• Continue making new residential construction a public policy priority due to the economic significance of the sector;
• Prioritise policies that both help with the economic recovery, and provide lasting benefits well beyond the period of the pandemic;
• Ensure a holistic approach to policy and regulatory reforms that deliver a systematic reduction in the barriers to investment in infrastructure, housing and more productive cities and regions.

> More information about this important submission can be found here.

The post 2021-22 Federal Pre-Budget Submission appeared first on UDIA National.

In September, UDIA lodged a submission with the Commonwealth Government – entitled HomeBuilder Mark 2 – making the case for its extension to tap the capacity for residual domestic demand to support economic recovery until net overseas migration and population growth return.

We briefed the office of the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Housing, Michael Sukkar, and committed to seeking more ‘real time’ on how HomeBuilder was influencing housing construction pipelines, as well as the trajectory into 2021 if it ended.

The industry survey commissioned via our state divisions – representing a robust mix of developers and builders across the nation – clearly illustrates HomeBuilder has worked to boost new home construction, jobs and activity across supply chains.

However, the results also show there is a real risk that approvals, new home starts and the associated economic activity will slow in 2021 absent an extension and redesign of HomeBuilder.

UDIA National will continue its advocacy as the Government moves towards a decision on the future of HomeBuilder.

The post Member Survey Results in Support of UDIA’s HomeBuilder 2.0 Submission appeared first on UDIA National.

In a new submission to the federal government, the Urban Development Institute of Australia argues the Commonwealth should extend the $25,000 grant, to the tune of an extra $1.25 billion, to support the construction of 50,000 new homes. HomeBuilder originally aimed to build 30,000 new homes by Christmas.

The government should also lengthen the construction time frame in which complying applications must start work to allow more detached homes and to make the grant applicable to apartment projects, the lobby group said.

“The UDIA and the property industry applaud the federal government for HomeBuilder, which we know is already working to boost confidence and trigger new dwelling commencements and stimulate employment,” said UDIA national president Simon Basheer.

“With the prospect of an elongated economic downturn and lower international migration, an extension of the scheme – matched with smart design solutions to maximise its breadth, reach and application – will bolster Australia’s prospects for recovery.”

As the Australian new-dwelling pipeline continues to contract, UDIA is calling for an extension and expansion to HomeBuilder to soften the economic impacts of reduced migration until it can return to normal levels.

The full article may be accessed (with AFR subscription) at: https://www.afr.com/property/residential/homebuilder-boost-not-enough-as-new-housing-approvals-fall-20200930-p560it

The post AFR: HomeBuilder boost not enough as new housing approvals fall appeared first on UDIA National.

The submission to the Commonwealth Government details the extended risks facing the Australian economy, the effects of slow immigration and population growth on housing markets, and the case for continued stimulus following the short-term success of the first HomeBuilder package.

UDIA recommends the Government commit to funding an additional 50,000 places under HomeBuilder and embrace design solutions that expand the reach of the program into greater diversity of housing types.

The full submission can be found here: HomeBuilder Mark 2: UDIA Plan for an Extended Home Builder Scheme

The post UDIA releases Plan for HomeBuilder Mark 2 appeared first on UDIA National.

• Making new residential construction a public policy priority due to the economic significance of the sector;
• Prioritising policies that both help with the economic recovery, and provide lasting benefits well beyond the period of the pandemic; and
• Prioritising policies which help cut red and green tape, transform inefficient and inequitable taxes and secure better dividends from infrastructure investment.

> More information about this important submission can be found here.

The post 2020-21 Federal Pre-Budget Submission appeared first on UDIA National.

Streamlining environmental planning practices is one of UDIA National’s frontline national policy and advocacy goals – twice meeting both Environment Minister Sussan Ley and Prof. Samuels in the past year, as well as lodging a substantial submission to the review.

We have consistently argued the EPBC Act is inconsistent, complex and often acts as a barrier to residential land release and housing, as well as delivering sub-optimal conservation outcomes.
The review recognises ‘the Act is ineffective’, too many decisions are made on a ‘project-by-project basis’, and that it is largely true that ‘it duplicates state and territory regulatory frameworks for development assessment and approval’.

The review’s recommendations include:

• National Environmental Standards should anchor the new framework to provide clear benchmarks for defining and achieving environmental outcomes
• The Standards should set clear rules for decision-making to reduce discretion as well as provide clear and consistent rules for project proponents
• Allow for greater delegation to the states to carry out assessments and approvals on the Commonwealth’s behalf, subject to an accreditation regime
• National and regional (landscape) scale planning would benefit the system by managing threats at the right scale and to set clear rules to facilitate and manage competing land uses
• Having clear, legally enforceable rules via National Environmental Standards will allow for greater harmonisation with the states and territories and reduce duplication
• The Act should be reformed in the short-term to remove known inconsistencies, gaps and conflicts – with a comprehensive rewrite of the Act the ultimate goal
• The Commonwealth needs to overhaul its own referral processes

In further good news, the Commonwealth has responded to the report with a commitment to move on some of its signature elements. Environment Minister Sussan Ley has said they will:

• Develop Commonwealth-led National Environmental Standards to underpin new bilateral agreements with the states, and
• Commence discussions with willing states to enter agreements for ‘single touch’ assessments (removing duplication by accrediting states to carry out assessments and approvals on the Commonwealth’s behalf)
• Explore market-based solutions for better habitat restoration that will improve environmental outcomes while providing greater certainty for business.

The reforms sit neatly within the Government’s deregulation and red tape agenda to help drive economic recovery, investment and major projects. We will continue to engage with the Commonwealth on the reform agenda to ensure the EPBC Act finally lives up to its promise and removes the substantial compliance burden placed on projects.

A second round of consultation and workshops will be held with stakeholder groups – including UDIA National – ahead of the release of Prof. Samuel’s final report in October. We have also previously written to the Commonwealth seeking to be involved in the development of the new standards to ensure they reflect industry priorities.

Meanwhile, our COVID-19 recovery advocacy plan – ‘Helping Australia Bounce Back’ – also makes the case for clear and strict deadlines to assess existing housing projects caught in the system.
These will help unlock investment and fuel the pipeline of development projects needed in the short- and medium-term to sustain economic activity, jobs and wages.

View UDIA National’s related media release.

View the Government’s Interim Report.

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The HomeBuilder package was designed to stimulate immediate activity in the building and construction sector in the face of the impacts expected due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The full interview may be found at: https://www.abc.net.au/radio/newsradio/developers-body-gives-its-view-on-the-federal/12322764.

The post ABC NewsRadio: HomeBuilder Stimulus Package appeared first on UDIA National.

In response:

The cost of meeting infrastructure taxes and charges keeps rising, gets baked into the cost of new housing and is ultimately absorbed by homebuyers – so it fails to help with affordability,” said Simon Basheer, Urban Development Institute of Australia national president.

“Likewise, the regime hasn’t always supported the delivery of timely, quality and essential infrastructure that new or evolving communities depend on. There has long been a case for reducing the overall burden carried by homebuyers via infrastructure taxes and charges, and moving to more efficient and equitable broad-based revenue sources that better guarantee delivery of outcomes.

UDIA National has long advocated for reductions in upfront infrastructure contributions and taxes to reduce the cost burden for initial purchasers.

The full article may be accessed (with AFR subscription) at: https://www.afr.com/property/residential/fix-developer-contributions-get-better-apartment-complexes-20200526-p54wfx

The post AFR: Fix Developer Contributions, Get Better Apartment Complexes appeared first on UDIA National.

These annual awards shine a light on the world-class developments taking place across the nation and demonstrate excellence, quality and industry best practice, whilst celebrating the contributions of architects, engineers, environmental professionals and consultants.

The winners across fifteen award categories are drawn from the best of the best in each state, as determined by our judges – highly experienced industry leaders Alan Zammit AM, Nicola Smith and Tony Marshall.

The award process is rigorous, taking eight months from launch through to the completion of judging. The judges visit every site in person, as well as reviewing the accompanying written submissions.

Find out more about the 2020 Award Winners!

The post Winners Announced! UDIA Wingate National Awards for Excellence appeared first on UDIA National.

This will be our first ever virtual awards event and will be hosted completely online via our Webcast platform and streamed around the country.

Our Host Tim ‘Rosso’ Ross will showcase our finalists and announce the winners.

While Tim may be best known for his work on TV and radio and as a comedian, he has always had a passion for architecture and design – making him the perfect candidate to host our event.

He has recorded a short message, encouraging you all to join us!

So please come along and encourage your colleagues and industry friends to join in with you. Why not host a special Awards watch-party and dress up for the occasion to cheer on the finalists and winners!

Here’s the list of our 2020 finalists. Who will you be rooting for?!

The event is free for UDIA members and $49 for non members and will go for around one hour. It will follow a similar format to our live awards events.

Numbers are limited so register now to secure your place.

A word from Tim Ross!
Click on his image to watch the video now.

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