Industry Issues
Delivering the housing we need now, and for our future
Avoiding the recent decline in national building approvals, Western Australia is currently well-positioned to create diverse living options in thriving, connected communities, however challenges surrounding infrastructure and productivity still remain.
Setting everyone up for the year ahead, UDIA WA’s Annual State Development Conference provides an opportunity to identify, break down and address the challenges facing the development industry. This February, we will unpack what it will take to deliver the housing we need now, and for our future with a range of expert speakers and panelists.
Providing the opening address, the Hon. Don Punch MLA, Minister for the South West and local member in Bunbury, will get proceedings underway with an overview of the State Government’s vision for growth, housing delivery and the future of the South West in particular.
Former Queensland Premier and former head of the Australian Banking Association (ABA) Anna Bligh AC is our first keynote for the conference and will set the scene for the program, which also features National Housing Supply & Affordability Council member Gail McGowan PSM; Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Coordinator General Chris Clark; and Environmental Protection Authority Chair Darren Walsh, among a stellar line up of fellow industry experts, government representatives and innovative thinkers from across the country to explore topics including:
- Economic drivers impacting the WA housing market
- Major industrial projects and precincts
- Housing affordability, progress against the National Housing Accord Targets and alternative housing models
- The importance of diverse and innovative housing
- A shared vision for the future of Perth, and planning for a continent of cities
Held for the first time in Bunbury at the Mantra Lighthouse, the program will also feature a walking tour of the latest new development around the City and hear about further plans to revitalize our ‘second city’ with representatives from the City of Bunbury.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of these important conversations that will shape our industry through 2026, with the program also including plenty of opportunity to network with colleagues and stakeholders across the day sessions and the evening networking functions.
Thanks to major conference sponsors DevelopmentWA; Western Power and nbn along with session sponsors Keystart; Urbis and CTF; and networking sponsors MNG and Georgiou Strabag Group.
Register your place at the 2026 UDIA WA Annual State Development Conference.
Submission to Landgate on Consent Requirements for Easements and Restrictive Covenants
The current legislative requirement to obtain written consent from parties with interests in easements and restrictive covenants for creating, modifying, and removing easements and restrictive covenants has had implications for the timely delivery of crucially needed housing supply.
As such, UDIA WA has been engaging with Landgate since early last year to advocate changes and we eagerly awaited the release of the Consultation Paper in October 2025.
The Consultation Paper outlined the issues and a range of options, with Landgate seeking to give ‘consideration to maintaining the balance between preserving the integrity of the Land Titles Register, protecting the guaranteed interests of holders of registered easements and restrictive covenants; while also meeting the overall objective to create a more efficient process which contributes to transitioning land development projects to market.’
UDIA WA made a submission in response with input from members, particularly in the context of survey practice and plan preparation and from a legal perspective. The main recommendation was to prioritise the option to produce a new model for the consent requirements to apply to both all creations, and all modifications / removals of easements and restrictive covenants. This option was considered the most effective pathway to:
- Remove unnecessary layers of confusion, provide certainty and consistency in approach.
- Reduce time delays associated with additional consent requirements.
- Streamline processes relating to modification of Restrictive Covenants and Easements.
- Provide workable fallbacks (should consent not be given at all, or should objections be lodged), account for unintended consequences / procedural fairness and workable options for resolving roadblocks which previously would have put a stop on development.
Examples provided MNG were also shared to demonstrate where issues have arisen due to either numerous consents being required or where the ‘re-interpretation’ of the meaning of the ‘land’ has caused delays with creation and registration of new land titles.
We will continue to engage with Landgate as the reforms progress.
Our submission can be viewed here.
Ongoing advocacy around Land Lease Communities
Following on from the release of the UDIA WA Position Paper on supporting Land Lease Communities in September, UDIA WA has been engaging with relevant Ministers and the WAPC and DPLH around the recommendations.
This week, we kicked off what will be regular engagement with our colleagues in NSW, Queensland, and Victoria to discuss common challenges and explore opportunities for consistent and collaborative state and national advocacy and awareness raising, where appropriate, to support LLCs as part of the response across the housing continuum to Australia’s housing supply crisis.
UDIA praises Federal Government’s apprenticeship move
UDIA National has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to extend employer incentives for apprentices, praising it as a much-needed enabler of housing supply.
As of 1 January, the Albanese Labor Government is extending its $5,000 financial incentive for employers who engage apprentices in the Key Apprenticeship Program (KAP) sectors of housing and new energy.
Employers will continue to receive $5,000 for engaging apprentices in KAP priority occupations for another year, while apprentices will continue to receive $10,000.
UDIA National President Oscar Stanley said the extension will take the pressure off the costs of training, making it easier for employers to take on apprentices and build their productivity.
“Government has heard industry’s calls and this incentive is absolutely crucial to helping employers lower the operational risk of taking on apprentices,” Mr Stanley said.
“The measure will assist industry to deliver housing in an environment where skills shortages are a handbrake on productivity. “UDIA welcomes this smart initiative and looks forward to continuing to work with Government to ensure the housing industry has the skilled workforce it needs to deliver on crucial housing targets.”
Vision for State’s strategic industrial areas
The State Government have recently released the Strategic Industrial Lands (SILs) Activation Plan, outlining structured pathways for the development of Strategic Industrial Areas (SIAs).
Designed to guide the allocation of funds through the Strategic Industries Fund (SIF), the plan outlines opportunities to diversify and decarbonise WA’s economy highlighting several industrial locations across the state for development – including the Western Trade Coast, comprised of the Kwinana Industry Area and Rockingham Industrial Zone. Contained within the activation plan, funds allocated through the SIF are intended to be used to build on existing investments in enabling infrastructure such as roads and energy networks across WA.
Chosen to aid in the green energy transition and facilitate the state government’s Made in WA plan, each site is anticipated to become home to major projects including renewable hydrogen and ammonia, critical minerals processing, biofuels and green iron production industries.
Read the Strategic Industrial Lands Activation Plan.
Launching UDIA WA Educate’s Outlook Mentoring Program
UDIA WA is excited to launch our brand new Outlook Mentoring Program on 19 Feb 2026, an eight-month program designed to support early-career professionals as they build confidence, sharpen their skills, and shape a successful future in the urban development industry. Participants will be matched with experienced industry mentors to provide five one-on-one mentoring sessions and includes personal development planning through 360 survey feedback, DISC profiling and SWOT analysis. Mentees will also benefit from cohort sessions, valuable networking opportunities, and industry exposure through UDIA WA communication channels.
Ideal for trainees, graduates, and emerging professionals up to four years’ experience within UDIA WA member organisations, the program fosters clarity, confidence, professional growth, and a stronger network in mentees all while employers benefit from increased engagement and capability building to shape a successful future in the urban development industry.
View the program to learn more or to register.
If you’re interested in becoming a mentor, reach out to our Industry Education Manager – Nijeeya Renju.
Member Survey Winner Announced!
UDIA WA would like to pass our congratulations on to Howard (Mitch) Mitchell from EPCAD who is the winner of our annual Membership Survey prize, of a $1,000 Crown Voucher.
We extend our thanks to all valued members who completed the survey, your feedback is always extremely appreciated and is an integral part of ensuring the Institute is providing the best possible services and advocacy to support our members and their businesses.
Survey results will inform the team’s end of year reflection session and UDIA WA Council’s strategic planning session in the new year, to help drive new initiatives and focus our advocacy and organizational priorities to ensure we continue to deliver remarkable member value.
Lessons from Lacrosse with Dan Morris
Last week UDIA WA were pleased to host an exclusive member briefing with Dan Morris of Dan Morris Legal that explored the issues of liability within construction contracts by Learning the Lessons from Lacrosse.
The briefing focused on the case of the Lacrosse Towers in Melbourne, 2014 whereby the building’s cladding was not compliant with combustibility standards resulting in a major fire where thankfully nobody was hurt but millions of dollars of damage was caused to the 21-storey building.
Dan started the session by highlighting the difference between assignment of a contract and novation of a contract as there are some key differences that apply to the Lacrosse Towers case. Assignment transfers the benefits of a contract, whereas novation transfers the benefits and burdens of a contract, including the burden of liability, which was the focus of the session.
Dan then took participants through the details of the case, highlighting that by installing the non-compliant cladding L U Simon was liable to pay damages to the Owners, according to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), however the judge presiding over the case also found that L U Simon did not fail to exercise reasonable care in the construction of the Tower. Instead, the judge found that each of the consultants breached their obligations to L U Simon under their respective consultant agreements (which were novated to L U Simon by the developer) and it was determined that the damages payable by L U Simon were to be reimbursed by the other Respondents as ‘concurrent wrongdoers’.
Following the summary of the case, Dan provided his key takeaways from the session, including:
- Be extra vigilant when presented with D&C contracts
- Never accept novation or provision of mandatory novation of consultants’ agreements, sight unseen
- Always negotiate for consultants to carry minimum PI cover commensurate to risk (generally, a percentage of total replacement value of built asset)
- Never agree to arbitration of domestic (Australian) disputes
- It is generally ok to exclude proportionate liability legislation but be aware of, and price in risk
- Take advice about your construction contract from a competent lawyer before signing it
We pass our thanks onto Dan for leading the session and to those that attended, and we look forward to hosting the next member briefing with Dan in the new year.
That’s a wrap for 2025!
Last week, over 150 UDIA WA members and guests ventured over to the Claremont Hotel for a relaxed evening to celebrate the end of another busy year.
Taking to the rooftop of the iconic venue, the stunning views and esteemed company from across the industry provided a vibrant atmosphere for the End of Year Celebration, allowing everyone to reflect on and raise a glass to the year that was.
Thank you to everyone that joined us at the Claremont Hotel to celebrate the end of another year! It’s a pleasure working with our members, and we look forward to working with you in 2026.
A special thank you goes to our Event Sponsors Douglas Partners and MNG for making this event possible.
We look forward to continuing the celebration at the Outlook End of Year Sundowner tonight.
View photos from the End of Year Sundowner.
New homes to be delivered in Perth’s southwest
Last week the State Government announced that 4,000 lots will be created as part of a residential development in Karnup.
“Karnup has long been identified for urban development under metropolitan planning frameworks and is being brought forward to meet growing housing demand,” Planning and Lands Minister John Carey said.
With one in seven homes allocated for social housing, DevelopmentWA will partner with Mirvac to deliver the initial precinct, which is expected to deliver 1,500 homesites.
Located 15km from the Rockingham town centre, the Karnup masterplanned community is expected to deliver 4,000 new homes over the next 20 years alongside primary schools, a high school, district and local retail centres, landscaped parklands, and upgrades to surrounding roads.
“By working in partnership with industry and local government, our government is ensuring these communities are well-planned, connected, and supported by the infrastructure they need to thrive,” Secret Harbour MLA Paul Papalia said.
National Updates
New look EPBC Act a better outcome for housing
Senator Murray Watt was given one job before Christmas – pass the revised EPBC legislation, and that he did. With the support of the Greens, the amended legislation was passed and whilst some sectors are unhappy with the outcome – housing was assured of a smoother pathway either way.
The new amendments of most relevance to industry include:
1. Clarification of the unacceptable impacts test to remove confusing, qualifying language. Eg: A “no” if a project WILL make a species go extinct rather than “likely” – higher bar to failing the test.
Standards and guidelines will need to confirm unacceptable impacts application to make it work effectively.
2. Government confirmation cleared up that the new EPA is required to act on directions of the Minister on any delegated powers and functions.
3. Clarification of the definition for net gain under the offsets standard, to ensure industry and the EPA can talk the same language on impacts for faster assessments and approvals.
4. Non controlled actions will now be able to be extended past their 5 year lapsing date, to ensure industry does not have to start assessment again on project approvals.
5. Retention of the preliminary documentation streamlined assessment so straightforward projects can gain faster approvals. This will need clearer guidelines to assist industry to use it.
6. Continuation of the Housing Strike Team to clear any hold ups on approvals that are slowing down delivery of housing.
7. A Government call in power for accreditation pathways, to ensure state and federal alignment on one stop assessment and approvals.
8. Clarify the restoration fund will not be used for species in danger of extinction where they are part of a designed in consultation with industry and the community.
Work now begins on the regulations, standards and guidelines that will need to do the heavy lifting on how to apply the rules. UDIA National will be working closely with members and the government throughout the consultation. To discuss your priorities or concerns, please contact policy@udiawa.com.au