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Submission on Draft National Urban Policy Consultation

submission-on-draft-national-urban-policy-consultation

Master Builders Australia welcomes the opportunity to respond to the draft National Urban Policy. Our members are critical to the implementation of government urban policy objectives and priorities and are at the heart of building the urban environment that supports the aspiration of more inclusive, safe, sustainable, healthy and prosperous communities.

As part of the development of the national urban policy (seeking to better integrate an urban lens across Australian policy making), it is imperative that this policy not only prioritises planning and design aspirations but also has an objective view on what’s needed to implement urban policy objectives and priorities. This includes supporting the growth of sustainable and profitable businesses that are needed to build Australia’s cities, towns and suburbs. This requires the sensible balancing of policy aspiration whilst enabling more viable pathways for building and construction activity.

Unfortunately, the cost of construction has been escalating for the past few years with the average cost of building a home increasing by 40 per cent since 2019. This has happened together with productivity in the industry falling by 18 per cent over the last decade. With cost of living and doing business pressures being felt across the country, this is not sustainable for consumers or the building and construction industry.

Master Builders has therefore responded to the six objectives and principles and their corresponding actions in the draft National Urban Plan with further views on building sector implementation considerations.

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