Industry Issues
Premier Roger Cook announces new Cabinet
Following the retirement of former Minister Paul Papalia, the Premier has re-allocated portfolios as part of the new Cabinet arrangements.
UDIA WA congratulates Landsdale MLA Daniel Pastorelli on his new role as the Minister for Mines, Petroleum and Exploration; Water within Premier Roger Cook’s Cabinet.
Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti takes on an expanded Transport and Major Infrastructure portfolio incorporating the development of new common user infrastructure to support the defence industry, while retaining her role as Treasurer; Minister for Transport and Major Infrastructure; Sport and Recreation.
In addition to his role as the Minister for Planning and Lands; Housing and Works; Health Infrastructure, Minister John Carey becomes Assistant Minister for Transport and Major Infrastructure.
We look forward to our continued collaboration with the Cook Government moving forward.
View details of the other Cabinet changes.
We’re Hiring!
UDIA WA has an exciting Industry Education Officer opportunity available.
This is a great opportunity to play a pivotal role in the delivery and ongoing development and growth of UDIA WA’s high-quality professional development and training program, UDIA WA Educate.
We recognise that great places and housing choice are fundamental elements in enabling better lives for all Western Australians and our industry plays a crucial role in this – that’s why this is UDIA WA’s purpose.
Our mission is to shape the system, strengthen the industry and deliver lasting member value and community impact. We do this through a focus on activities which seek to ‘Educate’, ‘Advocate’ and ‘Connect’.
Under our ‘Educate’ strategic pillar, our goal is to enhance the urban development industry’s role and reputation in supporting liveable communities. Through our UDIA WA Educate Program, we seek to deliver high-quality professional development for a skilled and informed urban development industry.
Join our dynamic and passionate team and rapidly expand your understanding of various aspects of urban development, build connections, and make a difference!
Refer to SEEK for more information and to apply.
New appointments to Infrastructure WA
UDIA WA congratulates Chief Economist at the Committee of Economic Development Australia, Cassandra Winzar, on her appointment as Deputy Chair to InfrastructureWA, and to Hamish Beck and Jenet Connell as board members.
Their appointments come as InfrastructureWA begins the transition to the 2050 Commission, bringing with them extension experience economic policy, productivity, infrastructure, governance and organisational transformation.
Announced in February, the State Government will establish the 2050 Commission in 2027 to provide strategic advice to government with an aim to ensure the state’s economy will meet the needs to West Australians in the lead up to, and beyond 2050.
IWA has also recently appointed Ms Sonja O’Leary as Acting Chief Executive Officer, along with Ms Imogene Blair as Acting Deputy Chief Executive Officer – Transition and Inquiries and Mr Rob Meecham as Acting Deputy Chief Executive Officer – Infrastructure.
BuildSkills Australia: Residential Construction Mobility Study
BuildSkills Australia have recently released a workforce mobility study, Residential Construction Mobility Study, examining the flow of labour entering and exiting the residential construction sector. Noting regulatory and structural barriers to entry, the study highlights that the sector is reliant on new entrants to Australia’s workforce rather than drawing on the economy’s existing skill base.
Key trades such as bricklayers, concreters and plumbers exhibit particularly low levels of mobility within BuildSkills Australia’s study, suggesting that factors such as complex licensing systems, limited access to training pathways and variable workplace cultures constrain workforce growth.
To aid the growth of the sector, the study concludes with an outline of reforms designed to enable smoother movement into, and within, the residential construction sector including transparent entry-pathway tools, fast‑track apprenticeships for experienced workers, and nationally consistent skills recognition.
Read BuildSkills Australia’s Residential Construction Mobility Study.
2026 Review of Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas
The consultation period for the 2026 Review of the Map of Bushfire Prone Areas has commenced. There will be an updated version of the Map due for release in the later part of 2026.
The review aims to ensure that the Map remains accurate and current, providing stakeholders with an opportunity to provide feedback on the process.
Any potential mapping changes which may result from the refinements will be contained in the updated Draft Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas Mapping Standard.
Interested parties are encouraged to review the proposed changes and provide feedback on the mapping. Access to the Draft Bush Fire Prone Vegetation Feedback Application requires users to register or sign in with an existing accounting and this is restricted to local and state government agencies.
Industry participants seeking mapping changes should direct their proposals to the relevant local or state government agency.
Note that the deadline for submissions is close of business 28 August 2026. Submissions received after this date will be considered during the next consultation cycle. For additional information or assistance contact bushfiremap@dfes.wa.gov.au.
Have your say on the City of Perth’s new planning framework
The City of Perth has released for comment a new planning framework. Alongside a supporting suite of new local planning policies, the new framework includes the draft Local Planning Scheme No. 3 (LPS3) and will replace the City’s existing planning schemes for the Central Perth, Northbridge, West Perth, East Perth and Claisebrook neighbourhoods. The existing planning framework will continue for the Crawley-Nedlands neighbourhood until the Improvement Scheme has been completed by the Western Australian Planning Commission.
The new planning framework comprises:
- Draft Local Planning Scheme No. 3 (LPS3)
- Local Planning Policies
- Designation of Heritage Areas and associated Local Planning Policies
- Character Area Local Planning Policies
Drop-in information sessions will be held at the City of Perth Library auditorium on:
- Saturday, 1 August 2026 2pm to 4pm
- Thursday, 27 August 2026 12pm to 2pm
The submission period is now open and will close on 25 September 2026.
For more information, or to make a submission, visit the City of Perth’s website.
Crazy Clauses – Contractor Risk and Novation
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 second article in the series is now available to read, and we’ll continue to share more over the coming weeks.
Read the first article about Latent Defects and Post-Limitation Liability.
Western Power Update: Deadline extended for certified As-Constructed records
Western Power has supplied the following update regarding the provision of certified As-Constructed records.
Western Power has extended the deadline for when certified As-Constructed records need to be provided until the next Underground Distribution Schemes (UDS) manual update.
The latest edition of the UDS Manual introduced a requirement for As-Constructed documentation to be certified by a qualified surveyor, confirming the location and spatial accuracy of installed assets.
Since its release, Western Power has received feedback seeking greater clarity on:
- the scope of the certification requirement
- the qualifications and responsibilities of the certifying person
- the supporting information required as part of the certification process.
This feedback demonstrates these areas need more clarity, so they’ve extended the implementation date.
They’ll review the requirement as part of the UDS Manual update, scheduled to begin in May 2027.
Extending the timeframe gives everyone greater certainty, while Western Power make sure the final requirements are practical, well understood and applied consistently across industry.
Accurate As-Constructed information remains critical to network safety, asset management, and future works planning.
Western Power thanks everyone for working with them to get these requirements right. It’ll mean better outcomes for customers, contractors, developers, surveyors, and everyone working on or near the network.
If you have any questions or want more information, contact the Distribution Customer Connection Standards team: Customer.connection.standards@westernpower.com.au.
Reduce community waste with WasteSorted
Applications for WasteSorted Community Education Grants are now open. Closing at noon on Monday, 17 August 2026, the grant program provides incorporated Not-For-Profit’s, community organisations, businesses, local governments and regional councils up to $25,000 for projects that help Western Australians reduce waste and protect and restore the environment in line with the aims of the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030.
Preference will be given to projects in the 2026-27 funding round that:
- communicate messages for behaviour change consistent with the ‘WasteSorted’ and ‘Be a GREAT Sort’ communications materials
- develop and implement targeted waste behaviour change initiatives with an emphasis on focus materials including construction and demolition materials, metals, glass, and plastics.
Applications must be submitted through the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.
National Updates
UDIA National says ABS data has exposed a looming supply cliff as Self-Managed Super Funds ban threatens new housing
The Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA National) has warned the Federal Government that new Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) housing data highlights the urgent need to allow Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs) to continue investing in new residential developments for long-term rental housing.
Latest ABS figures reveal total new housing approvals have already fallen by 11.2 per cent, with apartment commencements plunging by 19.8 per cent in the latest quarter. UDIA National President, Oscar Stanley, said the sharp decline demonstrates that Australia’s housing supply pipeline is already under significant pressure and rushed legislation passed on SMSF investment in housing will make this substantially worse.
“The ABS data shows us that the SMSF ban is about to send new housing supply off a cliff, with up to 40,000 homes forgone or delayed over the Housing Accord period,” Mr Stanley said.