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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationPractical approach needed to avoid shutdown of housing sites
Practical approach needed to avoid shutdown of housing sites
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“We have written to Minister Gentleman urging him to immediately halt the new laws, on the basis that they are impossible to comply with, inconsistent with national safety rules, and are not the rules the government’s own policy set out in April this year,” said HIA Executive Director, Greg Weller.
“The new regulations require that any cutting, drilling or grinding products that contain silica must use ‘wet-cutting’ to manage the risk of harmful dust, for all products in all situations. This includes working in indoor areas with electrical tools.
“The industry whole-heartedly supports the intention of preventing harm from this dangerous dust, however, the physical tools to comply with this strategy and use water simply don’t exist.
“The use of water in close proximity to electrical equipment will introduce unacceptable safety risks to workers.
“While the government might say this is best practice and driven by safety concerns, it is inconsistent with the approach to managing this risk in the rest of Australia, and the world.
“WorkSafe ACT made the very sensible decision in June to give industry a three-month exemption from the rules while further discussions take place. However, there has been no indication as to what (if any) changes the Minister will make before next Monday. It is not reasonable to leave the industry in the dark with only days to go before the exemption ends.
“HIA has requested the Minister change the regulations to align with the government’s policy to permit controlled dry cutting for specific products where water will create a risk.
“These tools can be made safe using other approved methods and should be allowed in the ACT as they are across the rest of Australia.”
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Signs of a pulse in Canberra building approvals
Building approvals for dwellings in Canberra for the year to the end of March have shown some signs that the market may be turning the corner but still remain well below government targets.
Low volume of home building but labour shortages linger
“Australia has just seen its two weakest years of new home commencements in over a decade, meaning these ongoing shortages of skilled trades are not being caused by home building activity,” stated HIA Chief Economist, Tim Reardon.
Building approvals strengthen in March quarter
“There were 48,620 new homes approved for construction in the first quarter of 2025, up by 20.8 per cent on a year earlier,” stated HIA Senior Economist Tom Devitt.
New Government must put housing as first order of business
“The Housing Industry Association (HIA) calls on the newly elected Federal Government to make housing a first-order priority from day one, any delay or political grandstanding will only deepen the nation’s housing crisis,” HIA Managing Director Jocelyn Martin said today.