Industry Issues Building Planning and environment 2017 saw a continued focus on Planning reform remained a focus in inquiries about the quality of building New South Wales, Queensland, products and the regulatory framework Tasmania and South Australia with for building approvals. Following the major legislative reforms being tragic Grenfell building fire in London, introduced or implemented. HIA there was increased pressure on successfully led a number of changes Australian governments to address and reforms around housing approvals issues of non–conforming building and land supply, including an products and the non–compliant use of emphasis on a ‘one house, one building products. approval’ philosophy. The Federal Senate inquiry into HIA opposed moves by both councils non–conforming building products and the NSW state government to continued with the release of the increase their separate levies and interim reports on aluminum cladding infrastructure taxes on new housing and asbestos in August and and their intention to introduce new November. state levies on new homes in Sydney HIA was appointed to the Australian and Hunter growth areas. Building Codes Board (ABCB) to Nationally, HIA participated in the represent the housing industry, and debate on the use of value–capture continued to participate in the work of mechanisms for new infrastructure the ABCB’s Building Codes and arguing that these types of funding Plumbing Codes Committees. offset schemes should not create an HIA’s ongoing participation in over additional form of taxation on housing. 40 Australian Standards Committees Energy efficiency in new homes is continued in 2017, with a focus on expected to be a key issue in 2018 building in bushfire areas, strata following changes in NSW to building inspections, insulation, increase the energy target in BASIX plumbing, timber framing, bricks, roof (Building Sustainability Index) and the tiles and windows. recommencement of consultation by the Federal Government to develop a ‘whole of house’ assessment to be included in the building code in the future. THE GRENFELL BUILDING FIRE – JUNE 2017 6|HIA ANNUAL REPORT 2017