Developing WA

In this episode of Developing WA, Kai Armstrong sits down with Russell to dive into all things forensics. Russell doesn't just design hydraulic systems, he gets called in as an expert witness when they fail and somebody ends up in court, usually by a lawyer acting for their client or a loss adjuster at an insurance company.

You'll hear why roof plumbing is no longer a licensed trade in WA, who actually carries the blame when a building fails and who walks away clean, and the dispute where both sides spent $800,000 each on legal fees to argue about a $600,000 repair.

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In today's episode, Kai joins Russell to talk about what WA's building boom is doing to construction quality.

You'll hear why WA's shift to desalinated water is quietly wearing out plastic pipes years before they should fail, why the code covering box gutters and storm water is the one chapter of the plumbing standard nobody actually regulates, and why Russell thinks the industry needs to slow down instead of racing every project to 100 percent.

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In today's episode, Russell sits down with Darren Chatfield from Spectrum Plastics for an honest chat about the reality of running a manufacturing business. 

You'll hear why raw material prices have jumped 50 to 100% in a matter of months and why Darren says it's a bigger challenge than COVID ever was, why he believes indecision is a death trap when the business is yours to run, and the simple driveway rule Darren has used for three decades to stop work following him home.

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In today' s episode, Russell is back in the guest seat with Kai for part two of their conversation, going deeper into the realities of running a consultancy, leading a growing team, and where the WA property market is heading.

You'll hear why Russell designs every project thinking like a property investor instead of a consultant, the kind of leader Russell decided he didn't want to be, and what Russell would say to a Gen Z buyer who reckons it's too hard to get on the property ladder.

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In today's episode, Russell returns to the guest seat to chat with Kai about the realities of running a hydraulic consultancy and the failures Russell sees firsthand as an expert witness on building disputes across Australia.

You'll hear the story of a $250,000 box gutter failure in a Scarborough high-rise, the hard lessons Russell learned bootstrapping OTG, and exactly what Russell says when a client tells him the competition is cheaper.

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Jay Walters is the General Manager of the JWH Group, a residential home builder started in 2003 and a second-generation family business.

In this episode, Jay discusses the dynamics and challenges of leadership in a family-run business. He addresses the use of different building methods, the strength of double brick construction in Western Australia, and discusses the importance of addressing mental health in the construction industry, particularly among young men.

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Melissa Montgomery is the Sales Director for Australian Projects and Developments at JLL, specialising in selling Australian residential property into Asian markets. Based in Singapore, Melissa works closely with Australian developers to connect their projects with offshore buyers across the region.

In this episode, Melissa unpacks what’s driving offshore interest in Australian property. Melissa discusses the types of projects attracting offshore buyers, explores current market conditions across Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, and Melissa shares broader reflections on density, housing supply and what Australia’s property future may need to look like.

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Jerome Vallet is the Director of Stop Renting Perth, a business dedicated to helping first and second-home buyers navigate the transition from renting to home ownership.

In this episode, Jerome discusses the mission behind Stop Renting Perth and the barriers facing buyers in Perth’s rapidly rising housing market. Jerome touches on saving amid rising rents, available financing options and government support, and Jerome also shares his entrepreneurial journey, building the business alongside full-time work.

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Sara Sutton is the Founder and Director of Perth Style Company. Having shaped over $2 billion worth of property in the last decade, Perth Style Company has been successfully transforming empty properties into attractive, inviting spaces.

In this episode, Sara talks about her pivot from finance to property styling. Sara breaks down the gap she saw in the Perth property scene that she wanted to fill with the brand. She explains the business, the operations, psychology, and the expectations, and Sara discusses how virtual staging has gotten much better over the years.

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Shayne Isbister is the Development Director at Edge Visionary Living. With over 13 years of experience in the country and even more overseas, Shayne has pushed Edge Visionary Living to award-winning success in Western Australia.

In this episode, Shayne discusses his background in construction and development, originating from a family legacy in South Africa and continuing in Australia. Shane highlights how important it is to put focus on long-term quality. He highlights the importance of maintaining client relationships, even at senior levels, and Shane addresses the challenges and opportunities in the Perth apartment market.

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In the very first episode of Developing WA, you’ll meet your host, Russell Green, the Founder of OTG Hydraulic Design. OTG are experts in Hydraulic Design, Plumbing Consultancy, and Wet Fire Design.

In this episode, Russell is joined by OTG marketing manager Kai Armstrong to share a bit about his background. Kai asks Russell how OTG got started, what you can expect on the show, and Russell addresses the common misconception that hydraulic engineers aren’t required.

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Vadim Boyko is Director and Principal Architect at PROEKT. PROEKT’s mission is to bridge the gap between design and feasibility in Western Australia.

In this episode, Vadim takes us through his upbringing and the journey of heading his own business with limited connections. He discusses the nitty-gritty of doing business as an architect  and the balance between client expectation and government regulation. Finally, Vadim gives his two cents on the property landscape in Perth, what it’s doing well, and what it could be doing better.

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