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At Urban Taskforce, we seek to explore trends and changes associated with the property development and construction sector.
ULN compares and contrasts the experience of the industry across Australia. It examines urban development with a close eye on reducing red tape and costs while supporting quality and amenity.
ULN is essential reading for all those involved in urban living including politicians, councils, planners, architects, developers, financiers, legal firms, real estate agents, strata bodies. We will connect you to like minded people with new urban ideas
Tom Forrest
CEO - Urban Taskforce Australia
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Success of the vaccination program in the construction industry - a template for other industries
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Last week’s “Super Sunday” which focussed on vaccination of construction workers at Olympic Park was an outstanding success.
The achievement of the vaccination program in the construction industry should be a model for how the government can look at opening up other industries and getting people back to work.
The success has been driven by the opportunity to be safe from COVID and return to work (albeit at 50% of worksite capacity). While the limits are causing a lot of financial pain – we continue to work wit the NSW Government to demonstrate the safety of our industry and push for further opening of the sector as soon as possible.
Office workers, local and state government employees, all retail staff, entertainment, service providers, hospitality staff including those who work in bars, cafés and restaurants, tourism operators can all benefit from this approach.
Urban Taskforce has supported the Government’s unequivocal efforts and support for getting as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible.
The property development and construction sector has shown the way as the first non-health or care related sector to effectively mandate vaccinations for those that wish to work on construction sites.
The Government is focussed on getting all authorised workers vaccinated, getting all vulnerable groups vaccinated, and getting the rest of the NSW population vaccinated. The Urban Taskforce welcomes this focus and supports the government’s efforts to get the economy back on track.
In the meantime, the Urban Taskforce will continue to take feedback from our members on the implications of various restrictions and work with Government on practical and safe options for moving forward.
Urban Taskforce has on our web-site a dedicated page on “COVID-19 Information for the Development Industry”. Further information on restrictions relating to the development and construction industry will be provided if and when decisions are made here.
The page includes links to:
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Urban Taskforce makes a submission to GSC’s Industrial Lands Policy Review
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The Urban Taskforce supports the rezoning and renewal of former industrial areas –
such as that proposed by Infrastructure NSW at Blackwattle Bay. (Image: INSW)
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The Urban Taskforce has consistently opposed the introduction of the “Retain and Manage” provisions in the Greater Sydney Region Plan – A Metropolis of Three Cities.
This week we made a submission to the Greater Sydney Commission's review of the Industrial Lands Policy. Our submission calls for a scrapping of the current retain and manage provisions to be replaced with a more flexible and merit-based approach to industrial and urban services land which considers the specific circumstances of each site – such as access to major transport nodes and freight links, jobs currently provided on site and the success or otherwise of the Council in delivering rezonings and approvals consistent with their GSC set housing targets.
While the Urban Taskforce understands the need to provide jobs and employment opportunities in strategic locations across Sydney, it is important to evaluate and assess the changing nature of employment-generating land uses and balance this with the urgent need for housing supply.
As part of their work, the GSC has proposed a list of precincts to be the subject of the review. The Urban Taskforce asserts this list of locations is too prescriptive and does not consider many of the locations that have been alienated from development opportunity by the current policy. Our submission recommends the list be expanded to include critical corridors of economic activity that are often well serviced by transport infrastructure (Roads, Rail, metros, bus services). We recommended the focus of the review should be on the areas that have potential for mixed use development and are currently under-utilised with the present zoning.
The review is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2021. Any changes to the retain and manage policy as a consequence of the review are likely to be implemented by Government through updates to the Greater Sydney Region Plan, with a 'mid-term strategic review' slated to be made available in 2022.
Click here to read the Urban Taskforce submission to the Industrial Lands Policy Review.
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Federal Inquiry into Housing Affordability and Supply commences – Planning Approvals will be under the spotlight
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Photo: AUSPIC, Parliament of Australia
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Urban Taskforce welcomes the decision of the Treasurer to commission the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Tax and Revenue to commenced its Inquiry into housing affordability and supply in Australia.
The terms of reference for the Inquiry are:
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Examine the impact of current taxes, charges and regulatory settings at a Federal, State and Local Government level on housing supply;
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Identify and assess the factors that promote or impede responsive housing supply at the Federal, State and Local Government level; and
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Examine the effectiveness of initiatives to improve housing supply in other jurisdictions and their appropriateness in an Australian context.
The Chair of the Committee, Mr Jason Falinski MP, stated that - "As data provided by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), the Treasury and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows, home ownership, one of the building blocks of Australian society, has been falling for the last 30 years. In my view, this represents an urgent moral call for action by governments of all levels to restore the Australian dream for this generation and the ones that follow."
This inquiry represents a significant opportunity for National attention to be placed on the low levels of approvals in areas where new home prices are rising fast.
The Urban Taskforce will be making a submission to the Inquiry.
Submissions can be made up until Monday 13 September.
Further information on the federal Inquiry cab be found here.
Click here to read the Commonwealth Government’s media release announcing the commencement of the Inquiry.
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New Youth Employment Consortium to get 5,000 unemployed youth into work
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The life of many young Australians has been the hardest hit due to the pandemic and the full impact is only now being understood.
Jobfind has been the force behind the creation of a new consortium of high-profile employers, educators and not-for-profits pledging to join together to defeat youth unemployment. An important cause in light of the statistics - if you are an Australian under 25 you are more than twice as likely to be unemployed. Further, the evidence shows being unemployed when you are young has serious consequences for long term wages, health and social exclusion.
Jobfind this week announced the creation of a new Youth Employment Consortium (YEC), pledging to get 5,000 unemployed young people into jobs.
The Consortium has been established to:
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Establish YEC as a hothouse of best practice and thought leadership
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Shape Australia’s future by securing meaningful employment for young people
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Generate confidence in young people to enable them to make informed decisions about their life
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Shape young people’s aptitude through appropriate skills training
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Build a solid foundation for a young person’s life by encouraging their voice, their sense of belonging and self-efficacies
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Find solutions for young people through simplifying the system
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Committed to celebrating young people’s achievements
Employers and Training Providers interested in joining the Consortium or job seekers needing help can find additional information here.
Click here to access the Jobfind media release on the initiative.
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New Commissioners appointed to the Greater Sydney Commission
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New GSC Commissioners (L to R): Meg McDonald and Natalie Walker
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Meg McDonald and Natalie Walker have joined the Greater Sydney Commission as Environment and Social Commissioners respectively.
Meg McDonald’s background is in the energy, renewables and resources and financial sectors.
Natalie Walker brings First Nations lived experience and knowledge and has a background in health, human rights and human services.
Dr Deborah Dearing and Peter Poulet will continue to serve as District Commissioners, alongside Western City District Commissioner Elizabeth Dibbs.
The recruitment of a new Economic Commissioner is taking place, following the resignation of Jackie Taranto for personal reasons.
Click here to read the release from GSC Chief Commissioner Geoff Roberts announcing the appointments.
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Other things happening this week
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Amendments to Penrith Lakes SEPP on exhibition
DPIE is proposing to amend the State Environmental Planning Policy (Penrith Lakes Scheme) 1989 (Penrith Lakes SEPP).
The proposed amendment seeks to:
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adopt new mapping under the Penrith Lakes SEPP to allow access through the NSW Planning Portal and align zoning boundaries with current cadastre boundaries
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include new provisions for protecting solar access and key vistas and view corridors
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ensure flood evacuation will be considered for all land use proposals within the Penrith Lakes Scheme (the Scheme)
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amend the satisfactory arrangements clause for designated State public infrastructure
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permit new land uses at specific sites within the Scheme, including:
o a film production precinct and other ancillary uses;
o a heliport;
o a private golf course and associated facilities;
o tourism and commercial uses of a local heritage item;
o relocation of the Penrith Lakes Development Corporation Offices.
The SEPP amendment is on exhibition until 26 September 2021.
Click here to view exhibited documents and to make a submission.
Home Building Compensation – Consultation paper
The State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) seeking feedback on options to change how they regulates insurance premiums for different types of construction work.
SIRA is seeking feedback to:
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ensure the way premiums are regulated for different types of construction projects results in a fair allocation of the cost of insuring different types of work; and
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use descriptions that are understandable and practical for users.
Feedback from the consultation will inform amendments to the Premium Guidelines.
Submissions can be made until 13th September.
For further information and to make a submission click here.
Moorebank Intermodal Terminal SEPP EIE on exhibition
The Moorebank SEPP’s EIE sets out to:
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provide a consistent and efficient planning process for development of the Moorebank Intermodal Precinct;
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identify additional categories of exempt and complying development within the precinct; and
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provide greater flexibility with the approved development at Moorebank Precinct, including allowing an increase in height and gross floor for specific areas of the site.
The Moorebank Intermodal EIE is on exhibition until Monday, 27 September 2021.
For further information and to make submission click here.
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Mirvac continues working towards reducing its operational carbon footprint … read more …
Urban.com.au August 18
Toga Group plans to build a 16-storey, red tower with a timber “heart”, designed by Bates Smart, in the centre of Sydney’s Green Square Urban Renewal Area … read more …
The Urban Developer August 19
Developed by Crown Group, The Grand Eastlakes, includes a Woolworths Metro in the new retail precinct … read more …
Architecture and Design August 16
Meriton negotiates a record off-the-plan amalgamated apartment price in its 180 George Parramatta complex … read more …
Urban.com.au August 16
SGCH’s, DKO designed, social and affordable housing complex at Redfern profiled … read more …
ArchitectureAU 17 August
CBRE’s residential investment lead valuer, Steph Harper, says the institutional groups coming in know the value of build-to-rent … read more …
The Urban Developer August 17
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