Labor returned to Federal Government
UDIA WA has congratulated Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Labor team on another term leading our Federal Government in Australia.
As an industry organisation, we value the collaborative approach to advocacy and the positive working relationship that has been built with government stakeholders via UDIA National as we continue to represent the development industry.
This election had a significant focus on housing supply and housing policy as we aim to get more homes on the ground, faster, to benefit all Australians.
We look forward to supporting UDIA National in continuing to work with the Government to progress the commitments that have been made to tackle housing supply challenges, so that private industry can get on with the important job of building the homes we need.
Read our recent article outlining Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s vision for the nation, in UDIA WA’s The Urbanist magazine.
UDIA National advocacy and policy activity
Throughout April, UDIA National continued to engage with Government and bureaucracy on core policy platforms on behalf of members in the lead up to the federal election.
An Election Announcement tracker was established on the UDIA National Website to keep readers informed on the major party promises related to housing. This tracker can now be used to keep the government accountable.
Throughout the campaign period, UDIA pressed Ministers, Shadow Ministers, Teals and independents on key election policies including the need for enabling infrastructure, incentives for median priced housing, initiatives to increase construction and halving planning times.
In line with UDIA recommendations, the Coalition announced a new statutory office to streamline major project approvals across construction and other sectors. UDIA were also briefed by the then Shadow Minister for Housing on the election promise for first home buyer deductibility.
Meeting with Government, UDIA provided the Minister for Infrastructure with requested advice on options for funding infrastructure. Highlighting that with properly funded infrastructure, 33% of nationally constrained housing can be released for development.
Also meeting with Treasury, incentives to deliver housing for middle Australia were discussed. Treasury was favorable to a debt guarantee for development and a median priced housing incentive; however, funding would need to come from existing election promises, so watch this space.
UDIA were also able to confirm with Government that the new Australian Competition & Consumer Commission merger reform will have exclusions for property when it comes into effect January 1, 2026.
RAP Action update
UDIA WA’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group met today to discuss progress implementing our REFLECT RAP (view our RAP here).
The working group has been busy working through the deliverables set out in our RAP, particularly in relation to stakeholder engagement and identifying opportunities to bring our members together to learn and build understanding about reconciliation. With Reconciliation Week just around the corner (27 May – 3 June) there are also plenty of activities planned. The theme for this year is Bridging Now to Next.
UDIA WA is hosting a member only briefing in partnership with DevelopmentWA during Reconciliation Week to explore Aboriginal engagement practices and look at case studies including Subi East and Yagan Square.
The UDIA WA team is also participating in the Walk for Reconciliation on 3 June at Galup (Lake Monger). If you would like to join us for the walk on the day, you can register at this link. Team UDIA WA will be participating in Wave # 3 commencing at 2.30pm, doing the 3.5km walk. We’d love to see our members there so we can walk in solidarity.
Finally, we are in the process of organising another event in partnership with Landgate, which will be held on 14 August. This event will be an opportunity to learn more about Landgate’s impressive Aboriginal Place Naming project. More details to come on that very soon!
If any members would like to find out more about UDIA WA’s RAP activities, or you would like to join our RAP Working Group which is Chaired by Jane Bennett (Managing Director, CLE), please contact Gemma Osiejak, UDIA WA Executive Manager Communications & Engagement: gosiejak@udiawa.com.au
Urbis Member briefing
On Wednesday 7 May UDIA WA held a Member Briefing focused on the March Quarter 2025 results of the UDIA WA Urban Development Index (UDI) land development survey.
Hosted superbly by Urbis, this annual Member Briefing event provided a detailed update on the current dynamics and profile of the Greater Perth Greenfield market, and the outlook for the sector over the year ahead.
UDIA’s Head of Research Toby Adams provided a (pre-launch) overview of the March Quarter UDI survey results (collated through the lot sales results and construction estimates provided by 22 UDIA WA developer Members), followed by an engaging economic outlook and assessment of the greenfield land market provided by David Cresp (Director – Urbis).
UDIA WA Executive Director Sarah Macaulay then facilitated a panel discussion featuring Gia Barrington (Senior Sales & Marketing Coordinator – Parcel Property) along with Toby and David, which drilled into various features of the contemporary development and trading environment, and the forward prospects for the WA housing market. The key summary insights from Toby’s presentation were:
- Greater Perth recorded the strongest capital city greenfield land market over the last two calendar years, in terms of both sales volumes and in terms of lot price growth in CY24 (+34%).
- However, aggregate sales volumes continue to soften, with five consecutive quarters of declining sales, with March Quarter 2025 sales volumes (WA) down 9.4% QoQ and down 30% as compared to MQ-2024.
- The PMR average lot price grew 7.2% in the March Quarter to $359,470 which reflects a 31% YoY growth.
- The forward supply of lots scheduled for construction is down 20% QoQ and quickly returning to normalised levels, while the volume of lots on & not on the market continues to languish at historically low levels.
The March Quarter Urban Development Index report will be launched to UDIA WA Members tomorrow afternoon (Friday May 9) so all members look out for the publication in your inbox!
Construction Tool Allowance Now Available
Construction Training Fund (CTF) has introduced an improved Apprentice Tool Allowance to support apprentices and trainees in the building and construction industry. They can receive up to $1,000 to purchase essential tools and safety equipment at the start of their apprenticeship or traineeship, and another $1,000 upon completion.
Claims are now open, and the program runs until 30 June 2029.
Visit CTF for more information.
Committees in Action
This week, a working group of the Infill Development & Precincts Committee convened to discuss Keystart, focusing on strategic housing opportunities in light of Keystart’s transition to a Government Trading Enterprise.
Elsewhere, a working group of the Masterplanned Communities Committee met to focus attention on Model Subdivision Conditions. Discussions centred on the recent UDIA WA engagement with DPLH and WAPC as well as identifying Subdivision Conditions requiring further review.
Western Power materials costs and supply timeframes
Western Power has provided the following industry update and outlook regarding current indicative lead times for supply chain materials:
- Global supply chains remain under strain due to geopolitical tensions and trade policy shifts, most notably the sharp escalation in U.S.-China tariffs.
- The U.S. has imposed duties of up to 145% on a range of Chinese imports, prompting reciprocal tariffs from China.
- The ripple effects of the U.S.-China tariff war will mainly be felt indirectly by Western Power.
- Chinese manufacturers potentially face reduced demand from U.S. buyers might be forced to scale back production or prioritize larger markets, impacting availability and lead times.
- Price pressures from increased global demand and shipping costs are likely to be passed downstream.
- Our upcoming challenge will be navigating both higher input costs and the potential need to quickly qualify and approve alternative suppliers without compromising quality, compliance or standards.
Compounding these issues are global shipping constraints and port congestion. Key transshipment hubs in Asia and Europe are experiencing vessel backlogs exceeding 90 hours, driven by increased freight demand, labor shortages, and disruptions in traditional shipping lanes such as the Red Sea. Demand for primary plant equipment continues to be extremely high driven by decarbonization projects.
Ongoing Inventory management
Globally, supply chains remain fragile, lead times remain extended. These factors which are volatile and unpredictable are key contributors to low stock scenarios impacting our inventory management and recovery strategies. Beyond common management strategies of assessing holdings at depots, suppliers and customers, potential to expedite (air freight), alternative designs and products, Inventory & Logistics seeks to minimise business disruption by way of project and program prioritisation with business sponsors, focus on demand planning across streams of faults, volumetric programs, UPP, projects and customer streams, extended order forecast horizons, increased safety stock levels and assessing supply risk for future orders over 12 month horizon.
A more detailed list of sustained lead time challenges and short term delays/ potential availability risks has been provided to UDIA WA, and can be forward to interested members. Contact gosiejak@udiawa.com.au for the full list.
Dwelling approvals down
Statistics released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) earlier this week show dwelling approvals have fallen 8.8% in March to 15,220 in Australia. Following a 1.1% rise in February, private sector house approvals fell 4.5% to 8,804 dwellings – 3.3% lower than March 2024.
For market analysis tailored to Western Australia, UDIA WA members can read the April edition of Urban Intelligence, and can expect the quarterly Urban Development Index for the March quarter to be launched Friday 9 May.
Regional housing boost with 31 homes to come online in Karratha
Perdaman has begun construction on 31 out of the planned 100 homes for workers in Karratha, boosting housing stock in the Pilbara.
Facilitated through DevelopmentWA, the homes will be built on land unlocked by the State Government. The homes built over the next five years are designed to support the growth of the Karratha Urea Project and will be reserved for workers based in Karratha. Additionally, DevelopmentWA will prepare further lots for the general market
Pilbara MLA Kevin Michael said, “these new homes will support our government’s efforts to ensure the Pilbara remains the engine room of WA’s economy.”
DevelopmentWA are also moving forward with planning for Stage 3 of Madigan at Baynton West – which is expected to deliver an additional 400 lots, a childcare centre and a new primary school. Working in partnership with the City of Karratha, up to 199 residential lots will be delivered at Mulataga with the support of a $22.1 million Federal housing grant.