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Embattled builder seeks to avoid liquidation | ABC Radio Sydney: Drive with Thomas Oriti | 08.09.26

Bathla has been given a two-week lifeline from lenders as the developer seeks to avoid liquidation, after...

Potential flow-on effects of builders collapse | ABC News Breakfast | 08.09.26

Embattled builder Bathla has been given a two-week lifeline from lenders as it seeks to avoid liquidation,...

Media Release | ABS approvals data - while some councils abrogate their responsibility on housing - NSW Government steps up | 08.09.26

CEO of the Urban Taskforce, Tom Forrest, said today that Sydney councils should be thankful that the...

Major builder’s collapse threatens to cripple Sydney housing pipeline, expert warns | The Daily Telegraph | 05.09.26

There are fears property developer Bathla’s $3.4 billion collapse could devastate Western Sydney’s...

Media Release | Kanofski Report into Housing Australia says Canberra Bureaucracy is putting HAFF funded housing delivery at risk | 04.09.26

CEO of the Urban Taskforce, Tom Forrest, said today that a new Report prepared by the admired senior...

URBAN LIVING NETWORK | 4 September 2026

URBAN LIVING NETWORK | 4 September 2026 In this edition… 1. Bathla – shooting...

Draft Planning for Bushfire Protection 2026 | 03.09.26

I write in response to the public exhibition of the Draft Planning for Bushfire Protection (PBP)2026. Urban...

Media Release | ABS housing approvals data: It’s official - things are bad | 01.09.26

Urban Taskforce Australia CEO, Tom Forrest, said today that the ABS approvals data confirms what we all...

Construction businesses falling into insolvency | ABC 702 Sydney | 31.08.26

Around 1,500 construction businesses fell into insolvency last financial year. Urban Taskforce CEO, Tom...

Media Release | Urban Taskforce says Ryde’s IHO on TG Millner is the height of hypocrisy | 31.08.26

CEO of the Urban Taskforce, Tom Forrest, said that Ryde Council has no shame in placing an interim heritage...

Mass exodus from building industry as 1500 firms shut across NSW | The Daily Telegraph | 30.08.26

Development industry leaders warn projects in Sydney are being bogged down by taxes, fees and charges...

Sydney developer’s $3.3b collapse sparks ‘contagion’ fears across housing sector | Sydney Morning Herald | 30.08.26

There are fears developer Bathla’s $3.3 billion collapse could have flow-on effects for the development...

Parking slashed for new developments in Sydney's Inner West | 2GB Sydney | 28.08.26

Urban Taskforce CEO Tom Forrest was interviewed on 2GB’s Afternoons with Michael McLaren, speaking...

Parking slashed for new developments in Sydney’s Inner West | Sydney Morning Herald | 28.08.26

Urban Taskforce CEO Tom Forrest was quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald’s article about the Inner...

Media Release | Housing Australia underwrites interest rate risk | 27.08.26

CEO of the Urban Taskforce, Tom Forrest, said today that the announcement by Housing Australia regarding...

Funding for affordable housing gets tick of approval | Australian Conveyancer | 25.08.26

Urban Taskforce CEO Tom Forrest was quoted in the Australian Conveyancer, welcoming the the latest funding...

Media Release | H.A. funding for more social and affordable housing will underwrite market housing viability | 25.08.26

CEO of Urban Taskforce Australia, Tom Forrest, today welcomed the latest “Stream” of social and affordable...

Media Release | NHSAC belatedly acknowledges the obvious - Housing Accord targets will be missed | 21.08.26

CEO of Urban Taskforce Australia, Tom Forrest, said today that nobody should be surprised that the National...

URBAN LIVING NETWORK | 21 August 2026

URBAN LIVING NETWORK | 21 August 2026 In this edition… 1. NHSAC belatedly...

Proposed Amendments to Planning Controls for Cumberland City | 17.08.26

I write in response to the proposed amendments to planning controls for Cumberland City. Urban Taskforce...

The Sydney Plan | 7News | 13.08.26

Urban Taskforce CEO Tom Forrest has told 7NEWS the NSW Government’s Sydney Plan requires double...

Media Release | Sydney Plan requires doubling the current new homes completions rate | 13.08.26

CEO of Urban Taskforce Australia, Tom Forrest, said today that the long-awaited Sydney Plan sets the...

Urban Taskforce welcomes Opposition's call to reduce red tape on construction | ABC News Radio

Urban Taskforce Australia CEO Tom Forrest was a guest on ABC News Radio with Sarah Dingle, responding...

Media Release | Urban Taskforce welcomes Senate’s Interim Report: Housing | 11.08.26

The Senate’s latest report on housing is a welcome addition to the ongoing discussion about how to resolve...

Media Release | Town Hall Square a costly vanity project | 11.08.26

City of Sydney Council’s plans to demolish seven buildings to create a new plaza is a costly vanity project...

Media Release | Now is not the time to tinker with LMR reforms | 07.08.26

The middle of a housing supply crisis is not the time to be changing reforms designed to address it,...

Media Release | Urban Taskforce thanks Simon Draper and welcomes Michael Coutts-Trotter | 07.08.2026

Simon Draper‘s contribution to the reform and facilitation of housing in New South Wales was valuable...

URBAN LIVING NETWORK | 7 August 2026

URBAN LIVING NETWORK | 7 AUGUST 2026 In this Edition… Now is not the time to tinker...

Developers abandon projects amid warning Australia is becoming a ‘nation of renters’ | The Australian | 05.08.26

Urban Taskforce Australia Acting CEO Paul Waterhouse has warned the impact of interest rate rises spelled...

Media Release | Building Bill is a welcome blow to ambulance-chasing lawyers | 05.08.26

Acting Urban Taskforce Australia CEO, Paul Waterhouse, welcomed the passing of the Building (Approvals...

Improving Development Assessment | 04.08.26

I write in response to the Department’s discussion paper on Improving Development Assessment. Urban Taskforce...

Draft Strathfield Resilience Strategy 2026-2036 | 04.08.26

I write in response to the draft resilience strategy for Strathfield Municipal Council. Urban Taskforce...

Parramatta Road Corridor Urban Transformation Strategy – Stage 2 | 02.08.26

I write in response to the Planning Proposal, draft Development Control Plan (DCP) and draft Affordable...

Minimum Tax on Discretionary Trusts | 31.07.26

Urban Taskforce Australia understands that the Federal Government intends to impose a 30 per cent minimum...

Media Release | Urban Taskforce welcomes Wilton water works | 31.07.26

Stage 2 of the delivery of water and wastewater infrastructure for the Wilton community will provide...

Media Release | ABS housing approvals data: positive signs, but still ground to make up | 30.07.26

Acting Urban Taskforce Australia CEO, Paul Waterhouse, has welcomed today’s ABS housing data for new...

Standard and Model Conditions of Consent: Explanation of Intended Effect | 30.07.26

I write in response to the Explanation of Intended Effect for Standard and Model Conditions of Consent...

Media Release | 30 years of feasible housing? Great! First convince councils! | 29.07.26

The NSW Government’s new announcement that councils will have to plan and zone for 30 years of feasible...

Media Release | Urban Taskforce agrees with PC: default to “yes” on housing supply | 28.07.26

Acting Urban Taskforce Australia CEO, Paul Waterhouse, says that the Productivity Commission has struck...

Woollhara Affordable Housing Policy | 26.07.26

I write in relation to Woollahra Council’s draft affordable housing policy, which is currently on public...

URBAN LIVING NETWORK | 24 July 2026

URBAN LIVING NETWORK | 24 JULY 2026 In this edition… 1. Local government incentives are the right...

Media Release | Bondi Junction Masterplan shows how vision can unlock housing | 22.07.26

Urban Taskforce Australia Acting CEO Paul Waterhouse said Waverley Council’s newly approved Bondi Junction...

Media Release | Local government incentives are the right move for housing supply | 21.07.26

Acting Urban Taskforce Australia CEO, Paul Waterhouse, said that the NSW Government’s awarding of infrastructure...

Lane Cove Draft Planning Agreement | 21.07.2026

I write in relation to Lane Cove Council’s proposed Planning Agreements Policy. Urban Taskforce Australia...

Lane Cove Affordable Housing Policy | 21.07.26

I write in relation to Lane Cove Council’s draft affordable housing policy, which is currently on public...

Brookvale Precinct Planning Proposal | 21.07.26

I write in relation to the planning proposal for Brookvale that is being put to Council at its meeting...

Urban Taskforce warns of economic impacts should house prices fall dramatically | 2GB Sydney

Urban Taskforce Australia has warned of financial instability in Australia’s banks, as well as...

"If housing prices plummet, new construction will dry up" Tom Forrest, Urban Taskforce CEO, Opinion piece in The Daily Telegraph | 16.07.26

“If housing prices were to fall by, say, 15 per cent, the financial stability of our entire banking...

Draft Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Biodiversity Offsets Scheme) Regulation 2026 | 16.07.26

Urban Taskforce Australia has reviewed the Draft Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Biodiversity Offsets...

Affordable Housing Managers Regulatory Framework | 10.07.26

I write in relation to the draft regulations and Affordable Housing Mangers Regulatory Framework circulated...