January Policies and Advocacy Update
Welcome to our new monthly update, where we link you the latest property and construction policies and advocacy news!
We’re Ready to Welcome You Back
Owners and managers of Australia’s biggest office and commercial precincts have joined together to welcome businesses and their workers back to their regular workplaces.
“After a year of disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic which forced many Australians to work from home, office building owners and managers have declared they’re ready for them return to their workplaces after their summer break,” said Ken Morrison, Chief Executive of the Property Council of Australia… Read more here
Homebuilder The Workhorse of Economic Recovery
The success of the Federal Government’s HomeBuilder grants program demonstrates the power of residential construction in supporting jobs and driving economic activity.
According to new figures from Treasury, more than 75,000 households have applied for the HomeBuilder grant with around 80 per cent of these for new construction….Read more here
Fundamental reform recommended for "ineffective and inefficient" EPBC Act
While the Final Report of the Independent Review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) recommends a rolling program of fundamental reform, it also calls for immediate action from the Government….Read more here
UDIA 2021-22 FEDERAL PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION
UDIA National’s 2021/22 pre-budget submission focuses on three core themes:
Continue making new residential construction a public policy priority due to the economic significance of the sector;
Prioritise policies that both help with the economic recovery, and provide lasting benefits well beyond the period of the pandemic;
Ensure a holistic approach to policy and regulatory reforms that deliver a systematic reduction in the barriers to investment in infrastructure, housing and more productive cities and regions.
EOIs opened for two new Build-to-Rent projects (QLD)
The government has expanded its scheme to partner with industry to deliver Build-to-Rent projects with two new tender processes:
Expressions of Interest are being sought from proponents capable of delivering a Build-to-Rent development with an affordable housing component on the State-owned site of the former Childrens Court at 50 Quay Street. Further information regarding this process is located on the QTender website. Submissions will be accepted until 12pm, 9 April 2021.
Expressions of Interest are also being sought from proponents capable of delivering a Build-to-Rent development with an affordable housing component on a privately-owned inner Brisbane site. Further information regarding this process can be found on the QTender website. Submissions will be accepted until 12pm, 7 May 2021.