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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationTime to stop playing politics and fast track overdue EPBC reforms
Time to stop playing politics and fast track overdue EPBC reforms
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“The current EPBC (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation) Act is acting as a major handbrake on new housing, infrastructure and commercial projects and any further delays in passing new laws will only compound the current problems that exist to get new projects online.
“Since 2000 the time to get projects green lighted has doubled and we have stories of some members waiting since 2017 for projects to get approved.
“Right now, there are over 26,000 housing projects stuck in the system – all parties recognise we are in a housing crisis yet a key component of getting new housing delivered faster remains stuck in neutral.
“HIA has been encouraged by the proposed modernising of the EPBC Act, with important changes being flagged to utilise bilateral agreements to remove process duplication between state, local and federal governments.
“Equally we have been advocating for better use of strategic assessments for priority housing development areas, supported by the newly established ‘housing strike team’.
“These two sets of reforms would make a marked difference in turning the dial on fast tracking new approvals and clearing the massive backlog of approvals awaiting the green light.
“Another area needing a major overhaul is the approach to environmental offsets that is adding significant uncertainty and costs to getting projects out of the ground.
“The EPBC Act was written 25 years ago, the housing and supply problems we face today are very different. If we’re serious about meeting the Government’s 1.2 million homes, we can’t keep pushing these overdue reforms off to more inquires, trying to gold plate the new laws or creating more layers or triggers for approvals.
“The housing industry is ready to work constructively with the Australian Government, Opposition and Greens to get these laws passed but we need a broad commitment from all parties on clear action to finally modernise and implement these critical changes to the environmental laws identified by Graeme Samuel. Without such a commitment the nation’s housing target will remain out of reach and leave more projects stuck in limbo,” concluded Ms Martin.
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