One day to the election.

Master Builders: Housing build times double

The build time from approval to completion in the ACT for new houses is now the worst on record, double what it was a dozen years ago, Master Builders Australia’s latest Data Pack reveals.

“A new home from planning to building now takes just over 14 months to complete in the ACT,” MBA ACT CEO Anna Neelagama said. “This is two months longer than in 2022-23 when it took just over 12 months, and is the third highest completion time in the country after Western Australia and South Australia.

“Current build completion times are now also double what they were for a new home in 2010-11, which was 7.56 months. This doesn’t even factor in the large wait times for planning approvals being experienced by clients and builders.”

Ms. Neelagama said that build time for townhouses had slightly improved.

“Build times for townhouses eased from a whopping 19.29 months in 2022–23, to 13.23 months in the most recent figures. This is good news as we shift towards deploying more medium density housing, but is still a lot less efficient than the 8.88 months recorded in 2010-11.

“These build time blow outs are reflecting the additional regulatory and economic realities of building in 2024, and point towards the need for a better operating environment for building in the ACT.”

No data is available for apartments in the ACT.

The ACT is set to fall short of its National Housing Accord targets by around 2,000 homes, the MBA ACT states.

Independents for Canberra candidate Leanne Foresti, a subcontractor, said: “Unfortunately the figures released by the MBA ACT are not surprising. As insolvencies within the ACT construction industry continue to climb, small businesses and subcontractors will continue to be impacted. 

“The failed attempts by this government to attract skilled workers, implement stronger security of payment laws, and provide conditions for subcontractors to thrive will prolong the housing crisis. I’m hearing from builders, subcontractors and the industry as a whole that they’re tired of being ignored. 

“How much worse will it need to get before our politicians take decisive action?”

ACT Greens: Murrumbidgee

Emma Davidson, ACT Greens MLA for Murrumbidgee, says she will go further and faster for the people of Woden, Weston Creek and Molonglo Valley to live a good life with great public services, affordable housing, and a thriving local environment right at their doorstep. The Greens’ plan is available online.

 “Good neighbourhoods have places to learn, play and grow – with the services you need right on your doorstep,” Ms Davidson said. “But Molonglo Valley needs more community infrastructure as more people move in, and Woden needs to be genuinely respected as a central hub.

 “The ACT Greens will deliver more services for the community, right on their doorstep, to keep the south a thriving hub.”

The Greens promise to:

• Deliver light rail to Woden, speeding up the completion
• Provide free walk-in mental health support by establishing a Safe Haven in Molonglo
• Boost local sports with $30 million to deliver a Woden Multi-sport Facility, and further funding for upgrades to Phillip Oval and Hughes Oval
• Improve the path network with separated cycle lanes along Adelaide Avenue to the City and connecting Whitlam to other nearby suburbs
• Create Entertainment Precincts in Molonglo and Woden Town Centre to support live music and events
• Complete currently planned developments then limit the establishment of new suburbs to protect the local environment in Canberra’s west
• Improve water quality and the health of the local environment with a new wetland in the area adjacent to Yarralumla Bay
• Support conservation and restoration along the Murrumbidgee River Corridor
• Build on our success protecting Bluetts Block to expand reserves and protect more places of high ecological value like Coombs Peninsula
• Create a large new community garden for Molonglo
• Install a new pedestrian crossing at Mawson shops in front of the Italian Continental Bakery
• Expand eating disorder services in the electorate for all Canberrans

“We have a plan to provide more sports facilities with a new indoor multi-sport centre in Woden and a sporting facility in Molonglo Valley, so people don’t have to travel far to play,” Ms Davidson said.

“We will also establish entertainment precincts in Molonglo Valley and Woden to ensure there are places for the arts and live music to flourish, as well as a strong hospitality scene so people have more events, spaces and opportunities to gather in their region.

“The ACT Greens will also deliver two southside bulkbilled GP clinics and a Safe Haven mental health hub in Molonglo Valley to provide more access to free healthcare, closer to home. To go further in this cost-of-living crisis, the ACT Greens will build and buy an additional 10,000 public homes, 1,815 of which will be in Woden, Weston Creek and Molonglo Valley.

“People in Murrumbidgee care deeply for the environment and our beautiful green spaces. The ACT Greens will ensure places of high ecological value like Coombs Peninsula remain protected and set city limits to ensure the local environment in Canberra’s west is preserved. We will install a new wetland in Yarralumla Bay to keep our waterways healthy, and conserve and restore the Murrumbidgee River Corridor.

“Families in the electorate will benefit from wellbeing teams being embedded into all public schools, an expansion of the breakfast and lunch clubs program and free fruit provided in every public school and college. For families with younger children, we will make early childhood education and care genuinely free for every three- and four-year-old so our youngest have the best learning opportunities.

“It will be easier for people in Murrumbidgee to move around and attract more people across the ACT to enjoy Woden as an accessible and thriving hub under the Greens’ plan to make suburban buses arrive every 20 minutes during the week, every 30 minutes on the weekend, and a faster timeline to deliver the light rail to Woden.

“The ACT Greens have big plans for Murrumbidgee and it’s all possible, if you vote for it.”

ACT Labor promises to provide more services, amenities and housing options in the new Molonglo Town Centre and in Woden and Weston Creek. The Canberra Liberals also pledge to invest in the region. Local independent MLA Fiona Carrick has a vision to make Woden Town Centre a community and commerce hub

Independents for Canberra: Ethics classes

Ben Johnston, Independents for Canberra candidate for Kurrajong, is advocating for the ACT government to introduce ethics classes into the ACT school curriculum, similar to programs in other states. He believes this initiative would complement existing subjects and contribute to students’ overall development as thoughtful, respectful, engaged citizens.

Drawing from his experience teaching the Primary Ethics program at his son’s school in Sydney, Mr Johnston believes these classes can be transformational for students.

“After witnessing firsthand the positive impact of ethics education, I am passionate about bringing these classes to ACT schools,” Mr Johnston said. “The world needs more people with critical thinking skills, empathy, and the ability to communicate respectfully. Ethics classes help develop these crucial abilities in our young people.

“Ethics classes encourage students to think deeply about important issues, to listen respectfully and engage in meaningful discussions with their peers.

“Studies show that philosophy programs for children improve students’ communication, teamwork, resilience, reading, and maths skills with those students coming from a low socio-economic or disadvantaged background seeing the greatest benefits. Teachers reported increased student confidence in reasoning and higher engagement in classroom discussions.

“Primary Ethics is poised and ready to work with the ACT Government to design and implement this important program into our schools.”