The NSW Government seems to be doing everything BUT improving housing affordability. An extra tax does not increase housing supply. Without increased supply, prices will continue to increase.

The City of Sydney’s Affordable Housing Program, endorsed by the Minister for Planning, Rob Stokes, introduces a charge for the delivery new homes that will now apply across Central Sydney and much of the City of Sydney local government area.

By amending the Council’s LEP, the NSW Government has signed off on a new tax of up to 3% on the production of new homes in all of the City of Sydney Council area. (Previously the levy only applied to Ultimo-Pyrmont, Green Square and the Southern Employment lands.)

Both the Minister and Clover Moore are well meaning, but you don’t create affordable housing by adding additional charges to the production of new homes.

The NSW Productivity Commission recognised this conundrum in their review of infrastructure fees and charges. This change goes in the very opposite direction. This is a new tax on new homes to be paid by new home buyers.  Prices will go up.

Housing affordability is one of the biggest issues facing governments at all levels. But the NSW Government has simply done what the Mayor of Sydney wants – no questions asked – no economic analysis applied.

The key to housing affordability is more supply – not extra taxes on those who are trying to solve the affordability problem by creating more homes.

It is high-time the penny dropped with the NSW Government – it is the drought of planning approvals that has caused this housing affordability crisis and urgent policy reform is needed.

Unfortunately, while well meaning, yesterday’s announcement is a step in the wrong direction.  Clover Moore is no-doubt popular – but we are in trouble if we take her advice on housing affordability!

The Affordable Housing Scheme commences 1 July 2021.

• Click here to view the LEP amendment made by the Minister.
• Click here to listen to the widely distributed radio coverage of Urban Taskforce CEO Tom Forrest criticising the decision.

This week the Government confirmed the location of new Sydney Metro West stations at Pyrmont and in the Sydney CBD.
 

The CBD’s Hunter Street Station will be built on the corner of Hunter and George streets and between Bligh and O’Connell streets.
 

The new Pyrmont Station will be located between Pyrmont Bridge Road and Union Street.
 

The announcement of the station locations by Sydney Metro was at best clumsy, catching some Urban Taskforce members by surprise. That said - with change - there is opportunity to deliver an outstanding outcome if Sydney Metro is serious. Let’s hope they are.

Further information on the plans for the two new stations and the process moving forward can be found here. 

Late last month Urban Taskforce CEO Tom Forrest hosted members at our second Twilight Tour of the year – a guided tour of Mirvac’s extraordinary SMaRT Apartment.


Mirvac’s industry-first apartment made using primarily waste materials is located within the striking Pavilions development at Sydney Olympic Park. The twilight tour showcased the impressive flooring, wall tiles, kitchen and lighting features, and furniture and artworks, all made from waste glass and textiles.

 

The “green ceramics”, used for the first time as a construction material, are the result of a collaboration that began in 2019 between Mirvac and the UNSW Centre of Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) led by global pioneer in waste technology, Professor Veena Sahajwalla.


At the strart of the Twilight Tour Mirvac’s General Manager, Residential Development NSW – Toby Long, welcomed guests and provided an overview of the collaboration with UNSW and opportunities for further sustainable development outcomes.


Professor Veena Sahajwalla and her colleague Antiban Ghose the gave a history of the research and the process for delivering this remarkable and ground-breaking built outcome.

For more information on Mirvac’s SMaRT apartment in Pavilions, Olympic Park click here.

 

If you have a newly finished project and would like to host a Twilight Tour to showcase your achievement - please contact Urban Taskforce Manager, Events and Membership: Nicola Baume.

Parramatta Council’s Integrated Transport Plan (ITP) seeks to identify:

• the impacts of planning changes contained within the Parramatta CBD Planning Proposal, and
• suggested improvements for roads, public transport, pedestrians and cyclists required to support the Planning Proposal’s implementation.

Council states:
 

“To support and service the proposed increases in population and employment, the ITP identifies that more space efficient modes are needed within a denser city. This will require a dramatic increase in walking, cycling and public transport trips, and a reduction in the share of trips by private vehicle as there isn’t enough available road space.”

The ITP is on exhibition until Thursday 3rd of June.

The ITP can be accessed online here and the Parramatta Library.

Questions on the ITP, can be put to Council on 9806 5050

This week’s ULN marks the final show-case from the Urban Taskforce International Women’s Day celebration.

Lastly, but by no means least, we conclude with Growthbuilt’s energetic and inspiring Melanie Kurzydlo.

Melanie is a renowned business strategist and leading advocate for the benefits of an inclusive workplace culture.  Melanie is the Director of Strategy and Business Relations at Growthbuilt where she partners with the CEOs and executives to lead strong teams of industry professionals in the property, development and construction industry.

Melanie’s presentation resonated with many in the room as she began by sharing her and the broader Growthbuilt experience of the COVID-19 lockdown. Melanie then explored how the lessons learnt by all during this time could further add to the positive contribution of women working in the development and construction industry.

Melanie wrapped up her presentation with:

“I implore you to choose to challenge going back to the way things were, choose to challenge the silver linings of COVID and choose to challenge the reflection of 2020. Let’s challenge ourselves to not to forget all of these new things we have learnt and adapted to."

Click here to read Melanie’s personal and motivating speech.

The departing ‘congo line’ of MPs continues to grow

The recent tribulations involving Government MPs has once again rasied the spectre of a Minsiterial reshuffle. Watch this space.

In the meantime, Urban Taskforce will maintain the pressure on Government for planning reform and downward pressure on housing prices through increased supply.