From the CEO
“The industry knows how much the developers are making, and it’s not uncommon for these developers to be making an extra thirty percent in their margins. That impacts the builders, the subcontractors, but most importantly it impacts our members’ livelihoods. Now it’s time for our fair share, a ten percent upfront increase is fair and reasonable given the conditions and the high-risk industries that our members work in.”
The words of Mick Buchan, CFMEU WA State Secretary back in October 2023 when the union launched their EBA campaign.
I encourage our developer members to reach out to me directly if you in fact are making an extra thirty percent on your margins in the current environment to share the secrets of your success.
Let me be clear. No one can argue against ensuring workers are receiving fair and reasonable wages and safe working conditions and last time I checked, we do have a federal Fair Work Commission who’s job it is to ensure that occurs. The cost-of-living pressures are intense and real, as are the record low levels of productivity particularly in the construction sector. However – painting a picture that developers are the ones acting like the cats that have got the cream in this scenario is misguided.
The news that changes to the Western Australian Best Practice Industrial Conditions (WABPIC) will translate directly into increased construction costs, as its equivalent has in Queensland to the tune of 20-30% is alarming. According to our friends at the CCF, by mandating an effective standard hourly rate of 55% over the award which translates to $143,000 p.a. for a typical 50 hour week for government projects will likely set a new benchmark rate for civil construction across the board in the midst of a housing crisis.
UDIA WA has been clear that any further layering of regulation, policy, taxes or charges that impact project feasibility and affordability of housing must be avoided if we are genuine about increasing supply. This “CFMEU Tax” (not my words but it has a nice ring to it) adds yet another layer of red tape and cost with no consideration of the impact on housing affordability and supply.
Once the cat is out of the bag elsewhere, it’s very difficult to claw back to a reasonable and contextual position that adequately considers the unintended consequences before its too late. It’s a good thing that herding cats is what we industry advocates are best at. This is yet another one that has gone astray and firmly in our sights. Stay tuned.
UDIA WA welcomes Thomas Shann
UDIA WA are delighted to announce Thomas Shann joined our team this week as our new Event Coordinator.
Thomas moved to WA 6 months ago from Brisbane and has fallen in love with the incredible WA-lifestyle. Thomas has an impressive background in sales, marketing and event management, including most recently working at one of our favourite venues, Pullman Bunker Bay Resort, where he held the position of Business Development Manager (Events).
Thomas’ first event will be our Industry Breakfast on Tuesday 23 April so if you haven’t already booked your ticket, do so here to enjoy a great event and say hi to our newest recruit.
Meeting with Minister Ellery
This afternoon UDIA WA CEO Tanya Steinbeck and Executive Director Strategy & Policy Sarah Macaulay met with the Hon. Sue Ellery, Minister for Finance; Commerce; Women’s Interests to discuss a variety of policy agendas.
Chief among the discussions was our recommendations in the UDIA WA 2024-25 Pre-Budget Submission wherein we highlighted the key areas Government need to focus on to increase and accelerate housing supply.
The meeting also provided a great opportunity to sit down with the Minister and discuss the Building Better reform package that was announced in December last year as we look forward to continuing working collaboratively with the Government towards the drafting of the new laws.
We thank the Minister for a productive discussion and look forward to sharing further updates with members throughout the next few months.
Policy Team in Action
Today, the Policy Team held a meeting with the Chairs and Deputy Chairs of our Advocacy & Thought Leadership, Infill Development & Precincts, Masterplanned Communities and Environment & Climate Action Committees to discuss various matters flowing on from the first round of committee meetings.
Committee priorities and identifying synergies between the committees on various issues was an important topic of conversation as was the UDIA WA State Election strategy and platform which will form a critical piece of the Policy Team’s work over the coming months to ensure housing remains front of mind at the 2025 WA State Election.
Time running out to feature in The Land Report
Time is quickly running out for any of our members who are keen to secure exclusive advertising space in the new edition of the Land Report, which will be published in The West Australian in May.
UDIA WA is proud to partner with The West Australian on this long running lift out that features data from our quarterly Urban Development Index as well as a range of editorial that is designed to inform and educate readers on the latest trends in infill and greenfield development, creating a connected and vibrant city plus ways to improve housing supply and affordability.
The report is an opportunity to reach up to 481,000 readers of The West Australian on Saturday through advertising and advertorial content.
Anyone who books into the Land Report by Tuesday 23 April will also be able to enjoy complimentary editorial within the publication. Click here for more information or reach out to Carla Wray at carla.wray@wanews.com.au
Addressing Infrastructure Constraints to housing supply
Join us on 23 April to discuss the critically important topic of infrastructure planning and delivery as a catalyst for much needed housing supply.
The event will feature a keynote presentation from Infrastructure WA CEO Phil Helberg followed by a presentation from UDIA WA Councillor and Partner at Scyne Advisory Craig Shephard. These presentation will provide plenty of discussion points for the panel to follow that will also feature Western Power CEO Sam Barbaro and ATCO CEO and Country Chair John Ivulich.
Working collaboratively to proactively plan, coordinate and deliver strategically important infrastructure ‘at the right time’ has never been more crucial to catalyse development for the creation of new homes to accommodate population growth.
Join UDIA WA as we explore innovative approaches to strategic infrastructure design, planning and delivery including the constraints and opportunities to catalyse housing supply. Register here.
Project Dorothy lands in Karratha
The City of Karratha’s has notified UDIA WA of its Housing Development Expression of Interest (EOI) process, which it has aptly called Project Dorothy as they plan to drop many houses onto the City’s ‘wicked housing problem.’
The EOI features an aggregate of city-owned, undeveloped, development-ready residential lands upon which the City of Karratha wants to see new housing developed.
They hope the aggregate inventory (>170 new dwellings collectively) represents a scale opportunity that attracts homebuilders to our market. Additionally, the City also invites proposals from other local landowners where a partnership with the City may enable the construction of new dwellings.
The City will also be conducting the following briefing sessions to provide more information to interested parties:
- Virtual Session 1: 10am Wednesday 10 April 2024
- Karratha: 6pm Thursday 11 April 2024, Red Earth Arts Precinct
- Perth: 4pm Wednesday 17 April 2024, Intercontinental Hotel
- Virtual Session 2: 10am Wednesday 01 May 2024
To learn more about the EOI visit: here or read the article in the Pilbara Times here. To register your attendance to a briefing session, please email housingproposals@karratha.wa.gov.au.
EPA office to open in Perth’s CBD
A new presence for the independent Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has been secured in Perth’s CBD.
The move is one of 39 recommendations made by the Vogel-McFerren review of Western Australia’s approvals regime and is designed to support a raft of reforms, aimed at unlocking billions of dollars of investment in major job-creating projects while protecting WA’s unique environment.
EPA staff and board members will be able to hold in-person meetings with stakeholders, proponents, and other Government agencies at the new CBD hub on St Georges Terrace, which will complement the EPA’s existing office space at the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s head office in Joondalup.
State Government adds to social housing stock
This week the State Government announced 19 new social homes are to be delivered in Hamilton Hill.
Included within the new homes are seven INKA-constructed three-bedroom, two-bathroom two-storey family town homes which will be made available to families on the public housing waitlist, along with 12 new one- and two-bedroom social homes that commenced construction in January 2024.
These 12 new homes are being constructed by Dale Alcock Projects and are being built using timber-framed offsite construction methods achieving 7.5-star NatHERS energy efficiency ratings.
Each dwelling will achieve Silver Level Livable Homes, ensuring suitability for ageing in place and adaptability for people with disabilities. All homes include waterwise gardens and solar energy systems.
Upon completion, the 11.9-hectare OneOneFive Hamilton Hill will deliver approximately 232 lots and more than 330 new homes for up to 800 residents.
Showcase your sustainability with UDIA WA
UDIA WA will launch a special Sustainability & ESG magazine at our Industry Breakfast event on 28 May 2024 that will provide a fantastic opportunity for our members to highlight their work in relation to the development of sustainable communities and promoting ESG in their organisation.
This stand-alone special edition will cover a range of topics in relation to innovation, environmental sustainability and ESG practices from a global, national and local perspective.
Competitive introductory advertising rates as well as opportunities to combine your advert with placements in The Urbanist and Urban Express, this publication is an ideal platform to showcase your organisation’s sustainability achievements.
On top of the print publication sent to all member organisations and launched at the breakfast, we will also deliver the digital edition directly to over 6,000 industry contacts including key government stakeholders and the decision makers across the development industry as well across our social media channels which have in excess of 16,000 followers.
For more information, click here or reach out to Chris Thurmott at cthurmott@udiawa.com.au to secure your spot but be quick as spaces are limited.