Industry Issues
Station Precincts Improvement Scheme announced for consultation
UDIA WA was pleased to host Deputy Premier the Hon. Rita Saffioti and Minister for Planning and Lands the Hon. John Carey MLA at our Industry Breakfast this morning, where Minister Carey announced the opening of consultation for the draft Station Precincts Improvement Scheme.
The draft Scheme provides further details on the eight Station Precincts identified under the Station Precincts Improvement Plan approved by the State Government earlier this year. The Plan and new Scheme aim to streamline planning decisions and enable more medium and higher density housing in well-connected locations around key station precincts.
The draft Scheme includes proposed maximum and minimum building height and density requirements for the precincts, that align with the updated R-Codes that are also currently out for comment. The Government’s proposed core-and-frame approach concentrates the greatest development intensity closer to stations while providing transitions to established neighbourhoods that respond to matters including local character, heritage, amenity and infrastructure capacity. Each precinct has a core area for higher density of up to 20 storeys and a transitional frame area for medium density of two to eight storeys, with minimum density settings proposed to ensure land in these key precincts isn’t underdeveloped.
The draft provisions generally remove minimum residential and non-residential car parking requirements across the station precincts, while retaining maximum rates and allowing consideration of local circumstances.
The proposed public realm framework would consolidate separate public open space, public art and community-benefit requirements into a single contribution, with the detailed methodology, rates, thresholds, exemptions and credits to be developed following consultation.
The identified precincts are an opportunity to create much-needed housing choice in areas that are well served by public transport and other amenities.
UDIA WA looks forward to continuing to participate in the ongoing engagement process as the Improvement Scheme is finalised early next year.
You can read UDIA WA’s full media statement following the announcement here.
Read all the consultation documents on the Precincts WA here.
Breakfast event focuses on station precincts
This morning’s industry breakfast focused on unlocking housing supply in Perth’s station precincts, with Minister John Carey opening the event with an overview of the State Government’s priorities in relation to the Station Precincts Improvement Plan and Scheme that is now out for comment (details in the story above).
Minister Carey was followed by a presentation from Urbis Partner Stephen White, who made the trip from Sydney to share the NSW experience with making station precincts work including an overview of the State Government’s Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Program that is aiming to deliver more housing around 39 transport hubs.
Part One of the TOD Program (TOD Accelerated Precincts) includes delivering high and mid-rise housing within 1,200 metres of eight priority transport hubs at Bankstown, Bays West, Bella Vista, Crows Nest, Homebush, Hornsby, Kellyville and Macquarie Park. Stephen said the Program set a target for approximately 60,000 homes and that the policy works by introducing State-led rezoning, tailored density controls and technical studies, with a state assessment pathway. The State Government also committed $520 million for parks and community infrastructure to support growth.
Part Two of the TOD Program introduced a new SEPP for a further 31 TOD Precincts that have enabling infrastructure capacity close to a transport station to support additional housing growth. Stephen advised that a target of around 170,000 homes was set for these areas and core controls were introduced including maximum building heights of 21m (approx. 6 storeys) and no minimum lot size or width for areas within 400m of a station.
Stephen also outlined other NSW State Government initiatives including the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy that identifies 171 centres or rail precincts and has a 112,000-home ambition; the Infill Affordable Housing Bonus Policy that provides up to 30% additional height and floor space for provision of affordable rentals; and the role of the new Housing Delivery Authority that leads a new streamlined state significant development (SSD) pathway and SSD with a concurrent rezoning process.
Overall, Stephen said that faster approvals processes have helped build a housing supply pipeline, and there had been a positive upswing in the last 12 months, but completions were well below targets and economic headwinds over the coming year would pose an ongoing challenge to delivery.
His six lesson themes for WA included that:
- Infrastructure Must Lead Growth
- Catalyst Projects Create Momentum
- High-Quality Public Realm Drives Value
- Incentivise well-coordinated development
- Plan for Precinct Evolution
- Diversify Housing Delivery
Following Stephen’s informative presentation, a panel discussion with WAPC Chair Emma Cole, City of Bayswater Mayor Filomena Piffaretti and Skyfields by Perth Airport GM Property Development Clay Thomas provided an opportunity for the audience to ask questions and get involved in the conversation.
It was fantastic to have engagement from such a broad range of stakeholders and UDIA WA looks forward to continuing to engage on this important topic over the coming months as the Scheme is finalised and implemented.
A huge thanks to our sponsors for this event Keystart, Urbis, Skyfields by Perth Airport and the City of Swan for your support.
Infrastructure Summit brings stakeholders together
Last Thursday, UDIA WA hosted our annual Infrastructure Summit at the University of Western Australia, bringing together key government agencies, utility providers, and industry leaders to tackle the challenges facing the planning, funding and delivery of critical enabling infrastructure to facilitate housing supply.
The half-day forum kicked off with a fantastic presentation by the Productivity Commission’s Dr Alison Roberts outlining the Commission’s Inquiry into regulations that impact housing supply. An interim report was released in July and Dr Roberts said that in that report, the Commission have developed best practice principles to assess reform progress and identify opportunities to improve housing regulation with an overarching objective for “a well-functioning housing and planning regulatory system that enables enough housing to meet people’s needs, in the places where it delivers the greatest net benefit to the Australian community. It balances economic, social, cultural and environmental outcomes, and gives weight to the interests of both current and future residents.”
Dr Roberts also outlined the identified best practice principles that underpin that objective, including:
- Adopting a ‘build’ mindset
- Only regulate where necessary
- Coordinate with infrastructure
- Keep the process simple
As the Inquiry moves forward, the Commission is continuing consultation including a developer survey and workshops. With four reforms in relation to land use planning being explored including broad scale upzoning, focus on transit oriented development, reducing minimum lot size requirements and allowing housing in commercial zones.
The Commission is also supportive of a more risk-based approach to development assessments underpinned by better coordination of referrals. In terms of infrastructure in particular, the Commission is looking to recommend a portal of developable land including infrastructure connections, early involvement of utilities, upzoning in line with major infrastructure projects and greater clarity on infrastructure contributions.
The final Productivity Commission Report into the regulatory impact on housing supply is due for release in March 2027 when it will be presented to the Federal Government.
Chair of the UDIA WA Infrastructure Committee Ryan Hunter followed the Commissioner, launching UDIA WA’s latest Growth Corridors Infrastructure Requirements Report that was sent to all member last week. The report identifies $1.58 billion in strategic, enabling infrastructure requirements to unlock land to catalyse the delivery of new homes in:
- North & West Ellenbrook and Bullsbrook,
- East Wanneroo,
- Yanchep-Two Rocks and Alkimos-Eglinton,
- Carabooda,
- Mundijong,
- North East Baldivis,
- Jandakot-Treeby, and
- Karnup.
The types of infrastructure requirements identified predominantly include wastewater pump stations and trunk mains, power substations and feeder networks, and sewer infrastructure.
The report can be downloaded here.
A huge thank you to all our other speakers on the day including Kate Miller (State Referral Coordination Unit), Ciara Clarke (State Referral Coordination Unit), Dehlia Goundrey (Water Corporation), Ben Bristow (Western Power), Lou Cuddihy (ATCO), Paul Lakey (Chair, Infrastructure Priority Corridors Working Group), and Jeremy Cordina (General Manager, Parcel Property).
At the heart of the summit were two panel conversations beginning with a Q&A session with key agency representatives including Dehlia Goundrey (Water Corporation), Ben Bristow (Western Power), and Lou Cuddihy (ATCO) followed by an insightful discussion into the strategic approach to infrastructure required to support infill development with Samantha Thompson (TBB Planning), Daniel Rainone (Bluerock Projects), and Mariam Yaqub (Senior Development Manager, DevelopmentWA).
Thanks also to Major Event Sponsor nbn® Australia and Session Sponsors Rowe Group – Planning and Design and Mirvac for their support of the event which provides a fantastic opportunity each year to engage thoughtfully and constructively with stakeholders on how we can work together to deliver more housing on the ground, faster.
Draft Residential Design Codes open for consultation
The Western Australian Planning Commission have released the draft Residential Design codes for consultation. First announced in July, the changes are designed to support greater housing diversity from granny flats through to apartment developments.
UDIA WA continues to engage with members and government on the proposed changes, aimed at simplifying and modernising WA’s residential planning framework with the intention of supporting housing supply and delivering greater housing choice.
The paradox of a fit-for-purpose planning system is that it has to provide both certainty and flexibility. This review is a great opportunity to find the right balance between reducing unnecessary planning approvals and providing greater flexibility for apartment development and residential subdivision, whilst also ensuring the built form outcome is appropriate and delivers a positive outcome.
The proposed changes include:
- increased maximum floor space of granny flats, abolishing minimum car parking requirements
- introducing “low”, “mid”, and “high” rise codes for apartment developments, replacing the existing R-AC codes
- removing average lot sizes for R10 – R25 in Perth and Peel
Visit Have your say to view the documentation.
The UDIA WA Policy Team will review proposed changes to the R-Codes and to the additional consolidated Operational Policy 2.2 Residential Subdivision and prepare a submission. Members are welcome to reach out to the Policy Team with any comments and feedback.
Consultation closes on 26 February 2027.
AFG unlocks loans up to $10 million for WA development funding
Australian Finance Group (AFG) has recently appointed RAC Finance to its commercial lending panel, giving brokers access to specialist property development finance for eligible Western Australian projects.
RAC Finance’s appointment will provide AFG brokers development funding options up to $10 million across residential, industrial, select commercial and land subdivision projects in metropolitan Perth and selected South West regions, with no pre-sales required.
With funding available across single homes, villas, townhouses, apartments, mixed-use, industrial, select commercial developments and land subdivisions, the appointment is designed to improve the feasibility of projects that may not fit traditional construction finance requirements particularly where pre-sale requirements can make it harder to secure funding.
For more information, visit Australian Broker to read the announcement.
Re-introducing Foundation Housing
First beginning in 1986, Foundation Housing have been providing homes and supporting communities across Western Australia for forty years. Guided by their vision of a home for everyone, Foundation Housing believe that a secure home provides the foundation for people to thrive.
In celebration of their 40th anniversary, Foundation Housing have introduced a refreshed identity connecting their history and purpose with their ambitions for the future.
View Foundation Housing’s launch video.
Visit Foundation Housing’s new website.
Walking for Reconciliation
The UDIA WA team, along with RAP member Michael Willcock, were delighted to attend the 2026 Walk for Reconciliation through Kaarta Koomba (Kings Park) on Thursday 22 October.
Welcomed to Country near the Gija Boab, attendees were encouraged to reflect on the 2026 theme “All in for reconciliation” before embarking along the wildflower trails in solidarity. Throughout the 1.5km walk, participants were invited to stop at story points to listen and reflect on the history behind this year’s location.
This was a fantastic opportunity for the team to learn more about the community and cultural heritage at Kaarta Koomba, and for UDIA WA to represent our dedication to the reconciliation journey.
Walyalup Bridge is now open!
Fremantle’s new traffic bridge is now open. Officially named the “Walyalup Bridge”, the newly completed bridge has re-opened a key avenue into the port ahead of schedule.
Jointly funded by the Federal and State Governments, the bridge features restored heritage elements from the 1939 bridge providing two traffic lanes in each direction and shared paths up to four metres wide on both sides while improving safety and accessibility for ferries, boats and other water users to move around.
In the coming weeks, road-network changes made during the closure will be reinstated, including access to and from Fremantle via Canning Highway and the re-opening of Beach Street under the new bridge.
National Updates
Senate Inquiry Submission: Trust, Capital Gains Tax and Negative Gearing
UDIA have made a submission to the Senate inquiry on the negative gearing and CGT eligibility rules and how they impact Developers, eligible dwelling and trusts.
Acknowledging the improvements to address the widows’ tax, retirement villages, anti-avoidance and clarity on eligible new dwellings, UDIA are broadly supportive of definitions and eligibility requirements for new residential dwellings.
However, the submission outlines several changes that still need to be addressed for the rules to work appropriately:
- Amend fixed trust test to allow distributions based on investment proportions.
- Provide a specific exemption for AMIT and other widely held Managed Investment Schemes.
- A comprehensive, workable rollover regime for discretionary trusts that comply with existing law – restructure options are critical given the wholesale change in tax status on taxpayers who complied with existing law.
- Several changes to resolve the problematic and unworkable apportionment approach including a minimum eligibility of $50,000 or above.
- A allow for a 2 year review window for unintended consequences.
- The definition for new dwellings works overall, but will need several sensible changes to ensure new dwellings are not excluded on more problematic builds.
- The anti-avoidance provision should tightened further to specifically target action that does not “add genuinely to housing supply.
View UDIA National’s submission to the Senate Inquiry.
UDIA warns SMSF borrowing restrictions put new housing supply at risk
UDIA is calling on the Federal Government to exempt newly built homes from restrictions on self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) borrowing, warning the changes could put billions of dollars in housing investment and future supply at risk.
The call follows Treasury evidence that approximately 8,700 self-managed superannuation funds entered into new limited recourse borrowing arrangements in 2023–24, compared with the Government’s earlier estimate that 4,000 dwellings would be affected by the restrictions.
“You cannot solve a housing supply crisis by cutting off investment in new homes. UDIA is calling for a specific exemption for new housing from the proposed SMSF borrowing restrictions,” said UDIA National President Oscar Stanley.