UDIA in Action
Huge news this morning as the Premier announced a major reshuffle of the state’s public sector leadership. UDIA WA welcomed the move, which should provide an opportunity for the government to progress with its plans for major reform.
At a national level, the Federal Budget was released earlier this week containing very little in the way of surprises. As expected, the budget is seeking to consolidate Australia’s recovery from the economic effects of COVID-19. Measures included expanded initiatives to support home ownership and the residential construction sector. While the focus on the housing sector is positive, the need for a clear and concise population strategy is now required to continue Australia’s recovery.
UDIA WA CEO Tanya Steinbeck met with the Growth Area Perth and Peel Council CEOs this morning to discuss opportunities and challenges in delivering housing supply and infrastructure throughout the metropolitan area. Key points of discussion included land supply, infrastructure contributions, the Medium Density Code and the impending review of the sub regional planning frameworks. UDIA will continue to work collaboratively with WALGA and the local government sector to deliver better outcomes for our communities.
UDIA WA Director Policy and Research Chris Green attended several meetings this week including the DWER Construction and Demolition Industry Roundtable, SBEnrc Theme Development Project Development Workshop on social housing as well as the Waterwise Development Recognition event.
The first shoot as part of our new television media partnership with Home in WA kicked off on Tuesday on site at Eden apartments in Floreat. Throughout the season we will focus on a range of aspects of urban development, featuring several UDIA member projects throughout. The first segment is on the importance of quality medium density development and is scheduled to broadcast on Channel 7 on Saturday 22 May at 5.30pm.
We are also looking forward to seeing many of our members at our Annual Golf Classic tomorrow for what is set to be a memorable event for all attendees.
Major public sector reshuffle announced
This morning the Premier announced a major reshuffle of public sector Director Generals, which UDIA WA has welcomed as an opportunity to progress major reform that will benefit economic growth.
Several of the retiring or transferring DGs are currently leading departments that directly impact the property industry in WA including the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage; the Department of Environment and Water; the Department of Communities and the Department of Local Government.
Gail McGowan, Mike Rowe, Michelle Andrews and Duncan Ord have all contributed greatly to their respective departments over many years, however this is an opportunity to put fresh eyes and a new determination to reinvigorate reform agendas in key areas including streamlining the planning system, fixing the environmental approvals system and local government reform.
It is critical for all stakeholders that interact with the public sector that a collaborative regulatory culture is created to eliminate silos, expedite decision making and reduce duplicative processes and this announcement is a significant step forward for progressing the government’s desire for reform.
For more information and to read our member alert, click here. To read the Premier’s announcement, click here.
Housing focus in budget a winner
On Tuesday night the Federal Government released the budget for the 2021/22 FY that seeks to consolidate Australia’s recovery from the economic effects of COVID-19, including expanded initiatives to support home ownership and the residential construction sector.
The Budget places full employment at its centre – with the Government likely to defer substantial action on debt and deficit reduction until Australia has an unemployment rate of less than 5%.
UDIA National said the Budget was rightly geared to economic recovery from COVID-19.
The next task is to ensure there was a robust and coherent plan in place to ensure international borders can open as soon as health protocols allow and to work with the States and Territories via National Cabinet to ensure that robust new dwelling supply pipelines are in place to support future new housing demand.
The Budget papers also reveal:
- The Budget Deficit to be $161 billion in 2020-21 – down from a forecast in the October 2020 Budget of $213 billion. It will reduce to $106 billion in 2021-22 – with the total net debt to peak at $980 billion in 2025.
- Net Overseas Migration is forecast to be in the negative by 97,000 in 2020-21 and 77,000 in 2021-22 (more than prior forecasts) before gradually increasing back to 235,000 by 2024-25.
- Dwelling investment is forecast to grow by 2.5 percent in 2020-21 due to the surge of activity fuelled by HomeBuilder but see flat growth in 2021-22 before falling by 1.5 percent in 2022-23.
The Budget also assumes the national roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine will be largely in place by the end of 2021.
A ‘gradual return of temporary and permanent migrants is also assumed to occur from mid-2022’ and that ‘after that, a gradual recovery in international tourism is assumed to occur’.
A copy of the UDIA Media Statement on the Budget’s support for the housing sector is available here and to read a full rundown of the budget inclusions, read the Member Alert here.
Latest Market Statistics revealed
This week UDIA WA released the latest edition of our monthly Urban Intelligence report which highlights the key stats and facts impacting the urban development industry.
This month’s report also includes a feature article from Christopher Green looking at the need for a clear and consistent population growth strategy as Australia and Western Australia continue on a path to economic recovery from the virus.
UDIA is committed to continuing to working with all levels of government to get a clear population strategy in place so that we can work collaboratively to attract more people to WA.
UDIA WA members can access the full report here.
Internship Organisation Participation EOIs
The Property Education Foundation (PEF) Internship Program provides property students with opportunities to gain direct work experience within the industry. Through the program, students will gain insight into the workings of an organisation, grow their experience directly interacting with industry professionals and develop a job-ready mindset.
The Aims of the PEF Internship Program are to:
- provide support and encouragement to undergraduates who have chosen a career path in the property industry,
- develop a functional program with industry organisations, and
- provide students and industry organisations valuable opportunities to meet and interact with each other.
Interns are to shadow the workings of an individual and should spend their time working on relevant projects, learning about the field, making industry connections, and developing both hard and soft skills.
PEF aims to provide at least 37.5 hours of placement to each intern. These hours can be split across one organisation or multiple dependent on the intern’s preference and participating organisation’s availability.
The program timetable coordinates with the participating university’s winter semester break.
For Curtin students: 19th June – 18th July
For UWA students: 14th June – 25th July
Any organisation providing internship opportunities may offer additional training on lecture-free days and at other available times outside the semester break where possible. There is also further opportunity for participating organisations to offer students additional work experience or paid internships come end of year break.
Please note: All interns will be required to complete an insurance application with their university prior to the commencement of their placement.
If you were interested in putting forward your organisation to participate in the program, please contact us at secretariat@pef.org.au or call us on 0420 863 997 by COB Friday 4th June.
Waterwise development winners
This week Minister for Water Dave Kelly announced six of Western Australia’s leading, waterwise housing developments have been recognised for their water sensitive urban design as part of the Water Corporation’s Waterwise Development Program.
The Waterwise Development of the Year went to WGV by DevelopmentWA for transforming an old, partially developed school site into a community-focused location.
Five other estates, East Village at Knutsford, Allure Estate Ferndale, SugarGum Estate, Brabham Estate and OneOneFive Hamilton Hill, have been recognised as Gold Waterwise Developments for utilising best-practice sustainability and water-sensitive principles to help shape livable communities.
To be recognised as a Waterwise Development, developers need to be certified by the following sustainability frameworks:
- EnviroDevelopment
- Green Star
- One Planet Living
- Living Community/Building Challenge.
For developments to achieve Gold recognition, they need to be an endorsed Waterwise Development as well as meet the criteria of the Water Sensitive Cities Index framework.
Water Corporation’s Waterwise Development Program was created in partnership with the Urban Development Institute of Australia in 2014, after recognising the fundamental role developments have in transitioning Perth to a waterwise city. A total of 22 developments have now been endorsed through the program.
To find out more about the Waterwise Development Program, click here.
Become a key player in sustainable development
Register to be part of the upcoming EnviroDevelopment Professional Training to enhance your company’s skillset and become a key player in sustainable development.
The next intake of the course takes place on June 17 as a 3-hour webinar that is a direct steppingstone to becoming a certified EnviroDevelopment Professional (EDP).
The course offers the opportunity to gain knowledge of the EnviroDevelopment program and stay in touch with latest trends and technologies in green communities across Australia.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to become an EDP. For more information, click here.
Consultation on National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 public comment draft (stage 1) is now open
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) announced this week that comment on stage 1 of the NCC 2022 public comment draft (PCD) is now able to be submitted.
The ABCB also advised of some changes to the public comment process.
To reduce burden on stakeholders, comment will be sought via 2 separate consultation stages.
The first stage of consultation seeks comment on all proposed NCC amendments except energy efficiency and condensation proposals that arise from project work. The public comment period for this first stage is open Monday 10 May until 11:59 PM AEST Friday 2 July 2021.
Proposed content relating to energy efficiency and condensation project work will open for comment on Monday 19 July, as the second stage of NCC 2022 PCD. You will receive another email once this consultation has opened.
UDIA will be lodging a submission on and if you would like to provide feedback, email policy@udiawa.com.au by Wednesday 23 June.
For more information, click here.
Home in WA filming commenced
UDIA WA was excited to commence shooting our first segment as part of our new media partnership with the long running Home in WA television series this week as UDIA WA CEO Tanya Steinbeck was interviewed about the great work the development industry is delivering across the state.
As part of our new partnership, UDIA WA has the opportunity to showcase the fantastic work the urban development industry does in creating new and regenerating existing communities to a wide audience on Channel 7.
The program allows us to highlight the importance of the industry to the broader economy and jobs growth and foster greater engagement with residents and new home buyers.
As part of the media partnership Ron (DINGO) Reddingius is pleased to offer all UDIA WA members a very special discount rate for video content on the 2021 TV series.
If you would like to showcase your company, business, project or estate on the CH7 & GWN7 TV series, state-wide, give ‘Dingo’ a call on 0417279103 or email him on dingoistalent@bigpond.com
Standard Infrastructure Contributions 2021/22
This week the Water Corporation announced changes to its Standard Infrastructure Contributions and its Special Developer Infrastructure Contributions with the changes set to be effective from 1 July.
The Water Corporations Standard Infrastructure Contributions is set to change from 1 July 2021 as shown below:
The Special Developer Infrastructure Contributions will change from 1 July 2021 as shown below:
The Water Corporation are also changing how they process subdivision payments. From 1 July 2021, customers will be issued an account number and be required to make payment when all clearance checklist items are completed.
PD Course
The UDIA WA Professional Development Course continued this week with module 4 taking place on Monday 10 May. The program is specifically designed for the Western Australian context and introduces participants to the various areas of knowledge required to operate effectively in our local residential development industry.
Participants will learn to define and manage projects, while becoming familiar with terminology from the broad range of disciplines and concepts involved in property development.
The remaining 2 modules in the current intake are as follows:
Monday May 17 – Module 5: Building the Development
Monday May 24 – Module 6: Practical Application
There is the option to enrol for the full course or for any of the above specific modules, however spaces are limited.
For more information, click here or email events@udiawa.com.au to secure your place.