David Gaffney

Acting Executive Director

HIA has welcomed proposed planning reforms that promise to reduce the significant time delays which currently occur in the planning system. HIA SA has been lobbying the State Government for a streamlined complying development process since Brenton Gardner was Regional Director.

The Code, anticipated to come into effect on the 1st of March 2009, sets up 10 “measurable” Performance Controls. Where a proposed residential development meets all 10 Performance Controls, the development is complying, and the relevant authority is required to issue the Development Plan Consent within 10 working days of the application being lodged. If the development does not comply with the Performance Controls then it is not classified as complying development and will require merit based assessment.

The 10 Performance Controls relate to site configuration, site coverage, street setback, rear setback, side setback, building height, private open space, visual privacy, carparking and service connections.

While HIA highly welcomes the concept of a Code, some of the provisions are inconsistent with current building rules or are ambiguous and HIA’s submission will highlight these issues and seek amendment. The Code does not apply in all areas across South Australia eg. heritage, historic zones are exempt from the Code. Click here for a copy of the draft code. Submissions on the draft code are due by the 12th of September 2008.

The Government’s announcement also adopted HIA’s calls for a more certain and far sighted land release strategy. A guaranteed 15 year supply of zoned land available to market, as opposed to the current 6-8 years of land supply will provide consumers with a competitive land market and flexibile lifestyle options.

The recently announced State Budget contains a first home bonus grant of up to $4000. The $4000 grant is available for first home purchases with a market value of up to $400,000 and phases out for property with market values between $400,000 and $450,000 by $8 for every $100 in excess of $400,000.

This is in addition to the $7,000 from the Federal government’s First Home Owners Grant.

The State grant is available for first home buyers who have entered into a first home contract on or after 5 June 2008 and for owner builders who commence construction on or after 5 June 2008. However, to be eligible for the State grant, applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for the Federal grant.

For more information contact HIA or Revenue SA.

The HIA Australian Central Industry Luncheon is coming up with Kevin Sheedy as our guest speaker. This will once again be a fantastic event with the who's who of the housing industry expected to attend. To book your seats at the National Wine Centre on Thursday June 26, phone Marie or click here to get a registration form.

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 tradespeople 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 an 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