Housing News Digest
Housing News Digest
The Tenants' Union Housing News Digest compiles our pick of items from all the latest tenancy and housing media, sent once per week, on Thursdays.
Below is the Digest archive from November 2020 onwards. From time to time you will find additional items in the archive that did not make it into the weekly Digest email. Earlier archives are here, where you can also find additional digests by other organisations.
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Archive
A wholesome escape from the housing crisis: the Facebook group dedicated to retro Australian homes
Katie Cunningham The Guardian (No paywall)There is one thing that unites the members of my favourite Facebook group: a shared hatred of white paint. In the comments, people moan about mid-century homes being visited by “the white fairy”. Some discuss whether it’s possible to undo the horrors previous owners have committed. One shares a link to a home for sale, noting the “incredible vandalism” of a whitewash renovation. “I got three photos in and had to stop,” one of 80 incensed replies reads.
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/jan/27/a-wholesome-esca…
# Australia, .More homes on the way for Canterbury-Bankstown
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces NSW Government (No paywall)The next round of the Transport Oriented Development State Environmental Planning Policy (TOD SEPP) sites are coming into effect in the New Year. Housing affordability is the single largest cost of living concern for people of NSW with the impacts being felt across the state, whether it be students, workers, young families or people looking to downsize later in life. These reforms are just one part of the Minns Labor Government’s efforts to confront the housing crisis by speeding up the planning system, investing in social and affordable housing, and reforming NSW rental laws.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/ministerial-releases/more-homes-on-way-fo…
# Hot topic NSW, .Housing Delivery Authority starts strong, creating the potential for more than 40,000 new homes
The Premier, Minister for Housing NSW Government (No paywall)In the first three weeks since the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) started accepting Expressions of Interest (EOI) for larger scale housing developments, it has already received nearly 100 proposals with the potential for more than 40,000 homes, with more expected. So far, 85 EOIs in metropolitan areas and 11 in regional NSW have been received, exceeding expectations. The HDA offers proponents a new State Significant Development pathway and State Significant Development pathway with a concurrent rezoning process – neither having to be approved by councils, cutting approval times and speeding up the delivery of new homes.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/ministerial-releases/housing-delivery-aut…
# Must read NSW, .Recognition for community hero Bob
Coast Community News (No paywall)Bob Morris of the Kincumber Nautical Village has been honoured for his outstanding dedication and service to the local community. He has been recognised with a NSW Government Community Service Award, presented by Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch. Crouch said Morris had been a fierce advocate for fairer regulations for land lease communities, actively lobbying for changes to the Residential (Land Lease) Communities Act 2013 to better protect those living in residential land lease communities. “Bob’s advocacy for change has helped some of the most vulnerable in not just our local community, but residents living in land lease communities right across NSW,” Crouch said.
https://coastcommunitynews.com.au/central-coast/news/2025/01/rec…
# Must read NSW, Land lease communities.Newcastle, Lake Macquarie median rents hit $650p.w.
Sarah Iuliano NBN News (No paywall)Keeping a roof over your head is harder than ever for Hunter renters – with new data showing prices in some parts of our region are above the state average. Reporter Sarah Iuliano explains.
https://www.nbnnews.com.au/2025/01/09/newcastle-lake-macquarie-m…
# Hot topic, Video NSW, .Rental affordability still stretched, but worst is over
Poppy Johnston South Coast Register (No paywall)After a tough few years of steep rent hikes and stiff competition to secure a property, renters are seeing glimmers of light at the end of the tunnel. The days of fast-growing asking rents are fading and prices may even fall in some cities in 2025, in the view of Market Economics managing director Stephen Koukoulas. The return to more normal migration patterns after the pandemic disruption combined with improving listings and housing supply should keep a lid on market rents, the economist said.
https://www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/8858710/rental-affor…
# Hot topic NSW, Rent.Fairness for renters in beach car parking permit schemes
NSW Government ()Renters would get the same rights to beach parking permits in council areas that run two-tiered schemes favouring homeowners, under reforms proposed by the NSW Government.
Mosman and Northern Beaches councils issue free parking at local beaches to ratepayers – those people who own their own property – but charge people who rent for the same permit to park at the beach.
For example, on the Northern Beaches, homeowners are issued two free, annual parking permits to 40 local beaches whereas renters need to apply and pay $250 for a parking sticker.
Homeowners are also allowed to purchase two more permits for a total of four per household - twice as many as a rented household can access.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/ministerial-releases/fairness-for-renters…
# Must read NSW, Rent.Couple’s horror after leasing dream home
Alexandra Feiam Yahoo News (No paywall)When a NSW family decided to lease out their home for a few months while they got back on track financially, they ensured the tenants ticked all the right boxes. David* and Hannah* worked tirelessly to purchase their dream home in regional NSW during the pandemic and had their plans all sorted. It was a place that would raise a family; its four walls were a witness to their wedding and kept them safe after the birth of their first child. The beloved home was supposed to flourish alongside the blossoming family as it grew over the years.
https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/couple-horror-leasing-dream-ho…
# Hot topic NSW, Rent.