Industry Issues
Major planning reforms to accelerate housing supply
UDIA WA has welcomed the announcement by Planning and Lands Minister, John Carey MLA this week outlining the next tranche of the State Government’s planning reforms made, at our inaugural Red Tape Summit on Tuesday morning.
Following a Ministerial Roundtable held in late 2025 initiated by UDIA WA with key industry representatives, UDIA WA has been working closely with the Minister and key State Government agencies on identifying key reform opportunities that would streamline scheme amendment, structure plan and subdivision assessment and approvals.
The announced reforms are part of the ongoing roll out of the Cook Government’s 2019 Action Plan for Planning Reform and are based on consistent, solutions-based advocacy by UDIA WA that focuses on proactive, realistic reforms that will unlock housing supply.
“UDIA WA continues to take a collaborative approach to achieving a more streamlined approach to the delivery of housing in Western Australia,” UDIA WA CEO Tanya Steinbeck said at the Press Conference following the Minister’s announcements. “This is critical for our state’s future and our ability to provide appropriate housing for our growing population.”
UDIA WA are unpacking the detail behind the proposed reforms and will keep members informed as to the practical implications and benefits of the changes over the coming weeks and months.
“Getting the processes right, to support the delivery of much needed housing right across our state, is critical to ensuring that more people can find and secure a home that meets their needs,” Ms Steinbeck said.
The reforms include the introduction of concurrent region and local planning scheme amendments; and faster amendments of a region planning scheme when there is an approved District Structure Plan.
Enhanced oversight by the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) to call-in, modify, or cancel structure plans as needed is also a key area of the reform package, providing a resolution pathway for when structure plans are not progressed by local government.
Streamlined agency referral processes, clarified escalation pathways and clearer accountability and performance expectations across the planning system will have a significant impact on getting housing to market, faster.
UDIA WA acknowledges the collaboration and commitment from the State Government in working with our members and we look forward to continuing to provide practical solutions to enable the delivery of more homes, faster.
Please reach out to our Policy team with any queries or feedback.
Station Precincts Improvement Plan approved
Last week, the State Government released the approved Station Precincts Improvement Plan that is aimed at catalysing housing delivery in key metropolitan train station precincts.
The announcement, supported by UDIA WA, follows last year’s commitment to establish improvement plans and schemes in priority station precincts, aimed at streamlining planning decisions and driving higher density development in these areas.
The plan outlines the station precinct boundaries for eight of the ten stations announced last year:
- Glendalough
- Bassendean
- Morley
- Carlisle/Oat Street
- Mosman Park
- Claisebrook
- Cottesloe
- Swanbourne
The identified station precincts will effectively come under State planning control, with the State setting height and density parameters and acting as the responsible decision-maker for development in these areas.
UDIA WA has consistently advocated for the Western Australian Planning Commission and the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage to work with industry and local government to identify key infill areas that can feasibly deliver increased density, and to initiate improvement plans and schemes to facilitate delivery.
UDIA WA CEO Tanya Steinbeck said the announcement represented an important next step in creating a more consistent, coordinated and delivery-focused planning framework for well-located infill housing in the identified precincts.
“This is the kind of strategic approach to infill housing delivery that industry has been calling for, and it is particularly important at a time when Western Australia remains in the grips of a housing supply crisis,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“Facilitating and incentivising viable density, such as around transit-oriented locations is essential if we are serious about delivering more housing choice close to public transport, employment, services and amenity.”
The next step will be the Station Precincts Improvement Scheme, which is set be released for public comment later this year. The Scheme will identify detailed development controls, including zoning and building heights.
UDIA WA looks forward to continuing to participate in the ongoing engagement process as the precinct plans and subsequently the improvement schemes are finalised in the coming year.
View the Station Improvement Plan details.
Read the UDIA WA Member Alert.
Read UDIA WA’s Station Precincts Press Release.
UDIA WA Red Tape Summit 2026
On Tuesday July 28, UDIA WA hosted our inaugural Red Tape Summit bringing together key government agencies, utility providers, and industry leaders to tackle challenges and opportunities for streamlining the delivery of much needed residential housing.
Read a full summary of the Summit’s presentations and key themes.
Keystart: Supporting our frontline workers
On Monday 27 July, the State Government announced the expansion of Keystart’s Skilled Start Home Loan to support more frontline workers.
The Skilled Start Home Loan offers a low 2 per cent deposit, no lender’s mortgage insurance, and a 1 per cent discount on Keystart’s standard variable interest rate, as well as free optional financial coaching for customers.
First launched in December 2025, Skilled Start was available to anyone who has graduated from TAFE or university with a Cert III or higher qualification, or completed their formal apprenticeship, in the past five years, as well as for eligible construction industry workers.
Following Monday’s announcement, anyone who has graduated from the WA Police Academy or the WA Fire and Emergency Services Academy, or an equivalent Australian qualification in the last five years will be eligible to apply for a Skilled Start Home Loan.
Visit Keystart for more information on the Skilled Start Home Loan expansion.
Nominate for UDIA WA’s Council and shape practical reform to unlock housing supply across WA
Nominations are now open for positions on the 2026 – 29 UDIA WA Council. This is an opportunity to be part of our core purpose in recognising that great places and housing choice creates better lives. Nominations will close on Monday 17 August 2026.
The UDIA WA Council is pivotal in driving our newly adopted Strategic Plan – Reform. Results. Resilience. – and leading the organisation as we look to continue to shape practical reform to unlock housing supply across the continuum.
There are 12 elected members of Council, with a minimum of six to be Developer Members. This year, there are four positions available for nomination.
Councillors are appointed by nomination from member representatives. Terms are three years, with the option for current Councillors to re-nominate.
These four positions will join ongoing elected Councillors including current President Grant Shepherd (Hesperia), Vice President Greg Rowe (Rowe Group), Treasurer Adam Shephard (Okeland Communities), Louise Nazareth (Stockland), Carl Buckley (Peet), Dave Wilson (WS Collective), Emily Young (Purple), and Ben Killigrew (MNG).
UDIA WA encourages applicants from a diverse range of professional backgrounds and experience to nominate for these leadership roles. Our goal is to establish and maintain a leadership group that reflects the diverse nature of the industry and the communities that we represent.
- Download UDIA WA’s FY27 –29 Strategic Plan.
- Find out more and download the nominations kit.
- Download the nominations form.
Successful nominees will be announced at UDIA WA’s Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 21 October 2026 at the UDIA WA offices from 11:30am.
Updates from Western Power
HV Pool System Charge Change
The High Voltage Subdivision Pool (HV Pool) enables the costs of installing high voltage (HV) infrastructure to be shared across residential subdivision developments. The pool reimburses developers who have funded more than their allocated share of HV infrastructure costs and collects contributions from developers who benefit from the available capacity created by that infrastructure. The HV Pool exists for the benefit of developers, to drive equitable cost-sharing of HV infrastructure.
Ongoing forecasting and financial reviews, together with continued global market volatility, supply chain constraints and rising material & delivery costs associated with critical network infrastructure, indicate that upcoming HV Pool refund payments are expected to reduce the pool balance below the level required for the pool to operate effectively. While the increase in the System Charge Rate to $300/kVA from 1 May 2026 resulted in higher contributions into the HV Pool in May and June, analysis indicates that this is insufficient to offset forecast refunds due to ongoing cost escalation associated with network infrastructure. It is important that the System Charge accurately matches the costs of delivering electricity infrastructure and ensures sufficient funds are accumulated to support future HV Pool refund payments for those who invested in eligible infrastructure.
Having considered HV Pool transaction activity, accumulation of contributions, HV pool refund forecasts, market conditions and key cost drivers, the HV Pool Governance Committee has agreed to increase the High Voltage Subdivision System Charge to $325/kVA, effective 1 September 2026. This represents an increase from the current charge of $300/kVA, which has been in effect since 1 May 2026.
UDIA WA and Western Power will continue to review HV Pool charges and rates on a regular basis to support a sustainable pathway towards the optimal HV Pool balance, while ensuring costs are allocated fairly and equitably across contributing customers. The increase in the System Charge Rate will also help ensure that those who contribute to the foundational investments required to expand, reinforce, and deliver the electricity network across the Southwest Interconnected System (SWIS), continue to be appropriately compensated. This approach promotes fairness, consistency, and the long-term sustainability of the HV Pool by aligning contributions with actual network investment requirements and maintaining the pool’s ability to meet future refund obligations as demand for network capacity continues to grow.
The revised System Charge Rate will apply to all projects created on or after 1 September 2026. Existing active projects that have not yet been issued a quote as at that date will also be subject to the new rate. Projects for which a quote has already been issued will continue to be charged at the applicable rate for the life of the project, including any subsequent re-quotes.
The System Charge Rate along with related charges and parameters, will be updated via Western Power’s High Voltage pool policy page via the website: High voltage pool policy.
Latest distribution connections performance
Western Power has released their latest quarterly Customer Connections Update.
Available on their website, the update gives high-level statistics on lots-energised and construction projects delivered, alongside a closer look at lifecycle timeframes across the Land Development, Residential, and Commercial portfolios.
Read Western Power’s full Customer Connections Update.
Expression of Interest for Mosman Park Housing Innovation Advisory Group
The Town of Mosman Park are seeking Expressions of Interest from professionals in the development industry to join the newly established Mosman Park Housing Innovation Advisory Group (MPHIAG). Expressions of Interest close at 5pm Thursday 13 August 2026.
The MPHIAG is an advisory body of up to six subject matter experts who will work alongside the Town’s planning team for a defined two-year term. Modeled similarly to a Design Review Panel, the group will operate under formal Terms of Reference and hold no statutory decision-making authority, with all formal planning decisions remaining the responsibility of Council.
The Town is seeking Expressions of Interest from industry leaders with demonstrated, hands-on experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Urban Planning.
- Architecture and Building Design.
- Property Development and Residential Construction.
- Social, Affordable, and Diverse Housing Delivery.
For more information, and to apply, visit the Town of Mosman Park’s website.
Construction Training Fund announce new CEO
Commencing August 12, Henrietta Farrell has been appointed as the new CEO of the Construction Training Fund (CTF) by the State Government.
Most recently serving as the Chief Customer Officer at the Department of Housing and Works (formerly the Department of Finance), Ms Farrell brings extensive executive leadership experience across the public and private sectors from senior leadership roles across commercial, marketing, communications, and customer experience. Ms Farrell also spent over six years planning, engaging, delivering, and operating Optus Stadium.
We thank outgoing CEO Tiffany Allen for her contribution to our industry, and we look forward to working with Ms Farrell in her new role with CTF.
Skyfields and PEF: From Student Pathway to Development Officers
The Property Education Foundation (PEF) are dedicated to supporting tertiary education in property across Western Australia and helping students find rewarding careers in the property industry.
Following their recognition in PEF’s Awards for Excellence program, Skyfields offered second year students Mark Del Casale and Liam Fukumoto internships that led to permanent roles as Development Officers following graduation.
Read their journey from the classroom to Development Officers.
Crazy Clauses – Finance and Insurance
Dan Morris Legal has written a series of articles to help builders and building consultants navigate several legal cases and understand their potential exposure to liability.
The third article in the series is now available to read, and we’ll continue to share more over the coming weeks.
Read his articles on latent defects and post limitation liability and contractor risk and novation.
National Update
UDIA National welcomes the Productivity Commission’s interim report
UDIA National welcomes and supports the Productivity Commission (PC) Interim report calling for a build mindset on Housing Supply Regulation.
The report recommendations all reflect critical issues UDIA has advocated for over a number of years including:
- metrics and KPI’s on approvals, and infrastructure performance.
- public reporting on infra funding contributions and performance.
- fast-tracking assessment and deemed to comply developments including pattern books with templates for eligible fast tracking.
- more targeted developer contributions.
- staged/delayed contribution payments.
- documenting how infra planning supports housing and re-sequencing infrastructure to better fit development of housing.
UDIA is looking forward to working with the PC on the final report and subsequent implementation nationwide.
The Interim report:
Interim report – Housing supply regulation
Our Submission: