The Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) has called for the proposed Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Bill, introduced into Parliament today, to deliver a genuine balance between protecting the environment and enabling critical housing delivery.
UDIA National President, Oscar Stanley, said that while the Bill represents a step forward, it is essential that there is clarity, consistency and predictability in the assessment framework and that industry is given time to work through the Bill to ensure it will function effectively.
“Australia is in a housing crisis and parliamentary representatives must make housing a top priority,” he said.
“Environmental approvals are currently holding back tens of thousands of homes. The Bill impacts many industries and over recent history has been inadequate to deliver the housing Australians urgently needs under the National Accord. This is an opportunity to ensure it is fit for housing supply.” he said
Positively, we are encouraged by the Minister’s announcements in line with UDIA’s recommendations including:
- Prioritising removing the existing approvals backlog
- Streamlining assessments and creating a strike team to remove approval roadblocks
- Approvals are under Ministerial delegation; and,
- Creation of an environmental offsets fund.
“When considering this Bill, housing should be bipartisan – the development industry operates within clear boundaries and predictable patterns of land use,” Mr Stanley said. “Despite being the third-largest applicant for environmental approvals, housing occupies less than 1% of Australia’s total land area. Housing is not the main impact on environmentally important land and it is crucial we get the balance right.”
“We need an environmental system that delivers better outcomes for both housing and nature, not one at the expense of the other,” Mr Stanley said. “That means faster approvals, single-pathway assessments, and one clear process that removes duplication. “Industry recognises the positive intent behind the Bill, but Parliament must allow time for genuine consultation and refinement, so the reform delivers as intended,” Mr Stanley added.
“This is complex reform. With positive collaboration, this process will evolve the system into one that balances both environment protection and delivers the homes Australians urgently need.”