Property Council ACT & Capital Region Executive Director Ashlee Berry said the uptick in today's ABS Building Approvals data was welcome but fragile.
"August is only the third time since March last year that monthly approvals have kept pace with what we need - and it shows what's possible," Ms Berry said.
"But one good month doesn't fix a weak trend. We need to be hitting this number month in, month out to have any chance of reaching the ACT's housing targets."
Ms Berry said the introduction of the new developer licensing regime from tomorrow (1 October) risked undermining that progress.
"Tomorrow, developers will face a new licensing regime that risks adding even more cost and uncertainty to projects.
"Everyone from small mum and dad investors to large-scale builders will have to navigate new compliance settings - and in many cases they're being asked to shoulder risks outside their control, from planning delays to supply chain disruptions.
"We welcome the intent to lift standards and strengthen consumer protections, and we appreciate the Planning Minister's willingness to listen to industry as this reform beds down," she said.
In June, the Property Council convened a Developer Licensing Summit with insurers, financiers, legal experts, and government representatives.
"The message from industry was clear – standards should be stronger, but unresolved legal risks and compliance burdens could choke investment," Ms Berry said.
"We all want stronger accountability and better protection for buyers - but unless this scheme is practical and workable, it risks slowing down projects right when we need to speed them up," Ms Berry said.
The Property Council has consistently argued the ACT needs reforms that boost supply - including zoning changes to unlock additional homes and a cross-agency taskforce to cut through approval bottlenecks.
"Housing affordability is the defining challenge for Canberra's future," Ms Berry said.
"We'll continue working with the ACT Government to make sure all reforms, including developer licensing, support rather than stifle delivery."
