PRESIDENT’S REPORT GRANT WILLIAMSON HIA President – Hunter INTRODUCING YOUR NEW PRESIDENT A Hunter builder with extensive home extension and renovation experience has become the HIA Hunters 5th Regional President. In December 2018, nominations were I have thoroughly enjoyed my recent above Tasmania, the Northern Territory and called for the positions of Regional term as HIA Hunter Vice-President, during the Australian Capital Territory in terms of President and Regional Vice-President. In a period where we have seen our industry economic output. February I had the honour of being elected in the Hunter play a significant role in Despite this strong position there is no the President of the HIA Hunter Region, ably NSW securing the title of the number one doubt that there will be challenging times supported by Paul Le Mottee of Le Mottee economy in the country. ahead with new legislation being proposed Group as Vice-President. In fact the Hunter drives around 28 per by all levels of government impacting on the For the next two years I, along with cent of regional NSW’s total economic residential building industry. 10 other HIA members and the Regional output and is the largest regional contributor Over the next two years the HIA Hunter Executive Director, will form the Hunter to the state’s GDP. It is now the largest region will play an active role in policy Regional Executive Committee, whose role it regional economy in Australia, ranking formulation that will be used for lobbying is to represent the local region, assist in the purposes. development of policies for implementation OVER THE NEXT TWO To assist, two new members Megan by HIA staff, and provide a local forum to YEARS THE HIA HUNTER Mottley of Polytec and Greg Doodson deal with regional issues. of Suncoast Bathroom Renovations Having sat on the Regional Executive REGION WILL PLAY AN were elected to the Regional Executive Committee for several years now, I have a ACTIVE ROLE IN POLICY Committee for the first time. This injection full appreciation of the importance of the role FORMULATION THAT WILL of new members to the committee is timely of President and will endeavour to continue BE USED FOR LOBBYING considering the emergence in recent years the good work that has been achieved by of a diverging array of dwelling preferences my predecessors. PURPOSES by consumers. I am certain that the experience, relationships across the industry, and the enthusiasm of the new committee members, in combination with those re-elected, will strengthen our ability to respond to both local and national matters. I look forward to working with the new Hunter Regional Executive Committee to provide feedback and develop policies that ensure that we retain a competitive residential housing industry, something which is critical to the economic wellbeing and growth of not only the Hunter but NSW more broadly. Over the next two years it will be an honour to serve you and the broader HIA membership in the role of Regional President and I look forward to meeting with as many members as possible over this period. BUILDING NEWS ISSUE 1/2019P5 TNEDISERP