ACT & Southern NSW GLEN DOWSE The region contributed to a number PRESIDENT of reviews and working groups in ACT & SOUTHERN NSW the ACT during the year including the Building Regulatory Advisory Panel, Housing Affordability Summit, Active Living planning principles, the Capital City Design Review Panel and bushfire provisions for building on the urban fringe. Late in 2016 the ACT Government GREG WELLER released a discussion paper EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR exploring the typology of housing in Canberra, focusing on encouraging ACT & SOUTHERN NSW more medium–density dwellings and improved building and design outcomes. With the prospect of improvements to the Territory Plan and the ACT planning system as part of the review, HIA continued to work with the government on the During the year HIA focused on implementation of these reforms. member engagement and HIA held a number of meetings implementing new ways to connect with government ministers, the with the industry. This included opposition and key members of the a new series of builder and ACT public service to advocate on renovator, multi–residential, and behalf of members and pursue kitchen and bathroom forums. reforms for the industry. Information nights were conducted A new levy on developers to fund in six different regional NSW water and sewerage infrastructure locations, and the inaugural Riverina in the ACT was proposed during the Economics Lunch was held. year. HIA fought strongly against The Housing Awards program the proposal, achieving a delay in enjoyed an exceptional number of its implementation and the participants, with combined entries introduction of a ‘phase in’ process. across the ACT and Riverina housing A fairer implementation process for awards reaching the highest number changes to the Lease Variation since the global financial crisis Charge was also negotiated. HIA stimulus boom. HIA also saw an all– also successfully argued for time record attendance of 250 people improvements to the at the Riverina awards in Wagga. implementation process for the HIA Training held a number of new introduction of the Power of Choice courses during 2017 including the electricity program. first course in the Riverina. Three webinars were held for members unable to attend events. Four industry lunches, the annual President’s lunch, and six industrial relations and legal sessions added to the level of member engagement throughout the year. 28 |HIA ANNUAL REPORT 2017