The Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) has advocated for the role of planning in improving housing affordability across the nation.
The PIA released a statement following federal treasurer Scott Morrison’s speech at an Urban Development Institute of Australia lunch on 24 October, in which he said “the most important factor behind rising prices has been the long-running impediments to the supply side of the market.”
Morrison called on state governments to remove supply-side constraints such as planning and development regulations and the availability of infrastructure provision.
He also said “housing affordability will be an important policy focus of the Turnbull Government in this parliamentary term.”
The PIA welcomed the treasurer’s engagement with improving housing affordability.
“[We support] all Australians having a home that is affordable, appropriate to their needs and within reach of transport, employment and essential services,” said PIA CEO Kirsty Kelly.
“Planning plays an important, but not solo, role in improving the way the housing market works.
“State and local planning authorities are finding and removing unnecessary barriers to the rapid delivery of a range of housing types in different places. The recent complying development code for rapid assessment of terrace housing in NSW is a great example,” Kelly continued.
“Population growth and other housing demand side factors including tax settings are outside planning control. However, planners are actively engaged in improving both the amount and the quality of places available to accommodate jobs as well as houses to live in.”
The PIA also stated it supports the introduction of targets for affordable housing provision and the development, with the private sector, of innovative tools for the inclusion of a component of affordable housing in renewal areas.
