UDIA in Action
This week has been another busy week for the team at UDIA WA following our sell out industry luncheon last Friday, the release of our new housing supply report and the latest edition of The Urbanist.
We were thrilled to be joined by so many people at our lunch last week which generated a healthy debate around the future of housing in the Perth and Peel regions. During the lunch we spoke about our new report Housing Our Community, Acting today to avoid tomorrow’s housing crisis, which has received excellent media coverage, including from Channel 9 and The West Australian helping to highlight this crucial topic.
On Tuesday UDIA WA CEO Tanya Steinbeck took part in more filming as part of our partnership with Home in WA. In the episodes recorded this week, we look at the importance of excellent social and community infrastructure as well as highlighting our EnviroDevelopment program.
This afternoon the UDIA WA Modern Methods of Construction Steering Group are meeting and will receive a presentation from Debbie Bute, Energy Section Leader from Structerre on the practical impact of recent NCC changes on assessing Masonry vs Modern Methods of Construction. The meeting also provides an opportunity for the group to discuss the WA Housing Strategy target of 30% of new WA homes to be built from non-conventional materials by 2030.
Hard copies of the latest edition of The Urbanist should be arriving with key representatives this week and we also released the digital edition, available to read here.
We are looking forward to our Industry Breakfast next week looking at Creating Climate-Resilient Communities. Registrations for this event close tomorrow and we would love for you to be there to be part of this crucial conversation, more information here.
Addressing tomorrow’s needs, today
Over 450 people attended our Industry Lunch looking at Infill Dreams and Market Realities that included a keynote speech from Minister for Transport, Planning and Ports, the Hon. Rita Saffioti and a panel session that sparked an intriguing debate into the future of development in Perth and Peel.
During the minister’s speech she welcomed UDIA WA’s new housing supply report and noted that a number of the key themes within the report were aligned with items the government are looking to tackle through its continuing planning reform journey.
Ms Saffioti said the government was able to reform the planning system to some extent in their first term with the development of the State Development Assessment Unit and streamlining the number of DAP panels, however they are looking to go further in the second term.
To read a full overview of the lunch, click here.
Housing Our Community
During last week’s sell out lunch UDIA WA released details of our new report Housing Our Community, Acting today to avoid tomorrow’s housing crisis, which looks at housing supply in the Perth and Peel regions.
The report outlines the concerning impact that a lack of housing supply has on affordability and how development constraints, land fragmentation and the limited opportunity for proponent led development solutions will limit the industry’s future ability to deliver adequate housing to the market.
This report is sounding the warning bell for all stakeholders involved in delivering housing to the Perth and Peel community showing that if we keep progressing in a ‘business as usual’ way, there is absolutely no doubt we are heading for a major housing crisis.
The report considers both greenfield and infill areas and shows that in both areas, there is limited capacity to quickly ramp up lot production and deliver housing to meet buyer demand.
Key issues that the report highlights include:
- Zoned and serviced large land parcels with workable development constraints are becoming increasingly scarce. There are no new ‘masterplanned’ developments coming on stream.
- Planning delays in relation to infill areas are significant and stymieing the delivery of projects in a range of areas.
- Site acquisition, securing finance, navigating the development approval process and securing sufficient pre-sales means that built-form development takes significantly longer than detached housing to be presented to the market.
- There are few, large, consolidated infill development sites available.
To view the report, click here.
Following the release of the report it was covered by Channel 9 (including a live interview with Monika Kos), the ABC and The West Australian among other publications. Details of this coverage can be found here.
Premier Response
This week UDIA WA received a letter from Premier Mark McGowan, who in his capacity as Treasurer, responded to our letter urging the State Government not to introduce new housing taxes, similar to those seen in Victoria.
In his response he indicated that no new taxes were currently being planning and that he “can’t see any circumstances where we would be increasing taxes because our strong financial management has the Budget under control.”
UDIA WA is encouraged by this fast response from the Premier and we will keep members updated of any further updates on this or other issues impacting the industry.
To read the letter, click here.
Take a trip around the world with UDIA WA
UDIA WA’s latest edition of The Urbanist is an International Study Tour edition looking at exemplary projects and ideas from all around the world.
Study tours are always a fantastic opportunity to learn from what is happening in other places and bring the learnings home to our own projects and this edition is no exception.
We look at projects and ideas from a variety of locations around the world including Paris, Toronto, Barcelona, Vienna, Cairo and Kunshan in China as well as many more.
This edition also includes opinion pieces from local contributors including City of Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas and McCrindle Research Director Sophie Renton as well as a piece by Western Power highlighting the collaborative role they played following the stimulus measures last year.
We hope you enjoy reading this edition.
Read the full edition of The Urbanist International Study Tour edition, here and read previous editions, here.
Keep up to date with Home in WA
Last weekend saw the continuation of our Home in WA series with episode 3 airing on Saturday 12 June on Channel 7.
This episode progressed the conversation around solutions to the rental crisis currently being experienced in Perth including initiatives such as Build-to-Rent.
Episode 3 can be viewed here and to catch up on all previous episodes, check out our youtube channel with them all on here.
Wastewater Submission
This week UDIA WA lodged a new submission in response to the ‘Managing public health risks from wastewater conveyance, treatment and disposal in Western Australia’ Consultation Paper.
The submission proposed that wastewater regulations should seek to facilitate best practice water, sustainability and affordability outcomes, by enabling industry to deliver innovative and fit for purpose design and delivery solutions.
UDIA WA supported Option 3 – the proposal to develop a new risk based regulatory framework for wastewater management and encouraged the Department of Health to adopt a framework that encourages the recycling wastewater as part of alternative fit-for-purpose water supplies to support the liability and affordability of our communities.
To read the submission, click here.
State Budget Submission
UDIA WA is in the process of preparing our State Budget Submission to help guide the future of Western Australia and if you have any feedback or recommendations that you would like to be included, please email policy@udiawa.com.au.
New Development Opportunity – 1 (Lot 9644) Park Lane, Bassendean
Interest from the development industry is sought to develop 2,600m2 of land in the heart of Bassendean opposite the Bassendean Train Station.
A new local planning scheme has been drafted to support the intensification of housing in and around the town centre of Bassendean and a new Town Centre Masterplan, currently being developed, will create an overarching vision for the precinct for the next 20 years.
Interest is sought to develop the site using the streamlined Department of Finance Market-led Proposal single channel process for the primary purpose of creating new housing in the town centre, opposite the train station.
If you are interested, or would like to know more about this opportunity, please contact Luke Gibson, Director Community Planning by email to lgibson@bassendean.wa.gov.au. Alternatively a site visit can be arranged by contacting Liz Nicholls by email to enicholls@bassendean.wa.gov.au or on 08 9377 8017.
For more information on the opportunity, click here.
Awards for Excellence entries close soon
With just two weeks left to enter, now is the time to start your UDIA WA 2021 Awards for Excellence submission to ensure your project gets the recognition it deserves!
Each year we are inundated with incredible projects from all around Western Australia and with entries closing on 30 June, time is running out if you want your project to be among them this year.
To be in with a shot, follow these five easy steps to success
- Create your account.Visit awardsplatform.com and create an account, or log in with your details from last year. Your log-in details can then be shared with your team so anyone contributing to the submission can access the platform as needed over the coming weeks.
- Choose your category. There are 12 categories to choose from. Projects can be entered into multiple categories! Projects that have been entered in the past can also be nominated again, either in the same category or a different one (so long as it hasn’t previously won that category).
- Work on your nomination. You’ve got 2 weeks leftto finalise your submission! You can save your progress as you go. So, with the help of your project team, start completing the nomination criteria and get your supporting materials ready to load.
- Submit your nomination on or before 30th JuneOnce your nomination is complete and you are ready to submit, you can review your information and then hit “submit”.
- Complete and return the nomination payment form.Once your nomination is complete and you have submitted it, complete the payment form and return to UDIA WA to ensure your entries are finalised and accepted for judging!
To view the nomination kit, click here and to start your entry, click here.
Last chance to be part of the conversation
There is just one day left to book your place into UDIA WA’s Industry Breakfast looking at Creating Climate-Resilient Communities.
This vital conversation allows you to have your questions answered on the practical strategies for climate change mitigation and adaption in residential development for improved resilience and liveability at our upcoming industry breakfast.
Featuring industry experts including Professor Matthew Tonts, Dr Josh Byrne, Vicki Lummer, Paul Lakey, and Darren Walsh this event is set to look at the challenges impacting our built environment and providing key insights into creating climate-resilient communities.
Book your place here to be part of this crucial conversation.
Enhance your career with UDIA WA
The EOFY deal on UDIA WA courses has been extended to 30 June.
UDIA WA members receive 10% off all UDIA WA professional development courses but you must book by the end of June to qualify for the discount.
This offer provides an exceptional opportunity for members to enhance their career and develop key skills for use in the development industry.
For more information and to see full T&C’s, click here.
Applications for electricity credit open
The application process for the $500 electricity credit for small business and charities supplied with power by a provider other than Synergy or Horizon Power officially opened this week.
The credit was created to support small businesses following the February lock down and those businesses with Synergy or Horizon Power would have already received this credit.
Applications for business not with Synergy or Horizon Power opened on 14 June 2021 and will close on 30 September 2021.
Further information can be found at here.
Future planning of Fremantle underway with Westport
This week the State Government announced a new Future of Fremantle Planning Committee.
The Western Australian Planning Commission will establish a Future of Fremantle Planning Committee for two years under the Planning and Development Act 2005.
With a new container port to be built at Kwinana, there are opportunities for wide-ranging discussions about the port precinct and across the broader Fremantle area.
The committee will examine the future redevelopment of Fremantle’s North Quay, and surrounding land, while continuing to develop a new vision for a Victoria Quay Waterfront Precinct.
The committee will be supported by Nicole Lockwood, the former chairperson of the Westport Taskforce, and a team within the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage to:
- develop a vision for the longer-term redevelopment of Fremantle Port’s inner harbour;
- develop an employment strategy to help inform a vision to maintain local jobs when the container terminals are relocated;
- examine planning matters in the North Fremantle Precinct and finalise the work being undertaken by the North Fremantle Development Precinct Technical Advisory Group;
- explore exciting new economic opportunities and developments for the coastal city.
The committee will include representatives from State Government agencies, Fremantle Ports, industry, local government and the Fremantle community.
A broader reference group will also be established with representation including local community members, and key Government agencies with specific regulatory or advisory functions covering heritage, design and public transport.
Significant projects to revitalise and re-energise Fremantle are currently underway or being planned including the Swan River Crossings project, the $100 million investment towards a new film studio and screen production facility, and the redevelopment of the heritage-listed A Shed on Victoria Quay into a microbrewery, restaurant, bar and harbourside alfresco area.
New industrial development for Kalgoorlie
The State Government is working to transfer a key strategic site on the western fringes of Kalgoorlie for industrial development.
The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage is currently completing valuations and surveys of the site, bound by Johns Road and Great Eastern Highway, to prepare the necessary titles for the transfer of the land to DevelopmentWA.
DevelopmentWA is expediting the development and servicing of Lot 350 for industrial purposes.
The State Government has agreed to lease five hectares of the site to the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder to be sub-leased for a large mining venture. Preliminary discussions are also underway with proponents previously identified by the City.
DevelopmentWA will continue working with the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and stakeholders to progress planning, sale and development of the land.
The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage has formalised a licence to allow for due diligence investigations to commence prior to the transfer of land to DevelopmentWA, with EnergyOz the first proponent to begin site investigations for their gas fired power plant project.
Site investigations have commenced ahead of the final land transfer, with land releases expected to commence later this year.
The State Government is also responding to growing demand for residential housing in Kalgoorlie with the sale of Lot 205 Aslett Drive in the family-friendly GreenView at Karlkurla residential estate.
Open House Perth talks
Open House Perth have several talks coming up at the Rechabite as part of the Design Matters Series and are offering UDIA WA members a 10% discount on tickets to these events.
The next of these talks takes places on 23 June, with special visiting speaker Shaun Carter from Carter Williamson discussing the topic Unusual Usual_ green living through good design, with the focus being on small footprint homes and renovations that use existing homes rather than demolish them.
Doors open at 5.30pm with the talks starting at 6pm. Tickets are available for purchase here and use the code friend10 to secure your 10% discount.