Development industry recognised
The best and brightest from the development industry were recognised at the 2019 UDIA WA Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner on Saturday night.
A total of 20 awards were handed out including the prestigious Russel Perry Award for Urban Development Excellence, which went to Stirling Capital for Cirque Mount Pleasant, the Judges Award which went to Parcel Property for Carrington57 and the EnviroDevelopment Chairman’s Choice Award which went to Satterley and LandCorp for Allara.
Among the awards were two recognitions of immense contribution to the industry with Eric Lumsden given the Distinguished Service Award and Ray Stokes being awarded with a life membership.
For more information and detail on the big winners from the night, click here.
Tiffany Allen receives key recognition
One of the most coveted individual awards handed out at the 2019 UDIA WA Awards for Excellence, the Frasers Property Women in Leadership went to Tiffany Allen, Director, Community Construction and Development, Department of Communities.
Ms Allen was recognised for the leadership she has portrayed overseeing several projects at the Department of Communities where she manages a significant portfolio of responsibilities.
NS Group State Manager Anna Broughton was highly commended for the Women in Leadership category by the judges who commented on her excellent leadership skills.
For more information about the Women in Leadership award, click here.
Young Development Professional award goes to Danial Panickar
The Stockland Young Development Professional award recognises the next wave of industry leaders and Eco Logical State Manager and Bushfire Lead – WA Daniel Panickar was a worthy recipient of this award at the 2019 UDIA WA Awards for Excellence.
It was Mr Panickar’s knowledge and enthusiasm about the development industry that most stood out for the judging panel in the deliberation process and his work across the land development industry in delivering long term environmental and bushfire solutions for a range of clients were the clinching factors.
As an active member of the UDIA WA Outlook Committee Mr Panickar is passionate about progressing industry issues and it is hoped this award will provide him with encouragement to continue and expand his current activities into the future.
For more information about the Young Development Professional award, click here.
Chance to win golden ticket extended!
The opportunity to win a golden ticket to all UDIA WA’s industry breakfast events in 2020 has been extended to Monday so this is your last chance to get involved. All you need to do to enter is complete our member survey which has been designed to collate comprehensive feedback from you, our members, about our reputation and services.
We appreciate our members support in providing frank and honest responses so that we can ensure we are meeting members needs effectively and make improvements where necessary.
The survey is being conducted by Elton Consulting on behalf of UDIA WA and should take around ten minutes to complete.
The extension sees the survey closing on Monday 30 September and this will be the last chance to win a golden ticket to all of UDIA WA’s industry breakfast events in 2020. All the information you provide in the survey will be treated as strictly confidential and no individual will be identified in the reporting of results.
Start the survey here.
DevelopmentWA launches
Earlier this week UDIA WA CEO Tanya Steinbeck attended the launch of DevelopmentWA, the result of a two-year long merging process between LandCorp and the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority (MRA).
DevelopmentWA is designed to be the commercial bridge between private development industry and the State Government and already has a raft of projects on its radar including Alkimos Central; Cockburn Central Town Centre; Montario Quarter, Shenton Park; East Village at Knutsford; 101 Hay Street, East Perth and Broome Road Service Station.
DevelopmentWA will be responsible for shaping and creating sustainable communities, prosperous industry and resilient regions across the State and a new website for DevelopmentWA is set to be launched mid-2020.
UDIA WA welcomes the introduction of DevelopmentWA and congratulates Frank Marra on being named as CEO for the newly created entity. We are looking forward to working with Mr Marra and DevelopmentWA closely to help progress and shape the communities of the future.
Design WA: Precinct Design open to submissions
On Tuesday UDIA members attended a briefing on Design WA’s draft State Planning Policy 7.2 – Precinct Design and the associated guidelines.
The Member Briefing was hosted by primary authors of the policy – the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage and Urbis. It began with presentations from Tim Dawkins and Peter Fitzgerald, both from Urbis, around the methodology that led to the creation of SPP 7.2 before DPLH’s Dan Bromley took the floor and provided attendees with an overview of the policy in its current form.
One of the main takeaway messages to come out of the presentations was how the new policy would fit in with existing policies which are generally well understood but it was felt are slightly too greenfield in focus.
Although currently in draft form, once gazetted the policy is designed to be the basis for preparation of all non-greenfield structure plans, Local Development Plans and Activity Centre Plans.
At the end of the presentations, there was quite a lively debate around the logistics of SPP 7.2 – Precinct Design but the overarching message was the new policy needed to be used in context with the precinct under design. The policy is not designed to be a one-size-fits all framework, rather a guide for ensuring the best possible precinct design is created.
With submissions welcomed until 5pm on Tuesday October 15, 2019, the authors are keen to receive feedback on how this new policy will fit in with existing precinct design and what, if any, amendments are required.
UDIA will be making a submission on behalf of members. Any feedback can be sent to policy@udiawa.com.au
Morley to Ellenbrook one step closer
The Railway (METRONET) Amendment Bill 2019, which authorises the construction of the Ellenbrook to Morley train line, was introduced to Parliament by Transport Rita Saffioti earlier today.
The introduction of the Bill to Parliament brings the much-publicised train line one step closer to being implemented and once approved it will be the third line covered by the Railway (METRONET) Act, which was passed in November 2018 for the Yanchep Rail Extension and the Thornlie-Cockburn Link.
Once operational the Ellenbrook to Morley line will reduce the travel time of passengers leaving Ellenbrook for the CBD to around 30 minutes, almost half the current travel time by public transport.
Housing affordability experiment underway
On Wednesday, UDIA WA CEO Tanya Steinbeck attended the launch of an innovative new affordable housing experiment that will see one lucky Western Australian family living in a brand-new home that is both affordable to live in and buy.
The 12-month experiment is a joint initiative between Mirvac, Synergy and Keystart and will see Mirvac building a three-bedroom, two-bathroom net-zero energy terrace home at Iluma Private Estate in Bennett Springs.
The aim is for the home to register 8.4 on the NatHERS energy rating through various energy saving initiatives including solar panels and a battery provided by Synergy.
Added to this, the family chosen to live in this experimental home will have their energy, water-use and lifestyle monitored to provide key data for understanding how to best use an energy-efficient home.
To be considered for this experiment, the family will need to be able to qualify for Keystart but once involved the rental payments will be set aside by Mirvac to be then used towards a deposit to purchase the home at the end of the experiment. An initiative Mirvac is also undergoing in its Claremont development through its Rent to Buy campaign.
Population increases back to 2014 levels
Recent figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) indicate the number of people choosing to call Western Australia home is on the rise.
Figures from the March 2019 quarter found WA’s resident population annual growth rate increase to 1.0% in the March 2019 quarter, further building on 0.9% rise in the December quarter, to sit at 2.62 million. This was an increase of 25,978 persons in the 12 months to March 2019, as compared to 19,105 persons in the twelve months to March 2018. This is the highest number of people incoming to WA since December 2014 (26,431).
This increase was due to a spike in net overseas migration, which rose 33.8% YoY to sit at 6,335 persons for the March quarter, the highest number of persons incoming seen for any quarter since March 2014 (7,143). This increase in overseas migration was also assisted by just 1,142 persons migrating interstate from WA for the March quarter, the lowest quarterly number of persons leaving WA since December 2014 (-1,058) and less than half the number seen leaving WA at the same time last year.
Although the figures are still relatively low compared to record levels, seeing fewer people leaving and more people choosing to move to our great state provides UDIA WA with further confidence a lift in the property market is not too far off.
UDIA National welcomes new plan
On Monday the Commonwealth Government announced details of its new National Population Plan, building on the recent creation of a new Centre for Population Growth and changes to the migration program, a move welcome by UDIA’s National office.
The national body said the launch of the National Population Plan would allow Australian cities and regions to better plan for the economic and social dividend of growth.
UDIA National Executive Director Connie Kirk said a clear national plan that included rolling short and long-term forecasts, mapped settlement patterns and informed land use, housing, infrastructure and service delivery was crucial.
“We can also use the opportunity to open a stronger dialogue with the community around the trajectory and consequences of change that can create stronger, more prosperous cities and regions,” Ms Kirk said.
“A major plus of the plan is it leans on the states to help inform settlement patterns and then structures the migration and visa program to meet workforce needs.
“This should mean the states are better placed to deliver on the land use, infrastructure and housing needed to sustain known rates of growth.
“Migrants have always brought skills, workforce capability, wages, tax revenue, diversity and improved productivity to the table.
“The new National Population Plan shows a willingness to harness these assets and tie them to a population policy framework that enhances the national economy.”
Population is one of UDIA’s key policy platforms and was included in the National Policy priorities for the new Government launched in June this year and can be accessed at www.udiapriorities.com.au.
UDIA Professional Development Program attracts CPD points
UDIA WA’s long running Professional Development Program is currently open for registrations, with the first module kicking off on Monday October 7. The popular program is specifically designed for the WA context and introduces participants to the various areas of knowledge required to operate effectively in our local residential development industry.
The six-day program runs each Monday over six weeks, with participants able to enrol for single one day modules, or for the complete program. Modules 1, 4 and 6 attract REBA CPD points and the full program is also aligned to the BSB 51415 Diploma of Project Management delivered by Swinburne University of Technology.
Led by experienced presenters from the WA property development industry, the course provides practical lessons on how to manage the project lifecycle and understand the principles of commercial awareness, time, quality and cost. More information available here.
UDIA Land Report advertising opportunities now available
UDIA is once again partnering with The West Australian and The Sunday Times to deliver our members an exclusive opportunity to promote their projects to an audience of over 500,000 through the Land Report lift out.
The October Land Report lift out will feature in both The Weekend West and Sunday Times newspapers on the 26th and 27th October 2019. The content will incorporate exclusive UDIA data on lot sales and construction activity across the Perth Metro growth corridors, along with a range of UDIA commentary on the current property market and future predictions.
UDIA is also working with the editorial team on articles that will cover a range of themes including lifestyle features in new areas, community infrastructure, housing diversity, new materials, sustainability and affordability.
Advertisers will also have an opportunity to provide editorial articles.
More information and contact details for the advertising team at The West can be found here. Please note the deadline for booking is 5pm Monday October 7, 2019.
The Land Report is an initiative driven by UDIA to provide our members with a targeted opportunity to communicate with customers. The last edition in May 2019 was a fantastic showcase of what is on offer to the current market and can be viewed here.
We value your feedback!
UDIA is currently working on several submissions on behalf of members. We encourage you to forward any feedback on these items to policy@udiawa.com.au
- Draft SPP 7.2 Precinct Design, Guidelines and Discussion Paper (here). Submissions close Tuesday October 15, 2019.
- DWER Climate Change in Western Australia – Issues Paper (here). Submissions close November 29, 2019.
- Draft East Wanneroo District Structure Plan (here). Submissions close December 20, 2019.
Westport committed to preserving the marine environment of Cockburn Sound
Last week, Westport released Westport Beacon 10: Preserving the marine environment, which detailed the potential impacts a new container port in Kwinana would have on the marine environment in Cockburn Sound.
The publication showcased Westport’s commitment to preserving the marine environment of Cockburn Sound and how it is prioritising the environment to the maximum extent possible for a major infrastructure project.
A great deal of work has already been undertaken to ensure the best environmental outcomes from Westport’s process. Further work is now in train or planned for the next stages of the project.
Visit mysaytransport.wa.gov.au/westportbeacon to read about Westport’s commitment to preserving the marine environment.
Last few days to have your say on Strata reform
Community consultation on the proposed Strata Titles (General) Regulations 2019 closes at 11.59pm on Monday September 30 before it is finalised for delivery to Parliament.
Landgate have recently completed a range of community information sessions held across metropolitan Perth and regional locations about strata reform and have uploaded a video of one of these sessions to the strata website.
For your opportunity to view this video or view, comment and provide feedback on the proposed regulations, head to www.strata.wa.gov.au.
Site security update
A WA Housing Centre construction site in Pearsall was close to completion when an unknown offender broke into and ‘squatted’ in the premises for several days. This activity was reported, and a thorough police forensic examination resulted in the arrest of an adult male.
The result of this situation highlights the importance of reporting crime and utilising police resources to identify offenders involved in building and construction industry crime.
Although it is advisable for everybody to be vigilant, those in the Australind and Dalyellup areas need to be even more so as these areas have seen a recent spike in building site crime with 3 stealing and 1 burglary reported in the last week.
Ensure you report all building and construction industry crime and report all suspicious activity, for more information click here.