Property Council and Business Council applaud removal of job killing red tape

The Property Council of Australia and Business Council of Australia have both applauded the decision from the NSW Government to keep and make permanent several positive economic measures that were put in place to support jobs as part of the response to COVID-19.?

Property Council’s NSW Executive Director Luke Achterstraat said the announcement went a long way into locking in the gains for industry, with regulation getting out of the way.

“The pandemic has been a huge disrupter of business practices which has given us the opportunity to change the way we do enterprise and remove barriers which will allow our state to get on with business,” Mr Achterstraat said.?

“The extension of construction hours has also given the industry an opportunity to provide jobs and homes for the people of NSW to catch up to the significant undersupply of homes across the state, and as such should also be extended.”

Business Council of Australia Chief Executive Jennifer Westacott said it was common sense to make the road-tested changes permanent.?

“We applaud the NSW Government’s decision to permanently axe some of the outdated, unnecessary and job-killing red tape that was making it harder to do business before the pandemic,” Ms Westacott said.?

“As we recover every government should ask themselves at every step of the way, will bringing back these regulations help keep costs down for consumers or help make Australia an easier place to do business and create new jobs??

“With better regulations, small and large businesses can invest more, employ more Australians and deliver the best products and services.”

Mr Achterstraat said Sydney was evolving into a global 24-hour city.?

“Extending operating hours and deliveries for businesses is a reflection of business and consumer trends as we adapt to a more globalised economy,” he said.?

"Allowing for deliveries 24 hours a day means trucks and freight can stay off the roads during peak times, increasing efficiency in movement, saving on congestion and pollution which delivers environmental benefits and eases traffic.

“Overall this a great example of planning processes reflecting changing trends in society and business and shedding unnecessary and costly regulation which will be welcomed by all.”