From the CEO
I have been in Sydney this week enjoying being in another State and connecting with fellow UDIA members and staff at our National Congress. This is the first time that the annual Congress has been held ‘in person’ since 2019 and it is a fantastic opportunity to learn about what is being experienced in the development industry not only in other parts of the country but globally. I am also looking forward to hearing who our National Award winners will be tonight. It is always an exciting time when people or projects from our home state take away a national gong. It is recognition on a big scale of the tireless work, passion and energy that goes into delivering a great project. Lets hope we will be celebrating some WA names tonight!
I am excited to announce that at the close of the plenary sessions today we launched National Congress 2023, to be held in Perth. After five years the biggest event on our national calendar will come back to Western Australia’s shores. It will be an opportunity to showcase Perth and WA’s ongoing evolution, including the major infrastructure projects, new communities and fantastic lifestyle that we know and love. I can’t wait to show the rest of the country what we have to offer and blow any notion of ‘cave dwellers’ or other misconceptions about our fantastic state out of the water. The 2023 National Congress in Perth will also align with our 50th Anniversary celebration of the establishment of UDIA in Western Australia. I can’t think of a more fitting way to acknowledge such a milestone and I’m looking forward to working with our members to make it the best Congress yet.
National Congress heading to Perth!
UDIA WA team members have also been in Sydney this week for the 2022 National Congress which has seen keynote presentations from Luci Ellis, Dr Parag Khanna, Todd Sampson, Professor Greg Clark and many more.
This year’s National Congress will finish tonight with the presentation of the 2022 National Awards for Excellence with a host of WA finalists whom we wish all the best.
Nominations are currently open for the UDIA WA 2022 Awards for Excellence which showcase the best of the best in WA with many of the winners from our State awards going on to represent WA in the National Finals the following year.
If you would like your project to be in the running to receive one of industry’s most prestigious awards, head here for more information.
For more about this year’s National Congress, click here.
During today’s session, it was also announced that the National Congress will be heading to Perth in 2023.
It has been five years since National Congress last visited WA’s shores and we cannot wait to share all the fantastic elements of living in WA to the rest of the country.
Check out our announcement video here.
UDIA in Action
This week representatives from UDIA’s Land Use Planning Advisory Group took part in the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage’s Structure Plan Framework review.
The purpose of the Review is to provide improved guidance for structure plans and review the manner and form of structure and precinct plans. The meeting mainly focused on reform options, discussing what aspects of current practice work well in addition to industry challenges.
UDIA greatly values the opportunity to provide input into the Structure Plan Framework Review and looks forward to working with the Department as the Review progresses.
UDIA also took part in in DPLH’s Medium Density Advisory Group meeting this week, along with other industry bodies discussing the draft code and implementation/transition options.
UDIA will keep members informed as the draft code progresses and looks forward to continue working with the Department to ensure the code is effective.
Latest stat round up
This week UDIA WA released the latest edition of our monthly Urban Intelligence report which provides a comprehensive overview of the stats and facts that impact the development industry.
This month’s report includes a feature article from UDIA’s Executive Manager Research Toby Adams exploring the correlation between moderating land sales, a rise in housing investment trends and a strengthening economy.
To view the latest edition in full, click here.
Developing Destination WA
UDIA WA is excited to launch our new, carefully curated, one day summit that will explore the new projects and precincts that are shaping our city and State as a place of choice to live, work, play and invest.
This is an opportunity for delegates to delve into the detail and learn how some of our most iconic destinations are being reimagined for the future.
From the CBD and Burswood Peninsula to Cottesloe and the South West – our presenters will showcase their vision for creating great places and debate the broader challenges and opportunities that we need to respond to in order to attract new residents and visitors alike.
We will end the day with a critical session that will identify how the government, the private sector and Traditional Owners can work together to place Perth and Western Australia on top of everyone’s bucket list.
To be part of the conversation and join the thought leaders in WA, click here.
Our thanks go to our Industry Partner DevelopmentWA for supporting this event.
Advocacy win – Government agrees to amend WHS Regulations
This week the Civil Contractors Federation notified UDIA WA of a move by the Minister for Industrial Relations Bill Johnston MLA to urgently prepare drafting instructions to amend the Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022 (WHS General Regulations), following advocacy by the CCF assisted by UDIA.
The amendments are in relation to a new regulation requiring earthmoving equipment used as a crane to be regarded as a crane for operator licencing purposes.
The Minister advised he has requested the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety to urgently prepare drafting instructions to amend the Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022 (WHS General Regulations) to:
- Remove the requirement for a high risk work licence (HRWL) when earthmoving machinery that has a rated safe working load of three tonnes or less is used as a crane; and
- for earthmoving machinery exceeding a rated safe working load of three tonnes, the HRWL requirement will be modified to align with the nature of the machinery to be operated:
- for equipment that is non-slewing the appropriate HRWL will be crane and hoist operation, non-slewing mobile crane (CN); and
- for equipment that is capable of slewing, the appropriate HRWL will be crane and hoist operation, mobile crane, basic (C2).
The Minister has also advised a two-year transition period will be implemented for these HRWLs from commencement of the WHS General Regulations, which means licences will not be required until after 30 March 2024.
While it will take some time for the regulations to be re-drafted and gazetted, it is understood the WorkSafe Commissioner will take a supportive approach in these unusual circumstances, and will not be enforcing the current regulation while the new regulation is being prepared.
The Minister has also requested the Worksafe Commissioner to consult with industry to develop the best approach to implement the earthmoving machinery requirement for an HRWL during the transition period. This will include broad consultation.
The Minister advised that the training of workers using excavators to lift freely swinging loads has been a matter of concern to the WorkSafe Commissioner. The purpose of the new requirement is to ensure workers are fully aware of hazards such as swinging loads and the risk of tipping that are not necessarily covered by the excavation units of competency. The Commissioner considered that the greater focus on these hazards in the crane units of competency was the best approach to improving safety outcomes in these activities.
UDIA WA will keep members informed regarding further updates on this issue.
Fundamentals of Community & Economic Development – One Day Course
UDIA WA recently launched a new Professional Development course designed for those who are looking to gain a greater understanding of the ideas and practices that foster sustainable community and economic development.
The course is tailored specifically to the WA Development Industry and is taught by local experts, covering topics such as working with local government to facilitate community development, stakeholder and community engagement processes, creating a community-led action plan, Aboriginal employment, procurement and engagement, and the relationship between local government, planners, developers, and the community.
For more information and to register, click here.
Be Brave. Make Change.
Tomorrow marks the start of National Reconciliation Week 2022, which this year promotes the theme of Be Brave. Make Change, asking all Australians to be brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can make change for the benefit of all Australians.
In keeping with this theme, UDIA WA will be recognizing the week with our first ever reconciliation event as we embark on our own reconciliation journey.
We are looking forward to hearing from Aboriginal educator and illustrator Rhys Paddick and change strategist Emma Gibbens from Acknowledge This! who will share their knowledge and insights to enable guests to take a more active role in creating a more inclusive culture.
For more information about how you can get involved with National Reconciliation Week this year, click here.
Join UDIA WA’s RAP Working Group – call for EOI
UDIA WA recently established a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group to assist the Institute in providing leadership to the broader urban development industry in respect to reconciliation and more meaningful engagement with the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we and our members operate. The Group will soon commence a series of engagement meetings and consultation with relevant stakeholders so that we can listen and learn in order to develop our first ‘Reflect’ RAP in partnership with members of the Aboriginal community.
Currently our RAP Working Group is made up of two members from UDIA WA Council, two UDIA WA staff members and two members from the UDIA WA Diversity Committee. We are now seeking two further members from the broader UDIA WA membership. If you have background, experience and/or expertise relevant to the development of a RAP, we would love to hear from you. Please send expressions of interest to join the working group to Gemma Osiejak: gosiejak@udiawa.com.au . Please include a brief overview of your relevant experience to date. We aim to appoint two new members prior to the next working group meeting on Thursday 21 July. Contact Gemma with any queries related to the working group.
Outlook Alumni Drinks
The UDIA WA Outlook Committee are excited to bring back their Alumni Networking Drinks on 16 June at the Subi Hotel.
This is an invaluable networking opportunity to meet and mingle with previous winners of the Young Development Professional Award including, Renee Gumina, Fenualla O’Brien, Daniel Panickar, Mark Mackenzie, Ali Simmons, Haylee Shaw, Jeremy Cordina, Justine Roberts and more!
Submissions are now open for the 2022 UDIA Young Development Professionals of the year, closing on 1st July. Find out more here.