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Urban Living Network (ULN) offers comment and insight on housing developments, retail trends, job locations, density related to railway stations, urban projects on city fringes, strata and planning reforms.
We provide feedback to government and policy makers on all areas of policy which impact on the development of property. We measure performance by comparing housing supply with housing demand. We examine demographic change while challenging policy makers where their policies are not meeting community needs.
ULN is essential reading for all those involved in city-living including politicians, planners, the media, industry journals, council staff and councillors, architects, developers, financiers, legal firms, real estate agents and strata bodies..
Tom Forrest
CEO - Urban Taskforce Australia
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Foreign Investment rule changes – an early Christmas toast for the property industry
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The Commonwealth this week passed legislation that will see the removal of the “zero threshold” for foreign investors requiring all foreign property purchasers (large or small) go through the time consuming FIRB Review process.
Urban Taskforce has been calling on the Commonwealth to recognise the desperate need for foreign investment to stimulate jobs and property development in the COVID-19 recovery period.
The table of new thresholds (applying to “sensitive” asset classes and to different nationalities of foreign investors) has not yet been published by Treasury so we will hold off on charging our glasses until the detail is available.
This builds on the suite of reforms and policy changes advocated by the Urban Taskforce and recently announced by the NSW and Commonwealth governments. Recent announcements include extension of the HomeBuilder grants program with increased thresholds for NSW and Victoria, the big shift on stamp duty proposed in the NSW budget, as well as significant reforms to infrastructure contributions with the publication of the NSW Productivity Commission’s Report. All are good reason for celebration.
To see the media release from the Federal Treasurer, click here.
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Twelve months on … Final Plans for Pyrmont - Minister fixes the IPC mess
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The Government has revealed the final Place Strategy for Pyrmont Peninsula. While the final Strategy has missed some opportunities, the Urban Taskforce welcomes its release.
The Government has listened to Urban Taskforce advocy on the need for a Metro station within the Pyrmont Peninsula. The Government’s announcement today confirmed that they will be doing just that. The economic benefits of this location will be far-reaching. this confirms the Peninsular as the logical extension of the CBD for height and development.
The Government put its Christmas "grinch" hat on by also flagging a new Special Infrastructure Contribution “to be applied to certain new developments in the Pyrmont Peninsula in advance of the station opening." No details are available on this with an ‘Infrastructure Delivery Plan’ yet to be developed.
The final Place Strategy for Pyrmont can be found here.
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Holiday must read - Planning restrictions harm housing affordability
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Planning restrictions reduce the supply of housing and hence raise its price.
Notwithstanding the economically illiterate protestations of a few planners, the Urban Taskforce has on numerous occasions, presented the considerable weight of academic research that shows planning restrictions have big effects on housing affordability. While the research is valued, most is long and technical, and can be difficult to roll out as part of a modern policy discussion. Until now ...
Peter Tulip, in partnership with the Centre for Independent Studies, has published an excellent paper that summarises the recent research on this topic, focussing on Australia’s largest cities.
Access the policy paper here.
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Local Character Statements to be recognised in LEPs
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DPIE has quietly exhibited a draft Local Character Clause which is proposed to be included in the Standard Instrument Local Environmental Plan.
The clause will allow a council to adopt a map overlay which identifies the boundaries of a local character area and will require the council to consider its local character statement when addressing development applications.
The Urban Taskforce is deeply concerned by this proposal.
The local character of each and every locality, suburb, district and the region will and should change over time. While the need to preserve genuine items of heritage and cultural significance is acknowledged, the protection of ‘local character’ per se will kill-off economic growth right at the time when the very opposite approach is required (post COVID-19).
‘Local Character’ has become the new weapon of the NIMBYs.
Submissions on the proposal can be made until 29th January 2021.
To view the draft clause and statement of intended effects click here.
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Loss of ‘local character’ was one of the criticisms thrown at the proposed redevelopment of the former Carlton United Brewer site at Central.
The site, now One Central Park, and it’s ‘character’ is widely celebrated and embraced by the community.
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Avenor welcomes Greg Whiteside as Head of Development
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Urban Taskforce member Avenor has welcomed Greg Whiteside as their new Head of Development.
Greg brings over 35 years of industry experience in both the private and public sector.
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Updates to BASIX announced
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DPIE has announced the commencement of a number of updates to BASIX. Early signs are that these changes are an improvement – but the devil is always in the detail and this will be reviewed over Christmas.
Key changes include:
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Incorporating innovations in technology into the BASIX Tool
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Providing greater flexibility in the way BASIX requirements can be met
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Aligning some of the BASIX requirements with those that apply in other jurisdictions, and
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Improving the user experience by reducing the likelihood of an alternative assessment for secondary dwellings.
To view the full suite of changes, click here.
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Glenfield Place Strategy on Public Exhibition
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The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment has prepared a new draft Glenfield Place Strategy for new housing, retail and open space and educational requirements of the now to be retained Hurlstone Agricultural High School.
The draft Place Strategy is accompanied by a draft structure plan, urban design report, development principles, supporting technical studies, and proposed amendments to buildings heights, land use zones and other proposed development controls.
The draft Glenfield Place Strategy is on public exhibition until Friday 12 February 2021
To view the draft place strategy click here.
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Property Observer merges with Urban.com.au.
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Industry publication Property Observer announced today that they’ve “joined the team at Urban.com.au”
Property Observer’s editor Jonathan Chancellor has committed to continue to “lead the authoritative editorial coverage as the content of the past decade gets incorporated under the Urban umbrella.”
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Member News
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Woolworths’ refreshed and expanded store at Emerton featured … read more …
Daily Telegraph - News Local, 7 December
Burwood Brickworks by Frasers Property Australia wins TUD Retail Development of the Year …
read more …
The Urban Developer, 7 December
Bates Smart designed timber, high-rise hotel opens … read more …
Architecture and Design, 10 December
Lendlease's Barangaroo South - Australia’s first carbon neutral suburb… read more …
Australian Financial Review, December 9
Melbourne Jet Base designed by Cox Architecture featured … read more …
Architecture and Design, December 10
Dexus and Woolworths make the A list in the Carbon Disclosure Project’s global ranking for measuring corporate efforts to mitigate climate change … read more …
The Fifth Estate, 10 December
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Urban Taskforce takes a break
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The Urban Taskforce office will be enjoying a short break, closing COB 24th December and re-opening Monday 11th January 2021.
This marks the final edition of Urban Living Network for 2020.
Watch out for the latest from Urban Taskforce Australia with the publication of our Top 20 Achievements in 2020!! Coming soon!!
Urban Taskforce wishes all our members, stakeholders and readers best wishes for a safe and relaxing holiday season.
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