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$vuetify.icons.faPhone1300 650 620

NSW Productivity Commission Report highlights critical housing supply barriers

Media release

NSW Productivity Commission Report highlights critical housing supply barriers

Media release
HIA welcomes today’s report from the NSW Productivity and Equality Commissioner, Peter Achterstraat AM, review of housing supply challenges and policy options for New South Wales. The report shines a light on some of the critical barriers to housing supply in this state.

HIA and our members provided significant input to the Commission to support the preparation of the report, “I applaud the Commissioner for listening to feedback from actual builders on the ground and giving them the opportunity to provide input into a review of this nature,” said David Bare HIA Executive Director NSW. 

“The report picks up on many of the core issues facing the construction industry; and brings more focus on what the government needs to do to support the industry to deliver housing supply for NSW. We are pleased to see many of our positions reflected in the recommendations from the Productivity and Equality Commission report.”

This includes the need to:  

Make developments more feasible, including those within the transport-oriented development zones.

  • Streamline the development assessment process by reducing bottlenecks, including post-DA approvals.
  • Create a pro-housing regulatory environment by relaxing requirements for complying development and pausing further changes to building codes or standards that add to construction costs unless there is an overriding need to address defects or public safety.
  • Supporting the development of a larger skilled labour workforce through initiatives such as targeted skilled migration, recognition of overseas qualifications, and training reform.

“Despite an initial intention to focus on non-planning barriers, it is clear the Commissioner could not ignore the current issues within the NSW planning system that stifle development and limit the potential of recent housing supply initiatives such as Transport-Oriented Development. 

“Whilst the Commissioner’s earlier reports have been focused on higher density in established areas, there is no doubt it is critical we have an equally strong focus on greenfield development to deliver the housing supply we need. HIA believes there needs to be a focus on increasing housing supply across the housing continuum, rather than focusing on one housing segment.

“The challenge is now with Premier Minns to see how many of these recommendations will be adopted and how quickly they can be implemented by his government,” Mr Bare concluded.

For more information please contact:

David Bare

Former Executive Director - NSW
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