Momentum builds to overhaul major housing handbrake
A bipartisan bid to reform the state's controversial Environmental Protection and Assessment Act is gaining momentum, with NSW Premier Chris Minns hoping to push the changes through within months even as Liberals are wary of a political ambush.
The reforms, which could be introduced to parliament as early as the August sitting, would enshrine the transport-oriented development zones and the Housing Delivery Authority, help address the housing crisis, and come after the government's audacious Rosehill Racecourse proposal was shot down by Australian Turf Club members.
Planning Minister Paul Scully and Liberal counterpart Scott Farlow have been meeting since the premier signalled in January he was open to bipartisan reform of the 46-year-old, 327-page EP&A act.
The act has been criticised by developers, governments and councils for being overly complex, allowing anti-development councils to undermine housing supply while creating a field day for consultants.
Senior Liberal sources privy to discussions said changes to the Complying Development Certificates process, allowing for low-impact development and code-based assessments, were under consideration. This would involve removing councils' ability to assess on subjective merit.
Loading
CDCs provide low-impact projects that meet a specific set of criteria to have simultaneous planning and construction approval. Under code-based assessments, proposals are assessed against a prescriptive set of rules rather than on merit.
Other proposals under consideration included legislating the Housing Delivery Authority, the three-person committee to accelerate large-scale developments by bypassing councils, along with installing pro-housing objectives in the act, a move favoured by both sides.
Urban Taskforce chief executive Tom Forrest has publicly backed the idea, and independent upper house MP Mark Latham proposed these amendments during earlier reforms of the act in March. While shot down, both Farlow and Labor indicated they would be supportive of the move later on.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
AU Financial Review
an hour ago
- AU Financial Review
Tasmania Premier faces no-confidence threat over debt, stadium furore
A state Liberal premier's grip on power appears to be sliding, with Labor ready to pull the trigger on a no-confidence motion if it has the parliamentary numbers. Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has copped increasing heat over his party's financial management and plans for a new AFL stadium in Hobart. Thursday's 2025/26 budget predicted debt would more than double to $10.8 billion in four years' time with deficits each year. The Liberals, who have been in power since 2014, are governing in minority with just 14 of 35 seats in the lower house. Labor Opposition Leader Dean Winter on Tuesday tabled a no-confidence motion and said he would move it for debate if enough crossbench MPs indicated their support. The motion would require the support of the Greens and three of six crossbenchers to pass. The Greens, who have moved no-confidence motions in the past, have said they'll discuss Labor's motion. Independent MP Kristie Johnston said she would back the motion, and Jacqui Lambie Network MP Andrew Jenner said he would be 'quite happy' to support it. Independent MP and former Labor leader David O'Byrne said he would consider any no confidence motion if one is moved, but criticised his former party for not consulting the crossbench before making the announcement. Independents Miriam Beswick and Rebekah Pentland do not support Labor's motion, saying it would trigger a 'political crisis'. Independent Craig Garland has been contacted for comment. If a no-confidence motion against Mr Rockliff was successful, convention dictates he resign. The move represents a shift from Labor, which has previously voted with the Liberals to nip no-confidence motions in the bud. Mr Winter was critical of the premier 'wrecking' the budget, his plan to sell state assets and delays and cost blowouts to the delivery of new Bass Strait ferries. 'My message is to the crossbench,' he said. 'If they really are opposed to this premier's agenda of debt, deficit and debacle - as they claim - then tell the house you have lost confidence in this premier.' The estimated cost for a new stadium, a condition of the Tasmania Devils entering the AFL, recently increased from $755 million to $945 million.
Sky News AU
4 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Chris Uhlmann urges Liberal Party to 'shut up' and 'get its act together' to form position on net zero that it 'can defend'
Sky News political contributor and veteran journalist Chris Uhlmann has called on the Liberal Party to "get its act together" on net zero, arguing it needed to form a formidable argument in order to win voters after the South Australian Liberals voted to dump the policy. The Liberal Party in SA voted to ditch the net zero target for 2050, just five years after it set the target of reaching 100 per cent net renewables by 2030 when it was in government. The move comes as net zero plays a prominent role in discussions between the federal Liberal Party and the Nationals, with members of each party pushing for it to be dropped. The Coalition is reviewing its commitment to achieving net zero emissions in the wake of its heavy election defeat last month. Speaking to Sky News' Peta Credlin on Tuesday, Uhlmann said he expected net zero to continue to come under the microscope within the party. "I certainly don't think this is the last division that's going to have this kind of vote... and I think it's a perfectly reasonable argument to have because I think that there are really sound arguments against net zero," he said. "One is that (the target)... it's not actually a policy and we don't have the policies in place to do it, we don't have the technology in place to do it. The major economies of the world essentially aren't doing it, and it will cost you trillions of dollars to try. Now, they're all reasonable arguments, that I think reasonable people could make." Uhlmann criticised how the Liberal Party had articulated its arguments on energy in the past and said whatever path it decided to take on net zero, it needed to establish an effective argument that could put them in a position to win. "My problem with the Liberal Party is that I don't think they have the capacity to make those arguments, or at least to decide on a position that they can defend. And when we've seen them weigh into energy arguments in the past, they leave the rest of us basically struggling to try and make sensible arguments because they've so crueled the playing field along the way," he said. "I think it would be a great idea for the Liberal Party to get its act together and to try and work out how it might win the next election in South Australia whatever its policies might be. "But I think there's this too, that if you've got nothing to say, say nothing, for God's sake shut up until you get your act together, although I doubt that's likely to be a policy position that they will adopt. They'll fight among themselves and do themselves incredible damage and do this argument damage along the way." Touching on another major political talking point of the day, Uhlmann also addressed the decision by Senator Dorinda Cox to ditch the Greens to make the switch to the Labor Party. He went as far to suggest politicians who wish to quit the party they are in should resign from Parliament altogether. "I've got an old worldview when it comes to being a senator who was elected for a political party and that is if you decide to jump out of the party you should jump out of Parliament," he said. "I think she should resign from Parliament and it doesn't matter who it is - a Liberal senator, a Labor senator, Greens senator - you were elected on behalf of your party, on behalf of your state, and if you're going to jump out of that party, then you should have the decency to resign."
West Australian
10 hours ago
- West Australian
Ferrari heavyweight replaces Scott Barlow as Sydney FC chairman
Scott Barlow's 13-year tenure as Sydney FC chairman has come to an end as part of an 'evolution' aimed at increasing the A-League club's 'international profile'. Ferrari Australasia president Dr Jan Voss, who joined the Sky Blues board last season, will replace Barlow as chairman. Voss is fluent in five languages – English, German, Italian, French, and Dutch – and 'brings a global perspective and deep experience in brand, performance, and strategic growth' As part of a 'broader strategic restructure', inaugural club chairman Walter Bugno returns to Sydney's board, while technology entrepreneur Sebastian Gray has also been added to the board. 'This is a pivotal moment for Sydney FC,' Voss said. 'I am honoured to be appointed chairman and to work alongside a board that is deeply passionate about football and our club's future.' The club's ownership structure hasn't changed, with the Barlow family remaining as 98 per cent investors, with the other two per cent owned by the Crismale family and two other Australian shareholders. 'With a strong and stable ownership base and a renewed focus on innovation, commercial growth, and elite performance, Sydney FC is more ready than ever to embrace the challenges of the modern football landscape,' Voss said. Barlow has not only departed as chairman but also as board member after two decades of service. 'I wish to thank Scott for his extraordinary leadership and commitment,' Voss said. 'His 13 years as chairman have laid the foundations for the club's next era of growth and international ambition.' Gray – who co-founded Dugout, a digital media company co-owned by a host of top European clubs, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, PSG, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Juventus, and Manchester City – will strengthen Sydney's focus on 'innovation, digital engagement, and sustainable investment'. Sydney's board also includes technical director Han Berger, Michael Crismale, Suzie Shaw, and Peter Paradise. The Ufuk Talay-coached Sky Blues failed to reach this season's A-League finals series, finishing seventh on the ladder. They reached the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Two competition before being knocked out by Singapore club Lion City Sailors.
