Land developers SPECIAL REPORT - Business News
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Land developers
SPECIAL REPORT
Land developers
F E AT U R E Stimulus kickstart continues
Residential land developers hope the
positive market momentum prompted
by housing stimulus measures can be
extended long term.
sales activity, helping to stretch
out the delivery phase that ena-
bled developers to pull forward
more land release stages.
For one of WA’s longest oper-
ating land developers, Nigel
Satterley, the uplift in market
confidence has been the largest
force at play.
“These grants have brought
Katie McDonald forward a lot of people who were
katie.mcdonald@businessnews.com.au
sitting on their hands,” Mr Satter-
7-PAGE FEATURE ley told Business News.
“This period would be the
F
OR many land develop- lowest volume of the state’s big
ers, last year provided a booms.”
welcome change to years Total greenfield lot sales in
of weak demand and subdued Perth have been declining since
market activity. the 2013 calendar year peak of
The state government’s more than 13,700, dropping to
Building Bonus and federal Home- about 11,800 in 2014, then 8,100 in
Builder grants introduced in June 2015, according to UDIA WA data.
CONFIDENT: Nigel Satterley says his business is in acquisition mode, with plans to spend
2020 had an impact almost over- During 2018 and 2019, Perth’s
night, with Perth recording the total annual greenfield land sales
$300 million on land in Perth. Photo: Gabriel Oliveira
most quarterly land sales during have hovered between 4,000 and
the June quarter since 1990, 5,000. Prices remained steady, with
according to the Urban Develop- “I think we’re just heading back These grants have brought the average price of new land in
ment Institute of Australia WA to normal now,” Mr Satterley said. the Perth metro area rounding
(UDIA WA). “The market is readjusting.”
forward a lot of people who were sitting out the year at $240,650 per lot,
Overall, more than 10,000 new Labour shortages, particularly on their hands - Nigel Satterley 6 per cent higher than the same
lots were sold in Western Aus- in the civil works industry, was an time last year.
tralia during the 2020 calendar ongoing challenge the industry “So, I think there’s enough work “But sales volumes will increase “Development in these areas
year, nearly double the number would have to navigate, he said. well into 2022. I don’t think we’re in the second half of the year in offers affordable land in loca-
of sales in 2019. Rather than seeing demand as heading for a cliff.” response to strong underlying tions that feature a good level of
Most of these lots were sold another potential issue, Mr Satter- Stockland general manager demand and a lack of available services and amenities for new
during the June and September ley was confident buyer appetite WA residential Col Dutton shares housing stock, a rising established residents,” Ms Steinbeck said.
quarters, sparking some concern would remain relatively strong similar expectations, with the market and the lowest rental “It would also be the case that,
that demand would soon fall throughout 2021, pointing to the state and federal grants creating vacancies in the country.” longer term, larger land develop-
away as quickly as it had arrived. state’s established housing market, affordable opportunities for more ments in the northern corridor
Data for the December quarter where sales listings for homes in people to enter the market. Sales activity would have been the focus of
(the latest available data) could be Perth have hit a 10-year low. “We’ve seen strong land sales Aus- UDIA WA chief executive Tanya much of the government stim-
an early indicator of this potential Mr Satterley’s confidence has tralia-wide over the past 12 months, Steinbeck said it was no surprise ulus, given developers would
future, with WA sales falling by 43 already translated to Satterley and a trend that doesn’t look to be that locations in the north-east have had more stock available
per cent to just under 2,000 lots. Property Group’s 2021 strategy. slowing down any time soon,” Mr and north-west metro area were for buyers to meet the tight
However, that volume remained “We’re serious buyers, we’re in Dutton told Business News. home to the highest number of timeframes for eligibility for the
above the rolling five-year average acquisition mode and would be “Our recent half year results new land sales in the Perth metro Building Bonus and HomeBuilder
of 1,579 sales per quarter. ready to spend about $300 million revealed that in 2020 we had our area (see map). grants.
The state government’s move in Perth,” he said. strongest residential sales in four The most transactions during “While the north-west corridor
late last year to extend Building “Another thing we’re facing now years. the 2020 calendar year took place in experienced the highest number
Bonus on-site start times by 12 is that, in lots of cases, it’s becom- “We expect some moderation the City of Wanneroo and the City of sales, areas in the southern
months has been one likely factor ing cheaper to buy with these low as the market absorbs this pull of Swan, with each area recording
preventing a steeper decline in interest rates than [to] rent. forward of demand. more than 2,400 lot sales. Continued on page 22
20 | March 15, 2021
LAND DEVELOPERS FEATURE
Lots sold calendar year 2020
Local Total 2020 Average Wanneroo
Government Area Lots Sold Price
Swan 2,767 $220,000 Joondalup
Wanneroo 2,468 $217,000
Armadale 1,110 $237,000 Swan
Kwinana 942 $193,000
Rockingham 797 $181,000
Perth
Cockburn 687 $329,000
Kalamunda
Central Metro
Serpentine Jarrahdale 564 $186,000
Peel 497 $180,000
Cockburn Gosnells
Gosnells 190 $259,000
Joondalup 172 $435,000
Armadale
Kalamunda 170 $241,000
Kwinana
Central Metro* 162 $576,000
Rockingham
Serpentine Jarrahdale
Lots Sold
2,767
Mandurah
687
162
Peel
Source: UDIA WA Urban Development Index data
Central Metro*
Bassendean East Fremantle Perth
Bayswater Fremantle South Perth
Belmont Melville Stirling
Cambridge Midland Subiaco
Canning Mosman Park Victoria Park
Claremont Nedlands Vincent
Cottesloe Peppermint Grove
March 15, 2021 | 21
FEATURE LAND DEVELOPERS
Stimulus kickstart likely
to continue into 2022
From page 21
corridor including Armadale and urban growth is reliant on a mix
Rockingham also performed well, of development in new and exist-
spurred on by the stimulus.” ing areas that is well serviced by
Ms Steinbeck said while the strategic, planned infrastructure,”
grants were welcomed by indus- Ms Steinbeck said.
try, the heightened level of market “Industry is also delivering a
activity was unsustainable in the range of housing typologies in
longer term. new areas, from micro lots and
However, like Mr Satterley and townhouses through to the more
Mr Dutton, Ms Steinbeck said traditional size lots with a larger
the institute’s forecasts were not yard space, which assists in con-
indicating demand would fall off solidating our urban footprint.
a cliff, due to the expectation that “Many people living in the outer
record low interest rates were areas actually work there too, it’s
likely to remain until at least 2024. a myth to think that they’re all
“UDIA now expects market travelling into the CBD every day.
conditions to stabilise in 2021 “In fact, over the past few years
back to more sustainable levels,” the CBD has lost jobs, but there’s
she said. been employment growth in
“Ensuring steady population areas like Cockburn, Joondalup
growth in WA in the longer and Armadale.”
term will be critical for ongoing
demand in the market. Future development
“Balance is the key to Perth’s With the Perth and Peel regions DIVERSITY: Tanya Steinbeck says Perth’s future housing requires a balance between
future sustainable urban growth.” already extending 150 kilometres
greenfield and infill development. Photo: Gabriel Oliveira
Part of that balance includes from Two Rocks in the north to
driving quality infill, with urban Bouvard in the south, land avail-
sprawl a perennial topic of debate ability could be an emerging Mr Blackburne said Cedar
for WA. challenge for WA developers. Many people living in the Woods’ sales levels had dipped
“While UDIA is very supportive Although there are no set urban at the start of 2021, but that sales
of quality infill in the right areas, growth boundaries for Perth, the
outer areas actually work there across the group’s WA portfolio
there remains a need for new region’s footprint is determined overall remained healthy.
homes in affordable new commu-
nities, particularly to suit young
by the Metropolitan and Peel
Region schemes, as well as being
too, it’s a myth to think that “We think conditions will
remain positive at least for the
families and growing households geographically constrained by the medium term,” he said.
in need of extra space,” Ms Stein- coast and Darling Scarp.
they’re all travelling into the CBD “Demand will always exist for a
beck said. The Perth and Peel @3.5 million variety of housing typologies and
“The idea of Perth’s urban sprawl strategy was introduced in 2018, every day - Tanya Steinbeck I think it’s important that we con-
continuing is somewhat of a myth, but a Department of Planning, tinue to cater for those different
given the land earmarked under Lands and Heritage spokesperson precincts and transport corridors were sold out, with progressive preferences.
the state’s planning policies for told Business News these plan- will help to limit urban sprawl.” price increases. “The demand for townhouses
urban development is already set.” ning frameworks would undergo Traditionally a greenfields “Infill projects are deemed by and apartments is consistently
She said newly developed lots a review this year. developer in WA, Cedar Woods many to be too hard, due to com- high, demonstrating the desire
were within the target bound- “Community and industry feed- Properties has recently diversi- munities that misunderstand for people to stay within the
aries outlined under the state back will be important elements fied its portfolio. these housing types, or do not suburb they’re familiar with, but
government’s Perth and Peel @3.5 of this review process to ensure As a result of fast-tracking land see the benefits that diversity can in a different housing form.”
million future planning frame- strategic planning can adequately releases amid the stimulus late give rise to,” he said. Future jobs will also play more
works, which provide future meet the needs of future genera- last year, the group has jumped “A more proactive approach to of a role in shaping Perth’s land
development direction for the tions of Western Australians,” the from eighth to fourth largest WA facilitating urban infill opportu- development, according to Com-
next 30 years. spokesperson said. land developer on Business News nities on government and private mittee for Perth chief executive
It was also important to note The planning frameworks Data & Insights, as ranked by the landholdings is needed.” Marion Fulker.
that UDIA’s Urban Development govern strategic land uses, and a number of WA lots expected to be To facilitate more infill pro- The committee’s latest FACT-
Index was based on data received review could prompt more land completed for sale this current jects, Mr Blackburne said a more Base Bulletin, ‘Making Strategic
from surveys of greenfield devel- within the city’s inner and middle financial year (see page 23). dependable planning pathway Jobs Count: Addressing Issues
opers, so was unlikely to accurately rings to be rezoned for urban uses. The group is redeveloping the was needed. of Spatial Inequality’, explores
reflect how much housing devel- In 2018, the Perth and Peel @3.5 former 1.5-hectare TAFE site on Removing taxes to attract the relationship between
opment was taking shape across million framework set a target of Salvado Road in Subiaco into a more foreign buyers was another employment trends and housing
Perth’s inner-city areas. 47 per cent infill by 2050. mix of 41 townhouses and low- potential lever to help boost infill distribution.
New infill housing was mostly “Based on new dwellings com- rise dwellings, the business’ first development. The report identifies two job
driven by apartment or smaller pleted in 2019, the current net infill density project in Perth for “This will see more projects get types key to driving housing
‘mum and dad developers’, she infill rate is approximately 43 per several years. off the ground, more rental stock demand; strategic (i.e white collar
said. cent,” the spokesperson said. Cedar Woods managing direc- to address current shortages and jobs, largely concentrated in the
“At the end of the day balance “Greater infill development in tor Nathan Blackburne said the corresponding improvements in CBD), and population-flowing
is key, and Perth’s sustainable strategic locations such as station first two releases of the project overall economic activity,” he said. jobs.
22 | March 15, 2021
LAND DEVELOPERS FEATURE
Data & Insights WA’s LARGEST PROPERTY - LAND DEVELOPERS
Ranked by No. of WA Lots expected to be completed for sale, current financial year
No. of WA Lots
Total staff in WA
Total number of
hectares in WA
Year est. in WA
expected to be
previous year
Change from
completed for
sale, current
Rank
financial year
Company name Senior executive and title Current Developments in WA
Mr Brendan Acott Ellenbrook, The Glades (Byford), Oakebella (Wellard), Ambia (Southern River), Springdale Beach
1 LWP Group Managing Director 2000 26 NFP (Denmark) , The Retreat (Dongara), Trinity (Alkimos), Vertex (Yanchep)...
Mr Brendan Gore Avon Ridge, Brabham, Burns Beach Estate, Golden Bay Estate, Greenlea Baldivis, Hilbert Park, Lakelands
2 Peet Managing Director 1895 NFP 2,100 Estate, Movida Estate, Shorehaven at Alkimos, The Avenue, The Village at Wellard, Yanchep Golf Estate
Seaside Madora Bay, Myella Wanneroo, Honeywood Wandi, Heron Park Harrisdale, Cassia (JV Dpt of
Mr Nigel Satterley
3 Satterley Property Group Chief Executive 1980 100 NFP Communities) Kwinana, Redgum Brook Byford, Provence Busselton, Dalyellup Beach Esate Dalyellup,
Allara (JV Landcorp) Eglington...
Mr Nathan Blackburne Incontro (Subico), Solaris Private Estate (Forrestdale), Mariners Cove (Mandurah), The Brook at Byford
4 Cedar Woods Properties Managing Director 1987 43 750 1,027 (Byford), The Rivergums (Baldivis), Ariella Private Estate (Brabham), Byford on the Scarp (Byford)…
Mr Jeremy Cordina Balcatta Rise (Balcatta), Mosaic (Balcatta), Darch, Brightwood (Baldivis), Living Edge (Wellard),
5 Parcel Property General Manager, Land 2016 NFP Flamewood (Brabham), Beenyup Grove (Byford, JV Housing Authority), Nature's Edge (Southern River),
Development Iterno (Bayswater), Hilbert, Jindowie (Yanchep, Housing Authority)
Alkimos Beach, Alkimos Central, Alkimos Vista (JV with Lendlease), Allara (Eglinton, JV with Satterley
Mr Frank Marra
6 DevelopmentWA Chief Executive 1992 NFP Property Group), Lot 603 Fauntleroy Avenue (Ascot), WGV (White Gum Valley, Fremantle), Knutsford
(Fremantle)…
Mr Col Dutton Masterplanned communities – Vale, Whiteman Edge, Amberton, Calleya, Newhaven, Sienna Wood,
7 Stockland General Manager, WA Residential 2001 91 NFP 2,590 Singagra, Wellard.
Mr Jason Wallis Bletchley Park (Southern River), Springtime (Haynes), CY'Connor Village (Piara Waters), Providence
8 — Urban Quarter Managing Director 2004 11 535 302 (Wellard), East of the Beach (Eglinton), Dunsborough Lakes (Dunsborough), Florida Beach (Dawesville)
Mark Hector Mason Green Private Estate Piara Waters, Grange Estate Serpentine, Hammond Grove Hammond Park,
9 Qube Property Group Managing Director 1995 15 360 350 Stonebridge Busselton, Apsley Mandogalup.
Ms Paige Walker Osprey Waters - Erskine, One71 Baldivis - Baldivis, Madox - Piara Waters, Iluma Private Estate, Bennett
10 Mirvac Group General Manager, Residential 2001 70 NFP Springs, Henley Brook Private Estate, Henley Brook
Development WA
All information compiled using surveys, publicly available data and contact with industry sources. Other companies may be eligible for inclusion. If you believe your company is eligible, please email: claire.byl@businessnews.com.au
WND: Would Not Disclose, NFP: Not For Publication, N/A: Not Applicable or Not Available.
GET THE FULL LIST ONLINE businessnews.com.au/bniq/land-developers
Ms Fulker said decentral- Margaret Hospital sites, into a lower vehicle speeds to favour
ising the workforce from the mix of medium and high-density safe pedestrian activity.
CBD to neighbourhood offices, dwellings. The design centred around
as the public sector had done “Perth used to be very much making streetscapes more
with offices in Fremantle, was ‘We work there, live here, play functional, as a means to draw
one example of how future jobs there’… we have to have more of residents out of their homes pro-
could shift housing requirements, that mixed-use approach on our moting social interaction, as well
particularly considering the influ- doorstep,” Ms Fulker said. as neighbourhood security.
ence of the COVID-19 crash course That wouldn’t come without “The concept is also seen as key
in remote working. some compromise she said, with to combating loneliness of resi-
“We are a metropolis or region Perth’s average lot size almost dents and tackle mental health
with some very big challenges in halving over the past 20 years: issues stemming from isolation;
front of us,” Ms Fulker told Busi- in 1999 the average lot size was COVID highlighted even more
ness News. between 600 and 700 square that loneliness is a massive issue,”
“Perth is a very low-density metres, reducing to about 378sqm Mr Bourton said.
region in terms of job concentra- in 2019. “This is about getting people
tion and the number of people “We’ve got mums and dads more engaged, out on the street
living on any hectare of land, and splitting the 1950s block, creat- talking. You’ve got the 80 year olds
LIVEABILITY: Yolk Property Group’s Liveable Street
so the more we sprawl the more ing a quadruplex or duplex,” Ms sitting out on the piazza and fam-
it costs our society in terms of Fulker said.
concept is a creative approach to boosting amenity within ilies playing, it’s about bringing
infrastructure. “It’s definitely having an ero- its Allure Estate. Photo: Yolk Property Group everyone together.
“To solve the problem of sprawl sion of tree canopy. The big “Sales are stronger on the live-
we need to have lots of neat infill backyard isn’t there anymore. Last month, the group unveiled Features of the liveable street able street.”
solutions in the right locations. (See page 24.) what it’s calling ‘WA’s first large- include a mix of seating and Like Satterley and Stockland,
“We don’t have these really big “That’s why public open spaces scale liveable street’. shaded areas as well as a climb- Mr Bourton expects WA’s land
former industrial sites that we need to be working very actively The liveable street will sit ing wall, BMX bike track, an insect development to remain buoyant
can go and mix up like we did for the community, so that people within Yolk’s Allure Estate in Fre- hotel for kids and an outdoor throughout 2021, despite the end
in East Perth, so we’ve got to be can recreate outside of their front mantle, which is being developed library, among other things. of housing stimulus packages.
really targeted about how crown door rather than outside their in conjunction with the Depart- Yolk director Tao Bourton “We’re having to fast-track
land is used.” back door; there needs to be an ment of Communities and BGC said the concept was inspired by stage two because we’ve run out
The state government’s $227 area for kids to muck around, as on the former Kinlock Primary Europe’s historic village streets, of stock,” Mr Bourton said.
million Subi East project is one well as parks, walkways etc.” School site. which were seen as an extension “We’ve got buyers purchasing
example of accommodating more Yolk Property Group is one Yolk plans to position the of the home. without getting the stimulus …
inner-city density. developer getting creative with 240-metre landscaped street on To accommodate the liveable we’re also still very affordable
The project will redevelop 35ha public open spaces within infill a conventional road (15 metres street, the road will include a compared to the rest of Australia.
of land, including the former developments’ often tighter land wide) with front-accessed homes narrowed carriageway that Mr “So, do I think we’re in for a
Subiaco Oval and Princess restrictions. on both sides. Bourton said would naturally good time? Definitely.”
March 15, 2021 | 23
FEATURE LAND DEVELOPERS
69%
URBAN PLACES WITH
LESS GREEN COVER
THAN 2013
mature trees, whether its envi-
ronmental, shade, heat island
Developers
[mitigation] or social [mental
health].
“When it comes to cutting down
trees, there’s just so many other
realise tree
solutions available.”
However, there’s work to do
nationwide to recover areas of
change
depleted green cover, despite Aus-
tralia’s metropolitan areas starting
to reverse a perennial trend of tree
and shrub loss.
opportunity
While 69 per cent of urban
places still have less green cover
than in 2013, the ‘2020 Green Cover
Benchmarking’ report, published
by national organisation Green
Spaces Better Places, found Aus-
tralia’s urban places increased
their green cover between
2016-2020.
In terms of the national
response, Perth was found to be
the worst offender when compar-
ing averaging tree canopy cover
with other capital cities, according
to the Western Australian Plan-
ning Commission (WAPC).
The WAPC has developed a
publicly available Urban Tree
Canopy Dashboard, to track tree
canopy across the Perth and Peel
region.
The dashboard contains
bi-yearly data starting from
2014 and shows that tree canopy
overall has increased during that
time.
DIFFERENTIATION: Paige Walker says the masterplan for Mirvac’s Henley Brook estate focuses on the retention of However, results for tree canopy
at different heights vary.
600 mature trees. Photos: David Henry
The number of trees between
three and eight metres and eight
Perth’s urban areas continue to face green canopy loss despite growing to 15 metres increased during 2014-
2018 (the latest data available), but
awareness of the upside trees can deliver residential projects. the number of trees taller than 15
metres fell by a few thousand,
suggesting a significant loss of
working creatively to fit in with mature trees.
Katie McDonald
katie.mcdonald@businessnews.com.au environmental controls.
Of course, they’re not ignorant
We believe the investment “The biggest issue we [arbori-
culturists] have is reactive tree
LAND developers in Western of the potential benefits for sales. is well worth it - Paige Walker protection, rather than proactive,”
Australia are gradually realising Luke Lumbus, who has worked Mr Lumbus said.
the intrinsic commercial value as an arboricultural consultant for homeowners and councils; recent or appreciation for what a tree “Being proactive is far more
offered by existing trees on their The Arbor Centre for more than a work includes the assessment of needs and what could be done,” Mr effective; we can assess the site,
subdivisions. decade, says there’s been a notice- a 140-year-old tree on St Georges Lumbus told Business News. undertake a design review and
A number of developers spoken able shift. Terrace. “It was difficult to get people on develop specifications.
to by Business News are question- The Arbor Centre specialises in “We were trailblazing ten to board, but in the last five years it’s “We don’t condemn trees
ing the wisdom of the clear-felled, tree supply, installation, mainte- twelve years ago, going into battle [enquiries] almost exponentially based on location; if there’s a
cookie-cutter template commonly nance and transplantation, among with the likes of developers, engi- increased. tree ‘in the way’, let’s investigate
applied in housing estates, instead other consultancy services, work- neers and landscape architects, “People are realising there are everything we can do to retain it
prioritising tree retention and ing directly with land developers, because there was no recognition actual benefits to established, [transplanting].
24 | March 15, 2021
LAND DEVELOPERS FEATURE
“Early intervention and good “We did some recent work with
arboricultural advice are para- Satterley out at Northlake and
mount; you can accommodate they got to keep their trees and
those modifications without it lot yield.”
being really cost prohibitive,” Mr A recent study by The Australian
Lumbus said. Institute of Landscape Architects
“And if we are able to get in found while the removal of trees
before the bulldozers, then we can on average cost about $5,000, the
pick the healthy trees.” intrinsic value of a tree could be
Mr Lumbus said it was equally upwards of $50,000 in relation to
important to understand that the amenities it provided, such as
sometimes tree removal was nec- shade.
essary; for example, if it was being Mr Lumbus said trees also
considered for a play area but con- provided an aesthetic boost that
tained structural cracks, fractures could contribute to an increase in
and dead wood. lot value.
Water availability and bushfire Stronger buyer appetite is
risk were other technical consider- another potential upside, he said,
ations for retaining and planting a benefit emerging at The Arbor
trees. Centre’s recent project the Henley
“Councils are pushing[tree] com- Brook estate by Mirvac.
pliance, but it all comes down to Located on the fringe of the
how comfortable developers are in Swan Valley, the 38-hectare site
working with us,” Mr Lumbus said. will contain more than 600 homes
He said a shortage of skilled upon completion in 2026, as well as
APPRECIATION: Luke Lumbus says there’s been a shift in attitudes towards tree retention
arboriculturalists in WA was more than 600 mature trees.
in recent years.
an ongoing challenge for the Mirvac residential development
industry. WA general manager Paige Walker
“The beauty of a collaborative He said collaboration helped sensitivities, and how those “Some developers are reluctant said trees had dictated the devel-
approach is the opportunity to sit in deciding how to develop an interplayed with planned road because trees take up space and opment masterplan, including
down with the engineer, architect, estate masterplan based on tree specifications and other general think it’s going to cost their lot
and landscape architect.” locations, soil depths and root housing requirements. yield,” Mr Lumbus said. Continued on page 26
SPONSORED CONTENT
How will land developers save WA? Project consulting for land developers
The crucial challenge faced by Plantrite Wholesale Native Nursery is a Native plants are vital for biodiversity, landscape can look like. With a diverse
land developers in 2021 is keeping family-owned business specialising in supporting the local ecosystem by natural palette from which to draw,
sustainability and affordability in check. the propagation and growing of native providing food and shelter for native developers and architects can challenge
Natural stewardship is no longer a ‘nice Western Australian species. They have fauna, cleansing the air and filtering the status quo and differentiate from the
to have’ — government regulators, contributed to major landscape projects waterways. crowd.
buyers, investors, and owners expect and developments throughout WA such Developers and landscape architects The Plantrite team are passionate about
developers to put sustainability at their as the Gateway WA, Northlink and Optus must carefully consider the species greening our cities with native flora,
projects’ core. stadium, producing over 3 million plants they choose for a project — well in offering a vast range of knowledge on
The simple solution for developers’ per year and over 300 species of local advance — particularly if the project has the best practice of using natives in
ecological management is native native plants. a provenance component to it. Plantrite projects. The team readily offers plant
planting. However, many landscape Plantrite Managing Director, David Lullfitz, can collaborate with developers and recommendations and advice, so reach
designers and developers limit the makes the point that, “Using endemic landscape architects to grow a wide out to collaborate and achieve the best
variety of native plants used, missing out species in projects adds to biodiversity, range of fit-for-purpose plants to order. result for your next project.
on an opportunity to give their project a and can conserve threatened flora Development projects can do more than
unique point of difference in the market. by incorporating them into the urban serve people and industry; by including
Plantrite Wholesale Native Nursery has landscape.” He adds, “Planning ahead native species in abundance, designs
addressed the knowledge gap issue with a wide variety of plants saves can serve a higher purpose to natural
with detailed information at plantrite.com. developers money and headaches in the ecosystems and community standards.
au and by offering no-cost consulting long run.” Landscape architects are responsible
options for developers. for redefining what a Western Australian plantrite.com.au
March 15, 2021 | 25
FEATURE LAND DEVELOPERS
Developers particularly where banksia wood-
lands are concerned,” he said.
realise tree “A fine balance needs to be
struck though between full reten-
change tion and the reality of meeting
opportunity the needs of Perth’s growing pop-
ulation within the confines of the
Perth and Peel development area.”
From page 25
Greener plans
the positioning of roads, main
Between 2016 and 2020, the City
entrance and open space.
of Kwinana was among the top
“It was a no-brainer that the
five municipalities across Aus-
whole focus of this project would
tralia to record the most growth in
be around retaining trees,” Ms
green cover, reversing its previous
Walker told Business News.
trend of decline.
“When you drive to the site
Kwinana’s gradual transition
that’s the first thing you notice,
from heavy industrial to resi-
the many well-established trees;
dential is one factor increasing
it really sets you apart from
greenery.
competitors.”
Council-led policies are another
Ms Walker said while there were
contributor, including the require-
tree-planning policies govern-
ment for new subdivisions to
ing the site, the number of trees
install street trees at a minimum
retained was driven by Mirvac at
rate of one per lot.
a significant undisclosed cost.
Inner-city councils have also
“We believe the investment is
introduced strategies to protect
well worth it,” she said.
trees in established areas. The
“Not only because it’s what
City of Vincent offers financial
purchasers want, but also for
assistance for work associated
sustainability; it’s our social
with trees included on its Trees of
responsibility.”
Significance Inventory, while the
Part of the investment included
City of Stirling requires a bond
establishing a nursery within the
payment for the protection of
estate to transplant and main-
street trees where development
tain mature trees earmarked to
could have an impact.
be replanted elsewhere post site SOLUTION: Transplanting provides one alternative to tree disposal. Photo: The Arbor Centre UDIA WA chief executive
work.
1m sqm
Tanya Steinbeck said developers
Mirvac also has plans to create
the increasing awareness of tree Frasers’ East Green project in of masterplanned communities
a community orchard at Henley benefits. Greenwood is a joint venture with were making a conscious effort
Brook, which will include olive, “Trees have the advantage of the Department of Communities, to retain trees where possible and
citrus and avocado trees. acting as a heat sink, they remove and Mr O’Dwyer said the estate’s viable. However, infill development
“Some sites don’t have mature that sun-blasted heat you get in public open space was purposely needed more direction, she added.
trees so it’s not possible, but where housing estates [without trees],” planned to leverage existing SHADE LOSS CITY OF A City of Stirling report found
they do, there’s so much value he said. mature trees. STIRLING SINCE 2012 it had lost more than one million
added to the project,” Ms Walker The urban heat island effect Meanwhile, Cedar Woods Prop- square metres of shade (the equiv-
said. resulting from the loss of trees is erties leveraged opportunities in Cedar Woods’ cost and protected alent of 55 WACA grounds) since
“It improves amenity value and one of the key issues outlined in protecting marri, jarrah and other in perpetuity for the benefit of 2012, with private residential land
air quality. the WAPC’s Better Urban Forest native species by incorporating our residents and the wider com- accounting for two-thirds of that
“Some trees at Henley Brook Planning guide. them into public open spaces and munity,” he said. loss.
are 60-plus years old, you can’t get Research shows canopy trees streets at its Bushmead estate. “While our retention efforts “Over the years the emergence
that same feel by replanting new prevent surfaces from trapping Situated near the Swan Valley, have not been without signif- of battle axe [infill] lots, duplex
trees later. heat; thermal imaging of Victoria Bushmead features 188ha of icant cost, this has been more and triplex blocks delivered by
“A [Perth] survey a few years Avenue in Perth’s CBD found tem- retained bushland and 41ha of than offset by the strong demand private homeowners and smaller
ago found 80 per cent of those peratures ranging from 14 degrees revegetation. It was awarded the Bushmead has consistently gener- developers has caused the loss of
surveyed strongly agreed that Celsius in the shade to 33 degrees 2020 Environmental Excellence ated, the consistent price growth tree canopy in established areas,”
neighbourhood trees made a in unshaded areas. Award by the Urban Development that has been achieved and, in Ms Steinbeck said.
major contribution to the local Mr O’Dwyer said additional tree Institute of Western Australia turn, reflected in the equity our “That is why a precinct
identity and character of the benefits included increased privacy (UDIA WA). residents have generated in their approach is critical to ensuring
community. and visual appeal, while also provid- Cedar Woods state manager WA homes.” that medium- and high-density
“It’s a bit more costly ... but the ing a point in difference from the Ben Rosser said the group’s reten- Mr Rosser said a future development in infill areas can
end outcome is a [heightened] abil- standard uniformity of housing tion of trees had extended beyond driver for tree retention was be delivered in a way that ensures
ity to sell the project; there are so estates, as tree retention promoted minimum compliance with envi- the lack of tracts of developa- trees are retained where possible
many positives.” more creative housing streetscapes. ronmental policies, resulting in ble, clear-felled land, presenting and the urban environment is pre-
“Developers are much more a 15 per cent increase in develop- environmental as well as servic- served or improved.
Tree benefits understanding now about the ment costs. ing cost challenges. “Government guidelines, includ-
Frasers Property Australia gen- opportunities they can create “This strong environmental Without doubt it is no longer ing the draft Medium Density
eral manager development Tod rather than knocking everything commitment is not just for show, acceptable or possible to develop Design Code, will hopefully assist
O’Dwyer said a growing body down and rolling out a subdivi- with more than 60 per cent of the land without taking into account in providing guidance for better
of research had contributed to sion,” he said. land to be fully rehabilitated at significant tree retention, outcomes in this space.”
26 | March 15, 2021
Land developers
SPECIAL REPORT
Data & Insights
Showing 6 of 731
Property groups deliver profit
Land developer Peet and apartment developer Finbar have
both posted profits for the first half of the 2021 financial year.
Value debatable from big rail spending
Transport investment is budgeted to be $11.7 billion through to
2024, but not all proposals offer obvious value.
Stockland takes top prize
The Amberton Coastal Precinct by Stockland was named
overall winner at the latest instalment of the Urban
Development Institute of Australia WA Awards for Excellence.
Record home starts for 2020
The Housing Industry Association has forecast a record near-
130,000 detached home starts for Australia in 2021, with a
steep decline in numbers predicted early next year.
Developers call for planning consistency,
transparency
... Nigel Satterley, one of the state’s most prominent land
developers, holds a similar view, pointing to sporting ...
Satterley story shapes WA
... Group has become one of the nation’s largest independent
land developers. But those achievements may never have
come ...
businessnews.com.au
March 15, 2021 | PB
You can also read
