Tradie Intel by GrokoryAI
HIA News ·

Hobart named Australia's most restrictive city for planning

Hobart has been ranked Australia's most restrictive capital city for planning, with 97% of residential land subject to development limits, per the Australian Zoning Atlas.

97% of Hobart's residential land is subject to restrictions that limit housing development, the highest rate of any Australian capital city.

Why is Hobart the hardest Australian city to get housing development approved?

Builders and tradies in Hobart face the tightest planning constraints in the country, limiting new housing projects and reducing work opportunities in the residential sector.

Key takeaways

  • Hobart ranks as Australia's most restrictive capital city for planning, according to the Australian Zoning Atlas.
  • 97% of Hobart's residential land has restrictions that limit housing development.
  • Tight planning rules reduce the pipeline of new residential projects available to local tradies.
  • The findings highlight a national conversation about zoning reform and housing supply constraints.
buildingTASregulatory

Related

HIA News ·

Time for the Government to get moving on DAPS – data centres make the need urgent

The Housing Industry Association of Tasmania has urged the State Government to progress its promised Development Assessment Panels (DAPs). It says debate over approvals for data centres has made the need more urgent.

Why it matters: Builders and other construction trades in Tasmania could see faster, more consistent planning approvals if DAPs go ahead. Delays in approvals hold up project starts and affect work schedules and cash flow.

TASbuildingregulatorybusiness
HIA News ·

WA's Residential Design Codes review announced

The WA Government has opened public comment on its review of the state's Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) from Friday 23 October 2026. The review follows extensive industry consultation.

Why it matters: Builders, carpenters and other residential trades in WA may face changes to design and approval rules that affect what they can build and how. Tradies can have a say during the public comment period.

WAbuildingregulatory
HIA News ·

Draft State Planning Policy 2026

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has provided feedback on the Draft State Planning Policy 2026 and its discussion papers on Natural Hazards and the Future of Assessment Benchmarks. The article gives no detail on what the draft policy or HIA's feedback contains.

Why it matters: Planning policy changes on natural hazards and assessment benchmarks could affect builders and other residential trades through approval requirements and where and how homes can be built. Details are not yet clear.

regulatorybuildingQLD