The LNP recognise that Queensland’s construction industry is a fundamental part of our economy. It is only a strong, thriving and productive construction sector that can unlock Queensland’s incredible potential. So much hinges on the success of the industry. Without it, the homes and infrastructure needed to protect our Queensland way of life won’t ever be built.
- Tim Mander Shadow Minister for Housing and Public Works
Master Builders has travelled far and wide across our state to hear about housing and now we’re releasing the results to show how people are feeling about the crisis, the future, the plans, and the processes.
Spoiler alert – the people aren’t happy.
The mood is one of frustration that more progress isn’t being made. However, in true Queenslander style, they know whinging won’t help – getting on with the job will. That’s why Master Builders is putting forward our plan for progress – encouraging all sides of politics to back it for the sake of our great state.
The solutions to get housing back on track in Queensland
Queenslanders want to see less unnecessary red tape to clear the way for our industry to deliver more housing, sooner and more affordably, to tackle the existing housing crisis.
To achieve this, they want the Queensland Government to step up and work with the building industry to drive down the cost of building, instead of increasing it.
Queensland builders have suffered an avalanche of regulatory changes over the past few years, costing time and money, in addition to challenging market conditions in the wake of COVID-19 and other international events. Queenslanders want these businesses better supported by government, so they can play their role in growing our state for the future.
We continue to call for a state-wide mandatory housing code to streamline planning rules, and speed things up at a local government level.
Over 90% of Queenslanders want organisations like Master Builders to work with the Queensland Government to achieve better outcomes for housing in Queensland and start to make things happen now.
1 Roll back the unwarranted changes to NCC 2022
We need to roll back the unwarranted changes to the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022, specifically the new accessibility and energy efficiency requirements. While inclusivity and sustainability are important to our communities, these changes are driving up the cost of new housing without a sufficient benefit.
We’re calling for ten specific detailed technical amendments to the NCC requirements. In relation to the changes for accessible housing these include exemptions from some of the requirements, changes to measurement thresholds, and responsibility for compliance. When it comes to energy efficiency, we’re advocating for concessions to the requirements for raised houses (built on stumps) so this type of house can continue to be built, and for all energy assessors to be accredited and audited.
2 Project trust accounts should be scrapped
Project trust accounts (PTAs) should be scrapped. They simply do not work – they don’t protect payments in insolvency. They are a complex, costly and unnecessary regulatory overlay to the numerous other security of payment protections for subcontractors. If they are rolled out to private projects over $3 million and then $1 million, this could kill many small businesses.
3 BPICs must be more flexible
The Best Practice Industry Conditions (BPICs) must be applied in a way that is flexible, enabling greater productivity on construction sites, without compromising worker safety or building quality.
4 The QBCC must work better for and with industry
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) must also work better for and with industry. Licence applications are processed too slowly, inconsistently, and still with no online option for builder and trade contractor applicants.
There should be no duplication of safety reporting notifications or investigations. Work Health Safety Queensland is the safety regulator. Builders should not be penalised for failing to issue duplicate notices to the QBCC.
5 A state-wide mandatory housing code
We continue to call for a state-wide mandatory housing code to streamline planning rules, and speed things up at a local government level.
Housing affordability is improved through significant cost and time efficiencies, achieved through consistency and clarity in building approvals.
Queensland Housing Code
Our vision is a Queensland Housing Code that applies across the state that provides a consistent set of rules and standardises some basic siting and design requirements for detached homes. The Code would replace the out-of-date Queensland Development Code (QDC) MP 1.1 and 1.2.
The Code would apply consistent rules for maximum building height, front, rear and side setback minimums, acceptable solution for built to boundary walls (where permitted under the local planning scheme), maximum site cover, minimum areas of private open space and allowable encroachments.
Houses to be built within this agreed envelope could avoid the expensive and time consuming planning approval process.
Realising the benefits
The Code will provide local government and the housing and property development industries with an up-to-date set of standards which respond to emerging best practice and innovations in residential development, while allowing traditional, locally responsive housing forms to be retained where appropriate.
The key to its success is minimal variations by local governments – who would continue to manage the size of lots and character and amenity concerns, such as heritage, sensitive environment areas and density requirements through their planning schemes.
Next steps
The good news is that work to develop the Code is already underway within government. Also underway, is related work looking at the same outcomes for low to medium density housing – townhouse and small unit blocks – called the Queensland Government’s Distinctly Queensland program.
What we’ve been doing for this change
In addition to working closely with government on the Housing Code and the Distinctly Queensland program, our Regional Managers across Queensland have been busy meeting with their local MPs and local governments to garner support and promote the benefits.
The research
From Coolangatta to the Cape, we’ve been on a mission hearing about housing from the perspective of Queenslanders*. We’ve listened to over 1500 people over the last two months, spanning thousands of kilometres. They have helped us shape a point of view on the progress and pain points for Queenslanders when it comes to housing. Here are just some of the findings:
The results
Nine out of ten Queensland voters surveyed said that the government should be doing more to fix the housing crisis.
They supported a roll back of red tape to help provide more affordable housing faster.
There’s majority voter agreement of the reasons to roll back unnecessary red tape. These reasons cut across regulation hampering small business and construction processes.
Regional breakdown of data
Percentages of findings
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“If it helps with the housing crisis and people no longer being homeless then I will definitely support the government rolling back some building and construction regulations.”
– Male 35-44yrs, LNP Soft, Rest Regional
Take action today
Email the Hon Meaghan Scanlon MP, with our email template or contact your local Member of Parliament. Use our easy one click email button below to get the ball rolling. You can change the text and/or add your own words to the email if you'd like.
Not sure who your local member is or what their email address is? Find out on the Queensland Government website.
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Red tape is clogging the system, slowing down the delivery of housing and increasing the cost. We call on both sides of politics to better support the building industry by removing the roadblocks that are preventing us from getting on with the job for the good of every Queenslander.
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* Source: Master Builders election research conducted by Insightfully in January 2024 and included qualitative and quantitative phases with the results reflecting the views of Queensland voters.
Authorised P. Bidwell, Master Builders Queensland, 417-419 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill QLD 4000
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