From the CEO
It is Budget Estimates week in State Parliament and time to put our Ministers and senior public servants under the grill and find out exactly how, when and where agencies budget allocations will be spent.
After the spin and excitement of handing down the State Budget each year has died down, the Estimates are an opportunity for the Opposition to ask the right questions (hopefully) and uncover exactly what the expenditure, performance and effectiveness of government agencies will be, now that there has been time to digest the papers in more detail.
UDIA WA’s Pre-State Budget submission provided specific and targeted recommendations in relation to key items that we, as an industry, would have liked to see in the budget in order to directly tackle the ongoing housing crisis. We were disappointed that recommendations such as an expanded Infrastructure Development Fund were not included, and this week, as the papers are dissected in greater detail, we look forward to hearing if any of the catalyst infrastructure recommendations that we made will be allocated as part of wider funding commitments.
No matter the outcome of closer analysis this week, UDIA WA will continue to ask the right questions, and pose the right solutions, so that we can adequately address the housing crisis in WA. Another element to that will be explored at our Industry Breakfast on Tuesday, where we will unpack the current environmental approvals reform measures at a State and Federal level. Given that environmental constraints, on top of infrastructure, have been highlighted time again as the biggest handbrakes on housing supply, it will be another important conversation on our road to real action.
UHI released
Earlier today UDIA launched a new national research report, the UDIA Housing Index (UHI), which provides a quarterly ‘health check’ on the state of the new build Australian housing market.
Drawing from a range of data sources the UHI provides timely indicators of changes in demand, supply and costs for new residential properties across the nation.
The new report focuses on the March Quarter 2024 and highlights that the national housing market continues to be severely impacted by very high costs and elevated demand, with supply levels remaining at historic lows.
The high-cost environment (for developers and consumers) allied with the strong rebound in demand (underpinned by the highest rates of population growth recorded in two decades) versus a very weak national dwelling supply profile (with dwelling approvals and dwelling commencements at decade lows) continues to drive the UDIA Housing Index to well below average levels of performance.
For more information and to view the findings from the March Quarter UHI, click here.
Explore the projects shaping the future of WA
UDIA WA are pleased to present a new Outlook UDIA event looking at Projects Shaping the Future of Western Australia.
In recent years, we’ve seen several exciting and progressive development projects championing innovative methods to deliver future-proof community outcomes, and this event will highlight the developers behind some of these projects.
By attending this event, you will hear first-hand about the visions for these developments and how they are being brought to life, including some of the key issues faced during the development stages and the innovative solutions implemented.
Join us on the night to hear about:
Subiaco East – presented by Chris Brady
Witchcliffe Ecovillage – presented by Jeff Thierfelder
Edith Cowan University City Campus – presented by Alasdair MacKerron
Curtin Exchange – presented by Julian Urquhart
These projects have been carefully selected to offer diverse and informative perspectives.
The presentations will be followed by a panel discussion / open forum where you will have an opportunity to ask questions and engage with our high calibre line of up speakers.
Register here to secure your place.
Big thanks to Outlook Partners Parcel Property and Underground Power Development Pty and Event Sponsor ATCO for supporting this event.
National Reconciliation Week
Tomorrow sees the start of National Reconciliation Week for 2024 with this year’s theme being Now More Than Ever, which is designed to be a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will —and must —continue.
The National Reconciliation Week 2024 design and artwork represent the momentum of the theme Now More Than Ever. The chevron, a universal symbol for pointing the way, signifies advancing as one as we look towards a reconciled future; and the vibrant artwork of Gubbi Gubbi artist Maggie Douglas encourages connecting with one another, understanding and continuing to move forward.
The 2024 theme design incorporating the artwork is by Carbon Creative.
There are a variety of events happening throughout National Reconciliation Week and you can view details about the WA events here. Members of the UDIA WA team will be at the breakfast in Boorloo on Monday and the Walk for Reconciliation in the City on Friday.
UDIA WA are also in the process of finalising our first ever Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) with the latest draft currently with Reconciliation Australia for endorsement. We are also working with a local artist who is designing our RAP publication artwork, and we look forward to sharing all of the finalised works with our members as soon as they are ready.
Sustainability Showcase to be released
UDIA WA are pleased to share we have recently finalised our brand new Sustainability Showcase special edition of The Urbanist magazine that covers a range of topics in relation to innovation, environmental sustainability and ESG practices from a global, national and local perspective.
The special edition features insights from:
- The Hon. Reece Whitby MLA, Minister for Energy; Environment; Climate Action
- Professor Felix Heisel, Director of the Circular Construction Lab at Cornell University’s College of Architecture, Art and Planning
- Forestami Science Director Associate Professor Maria Chiara Pastore
- Hesperia Managing Director Ben Lisle
- Stockland General Manager – WA Communities and UDIA National President Col Dutton
- WALGA President Karen Chappel
- And many more
The special edition will be launched at our Industry Breakfast next Tuesday morning and posted to all member organisations in the coming weeks.
6 reasons to enter the UDIA WA Awards for Excellence
Nominations for the 2024 UDIA WA Awards for Excellence are now open. Our awards provide a range of opportunities and benefits to entrants, finalists and winners each year, including:
- Industry recognition
This is a high-profile annual program that recognises and rewards excellence and innovation in the urban development industry. Award winners and finalists are also entitled to use the official UDIA WA Awards for Excellence seal in their marketing and communications. The seal represents the quality of the development and the credibility of the developer.
- Awards Showcase Magazine
Each year we produce a glossy Awards for Excellence Showcase magazine that highlights all the winners and finalists from that year’s awards, providing plenty of opportunities to showcase your excellence to a wide audience.
- Networking
The UDIA WA Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner generally attracts more than 500 attendees and offers a valuable opportunity to engage with industry colleagues and build new business contacts, especially if you’re recognised as a winner or finalist on the night.
- Brand Enhancement
Previous winners and finalists can attest to the benefits of being recognised in the UDIA WA Awards for Excellence program. The awards can help drive property sales and enhance the reputation of the winners within the community, with local and State authorities and other key stakeholders.
- National Awards Qualification
There is an opportunity for award winners to represent Western Australia at the UDIA National Awards for Excellence. WA projects have a great track record at the National Awards, including most recently picking up 5 awards including the highly coveted Project of the Year award, won by Witchcliffe Ecovillage by Sustainable Settlements and Perron Developments.
- More chance for success
This year we have introduced 2 new categories Local Government of the Year and Team of the Year. These new categories allow us to recognise the efforts of a broader range of excellence across our industry, giving more teams, projects and organisations the opportunity to enter. Plus, for this year only these new categories do not carry an entry fee!
For more information on entering this year’s Awards, including accessing the Nominations Kit, click here and to start your entry click here.
We pass our thanks onto the 2024 Awards for Excellence Sponsors including Platinum Sponsor Western Australian Planning Commission, Gold Sponsors Lavan and Stantec and Category Sponsors Stockland, nbn, Slick Design, Longreach Recruitment and Wormall Civil.
Sponsorship opportunities are available and you can find out more about these opportunities by emailing events@udiawa.com.au
Vale Roger Bulstrode
UDIA WA were saddened to hear that Roger Bulstrode passed away on Friday May 10 2024.
Roger was the former Land Development Coordinator with the Water Corporation and the UDIA’s contact point in the Water Corporation for coordinating water and sewerage provision for new developments.
He played a significant role in the development of the current system of headworks charges, a major contributor on infrastructure to strategic planning projects and the go-to source in the Water Corporation on servicing development projects. In 2004 he was awarded UDIA’s Distinguished Service Award.
We pass our condolences on to Roger Bulstrode’s friends and family at this time.
Councils encouraged to apply for Urban Greening Grants
The State Government’s Urban Greening Grants Program has opened for a second round, with local governments urged to apply and help support cooler, leafier, and healthier communities.
Local governments throughout the Perth and Peel regions can now apply for $2.8 million worth of grants as part of the program’s second round, which will support the planting of trees and understorey species.
This will help lower hot summer temperatures, provide habitat for animals, and manage stormwater run-off.
The program’s funding is managed by the Western Australian Local Government Association and funded by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.
In January, more than $591,000 was awarded to 12 local governments as part of the program’s first round, with local governments to plant more than 9,400 trees and 29,000 understorey plants this winter.
Call for nominations: Diversity & Inclusion working group
UDIA WA is establishing a Diversity and Inclusion Working Group that will report directly to the UDIA WA Education, Connection & Excellence Strategic Committee and provide advice and oversight of the Institute’s performance in relation to diversity and inclusion. The Group will be appointed for a 20-month term, commencing in May 2024 and ending in December 2025.
Overall, the group will provide a forum for discussion of diversity and inclusion related issues within the organisation and more broadly in the urban development industry, as well as provide advice in relation to UDIA WA policy, performance and activities in relation to diversity and inclusion.
If you are interested in nominating for this group, please follow the link here to the nomination form and more detailed Terms of Reference. Any questions about the group can be directed to UDIA WA Executive Manager Communications & Engagement Gemma Osiejak: gosiejak@udiawa.com.au
Join us for the CEO Sleepout
UDIA WA are pleased to share we will once again be forming a team, including our CEO Tanya Steinbeck, to participate in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout. We’re calling for our members to support and join our cause on the night!
The event, which aims to raise vital funds and awareness to assist homelessness initiatives, takes place each year with CEOs from various organisations across WA sleeping out at Optus Stadium for a night.
UDIA WA has been involved with the event for the past few years taking a committed team of members helping to raise thousands of dollars each year and we’re looking to do the same this year.
If you would like to join the UDIA WA CEO Sleepout team, find more information here and click on ‘Join Us’ if you wish to be part of the team. Otherwise you can also donate to the cause via the same link.