Nominations for UDIA WA’s Council close Monday!
Nominations are open for positions on the 2026 – 29 UDIA WA Council. This is an opportunity to be part of our core purpose in recognising that great places and housing choice creates better lives. Nominations will close on Monday 17 August 2026.
The UDIA WA Council is pivotal in driving our newly adopted Strategic Plan – Reform. Results. Resilience. – and leading the organisation as we look to continue to shape practical reform to unlock housing supply across the continuum.
There are 12 elected members of Council, with a minimum of six to be Developer Members. This year, there are four positions available for nomination.
Councillors are appointed by nomination from member representatives. Terms are three years, with the option for current Councillors to re-nominate.
These four positions will join ongoing elected Councillors including current President Grant Shepherd (Hesperia), Vice President Greg Rowe (Rowe Group), Treasurer Adam Shephard (Okeland Communities), Louise Nazareth (Stockland), Carl Buckley (Peet), Dave Wilson (WS Collective), Emily Young (Purple), and Ben Killigrew (MNG).
UDIA WA encourages applicants from a diverse range of professional backgrounds and experience to nominate for these leadership roles. Our goal is to establish and maintain a leadership group that reflects the diverse nature of the industry and the communities that we represent.
- Download UDIA WA’s FY27 –29 Strategic Plan.
- Find out more and download the nominations kit.
- Download the nominations form.
Successful nominees will be announced at UDIA WA’s Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 21 October 2026 at the UDIA WA offices from 11:30am.
R-Codes Review Update
As you will be aware, the WAPC is undertaking a targeted review of the Residential Design Codes (R-Codes).
Following the Minister for Planning and Lands’ recent announcement regarding areas being explored as part of the Review, additional information is now available online at wa.gov.au/rcodes-review, including the scope and key milestones.
Importantly, the current planning framework remains in effect while the Review is underway. The existing R-Codes and local planning frameworks continue to guide planning and development decisions, including any locally applicable provisions that modify or supplement the R-Codes under current arrangements.
Industry organisations, including UDIA WA, and stakeholders have been helping to inform the Review to date and will continue to be engaged throughout the process.
The website will continue to be updated as the Review progresses and further information becomes available. The DPLH team has advised that our members and other interested parties should visit as the primary source for consistent and accurate information.
Should you have any questions regarding the review, these can be directed to r-codes@dplh.wa.gov.au.
UDIA WA will continue to engage in the process through our representation on the Stakeholder Advisory Group.
UDIA WA Submission: Inquiry into land rent schemes
UDIA WA provided input into the WA Government Public Accounts Committee Inquiry into land rent schemes on Tuesday 4 August, following our submission on the feasibility of a government land rent or similar scheme in Western Australia.
UDIA WA supports the investigation of government land rent schemes as a potential mechanism to improve housing affordability and expand pathways to home ownership. Land rent schemes can reduce upfront housing costs by separating land ownership from dwelling ownership.
Successful schemes depend on clear governance arrangements, transparent rent-setting mechanisms, long-term tenure security (99 years) and access to finance. We advocate for strong private sector involvement in development, construction and community management, with government focusing on land provision and enabling key policy settings. There is a potential role for Keystart in improving financing options for land rent schemes and supporting broader market participation.
The existing ACT Land Rent Scheme offers a set of policy settings which a WA Public Land Rent Scheme could adopt/modify to best meet the needs of residents.
Thank you to Members conducting the inquiry Mr Ron Sao MLA, Mr Lachlan Hunter MP, Ms Sandra Brewer MLA, Hon. Dave Kelly MLA, Mrs Michelle Maynard MLA
Further information regarding the Inquiry is available on the Parliament of Western Australia’s website.
2026 North and South National Housing Pipeline Forums
Over the last week, UDIA WA held the North and South National Housing Pipeline® (NHP) Forums.
Each year, these forums bring together Industry, Local Government Leaders and Utility Service Providers to provide an update on the ongoing planning and delivery of enabling infrastructure, growth corridor planning and the evolution of Perth’s housing needs.
At each forum, UDIA’s Head of Research Toby Adams provided an overview of the NHP project, sharing preliminary insights from the 2026 report, and a Greenfield market update examining the new dwelling delivery and pipeline outlook.
Across a range of presentations and panel discussions, conversations unpacked the plans and initiatives being implemented to resolve infrastructure constraints, planning challenges and blockages hindering forward supply across the growth corridors.
Thank you to our presenters Rod Dixon (Rowe Group & UDIA WA Masterplanned Communities Committee Chair), Ryan Hunter (Parcel Property & UDIA WA Infrastructure Committee Chair), Zane Christmas (Western Power), Dehlia Goundrey (Water Corporation) and Tim Connoley (Urbis); and our panellists Chris Leigh (City of Wanneroo), UDIA WA President Grant Shepherd (Hesperia), Nathan Butson (Cossill & Webley), Jane Bennett (CLE Town Planning + Design), Priya Correla (Mirvac), Dan Arndt (City of Cockburn), Peter Ricci (City of Rockingham), James Campbell-Sloan (City of Mandurah), and Andrew Trosic (Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale) for their insights and perspectives to help unblock, streamline and improve the current processes for new dwelling production across the regions.
We look forward to the third and final forum, focusing on Perth’s Central Metropolitan sub-region, to be held at the City of Stirling on August 18.
Register for the Central National Housing Pipeline Forum.
Infrastructure Development Fund Reopens
UDIA WA has welcomed the recent announcement by Deputy Premier the Hon. Rita Saffioti MLA and Minister the Hon. John Carey MLA that the Infrastructure Development Fund (IDF) has been reopened with $20 million available to support eligible residential projects.
The Fund is now also open to projects approved through a Development Assessment Panel (DAP) or the Significant Development Assessment Pathway.
UDIA WA advocated for the establishment of the IDF prior to it’s inception in 2023 and has since recommended expansion and extension of the Fund at regular intervals over the last three years to support the viability of more apartment projects in Western Australia amid the housing supply crisis.
Applications for Streams 1 and 2 open until 30 June 2027, or until funds are exhausted.
View more information about the IDF.
Gair Landsborough appointed new Western Power CEO
UDIA WA congratulates Gair Landsborough on his appointment as Western Power’s CEO.
Bringing over 30 years of technical and operational experience to the role, Mr. Landsborough was previously Western Power’s Executive Manager of Asset Management before stepping into the role of Acting CEO earlier this year.
We look forward to our ongoing work with Western Power and Mr. Landsborough in his new role.
Western Power Industry update and outlook
Western Power has provided the following industry update and outlook regarding the impact of the on-going tensions in the Middle-East, the forecast electricity demand of AI data centres, and the elevated cost of copper is having on inventory management.
The hoped‑for recovery in Middle East shipping took a step backwards during July, with traffic through the Strait of Hormuz falling sharply as tensions between the United States and Iran resurfaced. Vessel movements declined to near crisis‑era levels, oil prices nearing US$100 per barrel, and carriers continued to apply risk premiums and elevated fuel surcharges.
Another emerging trend is the increasing impact of artificial intelligence on Australia’s electricity network. In July, the Australian Government announced plans requiring future large‑scale AI data centres to underwrite new electricity generation, fund their own grid connections, and effectively contribute new green power capacity to the network. The announcement follows forecasts that Australian data centre electricity consumption could more than triple to 15.6 TWh by 2030–31, representing approximately 6.3% of national electricity demand. While designed to protect consumers from rising electricity costs, the policy highlights the scale of network investment required to support AI growth.
At the same time, copper continues to trade near record highs, having increased by approximately 67% over the past 18 months, reinforcing the long‑term cost pressures associated with expanding electrical infrastructure.
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.
Thank you for continuing to support the Inventory & Logistics team as we work with material requisitioners across the organisation on our industry and supply management, specific material impacts, and visibility of significant lead time changes.
A key mitigant within the global supply constraints is clear and early visibility of your forecast requirements and or early placement of your requisitions.
Please contact the Inventory Materials Supply team at inventory.materials.supply@westernpower.com.au for any questions or clarifications on this update.
Expressions of Interest Open for City of Subiaco Design Review Panel
The City of Subiaco is seeking expressions of interest for Design Review Panel membership for 2026-2028.
The City’s Panel of leading experts provides independent expert advice on development and planning proposals facilitating a high-quality design of the built environment.
Nominations are called for Panel members and a Chairperson from persons who demonstrate a high level of expertise with appropriate qualifications and/or substantial experience in architecture, landscape architecture and related disciplines.
The City encourages applications from people of all backgrounds and is committed to ensuring the Design Review Panel reflects diverse perspectives, experiences and expertise.
Local knowledge of and working within Subiaco will be highly regarded.
The nomination period is open from 8:00am, 03 August 2026 and closes 5:00pm, 31 August 2026. All applications are to be submitted to planning@subiaco.wa.gov.au and shall include a cover letter and resume. Applicants should address the selection criteria outlined in clause 3.1 of the Local Government Design Review Manual.
For more information, including the nomination criteria, visit the Other Planning Matters page on the City’s website: www.subiaco.wa.gov.au.
Contact planning@subiaco.wa.gov.au or 9237 9222 with any queries.
Applications for DPLH’s 2027 Graduate Program are now open
The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) is now accepting applications for its 2027 Graduate Program.
DPLH are seeking applications from final-year students and graduates across planning, anthropology, archaeology, environmental science, property management, agricultural science, GIS, engineering, human resources and people and culture for their 12-month program.
Successful applicants will experience a range projects across DPLH, with access to mentoring and networking opportunities.
Applications close 31 August 2026.
For more information, or to apply, visit DPLH’s website.
Crazy Clauses – Dispute Resolution and Damages
Dan Morris Legal has written a series of articles to help builders and building consultants navigate several legal cases and understand their potential exposure to liability.
The fourth article in the series is now available to read, and we’ll continue to share more over the coming weeks.
Read his previous articles on finance and Insurance, latent defects and post limitation liability, and contractor risk and novation here.
National Updates
Housing industry urges Government to allow SMSF LRBA investment in new rentals
UDIA National, the Housing Industry Association and the Property Council of Australia have issued a joint media statement calling on the Federal Government to make a simple amendment to its new self-managed super fund (SMSF) housing borrowing ban to avoid the loss of more than 16,000 rental homes every year.
The transition period for the Government’s SMSF housing ban ended on Monday 10 August, preventing SMSFs from entering Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangements (LRBA), for residential housing.
UDIA National President, Oscar Stanley said, that while there has been a surge in SMSF applications since the ban was announced, many of those applications will not progress to completed new rental homes.
“The reality is that once the transition period ends, the pipeline of new SMSF LRBA rental housing will cease and this will impact thousands more houses in projects that rely on SMSF investment for presales,” Mr Stanley said.
The alliance of peaks is urging the Government to adopt a simple operational solution by allowing SMSFs to invest in new long-term rental housing.
UDIA National welcomes Productivity Inquiry interim report
UDIA National welcomes the interim report delivered on Tuesday 11 August by the Senate Select Committee on Productivity and its recognition that Australia’s housing emergency is fundamentally a housing supply crisis.
UDIA National President, Oscar Stanley, said the Committee had correctly identified what industry has been saying for years, that Australia cannot restore housing affordability simply by subsidising demand or setting increasingly ambitious housing targets without expanded supply measures.
“We need to make it faster, simpler and more financially viable to actually build the homes Australians need,” Mr Stanley said.
He welcomed recommendations addressing development finance, regulatory complexity and the cumulative burden of taxes, fees and charges on new housing.