In the media – National

New UDIA Report Outlines Solutions to Australia's Housing Problems
The Urban Development Institute of Australia's (UDIA) new National Policy Agenda identifies four key areas for reform – taxation, red tape, infrastructure, and planning – to help boost new home construction, and ease housing affordability pressures (28 November 2014). More...

Foreign Investment in Residential Real Estate
The Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) has welcomed the release of the House of Representatives Report into Foreign Investment in Residential Real Estate, which has recommended better enforcement of Australia's foreign investment rules, but no changes to the underlying policy framework (27 November 2014). More...

In the media – Victoria

Premier Daniel Andrews finalises ministers' portfolios
The new Premier, Daniel Andrews, will personally oversee the sale of the Port of Melbourne, the set-up of Infrastructure Victoria – the body to plan major capital projects beyond the election cycle – and Projects Victoria that will oversee projects are kept on track (04 December 2014). More...

In the media – New South Wales

Parramatta property sale reaps windfall for taxpayers
NSW Minister for Finance and Services announces the sale of two commercial office buildings in the Parramatta Justice Precinct for $170.1 million. The strong local and international market interest shown in the sale of these properties demonstrates Western Sydney's increasing reputation as a major business hub (04 December 2014). More...

Environmental assessment for Western Sydney airport
A new environmental assessment process for the proposed Western Sydney airport at Badgerys Creek kicks off today with a Referral formally submitted to Environment Minister Greg Hunt (04 December 2014). More...

Applications open for Heritage funding
The Heritage Minister has announced applications were now open for the NSW Heritage Grants program, making $6.5 million available for heritage and conservation over the next two years. Mr Stokes said the funding will enable local communities throughout NSW to protect and preserve. Their rich cultural and architectural heritage (28 November 2014). More...

Government real estate agents panel to be created
The NSW Government is to establish a prequalified panel of real estate sales agents who will be ready to participate in projects such as the sale of government-owned properties (26 November 2014). More...

Response to Brookfield Multiplex High Court case
NSW Fair Trading Minister Matthew Mason-Cox has reassured consumers that their protections and rights would remain intact under the new home building reforms, despite the outcome of the Brookfield Multiplex High Court decision. On 8 October, the High Court handed down its decision in the case of Brookfield Multiplex Ltd v Owners Corporation Strata Plan 61288 (24 November 2014). More...

In the media – Queensland

Queensland planning reforms before parliament
The Queensland Government has introduced legislation into parliament as part of its sweeping reforms to improve planning in the state. The Planning and Environment Court Bill 2014 introduced into parliament last week, focus on delivering economic growth and offering greater development opportunities (01 December 2014). More...

Real estate price guides banned as agent commissions deregulated in Queensland
How Queensland homes are spruiked before an auction and how real estate agents get paid changes from today. The maximum commission rates for agents has been deregulated and they no longer have to disclose to a buyer the commission they earn, aligning Queensland with other states (01 December 2014). More...

New dam strategies to protect Queensland homes
Water Supply Minister Mark McArdle today released new operational strategies for the Wivenhoe, Somerset and North Pine dams to minimise possible flooding ahead of the summer wet season. In simple terms, the strategies allow more storage space in the dams to better cope with flood waters (26 November 2014). More...

In Practice and Courts – Queensland

Announcements, Draft Policies and Plans released 2014

Ports Bill to support DSDIP strategy
The Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning's Queensland Ports Strategy (QPS) has been supported by the introduction of the Ports Bill 2014 The QPS sets the direction for how future port developments will occur in Queensland through major reform to port planning, governance, environmental management and supply chain connections (26 November 2014). More...

Cases – Victoria

Faycroft Pty Ltd v Granopa Pty Ltd (Building and Property) [2014] VCAT 1453
LANDLORD AND TENANT – Whether reinstatement works have been adequately completed by the outgoing tenant; reasonable cost of reinstatement works – Damages, whether actual expenditure is required to be shown in order to prove loss and damage. More...

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