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“NSW has already committed to introducing these transition arrangements, and we are concerned that ACT will not honour the national agreement,” said Greg Weller, HIA Executive Director ACT/Sthn NSW.
“The agreed transition allows a period of six months after the ban takes place on 1 July 2024 for these pre-existing contracts to be fulfilled which is a sensible and pragmatic approach.
“With a large amount of kitchen, bathroom and stone fabrication taking place across the border, it would be unreasonable for the industry and public in the ACT region if we had a different compliance regime from NSW for these six months.
“Builders, kitchen suppliers and stonemasons’ risk being in a position where they can meet the pre-existing contract with one customer, but not another, though they may only be a few kilometres apart.
“There is a significant volume of new homes and apartments currently under construction and scheduled to be built over the next 1-2 years, and engineered stone has been the predominant product specified for use in kitchen and bathrooms.
“Given the lead time in residential building – and in particular with more complex buildings including high density living - suppliers will likely be holding stock for the affected projects.
“However, there has been no announcement about the transition by the Minister and this leaves open the question of whether there will be one. Importantly, there is also no message from the government to consumers who will need to vary their building contracts, probably at greater expense, to have a different product installed in their new or renovated home.
“The issue of working with engineered stone is one that HIA takes extremely seriously and we are supportive of the need to minimise the potential exposure of workers to harmful levels of respirable crystalline silica (RCS).
“With the ACT also having arguably the strongest RCS controls in the country, we believe the Territory is well-placed to manage an orderly and safe phase out of engineered stone,” concluded Mr Weller.
“Australia’s population reached 27.4 million by the end of 2024, up by 445,900 people, or 1.7 per cent for the year,” stated HIA Senior Economist, Tom Devitt.
The Tasmanian election that no-one wanted to have is in full swing, and while the limited campaign period is unlikely to provide the usual platform to promote key policies and reforms, HIA is calling on both major parties to prioritise housing policies given the significant challenges across the state.
“Our dated and complex planning system is littered with speed bumps that could easily be removed”, said Brad Armitage, HIA NSW Executive Director.
“The Victorian government’s proposal to update home building contract laws to make them fit for use in the 21st century is welcomed by HIA,” stated HIA Executive Director, Keith Ryan.