Fed moves to cut red tape welcomed by housing industry

PROPERTY industry bodies have welcomed prioritising cutting red tape to kickstart a building boom to solve the country’s housing crisis.

Policy moves on multiple fronts emerged following the Productivity Roundtable in Canberra – with several significant initiatives focused on boosting the National Accord.

Streamlining the National Construction Code was one of the high-profile targets.

It has been welcomed by the Property Council, Master Builders Australia and the Housing Industry Association.

 “Supply, supply and supply are the keys to our ambitious 1.2 million new homes target,” said Property Council chief executive Mike Zorbas.

“That’s why the measures – improvements to the National Construction Code and streamlined processes to clear assessment backlogs, plus delivering up to 35,000 additional new homes through a review of investment settings – are most welcome.”

Master Builders Australia chief executive Denita Wawn applauded the “quick, decisive action to address excessive red tape and support the industry to build more homes.

“Master Builders has been very vocal about the need for a pause to the National Construction Code throughout the National Housing Accord period, and we are glad to see the government has been listening.

“The constant churn of regulatory change has added pressure to an already complex and costly system, so a focus on fixing the system first is a welcome relief.

“Our members tell us every day about the frustrations that come with these pressures, how build times take too long, and costs get too high.

“A pause to the NCC will give the industry the time it needs to adjust and to get on with building without being crippled by unnecessary red tape.”

Cutting planning red tape was identified as one of the quick wins after 29 hours of discussions and 327 different contributions.

Housing Industry Association Managing Director Jocelyn Martin said: “A pause to non-essential changes to the national construction code, consideration of how code provisions are developed by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) and removing barriers to modern methods of construction are all very important actions that will relieve the regulatory burden on industry and pave the way for homes to be built more quickly.

“We know though that it is not just the construction of homes impacted by regulation. The announcement to fast-track EPBC Assessment on a back log 26,000 homes by establishing a new strike team within the Department of Climate Change, Energy the Environment and Water is a positive way to address planning delays for housing developments.”