Housing Industry Forecasting Group predicts slow recovery
The Housing Industry Forecasting Group (HIFG), of which UDIA WA is a member, released their dwelling commencement forecasts for WA today which suggest another flat year of growth ahead followed by a ‘subdued recovery’ over 2020 through to 2022.
The HIFG reports are an important tool utilised by government and industry to understand expected market activity. The report found that while population growth has improved, it is still slow at 1% in the year to March 2019. The established market also remains soft.
Factors influencing an expected moderate recovery include the lowering rental vacancy rate, Keystart income limit increases and generally more positive economic activity, albeit slow.
Specifically, the HIFG forecasts 15,500 dwelling commencements in 2019-20 followed by 15,500-17,000 in 2020-21; and 16,000 to 18,000 commencements in 2021-22.
Read the full report here.
Read UDIA’s media release here.
UDIA Committee nominations now closed!
A huge thank you to the nearly 150 UDIA members who submitted a nomination for one of our highly sought-after committee positions during this year’s nomination period which officially closed last Friday 22 November.
All nominations will be carefully considered by the UDIA Executive and Committee Chairs over the next few weeks, with results anticipated to be released in late December to early January. The first meetings of the new committees will be held in February 2020.
UDIA meets with key federal Ministers
UDIA WA CEO Tanya Steinbeck; President Col Dutton and members of the UDIA National Council met with key federal ministers including Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack; Environment Minister Sussan Ley; and Chair of the EPBC Act review Graeme Samuel AC earlier this week to present our National Policy Priorities for 2020 Building a Better Australia document and discuss relevant issues.
The National Policy Priorities for 2020 outlines five key recommendations related to streamlining red and green tape; supporting housing supply; fixing the planning system; diversifying housing stock; and integrating policy reform.
The meeting with Minister Ley and Mr Samuel focused on streamlining environmental planning practices, particularly in relation to the review of the EPBC Act. As outlined in our policy priorities, the review should be an opportunity to achieve the Act’s objective as a singular point of strategic assessment that accounts for national and state factors in one round.
We are also recommending that the review should clearly benchmark costs for complying with existing processes and identify step-by-step opportunities to reduce or eliminate them.
You can download a copy of UDIA’s National Policy Priorities for 2020 here.
Federal and state government’s aim to cut ‘green tape’
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced plans late last week for the Federal Government to introduce an online portal for environmental approvals related to major projects.
According to the Prime Minister, the digital platform will be a consistent nationwide process that will help get national projects up and running faster, along with a biodiversity database that will be rolled out nationally.
Following this announcement, WA Premier Mark McGowan has written to the Prime Minister to request that the Federal Government establishes an Environmental Approvals Bilateral Agreement. This type of agreement would mean WA would be accredited to conduct the environmental assessment on major projects in the State and issue a single approval, eliminating the need for a Federal tick.
According to the Premier, that move could cut approval times for relevant projects by about six months. UDIA is investigating if these announcements will have any impact on approval timeframes for development industry projects.
Vale Robert W Mercer
Our condolences to the family, friends and former colleagues of UDIA WA Life Member Robert (Bob) Mercer who passed away on 21 November 2019.
Mr Mercer was a well respected and much-loved industry leader who started his career at Wood and Grieve Engineers in April 1969 and was Managing Director from 1992 to 2003. During his career he was involved with several iconic land projects that have shaped Perth.
Bob was a mentor to many UDIA members and was very generous with his time and support of the institute and the broader industry.
A public memorial will be held in his honour on Tuesday 3 December from 4.30pm at St George’s College Crawley (in the Quad).
Outlook launches ‘Career Café ‘
The UDIA WA outlook committee representing young professionals working in the industry, has launched a new blog series entitled Career Café, where senior industry representatives will sit down and share their career highlights, tips and advice.
The first blog in the series features UDIA WA Vice President and Parcel Property General Manager Jeremy Cordina. Read it here.
Outlook end of year party – game on!
Over 220 property industry professionals took a step back in time last Thursday night for the Outlook End of Year Party at Palace Arcade where guests enjoyed networking with peers and their competitive streak emerged on the arcade games.
It was a great night with lots of laughs, great food and drinks. You can find image from the event on our Facebook page here.
Special Entertainment Precincts to be determined
The State Government is seeking feedback on reforms to establish special entertainment precincts in Western Australia. The objectives of the statement include providing clear and consistent development guidance for designated special entertainment precincts; establishing a framework that reduces potential land use conflicts between noise-sensitive receivers and entertainment venues through the application of relevant planning considerations; and providing an increased level of assurance for entertainment venues by establishing a framework to achieve greater operational certainty.
To view the draft statement download 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 East Wanneroo District Structure Plan (here). Submissions close December 20, 2019.
- Draft Position Statement: Residential Aged Care (here). Submissions close January 19, 2020.
- Environmental Protection Act 1986 amendments consultation (here). Submissions close January 28, 2020.
An effective homelessness services system for older Australians
A new Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) study has found that older Australians are increasingly experiencing financial and housing insecurity and the demand for homelessness services for the older age groups is growing rapidly.
The study recommends that homelessness needs to be addressed through long-term policies and programs that focus on prevention, early intervention, the provision of ‘housing first’ and the supply of ‘wraparound’ services.
Download the full report here.
MNG Access – free trial
Being able to access near real time data on your projects is a vision that many people strive for in today’s busy life. MNG Access is your portal to the future for all projects associated with the land market. Designed specifically for property developers, affiliated consultants, and all users that require accurate, real-time data of land parcels and relevant attributes in a clear, easy to use package, MNG Access is the answer. Whether your requirements are for desktop studies or in the field, MNG Access quickly displays all pertinent information in a simple, easy to use format that allows you to make informed decisions.
Divide into two core functions, Project and Maps, MNG Access operates from either an active web page on a desktop computer, or from a smart mobile device with an active internet connection, running the MNG Access App. Projects allows the user to check upon the status of current projects with MNG, whereas Maps provides Users with a multi-layered display ranging from high resolution aerial imagery, planning and environmental maps in one easy to use interface.
MNG has teamed with UDIA-WA to provide members a unique opportunity to trial MNG Access for a 30day period with no obligations. Simply click the link below and complete the application form to enjoy the benefits of MNG Access.
Access the Possibilities: https://www.mngaccess.com.au/campaign/udia
Security update
2 adult male offenders have been charged after a burglary in Lynwood. A Now Living site supervisor arrived at the site to find entry had been gained into the premises by breaking through the garage ceiling, crawling through the roof space and entering the premises through the internal man hole. On further inspection of the premises the supervisor found 2 persons sound asleep in one of the rooms, letting sleeping babes lie, police were immediately called and arrived at the site to arrest the offenders. Both offenders were charged with trespass with request for restitution on damage caused.
Report all crime to police efficiently and effectively here.
National Congress line up revealed
UDIA National Congress is creeping up on us with several key note speakers now confirmed and early bird ticket packages closing soon.
Join Congress MC Ticky Fullerton from Sky News to hear international key note speakers including Dr Parag Khanna from Future Map, Peter Calthorpe from HDR Calthorpe and Luci Ellis from the Reserve Bank of Australia, just to name a few of the high calibre presenters on the program.
Find out more here.
Industry briefing on Morley-Ellenbrook Line
The state government is hosting an industry briefing on the METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line on December 11, allowing local businesses to hear about the project and find out more on the procurement process.
Attendees will hear important information about the scope of works, expectations and requirements, contract packages and future METRONET work, while also having the opportunity to informally network with other companies in attendance.
The Morley-Ellenbrook Line will add 21 kilometres of track from Bayswater Station to the Ellenbrook town centre with stations at Whiteman Park, Malaga, Noranda and Morley. Construction will start later this year with upgrades to Bayswater Station.
The industry briefing will also provide updates on other METRONET projects including the Thornlie-Cockburn Link, Yanchep Rail Extension and the Level Crossing Removal project.
To register to attend, click here.