National Local Government Housing Summit brings industry leaders to Adelaide

The National Local Government Housing Summit brought together local leaders from across the country to address the housing crisis currently gripping communities across Australia.

Held at Adelaide Town Hall on Friday, the inaugural event saw Mayors, councillors, CEOs and leading industry experts delve into the economics behind the nation’s current housing crisis, how it can be solved, and the role local government can play to facilitate more homes being built.

LGA President, Mayor Dean Johnson was one of the key speakers alongside City of Adelaide Lord Mayor Dr Jane Lomax-Smith and ALGA President, Councillor Linda Scott.

“We’re seeing a housing crisis quickly turning to an infrastructure crisis,” Mayor Johnson said.

“With major gaps in availability of enabling infrastructure like roads and essential utilities – particularly water and sewage – there’s a handbrake on development.

“To unlock more homes, we need strong partnership between all levels of government, particularly when it comes to infrastructure like roads, water supply, parks and other services.”

The new national housing target is to build 1.2 million new homes over the next five years. The logistical challenges of realising this target was laid out by keynote speaker and Managing Director at Equity Economics, Amanda Robbins.

Amanda highlighted how councils are an essential cog in getting more homes built – given their proximity to communities and the role they play in approving development applications and maintaining local infrastructure – but needed funding to support infrastructure.

Mayor Johnson outlined the actions councils across South Australia are already taking to free up more land, subsidise sales and offer rate rebates to encourage construction in their communities – particularly in regional areas – despite this funding gap.

“Councils are looking at all options to increase accommodation options – and in regional areas that includes ways to attract more skilled workers to leave the city for a career in the country – whether it be doctors, nurses, planners or other in-demand professions,” Mayor Johnson said.

“Creating enough accommodation for these workers is crucial for our state to realise the full $62 billion worth of economic potential in the coming five years.”

Four panel sessions held throughout the Summit, were headlined by a range of expert speakers including Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn, Insurance Council of Australia Chief Operating Officer Kylie Macfarlane and Community Housing Industry Association CEO Wendy Hayhurst.

City of Gosnells CEO Ian Cowie and Mornington Peninsula Shire CEO John Baker also gave interstate insights, from a West Australian and Victorian perspective, about the unique housing challenges confronting their councils and how they were addressing them.

ALGA President, Councillor Linda Scott said the only way to solve this crisis is through all tiers of government working together.

“When we talk about our role in housing, it’s impossible to separate it from the ongoing financial challenges councils are facing,” Cr Scott said.

“We need stronger partnerships across all levels of government, and evidence-based solutions.

“We’re continuing to advocate for the funding we need to build the enabling infrastructure that will support increased development.”