From the CEO
In 2022, we are surrounded by wicked problems. They are extremely difficult if not impossible to solve with no single solution and no determinable end point. Highly complex, wicked problems have so many interdependent factors that when you think you are fixing it with one solution it only uncovers or creates more chaos.
Ensuring that all Australians have a roof over their head ticks all the boxes of a wicked problem. When you tinker with addressing supply at one end of the housing continuum, you inevitably create issues elsewhere. When government intervenes solely on the demand side of the equation, it skews the market in one direction exacerbating supply shortages. Overlay global supply chain & labour shortages to an already fractured housing system, and we have a ‘super wicked problem’. How do you define a super wicked problem?
In 2007 a bunch of smart policy people in their discussion around climate change, defined super wicked problems as having the following additional characteristics:
- There is a significant time deadline on finding the solution
- There is no central authority dedicated to finding a solution
- Those seeking to solve the problem are also causing it
- Certain policies irrationally impede future progress
Well I think we have a few super wicked problems on our hands and the provision of adequate housing for all Australians is one that our industry has a significant role to play in helping solve. Now is the time to be bold and to rip off the band-aids patching up our housing system. For the sake of our children and theirs.
New land sales decline
This week UDIA WA released the latest edition of our quarterly Urban Development Index which revealed a 17% drop in new land sales compared with the March 2022 quarter.
The 1,565 total lots sold was also 4.6% down on the same time last year, however the number of lots sold is still above pre-pandemic and pre-building bonus stimulus levels.
In terms of future activity, the UDI revealed a 2% increase in lots under construction for release in the next year compared with last quarter and there has been a 46% increase compared with the same time last year.
The number of lots on the market in the June quarter was also 8.8% higher than the previous quarter’s figure.
For more information and to view the full UDI, members can log in here.
Progressing the Mid-Tier Transport debate
Earlier today UDIA WA CEO Tanya Steinbeck was interviewed by both Channel 7 and Channel 9 regarding the recently announced call for a Mid-Tier Transport Strategy.
UDIA WA have been working closely with a consortium of local governments calling on the State Government to implement and fund a Mid-Tier Public Transport strategy that would better connect METRONET train stations with activity centres, employment hubs and other core amenities.
The consortium is working towards identifying potential future transit corridors in the Perth metropolitan area, conducive to mid-tier public transport. By identifying the corridors earlier, local governments can forward plan and tailor their Local Planning Schemes to ensure key mid-tier transport routes – and land allocation – are factored into urban design and land use planning.
Tune in to Channel 7 and Channel 9 news tonight to watch the interviews. Find out more about the project here.
UDIA WA in action
UDIA’s August round of Standing Advisory Group and Committee meetings began this week with the Land Use Planning, Infrastructure, Built Form and Community Engagement Groups all meeting.
The Planning committee discussed the medium density code, housing supply monitoring and reforms to structure planning and development contribution schemes.
The Infrastructure Group discussed standardized DCP infrastructure items, strategic infrastructure needs and received an update from Water Corp and Western Power.
The Built Form meeting focused on a number of issues including the OTP duty rebate, the build to rent land tax exemption, the NCC, public open space contributions in addition to receiving advice from Michael Hollingdale regarding Covid clauses in building contracts.
The Community Education and Engagement meeting hosted a presentation from Dr Paula Hooper from the Australian Urban Design Research Centre (AUDRC) regarding ongoing work with the community engagement tool Map My Say. The group is currently finalising a Community Engagement and Education Strategy for UDIA WA . Map My Say was featured in the recent edition of UDIA WA’s The Urbanist magazine, here.
Once again UDIA thanks all committee members for their feedback and advice which is vital to the success of our advocacy.
Come work with UDIA
UDIA WA are pleased to announce we are on the search for two new members to join our team in the heart of Subiaco.
The newly created roles we are currently advertising for are an Executive Director – Strategy & Policy (more info here) and an Industry Education Officer (more info here).
In addition to the perks of working in the heart of Subiaco in an incredible team environment, UDIA offers flexible working options, regular team social events and an opportunity to get to know our awesome office pup Gracie who is a joy to be around.
For more information, click on the above links or reach out to udia@udiawa.com.au with any questions.
Quiz night winners!
Last night UDIA WA were delighted to host our Outlook Quiz Night which was an enjoyable and of course competitive event.
The winners on the night came from the team from Stantec who took top spot ahead of a team from Taylor Burrell Barnett with guests from Hesperia & TABEC in second and Lavan picking up third spot.
A number of spot prize winners were also presented on the night following some fun additional tasks and challenges.
A big thanks to our Outlook Partners Cedar Woods and Parcel Property for supporting this event and we look forward to seeing the Outlook crew again for our next Outlook event which will be our End of Year Party at the Elford Hotel on Friday 2 December. Look out for more details soon.
Major projects in spotlight
On Tuesday, UDIA WA were pleased to be out on-site again as we filmed some more segments for Home in WA. This week’s shoot took us to Hesperia’s Murdoch Square and Curtin University’s Exchange.
Murdoch Square by Hesperia is another great example of a mixed use development that will provide a range of services and amenities to the local community.
An integrated mixed-use development, Murdoch Square is creating a community based destination hub that provides a range of complementary activities.
Part of the wider Murdoch Health and Knowledge Precinct (MHKP), Murdoch Square will bring together aged care, specialist medical suites, hotel and medi-hotel, commercial offices and a hospital. Murdoch Square will be embedded with retail, and a food and beverage precinct; tying together the buildings and showcasing a landscaped plaza at the heart.
Curtin’s Exchange is an example of how university campuses are becoming more than just a place to go to classes – they are becoming community hubs where people can live, learn, work and play.
Exchange is Curtin University’s first dedicated industry-connected innovation precinct that is adding vibrancy to the local area.
It has been delivered as part of the first stage of the Greater Curtin Master Plan, the vision of which extends beyond a traditional university to create a new, mixed-use, urban heart for everyone, that facilitates the sharing of knowledge and brings together education, industry and the broader community.
From the outset, the vision for Exchange has been to embrace the qualities that make great cities around the world and thus extend beyond a traditional university to create a place that leverages the University’s resources while creating a new urban heart in Bentley.
We will provide further details about the broadcast of these episodes soon but to see all previous Home in WA episodes, head to the website, here
New Western Power CEO
UDIA WA has welcomed the announcement of Sam Barbaro as the new Chief Executive Officer at Western Power.
Mr Barbaro has been acting CEO for the past five months and has played an extensive role in the transformation of the energy sector during the 15 years he has worked at the utility.
With more than 20 years’ experience across legal, commercial and operations, he brings a wealth of strategic knowledge and capability in leading one of the State’s most essential service providers.
Mr Barbaro has been an executive team member since 2014 in the roles of General Counsel and Executive Manager of Governance & Assurance and Executive Manager of Asset Operations.
He joined Western Power in 2007 from the corporate sector and has played a pivotal role in Western Power’s service to the community.
Update: Building Ministers’ Meeting and remaining decisions for NCC 2022
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) informed UDIA this week that Building Ministers are scheduled to meet in late August 2022 to consider NCC 2022, including final analysis from the ABCB on proposed improvements to residential energy efficiency provisions for NCC 2022.
Recognising the tight timeframes associated with Building Ministers not meeting until late August, and the complexity of other issues currently affecting the construction sector, the ABCB will recommend to Building Ministers that the publication date for NCC 2022 be further delayed from 1 September 2022, to be not earlier than 1 October 2022.
In addition to this recommended deferral of publication, at the meeting in late August Building Ministers will be provided with the advice – requested at their March 2022 meeting from senior officials and the ABCB – on transition timeframes for the residential energy efficiency and livable housing provisions.
Further advice will be provided as soon as possible.
Last chance to register for Lunch
Tomorrow is your last chance to register to join over 400 attendees for our upcoming August industry lunch.
The eagerly anticipated lunch will see a keynote presentation from Colin Keane (his first in-person event in WA since 2019) as well as a panel session with REIWA CEO Cath Hart and Urbis Director David Cresp.
Registrations for the lunch close at 5pm tomorrow so click here to book your spot at the table before it is too late.
A big thanks to Industry Partner ATCO Gas, Environmental Partner Strategen JBS&G, Event Sponsor Satterley Property Group and Networking Partner JDSi Consulting Engineers for supporting this event.
New opportunities to join growing Peel Business Park
Peel Business Park in Nambeelup continues to grow, with Stage 2 comprising of nine new lots set to be released by pre-sale.
This industrial estate is located in the Shire of Murray, about 10 kilometres north-east of Mandurah.
The eight serviced industrial lots and one commercial lot range in size from 1,650sqm to 1 hectare, and will be fully serviced with power, water, sewer, gas and telecommunications.
Priced from $264,000 (excluding GST), the lots are ideal for agri-innovation and wholesale storage, general service commercial, manufacturing and fabrication, second tier transport and logistics, and warehousing businesses seeking to reduce their carbon emissions and energy costs.
All Stage 1 lots have now sold, with the Bushfire Centre of Excellence by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, the Shire of Murray’s Food Innovation Precinct WA and an industrial solar microgrid taking up land within the estate.
Other businesses to operate in Stage 1 include a vertical farm, glazier, mechanical and manufacturing engineer, and commercial uses such as a fuel station, bakery and showrooms.
Occupants can access Australia’s first renewable energy industrial microgrid, delivered by Peel Renewable Energy, which is expected to save businesses up to 30% in electricity costs in comparison to regulated bundled tariffs.
Conveniently located to the east of the Kwinana Freeway, Peel Business Park provides easy access to the southern corridor and Perth Metropolitan area, airports, the South West and the ports of Kwinana, Bunbury and Fremantle.
For more information, visit here.
Installation begins on WA’s biggest battery
The State Government – through Synergy – is a step closer to delivering Western Australia’s biggest battery, after the first battery units were installed at the end of last week.
Synergy will operate the 100 megawatt/200 megawatt hour battery, which will have the capacity to power 160,000 homes for up to two hours.
The big battery will absorb excess energy from rooftop solar when the sun is shining, and demand is low – then discharge when it is most needed, during the late afternoon and evening peak.
The installation of more than 600 battery units will take approximately eight weeks.
The project will provide valuable learnings towards other large-scale battery storage projects earmarked for the next five years.
Large-scale battery storage will help provide long-term system stability, and support the uptake of more renewables in the South West Interconnected System as WA transitions towards net zero emissions by 2050.
Partnership opportunity with UDIA WA
UDIA WA have put together a range of new partnership packages to enable you to share the incredible work you do with the UDIA WA membership and wider development industry.
The packages provide you with a presence in UDIA WA’s quarterly thought-leadership publication The Urbanist and the upcoming edition of the UDIA WA 2022 Awards for Excellence Winners Showcase magazine which highlight the best and brightest people and projects in the urban development industry at the moment (Click here to view last year’s Winners magazine).
Both publications are distributed in hard copy on high-quality glossy paper to every UDIA WA member company with a fully hyper-linkable digital version emailed directly to over 4,000 individual members on the UDIA WA mailing list and distributed across the UDIA WA social media channels with an audience of over 14,000 followers.
As an added extra the packages include banner adverts within our Urban Express newsletter. This weekly communique is the industry’s go-to for the latest information and is emailed directly to our entire member mailing list providing you with an excellent opportunity to extend your campaign across our advertising platforms.
With only a limited number of packages available, now is the time to partner with UDIA WA. Get in touch with Communications Officer Chris Thurmott at cthurmott@udiawa.com.au for more information on the packages and to secure your spot.
UDIA Online Access Code
UDIA WA are pleased to share a new Corporate Accommodation Rate Code for our members to receive 15% off accommodation with Crown Perth.
To access the discounted rates simply book via the Crown Hotels website and quote our Corporate Access code urband3357 in the promotional code field to receive your negotiated corporate rate.
Full instructions can be found here and for more information and T&Cs, click here.
Still time to register – UDIA’s exclusive online Project Management course
Last week saw the start of UDIA’s online BSB40920 Certificate IV in Project Management Practice, Specialising in Property Development Professional Development program.
BSB40920 Certificate IV in Project Management Practice, Specialising in Property Development is the only nationally-recognised qualification of its kind that teaches the project management competencies unique to the property development industry.
The course has been written by UDIA NSW in partnership with members and vocational education experts. The course teaches the critical skills of project management such as identifying project scope, managing time, cost and quality, contract negotiation, team engagement and stakeholder communication.
This course is delivered by our partnering Registered Training Organisation – McMillan (RTO No: 88187). Upon successful completion, graduates will attain a BSB40920 Certificate IV in Project Management Practice, Specialising in Property Development issued by McMillan. Students with any not-yet-competent results remaining upon course completion, will receive a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment.
The BSB40920 Certificate IV in Project Management Practice is endorsed by the AIPM (Australia Institute of Project Management). As part of our partnership with AIPM, this course includes a complimentary 12 month student membership to the AIPM, the industry peak body for project management professionals in Australia. Upon graduation you can choose to upgrade your membership and then apply to become a Certified Practicing Project Practitioner (CPPP).
Although the course started last week, late enrolments are available with the 18 week course flexible and able to be completed in your own time. For more information and to book your spot on the course, click here.
Expressions of interest for mentor program with first year Curtin Property students.
The Property Education Foundation are seeking expressions of interest for mentors who would like to be involved in a program that will be embedded into the assessment structure of the Introduction to Property Markets unit.
The commitment from mentors would include:
- A one-hour session where they will be introduced to the Introduction to Property Markets unit, the role of a mentor and to sign a consent form
- Liaising with students via email to arrange a suitable time and place to meet
- Meet for one hour with 3 and 4 students (simultaneously) in a public space, eg a café
- Following the meeting, provide brief feedback to the Unit Coordinator on student interactions.
- This is likely to take place in August/September 2022.
For more information or to submit an Expression of Interest, reach out to Tanya Steinbeck at tsteinbeck@udiawa.com.au.