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).
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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).
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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).
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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).
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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).
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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).
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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).
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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).
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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).
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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).
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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).
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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).
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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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