REGIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT GREG WELLER HIA Regional Executive Director – ACT/Southern NSW PLANNING AND PREPARATION From proposed planning changes to the ACT/Southern NSW Housing Awards the HIA is working on benefiting the lives of members. Power of Choice WHS Amendment Bill additional housing that is badly needed. In what was supposed to be an In the theme of poor decision making by ACT Population Continues to improvement for consumers through greater government, HIA and the housing industry Climb transparency of pricing and cons testability was extremely disappointed at the tabling in Something the planners may wish to think of retail supply, the national ‘power of the ACT Legislative Assembly of the Work about is the growing ACT population. The choice’ reforms have proved anything but. Health and Safety Amendment Bill 2018 ABS has just released a re-estimation of Having the most ‘economically efficient’ during June. The Bill is unnecessary and the population growth, which incorporates model of supplying power means little if you is at odds with a collaborative approach to information from the 2016 census. In can’t get the electricity on in the first place. improving safety outcomes on construction short, the revision shows that the rate of HIA has been hearing the horror stories sites, and risks will significantly moving the population growth in the ACT has been from members from across the country and ACT away from the nationally harmonised tracking at a considerably stronger rate than has been talking these concerns to state, approach to work, health and safety. had been previously thought. territory and federal government along with One of the most concerning aspects is Prior to the release of the 2016 census electricity networks and retail providers. that it requires builders and developers on figures, the rate of population growth in An ACT electricity forum was held in projects over $5 million to make contact the March 2016 quarter was thought to May with Evoenergy, which although not with an eligible union at commencement of have dropped to 1.3 per cent. After the first proving any silver bullets, did give members the project, and elect health and safety and release of the census figures, the estimated a chance to communicate some of their corresponding committees. growth rate of the ACT was increased problems. We will keep members updated Along with yet another layer of red tape, to 1.7per cent, with the latest (and final) of any changes as soon as we can. there are serious questions about whether upgrade placing it at 1.8per cent. The new Proposed Planning Changes the proposed legislation will contravene figures show that the ACT population grew federal legislation, such as theFair Work by 2.2per cent during the 2017 calendar During May the ACT Government released a Act 2001 , contains inconsistencies with year, narrowly behind only Victoria which draft variation to the Territory Plan, DV350. the Australian Building and Construction grew by 2.3per cent. This proposes changes to the definition of Commission Building Code, and runs This revision has effectively increased a ‘single dwelling block’ which relates to a counter to the principles of freedom the population by around 1,400 people small number of residential blocks in some of association. which is equivalent to demand for around of Canberra’s older suburbs, the leases on 540 homes which do not specify or limit the number Planning Refresh . of dwellings permitted. This potentially HIA has welcomed the announcement of Housing Awards allows these to be used for multi-unit the development of a new planning strategy Entries are in and judging is now well redevelopment. to replace the current version, which was underway for the 2018 HIA Riverina and ACT/ This was a disappointing decision, as last updated in 2012. This is expected to be Southern NSW Housing Awards. Whether it reduces the opportunity for increasing followed by a new version of the Territory you are an entrant or not, these are always density in the inner suburbs, something that Plan next year. However, as the government great social events and a fantastic time to the government is trying to promote. Also of has pointed out, there have been a range of mingle with the industry. The Riverina awards concern is that the decision has been made consultations, conversations and projects will be presented on Friday 21 September with interim effect, meaning that members around building and planning over the past at the Rules Club in Wagga, while the ACT/ who have invested in one of these blocks few years. What is hoped by industry is Southern NSW dinner is in Canberra on may be negatively impacted. HIA has raised that all these threads can come together Saturday 3 November at the Convention concerns with government and is working to to create a system that is responsive to the Centre. Get those dates in the diary and we find a better solution for members. needs of the community and can deliver the look forward to seeing you there. BUILDING NEWS ISSUE 3/2018P5 EVITUCEXEROTCERID