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Welcome to 2021

Col DuttonSponsored
UDIA WA President Col Dutton.
Camera IconUDIA WA President Col Dutton. Credit: The West Australian.

As we embark on a new year, there remains many unknowns regarding the continuing influence of the pandemic on our everyday lives, not to mention the broader health and economic impacts.

In terms of the property market, and in particular the new land and housing markets, we are starting the year off the back of unprecedented sales activity in the second half of 2020 due to the Federal and State Government financial incentives for new homebuyers.

Developers, builders, construction workers and many related services will remain very busy in the coming months, meeting deadlines for buyers who signed building contracts prior to December 31 who now need to commence house construction within the required timeframes.

The industry is also expecting a continued steady flow of new buyers into the market as interest rates remain low and WA’s economic recovery remains on track over the coming year. These factors provide potential buyers with confidence moving forward about investing in the local land and housing market.

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However, there does remain a degree of trepidation about longer term market demand, particularly given international borders remain closed and state borders are uncertain, dependant on the latest health advice.

With population growth hampered by these factors, it will be critical that the federal and state governments work together in 2021 to look at how Western Australia and the rest of the country can maintain growth.

A key aspect of attracting people to live, work and invest in Western Australia is having a clear brand proposition for WA that articulates the unique opportunities and lifestyle we have to offer here.

The pandemic has only reinforced WA as a safe haven, and we need to build on that reputation and ensure people from interstate and overseas know about it.

A clear and effective ‘Brand WA’ that highlights the fantastic attributes we have to offer those who already live here and those who could move here or invest in our markets requires leadership from the State Government in engaging all government departments, industry and the community in the delivery. This is more than creating a catchy tourism slogan, this is a deep understanding and clarity around WA as a whole and what we have to offer the world.

Developing Brand WA is one of the key recommendations in UDIA WA’s 2021 State Election Campaign which outlines to all political parties and candidates a range of recommendations to maximise WA as a place of choice to live, work and invest, and to enable our communities to prosper.

For more information, visit www.udiawa.com.au/state-election.

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