Welcome to the HIA NSW weekly e-newsletter
Planning Reforms
Members were briefed about NSW Planning Minister Frank Sartor’s planning reform program in what’s new back in May this year. The changes are designed to streamline planning approvals at a number of levels, from land development and sub-divisions, multi-use complexes and residential apartments, through to domestic building work. A feature of Minister Sartor’s reforms will be significant reductions in approval turnaround times for housing projects – both new homes and renovations.
The reforms require amendments to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act (EP&A Act).
These planning amendments were passed in the NSW Legislative Council on Wednesday this week.
While the Planning Minister has good reason to be pleased with their progress, the reforms have some way to go before we see improvements on the ground.
Even so, the progress to date is positive news for members, and importantly, HIA will be part of the Implementation Advisory Committee to assist the Minister to translate the reforms into actions.
The progress of the complying development codes is also good news.
As a member of Complying Development Expert Panel, HIA has been working closely with the Minister and his Department to prepare the suite of domestic codes. When released, domestic projects that meet the criteria in the relevant code may be approved as complying development – by either a council or an accredited certifier – a process that will take as little as 10 days ……. Imagine that!
Projects that don’t meet the criteria will be processed by Council as a development application as usual.
The first code containing the criteria for single storey houses and internal domestic alterations is already well advanced.
Training Levies
HIA is aware of proposals to introduce training levies across NSW. If introduced, training levies will help fund our industry’s future training and skills’ development needs. However it will come at a cost – up to 0.25% of the cost of any building work over $80,000. Building work, including residential, commercial, industrial and civil projects will be targeted. The cost for a new $200,000 house will be $500.
The cost will inevitably be passed on to your client’s ….. but the cost of not growing our industry’s skill’s base may be even greater.
I would appreciate your feedback on whether a new charge for training levies would be good for your business and/or your industry. You can send me a brief email by clicking here
NSW Housing Awards
The HIA-CSR NSW Housing Awards program is gaining momentum. We have received entries from across NSW, including Northern Rivers, North Coast, Regional NSW and Sydney, and the calibre of the projects is once again outstanding.
The closing date for entries for the Business Partner of the Year is almost here. It’s about time you recognised the contribution your partner makes to your business. The entry is a single page……your partner’s response could be well worth the effort.
The final date for Professional Builder entries is also closing in. Winning the Professional Builder Award is more than designing and building a great home. It’s more than offering superior value. And it’s more that looking after your clients. It’s all this and more!
Naturally, winning this Award brings a recognition and status that complements the title – Professional Builder of the Year.
NISSAN OFFERS HIA MEMBERS EXCLUSIVE DEALS
Nissan Australia and the Housing Industry Association have agreed to collaborate in promoting the sale of Nissan commercial and passenger vehicles to HIA members.
As one of Australia’s major light commercial vehicles and SUV suppliers, Nissan is ideally suited to meet the needs of the association members.
Nissan’s award-winning Navara utility and cab chassis, iconic Patrol wagon and cab chassis and dual-purpose, work-play Pathfinder and X-TRAIL SUV’s have been popular with trades people for years.
Nissan’s Managing Director and CEO, Dan Thompson said passenger sedans also featured strongly in the HIA fleet and Nissan’s Tiida, Micra, DUALIS, Maxima and 350Z are well placed to attract interest from HIA members. HIA’s Managing Director, Ron Silberberg added, “The extension of the special price discount to sedans and four-wheel drives is a first among motor vehicle manufacturers and should be well-received given the number of HIA members who use sedans for company vehicles.”
For HIA members looking to update their vehicles, you are now eligible for special HIA-Nissan vehicle pricing across the entire range plus if you purchase this month you will also pick up the applicable end of financial year campaign offers. Full details will be available via HIA’s web site shortly but in the meantime drop into any Nissan dealer, say you are a HIA member, and they will be happy to assist.
For further information on the Nissan product line-up and dealer locations visit nissan.com.au