UDIA National Pre-Budget Submission
UDIA has lodged a pre-budget submission with the Federal Government this week that highlights the ongoing need to bolster home ownership, supply, and deliver more affordable and social housing.
Some of the key issues that the development industry is facing, that are highlighted in the submission, include high construction costs, skilled labour shortages, scarce development ready land, choked infrastructure delivery, high tax burdens and inefficient planning and environmental approval processes.
The recommendations that are outlined in the submission are focused on addressing these issues and increasing housing choice. They include:
Housing:
- A Home for Everyone – A national housing strategy with incentives for greater housing supply, development-ready land, choice and affordability across the spectrum.
- Make Planning Systems Work More Effectively – Incentivise better planning for efficient delivery of cities and housing.
- Core Infrastructure for More Liveable Communities – Overhaul planning, funding and delivery of infrastructure to enable fit-for-purpose cities, regions and grow housing supply.
Environmental:
- Streamline Environmental Approvals – Design a single point of contact system to improve environmental, social and economic outcomes.
- Level the Playing Field for Climate Action – align carbon net zero and circular economy initiatives for greenfield and SME businesses.
Industry Critical Initiatives:
- Population for Prosperity – Repurpose immigration, close the pandemic population gap and plan for growth.
- Keep Capacity & Create Efficiency – Keep credit available with smart lending practices, deliver home ownership initiatives that balance supply. Deliver broad based tax reform including incentivising increased stamp duty thresholds to bring down costs for median priced houses.
UDIA looks forward to continuing to work positively with the Federal Government to progress our recommendations for the benefit of all Australians, ad the broader economy.
Government engagement update
Our CEO and Executive Director met with Mike Andrews from Treasury to discuss progress in establishing the Housing Supply Unit and its scope and priorities, including in the context of UDIA WA’s pre-Budget Submission. Our asks around tasking the Housing Supply Unit to undertake a cross-government capability review to identify blockages to housing supply, the establishment and resourcing of a Coordinator General role and team for strategic infrastructure coordination and delivery, expansion of the Infrastructure Development Fund, and regional planning for strategic environmental decision-making were key focus areas.
We also met with WALGA CEO, Nick Sloan, to discuss our respective pre-Budget Submissions and priorities for the year ahead in the context of the upcoming State Election. UDIA and WALGA will continue to engage on a range key issues in the metro area, but also in the context of exploring solutions to housing supply challenges in the regional WA.
You can read UDIA WA’s 2024-25 pre-budget submission here.
UDS Manual Review Submission
Last Friday, UDIA submitted extensive feedback to Western Power as part of the UDS Manual 12th Edition review. The Underground Distribution Schemes (UDS) Manual guides the design and procedures for underground electrical distribution within new subdivisions in the Western Power network.
The submission covered all aspects of the Manual but of particular importance was the streamlining of various aspects of the approvals process in relation to other service agencies and Local Government to reduce double handling and unnecessary administrative burden. Improving clarity and consistency in interpretation of the Manual is a critical component to addressing current and potential future bottlenecks in the approvals process. UDIA looks forward to reviewing Western Power’s responses to our comments and for the finalisation of an improved UDS Manual.
We would like to thank the Working Group members who provided significant insights and comments as part of our submission.
Working Group members:
- Michael Arena, TABEC (Working Group Lead)
- Ryan Hunter, Parcel Property (Infrastructure Committee Chair)
- Jey Shivakumar, Cossill & Webley
- Alan Burman, Stockland
- Shane Highman, Porter Consulting Engineers
- Nathan Butson, Cossill & Webley
- Brad Ellett, UPD
- James Hutton, 3E Consulting Engineers
Nominations Open for Design Review Panel
The City of Vincent is seeking expressions of interest from experienced professionals to join the Design Review Panel.
Vincent is looking for architects, urban designers, landscape architects and people with sustainability, environmental design or heritage experience.
There are up to ten Panel Member positions available for the 2024-26 term, including Chairperson.
The Panel is responsible for reviewing development applications and providing independent expert design advice to Vincent. It does not make any decisions on applications, nor does it liaise directly with applicants and other interested parties.
For more information, nomination criteria and how to apply, visit Imagine Vincent.
The nomination period will close at 4pm Monday, 5 February 2024.
Donate to support an end to homelessness
Homes for Homes is UDIA WA’s Charity Partner for 2023-24. In the lead up to Christmas we opened a donation drive to encourage members to make a donation to Homes for Homes to help them in their mission to end homelessness by building social and affordable housing.
Unfortunately, we had some technical difficulties with the link provided to make a donation over the festive period. The good news is that the link has been fixed and remains open! We would like to encourage our members to make a donation this new year to a cause close to many of our hearts.
Follow the unique link here to donate.
Find out more about Homes for Homes and how they partner with developers on projects to end homelessness here.
New UDIA event alert!
UDIA WA Outlook is pleased to announce that the popular lawn bowls ‘night on the green’ event is returning in 2024 at the magnificent Mosman Park Bowling Club.
Set for Thursday 24 March from 5pm, guests can enjoy a casual competition against other industry teams, and network with colleagues and friends at the club with the best view in Perth. Or, if bowls isn’t your thing, there is also an option to attend as a spectator should you wish to still come along for the fun, food and drinks.
More information and register here.
2024 Partnership Opportunities
As we kick start the new year, maximise your organisation’s brand exposure across key industry sectors by taking advantage of the various sponsorship and advertising opportunities available with UDIA WA.
Sponsors and advertisers gain extensive exposure alongside UDIA WA’s prominent and well received events and publications. Our team will work with you to curate the best possible package to meet your needs. From a one-off advertisement to annual sponsorship, find something that suits your budget and strategic objectives with UDIA WA.
For information about how you can align your business with UDIA WA through a range of opportunities, click here for our advertising opportunities and here for our full sponsorship prospectus.
Refer a new member and save!
UDIA WA are providing an opportunity for our members to receive 25% off the cost of a table booking to an Industry Lunch or Breakfast.
The discount is available to members that refer a new company to become a member with UDIA WA, however the discount is only available if the referred company joins by 29 February 2024.
The 25% discount is applicable to a table booking for a UDIA WA Industry Lunch or Breakfast until 30 June 2024.
New members that join before 29 February 2024 will have the joining fee waived.
For more information, contact membership@udiawa.com.au