Industry Issues
MONEY, MARKETS & MILLENNIALS
We were delighted to host guests on Friday 21 August for our Industry lunch featuring a panel discussion with Julie‑anne Sprague (Wealth Editor, The Australian), Phil George (Private Wealth Adviser, Entrust Wealth Management), Nick Bruining (Senior Commentator and Reporter), and Gavin Hegney (Property Analyst and Commentator) moderated by Nadia Mitsopoulos (ABC Mornings).
In the spirit of ABC Perth’s popular ‘Money Matters’ segment, the panel discussed a range of topics impacting buyer sentiment and market performance across the Perth housing market, including the impact of the changes made to Capital Gains Tax, Negative Gearing, and Self Managed Super Fund rules outlined in the Federal Budget earlier this year.
Highlighting the underlying housing supply issue, the lively conversation warned of the unintended consequences arising from the broad changes to investment and taxation policy – including the limiting of share investing as a popular avenue being used to save for a deposit. Noting the confusion from investors around the current changes, the panel were wary of any policy measures that do not adequately respond to the current investment landscape.
Sympathising with the admirable aim of addressing intergenerational wealth inequality, the panel unpacked the importance of addressing rising construction and labour costs through targeted skilled migration and the use of targeted investment and expenditure to unlock housing supply through infrastructure delivery, streamlined regulation and removing financial barriers to right-sizing.
The record number of questions received from the audience throughout the event is testament to the high level of engagement and interest in the topics discussed, and the fantastic knowledge and expertise across the panel in relation to all things property and finance.
A huge thank you to Nadia and our panel, and thank you to Research Partner Urbis, Event Sponsor Celsius Property Group, and Networking Sponsor UPD for their support of Friday’s event.
View the photos from the Friday lunch.
Engagement on public art contributions policy
On Monday, UDIA WA participated in stakeholder engagement for a study commissioned by DPLH exploring the impact of potential changes to the public art contribution scheme / policies as applied through Local Governments. The purpose of the engagement was to assist the consultants in understanding the broad challenges and opportunities that the arts and cultural sector and the private development sector face in this context to inform their modelling.
This engagement follows sustained advocacy by UDIA WA and our Infill Development & Precincts Committee to raise awareness and address the unintended consequences of the layering of policy, taxation and development contributions affecting higher density development cost, viability and affordability. More specifically, this has included advocating for WAPC intervention over inconsistent and inequitable public art policies and contributions imposed on apartments (particularly projects in residential zones).
Engagement with the Minister for Water
On Tuesday, UDIA WA met with the Hon Daniel Pastorelli MLA, the new Minister for Mines, Petroleum and Exploration; Water. Discussion focused on water and wastewater infrastructure requirements, funding, and delivery commitments to unlock land in growth areas; layering of taxes, fees and charges in East Wanneroo and considerations relating to the groundwater management scheme; headworks charges and cost recovery vs network capacity and equitable cost sharing; and resourcing considerations relating to urban water policy and to streamline approvals and clearances.
It was a positive and constructive discussion, and we look forward to continuing to engage with Minister Pastorelli on his Water portfolio.
Engagement with DWER and DPC on environmental approvals
On Wednesday, UDIA WA participated in the second meeting of the Bilateral Industry Group hosted by DWER, which provides a structured forum for regular engagement between parties to share updates on the progress of the emerging bilateral agreement. The Group is advisory in nature and facilitates the identification and discussion of industry concerns and supports collaborative problem-solving in the context of the assessment bilateral agreement.
This meeting focussed on sharing views on the four National Environmental Standards released on 20 August 2026 as part of the ongoing EPBC Act reforms:
- Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES Standard)
- Environmental Offsets
- Community Engagement
- Data and Information.
Our WA subject matter experts Lucy Shea (Partner at Clayton Utz) and Jason Hick (Managing Director at Emerge Associates) continue to actively input to UDIA National’s engagement on and responses to the EPBC Act reforms.
Read UDIA National’s media release.
National Housing Pipeline Central Forum
We were delighted to host our final UDIA National Housing Pipeline (NHP) Forum on Tuesday 18 August at the City of Stirling. Focusing on Perth Metropolitan’s Central sub-region, the Forum featured presentations from Toby Adams (UDIA’s Head of Research), David Cresp (Urbis), and Cassie Barrow (TBB Planning) followed by two panel discussions with Cameron Alder (LOCUS Property), Daniel Martinovich (CLE Town Planning + Design), Simone Wolf (Celsius Property Group), Amanda Sheers (City of Stirling), David Doy (Town of Victoria Park), and Christopher Hossen (WALGA).
Toby started the discussion with an overview of the UDIA NHP project featuring preliminary insights from the 2026 report, examining the new dwelling delivery and land supply forward pipeline for the sub region making note of the challenges and opportunities in delivering infill development.
David then provided insights into the demographic and economic drivers shaping the forward supply of infill across central Perth, including rising construction costs and the industry’s capacity to deliver projects.
Emphasising the need for the industry to engage early and communicate clearly with both regulators and the community, Cassie outlined how liveable precincts are defined by forward planning shaped by the needs and wants of the community.
Continuing the conversation, Sarah Macaulay (UDIA WA Executive Director – Strategy & Policy) moderated the industry panel discussion, that further explored the planning and infrastructure landscape, and what is needed to support much needed housing delivery.
The NHP Central Forum closed with a panel discussion featuring Local Government perspectives. After discussing the potential impact of the newly released State Government Stations Precinct Plan, the panelists highlighted that many local governments and the development industry are aligned in relation to desired outcomes for local communities and housing supply – reiterating the desire for early engagement with developers to facilitate quality housing choice.
Thanks to all involved for your insights that help inform ongoing discussion, planning and advocacy in relation to supporting housing supply across Perth’s growth areas.
Quarterly Report: National Housing Supply and Affordability Council
The National Housing Supply and Affordability Council has released its August 2026 Quarterly Report. Released on 21 August, the Report outlines the progress being made toward the National Housing Accord target across each state and territory.
Following the inaugural report released in March, and the State of the Housing System 2026 report in April, progress has been made with quarterly building approvals and commencements rising 26% and 15% respectively compared to the quarter just prior to the National Housing Accord period.
Noting the range of initiatives implemented across Australia since the start of the National Housing Accord to increase supply, the report estimates the target of 1.2 million homes will be reached in the December quarter of 2030.
Visit the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council to read the full report.
Consultation on proposed reforms to the Connection Policy and Distribution Pricing Scheme to begin in September
Western Power is commencing consultation on proposed reforms to the Connection Policy and Distribution Pricing Scheme from Monday, 7 September 2026. From this date, the following policy documents will be available on Western Power’s access arrangements webpage for customers and stakeholders to review and provide feedback on:
- Connections Policy, replacing the Application and Queuing Policy
- Distribution Pricing Scheme, replacing the Distribution and Low Voltage Connection Scheme
These policy reforms form part of Western Power’s work to develop its next access arrangement, AA6. To support customers and stakeholders through the consultation process, Western Power is hosting two 30-minute webinars on Monday, 7 September 2026. The webinars will discuss the consultation process and opportunities for providing your feedback on the proposed changes.
The 30-minute webinar times are:
- Morning Session: 9:00 am to 9:30 am
- Afternoon Session: 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm
The webinars will provide guidance on:
- where to access the Connections Policy and Distribution Pricing Scheme
- what each policy is intended to cover
- how to provide feedback
- when the consultation starts and finishes
- what happens after consultation closes
Western Power encourages customers and stakeholders to review the documents and share feedback during the consultation period. Your input will help inform the final policies before they are lodged with the Economic Regulation Authority as part of the AA6 process.
Register for the Monday 7 September morning webinar.
Register for the Monday 7 September afternoon webinar.
For further information, reach out to: AA6@westernpower.com.au
National Updates
UDIA welcomes practical improvements to new EPBC environmental standards
UDIA National welcomes the Minister for the Environment’s announcement of new standards under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) framework, with a number of important changes reflecting recommendations made by industry to ensure the regime is practical and workable.
The Government has now introduced standards covering Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES), Environmental Offsets, Community Engagement, and Data and Information.
UDIA National President, Oscar Stanley, said he was encouraged that the advocacy by UDIA and members, along with others in the industry, has been heard and the standards are better for it.
“These changes are important steps towards an environmental approvals system that delivers strong environmental outcomes while being practical for industry to navigate and we are pleased to have had a pivotal role in informing those changes,” Mr Stanley said.
Read UDIA National’s media release.
Read the Minister for Environment and Water’s media release.
Visit the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water for more information on the National Environmental Standards, and the new environmental standards as part of the EPBC reforms.
UDIA National Submission: Capital Gains Tax and Negative Gearing – Tranche 2 Legislation
UDIA National has reviewed the Federal Government’s proposal for negative gearing and CGT eligibility rules that include how developers will identify eligible new dwellings and deal with trust settings.
Leaving aside the decision to increase property taxes and restrict supply of rentals from existing housing, the rules can work with a number of crucial reforms:
- A comprehensive, workable rollover regime must be implemented, not a piecemeal fix – restructure options are critical given the wholesale change in tax status on taxpayers who complied with existing law.
- The definition for new dwellings works overall, but will need several sensible changes to ensure some new dwellings are not excluded on more problematic builds (heritage, land lease, co-living, retirement living & substantially renovated buildings are not excluded).
- The apportionment approach needs to be simplified with a de-minimus rule for investment under $50,000 – the proposal is problematic, expensive and almost impossible to implement given the volume of assets and available valuers.
- The AMIT rules are sensible and clear, but the complexity will have unexpected impacts – allow for a 2 year review window for unintended consequences.
- The divorce and death proposal is conceptually reasonable however difficult to implement in practise -it needs an alternative safe harbour or evidentiary based rules.
- The anti-avoidance provision should use “sole or dominant purpose” as the test – “a purpose” is far too wide, given the rule is already several steps tighter than Pt IVA, since it is automatic and self-executing.
If these cannot be achieved before the 1 July 2027 start date, the commencement needs to be deferred to prevent risk of substantial disruption to industry and housing supply.
Read UDIA National’s full submission.
UDIA National welcomes new Housing Australia Future Fund stream
UDIA National welcomes the Australian Government’s new Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) Stream 5 initiative to accelerate the delivery of 1,000 shovel-ready, low-density social and affordable homes.
The new stream provides an important additional pathway for ready-to-go, well-located Class 1 housing projects, supporting greater diversity in housing types and helping deliver homes which meet the preferences and needs of more Australians.
UDIA National President, Oscar Stanley, said the initiative was a positive step towards ensuring the HAFF program supports a broader mix of housing, and a balance between higher density infill and high demand lower density housing.
“Past HAFF allocations have been weighted to higher density housing, it is important when we are looking to accelerate the delivery of much needed social and affordable housing that low-density housing is part of the solution. It is the quickest and most affordable way to produce the supply Australia is waiting for,” he said.