Health Infrastructure hosts industry briefing on planning reform, sustainability and design assurance

Led by HI’s Capital and Commercial Advisory team, the session provided practical insights into how policy changes are shaping delivery and how HI is embedding new requirements.

Setting the strategic direction

Emma Skulander, Chief Executive, opened the session and spoke about HI’s forthcoming Strategic Plan which is setting the direction for how HI will continue to deliver one of the largest health capital programs in the country over the next five years.

Emma highlighted the importance of strong partnerships in achieving the ambitions of the plan before handing over to Nicky Seaby, Acting Executive Director, Capital and Commercial Advisory, to explain the plan’s focus areas: operational integrity, people and innovation through data, digitalisation and sustainability.  

Navigating planning reform

The Health Infrastructure team provided an overview of the latest planning policy reforms, explaining how new objects introduced to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act are embedding a more proportionate, risk‑based approach to environmental assessment which should deliver real time and cost savings to HI projects.

HI is updating planning templates with embedded guidance and working through project assessments consistent with the new expectations.

Design reviews as peer conversations

The team also explained HI’s design assurance process and its role delivering good design outcomes and upholding standards across the health portfolio. They explained that design reviews are intended as constructive conversations among peers rather than audit exercises, and were focused on impact, functionality and whole‑of‑life affordability.  

Strengthening sustainability outcomes

HI outlined its approach to Green Star certification and new reporting requirements around embodied carbon emissions. HI has partnered with the Green Building Council of Australia to provide umbrella guidance and ongoing support to teams navigating environmental certification for the first time.

Updated design guidance to support these requirements is expected to be released mid‑year.

The value of ongoing engagement

Reflecting on the session, Nicky Seaby spoke of the importance of regular engagement with delivery partners.

“Communication with delivery partners isn’t a courtesy - it’s how alignment is maintained, risks reduced, and projects stay on track. This is really important in a shifting policy landscape, where new requirements are continuously emerging. The Q&A component of our briefings helps highlight potential sticking points and areas requiring more attention as we embed changes to our processes.”  

The presentation from the briefing is available here (PDF 1.8MB).