{{ propApi.searchIcon }}
{{ propApi.closeIcon }}
Our industry
Our industry $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Housing industry insights Economics Insights Data & forecasts Tailored research & analysis Advocacy & policy Advocacy Policy priorities Position statements Submissions News & inspiration Industry news Member alerts Media releases HOUSING Online
Business support
Business support $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
For your business Contracts Online Safety systems & solutions Advertise jobs HIA SafeScan Member perks Toyota vehicles The Good Guys Commercial Ampol fuel savings See all Industry insurance HIA Insurance Services Construction works insurance Home warranty insurance Tradies & tool insurance Apprentices Why host a HIA apprentice? Hire an apprentice Support & guidance Contracts & compliance support Building & planning services
Resources & advice
Resources & advice $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Building it right Building codes Australian standards Getting it right on site See all Building materials & products Concrete, bricks & walls Getting products approved Use the right products for the job See all Managing your business Dealing with contracts Handling disputes Managing your employees See all Managing your safety Safety rules Working with silica See all Building your business Growing your business Communication for your business See all Other subjects Getting approval to build Sustainable homes See all
Careers & learning
Careers & learning $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
A rewarding career Become an apprentice Apprenticeships on offer How do I apply? Frequently asked questions Study with us Find a course to suit you Qualification courses Learning on demand Professional development courses A job in the industry Get your builder's licence Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Further your career Find jobs
HIA community
HIA community $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Join HIA Sign me up How do I become a member? What's in it for me? Mates rates Our podcasts Made To Build Built Different HIA Building Australia Building the Hunter Our initiatives HIA Building Women GreenSmart Kitchen, bathroom & design hub Get involved Become an award judge Join a committee Partner with us Support for you Charitable Foundation Mental health program Get to know us Our members Our people
Awards & events
Awards & events $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Awards Awards program People & Business Awards GreenSmart Australian Housing Awards Awards winners Regional Award winners Australian Housing Award winners 2025 Australian Home of the Year Enter online Industry events Events in the next month Economic outlook National Conference Events calendar
HIA shop
HIA shop $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Most popular products National Construction Code Vol 1 & 2 Waterproofing wet areas AS 3740:2021 HIA Guide to Waterproofing HIA Guide to NCC Livable Housing Provisions Top categories Building codes & standards Contracts & documents Guides & manuals Safety products Signage For your business Contracts Online Digital Australian Standards Digital Resource Library Forecasts & data
About Contact Newsroom
$vuetify.icons.faTimes
$vuetify.icons.faMapMarker Set my location Use the field below to update your location
Address
Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location

$vuetify.icons.faPhone1300 650 620

Vision for development welcomed by housing industry (ACT)

Media release

Vision for development welcomed by housing industry (ACT)

Media release
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed the announcement by the Canberra Liberals that it will develop Kowen Forest if elected and calls on other parties and candidates to make the same commitment.

“We currently have a housing crisis in the ACT, and part of the solution is to identify and start work on a sustainable pipeline of land for residential building in the ACT,” said Greg Weller, HIA Executive Director ACT & Southern NSW.

“Last financial year the ACT approved the lowest number of detached houses since records started in the 1960’s. Over recent years when the Suburban Land Agency conducts a ballot for land, it is not uncommon for these to be oversubscribed by thousands. That tells us we have a problem.

“Kowen Forest is a good solution and identifying a long-term pipeline of land is something that we have been calling for in our pre-election housing priorities, to take the pressure off Canberrans who currently feel like every land sale will be the last.

“The current Indicative Land Release Program is too short a horizon, is not transparent enough and does not report against its success.

“The ACT has to accept that the current approach to planning is pushing families into surrounding developments in NSW, putting more cars on the road for longer, potentially negating some of the environmental benefits they are seeking to achieve. The ACT also misses out on revenue through land tax, rates and registrations.

“We continue to support increasing density within the city’s existing footprint and have long said that the discussion shouldn’t be one or the other regarding infill or greenfield. So, we also encourage a future government to look at existing limitations such as the Lease Variation tax on new housing in existing suburbs.

“If the city is to keep growing as planned, we need bold and clear statements as to how and where that will happen,” concluded Mr Weller.

For more information please contact:

Greg Weller

Executive Director – Corporate Affairs
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
04 Dec
Federal Government confirms funding for Territory apprentices during visit to Darwin

“The Housing Industry Association (HIA) is pleased to welcome Minister Andrew Giles to the HIA NT Skills Centre in Darwin, providing an opportunity to showcase the Northern Territory’s training pipeline and discuss the continued challenges facing the local residential building industry,” HIA Executive Director Northern Territory, Luis Espinoza, said today.

03 Dec
Housing Australia launches Round 3 funding

The Federal Government, through Housing Australia, has announced a third round of funding, in support of its commitment to the building of 1.2 million homes over the next 5 years.

03 Dec
Christmas Comes Early for Housing: HIA Backs Premier’s Action Agenda

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) today welcomed Premier Rockliff’s announcement of the Tasmanian Government’s next 100-day plan, which commits a suite of housing and planning reforms to fast-track new homes and cut red tape.

02 Dec
Key changes under the QBCC Bill

The Queensland Government recently announced the next phase of the ‘Building Reg Reno’ reforms, including various changes under the Queensland Building and Construction Commission and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025.