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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationHunter President's report
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Kaine Tarlinton
HIA Hunter President
At the recent Hunter Annual Meeting of Members I was pleased to provide a Presidents Report on the activity of HIIA locally over the past year.
Much of the advocacy in the HIA Hunter region was in the planning space, with a strong focus on the timely delivery of registered land and the efficient processing of development approvals.
The consistent message that connected a lot of the meetings held with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, local councils and other committees or advocacy groups was that there is a need for more certainty in the planning system.
Meetings were held virtually and face to face throughout the year with a number of councils and government agencies to discuss the residential housing sector. A particular focus has been on regular meetings with senior managers at the Central Coast Council to follow up on correspondence and discuss concerns about the large pipeline of development approvals and the extended timeframe to consider the applications.
The intent was to discuss improvements council might be making, and how HIA can collaborate on solutions. As a result, HIA regularly held discussions with the state government on support measures that should be made to assist in the timely provision of housing locally.
Ahead of the 2025 federal election, HIA hosted three local housing roundtables in the HIA Hunter region. The events brought together members and stakeholders, with Senator Andrew Bragg – Shadow Assistant, Minister for Home Ownership, Senator Maria Kovacic, and the Liberal candidates for the seats of Dobell, Paterson and Shortland, to hear concerns about housing supply and affordability. Towards the end of 2025 a further roundtable was held in Taree in November hosted with Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie and the local member.
Pleasingly attendees didn’t hold back and it is clear that there is much that the current federal government and the opposition parties can and must do to support the industry to build the volume of housing that the Hunter desperately needs. With the right policy focus, regional locations like the Hunter can be at the forefront of Australia’s housing recovery.
Following a record number of entries the HIA Hunter Housing and Kitchen & Bathroom Awards were held in October in front of a capacity audience of industry leaders and peers from across the Central Coast, Hunter and Mid Coast regions.
The Awards acknowledged the talent of designers, builders, contractors, suppliers and manufacturers who plan and construct quality new homes, townhouses, renovations, kitchens, bathrooms and outdoor projects. Judged by industry professionals, the best of the region’s residential building industry was selected as winners in 37 separate categories.
Other key activities that were undertaken in 2025 included:
- HIA worked with the Central Coast Peak Bodies Alliance, calling for stronger commercial and community vision for Gosford waterfront
- Advocated on local government working groups and made submissions regarding a number of council reviews of Development Control Plans. Stopped Maitland Council developing technical requirements in planning documentation. Key was the removal of the chapters regarding sustainability and changes to universal housing.
- Assisted the University of Newcastle Centre for Construction Safety and Well-Being conduct WHS research
- Joined the panel at the University of Newcastle Built Environment Research Forum 2025, focusing on advanced construction technologies and materials
- Participated in meetings such as the Lower Hunter and Greater Newcastle Urban Development Program and collaborated with various government agencies and councils to address urban development challenges
- Attended housing forums with Central Coast and Lake Macquarie councils
- Wrote correspondence on behalf of industry regarding the University of Newcastle’s decision to pause new enrolments in the surveying program.
Looking forward HIA expects a steady increase in housing starts for the HIA Hunter region through 2026, though volumes remain below the levels required to meet national housing targets. The key industry challenges that HIA will focus on locally are planning bottlenecks, workforce shortages and regulatory compliance, particularity regarding NCC 2025.