{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location {{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationVision for housing in 2024/25 ACT budget falls short
Vision for housing in 2024/25 ACT budget falls short
Member and guest login
Enter your email and password to access secured content, members only resources and discount prices.
Did you become a member online? If not, you will need to activate your account to login.
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
Forgotten password
Need some help?
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
If the email address you have entered is registered, you will receive an email with further instructions.
Become part of the HIA community
Enables quick and easy registration for future events or learning and grants access to expert advice and valuable resources.
Create a guest account
Enter your details below and create a login
“Additional expenditure for the Affordable Housing Project Fund is good news, as is earmarking additional funding for public housing dwellings and renewal,” said Greg Weller, HIA Executive Director ACT/Sthn NSW.
“However, rather than just spend more public money on housing, we encourage the ACT government to look at what policy decisions it is making that contribute to the cost and shortage of housing in the Territory.
“Much vaunted changes to the planning system have so far failed to meet expectations to kickstart new building, while changes to building laws and red tape have seen significant escalations in build costs and times for projects to be completed.
“The Indicative Land Release Program (ILRP) promises much each year but is light on detail of residential dwelling type and measurement of performance.
“If the ACT improved the cost and speed of housing delivery through reducing red and green tape, while increasing land supply, there would be less pressure on public and affordable housing programs.
“We expect housing to be a central issue in this year’s Territory election, and HIA will be looking closely at the policies of all parties and candidates and how they stack up on delivering more housing for Canberrans.”
Some immediate changes that could improve housing outcomes include:
- Remove the Lease Variation Charge (LVC) tax on dual occupancy on small low rise residential developments.
- Bring greater accountability to the government’s Indicative Land Release Program by reporting against performance each year and increasing its timeframe.
- Decrease development approval (DA) times, with last year’s budget revealing only 65% of DA decisions were made in the statutory timeframe.
“The number of detached houses approved in the ACT over the quarter to April this year was only 141, which is a fall of 38% since the same period last year and the lowest quarter in over 15 years. Loans for the construction of a new dwelling for the year to March 2024 sit at 58% less than the previous year.
“The ACT has a looming housing disaster, which will not be addressed without meaningful reform to support housing delivery in private and public markets,” concluded Mr Weller.
For more information please contact:
Population data highlights contradiction in government policy
“Australia’s population reached 27.4 million by the end of 2024, up by 445,900 people, or 1.7 per cent for the year,” stated HIA Senior Economist, Tom Devitt.
Tasmanian Election - Stadium or no stadium we still need housing
The Tasmanian election that no-one wanted to have is in full swing, and while the limited campaign period is unlikely to provide the usual platform to promote key policies and reforms, HIA is calling on both major parties to prioritise housing policies given the significant challenges across the state.
‘Getting Keys in Doors’ shouldn’t be this difficult
“Our dated and complex planning system is littered with speed bumps that could easily be removed”, said Brad Armitage, HIA NSW Executive Director.
New home building contract laws welcomed by HIA
“The Victorian government’s proposal to update home building contract laws to make them fit for use in the 21st century is welcomed by HIA,” stated HIA Executive Director, Keith Ryan.