HIA names new deputy MD

The position is a new role within the association.

“This new position reflects the rapidly evolving, dynamic and challenging environment within the residential building sector across Australia,” HIA managing director Shane Goodwin said.

“The industry contributes more than $160 billion worth of economic activity annually, provides employment for over one million Australians, generates nearly $80 billion in taxes and supports some 320,000 businesses,” Mr Goodwin said. “Over the past three years, the industry has built more than 650,000 new homes, providing some relief to the mounting housing undersupply pressures created during the preceding decade.”

Mr Goodwin said HIA’s membership builds over 85 per cent of all new homes nationally, across all residential types – detached houses, townhouses and villas, medium density and high-rise apartments.

“Mr Wolfe brings over 30 years’ building industry experience to his new role, experience that spans building and engineering design, building codes, standards and regulation, building compliance and project management,” he said.

“His previous roles with HIA have included national technical director and regional executive director for Queensland, NSW and Victoria, each of which involved responsibility for membership servicing, government relations, industry advocacy and media. Most recently Mr Wolfe was HIA’s chief executive, industry policy and media relations.”

Prior to joining HIA, Mr Wolfe held senior positions in both local and state governments, and has extensive experience in analysing and responding to government legislation and regulation.

His immediate priorities will focus on the key issues of land supply, housing affordability, infrastructure, access to finance, innovation and aligning housing options with client preferences, particularly those of our ageing population and our evolving household demographic

“I am confident that Australia’s residential building industry can continue to build on its reputation as a world-class provider of quality housing,” Mr Wolfe said.

[Related: HIA welcomes govt focus on housing]