The Coalition has taken aim at the speed of residential development environmental approval applications, promising to change the process if elected.
The Opposition said there are over 100 housing development projects “stalled” under the current environmental approval process. If elected, the Coalition promised to speed up the process.
According to the plans, a Coalition government would aim to clear this backlog within 12 months. For any project that has been waiting for approval for more than a year, it promised to process the application within six months.
The Coalition will also establish a standalone body called Investment Australia, which would focus on reducing red tape for housing project approvals.
The measures also build on the announced $5 billion Housing Infrastructure Programme, which would fund infrastructure that could accelerate the construction of up to 500,000 new homes.
The Coalition government plans to fast-track environmental approvals for residential projects within 12 months, if elected. Picture: Getty
“The Coalition will break through Labor’s bottlenecks and unlock new housing through our comprehensive plan to deliver new supply,” Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton said.
“We will hold every part of government accountable to get the job done - because Australians cannot afford more Labor delays which only drive up costs.”
According to data from the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA), 37% of all zoned and potential future zoned residential land is constrained and 67% of the pipeline is held up by environmental approval issues.
“Clearing the decks of delayed environmental approvals is critical to unlocking housing starts. In a housing crisis we must prioritise the supply of new homes or prices will remain out of reach for many Australians,” UDIA national president Col Dutton said.
"The development industry remains committed to preserving and enhancing the environment and sees the initiative announced today as supporting our call for a streamlined and efficient environmental planning approval system co-ordinated between all levels of government.”
A Coalition government would also establish Investment Australia to reduce red tape for housing project approvals. Picture: Getty
Property Council group executive policy and advocacy Matthew Kandelaars said a priority pathway will unlock critical housing supply.
“This is not about cutting corners, and maintaining strong environmental standards is nonnegotiable. Any fast-track approval processes will need to find the balance between good environmental outcomes and housing supply – but that balance can and must be found,” Mr Kandelaars said.
“Working with the industry experts on the design of these pathways will be key in ensuring its success.”
The announcement comes after several housing election promises from Labor and the Coalition, including policies aimed at first-home buyers choosing to buy or build new.
It also comes after recent Australian Bureau of Statistics building activity data found the total number of new dwelling units commenced fell 4.4% and new private house commencements fell to 6.1% in the December 2024 period.
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