Wednesday 16 August 2023
MEDIA RELEASE
National Cabinet’s planning and housing reform agenda boosts opportunities for our cities: Property Council
The Property Council of Australia has today welcomed National Cabinet’s commitments to boost housing supply for buyers and renters as well as reforms to migration and city planning.
Property Council Chief Executive Mike Zorbas welcomed the National Cabinet’s commitment to strategic and sustainable planning of our cities that accounts for population growth and aims to be agile, accountable and coordinated at the state and territory level.
Mr Zorbas said the Property Council had long-championed national competition-style payments for states that succeed at city planning and housing supply performance.
“National Cabinet is tackling our housing supply deficit in a coordinated way for the first time in a long time,” Mr Zorbas said.
“Today, National Cabinet has taken a big-picture approach to housing supply improvements that, if successful, will boost access to housing for all Australians.
“The New Home Bonus, the Housing Support Program, the National Planning Reform Blueprint, the Social Housing Accelerator and the rental deal all strike a sensible balance in progressing toward affordable new housing supply.
“Decades of strategic failure by governments has left us an unacceptably land-rich, housing poor nation. There is a deficit of supply in social, key worker and at market housing across the country.
“Our state planning systems don’t do what every Australian needs them to do – take a statewide view and accept nationwide accountability for providing all Australians with the chance to have a roof over their heads.
“Hopefully today marks the first day of a strategic and accountable system for delivering the housing Australians need.
“Adequate housing supply, based on the supply of adequately zoned and serviced brownfields and green fields land remains the most important factor in driving down buying and renting costs and prices across the market cycles.
“The next piece in the puzzle is for all parties in the Senate to support the passage of the Housing Australia Future Fund to support the delivery new social and affordable housing without delay,” he said.
ENDS
Media contact: Rhys Prka | 0425 113 273 | [email protected]
Ellie Laing-Southwood | 0416 007 830 | [email protected]