UDIA in Action
Despite the shortened week with the public holiday on Monday, it has been another busy week for the team at UDIA WA.
On Tuesday UDIA hosted the Western Power-UDIA High Voltage Pool Governance Committee Meeting. At the meeting Western Power agreed to review associated works that currently fall outside of the scope of the HV pool infrastructure and to undertake a review of the schedule of rates.
This week also saw the release of the latest edition of our thought-leadership publication The Urbanist marking our 3rd edition for the year and our 7th edition in total. Since its creation this magazine has provided a variety of insights to guide and inspire the urban development industry with this new edition no exception.
The new edition focuses on climate action, highlighting the efforts being undertaken by the development industry in relation to broader environmental sustainability. Members can exclusively read the new edition here and to read previous editions, click here.
Finally, nominations are now open for the UDIA WA 2022-23 Standing Advisory Groups and Other Committees. UDIA WA is calling for leaders from across the industry, from a diverse range of skills and backgrounds, to come forwards and nominate for a number of positions and play a role in shaping the future of development in Western Australia. For more information, see here and to nominate, click here.
HV Pool Governance Committee Meeting
On Tuesday UDIA hosted the Western Power-UDIA High Voltage Pool Governance Committee Meeting.
At the meeting Western Power agreed to review associated works that currently fall outside of the scope of the HV pool infrastructure and to undertake a review of the schedule of rates.
Western Power also agreed to further work examining those development projects that have previously failed the HV Pool economic test. There is no change to the System Charge Rate of $150 /kVA.
UDIA will keep members informed of progress against these actions and thanks Western Power for the establishment of this highly valuable partnership.
The Urbanist #3 2021 released
UDIA WA are very proud to release the latest edition of The Urbanist to members this week. The new edition focuses on climate action in relation to the urban development industry and broader environmental sustainability.
We are very pleased to feature an exclusive interview with the Minister for Environment, Climate Action and Commerce the Hon. Amber-Jade Sanderson MLA. The Minister outlines the State Government’s aspirations regarding their target of net zero greenhouse emissions by 2050.
We also explore the role of landscape design at a regional, project and lot level in relation to achieving positive climate and environmental outcomes along with other topics such as adaptive reuse, the rise of ESG and local government action.
Hard copy versions will be delivered to all key reps this week and the digital version can be found here.
Along with the latest edition of The Urbanist, hard copy versions of the 2021 Awards for Excellence Winners Supplement will also be delivered to all key reps. This glossy 64-page publication showcases all of the winners and finalists from this year’s awards completing another extremely successful awards program for another year.
The digital edition of the Winners Supplement can be viewed here.
Don’t miss your chance to lead your industry
There are only a couple of weeks left to nominate for the UDIA WA 2022-23 Standing Advisory Group and Other Committees.
Standing Advisory Groups were endorsed in 2021 as part of a revised governance structure, and will serve to bring together technical experts from the UDIA membership to offer detailed operational level input into the objectives covered under the three Strategic Committees, which are the Economic, Environment and Liveability Committees.
UDIA WA is calling for leaders from across the industry, from a diverse range of skills and backgrounds, to come forwards and nominate for a number of positions and play a role in shaping the future of development in Western Australia. Positions are available in the following Strategic Working Groups and Committees:
Standing Advisory Groups:
- Built Form
- Climate Change
- Community Education & Engagement
- Industry Workforce
- Infrastructure
- Land Use Planning
- Regulation & Taxation
- Urban Water
Other Committees:
- Diversity
- Outlook
With nominations set to close on Friday 15 October, now is your chance to put yourself into a position to lead your industry. For more information, access the nominations kit here and to nominate, click here.
UDIA reveals latest economic data
UDIA WA released the August 2021 Urban Intelligence report to members at the end of last week providing a comprehensive run down on all the latest economic, development and building data relevant to our industry.
The feature article this month focuses on the recently announced State Budget, looking at impacts of this budget on our industry.
Members can read more here.
Grants open to conserve and celebrate State heritage places
Grants of up to $40,000 are available to owners of properties on the State Register of Heritage Places with applications for the annual funding program open today.
Heritage Minister David Templeman said the 2021-22 Heritage Grants Program would see an investment of $1.2 million into the conservation and interpretation of our State’s heritage.
Eligible property owners can apply for grants of up to $40,000 for conservation work. An additional $10,000 is available to assist with the preparation of conservation management planning documents for State registered places and those being considered by the Heritage Council for registration.
This year, a new Major Conservation Projects category will offer up to $100,000 for projects that demonstrate exemplary heritage outcomes with wider community benefits.
To be considered a Major Conservation Project, applicants will have to demonstrate how the project delivers heritage tourism, public benefit and enjoyment, helps protect the property from natural disasters or supports economic recovery and job creation at local or State level.
A Community Heritage Grants stream also returns this year offering not-for-profit organisations, businesses and local governments grants for innovative events or activities that encourage the general public to engage with heritage places or for the preparation of interpretation plans and the promotion of heritage skills and information.
Recipients of this new grants stream last year include heritage trails for Donnybrook and Beverley, development of the South Perth Heritage App and an exhibition in Fremantle celebrating the Universal Tile Factory and Italian migrant history.
Since its inception in 1997, the Heritage Council of Western Australia has provided more than $23 million in grant funding assistance towards the conservation and celebration of State Heritage Registered Places.
Grants are provided on a matched funding basis. For more information, or to apply, visit here or contact HCWAincentives@dplh.wa.gov.au. Applications for the 2021-22 Heritage Grants Program close on Friday December 10 2021.
Chance to be included in The Land Report
UDIA are proud to once again partner with The West Australian to produce The Land Report, a special liftout that provides land and homebuyers with an insight into the current state of the land market in WA, including the latest market data and analysis.
The upcoming edition will be published in The West Australian on Saturday October 23 and will be read by an audience of 459,000 readers with plenty of opportunities for UDIA members to feature an advert and advertorial in this edition.
For more information click here or to book, email maddisen.booth@wanews.com.au
Upcoming submissions
UDIA WA are working on a variety of submissions, which members are encouraged to submit feedback on to ensure your voice is heard on the respective matters.
We are seeking feedback on the following submissions:
- NCC 2022 public comment draft (Stage 2): Proposed amendments to energy efficiency and condensation technical provisions (available here; submissions close 17 October 2021)
- DWER Consultation: Discussion paper and draft EP (Cost Recovery) Regulations 2021 (available here; submissions close 22 October 2021)
- DWER Consultation draft: Native Vegetation Policy for WA (available here; submissions close 25 October 2021)
- Draft SPP 2.9 Planning for Water and Planning for Water Guidelines (available here; submissions close 15 November 2021)
To have your say on any of the above, email policy@udiawa.com.au
2020-21 Annual Report on State Finances released
At the end of last week the State Government released the 2020-21 Annual Report on State Finances which shows that the general government sector recorded an operating surplus of $5.8 billion in 2020-21.
This is higher than the $5.6 billion operating surplus estimated in the recent 2021-22 Budget, largely reflecting the audited accounting treatment of non-cash costs for two significant native title settlements finalised in 2020-21.
Infrastructure investment totalled $5.8 billion in 2020-21, the highest level of infrastructure spending since 2013-14. The higher expenditure reflects additional investment to support job creation and stimulate the economy through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Total public sector net debt at June 30, 2021 totalled $33.5 billion, down $2 billion from June 30, 2020.