From the CEO
Last year, UDIA WA established a new Purpose, Vision and Mission that more clearly articulates our role in supporting members to deliver housing across the continuum within thriving communities. This renewed outlook, which is part of our Corporate Strategy, is supported by the strategic pillars of Educate, Advocate, Connect and Excel, and clear goals guiding our activities under each. We also undertook a review of our committee structure to ensure strategic alignment and an outcomes focus. The sheer volume of quality applications we received last year during the committee nominations process was a clear reflection of the dedication that our members have to the wider industry and their willingness to volunteer their knowledge and expertise for the greater benefit.
This week, we kicked off our first round of committee meetings for the 2024-25 cycle and it was great to be part of so many discussions across the breadth of policy and engagement activities that UDIA WA is involved in. The brains trust that we have around our boardroom table on any given day during the packed program of committee meetings is quite astonishing and the team at UDIA appreciate the support greatly.
Our two strategic committees and eight operational committees are in the process of forming their priorities for the year ahead, that will align with our Corporate Strategy and build off our existing key advocacy priorities (including those in our 2024-25 pre-Budget Submission), as well as feed into UDIA’s State Election Campaign. We will be launching our campaign in June at our highly anticipated luncheon with Premier Roger Cook.
We are looking forward to working with all our committees and our newly formed expert pool over the next year and beyond to ensure we effectively working towards our vision of Great Places + Housing Choice = Better Lives. You can find out more about all our committees including their purpose and membership on our brand new website here.
For those attending State Conference in Bunker Bay from next Wednesday, I look forward to seeing you there!
Farewell
Next Wednesday will be our Member Services Officer, Ashleigh Santich, final day with UDIA WA. Ash has been an integral part of the team here at UDIA and often the first person members will speak to when visiting the office or when you give us a call.
Ash is moving onto a new role in the development industry closely related to her university studies.
While we are sad to see Ash leave, we wish her all the best in her future career and look forward to seeing her at our events in the future.
DAP Reforms and the Significant Development Pathway
Reforms to the Development Assessment Panel (DAP) system and the introduction of the Significant Development Pathway will come into effect tomorrow, 1 March 2024.
Key changes to the DAP system include:
- The reduction of DAPs to Metro-inner, Metro-outer and Regional.
- The appointment of fixed-term full time or part time, qualified and experienced specialist members in addition to sessional specialist members.
- Removing some exclusions on applications, including allowing all multiple and grouped dwelling developments over $2m to receive DAP determination.
- Removing mandatory application thresholds making DAPs opt-in for any development over $2m, with standard exclusions (single homes) still applying.
- Community housing providers can opt into the DAP system regardless of size/value (excluding single homes).UDIA welcomed involvement in the Shortlisting Working Group as part of the selection process for the regular and sessional DAP members.
UDIA welcomed involvement in the Shortlisting Working Group as part of the selection process for the regular and sessional DAP members.
The Significant Development Pathway key details include:
- It is an opt-in process for developments valued over $20m in the Perth and Peel region or $5m in the rest of the state.
- Proposals not meeting the above may be authorised by the Premier, on recommendation by the Minster for Planning, to lodge based on State/regional importance.
- Determinations will be made by the WAPC, within 120 days of lodgment unless otherwise agreed.
The relevant guides, regulations and reports can be accessed here.
Policy team in action
On Monday morning, the Team kicked off a busy week of eight committee meetings with all the strategic and operational committees meeting. The common focus across meetings was discussing the priorities for the year ahead and the development of UDIA WA’s 2025 Election Platform. It was excellent to get together with all our committee members, with many new faces among them. Engaging discussion was had across the meetings, and we thank the committees for their assistance in working collaboratively to further UDIA WA’s purpose, vision and mission. To view our committee membership please click here.
On Wednesday morning, the Policy Team met with representatives from Fire Protection Association Australia (FPAA) to discuss the implications of the incoming National Construction Codes (NCC) bushfire protection provisions which will have a significant impact on Class 9 (healthcare, childcare, schools, and aged care) buildings. The impacts are likely to extend across infill and greenfield contexts with even a narrow green corridor holding the potential to sterilise a site completely. UDIA intends to work with other peak bodies on this matter to offer an alternative solution to rigidity of the NCC specifications for the WA context.
If you have any feedback, please contact policy@udiawa.com.au with any input. Thank you to Daniel Panickar, Western Environmental for raising this matter and working with us to find a resolution.
Get the latest industry data
UDIA WA are pleased to release the latest edition of our Urban Intelligence report, our monthly round up of the latest stats and facts impacting the urban development industry.
This monthly publication is available exclusively to UDIA WA members bringing together the latest updates from our weekly Land Snapshot, exclusive CoreLogic and Landgate data plus the latest findings from the ABS, RBA and much more.
To read the latest edition, click here.
We would like to thank our Principal Research Partners CoreLogic, Landgate and Urbis for their support in producing these exclusive member research publications.
UDIA’s Annual Golf Classic launched
Registrations are now open, and a range of sponsorship opportunities are available, for the UDIA (WA) Annual Golf Classic. This event continues to be the sporting highlight of the development industry’s event calendar.
Sponsors have the opportunity to engage directly with over 200+ players on the day, including representatives and key decision makers from all sectors of the development industry.
Available positions include:
- Hole Sponsor
- Drinks Cart Sponsor
- Major Prize Sponsor (NEW)
- Golf Cart Sponsor (NEW)
Click here to download the 2024 Annual Golf Classic Sponsorship Prospectus for a full list of benefits and inclusions.
Early bird registrations are also now open for those wanting to join the fun and play. Grab your driver, your wedge, your putter and gather your colleagues & clients and get ready for a fantastic day on the green!
Register as a team of 4 or fly solo and join a networking team.
Early bird rates are available until 31 March 2024
To register, click here.
Big thanks to Major Sponsor Landscape Australia Construction and Hole Sponsors LandNow, Richard Noble & Company, Oakfield Strata, Longreach Recruitment, Opticomm and RAC Finance for their ongoing support of this event.
UDIA National Gala Awards for Excellence
Join us at the annual UDIA National Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner as we showcase this year’s finalists and unveil the 2024 category winners.
This is a great opportunity to celebrate the very best in urban development across Australia while networking with industry peers – the perfect way to end your Congress experience and see first-hand the country’s best developments be recognised.
WA always features strongly at the UDIA National Awards and we expect this year to be no exception. Make sure you’re there to cheer Western Australia on in Melbourne by booking your tickets here.
There are also limited, but great Exhibition spaces and Awards Category Sponsorship still available. To find out more, get in touch with UDIA National Congress Manager Nichola Byrne, here.
Landgate Roundtable
On Monday UDIA WA Executive Manager – Research (WA and National) Toby Adams attended a Landgate Roundtable forum as part of Landgate’s annual strategic planning process.
The session followed similar roundtable forums last July with the latest meeting an opportunity for Landgate to provide updates from these forums as well as detail what the future looks like. This latest roundtable also allowed attendees the opportunity to share new or emerging issues with Landgate among opportunities to discuss potential solutions and outcomes.
UDIA WA will continue to keep members updated on progress from these roundtable discussions.
Bentley redevelopment project moves into streamlined delivery
A new masterplan for the former Brownlie Towers site in Bentley will be developed in consultation with the local community and relevant stakeholders.
The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent heated construction market have permanently changed the economics in delivering large-scale redevelopments, and the Government continues to respond to these impacts.
A survey to immediate residents and local stakeholders will be undertaken to help shape the future of the site.
Located around eight kilometres south-east of the Perth CBD, this redevelopment project provides the opportunity to deliver a high-quality infill development while boosting social housing.
For more information visit here.
Last chance to receive 15% discount
There is just one week left for anybody looking to receive a 15% discount off our six day Foundations of Property Development course.
The purpose of this six day course is to introduce participants to the various areas of knowledge required to operate effectively in Western Australia’s urban development industry. It is designed to give an end-to-end overview of the property development process, and is taught by reputable local experts in the industry who have a wealth of first hand knowledge and experience.
The program is delivered over six weeks twice a year (April and October) with participants able to enrol for single one day modules, or for the full program.
To register for this course and for more information, click here but make sure to do so before 29 February to receive the 15% discount.
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
Koomba Birdal Indigenous training programs
UDIA WA have been notified of an opportunity for our members to assist with the Koomba Birdal Indigenous training program.
On 27 February, students started a five week Job Ready program – Digital Workplace. Students will complete 2 units toward the Certificate III Business Administration.
During this program students will be required to complete 5 days work experience (13 & 14 March 19-21 March). At the completion of the Job Ready Program, the aim is to secure paid traineeships for the students to complete the full Certificate III Business Administration.
The course organisers are looking for expressions of interest If anybody is able to either:
- Host students for work experience
and/or
- Offer a 12 month paid, full time traineeship.
Please contact Sandi Walker from North Metropolitan TAFE at Sandi.Walker@nmtafe.wa.edu.au if you or your business are in a position to help.
For more information on the Certificate III Business Administration course, click here.
Working with WA’s Aboriginal Heritage Legislation
UDIA WA are pleased to share details of a new one-day professional development course that will equip participants with the know how to comply with WA’s newly amended Aboriginal Heritage Legislation and more effectively engage with Aboriginal people for better outcomes. It has been specifically tailored to the requirements and needs of our industry.
Join us for this ‘must do’ course where developers, planners, engineers, and others involved in the planning and delivery of urban development projects will walk away with an increased understanding of:
- The changes to WA’s Aboriginal Heritage legislative and policy framework and the requirements and implications in an urban development context;
- Landowner obligations, how to comply and considerations for project feasibilities and timeframes;
- How to assess and minimise risk of harm to Aboriginal heritage; and
- How to undertake business and consultations in a sensitive, respectful, and appropriate manner, including how and when to best engage with Aboriginal people during the development process.
For more information and to register, click here.