Industry Update from Re-Elected HIA President

The Housing Industry Association WA recently announced the election of their new leadership team as a result of the Annual Regional Meeting of Members. Weststyle’s Managing Director, Tony Ricciardello, has been re-elected as HIA WA President and Alicia Kelly from JWH Group has been elected as HIA WA Vice President.

Tony is serving his second term as HIA President whilst remaining at the helm of Weststyle, a family-owned company renowned for its commitment to quality and luxury in custom home designs. With over 30 years of experience as a registered builder, Tony has a huge amount of on the ground experience and has been an active committee member in the association for more than 15 years which he looks forward to continuing to contribute in this role.

“I feel honoured to serve a second term as President of HIA WA. The building industry has been challenged over the last 3-4 years, and I have felt and seen the pressure that our members and stakeholders have had to endure. As we head into 2025 many challenges from the past still linger and will likely shape our path for some time. I look forward to working alongside Michael McGown Executive Director WA, Alicia Kelly Vice President HIA WA and the HIA Team continuing to advocate for what is best for our industry so that we achieve continued sustainable growth.”

An industry update from Tony:

Reflecting on the past year, I am reminded of the immense challenges and achievements that have shaped our industry. Housing supply shortages, labour constraints, changes to WHS practices and government regulations and red tape continues to test us, yet we continue to push forward with resilience and determination.

The housing crisis remains a pressing concern, with high demand for new homes continuing despite rising construction costs and historically low rental vacancy rates. Migration has, and will, only intensify the need for increased housing supply, placing significant pressure on the industry to meet the Government’s ambitious ACCORD targets. Accompanying HIA, I have been engaged in discussions with government and industry leaders to help ensure that our members will have the support needed to deliver the homes WA so desperately requires.

Workforce shortages and skilled labour have remained front and centre in HIA’s advocacy efforts, essential to keeping our industry moving, and it is encouraging to see government initiatives such as the National Skills Agreement and Construction Visa Subsidy Program beginning to address these challenges. However, more needs to be done to attract and retain workers, particularly as competition from other sectors continues to pull talent away from construction.

Safety remains a top priority, especially with the engineered stone ban, new silica regulations, and the ongoing focus on preventing falls from heights. The introduction of the WA Work Health regulations has brought significant changes to on-site risk management. HIA has been actively collaborating with members to develop practical solutions, ensuring we can effectively advocate for workable outcomes with government, departments and regulatory bodies.

The mental health impact of prolonged challenges, rising costs, supply chain disruptions, and relentless financial pressures cannot be ignored. Our industry has weathered an incredibly tough period and acknowledging this is an important step toward building a stronger, more sustainable future. I encourage everyone to look out for your co-workers and check-in regularly.

Despite the obstacles, there have been many positives. The expansion of the HIA Building Women Program, including the launch of a mentoring and awards program, has been a highlight. Seeing greater recognition and opportunities for women in construction is an important step forward, and I encourage all members to support and champion diversity in our industry.

HIA has been relentless in its advocacy throughout the year, driving key priorities with focus and determination. As we look ahead, these priorities will be pivotal in shaping the future of our sector. HIA will actively engage with the incoming state government to advance our key imperatives, focusing on housing supply, skilled labour, land availability, workforce development, regulatory reforms, and industry collaboration to secure a strong and sustainable future for our sector.

I look forward to continuing in my role as President and seeing our collective efforts drive real progress, and optimism towards a sustainable building industry that we can all enjoy for many years to come.