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The Housing Industry Association (HIA) is hosting a Regional Housing Roundtable in Dubbo with Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie and Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey, to address the housing and workforce pressures facing inland NSW.
HIA Chief Executive, Industry and Policy Simon Croft said Dubbo’s experience reflects the challenges faced by many growing regional centres, where strong migration and job growth are outpacing housing and infrastructure delivery.
“Dubbo has become one of inland NSW’s strongest regional hubs, but the local housing system is struggling to keep up,” Mr Croft said.
“The cost of renting or buying has climbed sharply, and builders are telling us they can’t find enough qualified trades or materials to meet demand.
“Census data shows the Dubbo Regional LGA now supports a population approaching 55,000, with the median weekly rent for family homes rising beyond $600, among the fastest increases in regional NSW. Local builders cite prolonged planning approvals and shortages of skilled trades as key barriers to boosting supply.
“Dubbo is a perfect example of why regional housing policy matters.
“We need to make it easier to get projects approved, support councils with infrastructure investment and grow the local construction workforce.
“HIA’s Housing the Regions report outlines a plan to accelerate housing delivery in regional Australia, calling for better coordination between housing, planning and infrastructure, more land release and targeted workforce strategies.
“Regional Australia can play a leading role in solving the national housing crisis.
“If governments get the settings right, Dubbo and towns like it can be central to building Australia’s future,” concluded Mr Croft.
The roundtable will be from 11.30am to 12.30pm at Quality Inn Dubbo International, 65 Whylandra St, Dubbo, followed a visit to a local building site.
HIA says residential builders and trades remain cautious about hiring in 2026. Not due to a lack of housing demand, but because of mounting cost pressures, regulatory hurdles, and persistent skills shortages, according to a survey of small to medium enterprise members.
Workplace laws are set for more changes in 2026.
Australia’s residential building industry has entered the new year with confidence still on shaky ground for small businesses as rising costs and policy uncertainty continue to cloud the outlook.
Tasmania’s housing market slowed in November, with building approvals falling sharply compared to October. Approvals for new homes dropped almost 20 per cent, and even after seasonal adjustment, the decline was 5.8 per cent.