The NSW Government has launched a dedicated Rental Taskforce to enforce new rental reforms aimed at holding landlords and real estate agents accountable. With an $8.4 million investment, the taskforce will focus on improving compliance in the rental market and tackling law violations.

Key priorities of the Rental Taskforce include...

New research by Oxford Economics Australia reveals a growing trend in build-to-rent (BTR) developments where residents enjoy pet care facilities, gyms, and coworking spaces, but car parks are becoming increasingly scarce. This shift is helping to reduce construction costs and improve feasibility.

Key points:

• The average car space-to-unit ratio in...

In 2024, Australia saw 171,394 new homes approved for construction, a 4.7% increase from the previous year, with standalone house approvals up 7.3%. However, multi-dwelling approvals, such as apartments, fell by 1.3%, marking the worst year for higher-density builds since 2011.

Key points:

• Detached houses: Approvals increased by 7.3%...

MEDIA RELEASE:  Despite a small uptick in building approvals over the month of December, Australia fell short by 68,606 homes of its annual 240,000 housing target in 2024.

KPMG’s Residential Property Market Outlook for January 2025 presents a mixed bag for Australia’s construction industry. While housing demand remains strong, supply constraints, labour shortages, and economic conditions continue to shape the landscape.

Key insights for builders and contractors:

• Slower housing price growth – National house prices grew 5.1% in...

The Civil Contractors Federation (CCF) is lobbying for industrial relations reforms that would limit the CFMEU’s bargaining power and its role in the growing civil sector.

Key proposals include:

• Stricter oversight: Implementing “fit and proper” tests for union officials.
• Restricting CFMEU influence: Limiting their ability to negotiate pay...

The NSW Government is proposing reforms to hold developers accountable for delays in delivering off-the-plan homes, aiming to boost consumer protection and housing supply. Developers amd builders should be aware of these potential changes, as they could impact contract terms and development timelines.

Key proposed reforms:

• Mandatory sunset clauses –...

MEDIA RELEASE: Some good news for the economy today with new monthly inflation data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics confirming underlying inflation is below three per cent for the first time in three years.

Inflation has significantly slowed, with underlying inflation dropping to 3.2% in December, the lowest rate in three years. This development raises the possibility of a pre-election interest rate cut in February.

Key points for builders:

• Inflation impact: Underlying inflation fell sharply, down from 3.6% in September.
• Housing cost relief...

To date, the Asbestos Product Guide has received a total of over 25,000 views since launching in September.

The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency are continuously reviewing and updating the Guide, with many of the original pages now containing additional images and information. Further product information pages have also been added...