Industry Issues
New WA EnviroDevelopment certification
Constellar at Cardup Junction by Richard Noble & Company, in partnership with Gold Estates, has been certified under all six elements of UDIA’s EnviroDevelopment program.
Richard Noble & Company Managing Director, Alex Gregg, accepted the certification at this morning’s breakfast event with the Premier and outlined the company’s commitment to sustainability and long-standing involvement with the EnviroDevelopment program. Cygnia Cove was an inaugural recipient of EnviroDevelopment certification in 2009 and more recently, Vivente at Hammond Park was certified in four elements.
EnviroDevelopment is a scientifically based branding system that helps purchasers identify more environmentally sustainable homes and lifestyles. Certification is based on six elements: Ecosystems, Waste, Energy, Materials, Water and Community.
Constellar is a new masterplanned community in Perth’s south east that will eventually be home to around 3,000 residents and has been designed as a long-term, community-focused neighbourhood. It will feature more than 10 hectares of public open space, a 5.8 hectare central district oval and community pavilion, two schools and a neighbourhood commercial centre.
The certification criteria informed key design decisions from the outset and influenced sustainable urban development principles applied across the project.
Landscape, energy, ecology and community are the project’s four key sustainability focus areas, aimed at creating lasting, positive outcomes for the natural environment and residents.
More than 1.3 kilometres of historic windrow trees are being retained and integrated into streetscapes, parks and ecological corridors, preserving the site’s pre-development character while providing immediate canopy and amenity.
Energy performance is optimised through a requirement for all homes to achieve a minimum 7-star NatHERS rating and be fitted with a 3.5kW rooftop solar PV system.
Purchaser incentives also support all-electric configuration, including heat pump hot water systems, induction cooktops and solar, intended to reduce household operating costs.
Preserving local ecology is reinforced through native planting palettes, and the developer has also expanded tree canopy and integrated habitat features to help extend the ecological function of the adjoining Cardup Nature Reserve into the community.
To foster a vibrant and connected community, the Constellar Community Compact was launched in early 2025, providing a framework for Richard Noble & Company and Gold Estates, in partnership with the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale, local organisations, schools, businesses and residents, to shape a connected and resilient neighbourhood.
The program also encourages participation in local initiatives, events and knowledge-sharing opportunities.
To find out more about EnviroDevelopment, visit www.envirodevelopment.com.au
Visit the Constellar website here: https://constellar.au/
Engagement with the Government Architect on proposed Pattern Book
On Tuesday 16 June 2026, UDIA WA met with Emma Williamson (Government Architect WA) and senior representatives from DPLH regarding the recently announced Pattern Book project, which is intended to cut red tape and accelerate the delivery of housing in established suburbs.
The project aims to create a set of pre-approved house designs for four housing typologies (townhouses, mews, maisonettes, and manor houses) of typically two to four storeys to support increased infill development, density, and housing choice. Single-storey detached homes will not be part of the scope, and amalgamation of lots is not an intended focus. Rather, it is intended to support individual lot development for greater opportunities for aging in place, multi-generational living, and more affordable housing options.
A key feature is a proposed fast-tracked approvals pathway linked to the use of these designs, with the intention of improving efficiency in design services and planning and approvals processes.
The designs will be developed alongside broader planning and policy reforms, including the R-Codes Review and Station Precinct Improvement Plans and Schemes to ensure the intended outcomes are effectively facilitated.
Constructability and cost will be key considerations, along with other learnings from early experiences with the NSW Pattern Book. Industry involvement will be critical, and we welcome the receptiveness of the Government Architect to engaging further with UDIA WA and our members throughout the process. We will be facilitating engagement with members of our Infill Development & Precincts Committee around initial feasibility considerations and later in the year, on the draft designs.
For further information, please reach out to policy@udiawa.com.au.
Breakfast with the Premier
We were delighted to host guests at Crown this morning for an industry breakfast featuring a keynote presentation by Premier the Hon. Roger Cook.
Underscoring the importance of having a place to call home and strong sense of community, the Premier’s presentation focused on the State Government’s housing policy priorities – Investment, Innovation and workforce to “use every mechanism at our disposal to do one thing, increase housing supply”.
Investing $4.7 billion to boost housing in the 2026-2027 State Budget, the Premier highlighted the State Government’s continued investment in power, water and other enabling infrastructure; creating community hubs through the Metronet precincts; delivering homes for front line workers in Western Australia’s regional centres; and an additional $48 million to fund the creation of two housing and infrastructure advanced manufacturing facilities in Kwinana and Neerabup to accelerate the delivery of high density living.
In addition to the ongoing investment in housing, the State Government continues to focus on low-fee and fee-free TAFE courses to enable Western Australian’s to be trained locally, removing the financial barriers to allow more residents into the workforce with skills that complement and support the resource and construction sectors.
Mr Cook also reiterated the Seven Cities vision for Regional Western Australia, with the intention to enable our seven major regional centres to become economic hubs that continue to drive the Western Australian economy. Stating that “when Regional WA does well, all of WA does well” the Premier outlined how the State Government will enable – Albany, Bunbury, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Geraldton, Karratha, Port Hedland, and Broome – to reach their full potential. Delivering 500 homes for front line workers across Regional WA as the first initiative under the Seven Cities vision, the state government is committed to ensuring that the major regional centres are great places to live and work with vibrant communities that continue to attract people to Western Australia.
Following his keynote address, the Premier sat down for an informative Q&A session with UDIA WA CEO Tanya Steinbeck to discuss enabling infrastructure investment, ongoing department reforms, and federal changes to taxation policy settings.
Thank you to our Industry Partner DevelopmentWA, Placemaking Partner Skyfields by Perth Airport, and Event Sponsors Mirvac and Harley Dykstra for supporting this event.
DevelopmentWA CEO Dean Mudford retires
DevelopmentWA’s Chief Executive Officer, Dean Mudford, has announced his retirement from the role after four years at the helm.
In his time as CEO, Mr Mudford led the establishment of DevelopmentWA’s built-form capability to enable the delivery of more diverse housing outcomes. He also oversaw the delivery of land, housing, and urban renewal projects aligned to the State Government’s priorities.
Dean has been a stalwart of the property industry in WA for over 40 years, previously holding senior roles at Mirvac and Stockland before taking on the Chief Operating Officer role at DevelopmentWA in 2015 and subsequently the role of CEO.
UDIA WA would like to thank Dean for his significant contributions to the industry and his support for UDIA WA.
Infrastructure Development Fund to support 800 new homes
A further $8 million from the State Government’s Infrastructure Development Fund (IDF) has been allocated to 15 new apartment development projects under Stream 1 – Targeted Apartment Rebate in the latest funding round.
The funding will be used to support the delivery of 800 new apartment dwellings across Perth in the Town of Cambridge and Cities of Belmont, Gosnells, Joondalup, Nedlands, Melville, Rockingham, South Perth, Stirling and Vincent, including social and affordable housing developments in Redcliffe and Stirling.
Off the back of UDIA WA advocacy, and in partnership with the Federal Government, the IDF increased from $80 million to $120 million in the 2026-27 State Budget to continue to help cover the cost of connecting to essential water, wastewater and electricity infrastructure.
Visit the Department of Planning, Lands, and Heritage for more information about the funded projects.
Water Corporation Update: Increases to Standard Infrastructure Contributions 2026/27
The Water Corporation has advised that Standard Infrastructure Contributions (SIC), Special Developer Infrastructure Contribution (SDIC), and Developer and Building Fees and Charges will change from 1 July 2026.
Standard Infrastructure Contributions 2026/27
- Water: $2,756 (0% change)
- Wastewater: $5,121 (12.75% increase)
- Drainage: $41 (10.81% increase)
Special Developer Infrastructure Contributions 2026/27
- Australind – Wastewater: $688 (4.88% increase)
- Kenwick and Maddington – Wastewater: $6,755 (4.84% increase)
- Metronet Precincts –Meltham and Bennett Springs – Water: $1,208 (4.86% increase)
- Metronet Precincts – Kelmscott, Meltham, Bennett Springs, Redcliffe and Morley – Wastewater: $1,893 (4.82% increase)
- Denham – Water: $1,654 (0% change)
Sewer junction charges revised
Changes to the Sewer junction charges will be phased in over a two-year period (2026/27 and 2027/28).
- 100mm sewer junction: $1,062.93 (11.84% increase)
- 150mm sewer junction: $1,292.07 (10.93% increase)
If you have any queries, please email: DSBBusiness.Management@watercorporation.com.au.
Advocacy in Action
On Wednesday 10 June 2026, our President Grant Shepherd and Executive Director Strategy & Policy Sarah Macaulay (Cutter) attended a Housing Forum hosted by the Hon Patrick Gorman MP, featuring keynote presentations and a discussion panel with Federal Minister for Housing Hon. Clare O’Neil MP and WA Housing Minister Hon. John Carey MLA.
Several Federal and State Government Members and Senators were also in attendance, with the forum including an opportunity for round table discussion on the critical issues impacting on housing supply in Western Australia and potential opportunities for further reforms.
UDIA WA raised our key advocacy priorities including the strategic planning, funding and delivery of enabling infrastructure; the need to address skills shortages and capacity to deliver; and initiatives to boost the feasibility of medium and higher density housing projects.
We appreciate the engagement with and collaboration between Federal and State Government, along with wider stakeholders on this critical issue for WA and the nation, and it was promising to hear Minister O’Neil express a desire to continue to reform the system and strip back unnecessary regulation to get more homes on the ground, faster.
Help end homelessness in Australia
Tonight, 18 June 2026, UDIA WA CEO Tanya Steinbeck will be taking part in the 2026 Vinnies CEO Sleepout.
Joined by Immediate Past President Richard Pappas (Celsius Property) and Brenton Downing (Celsius Land), the UDIA WA team will get a glimpse of the reality that 122,000 people in Australia experience every day — a long, cold night without shelter.
Sadly, homelessness is on the rise in Australia. The cost-of-living crisis is putting pressure on families like never before. With your support, we hope to raise as much as possible for Vinnies’ support services.
Your donation will help provide immediate relief — like food and crisis accommodation — and fund long-term solutions to ensure more people secure permanent housing.
Donate to support Tanya, and Team UDIA WA, to help support those in need.
Team UDIA WA pushing for a brighter tomorrow
The UDIA WA team are once again taking part in The Push-Up Challenge to raise funds and awareness for greater mental health provision in Australia.
Collectively completing over 13,628 individual push-ups, there are plenty of sore arms and shoulders as each member of the team continues toward 3,307 push-ups each.
Finishing on Thursday 26 June, there is just over a week left to go in the challenge and the team is excited to have surpassed our fundraising goal of $1000 for Lifeline!
We are grateful to everyone that has donated to the team so far and would appreciate any further support to improve the mental health of all Australians.
You can donate to the team here: https://www.thepushupchallenge.com.au/fundraisers/udiawa
Reimagining a Perth Icon with Outlook
UDIA WA Outlook was pleased to host an event at the new and improved WACA Ground on Wednesday 10 June to dive into the re-imagining of a Western Australian icon.
Taking attendees through the WACA Ground redevelopment in detail, Kerry O’Sullivan (GM – Customer Experience, WA Cricket), provided an overview of the key benefits of the redevelopment that aimed to transform the WACA Ground into a boutique sporting venue for community, multi-sport and cultural event use.
While the heritage of the site has been respected, the WACA is now far more open to the public and integrated with the street scape through the café, public gym and aquatic facility.
Moving forward, Kerry said that WA Cricket are focused on working though the transition of the Perth Bears into the Lillee Marsh Stand and creating a masterplan for the rest WACA Ground as a whole site (old and new).
Taking the audience through a more detailed look at the architectural design of the project, Matthew Batchelor (Director, Cox Architecture), shared detailed design concepts and drawings that informed the final project featuring landscaping that reflects the Noongar seasons and the importance of better connections to the public spaces surrounding the grounds.
The Aquatic centre and inclusive playground are unique features of the design that incorporate a Goanna Head slide as a centrepiece, with views of the ground itself from the pool.
Dean Williams (Manager Planning, DevelopmentWA) rounded out the speaker line up, widening out the discussion to the Riverside Precinct that is located within the Central Perth Redevelopment Scheme.
Dean said that projects including the WACA development, Garden Towers, Frasers Suites, East Perth Primary School, WA Police Museum, Waterbank Interim Playing Fields and Gloucester Park are all part of the precinct.
In terms of the new primary school, it will have capacity for 600 students on opening, and feature a four storey teaching block, community hall and sporting facilities, likely to bring further vibrancy to the area.
We appreciate the insights from all our speakers and a big thanks also to our Outlook Partners Parcel Property and Underground Power Development Pty and to Event Sponsor Harvey Norman Commercial Division for their support of the event.
National Updates
UDIA National Submissions – Negative Gearing & CGT Bills 2026
The Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026 recently passed the Lower House and is currently under review in the Senate. The draft legislation enacts major changes to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and negative gearing rules, set to take effect on 1 July 2027 and UDIA National has ensured that industry concerns are well understood in our submission on the draft Bill.
UDIA has warned there could be significant unintended consequences from the Bill being drafted in haste which is creating concerns for industry experts and developers alike which risk:
- Undermining investor confidence through lack of certainty from reliance on Ministerial discretions, unclear parameters, limitations of Ministerial instruments.
- Creating greater tax complexity due to a significant departure from existing tax definitions, approaches and procedures.
- Discouraging delivery of housing supply in the short to medium term by increasing risk on feasibilities.
These risks can be addressed, and UDIA has made these recommendations in our submission:
- The passage of this Bill should allow sufficient time for review and amendments to the Bills before enacted, including the need for ministerial discretions.
- There be an ongoing post-assent implementation consultation with industry to consider inadvertent drafting problems and simplifying compliance before 30 June 2027.
- Adopting the existing GST definition for “new residential premises” and align the Bills as far as possible with existing tax concepts.
- The definition of excluded entity requires further revision and EM examples to ensure that it covers all situations intended to be excluded.
Read UDIA National’s full submission.
UDIA National Submissions – Offset Standards
UDIA National has made a submission to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment & Water on the draft Environmental Offsets Standard that was recently out for public consultation.
UDIA’s submission welcomed the progression of the Environmental Offsets Standard and the Government’s commitment to a more consistent and transparent framework under the reformed EPBC Act.
The Exposure Draft and updated policy position demonstrate strong alignment with key industry concerns raised during consultation, however material gaps remain.
Our submission focuses on clarifying these issues to ensure the Standard is both environmentally robust and practically deliverable.