Greg Hankinson - Metropole Developments

17/03/2026

It Might Be Time to Rebuild the NCC — Not Just Keep Adding to It

If Australia is serious about delivering more homes, improving affordability and lifting productivity, we need to take a hard look at the systems shaping housing delivery.

One of them is the National Construction Code.

The Housing Industry Association recently called for a “knock-down rebuild” of the NCC, and it is not hard to see why.

According to HIA, the code is now more than eight times longer than when it was first introduced and references almost twice as many supporting standards.

Most of the changes made over time have come from the right place — improving safety, sustainability, quality and performance.

But good intent does not always produce good outcomes.

From a practical industry perspective, the NCC has become increasingly complex to navigate. That means more paperwork, more consultant input, more approval friction, more interpretation risk and, ultimately, more cost.

And those costs flow straight into new housing.

Housing affordability is not just about interest rates, land values or build costs in isolation. It is also about whether the broader regulatory framework supports efficient housing delivery — or makes it harder.

HIA has rightly argued that if we are serious about supply, the regulatory system needs to support it, not work against it.

Its proposed reforms are practical: simplify the code, improve usability, reduce unnecessary burden, provide greater certainty with a five-year amendment cycle, make referenced standards freely accessible, and create clearer pathways for innovation and modern construction methods.

None of that means lowering standards.

It means making sure the code remains fit for purpose — clear, workable and aligned with the realities of delivering homes in today’s market.

Because if we keep adding layers without asking what they are really achieving, we should not be surprised when housing becomes slower and more expensive to deliver.

At some point, patching around the edges is not enough.

It may be time for a genuine reset.

Not another amendment.

A proper rebuild.

Source: Housing Industry Association, “HIA calls for ‘knock-down rebuild’ of the National Construction Code”, 12 March 2026.

12/03/2026

I’ve been to 11 Wealth Retreats and I’ll keep going back.

That’s because every time I go, I get something out of it. New ideas, better perspective, great conversations, and time to really focus on the bigger picture when it comes to building wealth.

Wealth Retreat is a 5-day event with Michael Yardney and a team of experts, created for people who are serious about property, investing, and making smarter long-term decisions.

It’s not just about the content. It’s about being in the right room, around the right people, and taking the time to step back and work on your strategy.

That’s why I rate it so highly.

Comment WEALTH for more information.

06/03/2026

BBQ breakfast on site this morning with some of our legends 🍳☕

Every three months we run a Test & Tag Day with Dean Martin Electrical to keep the trades tools and our sites safe, compliant and ready to go.

Most of our trades have been on the journey with Metropole Construction for years and are well and truly part of the Metropole family.

These BBQ mornings are just a small way for us to say thanks and catch up over a coffee.

Big shout out to our delivery partner Bunnings for helping us fire up the BBQ. Ash and Dave on the tongs.

Good people. Good trades. Good sites.

👊

melbourne

20/01/2026

06/01/2026

What’s the point of approving more homes… if the infrastructure can’t keep up?

Sydney doesn’t just need housing, it needs the things that make suburbs work: roads, rail, power, water, and community facilities.

And the warning signs are pretty clear: Infrastructure Australia is forecasting a shortfall of 300,000 civil construction workers by 2027 which means delays and rising costs can hit infrastructure projects and flow straight into housing supply.

If you’re building or investing, this is a big takeaway: follow where infrastructure dollars are going.

The areas getting upgrades and new connections are often the ones positioned for the next wave of growth.

Read it here: https://metropole.com.au/sydney-infrastructure-shortages-put-housing-targets-at-risk/

Do you reckon Sydney’s bigger issue is approvals… or the infrastructure and workforce to deliver the homes?

06/01/2026

How would you deliver more homes?

Brisbane’s middle ring could be about to change in a big way.

Council is proposing zoning reforms that could deliver up to 6,000 new homes by 2032, by allowing more “gentle density” in well-located suburbs.

What’s being proposed (in plain English):
✅ 3 storeys allowed across the LMR zone
✅ Up to 4 storeys in some spots near transport and shopping
✅ Smaller minimum land sizes (260sqm down to 120sqm) — which can make more housing types viable

This is exactly how you take pressure off the housing market without pushing sprawl further out.

Full article here: https://metropole.com.au/brisbanes-middle-ring-suburbs-set-for-major-housing-shake-up/

What do you reckon — sensible “missing middle” housing… or a step too far for the middle ring?

01/12/2025

We’re seeing home renovation activity nearing record highs – and it’s changing the game for both homeowners and investors.

With home values rising, unemployment low and overseas arrivals at record levels, more people are choosing to renovate and extend rather than sell and move. At the same time, investors now make up 43% of new home builds nationally, putting even more pressure on housing supply in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

In my new article, I share:
✅ What the latest ABS and HIA data is telling us
✅ Why our biggest cities are still where the key opportunities lie
✅ How homeowners and investors can position themselves to take advantage of this shift

If you’re thinking about renovating or developing and want to understand where the market is headed, this will help.

👉 Read the full article here:
https://metropole.com.au/home-renovation-activity-nears-record-high/

If you’d like to discuss a project you’re considering, reach out to the team at Metropole and we’ll be happy to chat.

27/11/2025

Good news for anyone trying to build in NSW – there’s a new planning bill on the table that’s designed to clear a path for faster housing.

For years, slow and complicated approvals have held projects up and made it harder to get new homes built when we need them most. This bill is aimed at simplifying that process and giving builders, developers and owners a clearer run at getting projects started and finished.

In my latest article I talk through what the bill is about, why it matters for housing supply, and what to watch if you’re thinking about a build or development in NSW.

Read it here:
https://metropole.com.au/nsw-planning-bill-clears-path-for-faster-housing/

If a project is on your radar, send me a message and we can chat about how to approach it sensibly under the new rules.

24/11/2025

Plenty of people are saying they’ll “wait and see” before building. The problem is that by the time it feels safe, the best opportunities are often gone. After a messy few years in construction, 2026 is lining up as a strong year because we still have a serious shortage of new homes, demand from buyers and renters remains high, and building conditions are starting to settle.

If you’d like a finished home or project in 2026, the groundwork has to start well before then. Choosing your design, locking in finance and getting approvals sorted all take longer than most people expect.

I’ve broken down why 2026 could be such a pivotal year in more detail here: https://metropole.com.au/why-2026-is-shaping-up-as-a-strong-year-for-homebuilders-and-investors/

If building or developing is on your radar, send me a message and we can talk through what’s realistic and how to de-risk the process for you.

24/11/2025

There’s finally some good news for anyone thinking about building.

After years of blowouts and uncertainty, construction times are starting to improve as some of the pressure comes off the industry. Projects are still taking longer than they did a few years ago, but with fewer bottlenecks and a bit more predictability, it’s becoming easier for homebuilders and investors to plan with confidence.

In my latest article I talk through what’s changing, what hasn’t, and what it means if you’re about to start a new build or development.

You can read it here:
https://metropole.com.au/construction-times-improve-as-homebuilding-pressures-ease/

And if building is on your radar, send me a message and we can chat about how to approach it sensibly in the current environment.

08/11/2025

📉 Some good news for a change — construction cost growth is finally easing.

After years of sharp price rises, we’re now seeing the slowest annual increase in building costs in more than a decade.

Timber, steel, and transport costs have steadied, which is giving builders and developers a little more certainty again.

Now, that doesn’t mean prices are dropping — they’re just not climbing as fast.
And that’s a big step in the right direction for project feasibility and long-term planning.

At Metropole, we’re starting to see that confidence return — clients who pressed pause 12–18 months ago are now re-running numbers and moving ahead.

Smart development is all about timing, and this shift could mark the start of the next opportunity cycle.

🔗 Read the full article at https://metropole.com.au/construction-cost-growth-slows-to-decade-low/

07/11/2025

🚨 Australia’s housing supply is flashing red.

We’re building fewer homes today than we have in over a decade — and yet, our population is growing faster than ever.

It’s not just about materials or labour.
It’s approvals, red tape, rising finance costs, and uncertainty that make it harder for builders and developers to deliver new supply.

The result? Higher rents, fewer choices, and more pressure on families.

The solution isn’t just “build more houses” — it’s about smarter planning, efficient approvals, and encouraging quality medium-density development in the right locations.

At Metropole, we’ve been talking about this for years: gentle density done well is one of the best ways to ease this crisis and build the kind of neighbourhoods Australians actually want to live in.

🔗 Read the full piece via Property Update. https://propertyupdate.com.au/a-flashing-red-light-for-australias-housing-supply/