Growth Corridors Infrastructure Report launch
UDIA WA was pleased to release a report earlier this week outlining priority enabling infrastructure requirements for a development-ready residential land supply pipeline in key growth corridors across Perth and Peel. Identifying these ‘building blocks’ and working collaboratively to plan, coordinate and deliver infrastructure at the right time is essential to leverage industry to deliver the homes we need, faster.
The Growth Corridors Infrastructure Requirements Report (April 2026) has identified that an initial investment of $596 million over four years in strategic, enabling infrastructure would potentially unlock land to catalyse the delivery of over 115,000 new homes in:
- North & West Ellenbrook and Bullsbrook,
- East Wanneroo,
- Yanchep-Eglington,
- Mundijong,
- North East Baldivis,
- Jandakot-Treeby, and
- Karnup.
The types of infrastructure requirements identified predominantly include wastewater pump stations and trunk mains, power substations and feeder networks, and sewer infrastructure.
Read the full report here.
One step closer to an EPBC Bilateral with WA
On 21 April 2026, the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Water, Minister Watt, and the Premier of Western Australia, Roger Cook, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop and implement an assessment bilateral agreement, with the ambition for an approval bilateral agreement to follow.
Bilateral agreements allow each state or territory to assess proposed actions (projects or developments) on behalf of the Australian Government.
They remove the need for a separate assessment, reducing duplication. The Commonwealth Environment Minister uses a state or territory’s environmental assessment report to inform the final decision about whether to approve an action.
This Agreement provides for the accreditation of WA processes to enable an integrated and coordinated approach to the assessment of actions requiring approval from both the Commonwealth Minister (under the EPBC Act) and WA.
UDIA continues to actively engage with both the Commonwealth and State on Federal Environmental Law Reforms through the lens of providing greater certainty and streamlined assessment and approvals for members.
Residential Design Codes – Transitional Arrangements
Following our earlier correspondence regarding advocacy to government on the expiry of the RMD60 transition period (on 10 April 2026), here is a brief update on recent developments.
As previously advised, UDIA WA and HIA have jointly been advocating to State Government for an extension of the transition deadline to better align with the outcomes of the current R-Codes review, noting the consumer, supply and cost pressures arising from delays in land titling, structure plan approvals, and ongoing construction cost escalation.
The State Government has confirmed it is not currently in a position to extend the 10 April 2026 transition deadline without undertaking broader consultation, given the potential impacts on developments that have already adopted, or will adopt, the new R-Codes framework.
However, importantly, the Government committed to formally encouraging local governments to adopt the City of Wanneroo’s pragmatic approach to managing the transition from RMD60. This has been communicated to WALGA and local government through a letter from the Minister.
As members will recall, UDIA WA and HIA previously wrote directly to the 10 growth area (GAPP) councils encouraging them to adopt the City of Wanneroo model. We have now received responses from a number of these councils, and encouragingly, they currently appear to be broadly aligned and supportive of a consistent approach to the transition that reflects the Wanneroo framework.
As a reminder, this approach enables eligible R60-coded lots—where RMD is already afforded through a structure plan or other approved mechanism—to continue to be assessed under RMD60 provisions for a defined period, subject to appropriate development application requirements and planning justification. This provides practical flexibility, supports housing delivery, and minimises unnecessary redesign of lots to comply with Part C of the R-Codes.
We will continue to work closely with councils and State Government as this approach is formalised and rolled out, and will keep members informed as further clarity and confirmation is received.
Please do not hesitate to contact UDIA WA should you require further information in the meantime.
Updated: Subdivision Guidelines
The Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA) has recently published the updated Local Government Subdivisional Guidelines 3.1, intended to replace the outdated 2.3 edition.
The Guidelines provide greater clarity and certainty for subdivisional engineering requirements in Western Australia and are intended to support subdivision conditions applied by the WAPC prudent to Planning and Development Act 2005. They reflect current legislation and contemporary best practice and are designed to guide both local governments and those involved in development through engineering specification, construction, and post‑construction subdivision approval.
IPWEA WA urge developers, designers, and approval authorities to use the Guidelines as their basis for subdivision engineering design and construction. Local Governments are also strongly encouraged to formally adopt these Edition 3.1 Guidelines as the basis for subdivisional engineering approval within their municipality.
UDIA WA reviewed the draft Guidelines through its Infrastructure Committee and identified no significant concerns, providing support for their release.
It is anticipated that application of these updated Guidelines will help to expedite the approvals of design, and clearance of engineering conditions, and assisting in the timely delivery of serviced land to support new housing supply. UDIA WA will continue to work with IPWEA WA on several identified suggestions to enhance alignment with industry practices to be reflected in future revisions.
Click here to access the Guidelines.
Host an Intern in 2026!
Play a part in attracting young talent to the property industry and consider hosting an intern in 2026 through the Property Education Foundation (PEF).
The aims of the PEF Internship Program are to:
- provide support and encouragement to undergraduates who have chosen a career path in the property industry,
- develop a functional program with industry organisations, and
- provide students and industry organisations valuable opportunities to meet and interact with each other.
Interns will shadow the workings of an individual in your organisation and should spend their time working on relevant projects, learning about the field, making industry connections, and developing both hard and soft skills.
Applications are now open for Host Organisations interested in hosting interns over the June/July period.
This program is a great opportunity to provide students with the knowledge and skills to propel their Property-related study.
Help us build a skilled network of young professionals in Property.
Email secretariat@pef.org for more information and to register your interest.
HV Pool System Charge Change
The high voltage subdivision pool (HV Pool) allows the cost of installing HV infrastructure to be shared among developers of residential subdivisions. The pool reimburses developers who have paid for more than their share of the HV infrastructure and collects funds from developers who make use of excess capacity on that infrastructure.
Ongoing forecasts and financial reviews, together with global market volatility, ongoing supply chain constraints, and an increase in system re‑testing activities for eligible projects, indicate that upcoming refunds from the HV Pool are expected to reduce the pool balance below a level to enable it to operate effectively. These pressures are further compounded by increased costs associated with high voltage materials and critical network infrastructure delivery.
It is important the system charge reflects the costs of delivering the electricity infrastructure and that the pool funds are sufficient for HV pool payments to be made to those who deliver the eligible electricity infrastructure. To that end, based on a view of the HV Pool data, market conditions and cost drivers, the HV Pool Governance Committee collectively agreed that, effective 1 May 2026, the High Voltage Subdivision System Charge will increase to $300/kVA. This represents an increase from the previous charge of $250/kVA, which has been in effect since 1 January 2026.
UDIA WA and Western Power will continue to review charges and rates on a regular basis to maintain an appropriate and measured pathway toward the optimum HV Pool balance, while ensuring costs are allocated fairly and sustainably across contributing developers.
In addition, the proposed increase to the System Charge Rate is intended to ensure equitable compensation for developers who contribute to the foundational expenses required to expand, reinforce, and deliver the electricity network across the SWIS. This approach supports fairness and consistency in cost recovery through HV Pool refunds as the network continues to grow to meet demand.
Any project created on or after 1 May 2026 will have the new rate applied. All existing active projects for which a quote has not yet been issued will also attract the revised rate. Projects that have already had a quote issued will continue to be charged at the applicable rate for the life of the project, regardless of any subsequent re‑quotes.
The System Charge Rate along with related charges and parameters, will be updated via Western Power’s High Voltage pool policy page via the website: High voltage pool policy
Western Power Update: Surveyed As-Constructed Records
Western Power is committed to undertaking regular reviews of our end-to-end operational processes including regular engagement and consultation with our land development customers.
At the Land Development Designers Forum held in February 2026, among topics discussed, feedback was received regarding Western Power’s position in reference to the requirements for surveyed as-constructed records. Western Power confirmed that as constructed drawings must be surveyed in accordance with UDS sections 6.2.2.7 and 6.2.2.8 for submission by the developer as part of the as-constructed documentation. To ensure Western Power’s governance requirements are maintained in line with the UDS Manual, Western Power would like to clarify that all as-constructed drawings and cable installation records must be signed and dated by a qualified surveyor.
In recognition of the feedback received at the February Designer Forum, and to provide industry with sufficient time to adapt to this requirement, Western Power will apply a transition period, allowing projects already within the construction phase to progress through to 30 June 2026.
From 1 July 2026, all as-constructed records submitted as part of Western Power’s energisation process, must be signed and dated by a qualified surveyor, failure to adhere to this requirement may result in delayed energisation of your project .
Please notify us if you require clarification regarding this update and the transition timeframe.
National Update
UDIA National presents to Select Committee on Productivity
UDIA National Head of Policy Andrew Mihno appeared in front of the Select Committee on Productivity yesterday to highlight that taxes make up to 50% of housing costs and undermine housing project delivery, pushing housing out of reach of ordinary Australians. As part of the Capital Gains Tax debate in the lead up to the Federal Budget in May, UDIA highlighted the need to broaden the tax base to reduce tax costs on housing delivery and purchase – not simply “swap” one tax burden for another.
In the short term, UDIA has told the Federal Government to incentivise the States & Territories to:
- halt any further increase in property based taxes including developer contributions, stamp duty, land tax and other fees and charges.
- actively strip away taxes holding back affordability – such as reducing development fees and charges, reducing stamp duty thresholds on median priced housing.
Lasting, long term property tax reform for affordability requires
- Strategic review of all Federal and State/Territory property related taxes to reduce the burden on property prices rather than merely swapping one tax burden for another.
- Acknowledging that the capital gains tax discount is a feature of all investment types that also supports rental property to maintain supply.
Any significant change to the CGT discount or negative gearing will mean comprising outcomes that risk rental supply, increased rents & skewed investment.