Greg Hankinson , Director - Metropole Constructions
There’s a wave of optimism building in Australia’s property and construction sector – and it’s being powered not just by cranes and concrete, but by artificial intelligence.
According to the Housing Industry Association (HIA), putting AI to work in planning approvals could be the breakthrough needed to unlock more than 1.2 million homes over the next five years.
Right now, planning bottlenecks are one of the biggest hurdles to new housing supply. Thousands of projects are waiting on approvals, tying up capital and delaying much-needed homes from reaching the market.
AI has the potential to change this by reviewing documentation, assessing development applications, and handling post-submission checks – all before human planners step in. The result? Faster approvals, more transparency, and more certainty for everyone involved.
We’re already seeing what’s possible. In New South Wales, trials with local councils have seen some approvals turned around in as little as two days – a process that traditionally takes months. The state government is now aiming to have AI planning systems fully operational by the end of 2025, according to the HIA.
For homebuilders, this means projects could move from concept to construction far more quickly, reducing holding costs and risk. For investors, it points to a more reliable pipeline of new housing – critical in a market where supply continues to lag behind demand. And with a federal “strike team” also prioritising housing approvals, momentum is clearly shifting towards faster, smarter delivery. At Metropole Development, we see AI not as a replacement for human expertise, but as a powerful tool to cut red tape and get more projects moving. By embracing technology, the industry can unlock housing faster, boost productivity, and help secure Australia’s property future.
