In the boardroom with the Hon. Amber-Jade Sanderson
On Monday, we were pleased to co-host a Boardroom Lunch with ATCO featuring the Hon. Amber-Jade Sanderson MLA, Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation; Manufacturing; Skills and TAFE; Pilbara.
This was an opportunity for a two-way discussion across Minister Sanderson’s portfolios, as they relate to UDIA WA’s priorities and the timely delivery of diverse and affordable housing.
The Minister was open in sharing her areas of focus and to listening and responding to the real examples outlined by our members to demonstrate the impacts of current and ongoing challenges.
Discussion ensued around forward opportunities for the Housing Enabling Infrastructure Fund, initiatives to retain trainees and skilled workers in supporting the sustainability of the residential construction sector, and the implications and opportunities for our industry associated with decarbonisation and the energy transition (including the ongoing role of gas as part of WA’s energy mix).
It was apparent the Minister is committed to working collaboratively, including with industry, in the pursuit of positive housing outcomes.
Thank you to Minister Sanderson and her Office, as well as to ATCO for supporting this event.
National Housing Pipeline South Forum
This week UDIA WA held the final National Housing Pipeline (NHP) Forum. Presented by nbn Australia, the last forum focussed on Perth’s South Metropolitan region.
Wednesday’s forum, hosted by the City of Cockburn and sponsored by Lavan and DevelopmentWA, featured presentations from Daniel Arndt (Director Sustainable Development & Safety – City of Cockburn), Mat Selby (Acting Executive Planning Director – Department of Planning Lands & Heritage) and Stuart Gardiner (General Manager Metropolitan – DevelopmentWA). Emerging from each presentation were the twin themes of effective community engagement and working alongside LGAs, developers and DPLH to execute strategies to overcome the constraints on the existing land supply.
UDIA WA’s Head of Research Toby Adams also provided an update on the NHP 2025 land supply and development constraints analysis with a forward outlook for NHP activities. Toby highlighted around 2,500 hectares of identified land supply in Perth’s South Metropolitan region are ‘fundamentally constrained’.
Following the formal presentations, Andrew Trosic (Director Development Services – Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale), and Ryan Hunter (Chair of the UDIA WA Infrastructure Committee) joined Daniel Arndt (Director Sustainable Development & Safety – City of Cockburn) for a lively panel discussion further examining how current processes can be streamlined.
With the conclusion of the 2025 National Housing Pipeline Forums, please look forward to the launch of the NHP 2025 Developer’s Intentions Survey coming mid-July.
Thank you to all our presenters for their keen insights and perspectives to help improve and streamline the current processes for new dwelling production across the regions.
We would like to thank nbn Australia, DevelopmentWA, City of Swan, and Lavan for the support of the NHP Forums.
To continue exploring authentic and effective community engagement, please register for Towards a Compact & Connected Perth featuring keynote speakers Professor Roberta Ryan (Independent Community Commissioner for Western Sydney Aerotropolis & Orchard Hills) and Dr Kate Meyrick (Urbis).
Launching UDIA WA’s New Infrastructure Summit
UDIA WA are excited to host a half day Infrastructure Summit. Proudly supported by CLE Town Planning + Design, this event will be an opportunity to address the critical challenges and opportunities shaping Perth’s urban development, particularly in relation to the planning, funding and delivery of enabling infrastructure.
Broken into four sessions, featuring a series of presentations and lively panel discussions, the Infrastructure Summit will explore the following key topics:
- State government Priority areas: including an update on the Housing Enabling Infrastructure Fund
- National Housing Pipeline (NHP) findings: explore the latest findings from UDIA’s NHP reporting for WA
- National Housing Supply Council: priorities and focus areas for WA
- Key Disconnects: Identify the critical disconnects hindering housing delivery and discuss strategies to address them
- Agency Priorities: engage with relevant departments and agencies involved in infrastructure planning and delivery as they discuss their key priorities and strategies
- On-the-ground Realities: Discuss the practical challenges of coordinating infrastructure delivery with development industry representatives actively engaged in the field.
Join us Thursday 13 November at The University Club of Western Australia for this important discussion examining the future of Perth’s urban development.
Register for UDIA WA’s Infrastructure Summit.
WA Home Battery Rebate Scheme
WA’s first home battery rebate and loan scheme is now underway. Commencing on the first day of the financial year, the $337 million State Government scheme aims to reduce annual power bills for West Australian residents by up to $1,500 annually through the combined installation of a battery and solar system.
When used in concert with the Federal Government’s $2.3 billion Cheaper Home Batteries Program, Synergy customers may receive rebates of up to $5,000 and Horizon Power customers may be eligible for rebates up to $7,500 when they install a battery. An estimated 100,000 households will benefit from the combined State and Federal programs.
Households with a combined annual income of less than $210,000 that purchase a home battery through the WA Residential Battery Scheme will also have access to a $10,000 no-interest loan to help cover the cost of installation.
Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said, “Our collaboration with the Albanese Government means we can support 100,000 households to harness more of their renewable power, storing it for when they really need it.”
Designed to help support WA’s power grid and green energy transition, the scheme requires households to join a Virtual Power Plant (VPP). By joining a VPP, stored energy can be shared back to the electricity system – helping to stabilise the grid and deliver benefits across the community.
Taylor Burrell Barnett has rebranded!
Taylor Burrell Barnett has rebranded and are now TBB Planning. Stalwarts in the industry, they have long been known as TBB and under their refreshed identity are putting urban design and planning front and center.
Drawing on Russell Taylor’s deep appreciation of place, Bill Burrell’s approach to urban design, and Lex Barnett’s expertise in statutory and strategic planning, TBB Planning are excited to continue to build on those legacies.
Follow the story behind the change.
May sees and increase in dwelling approvals
In the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the total number of dwellings approved rose to 15,212 in May – a 3.2% increase over April.
Coming off the back of a 19% fall in April, private sector dwellings excluding houses rose 11.3% with 5,571 dwellings approved. In contrast, private sector houses only rose 0.5% to 9,454 dwellings.
While approvals are up nationally, driven by Victoria (up 14%) and NSW (up 11%), falls were recorded in Tasmania (-8.8%), Western Australia (-7.5%), Queensland (-6.7%) and South Australia (-6.2%).
Committee Update
On Tuesday afternoon, the Masterplanned Communities Committee met for the third time this year. Key matters discussed included ongoing work in relation to the Model Subdivision Conditions, potential quick wins to improve the current planning system and an update on the work to date by UDIA WA on Land Lease Communities and the next phase of the work.
With the June/July Meetings coming to a close, only 2 meetings remain for all committees as part of the 2024-25 committee cycle. Nominations for the 2025-26 will open in the coming months with more information coming soon.