In the media
Design concept released for build-to-rent development in
East Lismore
As the Minns Government's focus on boosting housing
supply continues, Landcom is implementing a $30 million election
commitment to develop a build-to-rent pilot in the Northern Rivers.
Plans for 50 apartments in East Lismore that are well-designed,
climate-resilient and sustainable have been released for community
and stakeholder feedback. Led by Landcom, the development at the
corner of Crawford Road at 138-146 Military Road will deliver
secure rental housing in a region impacted by rising rents and low
housing availability (22 July 2024). Read more here.
Housing in Sydney won't become affordable until at
least the 2030s
A new study from the University of New South Wales (UNSW)
and University of Technology Sydney (UTS) looks at the relationship
between housing affordability and employment contracts. This study
has shown that housing affordability in Sydney is going to remain
out of reach for much of the population until at least the 2030s
(22 July 2024). Read more here.
'Deeply concerning': Affordable rent in middle
ring suburbs no longer available for Aussie families
Affordable rent in middle ring suburbs is no longer
available for key workers and families in Australia's major
cities, a "deeply concerning" analysis has
revealed (22 July 2024). Read more here.
The type of property that was supposed to get cheaper
– but soared
Rents have skyrocketed since the start of the pandemic,
when Australia closed its international borders and left many
inner-city apartments sitting empty. CoreLogic research director
Tim Lawless hopes that "a year from now we will see the
capacity constraints easing up and we see more supply coming
in" (22 July 2024). Read more here.
NSW to trial prefabricated 'modular homes' to
address housing crisis
Premier Chris Minns says announcement "an
important milestone in our work to utilise nontraditional methods
of delivering more homes sooner". Pre-built modular homes
will be trialled in New South Wales to boost social housing, as
research shows new-home construction targets will not be met (22
July 2024). Read more here.
Back in control: Launching our new maintenance service
as the first 750 homes set to be revamped
The NSW Government has announced the first tranche of
social homes that will undergo critical maintenance upgrades under
the $1 billion Repair and Restore Maintenance blitz announced in
the recent budget to fix 30,000 public homes in desperate need of
repair. The NSW Government has also now reached the next milestone
in its commitment to overhauling the public housing maintenance
system with the launch of The Maintenance Hub and bringing critical
maintenance services back in public hands (14 July 2024). Read more
here.
Council performance to be ranked to meet housing
targets
The Minns Government is introducing a range of measures to
hold local and State Government accountable for the approval of
more housing as NSW works towards its commitment of 377,000 homes
by mid 2029 under the National Housing Accord. The NSW Government
has been clear that addressing the housing crisis is a shared
responsibility, and all levels of government must do their part (11
July 2024). Read more here.
In practice and courts
Sustainable solutions: Setting standards for safer PVC
pipes and fittings
Standards Australia has announced a significant milestone
in the PVC industry with the publication of the new standard AS/NZS
5395, Best Environmental Practice PVC Pipes and Fittings. This
standard, the first of its kind worldwide, is specifically
developed for PVC pipes and fittings (15 July 2024). Read more here.
Engineers Australia, Transport Australia society and
IPWEA collaborate on draft National Urban Policy response
The Federal Government's National Urban Policy draft
aims to ensure Australia's towns and cities are liveable,
equitable, productive, sustainable and resilient. Engineers
Australia, the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia
(IPWEA), and the Transport Australia society collaborated to
provide a response touching on housing, sustainability, skills and
transport (19 July 2024). Read more here.
Kellyville and Bella Vista TOD rezoning
The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure
is seeking your feedback on the Kellyville and Bella Vista TOD
rezoning proposal. The consultation period is open until 9 August
2024. View the proposal and supporting documents and make a
submission online here.
Hornsby TOD rezoning proposal
The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure
is seeking feedback on the Hornsby Transport Oriented Development
(TOD) rezoning proposal. The consultation period is open until 9
August 2024. View the proposal and supporting documents and make a
submission online here.
Macquarie Park TOD rezoning proposal
The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure
is seeking feedback on the Macquarie Park Transport Oriented
Development (TOD) rezoning proposal. The consultation period is
open until 9 August 2024. View the proposal and supporting
documents and make a submission online here.
Crows Nest TOD rezoning proposal
The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure
is seeking your feedback on the Crows Nest Transport Oriented
Development (TOD) rezoning proposal. The consultation period is
open until 16 August 2024. View the proposal and supporting
documents and make a submission online here.
Bankstown TOD rezoning proposal
The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure
is seeking your feedback on the Bankstown Transport Oriented
Development (TOD) rezoning proposal. The consultation period is
open until 16 August 2024. View the proposal and supporting
documents and make a submission online here.
Homebush TOD rezoning proposal
The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure
is seeking your feedback on the Homebush Transport Oriented
Development (TOD) rezoning proposal. The consultation period is
open until 16 August 2024. View the proposal and supporting
documents and make a submission online here.
Publications
Building Activity, Australia – Australian Bureau
of Statistics
This report provides estimates of value of building work
and number of dwellings commenced, completed, under construction
and in the pipeline for the March 2024 period (17 July 2024). Read
the publication here.
Building Approvals, Australia – Australian Bureau
of Statistics
This report provides the number of dwelling units and
value of buildings approved for the May 2024 period (10 July 2024).
Read the publication here.
Cases
Hawach v A & A Building Services Pty
Ltd [2024] NSWCATAP 138
APPEALS – Building and construction – Home Building Act
1989 (NSW) – equitable set off – when available.
Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013 (NSW); Civil and
Administrative Tribunal Rules 2014 (NSW); Design and Building
Practitioners Act 2020 (NSW); Home Building Act 1989 (NSW); Law
Reform (Law and Equity) Act 1972 (NSW).
Kanaan v Commissioner for Fair Trading
[2024] NSWCATOD 106
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – home building – application for
individual contractor licence – general building work –
application of instrument – experience requirements –
"wide range of building construction work".
Administrative Decisions Review Act 1997 (NSW); Civil and
Administrative Act 2013 (NSW); Home Building Act 1989 (NSW);
Licencing Registration (Uniform Procedures) Act 2002 (NSW).
Marino v Building Commission NSW [2024]
NSWCATOD 95
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – administrative review - Home Building
– application for licence – plumbing, gasfitting and
related work - experience requirements – requirements of
applicable Instrument – requirements of form – fit and
proper person.
Administrative Decisions Review Act 1997; Home Building Act 1989;
Interpretation Act 1987; Licensing and Registration Uniform
Procedures Act 2002.
Legislation
Regulations and other miscellaneous instruments
Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Development Levies) Regulation 2024 (2024-297) – published LW 12 July 2024
This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.