In response to the Productivity Commission’s interim report into the regulation of housing supply, Australia’s peak body for architecture said that this was a crucial area to get right if we are to solve the significant housing challenges the country faces.
The Australian Institute of Architects welcomed the deep dive, saying that regulatory settings across all levels of government can be improved to accelerate housing delivery and lift construction productivity.
“Good design, coupled with an effective regulatory system, is essential to ensuring that we can meet our housing targets while making sure that we’re building communities where people want to live,” said Australian Institute of Architects National President, David Wagner.
“One key theme that has emerged from our members’ feedback is that housing supply is constrained less by any single regulatory step than by how the system functions.
“Delays and cumulative inefficiencies arise across approval pathways, infrastructure coordination, post-approval processes, project feasibility and workforce capacity.
“The interim report also highlights the fact that housing should be coordinated with infrastructure and also the need for better coordination across governments. This aligns with the Institute’s feedback to the Productivity Commission and with what our members have been telling us.
“The most effective reforms will be those that improve coordination, reduce duplication, address feasibility, and ensure that planning intent is translated into completed homes in appropriate locations.
“We look forward to seeing the full report and we’ll continue to engage with the Productivity Commission between now and then, building on our submission to their inquiry from June.”
The Institute’s submission to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry can be found here.