From the CEO
“It’s the economy, stupid.”
Back in 1992, Jim Carville was the campaign strategist for Bill Clinton the year he ousted George Bush. Fast forward to 2024, there is a whole lot of stupid in American politics as the intelligence of Americans is tested next week on polling day in the United States.
Shifting focus to Australia, we could replace that quote in a housing context with “It’s viability, stupid.”
Everyone in industry knows. Our WA Housing Minister and Treasurer know. But many others don’t get it. You can’t blame them. Unless you have been or are in the development game – the complexity of risk and return in the housing market can be somewhat difficult to grasp.
I attended two roundtables yesterday. The first with Ministers Carey and Beazley together with WALGA and a number of LGA CEOs to work through some of the roadblocks in approvals and clearances. There is no easy fix, we just need to roll our sleeves up in collaboration (just as we did with Western Power) and pick off the blockages one by one. Staff shortages are rampant, again we all know this. Its’ what we do about it that matters. Playing the blame game only wastes more time, which we are well out of.
Secondly, I attended a roundtable with the Deputy Premier and Minister Carey on what more the State Government can do to assist with project viability for infill and apartments. The Infrastructure Development Fund is positive, but not enough to get projects out of the ground. Time is money, that’s why every extra day navigating the planning process matters. Interest rates on project finance aren’t zero anymore. Construction costs are still at record highs. The game has changed.
This is a message that those not in the game need to understand. ‘Land banking’ does not happen when there is significant demand, projects are feasible and there’s someone to build them. Developers aren’t sitting on their hands, counting their millions of dollars watching time go by as some seem to think.
Housing is the number one priority of this State Government we were told again yesterday. It is clearly a top priority for the Feds. When the game changes, the rules need to change if we have any chance of winning.
Tanya Steinbeck
UDIA WA Chief Executive Officer
2024 UDIA WA Awards for Excellence Winner’s Showcase
On Wednesday 30 October, we had the privilege of touring eight award winning projects from the 2024 UDIA WA Awards for Excellence. Across three tours, participants were guided through Dalkeith Terraces by Westbridge Urban, Cottesloe Redevelopment by Curtin Heritage Living, Civic Heart by Finbar, East Village, West Village, and The Grove Residences by Blackburne, the TL Robertson Library by Curtin University, and Murdoch Square by Hesperia.
The Housing Diversity Showcase tour commenced with a viewing of Dalkeith Terraces by Westbridge Urban, who won in the category of Boutique Development. Delegates were greeted just outside of the six luxury town homes before stepping into a beautiful 4-bedroom home. The group were spoken to about the concept of “downsizing” not “downgrading” and were very impressed by the light-filled and surprisingly spacious interiors.
Tour one then headed to Cottesloe to view the stunning Curtin Heritage Living – Cottesloe Redevelopment which not only won the Seniors Living category but also took out the prestigious Russel Perry Award for Urban Development Excellence in September. The group walked through multiple spaces including diverse living options and restored Heritage buildings. Tour attendees were amazed by the harmonious blend of seniors living, community integration, and heritage preservation.
The final stop was Civic Heart by Finbar. The group were taken through a diverse array of living choices from one-bedroom apartments to penthouse suites and the many amenities offered to residents within the precinct. The tour ended with a look into Ludo French restaurant before heading up the stairs into The Station.
Tour two, the Blackburne Showcase, headed north to Karrinyup to be shown East Village and the West Village display suite. A recurring theme of the day was providing appropriate “downsizing” options that enable local residents to maintain their desired lifestyles, enjoy suitable amenities, and the conveniences that come with increased density.
Heading south along the coast back to Claremont, the Blackburne showcase concluded with a tour of the recently opened Grove Residences. The group was met at the courtyard of the luxury apartments before walking through the shared pool area to the shared living spaces that include a workshop, gym, and private dining rooms. Moving to the private dining and balcony space at the top of the 16-story tower, the group were able to experience the stunning ocean and river views sweeping from Fremantle through to Perth. From there, the group learned more about how The Grove’s plan and design was amended to win over local community members, with increased setbacks to improve privacy and effectively blend visually into the surrounding area.
The Health and Education Precinct site tour visited the TL Robertson Library by Curtin University followed by the Murdoch Square precinct by Hesperia and Aegis Health. Site tour attendees were extremely impressed by the array of amenities, design features and different types of study and break-out spaces viewed across the ‘beating heart of campus’ in the adaptative re-use of the TL Robertson Library, with several tour attendees claiming, ‘this is a very different sort of library to what I remember using when I came to Curtin all those years ago!!’
The quality of the public plaza featuring engaging public art installation and encircled with various food and beverage outlets was a particularly strong feature appreciated by site tour attendees at the mixed-use precinct at Murdoch Square. The diversity of medical suites and allied health facilities sitting alongside a hotel, a childcare facility and other high-quality amenities peppered across Murdoch Square was also well regarded.
The tours concluded back at The Station in South Perth for some well-earned refreshments and networking. UDIA WA is very appreciative to the outstanding tours provided by Curtin Heritage Living, Westbridge Urban, Finbar, Blackburne, Curtin University and Hesperia, with the pride and passion in the project outcomes shining through brightly from our tour hosts.
View photos from the site tours!
Engagement with Government around boosting infill development
On Tuesday, UDIA WA welcomed the opportunity to engage with Treasury and the Housing Supply Unit to discuss UDIA analysis relating to the viability of new apartments in the context of comparative median established property prices, and the benefits to Government in supporting supply to hit the ground.
UDIA WA also continued engagement with Minister Ellery and her Office relating to mandatory inspections and consumer protections for apartment buyers.
What does Perth have to say about the Housing Crisis?
In the lead up to the ‘Great Housing Debate’ next week, the UDIA WA comms team took to the streets of Perth this week, to find out what the general public feel are the biggest challenges in the housing market right now, and what advice they would give to our Housing Minister, or the next State Government.
Overwhelmingly the responses revolved around housing supply, housing prices – both the cost of a mortgage and rent, and the cost of living. Participants shared the challenges that they either had to overcome or are still working through as they tried to find a home.
To hear Perth’s thoughts on the housing crisis, and be there to watch the Great Debate, make sure to register your place at The Great Housing Debate! Registrations close tomorrow.
Engagement with Shadow Minister for Housing; Forestry; Planning & Lands
This afternoon, UDIA WA met with the Hon. Steve Martin MLC, the Shadow Minister for Housing; Forestry; Planning; Lands and, his Research Officer, to brief them on UDIA WA’s priorities for the upcoming State Election and our Growth Areas Infrastructure Requirements Report. There was agreeance on the need for improved infrastructure coordination, planning and funding to allow improved delivery of housing supply in key growth areas amongst a host of other discussion matters including enabling immediate supply across the continuum. We also took the time to discuss UDIA WA’s upcoming lunch event on the 8th of November where he will take on the Hon. John Carey MLA in a debate on policy impacting housing in Western Australia, an event not to be missed as we head into election season.
Time’s Ticking! One month left of Congress Early-Bird!
Take advantage of Early Bird pricing and secure your tickets today before prices rise for the 2025 UDIA National Congress.
This time-limited offer ends soon, giving you a significant discount on access to invaluable insights from top property development experts and premium networking opportunities.
More information here: www.udiacongress.com.au
Support for Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company
UDIA WA RAP Working Group member Gemma Osiejak was pleased to attend an event hosted by Lavan last night that featured presentations from members of the Yirra Yaakin Theatre company. Lavan have supported the local theatre company for over 14 years, as part of their Reconciliation Action Plan. The event was to launch a charity initiative the theatre company is running with Creative Australia: Moorditjabin Yanginy Bidi.
Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company is a locally cherished and nationally important company that supports Aboriginal theatre and culture. In over 30 years Yirra Yaakin has commissioned and premiered more than 60 new works reaching 13 countries on 5 continents.
Thank you to Craig Wallace for the invitation to attend this event. Craig is a member of UDIA WA’s Reflect RAP Working Group and the group is keen to engage with a range of groups and initiatives to learn more about what organisations are doing in their own RAP journey’s and also what more we can do to collaborate and assist with reconciliation.
You can read UDIA WA’s Reflect RAP here.
Join UDIA WA for Movember!
Tomorrow marks the beginning of Movember 2024. Join Chris Thurmott, Toby Adams, and Isaac George as they grow out their mos for mens health. Each year, Movember aims to promote awareness of men’s mental and physical health in the areas of prostate and testicular cancer, and suicide prevention.
Movember isn’t restricted to growing a mo, additionally Isaac and Aaron Muilne will be taking part in Move-mber by covering 60+ km over the course of November.
Keep your eyes peeled for some fresh facial styles over the course of the month!
Support the team, funds raised will contribute to further raising men’s health awareness, and into projects that develop diagnosis tools, blood tests, therapies, funding programs to support men.
Bassendean Oval Concept Masterplan – Feedback Opportunity
The Town of Bassendean has released the Bassendean Oval Redevelopment Concept Masterplan for stakeholder feedback.
Interested parties are invited to review the Masterplan and provide feedback through the following links: