Property Council ACT & Capital Region Executive Director, Ashlee Berry, said ABS trend data published today showed fewer than 100 homes were approved in September - the worst result since February 1998.
"These 'horror Halloween' housing numbers should scare the living daylights out of the newly elected government," Ms Berry said.
"The steep drop in approvals underscores the urgent need for a DA overhaul-Canberra's housing future depends on it. We can't afford for the system to remain haunted by delays and uncertainty.
"The current bottlenecks-particularly in ACAT appeals and Development Application processes-are stalling Canberra's growth and making it harder for families to access affordable homes."
Ms Berry called for streamlined decision-making timelines, a firm commitment to reduce delays in the appeals process and a focus on long-term certainty to kickstart housing delivery.
"The industry is facing a perfect storm of a maze of referral agencies, uncertainty from ACAT and third-party appeal rights, the increasing costs of construction and finance, and outstanding questions over infrastructure delivery and land release in the lead up to the election.
"The new government must set ambitious targets for decision timeframes and establish clear accountability around appeals and approvals," she said.
"Canberra needs a planning system that's built for today's challenges, not yesterday's roadblocks. Today's data reflects a worrying trend, with fewer than 100 homes approved in the last month.
"It underscores the critical need to streamline approvals, especially for larger and more complex projects, so that Canberra's housing needs are met swiftly," Ms Berry said.
"The property sector is ready to work hand-in-hand with the government to resolve these issues, but we need a system that functions with efficiency, transparency, and fairness," Ms Berry said.
