New South Wales ANTHONY GLEESON In 2017 NSW again exceeded PRESIDENT 70,000 dwelling starts. Whilst multi– NEW SOUTH WALES units were a key driver, the detached housing and renovation sectors also remained strong. Of note on the policy front was the focus on attracting young people into skilled trades in residential construction. The NSW Government’s new focus on promoting Vocational Education & Training (VET) came after much lobbying from HIA. New initiatives and funding ensued with HIA delivering events and programs that DAVID BARE increased awareness and EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR engagement with school leavers NEW SOUTH WALES and adult apprentices. Our Group Apprentice Scheme continued to grow, with almost 200 active apprentices by year’s end. Other major policy and legislative areas addressed during 2017 were amendments to the Foreign Investor The team in NSW delivered a broad Surcharge legislation, achieving a range of member services and review and delay of the BASIX events during 2017. Our specialist energy target changes and staff responded to over 30,000 calls brokering improvements in the from members in the areas of approach to site gas connections. industrial relations and legal, HIA was instrumental in ensuring a membership, training, events, medium density housing code and a technical, planning, apprentices and green field code were drafted, for safety. We welcomed around 600 implementation in 2018. new members in the region during Increasing the scope of complying the year and delivered a suite of development, pursuing more excellent events including industry practical strata reforms and warranty breakfasts, trade nights, President’s insurance processes, challenging the luncheons and our annual Building & NSW complaints register, reviews of Business workshop. The HIA–CSR development levies and state NSW Housing and Kitchen & infrastructure contributions were Bathroom Awards were a great among the other areas of policy success with 2017 entry numbers advocacy during 2017. exceeding 2016 by some 16 per cent. It was also a record year for our training and continuous development program delivery. 26 |HIA ANNUAL REPORT 2017