UDIA WA Launches Policy Priorities for 2019
UDIA WA President Nick Allingame launched our WA policy priorities for the year at the State Conference in Bunker Bay today. The document, entitled Policy Priorities for 2019: Developing great places to live, work and prosper, outlines six key areas the Institute will be working to see government action on in 2019, with supporting strategic priorities and longer-term goals. These areas include:
- Support affordable housing delivery;
- Streamline the system;
- Lead creation of housing choice;
- Invest in strategic infrastructure;
- Foster a liveable city; and
- Improve environmental outcomes
The priorities document also outlines the critical nature of the development industry to the WA economy, highlighting the need to ensure that government policy is supporting the property market recovery for the broader benefit of the State.
UDIA will be circulating this document to key government Ministers, department heads and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that the Institute’s priorities are clear, and will be measuring the progress towards achievement of these priorities throughout the year.
UDIA members are encouraged to read the document, available here.
State Conference kicks off for 2019
UDIA was pleased to welcome 120 delegates to Bunker Bay last night for the opening of the 2019 State Conference. Formalities commenced with a Keynote Address from Minister Alannah MacTiernan at the official welcome dinner.
The Minister provided a comprehensive rundown on some of the major projects occurring in the regions and the opportunities that these provide, including a diversification within the mining sector to include minerals such as lithium.
Back by popular demand, Professor Ian Harper opened proceedings this morning, advising that while he had underestimated the length of the economic downturn in WA last year, he was only out by about 12 months and said a recovery is well and truly in train.
Professor Harper suggested that while we are looking at returning to solid growth in the coming two years, there is no boom on the horizon. He provided plenty of advice for how to harness growth and what this will mean for the property industry. Catch a snapshot here.
Minister Saffioti also provided another update on the state government’s progress in relation to a range of topics including planning reform, Design WA, Entertainment Noise Regulations, the Premier’s recently launched priorities and Metronet.
Look out on our social media channels for more updates throughout the conference!
SAPPR Update
Chair of the current SAPPR review Darren Cooper provided an exclusive update to delegates on the progress of the SAPPR review to date.
Darren advised that the review process has been extended for another six months, to further consider three gateway issues: legal risk, flexibility and funding.
The review panel will consult closely with UDIA and its membership over the next six months. More information is available here.
Streamline WA: Feedback sought
The State Government is seeking feedback under the recently launched Streamline WA initiative, on the top three to five regulatory challenges experienced, and potential reform proposals that could be considered under the program’s first round of engagement.
Streamline WA was initiated to drive regulatory reform across the public sector and encourage investment in Western Australia by changing the way government interacts with private and community sectors and creating better ways of developing and applying regulation to make it easier to do business in Western Australia.
Proposals are recommended to focus on reforms that will: improve community confidence that risks are well managed; facilitate risk-based decision making that is outcome-focused; improve clarity and certainty for industry; reduce duplication and overlap in regulatory requirements; and digitise information and processes for improved efficiency.
UDIA members are invited to contribute feedback to inform the Institute’s reform proposal by sending comments to policy@udiawa.com.au. Alternatively, individual proposals can be submitted to streamlinewa@treasury.wa.gov.au.
We value your feedback
UDIA is currently working on several submissions on behalf of members. We encourage you to forward any feedback to these items to policy@udiawa.com.au
Draft Position Statement for Tourism land uses within bushfire prone areas (here). Submissions close 20 March, 2019.
Local Government Act Review, submissions closing 31 March, 2019. More information here.
METRONET training facility coming to Midland
Midland TAFE is set to be redeveloped into a specialist METRONET Trade Training Centre in 2020, following a $3 million commitment from Federal Labor. The TAFE will work with the relevant parties to develop specific training and workforce development programs to ensure they complement future METRONET plans. In addition, the State Government will ensure that at least 50% of railcars for METRONET will be manufactured in WA, which is anticipated to create opportunities for apprentices and local workers.
Things are really heating up in WA
The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage has released two draft documents that propose large-scale changes to development assessment in bushfire prone areas: Guidelines for Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas – Element 3: Vehicular Access; and Draft Position Statement: Tourism land uses within bushfire prone areas.
The Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 is also now in full effect. The new Act covers multiple facets and includes coverage for threatened ecological communities, threatening processes, critical habitats and environmental pests as well as increased penalties for breaches.
Eco Logical Australia will be holding a free information session on the proposed changes and what this means for the industry on 28 March, 5.30pm-7.30pm, at their office in the CBD (Grnd Floor Conference Room, Bishops See, 235 St Georges Tce, Perth).
The session and subsequent discussion will be led by Daniel Panickar (WA State Manager and Bushfire Lead). To register your place, please send expressions of interest to danielp@ecoaus.com.au by 20 March 2019.