Developing WA

In this episode of Developing WA, we’ve pulled together some of our best conversations so far. Kai Armstrong and Russell Green of OTG Hydraulic Consulting dig into what WA’s building boom is hiding and what happens when a building fails, and Russell sits down with Vadim Boyko of PROEKT to talk about why apartments are still a hard sell in Perth.

You’ll hear about the $250,000 claim that started with a failed box gutter on a high-rise in Scarborough, why Vadim reckons Perth is allergic to apartments, and the hot water pipe Russell says he’d run from if he were buying an apartment in Perth.

Connect:

• Russell on LinkedIn
• OTG website
• OTG on Instagram
• OTG on Facebook
• OTG on LinkedIn

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Developing WA, Kai and Russell go through the 2025 AS 3500 changes and what they actually mean on site. Parts one, two and four have been mandatory in WA since 1 May 2026, and Russell walks through the ones people are most likely to get caught by.

You'll hear what the new flexible hose classes mean for the flexi sitting under your sink, why a waterless urinal can now need a flushing device fitted to it, and why stormwater is the only unregulated section of AS 3500 in WA — the section behind 95% of the disputes Russell gets called into.

Connect:

• Russell on LinkedIn
• OTG website
• OTG on Instagram
• OTG on Facebook
• OTG on LinkedIn

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Connect:

• Russell on LinkedIn
• OTG website
• OTG on Instagram
• OTG on Facebook
• OTG on LinkedIn

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Connect:

• Russell on LinkedIn
• OTG website
• OTG on Instagram
• OTG on Facebook
• OTG on LinkedIn

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Resources and links:

• Darren on LinkedIn

Connect:

• Russell on LinkedIn
• OTG website
• OTG on Instagram
• OTG on Facebook
• OTG on LinkedIn

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Connect:

• Russell on LinkedIn
• OTG website
• OTG on Instagram
• OTG on Facebook
• OTG on LinkedIn

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Connect:

• Russell on LinkedIn
• OTG website
• OTG on Instagram
• OTG on Facebook
• OTG on LinkedIn

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Resources and links:

• JWH Group on LinkedIn
• Jay Walters on LinkedIn

Connect:

• Russell on LinkedIn
• OTG website
• OTG on Instagram
• OTG on Facebook
• OTG on LinkedIn

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Resources and links:

• JLL Website
• JLL on LinkedIn
• Melissa Montgomery on LinkedIn

Connect:

• Russell on LinkedIn
• OTG website
• OTG on Instagram
• OTG on Facebook
• OTG on LinkedIn

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Resources and links:

• Stop Renting Perth Website
• Jerome Vallet on LinkedIn

Connect:

• Russell on LinkedIn
• OTG website
• OTG on Instagram
• OTG on Facebook
• OTG on LinkedIn

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.