Monday 17 February 2024
MEDIA RELEASE
Property Council welcomes housing productivity ‘love letter’
The Property Council of Australia has welcomed the release of the Productivity Commission’s report into housing construction productivity as a love letter to housing supply.
Property Council Chief Executive Mike Zorbas said this is the first time the Productivity Commission has taken the time to fully address the productivity of creating Australian cities.
“The report reads like a love letter to better housing supply,” Mr Zorbas said.
“The recommended boosts to coordination and governance of new projects, including commercial property and other city assets, are urgently needed.
“Development coordination bodies, better skills recognition, improved innovation pathways and an arm’s length review of building regulation are all worthy recommendations.
“Australia has a good national construction code. Can it be better? You bet. Better resourcing for the Australian Building Codes Board to do its work and end patchwork adoption by states must be top of the review priorities.
“States are starting to improve project timelines but much more needs to be done to coordinate more efficient planning outcomes for residential and commercial projects that benefit our cities.
“We must build our way out of the housing crisis, and every lever we can pull to boost the construction of new housing is essential.
“All sides of politics and all levels of government need to get on board for these reforms.
“The sooner we embrace the Productivity Commission’s solutions the sooner we can eliminate Australia’s housing deficit,” he said.
ENDS
Media contact: Rhys Prka | 0425 113 273 | [email protected]