Two WA projects win National Awards for Excellence
The highly anticipated UDIA WINGATE National Awards for Excellence 2020 were announced yesterday afternoon. Hosted by Tim ‘Rosso’ Ross, the online event was watched by hundreds of UDIA members and friends across the country and WA’s Cirque Mount Pleasant by Stirling Capital and Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre by City of Armadale were both crowned winners in their respective categories.
Cirque Mount Pleasant, winning in the high density category, is a luxurious apartment building that successfully tapped into the growing downsizer market. The eye-catching development has attracted a significant number of buyers from the surrounding area looking to swap their larger, family homes for an easier care, convenient lifestyle.
The Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre features a range of fantastic facilities for locals including indoor and outdoor pools, a wellness suite, spa, sauna and zero depth splash pad all heated via a geothermal bore.
A huge congratulations to all the winners as well as all of the finalists representing WA on the National stage.
The annual awards are an opportunity for the best and brightest from across the country to be recognized and this year was no exception. Representing the top-quality projects that WA has to offer, we had finalists featured in most categories including:
- Stockland – Diversity in Development
- Botanical Apartments by Edge Visionary Living – Medium Density Development
- Bushmead by Cedar Woods – Residential Development
- The Amble Estate by Yolk Property Group & Department of Communities – Environmental Excellence
- Claremont (Rent to Buy Campaign) by Mirvac – Marketing Excellence
- Chinatown Revitalisation by Shire of Broome – Urban Renewal
- Nicheliving Willetton by Nicheliving – Affordable Development
- Australis at Rossmoyne by Hames Sharley & Adventist Care – Seniors’ Living
- Dalyellup Beach Estate by Satterley Property Group & Department of Communities – Masterplanned Development
For more information on all the national award winners, please read the latest National Award Magazine here.
Inspired to get involved in the next awards program? The UDIA WA State Awards for Excellence 2020 are now open for nominations here. All winners from the state awards are eligible for entry into the national awards in 2021.
Daniel Panickar wins National Young Leader Award 2020
UDIA WA Outlook and Environment Committees member Daniel Panickar, Manager and Bushfire Lead – Western Australia at Eco Logical Australia was announced as the UDIA National Young Leader for 2020 at yesterday’s award presentations.
Following on from being recognized with the UDIA WA Stockland Young Development Professional Award last September, Daniel was recognised for his strong commitment to the urban development industry and his mentorship of other young professionals.
Daniel’s role at Eco Logical spans across the land development industry, working for a range of clients in several regions across Western Australia to deliver long term environmental and bushfire solutions.
He is responsible for 22 team members across the fields of environmental approvals, bushfire management, ecology and Geographic Information Systems.
In his application for the award, Mr Panickar said that one of his career goals is to be recognised throughout the industry as a leader in the provision of environmental and bushfire consulting services to the land development sector.
A huge congratulations to Dan on such a significant achievement!
The UDIA WA Stockland Young Development Professional for 2020 is now open for nominations here.
UDIA WA launches new podcast
On Monday UDIA WA was proud to launch the first episode of The Urbanist Live, a brand new podcast produced to complement the successful release of our new magazine The Urbanist.
Each episode of The Urbanist Live will explore a topic relevant to the urban development industry and feature expert comment from a range of guest speakers.
We will be making each edition freely available to everyone as we believe in the value of sharing great ideas.
This first episode features a conversation with UDIA WA CEO Tanya Steinbeck and UDIA WA Director of Policy and Research Chris Green. Chris provides insight into the latest advocacy wins and initiatives from UDIA WA during the current COVID-19 restrictions as well as outlining the latest market statistics and trends that are emerging in the property market.
Listen to it here.
Online environmental approvals a step closer
UDIA WA welcomed the news yesterday that the State Government is seeking to streamline environmental approvals through the joint funding of an online portal.
The $28 million Environment Online initiative, funded by state and federal government, is being overseen by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) and is billed as a digital ‘one stop shop’ for industry and developers with the aim of streamlining and simplifying regulation while ensuring robustness of regulation to meet government and community expectations.
The portal has been in development for some years and UDIA WA has been supportive of getting it up and running. This funding is a welcome boost.
The state government has also announced a $7.7million Biodiversity Information Office that has the goal of capturing, storing and analyzing biodiversity data throughout WA before making it publicly available for businesses to use.
For more information, see here.
Latest edition of Urban Intelligence released
On Tuesday, the latest edition of UDIA WA’s monthly Urban Intelligence was released to members and highlighted some of the impacts of the current COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions.
The report this month includes a feature article from UDIA WA Director Policy and Research Chris Green detailing some of the economic challenges being experienced as a result of COVID-19. He says many observers expect unemployment to peak somewhere between 10 and 15% and that GDP levels are unlikely to return to pre-COVID levels until 2022.
The feature also highlights the need for further stimulus from the State Government to support our industry as with the right support the development sector is the best placed industry to lead a strong and sustainable economic recovery.
To read the latest edition of the Urban Intelligence, click here.
Colin Keane webinar next week
Time is running out for those wishing to participate in the Greenfield Development Masterclass webinar with Colin Keane from Research4 next week.
The session will examine the performance of the WA Greenfield market. Focusing on activity volumes, pricing, settlement timelines and return rates, plus a forecast for how greenfield land development is expected to fare in Perth over the next 12 months will be provided.
Specifically, at this presentation Colin will update participants on:
- Key findings from the March 2020 quarter, National land Survey; covering Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, SEQ and Adelaide.
- A deeper dive into the performance and outlook for the Perth Greenfield market; including its major sub markets.
- Market trends, industry capacity, pricing and product performance.
- Effects and implications of COVID-19 on the Greenfield development sector in WA.
Registrations for this event close tomorrow. To register or for more information, click here.
HIFG report due out tomorrow
The Housing Industry Forecasting Group, of which UDIA WA is a representative member, is due to release its latest figures tomorrow, Friday 15 May.
Preliminary figures suggest our industry is not likely to see the full impact of COVID-19 until the second half of the year due to the lag effect involved with the home building process.
While the full results will be released tomorrow, we can reveal they will reflect a revised and downgraded forecast for the remainder of this year.
The Group was also unable to accurately predict the outcome for the 2020/21 Financial Year due to the current uncertainties in the market, however they will meet again in July to see if a dwelling commencement forecast for 2020/21 can be provided.
Land Report to run over the weekend
This weekend will see the return of the highly regarded Land Report, published in partnership with the West Australian it will feature in the West Real Estate lift out on Saturday.
Highlighting land market data from UDIA WA’s latest Urban Development Index, this edition will reveal the results from the March quarter 2020. There will also be a range of stories covering topics including the benefits of living by water; climate change in the development industry; and the latest EnviroDevelopment project to achieve the full 6-star certification among other key stories.
Don’t forget to pick up your copy in this Saturday’s edition of The West Australian to read the Land Report in full.
Consumer insights into medium density
On Tuesday UDIA WA members were invited to attend a free Member Briefing hosted by James Hardie looking at Medium Density: Consumer Insights & Modern Methods of Construction.
During the session, Craig Oatway, State Manager of WA/SA/NT, and Helen Simpson, Head of Insights for James Hardie used market insights to explore case studies of some key medium density developments from around the country before they discussed their own evolution in the medium density space.
They highlighted that harnessing modern materials and construction methods is critical to the process of delivering quality medium density housing and discussed how the incorporation of more medium density product in and around Australia’s capital cities will be crucial into the future.
UDIA WA would like to thank James Hardie for providing such in depth information and also thank those members who took part in the Member Briefing.
Phase 2 of relaxations to start Monday
As announced by Premier Mark McGowan, the four-phase plan to relax COVID-19 related restrictions will progress to phase 2 on Monday 18 May.
Phase 2 includes:
- indoor and outdoor non-work gatherings lifted to 20 people;
- people are encouraged to return to work, unless they are unwell or vulnerable;
- cafés and restaurants can reopen with meal service (including within pubs, bars, clubs, hotels and casino), limited to 20 patrons and the four square metre rule applied;
- weddings and funerals, limited to up to 20 attendees (30 for outdoor);
- places of worship, community facilities and libraries to re-open, limited to 20 patrons;
- community sports (non-contact) limited to 20 people;
- outdoor or indoor fitness classes (minimal shared equipment) limited to 20 participants;
- public swimming pools can open under strict rules (one indoor pool and one outdoor pool), limited to 20 patrons per pool.
If businesses or premises want to reopen they will be required to complete an official COVID Safety Plan. More details on this will be released shortly, in consultation with industry.
As part of Phase 2, regional travel restrictions will also change, bringing the number of current borders within Western Australia from 13 to only four (not including the Commonwealth Biosecurity zone and remote communities). The new regional boundaries will allow:
- travel between the South-West, Great Southern, Wheatbelt, Perth and Peel regions;
- travel between the Mid-West, Gascoyne and Pilbara regions (excluding Biosecurity zone);
- travel within the Goldfields-Esperance region (excluding the Biosecurity zone);
- travel permitted between the Kimberley local government areas (the Commonwealth’s Biosecurity zone remains in place).
Phase 3 will be finalised in the coming weeks, based on the advice from the Chief Health Officer and will take into account the infection rates across WA. It is expected Phase 3 will be implemented around four weeks from the commencement of Phase 2.
Overseas Arrivals and Departures plummet
As expected, the number of overseas arrivals to Australia reduced rapidly over the past month following the strict COVID-19 border protection measures.
Overseas visitor arrivals to Australia decreased to just to 307,900 trips, 51.9% down on the previous month. Australian resident returns from overseas also decreased 23.3% compared with the previous month to 706,200 trips.
There were 35,500 short-term visitors arriving in WA, with 331,900 nationally. In WA this represents a -52.7% decrease MOM, and a -52.5% decrease YOY.
We are expecting to see a further reduction in overseas travel activity as the statistics reflect more time under the COVID-19 restrictions.
Wages up in March quarter
The seasonally adjusted Wage Price Index increased 0.5% in March quarter 2020 and increased 2.1% over the year to March quarter 2020, easing to a rate last recorded in June quarter 2018.
In WA, the WPI rose +0.4% MOM, and +1.8% YOY, to 132.8.
While these figures are positive, the ABS has said it is important to note that the reference period for the March quarter was the pay period on or before 21 February 2020, which was before the impact of government restrictions on business activity and the labour market.
We value your feedback!
UDIA is currently working on several submissions on behalf of members. We encourage you to forward any feedback on these items to policy@udiawa.com.au
- Waste Reform consultation papers (here). Submissions close 15 July 2020:
- Closing the loop: Waste reforms for a circular economy
- Review of the waste levy
- Public Comment on Infill Typologies
- CRCWSC Infill Typologies Catalogue for informing better infill design is now available for public comment (here).
Need Fill? Surplus sand available
In the process of constructing the Roe Highway/Kalamunda Road grade separation project, Georgiou have obtained a large amount of surplus fill material, which would be ideal for consultants, planners, developers and other stakeholders that may have a use for this material for their projects.
The fill material can be obtained by getting in touch with Georgiou direct who can provide more information about the specific details. Depending on yours and the project’s requirements (timing, quality and the amount required), the fill may be free of charge or a fee may apply.
For further information or to make an enquiry about the fill material, contact Jason Fletcher on jason.fletcher@georgiou.com.au.