Government to expand Keystart
UDIA attended the CEDA luncheon today where Premier Mark McGowan announced a significant extension to Keystart. UDIA has been advocating for the government to look at expanding Keystart to allow more new home buyers access to finance and assist people to enter the property market.
The announcement of an extension to the Keystart loan book by $420.9 million comes ahead of the government’s Mid-Year Review scheduled for later this month.
UDIA also hopes that the government will consider expanding the eligibility criteria for Keystart loans to allow more potential buyers access to the service.
More information here.
UDIA’s statement here.
Government establishes Streamline WA
UDIA welcomed the establishment of Streamline WA by the State Government today. I tis hoped that the new body will address ineffective regulation and reduce the bureaucratic burden on business, industry and the community.
UDIA WA CEO Tanya Steinbeck attended a workshop last Friday to discuss regulatory reform and provided feedback on the establishment of Streamline WA, which we are pleased to see taking shape.
In our media release on the topic today, we outlined our support the State Government in addressing both the regulatory and cultural reform that has been much needed within the broader public sector.
We think it is critical that decision makers understand the significant impact that government policy and regulation and regulatory practice can have from an economic, environmental and social perspective.
See our press release for more details on how we see Streamline WA relating to the planning approvals process here.
Industry peak bodies join forces
Representatives from UDIA WA, HIA and REIWA met this week to discuss joint advocacy opportunities to help stimulate the WA property market. A range of long-term reform options were discussed along with more immediate actions to support industry, including the need for stamp duty reform, a population growth strategy and expanding Keystart eligibility thresholds.
The agencies will continue to work together to model the impact of potential reforms before presenting possible solutions to address current industry challenges to Government. UDIA will meet with MBA in the coming week to further discuss collaboration opportunities.
Urbis Precinct Planning Policy Workshop
UDIA took part in a Precinct Planning Policy Workshop hosted by Urbis last week to road test the draft precinct design policy. Using North Fremantle as a case study, participants at the workshop worked through the proposed requirements of the draft policy to prepare an indicative precinct plan. The exercise highlighted the many challenges facing the preparation of precinct plans and no doubt provided Urbis with valuable feedback on appropriacy of the draft policy provisions. Urbis indicated that a draft policy would be presented to the Department of Planning before the end of the year and it is anticipated that the draft policy will then be formally advertised for public comment in the 2019. UDIA will keep members informed of the policy development process.
DWER Review of the ‘Uncontaminated Fill’ Thresholds
UDIA took part in a stakeholder meeting with other industry representatives to discuss the Review of the ‘Uncontaminated Fill’ Thresholds currently being undertaken by DWER following amendments to the Environmental Protection Regulations earlier this year. The meeting discussed the scope of the review, key areas for consideration and the role of the independent experts. UDIA is preparing a submission on the Review of thresholds for uncontaminated fill – Consultation paper, and welcomes member feedback by 14 January ahead of the consultation closing on 18 January 2019.
Powering the future – Western Power
UDIA was pleased to host a free Member Briefing last Thursday with Western Power to discuss the modular electricity grid of the future.
Allison Morley, Head of Strategy & Business Development discussed how identifying appropriate application of new technologies is critical to the success of a modern, modular network. Also, understanding how the network will function and develop capability to meet customer choices.
The briefing was very well attended, a testament to the general interest in this topic and a range of informative presentations by Western Power on the future of the network can be found here.
Lots less than 100sqm workshop
UDIA attended a workshop with the Department of Planning Lands and Heritage last week along with stakeholder groups including local government, to discuss proposed modifications to the advertised version of the draft WAPC Position Statement on Lots Less than 100sqm.
The group discussed development controls, location, siting and design criteria and implementation via R80 zones in structure plans.
The discussion was open and positive and UDIA appreciates the opportunity to engage on the finalisation of this important policy. We will keep members informed.
Planning for Entertainment Noise in the Northbridge Area
UDIA recently provided feedback on the Planning for Entertainment Noise in the Northbridge Area consultation paper released by the Department of Planning Lands and Heritage and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation. The paper looks at reforms that aim to achieve an effective balance between protecting the economic viability of entertainment activities and minimising the impact of entertainment noise on existing and future noise sensitive development.
UDIA has offered support for providing greater clarity for development in Northbridge and other entertainment precincts whilst also maintaining the vibrant character of these areas.
While we are generally supportive of the principles of the reform objectives as outlined in the consultation paper, we have also noted that the specific requirements of the proposed reforms are critical. As these details are yet to be released, UDIA has reserved its full support for the proposed reform pending the release of full details of the reform measures.
Our full submission with all the details can be found here.
We want your feedback!
UDIA is currently working on several submissions on behalf of members. We encourage you to forward any feedback on these items to policy@udiawa.com.au
Local Government Act Review, submissions closing 31 March, 2019. More information here.
DWER Review of thresholds for uncontaminated fill – Consultation paper (available here). Submissions close Friday 18 January, 2019.
Draft SPP 2.4 Basic Raw Materials (available here). Submissions close Friday 25 January, 2019.
National Accounts released
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released the September 2018 National Accounts yesterday that highlighted Western Australia’s state final demand increased by 0.4% in the September 2018 quarter.
Private investment drove the rise with machinery and equipment investment the largest contributor to growth. Public investment also contributed to growth driven by public corporations.
The state’s businesses spent $3.3 billion in the quarter, seasonally adjusted, on machinery and equipment – the most of any quarter since September 2014.
About $12.2 billion was spent across all forms of business investment, including construction and intellectual property, up 1.8 per cent from the three months to June 2018.
More information here.
Five new primary schools announced
The state government has announced that five new primary schools will be built in Baldivis, Brabham, Yanchep, Harrisdale and Southern River.
The new Baldivis South Primary School (planning name) will open in 2021, accommodating up to 430 students from kindergarten to Year 6. Construction will begin in late 2019. Brabham Primary School in 2021, with construction beginning late next year will take 540 students from kindergarten to Year 6.
Yanchep will see construction of Sunningdale Primary School (planning name) beginning in late 2019 and the school set to open in 2021. It will have capacity for 430 students. Harrisdale North Primary School (planning name) will begin construction next year and open in 2020, with the second stage set to open in 2021. The $20.5 million facility will accommodate up to 540 students from kindergarten to Year 6.
The first stage of Southern River Primary School (planning name) will begin construction in early 2020 and open in 2021, with room for up to 160 kindergarten and pre-primary students. Stage two will be completed for the start of the 2023 school year and cater for up to 540 students.
UDIA National Awards for Excellence
Join us on March 28 at The Star on the Gold Coast to celebrate and support your state winners, and network with Australian property leaders.
The national awards are the industry’s night of nights and the perfect excuse to have a night away and dress up to network with your interstate industry colleagues and celebrate with some of Australia’s best developers.
The final night of UDIA National Congress, book for this event of the full congress here.