Industry Issues
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
And like that, 2025 has almost come to an end – it’s hard to believe that Christmas is right around the corner.
A huge thank you to all our members, partners, supporters and valued stakeholders for your ongoing support. It has been a pleasure working together throughout 2025 and we look forward to what we can achieve in the new year!
The UDIA WA office will be closed from 4pm Friday 19 December, and we’ll be back bright and early Monday 5 January 2026.
Have a merry Christmas & a happy new year from the UDIA WA team!
Mid Year Review retains focus on housing delivery
UDIA WA welcomed the announcements today from the Cook Government’s Mid-Year review, which continue to maintain a strong focus on delivering much needed housing supply.
The Review includes a further $435.5 million investment in housing across Perth and regional Western Australia, with $16.5 million allocated through the Housing Enabling Infrastructure Fund (HEIF) for water infrastructure to enable residential housing development.
“The continued allocation of funding through the HEIF announced today, is critical to enabling better coordination, early planning and greater certainty for residential projects, as well as more efficient delivery of much-needed homes,” UDIA WA CEO Tanya Steinbeck said. “Overcoming infrastructure constraints in key areas through effective planning, coordination and timely delivery of infrastructure to catalyse development and create new homes is paramount.”
UDIA WA will release an updated Growth Areas Infrastructure Requirements Report in the new year, which will assist the State Government in identifying further areas requiring funding through the HEIF.
“We were very pleased with the establishment of the HEIF following our initial report and look forward to continuing to work with government to identify future investment priorities,” Ms Steinbeck said.
Earlier this week, UDIA WA also presented a formal Pre Budget Submission to the Treasurer outlining the key investments and strategically important initiatives needed to leverage industry to deliver the homes we need, faster.
We have outlined well researched and evidence-based investment recommendations across three key areas:
- Making it easier to create the homes we need
- Helping to keep the cost of homes down
- Planning for our housing needs now, and for our future
Some of UDIA WA’s key ‘asks’ include:
- Additional funding for Water Corporation for capital works to support residential development
- Extending and expanding the Infrastructure Development Fund
- Creating a facility for low interest mezzanine finance loans and underwriting of stock to boost medium and higher density project viability
- Funding to scope and progress the development of an online platform for WA’s planning & development system
- Building on the initial investment in the $400m Housing Enabling Infrastructure Fund
UDIA WA was encouraged by the Cook Government’s housing policy before and during the State Election campaign that was translated into commitments in the last State Budget. We are now looking to the 2026-27 State Budget to prioritise further investments that will continue to meaningfully accelerate housing choice and supply.
View UDIA WA’s State Government Pre-Budget Submission.
Keystart launches Skilled Start Home Loan
Last week, Keystart launched the Skilled Start Home Loan to help early career Western Australians into their own home.
Designed to help apprentices, graduates, tradies and early-career workers, the new home loan product is available for established homes up to $700,000 or for purchases of up to $750,000 for off-the-plan, under construction, and new homes. The Skilled Start Home Loan offers a two-percent deposit, no lender’s mortgage insurance, lower mortgage repayments and is complimented by free financial coaching alongside a discount on Keystart’s standard variable interest rate.
UDIA WA has welcomed this new initiative as another way to support trades people in WA to access a more affordable home. We also look forward to continuing to support Keystart in their new role as a GTE and facilitating the delivery of more homes to the market through their new products and services.
Visit Keystart for more information on this new initiative.
State Planning Policy 2.9 Water and Planning for Water Guidelines now operational
Finalised and published earlier this week by the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH), the State Planning Policy 2.9 Water (SPP 2.9) and Planning for Water Guidelines are operational as of 18 December 2025.
The new policy is designed 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.
DPLH have organised two information sessions for Industry, Local Government, and WALGA regarding the new policy on Thursday 19 February 2026.
For any queries regarding the policy, feedback, or its implementation, contact DPLH via email.
For more information, and a copy of the published SPP and Guidelines visit the DPLH website.
Welcome Kali to UDIA WA!
UDIA WA is pleased to welcome Kali Hellmuth to the team as our Member Services Officer.
A recent Interior Design graduate, Kali has been working in residential staging and has been utilising the lead-up to Christmas to get up to speed on our industry and the work UDIA WA undertakes.
We’re excited to have Kali on board and be sure to say hi in the new year at our upcoming lunch with Tim Lawless or breakfast with Deputy Premier the Hon. Rita Saffioti, MLA.
Update from Western Power: Updated connection timeframes now live
Updated timeframes for residential and commercial connections are now live on the Western Power website.
The updates provide the most current connection times for each project type and also include new features to help our customers better plan their projects, such as:
- the range in which 75% of all projects in that category are completed, depending on complexity, design requirements and other factors
- a breakdown of the time required for both the design and construction stages to assist with more detailed planning.
The new timeframes are now provided in a range, instead of an average, to give customers a more realistic idea of how long their projects will take to complete. Timeframes also now only include ‘Western Power time’ – and exclude customer-driven phases, such as the time awaiting customer payment.
Connection timeframes will be reviewed every 6 months.
Some of the new timeframes include:
- 75% of single residential connections now delivered between 3-13 months, depending on complexity and demand.
- 75% of medium commercial connections now delivered between 9-19 months.
We remain committed to reducing timeframes for our customers and are continuing to work with industry to make connecting to our network as quick and easy as possible.
More information on the time to connect can be found by searching for your project type at westernpower.com.au.
WAPC Bushfire Planning Framework update
The Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) have updated their Bushfire Planning Framework including changes to the SPP 3.7 Bushfire Explanatory Note and Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas. The WAPC have also released new online learning modules for bushfire planning.
Operational from November 2024, the WAPC have released an update for the SPP 3.7 Bushfire and Guidelines Explanatory Note regarding Broader Landscape Assessment methodology, outcomes-based approach and Class 9 Vulnerable buildings. The latest version of the Explanatory Note, and other bushfire planning documents are available on their website.
Containing interactive tools and visual aids to explain how SPP 3.7 Bushfire could be applied, WAPC have released an online learning experience comprised of three 10-minute modules for decision-makers and bushfire practitioners guiding users through how the bushfire protection criteria apply to strategic planning, subdivision, and residential development.
Coming into effect on 13 December 2025, the updated Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas is undergoing a four-month transition period for newly designated areas on the Map. A new consultation platform for Local Governments to submit requests for changes throughout the year has also been introduced alongside the updated map.
For more information regarding the Map, visit the DFES.
Help to Buy to increase affordable ownership for Western Australians
Enabling Western Australians to access the Federal Government’s Help to Buy scheme, the State Government passed the Help to Buy (Commonwealth Powers) Bill 2025 earlier this week.
Estimated to be able to help over 1,000 Western Australians, the Help to Buy Scheme is designed to improve affordability through the reduction of both the upfront cost and ongoing mortgage repayments.
The scheme will be available to individuals earning an annual income of up to $100,000 and for couples with a combined income of $160,000.
Requiring only a 2 percent deposit, eligible participants can purchase a home up to $850,000 in Perth and up to $600,000 in the rest of the State with the Federal Government contributing up to 40 per cent of the purchase price for new homes and 30 per cent for existing homes.
For more information, visit the Federal Government’s First Home Buyers website.
We’re Hiring!
UDIA WA has an exciting Policy Officer opportunity available.
This is a great opportunity to support UDIA WA’s advocacy work across a range of issues related to the property industry.
With housing supply and affordability continuing to be a key priority for all levels of Government, this is an exciting and important time to be a part of UDIA WA and contribute to enabling the delivery of the homes we need, faster.
Join our dynamic and passionate team and rapidly expand your understanding of various aspects of urban development and relevant policy areas, build connections, and make a difference.
Refer to SEEK for more information.
Regional Housing Support Fund applications closing date extended
Originally set to close Friday 19 December, the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) have extended the closing date for applications to the Regional Housing Support Fund (RHFS) to 5pm Friday 6 February 2026.
Designed to assist with funding for enabling infrastructure, construction and civil works the RHFS provides grants of up to $5 million to local governments, community housing providers and developers to support key worker, community housing and residential subdivision projects in regional Western Australia.
If you have any questions about the program, or wish to update an existing application, contact the DPLH via email.
For more information, and to apply, visit the WA Government website.
National Updates
UDIA National Wrap Up
At the close of a Federal Election year, UDIA National has weaved our primary member issues into critical planks of labor’s policy over the new term.
To date, Australia is building less houses now than it did pre-COVID shutdown. Dwelling commencements are 12% below the decade average of 203,000 new starts and 17% below the Pre-COVID average.
The greatest immediate problems that UDIA National has be prosecuting are driving greater housing supply across the continuum, clearing delayed EPBC approvals, halving planning times & delivering enabling infrastructure to unlock housing ready projects.
We have prosecuted our core agenda with substantial success including:
- Urgent Housing Strategies for the Environment – Government has prioritisedclearing the EPBC housing approval backlog, and the new environmental reform adopted 5 of our 7 asks for a State & Federal aligned one stop EPBC approvals
- Fast-Track Housing Infrastructure – Government and Coalition have put enabling infrastructure for housing at the top of their policy list. The Coalition (with UDIA’s help and guidance), worked up the $5bn infrastructure fund which is likely to be come a key feature in future policy. Labor will ramp up infrastructure as part of its $10bn first homebuyer initiative and has sought UDIA National advice on its operation.
- Build the Homes we need – Government has asked for our advice on how to best utilise the $10bn First Home Buyer (FHB) Initiativeto deliver infrastructure or discounted FHB housing. We have a pause on non-essential NCC reform until 2029 and it will be restructured. Our reforms to Help to Buy have been adopted and further reform of the Build to Rent initiative will be done to take out unworkable rules that UDIA warned about throughout the consultation.
- Release More Land Supply & Build Housing Capacity – Government has announced it’s priority to accelerate delivery of planning, zoning and approvals. Government has sought UDIA National advice on the optimal way to influence these reforms with States & Territories including reframing incentives as part of proposed supply funding to halve planning/environmental approval times, increase density and support greenfield supply. In addition, off the back of UDIA National calls to overhaul ATO engagement with Tradies, the ATO has been working with us to reform their process for Tradie engagement and communication.
- Metrics and KPI’s for Government Departments, backed by verified supply data – Government has sought UDIA National advice on building a performance framework for housing supply including metrics and KPI’s as part of their budget review and also specifically asked for our views on the best new initiatives in a financially constrained 2026 Federal Budget. We are in ongoing dialogue for Government use of the UDIA National Housing Pipeline.
Post Election this year, UDIA National has been deeply engaged with Government in both public and private dialogues to press the key agenda issues coming out of:
- the Treasurer’s Economic Reform Roundtable.
- the Housing Minister’s Productivity Roundtable.
- Government’s 100,000 homes initiative.
- EPBC Consultation/Inquiry and ongoing “clear the decks” workshops.
- The UDIA National November Executive Board meeting with key politicians – Prime Minister’s Office, Assistant Treasurer’s Office, Ministers for Housing, Skills & Training, Environment as well as the Shadow Housing Minister.
For the coming year UDIA National will be consolidating the industry wins and converting them into actionable initiatives across:
- Implementing the 100,000 FHB initiative driving more enabling infrastructure and providing developer incentives that pass through discounts to FHB.
- Clearing the Environmental approval backlog, that is holding up 42,000+ houses.
- Negotiating the Environmental Standards and guidelines for State & Federal aligned one stop EPBC approvals.
- Accelerating delivery of planning, zoning and approvals through Federal incentives and a performance framework.
- Fast-tracking Enabling Infrastructure through existing and proposed funding models.
- Ensuring NCC reform focuses on affordability and practicality as priorities.
- Drive more housing supply across Federal initiatives, targeting First Home Buyers, Key workers, Median prices housing and affordable housing.