WA President’s comment – May 2025
Advocacy is a top priority for the ACA in Western Australia. We have found that our voice is strong when we collaborate with other groups – sharing information, discussing agendas, and advocating together on issues of mutual interest.
A couple of years ago we joined with others in our network to create the Built Environment Reference Group (also known as the BERG). The BERG brings together eight WA-based membership organisations working in the built environment. We meet monthly to discuss our respective advocacy priorities and where we can work together. It’s not too formal, which means we can be nimble, active and effective in our advocacy work.
Along with the ACA, we have the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA), the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA), the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA), the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA), the Property Council, Engineers Australia, and the Housing Industry Association (HIA). Every month the Presidents and Executive Directors of the various groups come together to talk about the issues of the day related to the built environment and how they impact WA. We share our priorities and areas of focus, and often find several common areas of interest where we can work together.
The big issue for WA at the moment is housing supply. The densification of Perth as a metropolitan area is an important priority that is multifaceted and affects all of the BERG organisations. Of course, we all have our own perspective on what matters most. But what we do agree on is the need for medium density infill and a holistic approach to liveability, amenity, access to services, access to jobs and access to transport. With landscape and planning and architecture, there’s a common discussion around densification around train stations or activity centres. How can we unlock density in a way that still stacks up and is affordable? We are all active in this space, advocating as individual industry bodies and together as the BERG, with a view to engage collectively with Government as a BERG group, driving a positive and outcomes focused advocacy message.
Beyond housing, we need to engage in a more nuanced conversation about the future of our cities – what we want them to look like and how we shape the built environment. We need a clear vision for the city of Perth. We must support government in shaping policy that reflects this. I’m particularly optimistic about the role the BERG can play. While we won’t always agree, we can still advocate for innovative models and diverse housing options in the right locations – backed by essential services and vibrant, inclusive environments. Our shared goal should be liveable neighbourhoods and communities that support people at every stage of life, including the ability to age in place.
The skills and talent pipeline is a major concern shared across all our groups. There’s no question – we need skilled migration in WA. We also need to do more to retain women in the industry and build a strong education pipeline that attracts young people and keeps them engaged in the built environment. We can’t afford to lose talent to other industries. One interesting upcoming BERG initiative is a collaborative, one-stop built environment stall at the annual Perth Skills West Careers & Employment Expo at the Convention Centre. We aim to give high school students a clear window into the industry – whether they’re curious about becoming an architect, engineer, planner, landscaper or builder. In future, they’ll be able to explore a wide range of career pathways in one accessible place.
For me, the key takeaway from the BERG is the power of a united voice. We operate in the same industry, face many of the same challenges, and share common concerns. By learning from one another and aligning our efforts, we can advocate with greater clarity and purpose. Together, we can be stronger, more effective, and far more impactful.