Victoria's Housing Minister Faces Industry Pressure Amid Climate and Infrastructure Initiatives

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) is lobbying new Victorian Housing and Building Minister Nick Staikos to delay the National Construction Code (NCC) implementation, scheduled for May 2024. This request emerges as Tasmania has confirmed a similar delay, with HIA suggesting that other jurisdictions are recognizing the adverse timing for regulatory changes.

The Safeguard Mechanism's efficacy is under scrutiny, as recent data indicates a mere 2.3% reduction in onsite emissions from major emitters, while reliance on offsets increased by 45%. Meanwhile, Box Divvy is expanding its soft plastic recycling initiative, supported by the NSW Environmental Protection Authority.

Australia has a significant opportunity to restore one million hectares of degraded land, which can contribute to carbon credits and ecosystem resilience. Additionally, CRREM has appointed new members to enhance its impact in the APAC region, while Daikin addresses the skills gap in the HVAC sector by launching a training program for apprentices and graduates in May.