From the Executive Director
The RDC is set to meet with Minister Turnbull and NBN Co CEO Bill Murrow today to review the New Developments Policy, the log of live NBN issues and areas for potential greater rollout efficiency to new developments. Of issue with the New Developments policy is the increased costs for developers in new single dwellings ($600), apartments ($400) and backhaul (% of first $1000, 100% if over $1000).
The Property Council has this week welcomed the release of the Reform of Federation Housing and Homelessness 2nd issues Paper. It is pleasing to see the Federation process considering housing issues and this paper represents a thoughtful contribution to the housing debate in Australia. It very important for the Federation reform process to deliver housing outcomes rather than just having a potential sole focus on reallocating roles and responsibilities. The Federation white paper reform process, along with national tax reform, provides the opportunity to tackle this issue head on in 2015.
A national meeting of RDC and executive was held Tuesday 16 December to discuss the draft Development Assessment Report Card and National 1000 head DA Reform Survey. The Development Assessment Report Card is scheduled for February 2015, with a communications campaign being launched in late February. The national survey is now closed, and after 1000 entries, we would like to announce the winners.
Winners of an iPad are:
1. Chris Clode – AMC Projects
2. Nick Grear – Leedwell
Winners of a $200 gift voucher for Dan Murphys are:
1. Chris Goodman – Leffler Simes Pty Ltd
2. Deborah B – Elton Consulting
We would like to thank everybody who participated in the survey and congratulate all our winners. We hope that these prizes are well timed for Christmas!
The Murray Financial Services Review was released last week and the RDC expressed caution on ABC24, Sky News and broader print media in relation to the potential passing on to home buyers of the banks having greater capital holdings. The review has also recommended changes for self managed super fund holders to restrict investment in housing. Negative Gearing and Capital Gains Tax were also criticised by Murray for adding risk to the market.
A key recent win for development was achieved when the Review of Foreign Investment in residential real estate report was handed down in recent weeks to rule out Stamp Charges. The announcement of a land sales register as part of the O’Dwyer report acknowledges the RDC policy to have a Data Repository for land supply and demand. All in all the report cites over Property Council references to policy and positions which indicates that our submissions have well and truly been considered.