Do you know a young person considering a trade career? If so, please recommend them and their family members to attend one of the two HIA Trades Career Event to be held at Argenton on 14 May and East Maitland on 15 May. The HIA Trades Career event is a great starting point for those young people, typically in years 10 to 12 at high school that want to learn about the exciting career opportunities in the residential building industry. Attendees will be able to speak to successful trade professionals and builders in person and learn about their experiences first-hand. The HIA Trades Career Event is a complimentary event. For further apartments. To register interest in attending community that meets the cost, rather than details please call the HIA Events team on this event please visit hia.com.au/events. the individual home buyer. 1300 650 620 or email: The introduction of additional taxes on hunter_events@hia.com.au. Introduction of new levy new home building dampens economic activity and reduces housing affordability. a concern Considering HIA forecasts that new home Housing awards judges As members will be aware HIA has always building approvals will start to decline in the HIA is seeking building professionals to lobbied heavily against the introduction of coming years there is a risk it could decline assist in judging the 2019 HIA-CSR Hunter any new taxes or charges that can further more quickly and strongly than expected as Housing and Kitchen & Bathroom Awards. erode housing affordability. a result of the new Hunter region SIC. Judges require knowledge of building For this reason the release in January In a submission HIA has prepared we techniques, design and workmanship, and of the draft Hunter Region Special have argued that rather than introduce new the digital ability to view entries online. Infrastructure Contribution was inefficient taxes, governments at all levels No previous judging experience is needed. concerning news. must work together to replace the myriad For further information contact The new home building industry is one of current taxes with more efficient and HIA Events on 1300 650 620 or of the most heavily taxed sectors of the equitable broad based arrangements. hunter_events@hia.com.au Australian economy. The government’s intent to charge developers with additional costs is certain to further reduce housing affordability for local families as any levies paid by developers go straight onto the price of a new home. HIA accepts the proposition that developers should be delivering local development infrastructure and items which are essential to a new subdivision such as local roads, local open space, drainage and utilities. But what has been proposed is a new charge that relate to much broader community infrastructure from which everyone uses and benefits – including health and emergency services infrastructure such as ambulance and fire stations, hospitals, and state roads. These are important assets that will be owned and utilised by the whole community, and accordingly it should be the broader BUILDING NEWS ISSUE 1/2019P7