- TIMBERBIZ.COM.AU - A La Une - Hier 01:34

Addressing the housing puzzle with $1.7B

The Federal government’s announcement that councils are to receive $1.7 billion early funding to assist with the provision of shovel ready housing projects is a key part of addressing the nation’s housing puzzle, according to HIA Chief Executive Industry & Policy, Simon Croft. Source: Timberbiz “These funds are an important investment and should predominantly be directed toward enabling infrastructure such as roads, water and sewerage to unlock residential land across a range of development settings,” Mr Croft said. “As all local governments, metropolitan and regional, are being encouraged to meet housing targets this is a key measure for investment in infrastructure where it is needed most. “Funding of infrastructure is a burden that has been unfairly placed on builders who then have little choice but to pass this cost onto home buyers. Councils have equally been struggling to fund the necessary infrastructure and this early funding from the Federal government can help ease this burden to enable the provision of more affordable housing delivery.” He said that the other key investment from this funding should be directed towards supporting council planning areas to fast-track approvals. The current resource shortages across local councils, was one of the primary reasons for protracted approval timelines being experienced across the country. “HIA would also urge that this funding have a specific percentage directed towards regional areas,” Mr Croft said. “With regional Australia now home to more than 8.5 million people and growing, it is important the funding be allocated proportionally to support the delivery of new homes in regional Australia. “We need to build 240,000 homes every year just to meet demand, yet last year we fell 60,000 homes short. This funding can play a key role in supporting local councils to bring forward housing approvals to get keys in the door faster,” he said.