HA Housing Insights: A developer’s perspective on housing solutions with Tim Copley, McNab
“The ability to accommodate a growing population is fundamental to the nation’s economic future, requiring a sustained, coordinated effort from all levels of government with the right policy settings in place.”
The housing crisis remains a critical issue in Australia.
In this HA Housing Insights series, our social and affordable housing team speak with key industry experts – including developers, builders, community housing providers, investors and property and tax specialists – to gain a well-rounded perspective on the challenges faced in delivering housing outcomes and potential solutions.
In our previous snapshots, we gained valuable perspectives from:
Jesse Radisich, Director of the Victorian JLL Capital Markets – Development Team
Jess Jones, Head of Strategy and Business Development at Balmain and Co
Brian Farrelly, Partner and Executive Director at Pitcher Partners
In this instalment, we hear from Tim Copley, Development Manager at McNab about how the barriers currently faced by developers in Queensland may be overcome.
McNab has a diverse range of development projects in all phases of the development cycle, spanning from the Gold Coast, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. These projects include affordable land sub-divisions, aspirational land sub-divisions, downsizer apartments, luxury river front apartments and an industrial project.
McNab’s inhouse team, along with its industry partners, offer full turnkey services including project management, investment, financial administration, project marketing and customer care services.
Tim Copley
Development Manager
mcnab.net.au
Q. What are the main barriers to constructing dwellings that developers are currently facing in Queensland? How can these barriers be overcome?
A. Greenfield Land Supply
House and land developments, townhouses, and terrace houses offer the most efficient means of increasing housing supply. However, Queensland faces a shortage of greenfield land, with much of the available land hindered by fragmented ownership and significant servicing challenges.
Greenfield land remains crucial to housing supply and affordability. Therefore, expanding the availability of developable land must be a key focus of any housing strategy. Policies that take a proactive approach to unlocking more greenfield land, prioritizing infrastructure investment, and streamlining planning processes will be essential steps forward.
Development Approvals and Statutory Authorities
The approval process - including development approvals and permits from electricity, water, and sewerage authorities - often represents the longest and most uncertain phase of the development cycle. Streamlining these processes is critical to accelerating housing supply and reducing delays.
Rising Costs and Project Feasibility Challenges
Feasibility assessments are increasingly constrained by rising costs and extended project timelines, adding significant financial pressure to developments. Several measures could help mitigate these challenges:
Streamlining approval processes to shorten project timelines and reduce holding costs.
Optimizing infrastructure charges to lessen the financial burden on developments.
Exploring alternative parking solutions, such as reducing car spaces per unit, incorporating above-ground or podium parking, to lower both costs and construction time
Q. As the federal election approaches, what incentives or housing policies do you hope to see prioritised that will drive development?
A. Proactive and courageous policy measures are essential to approving and delivering a diverse range of new housing across the country. The ability to accommodate a growing population is fundamental to the nation's economic future, requiring a sustained, coordinated effort from all levels of government with the right policy settings in place.
Encouraging mum-and-dad investors and new homeowners to build is crucial. However, they will only do so if they have confidence in the housing market and its regulatory framework.
To address these challenges, the following key initiatives should be prioritized:
Streamline Approval Processes – The complexity of development approvals and regulatory requirements from water, sewer, and energy authorities remains a significant impediment to housing delivery. Streamlining these processes, reducing red and green tape, and providing greater certainty around approval timeframes would be a major step forward.
Facilitate Targeted Migration of Skilled Labor – A well-equipped workforce is critical to meeting housing demand. Attracting and developing skilled professionals in the house-building and broader construction sectors will help ensure a sustainable pipeline of development.
Expand Land Availability – Strategically releasing land for development is essential to supporting sustainable and scalable housing growth.
Invest in Upfront Infrastructure – Ensuring new communities have the necessary infrastructure in place from the outset will improve long-term viability and livability.
By implementing these measures, we can create a more efficient and resilient housing market that supports economic stability and growth
Q. With your experience in the social and affordable housing sector, what are some examples of successful partnerships and projects?
A. McNab are extremely proud to have delivered over 1000 affordable and social housing apartments throughout Queensland for the private and public sectors, and are currently constructing another 1000, all of which are ahead of schedule. McNab derives immense satisfaction from this work, as it carries profound significance and purpose.
We acutely understand the importance of delivering a quality and durable asset to our client’s portfolio, and most importantly a place to call home for our local community.
A majority of the partnerships were an early contractor involvement (ECI). ECI is well-suited for complex projects, and its methods can significantly decrease the construction project’s risk by conducting design reviews that analyse buildability, value engineering, and material delivery.
The information provided in this article is for general informational and conversational purposes only. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and relevance of all content, we make no guarantees about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information for any particular purpose. The views and opinions expressed in this article or associated materials are those of the respective contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Harwood Andrews or any of its affiliates.
This article is the sixth in a series of Housing Insights. Follow us to be notified when the next instalments are released.
1st instalment: HA Housing Insights: A Policy Perspective - Q&A with Mike Myers, QLD Chair of Housing All Australians
2nd instalment: HA Housing Insights: Housing market overview with - Q&A with Jesse Radisich, JLL
3rd instalment: HA Housing Insights: A builder perspective on the housing crisis - Q&A with Jess Jones, Balmain & Co
4th instalment: HA Housing Insights: A lender’s perspective on the housing crisis - Q&A with Bruce Wan, MaxCap Group
5th instalment: HA Housing Insights: Tax Considerations for tackling the housing crisis - Q&A with Brian Farrelly, Pitcher Partners
For more information or to be featured in our HA Housing Insights series please contact:
Briget O’Callaghan
Principal Lawyer
0457 117 925
bocallaghan@ha.legal
Evelyn Zeglinas
Associate
03 5225 5245
ezeglinas@ha.legal
