From the CEO
With our CEO, Tanya, currently taking some extended leave, I will be acting in the CEO role until she returns on Monday 16 December 2024. I am well supported by the UDIA WA team and Council, and it will be business as usual as we head toward the end of the year!
As we gear up for the “Great Housing Debate” tomorrow at our Industry Lunch, a range of fresh data has been released that further highlights our ongoing housing supply challenges. UDIA WA’s own Urban Development Index, released to members just last week, showed a 20% decline in the number of new land sales for the September Quarter, the drop is certainly not due to a lack of demand, but a continuing dearth of land available to the market, with just 698 lots recorded as on the market at the end of September. That is well under the five year long run average of 1,683 lots.
Adding to those stats, the latest data from the ABS highlights what most in the industry are already well aware of, we have the longest construction timeframes in the nation.
Both sides of politics are acutely aware of the challenges, and housing policy is a top priority.
We have welcomed the collaborative approach the State Government has taken to date and the broad range of measures they continue to explore with industry and implement to get more homes on the ground, faster. This has included the focus on planning, stamp duty and environmental reforms, as well as initiatives to address our labour and skills shortages.
The Liberal Party has also started outlining their commitments if elected, with an announcement on Sunday around increasing and expanding the State Government’s Infrastructure Development Fund and investment in enabling infrastructure – both of which align directly with UDIA WA research and our State Election priorities (more details in the story below).
It is positive to see both sides of politics focused on solutions. Ultimately, we want to see bipartisan support of measures that will facilitate the accelerate delivery of much-needed new homes for rental and ownership across a range of housing types, sizes, and price points, in both new and existing areas.
While we are all focused on the immediate crisis, we can’t lose sight of what’s to come and how we proactively plan for a sustainable forward housing supply pipeline. We are excited to open registrations for our 2025 State Conference tomorrow, with the forward focused theme of ‘Developing the Future of WA’. The program will explore a range of challenges and opportunities on the horizon, including the energy transition, AUKUS, alternative building models, sustainability and more.
Look out for more details in your inbox tomorrow morning, and for those attending our lunch, I look forward to seeing you there!
Acting CEO
Sarah Macaulay
New Housing Infrastructure investment proposal announced
On Sunday, the WA Liberal Party announced their proposed Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF).
Under the HIIF, an Enabling Infrastructure Fund aimed at unlocking greenfield housing supply; and an Apartment Support Program to assist with making apartment projects more economically viable has been outlined.
The Liberal Party’s announcement directly aligns with recommendations in UDIA WA’s State Election Campaign and supporting research, including our recent Growth Areas Infrastructure Requirements Report, that identified an initial investment of $421 million over four years ($110 million of which is already committed) in strategic, enabling infrastructure would unlock land to catalyse the delivery of new homes in North Ellenbrook & Bullsbrook, East Wanneroo, and East Wellard & Mundijong.
The types of infrastructure requirements identified by our report predominantly include wastewater pump stations and trunk mains, power substations and feeder networks, and intersection and road upgrades.
UDIA WA welcomed the commitment announced on Sunday, given the alignment with our ongoing advocacy across government and all stakeholders leading up to the 2025 State Election.
In terms of the apartment market, the proposed Apartment Support Program is in line with UDIA WA’s proposal to expand and increase the current State Government’s Infrastructure Development Fund (IDF). The program could assist in getting more apartment projects on the ground, which is critically needed in the current market.
In speaking about the proposed HIIF, , UDIA WA President Richard Pappas highlighted that UDIA WA supports all good policy that is aimed at alleviating the current housing crisis, to facilitate the delivery of more homes, faster.
“The State Government have also been working collaboratively with Industry to identify and take action to address the current challenges, which has been welcomed”, Mr Pappas said.
“This has included the State Government’s nation leading planning reform, improvements to Development Assessment panels and stamp duty reforms and initiatives to tackle our labour and skills shortages. We are also encouraged by the discussion of a $10,000 bonus to attract more tradies from the east coast,” Mr Pappas said.
“It is great that both sides of politics proposing solutions that are aimed at directly alleviating pressure points in the housing supply pipeline to unlock new homes across Perth and our State,” Mr Pappas said.
“It has never been more important for bipartisan commitment to accelerate housing supply and for impactful measures that will shift the dial in ensuring all Western Australians have a roof over their heads,” Mr Pappas said.
“As we look ahead into 2025 and beyond, the focus should be on saying ‘yes’ and fully pulling down all the levers to prioritise and facilitate housing supply outcomes.”
Retirement village reforms pass Parliament
Earlier this week the State Government passed reforms to the Retirement Villages Act 1992. The legislative reforms aim to improve the experience of moving in and out of retirement villages in Western Australia.
In a move to improve financial certainty for departing residents, exit entitlements and compulsory buybacks of strata titled properties are to be completed within 12 months of departure. During the same 12-month period, former residents can request financial aid from village operators to help cover the cost of aged care while the entitlements are being processed.
In addition to increased financial certainty, the act aims to improve information availability when comparing retirement villages. A new register will be made available that will provide public access to information and advice. Operators will also be required to provide earlier information about a village.
The Minister for Commerce, Sue Ellery said, “potential residents will benefit from clearer upfront information, and a 12-month exit entitlement payment deadline will ensure former residents receive their funds promptly, reducing financial uncertainty”.
Operators have a 12-month period to prepare for the incoming changes which will come into effect at the end of 2025.
Annual Refresh – Communities’ Housing Construction and Refurbishment Builders Panel
The Communities’ Housing Construction and Refurbishment Builders Pannel is currently open for its 2024 annual refresh.
Created November 2022, the Housing Construction and Refurbishment Builders Panel aims to build 4,000 social homes by partnering with registered builders across WA. In addition to building new homes, the State Government’s investment of $2.6 billion aims to carry out refurbishment and maintenance work.
To support its construction and refurbishment programs, Communities seeks to engage registered builders who are interested in and capable of delivering new and refurbished residential dwellings across the State.
Expressions of Interest close Monday 2 December, register your interest.
View Housing Construction and Refurbishment Builders Panel
View Housing – Procurement and Contracts: Tendering
UDIA supports effective community engagement
UDIA WA’s Community & Consumer Conversations Operational Committee met yesterday for their final meeting for 2025. The committee have been working this year on three main areas. The overall improvement of the reputation of the development industry with community stakeholders; developing tools to assist industry with community engagement; and providing consumer information on a range of topics relevant to new home buyers.
We encourage members to check out the Community section of the UDIA WA Website to see what information is available, including fact sheets, a glossary of common terms and general consumer blogs with tips for purchasers, information on current grants available, and more.
The committee will be working on developing more engaging content, including video content over the coming months, to complement the information available on our website and share across our social media channels.
Infill Developments & Precincts Committee
On Thursday morning, the Infill Developments and Precincts Committee convened for the final meeting of the year. Topics discussed at the meeting included:
- The recent Infill Roundtable with the Government and outcomes from this;
- Discussion on upcoming submissions on the draft Design Review Panel Manual and draft Local Planning Policy documents;
- Measures pertaining to increase consumer confidence and showcasing positive stories.
We look forward to continuing our November committee meetings with the Infrastructure, Masterplanned Communities, and Environment & Climate Action Committees still to meet in the coming week.
Ellenbrook Line Stations complete
Ahead of the 8 December opening date, the Morley and Noranda train stations have been completed. Rounding out the last two stations on the Ellenbrook line, landscaping works and public art installations are underway at both stations. The milestone has been achieved after an intensive period of testing along the 21-km line.
Minister Rita Saffioti said, “the METRONET Ellenbrook Line is powering towards completion, and when it opens later this year it will slash travel times for people across our north-eastern suburbs”.
Both stations include 400 car parking bays and secure bike parking.
A community event will be run to celebrate the opening of the line Sunday 8 December.