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$vuetify.icons.faPhone1300 650 620

Use the location selector at the top of this page and enter a NSW address.

We tailor content to your location and until your location matches the NSW region this page will show content that is not specifically targeted.

ACT and Southern NSW

Keeping you up-to-date with the latest news, insights and advice across your region.

ACT and Southern NSW

Keeping you up-to-date with the latest news, insights and advice across your region.

This week the NSW Government announced it will use an interactive league table to monitor council performance across the state for development assessment timeframes. 

We certainly welcome measures to hold local government more accountable and reduce planning approval timeframes, but it’s clear more needs to be done. Although many councils are coming from a low base, government target timeframes are still too high and the deadline for compliance too long.

Councils are being asked to lodge development applications by 14 days from the date of submission up until 30 June 2025, and 7 days thereafter. There is also a timeframe to assess and determine applications from date of lodgement which starts at 115 days up until 30 June 2025, and steps down to 85 days from 1 July 2027. However, this is still more than double the 40 days specified for determination of most DAs in the Planning Act. You can read the full list of planning expectations.

Looking across our region, there is a wide range of average assessment times. At the upper end of days taken sit Queanbeyan Palerang (183), Bega (161) and Yass Valley (148). Just below the statewide average are Snowy Mountains (79), Wagga Wagga (78) and Griffith (74). Two of the better performers are Temora (26) and Narrandera (20), though it is difficult to know whether this reflects efficiencies inherent in these councils or the comparatively low number of applications.

To find out more about how your council performed, you can view the entire league table.

Use the left-hand column to select different information, such as the Assessment Timeframes table. 

Greg Weller
Greg Weller
Executive Director
ACT and Southern NSW

Latest news
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26 Jul
A plan for land is a plan for housing

“Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth are seeing residential land values grow at a rapid rate, while Sydney and Melbourne’s values remain relatively stable,” stated HIA Senior Economist Matt King.

26 Jul
New plumbing and drainage inspection procedures in Huntlee and-North Rothbury area

Plumbing and drainage inspections in the Huntlee and North Rothbury areas are moving from Cessnock City Council to Building Commission NSW.

25 Jul
BASIX transition period ending soon

The BASIX Transition period for eligible signed building contracts will end on 30 September 2024. BASIX Certificates must be generated by this date to apply the pre-1 October 2023 BASIX standards.

23 Jul
Lingering worker shortages see trade rates continue to rise

“As the number of new homes under construction continues to decline builders are reporting fewer difficulties scheduling skilled trades workers on their jobs, although availability of skilled workers remains worse than prior to the pandemic,” stated Geordan Murray, HIA Executive Director – Future Workforce.

Spotlight

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National Construction Code 2022

Keep up-to-date with the evolving changes for your region. Check out the NCC 2022 hub with all the latest info, courses and seminars.

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Awards & events

Upcoming events
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30 Jul
Building Industry Workshop

Learn easy to understand strategies that work. Engaging and in-depth look at business and industry processes and implications that could impact your business.

02 Aug
Sunshine Coast Charity Golf Day

There’s more to a round of golf at a HIA Golf Day than just a relaxing hit of the ball. Catch up with industry friends or make new ones in an enjoyable environment.

02 Aug
HIA-Stratco WA Apprentice Awards

Apprentices have an important role in the building industry. Apprentice Awards recognise outstanding apprentices for commitment to the industry and their studies.

08 Aug
Building Women's Lunch & Learn

Stay up-to-date professionally and get handy information for your business by attending our networking events.

HIA Awards

HIA Awards provide home builders and designers the opportunity to receive recognition, and showcase their work to the broader industry. Winners and finalists not only receive extensive media promotion for their business, they also get the opportunity to promote themselves as an industry leader.

Previous winners

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Home of the Year

Winner: Prostyle Building Group

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Display Home

Winner: Classic Constructions

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Project Home

Winner: Hotondo Goulburn

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Renovation / Addition Project

Winner: Prostyle Building Group

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Careers & learning

Learning a new skill or adding to your existing knowledge is the best way to advance your career and help reignite your passion for getting up in the morning and doing a job that you love. It's not just about what you can learn but also how you can use your new found knowledge to reach the next step in where you want your career to go.

Upcoming training
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30 Jul
NCC 2022: Livable Housing

NCC 2022 includes requirements for all houses and apartments to meet new livable housing design requirements. Find out more about these important changes and how they may affect you.

30 Jul
Waterproofing Wet Areas - What, Where and How

Gain an understanding on the NCC hierarchy and the what, where and how of waterproofing.

07 Aug
NCC 2022: 7 Star Energy Efficiency

Gain an understanding in relation to the substantial changes to the energy efficiency provisions contained within NCC 2022.

08 Aug
Silica Awareness

Find out more about what silica is, how to work safely with products containing silica, what tools and systems exist, as well as where to get further information

Support for your business

Building it right

HIA’s experienced Building and planning services team can help you navigate residential building legislation and keep your project on track.

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Getting approval to build

Most new homes and renovations to existing homes require a development approval (DA) before they can be built. A DA will normally be granted by the local council.

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Managing your safety

We have been helping businesses like yours for over a decade by offering safety checks and site-specific safety systems designed to meet current workplace health and safety requirements.

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Managing your business

HIA’s expert workplace advisors can offer you bespoke support to help you navigate the maze of compliance in the building industry.

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