JUSTIN GILL During the year, HIA assisted numerous CHAIR members with safety management NORTHERN TERRITORY programs, employment agreements, economic information and technical advice, and other services. HIA also directed members to grants programs developed to help businesses access specialised consultancy work. HIA responded to queries about new markets, including Defence and remote housing contracts. While dwelling prices continued to rise in most capital cities, Darwin was one of only two capital cities to see NEILIA HUMPHRIES dwelling prices decline. The upside was an improvement in affordability in the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR territory’s housing market. However, NORTHERN TERRITORY while housing starts declined in 2017, there were indications that the market had levelled out and was looking more optimistic. HIA actively pursued a number of issues important to members during 2017 including changes to open space The resilience of the Territory’s requirements, building design for home-building industry was multiple dwellings, the introduction of tested in 2017, with new home the home improvement scheme, the building activity falling sharply replacement policy for the Indigenous for a third consecutive year. Provisional Sum Policy, Indigenous Fortunately, signs that the worst Development Plans and the Indigenous had passed emerged toward Employment Policy for government the end of the year. 2018 is construction contracts. In addition, HIA poised to be a year of modest successfully nominated representatives recovery with leading indicators to the Building Advisory Committee, providing tentative signs that Building Appeals Board and the Building the decline in new home Practitioners Board. building approvals has found a Two Northern Territory members were floor. Demand from first home awarded prestigious National Awards at buyers grew strongly over the the 2017 HIA–CSR Australian Housing second half of 2017 and was Awards showcasing the level of close to the previous peak level professionalism amongst residential of activity. The knockdown– builders in the Northern Territory. rebuild market was also As the year ended, the NT Government showing early signs of growth. released a range of reviews and reform HIA used these pipeline proposals that could impact on members indicators to stress to the and their business. These included the government that a recovery in planning system’s reform and Revenue the new home building sector Discussion Paper on taxes and royalties. could well be the catalyst for a wider economic recovery in the Top End. Northern Territory HIA ANNUAL REPORT 2017 23|