- Housing industry meeting explores impacts of fuel security challenges on housing delivery in Western Australia
- Initiatives to support industry, housing and land supply, and limit impacts on prices explored
- Cook Government working closely with the Commonwealth to address industry and community concerns
The Cook Government has met with leaders from across the housing industry to discuss the potential impacts of fuel security on housing delivery in Western Australia.
The State Government is working closely with the Commonwealth and industry to monitor fuel supply issues and keep WA resilient amid the ongoing global impacts of conflict in the Middle East.
Treasurer Rita Saffioti and Housing and Works Minister John Carey joined some of the State's leading builders, property developers, key housing and construction body and local government representatives to gain insight into what's happening on the ground and how to prepare for future fuel security challenges.
Attendees discussed the importance of fuel security to the delivery of housing supply in WA, the impacts of rising prices of fuel and other key inputs such as concrete, PVC pipes, bricks, asphalt, and shipping costs, as well as how to manage future supply chain disruptions.
A number of opportunities were identified in the meeting to support the industry and limit the impact on prices, including:
- exploring industry practices to ensure fuel-related cost increases are transparent, temporary, and not permanently passed on to consumers into the future;
- reviewing approval requirements;
- working with local governments to temporarily expand the hours of work allowed on building sites to help accommodate cement deliveries, reduce transport costs and improve productivity; and
- reviewing bitumen content for subdivision roads and crossovers to reduce cost pressures.
The Cook Government will continue to regularly engage with key industry representatives to enable continued communication and collaboration to resolve emerging issues and support the sustainability of the industry, particularly smaller businesses.
The State Government will also advocate to the Commonwealth about ways to support the housing industry during this time, as well as continuing to encourage the use of public transport to ease cost-of-living pressures and support fuel security for industry.
The latest stakeholder meeting is part of the Cook Government's ongoing response to fuel security concerns, which includes the implementation of a seven-point fuel distribution plan through the WA Fuel Industry Operations Group.
Comments attributed to Treasurer Rita Saffioti:
"The Cook Government is focused on delivering more homes for Western Australians and a reliable supply of fuel is critical to that task.
"While the full impacts of the conflict in the Middle East are yet to flow through our supply chains, rising fuel prices are expected to drive up construction costs.
"It's crucial that we work closely with industry early to identify and manage these risks to housing delivery so WA can stay resilient if these global challenges continue.
"We are committed to keeping our housing and construction industry strong so we can deliver a pipeline of homes and jobs for Western Australians."
As stated by Housing and Works Minister John Carey:
"The Cook Government and industry are already working tirelessly to accelerate housing supply following the radical disruption to housing and rental markets following the COVID pandemic.
"We know Western Australia will not be immune to the impacts of disruption to fuel security and that's why we're committed to continuing our work with the sector to address these challenges."
