The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed the announcement by NSW treasurer Dominic Perrottet and the minister for planning and public spaces to introduce a new planning delivery unit to work with government agencies and industries to unblock planning projects stuck in the system.

“The efforts of the NSW Department of Planning, Infrastructure and Environment (DPIE) to fast track and unblock major developments as a COVID-19 response has been excellent to date,” HIA executive director David Bare says.

“Today’s announcement of the planning delivery unit structurally embeds an entity that can drive greater efficiencies by fast tracking and removing barriers for major projects that can often become stalled in a complex planning system.

“The residential construction industry continues to be one of the most effective industries in driving and the state’s economy and recovery from COVID-19. The planning delivery unit, if successful, can do much to deliver greater certainty and confidence for future investment in housing supply in NSW.”

HIA looks forward to working with the planning delivery unit and providing input from our industry that will contribute to a successful implementation and operation.