Urban Connect Shared Equity Scheme
UDIA WA has welcomed the State Government announcement on Wednesday 8 October that the new Urban Connect Shared Equity product is now available. The $210 million initiative was an election commitment to provide 1000 shared equity loans for new apartments and townhouses.
UDIA WA supports this commitment and continues to work with the State Government on how to provide greater housing choice for those who need a leg up to get into their own home. Keystart is one of the most valuable tools we have in WA to support home ownership and it is encouraging to see the ongoing diversification of products to support access to housing choice for buyers.
Through the scheme, homebuyers can buy a new apartment or townhouse worth up to $730,000 with the State Government taking an equity share of up to 35 per cent or $250,000 in the property. As homeowners build up equity, they have the option to purchase back the WA Government’s share in the property.
The Urban Connect Shared Equity Scheme is part of the new products and initiatives being offered by Keystart. Members are invited to join us Tuesday 11 November for a free UDIA WA Member Briefing with Keystart’s CEO Mark Tomasz to unpack Keystart’s transition to a Government Trading Enterpise, and how their new products and functions can support the development industry to build more homes for Western Australia.
Register for the Member Briefing here: https://udiawa.my.site.com/events/s/lt-event?id=a25QO00000106RRYAY
First Nations Cultural Heritage Reforms
UDIA WA provided informal feedback on the directions of the proposed First Nations Cultural Heritage reforms, following the recent briefing from the Heritage Policy Branch at DCCEEW on September 9.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 (ATSIHP Act) allows the Federal Minister to protect significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander areas and objects from injury or desecration when State or Territory laws are ineffective. It acts as a “last resort” measure, enabling the Minister to issue short-term or long-term declarations upon application by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people when a threat is imminent.
The proposed reforms seek to modernise the Act, assist proponents to identify those who speak for Country, support and encourage early and authentic engagement and agreement between proponents and TOs, streamline processes, and provide increased certainty for all stakeholders.
UDIA looks forward to ongoing dialogue with DCCEEW on the proposed National reforms.
Planning and Development Regulations Amendments (Review of Planning Instruments) Regulations 2025 and draft chapters of the WA Planning Manual
UDIA WA provided feedback to the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage in response to changes to the requirements and process for the review of local planning instruments, Part 2 of the Amendment Regulations, and the draft local planning schemes and local planning policies chapters of the WA Planning Manual (the Manual).
While the proposed reforms are broadly supported to provide enhanced legibility and consistency in the local planning framework for the benefit of all parties, UDIA WA made some recommendations about various elements including the need:
- for clarity and guidance on what constitutes a healthy strategy and scheme and what a good practice review program looks like,
- to encourage innovation and alignment of local planning instruments with state strategic planning direction,
- to ensure LPPs have a clear need and nexus, deal with local issues and are informed by feasibility considerations,
- for further clarification and guidance around when it may and may not be appropriate to revoke LDPs and the requirements to ensure they are not revoked prematurely.
Walk for Reconciliation
The UDIA WA team and members of our RAP working group are participating in the rescheduled Walk for Reconciliation on Thursday 30 October at Galup (Lake Monger) hosted by Reconciliation WA.
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.
If any members would like to find out more about UDIA WA’s RAP activities, please contact Gemma Osiejak, UDIA WA Executive Manager Communications & Engagement: gosiejak@udiawa.com.au.
GAPP Councils engagement
On Thursday 9 October, UDIA WA CEO Tanya Stienbeck and Executive Director – Strategy & Policy Sarah Macaulay attended the GAPP Councils meeting to discuss current market conditions and challenges, and respective and shared priorities.
Key discussion items and areas of alignment included the need for enhanced planning and coordination of infrastructure to enable housing delivery in key growth areas and the desire to continue to explore what can be done by local and state government to support the viability of higher density projects in infill precincts.
We welcome the GAPP Councils’ collaborative and constructive approach to engagement with UDIA WA.
UDIA WA Infrastructure Summit: New speakers and final program released
UDIA WA’s half day Infrastructure Summit will unite leading experts on Thursday 13 November to address the crucial infrastructure challenges and opportunities that are shaping Western Australia’s urban development.
The final program is now available and will feature:
Session One: Current State of Play in WA
Hon. John Carey MLA will deliver a Ministerial Address focusing on the state government’s priority areas related to infrastructure for housing delivery. Following this, Nathan Butson, Director at Cossill & Webley and Ryan Hunter, Project Director at Parcel Property, will provide insights into the current infrastructure landscape in WA, including the latest UDIA WA research.
Session Two: Infrastructure Investment & Funding
Emma Colombera, Director of the Housing Supply Unit at the Department of Treasury, will present an overview of government priorities and funding models for facilitating infrastructure development. Anthony Whiteaker, Head of Customer Connection Services at Western Power and Dehlia Goundrey, Head of Development Services at Water Corporation will provide specific updates in relation to current challenges in the process & delivery of essential infrastructure including how these are being managed and improved.
Session Three: Key Agency Agendas
During session Three, Key agency agendas: Nicole Lockwood, Chair, Infrastructure WA will share IWA’s strategy and share insights from the review of infrastructure needs aligned with UDIA WA’s Growth Areas Infrastructure report. This will be followed by a panel session with Anthony Kannis, Director General, Department of Planning, Lands & Heritage, Paul Lakey, Chair, Infrastructure Priority Corridor Working Group, Carla Basden, Head of Major Customer Decarbonisation at Western Power and Pat Donovan, Chief Executive Officer, Water Corporation to explore the key agencies role in infrastructure planning and delivery.
Session Four: On the Ground Realities
Ben Rosser, State Manager WA, Cedar Woods Properties, Col Dutton, General Manager at Stockland, Shane Wormall Managing Director at Wormall Civil and Scott Cameron, General Manager and Company Secretary for Finbar, will participate in a panel discussion on the practical realities of coordinating infrastructure delivery with development industry professionals on the frontline.
Read the program for the half day summit.
Register to be a part of the solutions focused forum.
Invitation to comment: Draft Bentley Design Guidelines and Development Policies
DevelopmentWA are seeking feedback on the draft Bentley Design Guidelines and draft Bentley Development Policies. Both documents will be open for comment until Friday, 14 November 2025.
The guidelines and policies have been designed to support redevelopment of the Bentley Redevelopment Area in accordance with the vision and objectives of the Bentley Redevelopment Scheme and Bentley Redevelopment Masterplan.
Developed for builders and architects, the guidelines outline key built form requirements including building heights and setbacks, open space provisions, car parking standards, and residential density mapping. They are intended to be read alongside the Residential Design Codes Volumes 1 and/or 2.
The development policies aim to address broader development considerations such as sustainability outcomes (Green Building Policy), signage, ancillary structures (e.g. patios), home business operations, noise and event management, public art contributions, and housing adaptability.
For any queries regarding the draft documentation can be directed to Mariska van der Linde.
Comments can be submitted via Development’s website, or emailed directly to planning@developmentwa.com.au.
Incentives luring more than 2,000 builders and job-ready workers to WA
The latest figures for the State Government initiative Build a Life in WA (BALWA) and the Construction Visa Subsidy Program (CVSP) show that more than 2,000 job-ready builders have made the move to WA across the two initiatives.
Targeting skilled workers from interstate and New Zealand, the BALWA incentive provides eligible skilled workers with up to $10,000 via two milestone payments to support their move to WA to commence work in the building and construction industry.
Launched on 1 January 2025, 1,024 skilled workers have received the first milestone payment of $5,000 and started work in WA’s building and construction industry, increasing the workforce capacity of 648 building and construction businesses.
Designed to support building and construction businesses employ skilled migrant workers, by offsetting up to $10,000 in migration agent fees, visa application fees and relocation expenses, the CVSP has sponsored 1,058 skilled migrants since 1 July 2023. Of the 1,058 workers 520 moved to Western Australia this year.
National Updates
New UDIA National President appointed
We are pleased to welcome Oscar Stanley as our new UDIA National President.
Oscar is National Director of LAWD’s Development Advisory business, where he leads a team delivering turn-key, whole-of-cycle land development solutions. With more than 20 years of industry experience, Oscar has successfully led the acquisition and delivery of some of Victoria’s most complex and high-profile projects; from large-scale master planned greenfield communities, to high-density urban infill developments.
Nationally recognised for his expertise in strategic partnerships, Oscar has established strong relationships across the development, finance, and housing sectors. He has served as Vice President of UDIA National and is a member of the Advisory Committee for REA Group’s A Home for All Foundation, reflecting his deep industry knowledge, strong networks, and leadership in shaping the future of Australian housing.
Oscar is looking forward to working closely with our members, government, and industry partners to unlock the housing supply our nation so urgently needs.
We would also like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank outgoing National President Col Dutton for his leadership and tireless advocacy over the past two years, which has positioned UDIA strongly as the peak body for urban development.