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$vuetify.icons.faPhone1300 650 620

Labor’s ‘Apartment Code’ commitment a sensible first step

Media release

Labor’s ‘Apartment Code’ commitment a sensible first step

Media release
“The Housing Industry Association (HIA) welcomes Tasmanian Labor’s new apartments policy announcement today. This includes the development of an ‘Apartment Code’ to guarantee planning approvals, and a ‘Three Strikes Rule’ for local government delaying developments,” said Benjamin Price, HIA Acting Executive Director Tasmania.

“An apartment code that can guarantee and fast track planning approvals will go a long way to ease the regulatory burdens and uncertainties impacting residential builders in the delivery of greater housing supply. 

“A regulatory approvals system that allows industry to achieve effective approval outcomes for all new housing is a key priority for HIA particularly around greater housing density,” said Mr Price. 

“Unnecessarily complex development application and approval systems lead to protracted approval timeframes, higher approval and construction costs. Ultimately, this results in longer delays from homeowners being able to get into their new home.

“Tasmanian Labor’s ‘Apartment Code’ commitment, to guarantee planning approvals where designs meet agreed standards, is a step in the right direction. We would encourage the policy to be extended to a standalone ‘residential code’, capturing detached, multi-unit and apartment construction typologies.

“A ‘Three Strikes’ policy to prevent councils delaying developments with repeated requests for information is also welcomed and should be supported by a broader policy of local government performance monitoring.

“HIA is pleased to see the recognition from both parties today in their different housing policy announcements on measures that seek to increase housing supply as key issue facing Tasmanians, alongside supporting the residential construction industry to deliver on these much-needed homes,” Mr Price concluded.

For further information please contact:

Benjamin Price

Manager – Workplace Services Vic/Tas

Simon Croft

Chief Executive - Industry & Policy
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