A Legacy of Leadership: Satterley and UDIA WA

For more than five decades, Satterley has played a defining role in Western Australia’s development industry, alongside the Urban Development Institute of Australia WA. As one of the founding members of the Institute, Nigel Satterley AM has helped shape not only the organisation itself, but the standards, ambition and community focus of the sector it represents.

From the beginning, UDIA WA set out to champion the vital role developers play in creating better communities. That mission has closely aligned with Satterley’s own purpose, to deliver vibrant, liveable places where people can build their lives.

A Proud Awards History

Satterley has supported the UDIA WA Awards for Excellence since their inception in 1995, both as an inaugural entrant and as one of the program’s earliest winners. The company’s first award was for The Avenues in Canning Vale, recognised in the Residential Development under 1000 Lots category.

Since then, Satterley has received 30 Awards for Excellence trophies, reflecting a consistent commitment to quality, innovation and community creation across Western Australia.

Award programs such as UDIA’s play an important role in highlighting the positive contribution of the development industry. They reinforce the message championed by the Institute’s founders, including Peter Solomon, Ross Mallet and Max McDonald, that developers are central to establishing thriving, well planned communities. Their vision continues to guide the industry today.

As Nigel often reflects, the development sector delivers the majority of residential lots across Australia. Without developers, there is no land for housing, no foundations for neighbourhoods and no framework for community life. Western Australia can be proud of the role its industry plays in delivering housing and creating places that endure.

Ellenbrook: A Benchmark for Legacy

The inaugural winner of the residential development category in 1995 was the Ellenbrook Joint Venture, a project that remains one of Australia’s most recognised masterplanned communities.

Over three decades, Ellenbrook has earned state, national and international recognition, including the FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence in 2015. Its success lies in its ability to evolve, continually introducing new approaches to planning and design.

Rear loaded lots, cottage lots and more recently micro lots were trialled early at Ellenbrook, setting trends later adopted across the country. The community has been designed to support residents at every stage of life, allowing them to enter the market, upgrade, downsize and remain connected to their local area. Access to employment, amenity and strong community infrastructure has cemented Ellenbrook’s reputation as one of the nation’s leading masterplanned communities.

Responding to Changing Needs

Over 30 years, Satterley has delivered 225 communities and more than 130,000 lots. Each project reflects the same guiding principle, to understand what communities need and respond with thoughtful design.

Heron Park is celebrated for its living streams, walking paths and landscape integration. Beaumaris Beach is known for its coastal setting and expansive parks. At Allara, conversations with residents during site visits led to the delivery of a dedicated dog park and a separate toddlers’ park, ensuring the evolving needs of families were met.

As lot sizes across the state have reduced, the importance of high quality community amenity has only grown. Well designed parks, public open space and shared facilities are now central to creating connected, active neighbourhoods.

Looking Forward

Nigel Satterley’s long standing association with UDIA WA reflects a shared commitment to excellence, innovation and community building. From the Institute’s earliest days to its 30th anniversary Awards gala, the partnership between Satterley and UDIA WA has helped elevate the industry and celebrate its achievements.

The legacy is clear, not simply in awards or milestones, but in the enduring communities across Western Australia that continue to grow, evolve and thrive.

More information on Satterley’s ongoing partnership with UDIA WA can be found in their 2025 Awards for Excellence Winners Showcase.