16 August 2023
The peak body for the building and construction industry Master Builders Australia has today applauded the game-changing measures to boost much-needed housing supply while taking pressure off some of the most vulnerable in our community.
Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn says we know from social and community housing, rental properties to owner-occupiers, there is a common constraint – supply.
“All levels of government last year acknowledged the imperative of housing supply with the establishment of the Housing Accord, and now there are real commitments on the table.
“Governments across all levels must now implement the measures announced today as a matter of urgency.
“Master Builders had forecast that we need at least 200,000 dwellings constructed a year in order to meet demand.
“The revised new national target of building 1.2 million well-located homes over five years is welcome news and shows commitment to go above the baseline requirement.
“We need to go to the root of the supply problem, getting projects off the ground which are lagging due to a combination of high costs, a declining investment appetite from rising interest rates, and delays in approvals.
“A national planning reform blueprint that looks at the key pinch-points in the building process from planning, zoning and land release will be a key pillar in addressing our housing supply challenges.
“The New Home Bonus and Housing Support Program will assist governments to undertake the array of reforms necessary to boost supply and offset some of these costs.
“Master Builders has long advocated for a federal incentive payment program that looks at planning delays, developer charges, zoning restrictions and housing infrastructure investment.
“The cost of building homes has been exacerbated over recent years with unnecessary delays and barriers encountered on their journey to completion. This includes planning impediments, lengthy approval processes and high developer charges on new land developments.
“Master Builders had previously modelled that these charges and delays can add up to 30 per cent to the cost of a new greenfield housing development.
“The focus on supply must be across the entire housing market that will facilitate movement through the housing spectrum, enabling lower-cost housing to become more affordable.
“National Cabinet has thankfully resisted the temptation of rental caps and freezes which is a harmful intervention in the rental market.
“With Parliament returning in a matter of weeks, it’s imperative the Greens and Opposition now put politics aside and pass the Housing Australia Future Fund and housing supply bills.
“We cannot afford to play politics with the lives of many Australians who are struggling to absorb the increases in the cost of living and housing costs.
“Migration will play an essential role in the delivery of new homes with the building and construction industry needing half a million new workers by the end of 2026.
“The decision to develop a principles-based, multi-year planning model for migration will help strike the right balance in ensuring we don’t have unnecessary pressure on the housing market while still having enough workers to build the homes we need.
“Master Builders acknowledges the ongoing efforts of the Prime Minister and Minister Julie Collins in making housing a national priority and listening to the concerns raised by the building and construction industry.
“We will continue to work collaboratively with governments to ensure the building and construction community has the capacity and does not face unnecessary barriers in order to deliver the homes we need,” Ms Wawn said.
Media contact: Dee Zegarac, National Director, Media & Public Affairs
0400 493 071 | dee.zegarac@masterbuilders.com.au
