UDIA WA meets with Infrastructure WA
Earlier this week UDIA WA met with representatives from Infrastructure WA including CEO Philip Helberg who officially started in his new role at the start of August.
The meeting was designed to allow UDIA and IWA to put in place clear guidance and information surrounding the receipt and provision of submissions as and when required.
UDIA will keep members updated on further outcomes from this meeting.
Interview with Minister McGurk
Earlier today, UDIA WA CEO Tanya Steinbeck interviewed the Minister for Community Services Simone McGurk for the upcoming edition of The Urbanist magazine.
The interview focused on the State Government’s recently released Homelessness Strategy and the innovative Housing First approach that underpins the policy. Discussion also touched on the newly launched Common Ground projects that are a practical implementation aspect of the government’s policy, providing immediate housing for those in need connected to essential services.
The third edition of the magazine is due to be released in mid-September and will highlight innovation in Western Australia.
UDIA says goodbye to Erin Meikle
After almost three years at UDIA WA, Director of Commercial & Member Services Erin Meikle is moving on to pursue new opportunities.
Erin has made an outstanding contribution to UDIA WA during her time at the organisation. As the UDIA team and members will attest her strong relationships and motivation to deliver value and connect people will be missed. Members will have the opportunity to farewell Erin at the next Industry Luncheon on 11 September.
Perth Riverfront Masterplan – stakeholder workshop
UDIA took part in the City of Perth’s, Perth Riverfront Masterplan key stakeholder workshop this week.
The workshop explored various options to revitalise the riverfront from Elizabeth Quay to the Causeway with the intent of making the Riverfront a ‘world class destination’.
Awards for Excellence submissions close on Monday
Nominations for the UDIA WA 2020 Awards for Excellence close on Monday 24 August, meaning time is fast running out for anybody wishing to include their project in this year’s awards.
The closing date for submissions includes the need for payment to be made so for any nominations still to be completed, please remember to submit all of the relevant attachments as well as make the necessary payments to ensure your projects receives the recognition it deserves.
See here for more information on how to enter.
Last chance to nominate for YDP & WIL
On Monday 24 August submissions for the Young Development Professional Award and the Women in Leadership 2020 award both close.
For anyone wishing to put themselves forward or nominate a colleague for either of these highly coveted awards, please do so before it is too late.
For more information about the YDP award, click here and for more information about the WIL award, click here.
New Western Australian Government Architect appointed
On Wednesday Planning Minister Rita Saffioti announced Rebecca Moore has been appointed to the prestigious role of Government Architect.
As Government Architect and Chair of the State Design Review Panel, Ms Moore will play a key role in the design review and assessment of METRONET plans and significant development proposals to be determined by the Western Australian Planning Commission under the planning reform laws.
The Government Architect also provides expert and independent advice to the Planning Minister and Premier on key projects and strategic planning and development matters.
As a member of the State Administrative Tribunal for almost a decade, Ms Moore has gained extensive experience in decision-making and mediation across a broad range of design, planning, heritage and construction matters.
UDIA welcomes the appointment of Ms Moore and we are looking forward to working with her on relevant planning and advocacy matters.
Register for lunch with Minister
UDIA WA has secured Planning Minister Rita Saffioti to discuss the development of the Medium Density Design Code at our upcoming industry luncheon on September 11.
This is a critical opportunity to hear about how the new code will provide more guidance and certainty around delivering medium-density product and help improve consistency in decision making across local government in relation to medium-density housing.
While we are seeing an increase in diversity of housing product on the market, Perth still has a way to go and UDIA is keen to see the State Government further support the delivery of quality medium-density housing with the finalised code.
Following the Minister’s presentation there will be an interactive Q&A panel discussion facilitated by Jane Bennett, Director of CLE Town Planning & Design, with the Minister & industry leaders including Nathan Blackburne, Managing Director – Cedar Woods and Dale Page, Director of Planning & Community Development – City of Joondalup.
For more information and to register, click here.
Our thanks go to event sponsors CLE Town Planning & Design, JDSI, James Hardie and Western Power.
School Planning Policy up for review
Earlier this week the State Government released a revised planning policy that purportedly aims to provide developers and local governments with clarity around planning requirements for new schools across Western Australia.
The State Government is seeking public feedback after reviewing the 1998 planning policy, aiming to reflect current planning practice and improve strategic planning for the development of future primary and secondary schools.
UDIA WA will be putting a submission together in response to the draft Operational Policy 2.4 Planning for School Sites. Anybody wishing to make comments, please can you send these through to policy@udiawa.com.au by COB 5 October.
For more information, click here.
Governance and internal controls over local infrastructure contributions
A new report from the Auditor-General for New South Wales has found that some councils in NSW are not using local infrastructure contributions as effectively as they should be.
The report, released on Monday, looked into how well four councils managed their local infrastructure contributions during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 financial years.
The audit found that Blacktown City Council and City of Sydney Council provided effective governance over their local infrastructure contributions whereas Central Coast and Liverpool City Councils’ governance arrangements require improvement.
The audit found that three councils had spent local infrastructure contributions in accordance with approved contributions plans. Central Coast Council and the former Gosford City Council had spent $13.2 million on administration costs in breach of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. These funds were repaid into the council’s local infrastructure fund during the course of the audit.
The Auditor-General made several recommendations for each council relating to improving controls over contributions and increasing transparency.
For more information, click here.
Landgate notice to surveyors
This week Landgate has released another Notice to Surveyors with this notice pursuant to Transfer of Land (Surveys) Regulations 1995 Regulation 3 and supersedes Notices to Surveyors T4/2020 and T5/2020.
The Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping (ICSM) is leading the national implementation of GDA2020. Landgate is coordinating implementation of the new datum in Western Australia.
As of Monday 17 August 2020, SmartPlan and the Spatial Cadastral Database is being maintained in GDA2020. Also, from this date, the NLR-Plan Surveyor Portal system will allow for cadastral survey data (CSD files) submitted in either GDA94 or GDA2020. Updated Survey Practice Guidelines are now available on the Land Surveyors Licensing Board website, here.
To read the notice in full, click here.
New laws set future development plans for Swan Valley
The Swan Valley Planning Bill 2020 was introduced into State Parliament this week which aims to protect the Swan Valley’s unique character by providing clear planning guidance and outlining appropriate scales of tourism and development.
The legislation is built off the recommendations of the Swan Valley Action Plan and the Kobelke Report – with feedback from more than 700 local residents and businesses on preferred land uses, future tourism and development opportunities and the right to farm.
It establishes a single planning authority, aims to streamline planning processes to cut red tape, introduces a new planning scheme for the Swan Valley and sets preferred development types.
Development within the region is currently subject to three different planning regimes which often create tension and difficulty in achieving consensus on development proposals.
Replacing the outdated Swan Valley Planning Act 1995, the Bill proposes a new Swan Valley Planning Committee as a statutory body to provide oversight for all planning and development.
A Swan Valley Strategic Coordination Group will also be created to provide an advisory role to Government across a broad range of matters including tourism, environment and planning.
A new planning scheme will come into effect early next year, replacing the existing dual scheme system – the City of Swan Local Planning Scheme No. 17 and the Metropolitan Region Scheme.
Problem and Opportunity Statements hope to drive investment and jobs
This week saw the introduction of Problem and Opportunity Statements, which are designed to drive investment and support WA jobs.
The new initiative allows the State Government to provide focused opportunities for industry to respond with innovative solutions that stimulate the economy and create jobs for Western Australians.
The first Problem and Opportunity Statement was released earlier this week to industry, calling for innovative solutions for the future of the current Landgate building in Midland and accommodation options for the public sector in the Midland area.
The Landgate building, which reverts to government ownership in March 2021, exceeds Landgate’s accommodation requirements and presents a range of opportunities to better utilise the asset.
The State Government is calling for private sector offers to provide alternative accommodation options for Landgate in Midland, and/or acquire the Landgate building for consideration.
It is hoped offers will determine the optimal future use for the Landgate building, maximise the potential benefits to the Midland community and deliver the best value for money to the State.
Proposals for the Landgate opportunity are invited to be submitted until 11 September and will be assessed against the Market-led Proposals (MLP) Policy criteria.
Plumbing services to survey strata lot developments
Amendments to the Plumbers Licensing and Plumbing Standards Regulations 2000 to include new plumbing standards for subdivision plumbing work in relation to survey strata schemes have been Gazetted.
The changes are outlined in the following updated publications:
- Industry Bulletin 125 – New requirements for plumbing services to survey strata lot developments
- Plumbers Technical Note – Services to survey strata lots
A free information session is also being offered to inform the Western Australian plumbing and building industries of new requirements when providing plumbing services to each lot on a survey strata scheme.
Being held at the Technology Park, 2 Brodie-Hall Dr, Bentley, the free session will take place on Wednesday 26 August at 6pm.
For more information and to register, click here.
Phase 5 extended again
Western Australia will remain in Phase 4 restrictions until 24 October, it was announced earlier this week as Premier Mark McGowan relayed the Chief Health Officer’s advice that it could take two months or longer for the outbreaks in Victoria to be fully under control.
In announcing the extension, Mr McGowan also made the decision to cancel the Royal Perth Show, the first time since WWII that the show has been cancelled.
Overseas arrival numbers up in June
In June there was an increase of 56.8% in the number of overseas visitor arrivals into Australia with 5,400 trips recorded in the month.
Despite the large percentage increase, these large changes usually occur thanks to monthly fluctuations of small numbers.
The number of Australian residents returning from overseas also increased, up 17.8% since the previous month to 15,760 trip.
UDIA requests for feedback
UDIA is working on submissions and responses in relation to the following. Members are encouraged to provide feedback and comments to inform our submissions to policy@udiawa.com.au by the specified dates below:
R-Codes Interim COVID-19 Review (here), closes September 10th – Public consultation also opened today on revisions to the R-Codes state planning policy to expedite approvals for single houses, multiple and grouped dwellings, and smaller structures such as patios, carports, decks and sheds.
Consultation RIS: Proposal to include minimum accessibility standards for housing in the NCC (here), closes 31st August
WAPC Draft Operational Policy 2.4 – Planning for School Sites (here), closes 5pm 19th October – review has been an opportunity to improve strategic school site planning, address known issues on locational and physical site requirements for schools, and provide clarity and transparency on the methodology and application of developer contributions for public primary schools.