Renewed push to make new homes accessible for all
More than 30 organisations have signed a letter to the PM urging new accessibility standards in the national construction code. Nas Campanella reports. Continue Reading
Government and Politics
CSIRO’s top tips on how to turn an energy-guzzler into an energy-saving home
The average house in Australia only rates about two out of 10 stars for energy efficiency, but with a smart retrofit the rating can be tripled, slashing power bills at the same time, the CSIRO says. Continue Reading
Brisbane’s heritage-listed, crumbling riverside mansion Lamb House to be sold by council over unpaid rates
After years of uncertainty, Kangaroo Point’s Lamb House will be put up for sale by Brisbane City Council by March, after the owner failed to meet the deadline to pay at least three years’ worth of rates. Continue Reading
Victorian taxpayers to bear half the cost of $2.7b Metro Tunnel budget blowout
The cost of the Victorian Government’s signature rail project blows out by $2.74 billion, with half the cost to be borne by taxpayers, after a year of protracted negotiations between the State Government and builders. Continue Reading
Brisbane’s multi-million-dollar riverside mansion that’s now overrun with rubbish and squatters
The elderly owner of a dilapidated, heritage-listed mansion overlooking the Brisbane River has just one week to pay her council rates bill or risk the property being put up for sale. Continue Reading
HomeBuilder extended for another three months but at a lower rate of $15,000
The Federal Government program offering cash grants for housing construction projects was set to end this year but will be extended to March 2021. Continue Reading
Grocon boss says company is battling for its life, blames NSW Government for insolvency
The head of one of Australia’s building giants says the only reason the company is about to enter administration is due to the lengthy legal stoush with the NSW Government over a central Sydney project. Continue Reading
‘Genuinely unprecedented’ $5.3b spend to build 12,000 public homes in Victoria
Social welfare advocates say the Victorian Government’s $5.3 billion plan to build more than 12,000 public housing units will fill a “desperate need” and change the lives of thousands of people in the state. Continue Reading
Warning next bushfire season could be worse than last as Victorian Government puts another $110m towards recovery
A new multi-million-dollar plan to help regional Victorian towns create jobs, rebuild their homes, and generate long-term stability is announced by the State Government as the royal commission into the devasting fires continues. Continue Reading
Free housing, free airfares on offer for builders as stimulus sees firms ‘run off their feet’
WA’s home building boom pushes some construction companies to look interstate for workers and offer up huge incentives, including airfares and accommodation, to lure them. Continue Reading