Productivity Commission’s interim housing report released
Three-storey houses nearly everywhere. Dezoning, ditto. A few pockets of heritage or other important areas such as high value nature spaces persevered. Otherwise, the Productivity Commission has dived headfirst into the mantra that planning and re-regulated planning will go a long way to solving our housing woes.
On top of the added heights advocated by the PC in its report released on Tuesday is also its exhortation for governments everywhere to build more infrastructure.
The Planning Institute of Australia diplomatically focused on these positive elements of the report.
Chief executive Matt Collins said: “PIA has long called for greater housing diversity and density in well-located areas, but lasting reform means not just allowing more homes but planning properly for them.
“Upfront strategic planning is how governments can enable growth in the right places, coordinate the infrastructure needed to support it, manage risks such as floods and fires, and give communities confidence in how their neighbourhoods will grow.”
“Governments already have the tool to identify where housing growth should go: strategic planning.
Of course, small lot mum and dad builders will love the notion they can build on top of their one or two storey houses or greenfield spaces, but this does not address the cost of development thanks to skills shortages, the cost of materials and interest rates.
The report from the PC is an interim report and is now open for consultation.
The PC said it was concerned in large part that homes needed to be “where people want to live”, which has made housing unaffordable (but we’d add that prices have risen just as steeply even in country towns thanks to investors who sometimes buy sight unseen).
Increasing housing supply would “put downward pressure on price” (in which case developers would withdraw, you might surmise, and maybe it’s a budding owner occupier army that can turn the pricing tide around).
The PC advocated four principles: adopt a “build” mindset, only regulate when necessary, coordinate with infrastructure and keep the development process simple. It also suggests relaxing land use controls, and the government should commit to broad-based upzoning in cities, such as allowing three-storey developments on most residential land and allowing more mid to high-rise development in high demand areas.
Those plus better infrastructure plans.
NSW might miss its climate targets
The NSW Net Zero Commission’s 2026 annual report found that without strong action, the state will be unlikely to meet its 2030 to 2035 legislated climate targets.
To “get back on track”, the commissions said the government needs to align its decisions, including planning assessments, with its emission reduction targets. It added that the technology and approaches needed for the transition are “commercially available today” and the government needs to scale up what was already in the works in renewable energy, EV infrastructure, industry and buildings.
The government also needs to focus on reducing potent methane emissions across agriculture, waste and coal mining, the report said. And most crucially, the state must move from “planning to delivery” on adaptation plans for the warmer and harsher climate, including putting in place sustained funding and strong local involvement from councils, communities and First Nations people.
RMIT new security and resilience hub
RMIT University has launched its Security and Resilience Hub, which it says will be a “front door” to industry, government and communities on national security and resilience issues. It will offer the industry its expertise from all its STEM disciplines, including engineering and computer science, to strengthen Australia’s resilience and preparedness for challenges such as climate disasters and cyber threats.
It will also address the skills gap and support workforce transformation by offering minor subjects and work placements for students to help build industry skills and real-world experiences. It will also deliver masterclasses and short courses for professionals, including a series of?micro-credentials?funded by the?Victorian?Government’s Skills Solutions Partnerships program.
Harris Farm Markets acquires B Corp cert
Grocery retailer Harris Farm Markets has been awarded a B Corp certification by B Lab for its ESG standards.
The retailer said it removed single use plastic bags before they were banned, transitioned to cage free eggs before this became an industry standard, and removed artificial colours and flavours from shelves before this was a widespread movement.
Jobs
Architecture and design firm Buchan has appointed Laraine Sperling as its new chief executive, making her the first female CEO to lead the firm in its 135 year history. Sperling worked at the firm for more than five years and was most recently its chief strategy officer. Prior to that, Sperling had been an associate director at developers Poly Global, and held senior leadership roles at Design Worldwide Partnership, HPG Australia, PTW, and was Hassell’s national marketing director and member of its executive board.
