Industry Issues
Announcing your UDIA WA Committees for 2026-2027
We are pleased to announce that UDIA WA’s Strategic, Operational and Outlook committees have been appointed for 2026-2027, with initial meetings of the new committees commencing in February.
We would also like to take this opportunity to once again acknowledge the hard work and accomplishments of all the volunteers involved in our committees throughout 2024-2025.
Representing the diverse expertise and skillset across the development industry, our committees work collaboratively alongside our Council and UDIA WA staff to support the Institute and our role in representing the development industry across the state.
We would like to extend a massive thank you to everyone who responded to our call for nominations to our Committees and Expert Pool late last year. UDIA WA is fortunate to have so many talented members nominate to generously serve the industry.
Congratulations to our newly appointed committee members, we can’t wait to see the difference we can make together for our communities, industry, and members!
View our refreshed Committees for 2026 – 2027.
Moratorium on Public Open Space contributions for infill
UDIA WA welcomed the release of the WAPC’s Position Statement: Public Open Space on 19 December 2025 which, aligned with our advocacy, includes a moratorium on Public Open Space (POS) contributions in an infill context.
Importantly, in direct response to UDIA WA feedback, further changes were made in finalising the Position Statement to address potential issues associated with the moratorium and project timeframes and timing of contributions at the subdivision stage.
The Position Statement seeks to provide clarity on how POS should be considered and assessed in the WA planning system. At a glance:
- It keeps the minimum 10% POS requirement, particularly for new urban areas – so it is BAU in a greenfield context
- For residential and mixed-use infill subdivisions (of 6 or more lots, excluding ‘brownfield’), it sets:
- a two-year moratorium period for all infill subdivisions, where no POS contributions will be required
- a four-year moratorium period for built strata, where no POS contributions will be required (based on a DA being approved within this period, and subdivision approved by 19 December 2033)
- default POS contribution rates (typically as cash in lieu) which are reduced, capped, and not indexed and would only apply after the moratorium periods are lifted
- WAPC will require a report from DPLH to consider market conditions, infill delivery, POS demand, etc. before deciding what happens at the end of the two and four year periods
UDIA WA has advocated strongly and consistently to the State Government around opposition to the application of POS cash-in-lieu requirements in an infill context, highlighting concerns around the implications for apartment and townhome project feasibilities, housing diversity, supply and affordability, as well as the policy misalignment with the State Government’s growth aspirations for Perth and Peel.
While the Position Statement has left the door open for its application in an infill context, the moratorium is positive and we appreciated the WAPC and DPLH’s response to our recommendation that, as a minimum, there should be a mechanism so contributions cannot be required at subdivision stage if a DA has been approved within the two or four year moratorium periods.
UDIA WA invites ongoing feedback from our members and industry relating to the Position Statement, to help inform feedback to DPLH and WAPC as part of the review prior to the end of the moratorium periods.
UDIA WA appreciates the positive and collaborative relationship we have with the State Government, and we will continue to advocate for important policy commitments and investments in working together to deliver the homes we need, faster.
Read the WAPC’s Position Statement: Public Open Space.
For further information, please reach out to Sarah Macaulay, Executive Director – Strategy & Policy.
Planning for Water
As advised in our last Urban Express of 2025, on 18 December 2025 the gazetted State Planning Policy 2.9 Water (SPP 2.9) was released along with the accompanying Planning for Water Guidelines.
The framework seeks to ensure that planning and development considers water resource management and includes appropriate water management measures to achieve optimal outcomes for water resources and development.
It is intended to enable risk-based assessment considering the site specifics (not to be a compliance exercise), while providing enough guidance for increased certainty (with the Policy seeking certain outcomes and the guidelines providing the mechanisms to achieve these).
A UDIA WA Working Group has been delving into the detail and considering potential implications and unintended consequences associated with interpretation and application. This is being fed back to DPLH, including to help inform messaging for information and training purposes, with a view to minimising impact on the subdivision process while working within the framework.
DPLH is running a general information session for industry on 19 February 2026. UDIA WA is also working to support New WAter Ways with a tailored training session for the development industry, and we will share further details shortly.
Should you wish to share any initial feedback on SPP 2.9 and the guidelines, please contact policy@udiawa.com.au.
For more information, and a copy of the published SPP and Guidelines visit the DPLH website
Register here for the DPLH General Information Session for Industry on 19 February
Shape WA’s design future – State Design Review Panel EOI
The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage opened Expressions of Interest on 12 January 2026 for appointments to the West Australian Planning Commission’s State Design Review Panel (SDRP). The Panel, chaired by the Government Architect, comprises a diverse pool of multi‑disciplinary built environment professionals.
Eligible professionals across architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, planning and related fields are encouraged to apply.
View the SDRP Information sheet.
Apply to the State Design Review Panel.
Keeping Our Community Safer with More ANPR Cameras
WA Police are expanding the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras across key locations in Western Australia to help keep the community safe.
ANPR technology helps police quickly identify vehicles linked to crime, respond faster to incidents, and help locate missing people or those who may be at risk. The system provides real-time information, allowing police to focus their efforts where they are needed most.
There are now more than 590 ANPR cameras operating across the State, with new cameras added regularly. This expansion is made possible through partnerships with local councils, land developers, and other community and third-party supporters.
By growing this network, WA Police can better prevent crime, support investigations, and protect people who may be in danger. The expanded ANPR system helps police respond more effectively and contributes to safer communities for everyone.
If you are interested in installing ANPR, or would like more information about this capability, please contact Senior Sergeant Blake Henry at blake.henry@police.wa.gov.au.
Feedback to help shape home building contract laws
The Cook Government has released a snapshot of the findings from surveys undertaken last year to identify potential improvements to the Home Building Contracts Act 1991 and the Building Services (Complaint Resolution and Administration) Act 2011.
Several messages have emerged from the survey results – including that the State’s home building contract laws need to evolve to meet today’s challenges and improvements to pricing transparency and financial protections.
Undertaken between August and September 2025 by consumers and members of the building industry, the survey responses will be used to shape proposals for reforms to the Home Building Contracts Act 1991 and the Building Services (Complaint Resolution and Administration) Act 2011. The proposals will be presented for public comment through a Consultation Paper which is anticipated to be published before the end Q1 2026.
View a snapshot of the survey findings.
Renewable Energy Planning Code and Guidelines released for public comment
Released for public comment, the Western Australian Planning Commission are inviting submissions on the draft Renewable Energy Planning Code (Code) and supporting Guidelines.
Made under Part 3A of the Planning and Development Act 2005 and in accordance with the Planning and Development (Planning Codes) Regulations 2024, the Code is designed to establish consistent statewide standards that provide improved certainty and consistency for communities, industry and decision-makers.
Currently focused on wind farms, with flexibility to expand to other renewable energy developments such as solar farms, the Codes and Guidelines set out a development application and assessment framework for renewable energy projects in Western Australia.
Submissions are currently open and will close on 10 April 2026.
For more information and to make a submission, visit Have your say, WA!
New Non-Executive Directors Appointed to Water Corporation Board
The Water Corporation has appointed Neema Premji and Louise Pratt to their Board as Non-Executive Directors on a three-year term.
Ms Premji is a civil engineer with over 25 years of experience across infrastructure, utilities, mining and government trading enterprises. Also holding expertise in financial and asset management, strategic planning and corporate governance, she is currently serving on the Audit and Risk Committee for the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.
Ms Pratt is a communications professional, respected leader and social advocate with two decades of experience in community, government and parliamentary roles. She has served in both Upper houses of the state and federal parliament. During her time in Australian Parliament, Ms Pratt served as the Chair of the Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee.
Water Corporation Chief Executive Officer Pat Donovan has concluded his two-year term on the Board as Executive Director and will continue in his role as CEO. Deputy Chair Helen Creed has also stepped down from her role on 31 December 2025.
Apartments drive November’s dwelling approvals
Driven by apartments, the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows that dwelling approvals rose 15.2% across Australia to 18,406 dwellings in November. Following a 13.5% fall in October, approvals for private dwellings excluding houses rose 34.1%
While private sector house approvals rose 1.2% in Western Australia, total dwellings approved fell 14.1% to 2,067 total approved dwellings. On the East Coast, approvals rose 34.2% in Queensland, 28.7% in New South Wales and 23.8% in Victoria while approvals fell 5.8% in Tasmania. South Australia recorded an increase of 1%.
To get all the latest insights on the latest housing data register for UDIA WA’s Industry Lunch with Cotality’s Executive Research Director Tim Lawless.
UDIA National Update
Have your say on a new-look NCC
The Australian Government released a discussion paper in December on Streamlining and Modernising the National Construction Code. This work supports the Government’s $43 billion housing plan. To avoid burdening the construction industry with complex rules, the government has stated that a modern NCC:
- uses technology to make the code simple to navigate
- encourages innovation and productivity across the sector
- maintains strong standards for building quality and safety.
UDIA are preparing a submission and we welcome feedback from members by 27 January.