The Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA WA) is calling on the State Government to commit to significant property tax reform and to continue to work with the property industry to create jobs and fuel economic growth as part of a comprehensive state budget submission.
“As we emerge from the ‘eye of the storm’ in terms of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, this budget must focus on a continued strong and stable economic recovery,” UDIA WA CEO Tanya Steinbeck said.
“The development industry has proven that we are a critical player in the state economy and our budget recommendations focus on how the industry can be supported to continue to significantly contribute to economic growth” Ms Steinbeck said.
ADDRESSING THE RENTAL CRISIS
“The first priority that we believe the government must address, is the rental crisis that continues to impact many West Australians,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“We need to look at immediate supply levers including attracting more investors to purchase housing stock by using tax and other incentives,” Ms Steinbeck said.
The proportion of investors in the WA market plunged to just 16% of new housing loans in February 2021. That is compared with 36% in February 2017.
“The rental market in WA unequivocally relies heavily on private investors purchasing property to subsequently rent out,” Ms Steinbeck said. “That is the reality of the market here and we need to make decisions accordingly,”
One of UDIA WA’s key recommendations for addressing the rental crisis is extending the current 75% stamp duty rebate for Off the Plan apartments to December 2022 and expanding it to include under construction projects, with the rebate being made available at the time of settlement (as per FHOG).
“UDIA is also a big supporter of facilitating more build to rent projects in WA, which allow developers to supply rental properties direct to market,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“In this case, we should look at the land tax exemptions that the State Government in NSW have implemented to create a greater appetite for build to rent here in WA,” Ms Steinbeck said.
POPULATION GROWTH AND SKILLS
UDIA has also added its voice to the many organisations and groups calling for action on population growth and addressing the current skills shortage.
“The longer-term priority is developing a population strategy that maps out a plan for sustainable population growth post pandemic,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“In the short term, as was highlighted at the recent Skills Summit, we need skilled workers now in order to meet the demand for housing and infrastructure, not to mention a range of other industries crying out for people,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“Hopefully this week’s announcement of an agreement between the Federal and State government about a new quarantine facility will assist with getting more workers into WA safely,” Ms Steinbeck said.
HOUSING SUPPLY
Housing supply over the coming 5-10 years is another critical area that requires State Government focus in this budget, to ensure that housing remains affordable in the coming years.
“Resourcing for key government departments to deliver on the Perth and Peel frameworks is essential to ensuring that we have a more streamlined and timely approach to planning and approvals,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“Our submission suggests that funding is allocated to establishing a State Government Growth Areas Team to get decision making moving faster and foster greater collaboration across agencies,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“All of our recommendations are based on getting the best out of the development industry so that we are delivering quality homes for the future,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“This state budget must focus on our continued economic recovery, and the development industry is here to support that goal,” Ms Steinbeck said.
View the UDIA WA State Budget Submission here
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Contact:
Gemma Osiejak
Executive Manager Communications & Marketing
P: 0421 506 819
E: gosiejak@udiawa.com.au