Infrastructure Fund to boost housing supply
UDIA WA welcomed today’s announcement by the State Government that $101 million has been allocated through the Housing Enabling Infrastructure Fund (HEIF) to support the delivery of essential power and water infrastructure to unlock much needed housing supply.
“UDIA WA welcomes the continued focus on boosting housing supply that was promised by the Cook Government during the State Election Campaign earlier this year,” UDIA WA CEO Tanya Steinbeck said.
The $400 million HEIF was announced back in December 2024, following recommendations made in UDIA WA’s Growth Areas Infrastructure Requirements Report, which highlighted three key growth areas where the planning, funding and delivery of key infrastructure could facilitate the delivery of up to 90,000 new homes.
“The $101 million allocated in this round of funding will go toward key pieces of power, water and wastewater infrastructure that are desperately needed in order to deliver housing in metropolitan and regional WA,” Ms Steinbeck said.
Made ahead of the State Budget being handed down, today’s announcement outlines the 21 projects that will benefit from the funding with:
- $59.6 million for 18 water and wastewater projects across Perth and Peel, and four projects in regional locations of Busselton, Dalyellup, Kununurra and Margaret River; and
- $41.4 million for three Western Power substation feeders at Muchea, Medina and Pinjarra.
The full list is provided in UDIA WA’s State Budget rundown here.
“Housing supply remains a critical issue, and this investment will ensure we continue to prioritise strategic infrastructure needed to unlock more residential land throughout Western Australia,” Treasurer Rita Saffioti said. “By addressing critical water and power infrastructure needs, informed by consultation with industry, we can unlock land in high-priority areas to deliver more homes and support sustainable development in our metropolitan growth corridors and regional communities.”
UDIA WA has long identified lack of enabling infrastructure as a key constraint to delivering housing in many areas across Perth and the regions.
“It is critical that infrastructure coordination, funding and delivery aligns with development pipeline intentions for undeveloped urban zoned land, and potential future urban land,” Ms Steinbeck said.
The investment in Western Power and the Water Corporation through the HEIF is designed to enable both companies to undertake key strategic enabling works, expanding service provision and facilitating residential land supply to bring lots to market sooner in key growth corridors and regional areas.
“It is encouraging to see the Federal and State Government recognise the importance of ensuring appropriate basic infrastructure being adequately funded and strategically planned to enable the appropriate flow of housing supply to meet demand,” Ms Steinbeck said.
Read UDIA WA’s Pre Budget Submission.
Read UDIA WA’s Growth Areas Infrastructure Requirements Report.
State budget invests in energy transition Made in WA
Ahead of today’s State Budget, the government announced a $20 million investment into poles and wires made in WA earlier this week. Part of the Government’s Future Made in WA commitment, and designed to aid the State’s energy transition, the investment will be used to help deliver an advanced manufacturing facility in Forrestfield and a Local Industry Development Fund.
Premier Roger Cook said, “by ensuring we have the facilities to deliver the poles and wires needed for Western Australia’s energy transition, we are creating opportunities for local industry to scale up and provide steel components to the energy transition that would otherwise be sourced from overseas.”
Once online the manufacturing facility in Forrestfield will begin work to supply Western Power with the thousands of kilometres of transmission lines required to deliver the State’s energy transition. Additionally $5 million via the Strategic Industries Fund has been allocated to aid in the planning for the Picton Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Hub.
R-Codes review to streamline residential design codes
A review of Western Australia’s Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) is set to be undertaken, aimed at ensuring the planning system is able to supply sufficient housing for WA’s rapid population growth through the enabling of more infill housing.
The review will aim to streamline and simplify the planning process, encouraging the development of well-designed infill housing furthering previous reform work which included the introduction of Volume 2 to guide apartment development and updated Medium Density provisions.
“The review reflects our continued, purposeful approach to strengthening Western Australia’s planning framework, and ensuring the planning system supports diverse housing delivery,” said Planning and Lands Minister John Carey. “The process will be collaborative, with a strong emphasis on delivering a clear and accessible policy framework for all stakeholders.”
The Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) has been formally asked to investigate opportunities for the modernisation of the R-Codes, with a particular focus on simplifying the codes, providing greater clarity, enabling greater infill in strategic locations, and strengthening its ability to guide good planning outcomes. As part of the process, the WAPC has been requested to establish a stakeholder advisory group to facilitate engagement.
UDIA WA strongly supports and has advocated for the streamlining of the planning system to reduce the hurdles to building across the housing continuum and look forward to engaging with WAPC to improve the planning system.
Support the CEO Sleepout
UDIA WA CEO Tanya Steinbeck will once again be taking to the Perth streets om Thursday 26 June to participate in 2025 Vinnies CEO Sleepout. Joined by Andrew Roberts (ABN), Jane Bennett (CLE Town Planning + Design), Brenton Downing (Celsius Land) and Richard Pappas (Celsius Property) the team will be flying the UDIA WA flag raising money to help end homelessness across Australia.
Taking part on one of the longest and coldest nights of the year, over 1500 business, government and community leaders sleep on the streets of Australia to gain a glimpse into the daily reality of over 122,000 struggling Australians.
The money raised by the Vinnies CEO Sleepout goes towards providing crucial support and services to Australians in need. With your help, we can help break the cycle of homelessness for good.
Donate to Team UDIA WA and help support those in need.