WACCC Property Series Recap: Navigating Costs and Global Disruption
On 22 April 2026, the WA Chinese Chamber of Commerce hosted the inaugural event of its Property Series at our West Perth offices, bringing together around 80 developers, investors, business leaders and industry professionals for a candid conversation on the forces reshaping Perth’s built environment.
Moderated by Michelle Cheah (Westpac) and featuring panellists Ronald Chan, CEO of Finbar Group, and Eugene Lim, Director at SKS Group, the evening explored the tension at the heart of Perth’s property market: robust demand meeting constrained supply.
What the market is telling us
Perth’s appetite for quality apartments remains strong. Consumers are willing to pay a premium for well-designed, energy-efficient dwellings – and developers are finding that domestic demand alone is now sufficient to underpin project viability. The era of relying on international buyers to fill presales is, for many, behind us.
Yet the path to delivery has rarely been harder. Labour shortages and rising raw material costs are squeezing feasibility, with contingencies needing to be built higher into project budgets than ever before. The old assumptions no longer hold.
Where opportunity lies
The most telling insight of the evening was how leading developers are responding: by going direct. Sourcing materials directly from overseas suppliers – bypassing traditional distribution chains – is becoming a key lever for cost competitiveness. This is not simply a procurement workaround. It reflects a strategic shift. Companies with established international networks, particularly across Asia, are better positioned to manage cost volatility, secure supply, and move faster than those without.
For WACCC members, this is familiar ground – and a timely reminder of why cross-border relationships matter not just commercially, but structurally.
The evening also marked the formal launch of the WACCC Property, Construction & Infrastructure (PCI) Committee, chaired by Council Member Philip Lin. Those interested in joining the committee are encouraged to reach out to Philip or CEO Louise Clunies-Ross.
We thank our sponsors – EXAL Property Development, Bespoke Fire Consulting, and LINIC Group – and look forward to continuing this conversation.
