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 locationTime to stop playing politics and fast track overdue EPBC reforms
Time to stop playing politics and fast track overdue EPBC reforms
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.
“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.
For more information please contact:
Housing targets remain as important as ever
“Housing commencements rose in the year to June 2026, but the latest data reflects yesterday's market, not the conditions facing builders today,” stated HIA Executive Director, Keith Ryan.
Housing target shortfall an $11 billion black hole for states and territories
New data from the Housing Industry Association (HIA) has shone a light on the consequences of Australia falling behind on progress against the National Housing Accord, following the release of today’s ABS building activity data for the first two full years of the 1.2 million homes target.
Could data centres be builders next inflationary hit
Australia’s growing data centre sector is creating a significant new source of construction activity and opportunities for the industry.
Coalition migration measures recognise housing supply depends on workforce capacity
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed the Coalition's commitment to a skills-first migration approach and the establishment of a dedicated construction visa strike team, saying the measures recognise the critical role workforce capacity plays in addressing Australia's housing shortage.