DM WEEKLY ROUNDUP ISSUE 9

The Weekly Roundup

ISSUE #9

DESIGN MATTERS NATIONAL 04 April 2025

Welcome to your weekly industry news roundup. Our analysis focuses on developments curated from various publications, impacting building design practices, with actionable insights for your professional work.

ESSENTIAL UPDATES This week's industry landscape is dominated by significant regulatory changes and policy initiatives as Australia's federal election draws near. The ABCB has confirmed a delay to the NCC 2025 publication, creating uncertainty for practitioners nationwide.

Population growth continues to surge in capital cities, with an additional 430,000 residents in the past year alone. Construction industry responses to the federal budget reveal contrasting priorities for housing and infrastructure spending, while exciting developments for the 2032 Olympics are gathering momentum.

Across states, new planning reforms are being implemented, including Victoria's ResCode overhaul introducing fast-tracked approvals for three-storey apartments, and NSW's transparency measures to hold government agencies accountable for development delays.

In this newsletter you can expect:

NCC 2025 publication delay confirmation Planning reforms and approval streamlining measures Population growth and housing challenges 2032 Olympics construction opportunities Innovative building technologies and materials Urban development initiatives across states Construction industry financial challenges Upcoming professional development opportunities

UPDATED PRACTICE NOTES NOW AVAILABLE Design Matters National has recently updated our practice notes. This collation of materials for members gathers all the webinars and support resources to help members become familiar and proficient when it comes to compliance with the new Energy Efficiency Standards and associated building design principles. The resource will be updated as more materials become available. Members can access the complete collection through the Members Resource Portal. We encourage you to review these updated materials to support your professional practice.

FEATURE: NCC 2025 PUBLICATION DELAY CONFIRMED The Australian Building Codes Board has officially announced that the 2025 edition of the National Construction Code (NCC) will not be published according to its traditional May timeline. Design Matters National shared this critical information with our network as the story broke, recognising the significant implications for our members.

This development confirms the concerns we reported in our previous issue, where we noted that the "future of proposed changes to Australia's building code remains uncertain." Now we have official confirmation from the ABCB itself, stating: "While some practitioners are familiar with the changes we proposed in the Public Comment Draft (May 2024), we have not yet provided our final advice to Building Ministers and, therefore, no decision has been made about the content, publication or commencement of any future edition."

This delay follows a pattern of delayed and inconsistent adoption of the previous NCC 2022 across different jurisdictions, with some regions introducing exceptions for certain building types, effectively rolling back code requirements.

There are also growing concerns that other states and territories may follow South Australia's precedent of freezing regular updates to the NCC. The importance of building codes and their regular maintenance is highlighted in a Sourceable article

by Neil Savery, Managing Director for ICC Oceania. Responding to commentary that changes to the National Construction Code could be held in abeyance for an extended period, Savery makes the case for why building codes need regular updates. He notes that while buildings can technically be constructed without codes and standards, there are significant public safety and quality assurance reasons not to take this approach.

Our Building Practitioner PreRegistration Course for VBA on April 30 addresses current regulatory requirements while helping practitioners prepare for future changes.

PLANNING REFORMS AND APPROVAL STREAMLINING Governments across Australia are implementing measures to streamline planning approvals and increase housing supply. In NSW, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully has announced the publication of State Agency League Tables to monitor and hold accountable the performance of 22 state government agencies, state-owned corporations, and electrical supply authorities delivering development in NSW. The Urban Developer reports that after introducing a league table in July last year to track council assessment times, the NSW Government has turned its attention to its own agencies. The move comes after the council performance tracking resulted in a 10% improvement in development application assessment timeframes.

The Sydney Morning Herald has revealed specific state agencies that are causing delays in housing approvals, noting that while councils are often publicly criticised over approval times, government departments have largely escaped similar scrutiny. The state government has indicated these agencies must now be held to account to ensure housing approvals aren't unnecessarily delayed.

In Victoria, significant changes to residential development are being implemented. The Age reports that Victoria's ResCode planning overhaul takes effect this week, introducing sweeping standards for apartments and townhouses up to three storeys. Under the new rules, apartment blocks will soon be built with fast-tracked approval closer to footpaths and neighbours, with the article including diagrams revealing the kinds of developments that could appear on residential streets across the state.

POPULATION GROWTH AND HOUSING CHALLENGES Australia's capital cities continue to experience significant population growth, adding to housing pressures. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the nation's capital cities accommodated an extra 430,000 residents over the past 12 months. New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal that four in 10 Australians now call Sydney and Melbourne home, with population growth primarily driven by net overseas migration, accounting for almost 90% of growth in capital cities.

Specific growth areas are highlighted in various reports. The Daily Telegraph reveals that Camden, Blacktown, and The Hills are Western Sydney's fastest growing areas, with almost 800,000 additional people expected to move into these communities in the next decade.

These population pressures are driving new housing approaches.

Architecture and Design reports that new planning controls around Croydon Station in Sydney's Inner West will unlock space for more than 2,700 new homes over the next 15 years, representing a significant step toward addressing Sydney's housing crisis.

Meanwhile, The Age reports that Ballan, a small town west of Melbourne, could double in size under proposed planning changes that would clear the way for a large-scale residential development. The population of Ballan, situated between Ballarat and Bacchus Marsh, would grow by potentially thousands of residents if plans to rezone a large swath of open land proceed.

Industry Connection: Understanding demographic shifts and housing demand is crucial for forward-thinking designers. Our Ask a Surveyor: What Constitutes a Cadastral Survey? webinar on May 15 provides essential knowledge for designers working on development projects in high-growth areas.

2032 OLYMPICS CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES The 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane is set to generate significant construction opportunities. The Australian reports that local, national, and international construction companies are lining up to compete for multibillion-dollar venues and infrastructure projects associated with the Games.

A consortium of Queensland's leading design and planning institutes has welcomed the State Government's Games delivery plan. The Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA), Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA), Design Institute of Australia (DIA), and Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) jointly commended the milestone in a media release. PIA Queensland President Sean Cullen noted: "A pivotal legacy opportunity for the community lies in what comes next— stitching the venues into the fabric of the city and region to maximise their long-term impact and create lasting benefits for Queenslanders."

This major infrastructure program will require a skilled workforce, and The Australian reports that the construction industry has welcomed the Coalition's election pledge to support the wages of about 40,000 new eligible apprentices and trainees annually for construction and housing.

In a related development, a joint media release from Master Builders Australia (MBA), the Civil Contractors Federation (CCF), and the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) welcomed the Coalition's election commitment to invest $500 million into new apprenticeships and prioritise construction skills, including those in civil construction, on the Australian Apprenticeship Priority List.

Industry Connection: The 2032 Olympics represents a once-in-ageneration opportunity for Queensland designers. Our Contract Administration Workshop on April 12 provides essential skills for managing large-scale projects, particularly valuable for practitioners looking to participate in Olympics-related development.

INNOVATIVE BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES AND MATERIALS Innovation in construction materials and methods continues to advance across Australia. The Sydney Morning Herald reports on architect Luigi Rosselli's experiment with sustainable materials on a row of four terraces in Bondi Junction, featuring walls that go up "like a Lego kit." Known for using rammed earth—a slow, sustainable material typically affordable only for those with deep pockets— Rosselli is now exploring more accessible sustainable options.

In Melbourne, Architecture and Design highlights Scotch Hill Gardens, poised to become the City of Boroondara's first carbon-neutral development. Designed for both growing families and downsizers, the project addresses housing supply needs in the Hawthorn area while setting new sustainability benchmarks.

Circular economy principles are gaining attention in major developments. The Fifth Estate discusses how Melbourne's public housing towers redevelopment could become a circular economy exemplar. The article examines the Victorian government's 2023 announcement to demolish and redevelop 44 high-rise public housing towers by 2051, addressing how environmental concerns and social implications could be managed through circular economy approaches.

Our Swinburne University of Technology Tour: 3D Printing and Emerging Construction Technologies on April 15 explores cutting-edge construction methods that could help address housing density and affordability concerns through more efficient building techniques.

URBAN DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES Significant urban development projects are advancing across Australia's major cities. Architecture AU reports on a proposed 240-metre Melbourne skyscraper lodged for planning approval. Designed by Cox, the 67-storey tower would sit above the heritage-listed Queens Bridge Hotel in Melbourne's Southbank. The development includes public dining and entertainment facilities, along with "luxury wellness and lifestyle amenities" exclusive to the building's 483 residences.

In Adelaide, The Urban Developer reports that a 14-storey social housing tower proposed for the city centre may test planning authorities' willingness to trade height restrictions for sustainability features. Filed by Future Urban on behalf of superfund Obenox, the $10-million-plus proposal for 8 Hocking Place would reach 46.3m—well beyond the Capital City Zone height limit.

Housing affordability remains a central challenge, as Architecture and Design notes that 25 years into the new century, housing is less affordable than ever.

The article examines how the problem has worsened rapidly in the past quarter-century, creating significant social and economic challenges.

CAlternative approaches to rental housing are emerging, with The Australian Financial Review reporting that build-to-rent developers are considering fewer amenities in exchange for cheaper rents. Projects without all the "bells and whistles" can achieve higher retention rates for landlords while addressing affordability concerns.ultural aspects of urban development are highlighted in the Architecture AU report on construction beginning on the nation's first Vietnamese cultural centre and museum in Melbourne's Sunshine suburb. This three-storey building, designed by Konzepte Melbourne, will accommodate educational resources, hospitality offerings, and events while housing more than 280 cultural artefacts, demonstrating how cultural facilities can enhance urban environments.

Industry Connection: For designers navigating the complexities of modern urban development, our Member Breakfast and Tour of 555 Collins on May 6 provides an opportunity to explore a cutting-edge commercial building and understand contemporary workplace design principles.

Industry Connection: Our Building a Successful Career: Winning Work & Keeping Clients webinar on May 26 provides essential strategies for navigation the challenging business environment of the construction industry, helping designers develop the skills to maintain viable practices despite industry pressures.

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY CHALLENGES The construction industry faces numerous challenges, from workforce shortages to project viability concerns. Sourceable examines the "cost crunch" of rising building and labor costs in Australia, noting that soaring costs for both materials and labour have created serious headaches for everyone in the sector, affecting everything from design and approvals to final construction.

Project management issues are highlighted in another Sourceable article discussing how to set portfolios, programs, and projects up to succeed. The piece notes that when property and infrastructure projects run late or overshoot budgets, there's usually significant energy spent trying to identify where things went wrong, suggesting proactive management approaches to avoid these issues.

International competition is creating additional pressures. The Australian Financial Review reports that the managing director of one of the country's biggest construction groups warns that multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects are coming unstuck because international contractors are underbidding for work without properly understanding the cost of local materials and labour.

Despite these challenges, excellence in the industry continues to be recognized.

Sourceable announces that Australia's seven best civil and commercial construction projects have been unveiled as finalists for the 2025 Australian Construction Achievement Awards, jointly presented by the Australian Constructors Association and Engineers Australia.

REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS AND SKILLS INITIATIVES Several important regulatory changes are affecting the construction industry. HVAC&R News reports that the federal government has announced plans to design a national licensing scheme for electrical trades. This initiative will allow electrical professionals to work across state and territory borders without needing to reapply for separate licences or pay additional fees. The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) is encouraging the inclusion of RAC technicians with restricted electrical licences in the reform to ensure they can work across borders under the same licence.

Sourceable highlights an important update to the Disability (Access to Premises Buildings) Standards 2010 (APS), a legislative instrument made under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) that first came into effect in 2011. This update will have significant implications for accessible design requirements.

Enforcement actions against non-compliant practitioners are also making news. The Herald Sun reports that a phony surveyor, Khanh Ho, has pleaded guilty following what the Victorian Building Authority describes as its most complex ever investigation. Ho's work as a fake building surveyor prompted significant disruption in the industry, described as "chaos" in the report.

In the ACT, The Canberra Times reports that the territory is struggling to cope with housing demand, with industry experts suggesting it's time to branch out in the male-dominated space. The article notes it's a "race against resources" for the ACT to meet federal housing requirements, with workforce diversity potentially offering part of the solution.

Industry Connection: Our Building Practitioner Pre-Registration Course for VBA on April 30 helps designers understand regulatory requirements and prepare for professional registration, particularly important in light of increased enforcement against non-compliant practitioners.

ELECTION AND BUDGET IMPLICATIONS

With the Federal Election called for Saturday, May 3, 2025, housing policy is taking center stage in the campaign. View.com.au features an expert opinion from Christian Stevens, CEO of Flint Group Mortgage Brokers, who discusses the key housing policies that will win or lose the upcoming election based on voter sentiment. Stevens argues that while affordability is crucial, other housingrelated issues will also influence voters' decisions.

The recent federal budget has received mixed reviews from industry stakeholders. The Fifth Estate provides analysis of the budget's implications for housing, employment, green materials, and broader social outcomes. The article notes there is "some much needed support across finance, workforce, policy and innovation" for housing, alongside other measures that benefit the broader public.

In a response to the budget and election announcement, Jane Cassidy, National President of the Australian Institute of Architects, has called for stronger national leadership to ensure Australia's built environment is sustainable, resilient, and well-designed. Cassidy emphasised that government policies must prioritize high-quality, sustainable design, welcoming investments in infrastructure and housing but stressing the need for a strategic, design-led approach to maximize long-term value.

Industry Connection: For designers looking to position their practices effectively in this politically charged environment, our Building a Successful Career: Winning Work & Keeping Clients webinar on May 26 offers strategies for navigating changing policy landscapes and identifying opportunities amid governmental transitions.

INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENERGY DEVELOPMENTS Infrastructure development continues across Australia, with implications for the built environment. Infrastructure Magazine reports that the Federal Government has pledged $300 million to build a long-awaited diamond interchange at Calder Park Drive, following years of advocacy through the 'Fix the Calder' campaign first launched in 2021. Brimbank Council Mayor Thuy Dang welcomed the investment, noting its importance for everyone who uses the Calder Freeway.

In the energy sector, The Australian reports that renewable energy developers who miss out on prized transmission access are exploring alternative business models, including supporting prospective data centres. This tactical reinvention reflects the growing importance of data infrastructure in the Australian economy.

The intersection of construction activity and economic indicators is captured in the Q1 2025 RLB Crane Index, which The Australian Financial Review reports shows a pick-up in residential cranes pushed Melbourne's total tower cranes to a two-year high. The Victorian capital, along with Wollongong and the Sunshine Coast, were the only cities to show an increase in tower crane numbers over the past six months.

Industry Connection: Our Ask a Surveyor: What Constitutes a Cadastral Survey? webinar on May 15 provides essential knowledge for designers working on infrastructure projects, helping them understand the critical survey requirements that underpin major developments.

UPCOMING EVENTS April Contract Administration Workshop Date: Apr 12 Time: 8:30 AM Location: Online (AEST) Presenter: Geoff Hoare Swinburne University of Technology Tour: 3D Printing and Emerging Construction Technologies Date: Apr 15 Time: 9:00 AM Location: Swinburne University of Technology, 427-451 Burwood Road, Hawthorn VIC Status: Register Now

Building Practitioner PreRegistration Course for VBA Date: Apr 30 Time: 6:00 PM (AEST) Location: Online Presenter: Geoff Hoare

MAY May 2025 Member Breakfast and Tour of 555 Collins Date: May 6 Time: 8:00 AM Location: Online (AEDT) Presenter: Britta Siggelkow Ask an Surveyor: What constitutes a cadastral survey?

Date: May 15 Time: 2:00-3:00 PM Location: Online (AEST) Presenters: Brodie Richards and Craig Sandy Ask an Assessor: Windows and Glazing in an Energy Assessment Date: May 20 Time: 2:00PM Location: Online (AEST) Presenters: Matthew Graham and Russell Harris

APerformance Solutions: Livable Housing Design Requirements, Condensation Management, Drainage, and Roof Design Date: May 22 Time: 2:00-3:00PM Location: Online (AEST) Presenter: Paul Mulholland Building a Successful Career: Winning Work & Keeping Clients Date: May 26 Time: 6:00 PM Location: Online (AEDT) Presenter: Britta Siggelkow Ask a Planner: Navigating the new townhouse and low-rise code Part 2Date: May 28 Time: 10:00-11:30AM AEST Location: Online Presenter: Ashley Thompson and Mel Ryan

MAY June2025

Women of DMN Catch Up at NEXT DOOR 2 Date: Jun 6 Time: 12:30 PM Location: Next Door At Omar & the Marvellous Coffee Bird, Melbourne VIC 3185 Upskill for Whole of Home Masterclass Date: Jun 10 Time: 04:00PM AEST Location: Online Presenter: Matthew Graham Upskill Now Masterclass (THERMAL) Date: Jun 19 Time: 04:00PM AEST Location: Online Presenter: Matthew Graham

July Hempcrete: Major inroads in the Australian hemp construction industry Date: Jul 02 Time: 12:00PM AEST Location: Online Presenter: Klara Marosszeky

FirstRate5 LIVE: Model Class 2 Multi-Dwellings (v3.2) Date: Jun 20 Time: 12:00 PM Location: Online (AEST) Contract Administration Workshop Date: Jun 28 Time: 8:30 AM Location: Online (AEST) Presenter: Geoff Hoare

MAY 2025 September

Building Practitioner PreRegistration Course for VBA Date: Sep 17 Time: 6:00 PM Location: Online (AEST) Presenter: Geoff Hoare

Contract Administration Workshop Date: Sep 27 Time: 8:30 AM Location: Online (AEST) Presenter: Geoff Hoare

SOURCES IN THIS ISSUE The Age, Herald Sun, Sourceable, The Guardian, Build Australia, The Fifth Estate, WAToday, Real Estate Australia, Architecture AU, Inside Construction, HVAC&R News, Architecture and Design, Federal Government Media Release, ABCB Statement

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