HomeBuilder Program

The Hon. F. PANGALLO (14:56): Supplementary question: can the Treasurer tell us whether the government will make any moves or introduce any legislation to ensure that there are no delays when it comes to development plans being submitted to councils in relation to this stimulus?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (14:57): That's an excellent question from the Hon. Mr Pangallo. It is an issue my colleague minister Knoll was discussing with myself and colleagues this morning. Clearly, there are shared roles with state and local governments. There are industry sector representatives who are expressing concern about planning delays in local councils, and I am sure the Hon. Mr Pangallo would share the government's frustration if that was to delay the potential implementation of this generous federal government scheme.

The state government is looking to see what powers we do have currently under the COVID-19 package of bills, which were supported through the parliament. The state minister will look to see what we might be able to do collaboratively, working together with local government, but there are two concerns that industry representatives have expressed this morning. One is: let's make sure planning approvals get through more quickly. The other one is the finance industry, and banks in particular, the delays potentially in the processing of finance and banking loans.

There is only a three-month window of opportunity from the signing of the contract—this is according to the federal government rules—and the commencement of the build, so it is a tight time frame. It is a six-month period but there is a three-month period from the signing of the contract to the commencement of the build.

We all must work together (local government, state government and industry) in the interests of ensuring any potential blockages such as planning approvals and recalcitrant local councils—we can all regale the parliament with stories of how long it takes to get through some minor planning approvals for redevelopments in some council areas in metropolitan Adelaide. Equally, we need to work with the finance sector, in particular banks, to make sure there are no delays there as well.