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Federal Minister Husic’s call for swift action on changes to the National Construction Code set to expand Australia’s prefabricated and modular construction industry.
Building Ministers from across Australia convened in Sydney on March 22 for the latest Building Ministers Meeting, where they unanimously resolved to streamline regulations and facilitate the expansion of Australia’s prefabricated and modular construction industry.
Recognising the clear role of innovative construction technologies in boosting Australia’s housing supply, ministers pledged to address regulatory uncertainties that may impede the modular construction industry’s growth.
Acknowledging the need to bolster the supply of quality housing swiftly, Federal Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic emphasised the importance of modular and prefab housing: “We need to build more quality homes quickly – prefab and modular housing gives us a chance to do that.” Minister Husic highlighted the necessity of identifying and removing red tape that could hinder the adoption of these modular housing types, underscoring the commitment to enhancing the efficiency of the modular construction sector.
To achieve these objectives, the Australian Building Codes Board will collaborate closely with industry stakeholders and jurisdictions to identify and mitigate barriers to the uptake of prefabricated and modular construction.
A draft version of the next edition of the National Construction Code (NCC) will also be published on 1 May 2024 for public feedback, with the consultation period open until 1 July 2024.
Ministers also deliberated on collaborative efforts to decarbonize the building sector, aligning with broader emissions reduction goals and the pursuit of net-zero targets. The forthcoming Building Ministers Meeting in June and an Industry Dialogue scheduled for May will provide further opportunities to advance these discussions.
Read the outcomes of the meeting from the March 2024 Building Ministers Meeting Communique HERE
