Industry heads come together in Shortland

The Housing Industry Association hosted a local housing roundtable in the electorate of Shortland on March 20 to discuss challenges the residential construction section was facing.

HIA Executive Director Hunter/Central Coast Craig Jennion said it was shaping up as a key issue leading into the May 3 Federal election.

The event, chaired by HIA Chief Executive Industry and Policy Simon Croft, brought together a group of leading local HIA members, along with Senator Maria Kovacic and the Liberal candidate for the seat of Shortland, Emma King.

A broad spectrum of industry practitioners, including builders, renovators, manufacturers, land developers, planners, surveyors and professional service providers were all in attendance.

Jennion said they were forthright in their discussions, highlighting areas where a future federal government could and must support the residential building industry.

“There was a strong focus on both supply and demand matters that are affecting housing affordability and the need to support local businesses across the Hunter/Central Coast to meet the growing housing demand that is affecting all facets of society,” he said.

“Attendees highlighted a range of issues that must be addressed to keep home ownership within reach of everyday Australians.”

The issues included:

Addressing the industries’ chronic skills shortages;

Fast-tracking build-ready land and investment in roads, sewers, electricity and water to make this happen;

Cutting the myriad and ever increasing regulatory red tape being embedded on builders and small businesses;

Reducing the exorbitant and dramatically increasing taxes and regulatory imposts on new home and apartment building; and

Improving financial settings to address declining rates of home ownership.

“HIA’s 2025 Federal election campaign titled Let’s Build goes to the heart of these issues,” Jennion said.

“It advocates for increased support for industry, addressing the two-decade-long workforce issues and putting a pause on further red and green tape which is driving up home building costs.

“It is clear that while there have been some positive moves to boost housing supply, all agreed much more is needed from the next Federal Government and that keeping on with business as usual solutions to solve the nations and the Hunter/Central Coast regions housing crisis won’t cut it.”