18 September 2026

In this Edition...

1. Federal immigration changes welcome

2. Minister Scully calls in Town Hall Square – we can breathe a sigh of relief

3. New Mayor in Waverley, a paused masterplan, and slap-down from Minister Scully

... and much, much more

4. NSW Intergenerational Report exposes a grim economic future
5. Anti-dumping policy - will it threaten housing?
6. Quotes of the Week
7. Northern Beaches Brookvale Plan goes to Gateway
8. HAFF Stream 5, Release 1 now open for EOIs
9. DEA: Hyegrove Willoughby wins the Seniors Living Development award
10. Biodiversity Offsets Update 
11. Council Watch
       A clash of concept designs
       Ku-ring-gai council shows why the delivery of new
             infrastructure shouldn't be left to local government
       Ryde:  They said it had no heritage value in 2020, but now ... 
12. Members in the news

1. Federal Immigration changes welcome

Urban Taskforce Australia has come out in support of the Minister for Home Affairs, Immigration, and Citizenship, Tony Burke, for taking a sensible and measured approach to migration. 

In a speech to the National Press Club this week, Minister Burke explicitly recognised the desperate need Australia has for skilled construction workers. 

We simply don’t have enough trades and skilled workers to deliver the enormous pipeline of housing and infrastructure we need to meet our housing needs now and into the future. 

Ministerial Direction 119 which lists the priority skilled migrant needs of Australia, will now be updated to prioritise migrants that have the skills Australia needs in construction, education, and agriculture. 

Urban Taskforce is pleased that the Federal Government is not looking to smash our migration program, which would have had an economy destroying impact. 

Migrants generate economic growth, paying taxes to support our health and education systems and an aging population.  Along with their critical role in construction, they often do jobs that are unpopular but necessary for critical and growing sectors of our economy including health, aged care, child-care, tourism, and agriculture. 

The Federal Government’s focus on ensuring our migration program is robust and fit for purpose, and is targeted at the skills we need is welcomed by the Urban Taskforce. 

We also support Minister Burke’s assessment on housing shortages and migrants: 

There clearly needed to be a recalibration of the immigration program – those who are staying beyond their visas should be required to return home.  

The new “no further stay” provisions are a good step.  Similarly, visas for students should be for students, not their families.  We support Minister Burke’s changes to the student visa program – tightening up in these areas is a good thing. 

However, the changes made to the backpacker program risk simply shifting the problem of an under supply of workers from the regions to the cities – to the detriment of housing supply (which is in crisis) in the cities!

We have a massive undersupply of unskilled construction labour in the property construction sector. 

The requirement for backpackers to spend extra time in the regions in order to extend their visas should be extended to cover areas of critical unskilled worker shortages in all areas, like construction in all areas.  That way we would be using the immigration system to support the areas where workers are most needed.  

The plan to cut the number of backpackers extending their stay to two and particularly three years while they are working in jobs that cannot be filled from the home-grown workforce is myopic and is not supported.

2. Minister Scully calls in Town Hall Square – we can breathe a sigh of relief

Urban Taskforce Australia strongly supports the intervention of the NSW Government into Clover Moore’s $150 million Town Hall Square vanity project. 

Planning Minister Paul Scully’s determination that the project be assessed under State Significant Development rules by the Independent Planning Commission puts a welcome handbrake on something that would have had a massive and detrimental impact on such a significant part of the Sydney CBD. 

Through the Lord Mayor’s actions, and those of the City of Sydney, the Council has unwittingly become the great uniter – single-handedly forming an unlikely alliance in opposition that includes the Urban Taskforce, the business community, the Labor Council and the trade union movement, and the media. 

Paul Scully is right to take control of this ill-considered project. 

Having the Council assess, then determine, its own mega-project was a recipe for further disaster, making the Oxford Street bike lane debacle look like a minor misstep in comparison.

The cost of the unwanted Town Hall Square “revamp” of anywhere between $150 million and $300 million, along with the loss of significant Council assets, is unconscionable at a time when the City itself is calling for the delivery of more housing affordability, and is struggling to manage the scourge of the e-bike infestation across the CBD. 

While housing development applicants are being hit with fees and charges in the millions of dollars, as set by the City of Sydney, that are driving up the cost of housing delivery, even on Council’s generous low-ball estimate of $150 million, this Town Hall Square frolic is an indulgence we cannot afford.

The downsides of this proposal have been wantonly ignored by the City of Sydney.

Thousands of workers will be displaced, incurring the ire of the SDA.

The amenity delivered by the 1929 art deco Woolworths building, which services the population of residents and workers in the central and southern part of the CBD, will disappear under this proposal.

Council says that a square is needed.  But it already has one – Sydney Square, situated right between Town Hall and St Andrew’s Cathedral – and it looks dreadful!  How can we trust a council that has run down that glorious old square into such dismal decay with this new, unwanted mega project?  The short answer is, we can’t. 

The NSW Government has stopped short of stepping in and ruling it out, but putting this project through the rigours of a merit-based assessment by the IPC will surely spell its end.

If Council is serious about improving the amenity of the city, it should look to demolish the monstrous, ugly, brutalist council office building located behind Town Hall that casts a pall over what could otherwise be valued urban open space. 

Council’s concrete and pebblecrete offices besmirch the wonderful 19^th century architecture alongside them.  The challenge to Council: get rid of the blight you are directly responsible for before you spend $150 million plus on a new one. 

The City of Sydney should move Council’s ugly, dilapidated offices to new premises at Green Square, demolish the Askinesque 1970s eyesore it currently occupies, and partner with industry to create new housing and to revitalise Sydney Square. 

Council should look at a new plan for the seven buildings opposite Town Hall.

The long-overlooked precinct should be redeveloped with significant uplift, preserving heritage elements and creating a mix of market and affordable housing, retail amenity and a thriving employment zone on the site. 

Please note: article may be behind a paywall

3. New mayor in Waverley, a paused Masterplan, and a slap-down from Minister Scully

A tie-breaker ballot to select the next Mayor of Waverley has resulted in a loss to the Liberals and the election of a Labor-aligned independent. 

Councillor Steven Lewis was selected by a random “winner-takes-all” lottery draw over Liberal councillor Katherine Westwood.  Councillor Will Nemesh, having delivered a quality Masterplan for Bondi Junction in record time, decided not to stand again. 

This means that the evenly split council, which previously approved the Bondi Junction Masterplan with the mayor’s casting vote, has suddenly hit the big PAUSE button on the project.

The new Mayor (a Labor aligned Independent) has apparently advised local media that the plan will not be abandoned completely, but residents, businesses, and other stakeholders will be consulted to see what changes might be needed by the community.

Community consultation kills construction (a placard unlikely to be seen in the new Council HQ at Waverley).

Planning Minister Paul Scully was having none of it: 

The Minister is unlikely to turn a blind eye to the manoeuvrings in Waverley, given his strong position on neighbouring Woollahra, along with the strong pro-housing position of the Premier. We welcome the clear and consistent messaging from Minister Scully.

Under former Mayor Will Nemesh, Waverley had set itself on a path to meet its National Housing Accord targets and to capitalise on a prime area for revitalisation.  He warned his successor that the NSW Government could take over, if Council were to backslide. 

The pause in implementing the Masterplan puts on hold the potential for 3,000 new homes in Bondi Junction and the renewal of an area that has been largely ignored in recent decades. 

The new Mayor says that the pause is to enable Council to “consult further” – but the obvious risk is that this could end up being death by a thousand consultative committees for the Masterplan. 

The reopening of consultation gives opponents – who famously implemented an AI-submission process – another opportunity to push back on this important renewal project, at a time when the NSW Government is pushing for greater density in the Eastern Suburbs. 

If plans are scaled back as a result of these delays, it will be a significant loss for Waverley Council and Bondi Junction. 

That may just prompt the NSW Planning Minister to take further action. 

Please note: Articles may be behind a paywall.

4. NSW Intergenerational Report exposes a grim economic future

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey’s NSW Intergenerational Report has now been released, and the assumptions and predictions it holds will shape government policy for the next four decades. 

In this Sourceable article, Urban Taskforce’s CEO Tom Forrest and Chief Economist Will Hughes have done a deep dive into what it means and what the future holds. 

The NSW Government has released its 2026-27 NSW Integrational Report (IGR). 

This is the fifth IGR to be handed down by the Government and sets out the demographic trends, the economic and fiscal challenges, facing the State over the next 40 years.

The clear message out of the IGR is that the State’s future depends on its fiscal sustainability.  That is, we need enough taxpayers paying enough tax to pay for the services and government expenditure reasonably forecast for the next 40 years.

The IGR clearly shows that the role of the Treasurer of NSW is going to be the dud prize of the NSW Cabinet for many years to come.

The role, will increasingly involve restraining expenditure, improving productivity, clamping down on regulation, cutting red tape, and reforming the tax system at both the state and federal levels.

All significant challenges requiring political courage and an active Treasury.

5. Anti-dumping policy - will it threaten housing? 

In an exercise in good old early 20th century protectionism, elements of the already diminished aluminium window manufacturing sector have complained to the Australian Anti-Dumping Commission (ADC). 

Raising allegations of dumping and subsidisation of aluminium windows and doors from China, Ventora (manufacturers and distributors of Stegbar, A&L, Trend, and Breezway) and the Australian Glass Window Association have triggered ADC Investigation Number 691 (those guys at the Anti-Dumping Commission know how to frame (no pun here) a catchy title, don’t they?).

With all the alacrity of a sloth in a triple glazed cave in winter, the inquiry has been underway since late last year to determine if subsidised products are being allowed to cause material injury to the Australian industry. 

One problem.  The companies complaining about the alleged dumping almost exclusively manufacture only for the Class 1 cottage housing market. 

There is a huge risk that there will be flow-on impacts for commercial, retail, and high-density residential product supply, which is not locally manufactured and requires volume. 

The current investigation, should it find in favour of Ventora, would escalate significantly the costs of construction, putting even more pressure onto a housing supply sector that is already struggling. 

The large number of one-or two-page submissions from very small operators should not be allowed to sway the ADC – the impact on industry needs to be studied objectively. 

The Commission is currently developing a “Statement of Essential Facts” (SEF), which is due to be published no later than 14 October, 2026.  Submissions in response to the SEF would then be due by 3 November. 

Urban Taskforce made a submission late last year and will be responding to the SEF when it is released. 

The great productivity gains achieved through the 1990s were in no small part driven by opposition to protectionism. The ADC needs to preserve the integrity of this legacy by rejecting this application at the conclusion of their investigation.

The concerns of the broader property industry, particularly those that build high-rise apartments, mixed-use buildings, and commercial premises, must prevail over the interests of a few unproductive squeaky window suppliers, who have zero capacity to meet the bespoke market demand for these sectors.

6. Quotes of the week

Source: Australian National University

When you’re losing the true believers, your reforms are clearly not as positive as you had hoped. 

Last week, former ACTU Secretary, former RBA Board member, labour leader and icon, Bill Kelty, had three characteristically blunt observations about the state of the Australian economy and the performance of the Albanese government. 

Expressing concerns that “this country has got real problems”, with more to come, Kelty didn’t hold back: 

The Treasurer’s approach to measuring performance was then critiqued for its impact on working people: 

Finally, Bill Kelty reminded the Treasurer that, ultimately, while winning elections is good, it’s not everything: 

“So” … Tom Forrest, Urban Taskforce, was heard muttering, … “it’s not just me then!!”

7. Northern Beaches Brookvale Plan goes to Gateway

Plans to increase housing in the Brookvale precinct to nearly 3,000 homes have gone to the Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure (DPHI) for Gateway Determination. 

The plans, which include the redevelopment and renewal of Warringah Mall shopping centre, will see a significant increase in heights within an LGA where the tallest building currently is the 17-storey Meriton Lighthouse in Dee Why. 

Warringah Mall is the centre of some disagreement, with Council proposing 25-storey towers and 850 homes and the proponent arguing for 1,500 units in buildings of up to 39 storeys. 

Northern Beaches Council has proposed that extra height (up to 25-storeys) and increased FSR might be available for sites that deliver public benefits. 

The Council’s proposal is currently with DPHI, and it is expected to be released for public consultation next year. 

Please note: article may be behind a paywall

8. HAFF Stream 5, Release 1 now open for EOIs

This funding stream is targeted at the delivery of 1,000 ready-to-go, well-located, low-density (class 1) social and affordable homes. 

Funding will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis, aimed at registered Community Housing Providers, charities that house Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, charities that house former or current members of the Australian Defence Force, state or territory governments, or local governments. 

9. Development Excellence Awards: Hyegrove Willoughby wins the Seniors Living Development award

Located in the Heart of Willoughby precinct, Hyegrove offers luxury retirement living, with world class amenities and services and 5,400 sqm of greenery.  

The Hyegrove facility offers residents private open spaces through balconies and terraces, as well as two rooftop entertainment areas.  

Three levels of underground parking remove the need for large surface area carparks, freeing up the ground level area for more open spaces, pedestrian links, and community use.  

The design prioritises solar orientation and seamless indoor-outdoor living.  

High-density infrastructure has been constructed across a 15,000 sqm site, with the slab the development sits on managing intense thermal and structural stresses through permanent movement joints, concealed beneath landscaping and ensuring aesthetic continuity without compromising fire-rating or waterproofing integrity. 

Architectural elements include curved facades, following faceted frameless glass facades on the ground floor where much of the amenity is located. 

Hyecare Home Care is also available to residents, with registered nurses on site around the clock for emergency responses, with adjoining aged care suites.  

Within the Hyegrove retirement community, apartments are arranged around curated, landscaped gardens, with balconies and communal terraces.  Hyecorp is congratulated on its success with this project and its win in this category. 

Our thanks to our DEA sponsors

10. Biodiversity Offsets Update 

The Biodiversity Offsets Team has circulated information for people who are using the Biodiversity Offsets Payment Calculator. 

The new Biodiversity Offsets Payment Calculator Order 2026 will commence on 1 October, applying to payments into the Biodiversity Conservation Fund. 

Quote requests received by Wednesday, 23 September will be processed prior to that date, where: 

• charge quote application forms are complete and all supporting information has been supplied; and
• the application is for a "small quote" (fewer than 50 credits and /or
  4 ecosystem credit types). 

Requests for "large quotes" and "very large quotes", or any requests received after 23 September, will have quotes issued under BOPC Order 2026 on or after
1 October. 

Requests to make payment are not affected by the transition arrangements. 

11. Council Watch

A clash of concept designs

The War over Woollahra is heating up, with Council releasing new concept designs to challenge the State Government’s proposed rezoning of Woollahra and Edgecliff. 

Council's published images, which not only appear to breach Council’s own setback requirements, but also unrealistically locate buildings hard up against the train lines, are part of a campaign to ginger-up opposition to the NSW Government proposal. 

The Mayor of Woollahra – and aspirant for the perennial holder of the Golden Nimby Award – Sarah Dixson, argued that they just couldn’t fit more housing in. 

“Woollahra ranks among the four most densely populated councils in Greater Sydney, with around 4,500 residents per square kilometres.”

As with so many things, she is wrong. 

Based on 2016 census figures, Woollahra is actually seventh, not fourth, behind Sydney, Waverley, North Sydney, Burwood, Inner West, and Canterbury-Bankstown, and only slightly ahead of Canada Bay. 

Given that all of those other councils have higher National Housing Accord targets than Woollahra and have delivered more approvals in the last two years, the Woollahra Council Mayor has once again been caught gilding the lily.

Indeed, councils like Canada Bay and Burwood are seeing significant housing numbers above their targets, swamping the paltry efforts of those to the east of Paddington.  It reminds one of Hamlet and the famous statement of Queen Gertrude.*

As the Premier says:

Woollahra Council has been ground zero for NIMBYism for many years.  It’s about time it supports the delivery of new housing. 

Please note: article may be behind a paywall

Ku-ring-gai Council shows why the delivery of new infrastructure shouldn’t be left to local government

When Lane Cove Council installed synthetic turf at Blackman Park, the fields were closed for six months. 

So, residents of Ku-ring-gai council must be wondering how the upgrade of the Norman Griffiths Oval has taken eight times as long (four years and counting), with a cost that has blown out by $21 million. 

Perhaps of even more concern is the apparent reluctance of the Office of Local Government (OLG) to require Council to conduct a capital expenditure review, despite staff recommending it. 

Could it be that the OLG staff are too scared to knock on the door of Minister Hoenig and are now waiting for the election and hoping for a reshuffle?? Who knows.  Anyway … 

But if a private sector project had seen such blowouts and cost overruns, it would be drawing the attention of the regulators, and facing strong calls for administrators to be sent in.  

It would appear that, between Ku-ring-gai’s closed open space, North Sydney’s gold-plated Olympic Pool, and Ryde’s Civic Centre mosquito farm, councils may not be the best project managers to ensure timely infrastructure delivery. 

Ryde: They said it had no heritage value in 2020, but now ...

Smarting from reasonable criticism of his council’s activities in relation to the TG Millner fields, Ryde Mayor Trenton Brown has come out swinging the feather duster at the Urban Taskforce CEO. 

He said that he agrees that the Ryde Civic Centre should have been saved and “that’s why we are not making the same mistake twice”. 

He is trying to equate the historic post way modernist icon of civic pride, the Ryde Civic Centre, with a bunch of under-utilised fields and their run down grandstand.  Honestly!

And – far from claims that “The City of Ryde has and will continue to exceed its housing targets” – Council has approved a mere 2/3 of its pro rata National Housing Accord target to the end of July, 2026.  In the meantime, it operates without a CEO, Deputy CEO, or a Head of Governance, who are apparently all “on leave with pay”.  

Rather than making judgement calls about the type of housing that will be in high demand (we’re pretty sure that the developers have done their homework), Council should focus on increasing its approvals rate and support more housing development. 

12. Members in the news

*Please note these articles may be paywall protected

“The developer of Archer & Albert, Coronation Property, reported $50m in sales in two hours at the public launch, with the three and two-bedroom residences the most popular.”  read more …

The 32-storey high-rise in the centre of Chatswood, just a block from the retail strip, saw 150 groups inspecting over two days, with significant interest from downsizers and young families.  

realestate.com.au, 17 September, 2026
 

“Develotek Moves Ahead with Proposal for Four Towers at Ku-ring-gai.”  read more …

The plans would result in four 10-storey mixed-use buildings just 150m from the Roseville town centre, delivering 120 apartments, with 27 being affordable housing.  

The Urban Developer, 17 September, 2026
 

“Developer Conquest has revealed plans for a part 24, part 26-storey scheme at Lidcombe in Sydney’s west that would grow its project on the site that won approval more than a decade ago.”  read more …

The new plan for the development will deliver 344 apartments, with 27 affordable dwellings, and 40 percent will be build-to-rent apartments, while a supermarket, retail tenancies, and a childcare centre are also proposed.  

The Urban Developer, 16 September, 2026
 

“Stockland wants to tweak one of two pedestrian links through its proposed Brunswick apartment development as further details emerge about the 223-home scheme.”  read more …

A new application for its project on Albert Street in Melbourne seeks to relocate the east-west pedestrian link to Clifton Park in a proposed 11-storey, 223 home apartment building.  

The Urban Developer, 16 September, 2026
 

“Builder-developer Urban Property Group is partnering with the hospitality operator on the 171-room Crowne Plaza Newcastle and a 152-room Hotel Indigo Gosford, which are expected to open in late 2029 and mid-2030, respectively.”  read more …

IHG is working with Urban to deliver two new hotels in Newcastle and Gosford as part of its east coast expansion plans, following on from their collaboration on the Crowne Plaza in Parramatta.  

AFR, 16 September, 2026
 

“Luxury apartment developer Ceerose’s $68-million mixed-use scheme at Leichhardt has been greenlit after a four-storey height reduction.”  read more …

The project will now be 12 storeys instead of 16, containing 120 apartments, without eight affordable units, rather than the minimum 10% affordable housing required previously.  

The Urban Developer, 15 September, 2026
 

“Abadeen has revealed it will partner with Mitsubishi Estate Asia to develop a 41.7ha project at Shellharbour, about 100km south of Sydney.”  read more …

This is one of the projects in the Abadeen Communities division that is also developing communities at Calala near Tamworth, in the Hunter Region, and in North Ellenbrook in Western Australia.

The Urban Developer, 14 September, 2026

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