From the CEO
I feel like Steven Bradbury at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Behind the pace of his competitors in the short track 1000 metre final in speed skating, at the final corner whilst jostling for gold his competitors crashed out, paving the way for Bradbury to avoid the pile-up and take the victory.
In an interview after winning his gold, referring to his two career and life-threatening accidents, Bradbury said: “Obviously I wasn’t the fastest skater. I don’t think I’ll take the medal as the minute-and-a-half of the race I actually won. I’ll take it as the last decade of the hard slog I put in.”
Tonight I will attend the launch of the Business News Power 500 for 2024. To my sincere surprise, I appear as the third most powerful advocate behind Rebecca Tomkinson from the Chamber of Minerals Energy and Steven McCartney from the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union. The list of advocates is impressive and whilst I put my cynicism of these types of league lists aside, I’m proud of the recognition as it reflects the years of hard work by team UDIA, both by our volunteers and staff. Our President Richard Pappas makes the property list this year as does our National President, Col Dutton.
Our approach to advocacy has always been one of mutual respect, firm yet fair positioning and providing solutions that acknowledge the complexity of our sector, politics and the bureaucracy. Having worked inside State Government, I have shared both the passion and frustrations of working in the public sector where the majority of people are there to make a difference to the community of WA.
Tomorrow UDIA will host over 500 members and industry stakeholders at our luncheon with the Premier. At our table, we will be joined by the Deputy Premier, Minister for Planning; Lands; Housing; Homelessness and the recently awarded Honourable Mark McGowan AC. It is testament to the relationship UDIA and its members have developed with this elected state government that they have all taken the time to be with us as we navigate the most challenging housing market conditions in recent history.
You don’t have to win gold to have an impact. No matter your role or seniority, you can lead from where you stand and make a difference.
The goal is not to count medals, just racing the best that you can.
Join us live for UDIA TV with Hon Tanya Plibersek MP
UDIA is delighted to invite you to this special online event to hear directly from the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water on what the proposed environmental laws will mean for the development and construction industry.
Industry is aiming for a simple, streamlined environmental process that balances the needs of the environment with the imperatives of Government, business and the community. The Minister will reveal where we are on this trajectory and what will happen next.
Hear how your business will be able to adapt and benefit from the new approach being designed.
This is a complimentary online event for UDIA Members, book your tickets here.
New Western Australian Planning Commission appointed
UDIA WA has welcomed the announcement of a new-look Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC), with the changes part of the State Government’s wider planning reform program.
Laws passed by Parliament late last year clarified the role of the WAPC as an expert advisor and independent decision-making body and changed the membership to create a more strategically focused and contemporary Board.
The six new members appointed to the WAPC are:
- past Commission member and former local government Mayor, Emma Cole joining as Deputy Chairperson;
- experienced urban planner, former Statutory Planning Committee and Development Assessment Panel member, Megan Adair;
- past President of the Planning Institute of Australia, respected planning consultant and former Development Assessment Panel Presiding Member, Ray Haeren;
- qualified engineer, experienced development professional and former DevelopmentWA Board member, Paul Lakey;
- experienced regional urban planner, Ryan Hall; and
- experienced urban planner, former local government Councillor and Development Assessment Panel member, Bianca Sandri.
Bringing a wealth of decision-making and Board experience across all parts of the State’s planning framework, these six members will join returning Chairman David Caddy, and continuing Commission members – environmental scientist Helen Brookes and experienced urban planner and Board member Jane Bennett.
The reduced Commission has streamlined the Board from 16 members to a maximum of nine members.
Director Generals of various Government agencies will remain as observers and advisors, not voting members, ensuring coordination across Government to support informed decision-making.
Remaining Part 17 applications pending a development decision will continue to be determined by the reconstituted WAPC.
A revised Statutory Planning Committee, reporting to the Commission, will be charged with responsibility for determining significant development applications lodged under the new permanent pathway.
The newly appointed WAPC will finalise appointments to its Committees and undertake administrative functions over the coming weeks in order to be ready for their first meeting next month.
For more information, visit here.
NHP North Forum
UDIA WA hosted the second of our 2024 UDIA National Housing Pipeline® Outlook Forums at Joondalup Resort on Wednesday. Proudly presented by nbn, the Forum focussed on the residential development pipeline for the North Metropolitan Region, with a clarion focus on the constraints and opportunities for delivering both greenfield and infill dwelling supply over the coming 15 years.
UDIA WA Head of Research, Toby Adams presented preliminary results of the second year of National Housing Pipeline® analysis of development constraints across zoned and potential future urban zoned areas, the status of enabling infrastructure and approvals required to realise forward residential development yields, and annual dwelling supply forecasts across the North East & North West Sub-regions.
DPLH’s Acting Assistant Director General, Mat Selby provided an Urban Investigation Areas and Sub-Regional Framework Update before DevelopmentWA’s Renato Colasante presented on the status of Eglinton and any other key DevelopmentWA growth areas in the northern region.
The Chair of the UDIA WA Infrastructure Committee, Ryan Hunter provided an overview and status update of the ‘Infrastructure Requirements’ project including a Northern Region Case Study.
UDIA WA CEO, Tanya Steinbeck then facilitated a lively panel discussion focused on infill opportunities and constraints across the Northern Metro region featuring James Pearson, CEO, City of Joondalup, Bill Parker, CEO, City of Wanneroo and Hannah Thornton, Acting Manager Strategic Planning, City of Swan.
Participants at the Forum also provided various insights throughout the event on the top challenges and constraints for forward dwelling production across the Northern Metro Region, which will be included in summary reporting to be released as part of the forthcoming UDIA National Housing Pipeline® 2024 Summary Report for Perth and Peel.
Next week we will hold our third and final Outlook Forum that will focus on the Central Sub-Region on Tuesday June 18. Registrations are still open and all UDIA Members and non-Members involved in the planning and delivery of new housing supply are warmly encouraged to attend. You can register for this event here.
Our thanks go to all our speakers and all those in attendance to make it an engaging and interactive session.
We extend our thanks to NHP® Presenting Partner nbn for supporting our Outlook Forum series and to the Joondalup Resort for providing a great venue.
Enter the WA Awards for Excellence today
Winners of the UDIA WA Awards for Excellence have the chance to be in the running for the National Awards for Excellence! Entries to the WA Awards close on 28 June, so get in quick. Click here for more information on how to start your entry.
Choose from a diversity of categories, including Affordable Housing, Diversity in Development, Residential Subdivision, Boutique Development, Medium Density Development and many more.
Plus, this year we have introduced two new awards:
- Team of the Year
- Local Government of the Year
Both new categories are free to enter for this year only.
To start your entry, simply review the nominations kits here, get your entry info ready and then start your nomination here.
Big thanks to 2024 Awards for Excellence Platinum Sponsor Western Australian Planning Commission, Gold Sponsors Lavan and Stantec and Category Sponsors Slick Design Pty Ltd, nbn Australia, Longreach Recruitment, Wormall Civil Pty Ltd, Stockland.
Join team UDIA for the CEO Sleepout
Next week UDIA WA CEO Tanya Steinbeck along with President Richard Pappas will once again be sleeping out to raise vital funds and awareness to assist homelessness initiatives.
The Vinnies CEO Sleepout takes place each year with CEOs from various organisations across WA sleeping out at Optus Stadium for a night and we’re calling on our members to either support the UDIA WA’s teams efforts by donating or joining the event this year.
UDIA WA has been involved with the event for the past few years taking a committed team of members helping to raise thousands of dollars each year and we’re looking to do the same this year.
If you would like to join the UDIA WA CEO Sleepout team, find more information here and click on ‘Join Us’ if you wish to be part of the team. Otherwise, you can donate to the cause via the same link.
The Big Issue turns 28
On 16 June The Big Issue magazine will celebrate its 28th birthday, marking the milestone with a special edition of The Big Issue, on sale from 7-20 June.
The Big Issue magazine was launched in Melbourne in 1996 and has since expanded to six states and territories with hundreds of vendors proudly donning the iconic Big Issue fluoro vest every day. Since its first edition, more than 7,500 vendors have sold 13 million copies of the magazine, putting a collective $38 million into the pockets of those living on the margins.
The Big Issue are inviting everyone to celebrate this moment with them by visiting a vendor, purchasing a magazine and sharing your Big Issue stories with your networks.
Applications open for $1.2 million WA Heritage Grants program
Applications are now open for owners of heritage listed places to share in more than $1.2 million for conservation and cultural landscape works.
The 2024-25 Heritage Grants Program offers $150,000 through its Community Heritage Grants stream and the remainder through the State Heritage Grants funding stream.
Property owners can use the grants for conservation works, to develop heritage conservation or cultural landscape plans, and undertaking feasibility studies.
Eligible not-for-profit organisations, businesses and local governments are encouraged to apply for the Community Heritage Grants that assist innovative community engagement activities or interpretation projects that promote or celebrate a State registered heritage place or local heritage listed places.
Last year 28 grants were awarded, including $100,000 for conservation repairs to historic Mead Homestead in Leda, to help its ongoing activities for people living with diverse abilities.
Deep-sea surveyors Wrecksploration received more than $11,900 to help create detailed 3D models of historical shipwrecks in waters south-west of Rottnest Island, giving a unique insight into Western Australia’s maritime heritage.
To apply for the 2024-25 Heritage Grants Program, visit here.
Applications close on Friday, 9 August 2024.
Call for nominations: Diversity & Inclusion working group
UDIA WA is establishing a Diversity and Inclusion Working Group that will report directly to the UDIA WA Education, Connection & Excellence Strategic Committee and provide advice and oversight of the Institute’s performance in relation to diversity and inclusion. The Group will be appointed for a 20-month term, commencing in May 2024 and ending in December 2025.
Overall, the group will provide a forum for discussion of diversity and inclusion related issues within the organisation and more broadly in the urban development industry, as well as provide advice in relation to UDIA WA policy, performance and activities in relation to diversity and inclusion.
If you are interested in nominating for this group, please follow the link here to the nomination form and more detailed Terms of Reference. Any questions about the group can be directed to UDIA WA Executive Manager Communications & Engagement Gemma Osiejak: gosiejak@udiawa.com.au