Western Australia was the host for the 2023 National UDIA Congress held in Perth over the 27th – 29th March 2023. Our Egis Urban Development team were represented with 10 members from NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
The Congress started with a roof top Welcome at the Western Australian Art Gallery, with the backdrop of the Perth CBD and the magical Perth weather.
Day 1 of the Congress set the scene discussing “Housing a Future Australia – the State of the Nations Housing Needs in 2023” and Mark Bouris from Yellow Brick Road providing his inciteful views on the economy, interest rates, recession, inflation and how his business is managing the current rise in interest rates. The afternoon provided an opportunity to visit examples of Perth urban development projects including:
- Elizabeth Quay by DevelopmentWA
- Peninsula Burswood by Mirvac
- Optus Stadium
- Roe Highway Logistic Park – a sustainable industrial park, showcasing water management practices and managing conservation areas within an employment area
- Bushmead by Cedar Woods – redevelopment of a previous army reserve as a housing estate with a 5-leaf EnviroDevelopment Accredited Estate with pristine nature conservation
- Green Homes Display by Peet – Australia’s first 9+ star green home
Day 2 was array of speakers around housing affordability and housing supply with an opening from the USA by Sam Tsemberis, CEO Pathways to Housing USA, on the “availability of affordable housing as the biggest contributor to homelessness”.
While the National UDIA President, Max Shifman, presented the annual UDIA State of the Land Report with details for each State on green and medium density supply, affordability rental vacancy rates and the record low supply rates across the country.
Together with Eliza Owens from CoreLogic Australia, on the latest “Residential Market Insights” and Colin Keane from Research4 on “National Greenfield Market Overview”. Some extremely valuable insights were given on the latest housing trends with some of the facts on “60% rise of regions in housing opportunities” with some “42% of the population attracted to move away from the cities following COVID-19”.
Some of the key messages were about “Affordability + Liveability + Employability”.
The Congress finished with a keynote address from Justin Langer former Australian Cricket Coach and player who gain his insights into leadership, teamwork and working together. Then followed in the evening with the UDIA National Awards Gala Dinner.