UDIA Victoria Media Release
The Urban Development Institute of Australia, Victorian Division (UDIA Victoria) commends the State Government on its new Building Victoria’s Recovery Taskforce, to which UDIA Victoria chief executive Danni Hunter has been appointed to sit on the Steering Committee.
“The Victorian Government is leading the nation through this Taskforce, which recognises that the health of our development, building and construction industry is key to safeguarding thousands of jobs, and the economy,” said Ms Hunter.
“The Andrews Government’s support of this industry is to be commended and we have worked closely with the Premier, Treasurer and Planning Minister throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to keep worksites operating and our industry open for business.
“Going forward, the Government must immediately focus on stimulus measures for the home building and development sector to keep Victorians in jobs, and then work to rapidly streamline our planning and approvals system to secure a pipeline of projects and give the industry confidence during the pandemic and as our economy recovers.
“Our industry’s contribution to the Victorian economy is critically important and we welcome the opportunity to work with the Government to stimulate industry activity that will support the economy during each phase of our response to the pandemic.
“The establishment of this Development Facilitation Taskforce, and the involvement of the sector through its peak industry associations, affirms the important role we have in mapping out the road to recovery for Victoria,” said Ms Hunter.
UDIA Victoria have been appointed to the Steering Committee along with other key industry associations, and UDIA Victoria Board members have been appointed to the supporting Industry Working Groups.
“We will be working incredibly hard in coming months to draw together all the expertise, great ideas and innovation from our industry to advise government on the action they should take to support this important sector,” said Ms Hunter.
On behalf of members, UDIA Victoria has proposed a series of measures from its COVID-19 Action Plan for the Taskforce to consider, including:
- Extend worksite hours across Victoria so the industry can best manage social distancing without
delaying projects and reducing the working hours of employees; - Immediately introduce new stimulus measures for housing demand including and expansion of the
First Home Buyers Grant and the introduction of a New Home Buyers Grant; - Establish a Development Facilitation Pathway with clear criteria to fast track approval of shovel-ready
projects and secure the pipeline of medium-term industry activity; - Overhaul the stamp duty regime and remove this barrier to housing transactions;
- Reform the planning system to streamline and fast track planning and development approvals to
secure long-term industry activity and jobs; - Put a hold on new policy measures and increased costs on development until the economy stabilises; and
- Review and reduce existing development fees, levies, taxes and charges
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MEDIA CONTACT
Hyatt Nidam
Engagement and Communications Manager, UDIA Victoria
T: 03 9832 9600
M: 0478 415 105
