The construction sector is calling on the ACT government to speed up the approval process for development applications amid an ongoing housing crisis.
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00:00These temporary stairs have become a rather permanent solution for this Narrabunda home,
00:08waiting months for a small deck and a pergola.
00:11We'd be able to knock that up in four days, but all of a sudden, you know, we've already
00:14waited two months so I could get a clear answer on whether or not it did need a DA.
00:18It could be another four months before we can even get into this project.
00:22It's this kind of delay the ACT building sector is protesting against, claiming it's costing
00:28them time and homeowners money.
00:30We're flying blind at the moment and I can't confidently say to a client when we're going
00:35to be on site because there's just so much red tape.
00:37At the end of the day, they're just going to build it themselves and have an unapproved
00:40structure on their house.
00:41According to the ACT government, in the first six months of this financial year, the median
00:47application processing time for significant developments like unit complexes was 117 business
00:54days, while for smaller projects, including individual homes and additions like decks,
01:00it was 30 days.
01:02That compares with a median wait time of 41 days for all applications last financial year.
01:08In January last year, the Directorate approved the construction of 342 units, but in the
01:13same period this year, it approved only 143.
01:18We actually have seen a modest increase in the number of development applications launched
01:22in the ACT, but the number of commencements has fallen quite significantly.
01:28And this indicates that there is a pipeline of projects that could proceed once more favourable
01:32conditions return.
01:34Currently, builders need to apply for approval from a number of agencies before putting in
01:39a development application, but those in the ACT's construction sector believe wait times
01:44could be reduced by simplifying this process into one online portal, like in New South
01:48Wales.
01:49Today, the Legislative Assembly passed an amended motion aimed at working towards a
01:54solution.
01:55Here we're with ACT Decks, who are just building decks, and they're the ones calling for a
02:00faster process.
02:01Imagine what it's like for more complicated developments in the ACT.
02:06But for now, it's back to square one.