“The Federal government must lead a consistent approach to climate adaptation across all states and territories. Cyclones, floods, bushfires and hail storms are not new threats, but the way we prepare for them must change,” said HIA Chief Executive Industry & Policy, Simon Croft.
“A patchwork of policies won’t cut it. We need one clear, national framework to lift resilience and keep housing affordable.
“In our submission, HIA recommends the creation of a single, independently verified national risk-rating tool to guide planning decisions, inform insurers and give homeowners the information they need to strengthen their properties.
“The greatest opportunity in mitigating climate change lies in upgrading Australia’s existing housing stock. While new homes already meet high and improving standards, the country’s 8-10 million older dwellings remain the most exposed to extreme weather and require targeted action to lift their resilience.
“The real challenge is the millions of older homes that need focused upgrades to withstand future events.
“HIA calls on the Federal government to work with states, territories and industry on a clear timetable and resources for these reforms. Taking a steady, coordinated approach now will strengthen our homes and communities and reduce the cost and disruption of future natural disasters,” concluded Mr Croft.