Media Releases

NSW Budget is a chance to address the housing supply crisis

Urban Taskforce CEO, Tom Forrest, said The Urban Taskforce supports the initiatives already announced…

Urban Taskforce Congratulates Labor on victory and its new focus on Housing Supply

Urban Taskforce CEO, Tom Forrest, said today that the Federal election campaign has…

Minister for Planning stops plans for more red tape

Urban Taskforce CEO Tom Forrest welcomed the announcement from the Minister for Planning…

Research Paper finds high rise is the most sustainable housing solution

The Urban Taskforce today released its latest Urban Ideas research paper entitled: “Standing…

NSW planning ground to a halt – time for a new broom – ABS data

Urban Taskforce CEO, Tom Forrest, today said that new ABS data shows that…

Mick Cassel to drive DPE to deliver more Homes

Urban Taskforce CEO, Tom Forrest, today welcomed the announcement of Mick Cassel’s appointment…

ABS planning approvals data: signs of NSW recovery followed by significant decline

Dwelling approvals data released by the ABS today show that approvals in the…

NSW Planning system’s performance – it’s all in the numbers and it’s bad news for housing affordability

Urban Taskforce welcomes the publication last night by NSW DPIE of housing approvals…

50% site caps removed: Construction sector rewarded for leading the push towards Vaccination

The NSW Government has rewarded the construction sector for leading the push towards…

New Infrastructure funding to support housing welcome

Urban Taskforce today welcomed the NSW Government’s announcement of $139 million to be…

Sydney’s Rising Housing Prices – a measure of supply policy failure

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has today released new data showing that housing…

Housing Design Survey misses the key point – the impact on price!

Urban Taskforce today questioned the purpose of a new survey which purports to…

Kiersten Fishburn – the right person for the job

Urban Taskforce CEO, Tom Forrest, today welcomed the appointment of Kiersten Fishburn to…

New Home Buyers being hit with unfair infrastructure contributions

Urban Taskforce today welcomed research released by the National Housing and Finance Investment…

Aerotropolis Community Commissioner finds landowner confusion over who is in charge

The Independent Community Commissioner Professor Roberta Ryan has released her report on the…

Construction industry re-opening a model for all workplaces

Urban Taskforce CEO Tom Forrest said today that the success of the vaccination…

Infrastructure Contributions reforms delayed

Urban Taskforce CEO Tom Forrest said today that the decision by the NSW…

Changes to construction industry rules offer a hope for jobs, the economy and for vaccine uptake

Urban Taskforce today congratulates the NSW Government on its decision to open up…

ABS Housing Approvals data spells out why housing prices are going through the roof

ABS has today released the June data for housing approvals which shows that…

Housing SEPP – Scrap it and start again

The proposed new Housing State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) was officially released by…

Construction Industry re-start is a good start

The re-opening of construction sites across Greater Sydney is an important first step…

Construction Industry calls for urgent re-introduction of JobKeeper

Urban Taskforce, on behalf of its property and construction industry members,  backs the…

Urban Taskforce welcomes moves to re-open construction industry

Some good news for the property construction industry – urgent meetings with the…

Urban Taskforce welcomes Government’s fast tracked rezoning for 16,000 new homes in South-West Sydney

Urban Taskforce welcomes Minister Stokes’ announcement on the rezoning of land for 16,000…

Construction industry Closedown was based on politics and must be reversed

Urban Taskforce today called on the Berejiklian Government to urgently reassess the closedown…

“Delta lockdown” gives NSW Planning a second chance to get Housing Approvals going

The only good news about the COVID-19 Delta strain sweeping our State is…

2021 Commonwealth Intergenerational Report states population growth is critical to the GDP

There are some key messages from today’s release of the 2021 Commonwealth Intergenerational…

State Budget commits to infrastructure contributions reforms

Urban Taskforce welcomes the commitment by the Treasurer and Minister for Planning today…

State Budget fails to tackle the BBQ-stopper subject: Housing Affordability

The release of the State Budget today has confirmed the Government’s successful stewardship…

The State Budget must address Housing Supply and Housing Prices

Urban Taskforce calls on the NSW Treasurer to use tomorrow’s State Budget to…

The Urban Renewal of Sydney is at risk due to Heritage listing decision

The NSW Government’s decision to accept the Independent Planning Commission’s (IPC) recommendation to…

NSW Productivity Commission White Paper includes a brave and honest assessment of the NSW Planning System

Urban Taskforce welcomes the NSW Productivity Commission White Paper and congratulates Peter Achterstraat…

NSW Planning Minister sent a clear message from the PM

“The best antidote for rising house prices is supply”, Prime Minister Scott Morrison…

New tax to push up the price of new housing in City of Sydney

The City of Sydney’s Affordable Housing Program, endorsed by the Minister for Planning,…

Urban Taskforce Australia welcomes expansionary budget – but warns of risks of a housing price spike in NSW

The Commonwealth’s expansionary budget is the right approach for the times. The Commonwealth…

Minister Stokes steps back from blanket cuts to construction hours on weekends

The NSW Minister for Planning has today advised the Urban Taskforce that the…

NSW Government sudden cuts to construction hours – a blow to property industry, housing prices and jobs

The NSW Government has today announced that the extension to construction hours announced…

Property Development & Construction Industry welcomes Minister Sukkar holding States to account for rising home price crisis

“Urban Taskforce strongly supports the criticism of the NSW Planning System and its…

COMMSEC Report a wake-up call for NSW

The NSW economy is lagging. NSW is ranked 7th by CommSec (only the…

There is still time to save Chatswood’s CBD – but will Willoughby Council listen?

Chatswood has gone from being the new CBD location of choice for new…

Migration Matters – Immigration and the Australian Economy

A new research paper titled “Migration Matters – Immigration and the economy” -…

NSW Treasury’s Chief Economist calls for changes in CBD planning

Urban Taskforce welcomes today’s intervention from the Chief Economist of the NSW Treasury,…

NSW Government moves to streamline planning approvals for critical employment centres

Urban Taskforce welcomes the announcement today by the Minister for Planning, Hon Rob…

Wagga Wagga celebrates growth while Sydney Councils are dominated by NIMBYs

Wagga Wagga's local media has recently celebrated home approvals in the area rising…

Federal Productivity Commission calls for Planning Reform

Urban Taskforce welcomes the release of the Federal Productivity Commission paper titled: Plan…

NSW Government puts the economy first

Urban Taskforce welcomes today’s announcement that the Government will adopt all 29 of…

Ryde Civic Centre saved by Interim Heritage Protection Order

Urban Taskforce welcomes the decision of the Chair of the NSW Heritage Council,…

SOS – Ryde Civic Centre is about to be demolished !

Urban Taskforce Chief Executive, Tom Forrest, has slammed the hypocrisy of Ryde Council…

Waterloo redevelopment – worrying signs from State Government

Urban Taskforce Chief Executive, Tom Forrest, said today that the State Government is…

New Build to Rent policy changes show the way for Planning Reform

Urban Taskforce Chief Executive, Tom Forrest, said today that the new state planning…
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