For a man who has made billions building high-rises, it’s no surprise when Harry Triguboff says “the higher we build, the better.”
The 91-year-old sat down with 7NEWS, detailing how he thinks the housing crisis can be solved.
“You can’t use today’s ways and expect things to improve,” he said.
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“They don’t get better on their own.”
The Meriton boss didn’t hold back, especially when it came to advice and his stance on rewarding bureaucrats for approving more development applications.
“I think they should get bonuses and politicians should be kept out of approving new developments,” Trigubov says.
When asked if this would lead to corruption, he feared that “there could be corruption that nothing is built anymore.”
He was raised in China, moved to Australia and changed the urban landscape of our country by building apartments.
Triguboff called on the Reserve Bank to cut interest rates for a while – to help with the challenges of affordability and construction costs.
“We must have people who can lead and not just follow the book… I blame the big bosses of the country.
“They have to lead and they have to give instructions. I don’t see them giving instructions. They just follow the safe path. It doesn’t work.”
He says Canberra needs to boost immigration to help with construction.
“Everything has to be proportionate. We have one of the largest blocks of land in the world and no people.
Of Peter Dutton’s $5 billion pledge to build half a million homes, he says: “We need a lot more than that, but it’s good that he’s thinking about it, and the pledges are very good.”
Urging Anthony Albanese to take a more hands-on approach to housing, he said: “He means well, but intention is not enough. He needs to get involved and see why it’s not developing.”
Harry Triguboff agrees with the Minns Government’s push for transport units around Sydney, but says the blocks could be higher.
“The tall building is 50 stories. They’re talking five floors.
Triguboff says the taller the tower, the less the need for infrastructure such as cables, electricity and roads, as all amenities will be nearby.
“If you have villas, you are spread out. (Residents) have to travel further.”
His biographyTall Harry he has just been released., and his hope for Australia is as great as the buildings he wants to build.
“We have every reason to succeed … so I think it will improve.”
