MBV is disappointed that the Victorian Government has withdrawn its extensive planning reform package.

MBV has been working closely with the Victorian Government for several years on a range of planning reforms to cut red tape and speed up planning processes to benefit our state’s building and construction industry and the broader Victorian community.

MBV supports ongoing investment into social housing but applying a different tax to the building and construction industry was not the solution at this time.

With our state experiencing a building and construction boom, the reliance on our sector to keep Victoria moving has never been more important. As the engine room of the state’s economy, building and construction account for over 57 per cent of our state’s tax revenue. This money benefits all Victorians in new infrastructure, important road and rail projects, hospitals, and new schools.

It should be noted that $1 million of residential building construction output supports around $2.9 million of industry output and consumption across the broader economy. Each $1 million of residential building construction industry output also supports nine jobs across the economy.

Therefore, it is vital to get the right planning reforms for Victoria.

Whilst there is an economic cost to not proceeding with these planning reforms, MBV remains committed to working collaboratively with the Victorian Government to achieve planning reform and a pipeline of social and affordable housing.