Housing News Digest
Housing News Digest
The Tenants' Union Housing News Digest compiles our pick of items from all the latest tenancy and housing media, sent once per week, on Thursdays.
Below is the Digest archive from November 2020 onwards. From time to time you will find additional items in the archive that did not make it into the weekly Digest email. Earlier archives are here, where you can also find additional digests by other organisations.
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Archive
From Byron to Bega: Push for more homes in regional NSW to ease shortage
Megan Gorrey The Sydney Morning Herald (Paywall)Planning Minister Rob Stokes says the state government will establish a taskforce to speed up the delivery of homes in regional NSW, as pressure mounts on housing supply outside major cities. Mr Stokes has warned more intensive residential development in the regions should not outpace the delivery of critical infrastructure and must include a variety of housing types ...
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/rob-stokes-pushes-for-more-h…
# NSW, Housing market, Planning and development, Regional NSW, State Government.‘Significant challenge’: Minister says migrants will need apartments that aren’t being built
Angus Thompson The Sydney Morning Herald (Paywall)Sydney is setting itself up for major challenges in housing supply unless more apartments are built, with NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes saying he is concerned that the rate of construction will not keep up with new migrants expected to arrive.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/significant-challenge-minist…
# NSW, Housing market, Planning and development, State Government.Poor-quality housing is "the number one thing holding the UK back" says Bulb CEO
Marcus Fairs (No paywall)The UK needs to drastically improve its "poorly insulated, draughty" homes if it is to eradicate its carbon emissions, according to Hayden Wood, CEO of renewable energy supplier Bulb. 'The number one thing holding the UK back is the quality of its housing stock," Wood told Dezeen. "Our houses are poorly insulated, draughty."
https://www.dezeen.com/2021/06/16/carbon-emissions-poor-quality-…
# International, Housing market, Minimum habitability standards.‘Invisible’ 11-year retrofit of huge Geneva housing estate nears completion
Sabrina Syed (No paywall)While in London Robin Hood Gardens was being demolished, over in Geneva Jaccaud Spicher Architectes Associés had begun a meticulous 11-year retrofit, now nearing completion, of its close contemporary, the huge Le Lignon housing complex ...
https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/buildings/jaccaud-spichers-r…
# International, Estate renewal, Housing market.Rent.com.au Community: Celebrating our 1st Facebook group anniversary
(No paywall)On the Rent.com.au Community’s 1st anniversary, we take a look back at the past year of growing a Facebook group for renters, landlords and agents. (Rent.com.au)
# Australia, Rent, Landlords and agents.Watchdog writes to banks on risky loans
Colin The New Daily (No paywall)Australia’s banking watchdog has written to the nation’s banks, warning there are signs of some increased risk-taking as home buyers rush to secure loans in a heated housing market. However, the Council of Financial Regulators believes overall lending standards in Australia remain sound. ... RBA governor Philip Lowe reiterated to an audience in Toowoomba on Thursday it is important that lending standards remain sound in an environment of low interest rates and rising housing prices. “The RBA does not, and should not, target housing prices,” Dr Lowe said.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/property/2021/06/17/apra-bank…
# Australia, Housing market.Buyers blocked from moving into Castle Hill apartment tower after 'extensive signs of cracking' found
Josh Bavas ABC (No paywall)he NSW Building Commissioner has intervened to stop an occupation certificate from being issued for a major Sydney residential apartment complex after confirming "extensive signs of cracking" were discovered in its basement. The Castle Hill Skyview apartment complex, by Sydney developer Toplace, is set to include more than 900 apartments across five high-rise residential buildings above a shared basement.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-17/toplace-development-resid…
# NSW, Strata, Housing market, Minimum habitability standards.Greater Sydney has 'housing supply crisis' as report warns prices will continue to surge
Tony Ibrahim ABC (No paywall)Greater Sydney's eye-watering house prices have surged this year with a new report warning there will be more rises on the way.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-17/leppington-glenfield-hous…
# NSW, Housing market, Planning and development.