Planning Policy

State and local government planning rules are often seen as the cause of extensive delays for HIA members. HIA works continually with both levels of government to seek reforms to the planning system which can improve the time taken for rezoning of residential land and approvals for subdivision and housing which meet the community’s expectations for responsible development. The regulatory burden of the planning system also has a significant impact on the renovation market, where significant improvements can be gained through improved government direction.

The major planning issues facing the housing industry include:

• Ensuring planning systems consider housing affordability as a key principle
• Timeliness of land supply for all forms of housing (greenfield and brownfield) through rezoning, subdivision and development approval reform
• Gaining or maintaining a one step approval process for single houses
• Reducing the approvals needed for minor renovations and minor structures associated with houses
• Minimising the introduction of technical building controls in planning laws
• Streamlining planning and environmental laws to avoid conflict or overlap
• Controlling the impact of levies and charges by all level of government on new development

HIA’s National Policy Congress has endorsed a series of policies in response to the planning reform agenda.