UTF in the News

‘This is urgent’: Labor told not to waste its golden chance to tackle Australia’s housing crunch – Realestate.com.au – 20 October 2022

Urban Taskforce Australia said the government’s election commitments on affordability were primarily targeted…

When Economists Take Over Town Planning – You Know There’s a Crisis! – Sourceable, 17 October 2022

It is unusual for economists to dive into the detail of the nations’…

Perrottet bites the Warragamba bullet, and we should be concerned – John Menadue, 10 October 2022

Urban Taskforce Australia, have already begun applying pressure by claiming that their role…

First good news for housing supply, 4 October 2022 – Australian Property Journal

“This is the first good news for housing supply in 12 months,” said…

Urban Taskforce chief executive Tom Forrest argues Double Bay is a perfect location for regeneration, 5 October 2022 – The Daily Telegraph

Urban Taskforce chief executive Tom Forrest argues Double Bay is a perfect location…

Developer levy changes scrapped after pressure from local councils – Brisbane Times, 28 September 2022

Tom Forrest, head of the Urban Taskforce developer lobby, said he was disappointed…

Housing needs in full flight as migration rises – The Australian, 29 September

Urban Taskforce chief executive Tom Forrest said approvals for highrise apartments more generally…

‘Rich nimby Boomers’ forcing Western Sydney to carry the burden of affordable housing – The Daily Telegraph, 27 September 2022

Urban Taskforce chief executive Tom Forrest said Western Sydney was being forced to…

Greater focus needed on housing supply – Urban Taskforce Australia – The Australian Broker, 27 September

Fresh ABS data showed a strong trend of net interstate migration away from…

NSW commissioner’s new plan for builders – The Sound Telegraph, 19 September 2022

David Chandler told property developers at an Urban Taskforce Australia conference on Friday…

The Greater Cities Commission is erasing ‘Sydney’ before our very eyes – The Sydney Morning Herald, 9 September 2022

The Urban Taskforce said the GCC was actually taking pressure off urban councils…

Urban Taskforce Australia slams GCC discussion paper as a “glossy marketing pitch” – Australian Broker, 9 September 2022

Urban Taskforce Australia CEO Tom Forrest said the paper doesn’t have a timetable…

Nimbys won’t be allowed to stop housing push – AFR, 9 September 2022

A property developers’ lobby group, Urban Taskforce Australia, said the “glossy cliché” plan…

Sydney council to hire anti-development ‘advocate’ despite low building rates – Sydney Morning Herald, 23 August 2022

When the Herald first reported on Waverley Council’s plans in March, developer lobbyist and head of…

Uniting NSW.ACT embarks on $3B investment across aged care and retirement living – Inside Ageing, 16 August 2022

Bowden Brae has won two major awards including the Urban Developer Award for…

NSW Building Commissioner Calls it Quits – The Urban Developer, 26 July 2022

Urban Taskforce chief executive Tom Forrest said that Chandler's resignation was a huge loss for the construction industry…

David Chandler resigns – but big questions remain – The Fifth Estate, 26 July 2022

“David Chandler has won the respect of the property construction and development sector…

David Chandler Resigns as NSW Building Commissioner – Sourceable, 26 July 2022

Urban Taskforce Australia CEO Tom Forrest said Chandler will be missed in the…

Court overrules minister’s heritage listing – Australian Property Journal, 19 July 2022

“These matters are fundamental to sensible decision making. Without them, investors can be held…

Controversial MLC Building Heritage Listing Overturned – Urban Developer, 19 July 2022

Urban Taskforce chief executive Tom Forrest said the overturning of the heritage-listing demonstrated…

SMH and Tele agree: Planning system in NSW needs bold reform – Sourecable, 7 July 2022

"It is rare to see the editorial pages of both the major Sydney…

“There is a desperate need to link housing supply and new jobs with infrastructure delivery and sound planning,” – Daily Telegraph, 5 July 2022

In an article by Matthew Benns published in Daily Telegraph today, Urban Taskforce…

Eastern suburbs development: Woollahra councillors overdevelopment fears, housing targets to be eclipsed – Daily Telegraph, 27 June 2022

Urban Taskforce chief executive Tom Forrest said the targets for the Woollahra LGA…

Urban Taskforce quoted on Channel 9 ‘It is all about Supply’.

Urban Taskforce was quoted on Channel 9 last night stating that it is…

NSW to Replace Stamp Duty with Land Tax – Sourceable, 14 June 2022

CEO of developer lobby group Urban Taskforce, welcomed the reported moves. Forest says…

Staying Ahead (by shifting the goalposts!) – Sourecable, 3 June 2022

They have solved the problem of housing supply and shortages in infrastructure by…

We reserve homes for over 55s. Why don’t we have villages for first home buyers? – Brisbane Times, 18 May 2022

Tom Forrest, chief executive of Urban Taskforce Australia, a developer lobby group, said…

Why Are Both Major Parties Ignoring Housing Supply? – Sourecable, 17 May 2022

The focus on housing affordability as the policy centerpiece of both Opposition and the…

Morrison unveils major super reform to get into property market – Australian Property Journal, 16 May 2022

Forrest said the Coalition and Labor’s policies ignored the housing supply crisis and…

Woollahra’s newest NIMBY idea: Don’t count parks or schools as land – Brisbane Times, 11 April 2022

Two Woollahra councillors have proposed a novel way to reduce the number of…

NSW’s Controversial Design and Place SEPP Scrapped – The Urban Developer, 5 April 2022

Urban Taskforce chief executive Tom Forrest, a vocal opponent of the “utopian” SEPP, welcomed the…

ABS reports uptick in NSW housing approvals in 2022 – Australian Broker, 1 April 2022

Approvals for houses rose 27.2%, while new apartment approvals increased by 78.1% compared…

Budget 2022 winners and losers – Australian Property Journal, 29 March 2022

Urban Taskforce chief executive Tom Forrest said the recommendations published by the Federal…

NSW Plans for Massive Jobs Growth in Huge New Western Sydney City – Sourceable, 29 March 2022

Urban Taskforce of Australia CEO Tom Forrest said the removal of requirement for…

‘NIMBYism at its worst’: Developers slam council plan to help residents fight proposals – Brisbane Times, 27 March 2022

Mr Forrest said a community advocate to advise council on development might be…

Urban Taskforce Australia lauds housing affordability and supply report – Australian Broker, 19 March 2022

“The report pins the responsibility for rising prices and the lack of supply,…

Fed should work with states to reform tax and developer contributions – Australian Property Journal, 20 March 2022

"The report cuts through the self-serving sophistry of those public servants, local government…

NSW Minister Tears Up Predecessor’s Planning Principles – The Urban Developer, 17 March 2022

Stokes drew fire when he introduced the changes as he walked out the…

Time for Public Servants to Return to the Office – Sourceable, 17 March 2022

One of the opportunities presented by a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, is…

NSW planning minister ditches predecessor’s policy centrepiece – The Australian Financial Review, 17 March 2022

Urban Taskforce chief executive Tom Forrest said the Minister’s Planning Principles were developed…

NSW abandons planning principles – Australian Property Journal, 16 March 2022

“Planners were confused. Lawyers were aghast. Developers were exasperated. It is great to see…

Gosford development: The Archibald and Gosford Alive on hold as both sites up for sale – The Daily Telegraph, 16 March 2022

Mr Forrest said Gosford and the Central Coast were viewed as important parts…

Confusion over planning process of Western Sydney’s new city, Bradfield – The Daily Telegraph, 15 March 2022

Tom Forrest, the chief executive of The Urban Taskforce said: “The property development…

Experts warn Sydney’s housing shortage will get worse amid NIMBY-ism and delays to infrastructure projects – Daily Telegraph, 14 March 2022

Tom Forrest, chief executive of the Urban Taskforce said. "The planning system has…

The Sydney councils most likely to refuse your renovation plans – The Sydney Morning Herald, 13 March 2022

Urban Taskforce chief executive Tom Forrest said the DA assessment system was slow,…

Social Housing Levy Canned After Developer Backlash – The Urban Developer, 1 March 2022

Chief executive of developer lobby group Urban Taskforce Tom Forrest said it sounded good but…

‘They don’t want anything to change’: NIMBYs’ ‘questionable’ use of heritage listings – Brisbane Times, 27 February 2022

Urban Taskforce chief executive Tom Forrest said there was a misplaced view that…

Vic new tax to fund social housing – Australian Property Journal, 20 February 2022

The Urban Taskforce CEO Tom Forrest said the new tax will flow directly…

Rising Cost Pressures could drive a post pandemic profitless boom in the Property Sector – Sourceable, 7 February 2022

The Christmas break has offered time for perspective and the opportunities presented by…

Developers slam state government for favouring urban sprawl over tall towers – The Sydney Morning Herald, 30 January 2022

Mr Forrest said opposing tall towers in areas such as the inner-city, eastern…
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