing around station precincts made by Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti MLA and Minister John Carey MLA.
During our State Election Campaign, we made a direct recommendation that WAPC and DPLH work with industry and local government to undertake market analysis to identify key infill areas that could feasibly deliver increased density and initiate improvement plans and schemes to facilitate this. This would include upcoding, particularly where lots are of a suitable size to deliver medium and higher density homes.
Specifically, the Cook Government will look to establish the first 10 proposed precincts around Ballajura, Bassendean, Carlisle and Oats Street, Claisebrook, Cottesloe, Glendalough, Morley, Mosman Park, Redcliffe, and Swanborne train stations to streamline planning decisions and drive higher density.
Drawing on similar precincts in Victoria and New South Wales, the state government will implement improvement plans and schemes within an up-to 800-metre radius around the 10 train stations. According to the government, consultation will be undertaken with relevant local governments to inform context specific precinct planning, and the improvement schemes will set the state government as the body that sets the height and zoning density settings within the precincts, and as the responsible decision-maker.
“More housing choice around our train station precincts will be critical to supporting our city as it grows, and implementing these improvement plans will ensure we expedite the delivery of new developments for the benefit of the community,” Treasurer Rita Saffioti said.
UDIA WA Infrastructure Summit 2025
On Thursday November 13, UDIA WA hosted our inaugural Infrastructure Summit bringing together key government agencies, utility providers, and industry leaders to tackle the challenges facing the planning, funding and delivery of critical enabling infrastructure to facilitate housing supply.
Read a full summary of the Summit’s presentations.
Environmental Protection Authority welcomes new Deputy Chair
UDIA WA congratulates Jane Bennett on her appointment this week as Deputy Chair of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
First joining the EPA in June 2024, Ms Bennett has been appointed Deputy Chair until June 2027, replacing Deputy Chair Lee McIntosh, who has completed her five-year term with the Authority.
Serving as a member of the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) and as a member of the UDIA WA Council since 2010, previously holding the position of UDIA WA Vice President, Jane has given extensive time and expertise to the industry over the past two decades.
Jane has also served as Chair of the Liveability Strategic Committee and is now inaugural Chair of our Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group, along with being a previous winner of both our Young Leaders and Women in Leadership Awards.
We look forward to our continued work with Jane and the EPA moving forward.
HV Pool System Charge Change
Western Power advises that ongoing forecasts and reviews along with an increase in retest activities, indicate upcoming refunds from the pool at a quantum that is expected to reduce the pool balance below the optimum target.
Following a recent HV Pool Governance committee meeting with an extensive review of the HV Pool data, it was collectively agreed that as of 1 January 2026, the high voltage subdivision System Charge has increased to $250/kVA.
Previously, the System Charge was $200/kVA, which had been in effect since 1 May 2025. UDIA WA and Western Power will continue to review charges and rates on a regular basis, to maintain an appropriate pace of reaching the optimum pool balance target. Any application created on or after 1 January 2026, shall have the new rate applied. All existing active applications that have not yet had a quote issued, will also attract the new rate.
Any application that has had a quote already issued, will attract the old applicable rate for the life of the application regardless of re-quote. The System Charge Rate along with related charges and parameters, will be updated via Western Power’s High Voltage pool policy page via the website: High voltage pool policy
UDIA WA thanks Jason Hick for his outstanding contributions
UDIA WA extends its sincere thanks to Jason Hick for his long-standing invaluable contributions as a committee member and contributor to UDIA WA Educate courses.
Serving on a range of committees beginning in 2006, Jason has been involved in the Sustainable Development Committee, Environment Committee, Planning Committee, UDIA Advocacy & Thought Leadership Committee and currently sits on the Environmental and Climate Action Committee.
Contributing to several UDIA National advocacy submissions, Jason has been a regular presenter of the Foundations of Property Development: Module 2: Landscape Planning and the Urban Environment since 2019 and is currently lending his expertise as a presenter for the Environmental Assessments and Approvals 101 course.
With over 27 years of environmental consulting experience with large projects across diverse range of market sectors and service types, Jason’s deep understanding of environmental planning, impact assessment and management has enabled him to provide strategic advice strengthening the quality of our professional development courses.
We are deeply grateful for Jason’s contribution to supporting the next generation of professionals and helping shape the future of our industry through the sharing of his knowledge and expertise.
Find out about the full suite of UDIA WA Educate Courses.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Practice Guide Assessment of Proposals in Western Australia under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986
The EPA has updated the EIA Practice Guide, which sets out the new procedures that will apply to EIA for Part IV proposals. This also includes a guide on transitional arrangements.
This guide will replace the Administrative Procedures and Procedures Manual, but to allow time for proponents, consultants, and the public to prepare, the Practice Guide will not come into effect until 1 January 2026, with current assessments continuing under the existing Administrative Procedures and Procedures Manual.
UDIA WA, with input from members of our Environment & Climate Action Committee, made a submission on the draft Guide in July 2025. While focussed on proposals under Section 38 of the EP Act and not necessarily directly applicable to the s48A process that most proponents undertaking land development will participate in, it is a key statutory approvals pathway for significant infrastructure projects (such as roads, rail and water) that underpin urban development. Further, some of the general principles referenced throughout are equally applicable to schemes in the s48A pathway.
We provided comments in that regard and particularly highlighted support for the principle that the EPA considers whether another process can effectively mitigate the potential impacts of the proposal on the environment in a manner that results in outcome that is consistent with the EPAs environmental objectives. Avoiding regulatory duplication should be the desired outcome for all parties involved and therefore this was a welcome acknowledgement, recognising that the planning system provides a vehicle by which land development can achieve environmental objectives whilst avoiding process duplication.
Overall, we welcome the EPA undertaking this work and the Guide’s incorporation of feedback and recommendations from the Vogel McFerran Review.
Over the coming months, EPA Services will work to embed and prepare training materials, including working with external providers for training materials.
Full details are available on the EPA’s website.
UDIA WA Welcomes launch of Housing Innovation Fund
It was encouraging to see the announcement last week by Premier Roger Cook; Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti MLA; Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson MLA; and Minister John Carey MLA officially launching the $50 million Housing Innovation Fund (HIF).
The HIF was first announced pre-election as part of the Made in WA plan, and directly followed UDIA WA’s advocacy in this space during our State Election Campaign.
During our campaign, UDIA WA called for funding to advance research and development in construction practices, technology and digitalisation to better respond to the skills and labour challenges faced in Western Australia.
Providing opportunities to ensure housing innovation is harnessed and utilised in Western Australia is crucial to futureproof our construction sector and deliver the homes we need now, and for our future.
Specifically, the HIF will include a competitive Grants Program along with a low interest loan scheme. Grants of up to $5 million will be available to support the adoption of prefabricated, modular and advanced building technologies.
Applications for the first funding stream – the Housing Innovation Fund Grant – are open until Friday 19 December 2025. For information, and to apply, visit the Housing Innovation Fund Grant webpage.
Keystart Member Briefing
On Tuesday 11 November, UDIA WA Members attended an exclusive Member Briefing with Keystart CEO Mark Tomasz.
Hosted by Harvey Norman Commercial at their new Osborne Park Showroom, Mark unpacked how Keystart is expanding its role in the WA housing market as a Government Trading Enterprise and supporting greater housing delivery.
Driven by the purpose to make the dream of an affordable home a reality for more people, Mark unpacked Keystart’s new role and products including the Modular Home loan, Urban Connect Shared Equity, Aboriginal Home Ownership Scheme, and the Build to Rent Kickstart Fund. Mark discussed the importance of listening to the community and the industry to ensure the products that Keystart deliver are fit for purpose and will help enable the delivery of new housing at scale.
Not intending to be in direct competition with traditional lenders, Mark outlined the market research being undertaken to identify gaps in the market that Keystart could fill to enable key demographics to (re)enter the housing market which has shaped Keystart’s expanded product range.
Delivering on commitments made during the state election campaign, Keystart’s modular home loan is designed to provide finance for modular homes – defined as a home that can be delivered to a site. Part of the loan package, Keystart will help facilitate the transport of the home to site. The product also features a 2% deposit and no lenders mortgage insurance (LMI), allowing customers to take out a load up to a maximum property price of $800,000 and build with any of Keystart’s approved modular builders.
To help enable the supply of new homes, Mark went in detail about the new Urban Connect Shared Equity Scheme and the Build to Rent Kickstart Fund. Focused on townhomes and apartments, the Urban Connect Shared Equity scheme enables the state government to take up to 35% shared equity in a loan for off-the-plan townhouse or apartment. By reducing the upfront cost of buying into a new apartment or townhouse development for the customer, the scheme is designed to inject money into new developments sooner, improving project feasibility.
With expressions of interest closing on December 8, the Build to Rent Kickstart fund is an industry focused product to encourage investment in the emerging Build to Rent asset class, boosting the supply of secure, long-term rental housing in Western Australia. The intention of the $75 million fund is to support the sustainable delivery and operation of Build to Rent projects – offering support to eligible projects throughout the construction and operation phases.
UDIA WA has been pleased to collaborate with Keystart during this transition and look forward to further supporting Keystart in their aim to deliver more of the homes we need.
A massive thank you to Harvey Norman Commercial for hosting this insightful Member briefing!
View photos from the exclusive Member Briefing: https://www.udiawa.com.au/gallery/member-briefing-understanding-keystarts-gte-transition-new-products-initiatives-11-november-2025/
UDIA WA Awards Site Tour: Piara Waters Lifestyle Resort
On Friday November 7, UDIA WA members and guests were treated to an exclusive tour of Providence Lifestyle Group’s Award Winning Piara Waters Lifestyle resort.
Setting the benchmark in seniors living, Piara Waters Lifestyle Resort is a Land Lease Community that features 244 architecturally designed homes nestled within a masterplanned, walkable community.
Attendees were taken through several display homes showcasing the range of flexible options available to residents rightsizing to Piara Waters, with each home featuring solar panels, battery storage, an inverter, and smart metering, all connected to an embedded microgrid.
Attendees also had the opportunity to view the extensive resident amenities found within the community clubhouse – including a cinema, pool, community gardens, lawn bowls, bar and lounge area.
This was a fantastic learning opportunity for participants and a huge thanks to John Wood and his team for taking the time to guide us through the project.
View photos from the Site Tour: https://www.udiawa.com.au/gallery/2025-awards-site-tour-piara-waters-lifestyle-resort-by-providence-lifestyle-group-7-november-2025/
National Updates
EPBC Inquiry on the EPBC, NEPA and related Bills
UDIA National with the generous input and support from members has been focused on reviewing the Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025, the National Environmental Protection Agency Bill 2025 and five related bills, (the Environmental Protection Bills).
UDIA National supports Government initiatives to improve delivery of environmental assessment and approvals. This means establishing a streamlined, single, simple environmental assessment system that coordinates Federal and State requirements, to avoid unnecessary duplication. We support the Environmental Protection Bills with a handful of crucial amendments, to prevent drafting conflicts from undermining core Government objectives.
We support Ministerial delegation (with direction by the Minister), for approvals and assessments. – It is important to ensure the EPA demonstrates (under Ministerial delegation) its ability to effectively balance environmental, economic and social issues in assessments and approvals. We whole heartedly agree with the Minister’s Press Club statements – “You don’t have to choose between the environment and jobs and business. We can protect and improve our environment, while removing duplication and speeding up approvals.”
You can view a copy of UDIA National’s submission to the EPBC Inquiry here.