Housing industry insights
Advocacy & policy
News & inspiration
Support & guidance
Member perks
Industry insurance
For your business
Apprentices
Building it right
Building materials & products
Managing your business
Managing your safety
Building your business
Other subjects
A rewarding career
Study with us
A job in the industry
Grow with us
Our podcasts
Our initiatives
Get involved
Awards
Awards winners
Industry events
Most popular products
Top categories
For your business
{{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 locationFurther reforms needed to get more keys in doors now
Further reforms needed to get more keys in doors now
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
Send me exclusive tips, early access to new launches, and special offers. I can change my mind at any time.
By clicking Get started now you agree to the terms and conditions and privacy policy.
“Whilst HIA supports the establishment of the HDA, you will not see any keys in doors for several years and it does not address the barriers crippling the housing industry right now”.
“ABS data released yesterday shows that housing approvals continue to decline in NSW with no signs of a recovery in sight. Broader reforms are needed to encourage more detached and medium density residential projects which can be constructed faster.”
“Recent planning reforms announced by the NSW Government including the low and mid-rise housing reforms were supposed to deliver 112,000 homes over 5 years. To date, these reforms have been largely ineffective in delivering any new housing,“ stated Mr Armitage.
“Stage 1 of the reforms permitting dual occupancies and semi-detached homes in the R2 low-density zone introduced last July are not workable because the policy lacks any supporting planning controls. These reforms rely on existing council rules which are too restrictive to enable developments to occur. The Government is also yet to release Stage 2 of the reforms for mid-rise housing around town centres and stations more than 12 months after the policy was originally proposed.”
Planning controls though are just one aspect of the problem. “Right now there are too many obstacles to new housing throughout the development process,“ continued Mr Armitage.
This includes:
- Developer charges such as the Housing and Productivity Contribution, council infrastructure contributions, and Sydney Water Development Servicing Plan fees which combined can exceed $130,000 for every new housing lot in parts of Western Sydney.
- Changes to development standards which reduce the ability to access the fast track complying development pathway meaning slower and more complex approvals.
- Excessive planning controls and onerous conditions of approval imposed by councils.
- Amendments to the National Construction Code which make housing more expensive to build.
“At the current rate there is no way we will build anywhere near the 377,000 new homes required to meet our housing targets. It is time for the NSW Government to get serious and take action to address the current low levels of building activity in NSW” concluded Mr Armitage.
For more information please contact:
Inquiry into the financial and operational performance of TasWater
HIA statement to the Public Accounts Committee by Benjamin Price, Executive Director Tasmania.
Changes to ACT property developer licensing
Just days before property developer licences become mandatory on 1 October 2026, the ACT Government has introduced a Bill to amend the Property Developers Act 2024.
Preparing for the card surcharge ban
The card surcharge ban starts on 1 October 2026. Find out what the changes mean for builders, contractors and suppliers, and learn how to prepare your pricing, contracts and payment systems.
Brick supply and allocation update
HIA continues to engage with government, manufacturers and industry stakeholders regarding the current brick allocation arrangements and the impact on home building across Western Australia.