Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) welcomes the announcement today by the Coalition that if elected, will immediately take action to finalise existing residential development environmental approval applications. UDIA has long called for the backlog of environmental approvals to be cleared which has impacted hundreds of houses nation-wide over many years. The Coalition has promised to do that within 12 months. Any project already stuck in the approvals process for more than a year will be finalised within 6 months.
“Clearing the decks of delayed environmental approvals is critical to unlocking housing starts. In a housing crisis we must prioritise the supply of new homes or prices will remain out of reach for many Australians,” said Col Dutton, UDIA National President.
UDIA data confirms that 37% of all zoned and potential future zoned residential land is constrained and 67% of the pipeline is held up by environmental approval and assessment issues and this represents many tens of thousands of lots to be developed. Clearing the approvals backlog is the first critical step to create a single, simple approval system that aligns Federal and state requirements we need to accelerate housing delivery.
The Coalition announcement includes setting firm timelines for each outstanding residential development project in collaboration with the relevant department; and simplifying environmental assessment processes, including clarifying the rules for environmental offsets.
Our Federal Election Policy Fast Track Housing Delivery pointed to key actions and we are encouraged that the Coalition has listened to industry, which is reflected in today’s announcement:
- Align State and Federal requirements as a single, simple EPBC approval, including agreed regional plans & avoiding duplication
- Clear the backlog of environmental approvals holding up housing, using metrics & KPIs identifying information requests, actual time from application, housing held /approved.
“The development industry remains committed to preserving and enhancing the environment and sees the initiative announced today as supporting our call for a streamlined and efficient environmental planning approval system co-ordinated between all levels of government,” said Col Dutton.
”It’s positive that both major parties have prioritised tackling the national housing supply crisis and are prepared to pull multiple policy levers that will assist with supply of housing and the provision of affordable land,” said Col Dutton. Our full policy document can be found at this link.
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Media Enquiries: Deanna Lane | Director, National Media & Communications | 0416 295 898 | media@udia.com.au