Towns get ‘down payment’ to shoulder renewable change
More than 40 areas nationwide are being considered for clusters of renewable energy projects, with the first zone receiving $60 million for locals to benefit.
construction and property
Brick by brick, parties build election housing pitches
Tackling housing instability is key to securing an election win, with Labor vouching for build-to-rent while the coalition says Australians should own a home.
Mafia-style laws mooted to stop construction ‘rip-off’
The opposition wants US-style laws to jail organised crime bosses it says are pulling the strings of alleged construction sector corruption.
Doubling housing supply incentive could help renters
Australia is expected to fall hundreds of thousands of homes short of its housing target but reforms could bring it back up to speed and help renters.
Post-pandemic property price roller-coaster to flatten
There are signs the housing market in normalising five years after the COVID-19 pandemic sent home values soaring across Australia.
Date finally set for Brisbane Olympic stadium reveal
A 2032 Olympic stadium plan is set to finally be revealed, ending years of speculation over what will take centre stage as the Brisbane Games' marquee venue.
Australia must build out of crisis amid shocking data
Red tape must be ripped down to boost productivity in a bid to fix the nation's housing crisis, with shocking new data showing the slowing rate of construction.
Retiring renters face homelessness as ownership falls
As home ownership falls, rents grow and the cost of living continues to surge, older renters will need more help when they enter retirement, a report has found.
House prices expected to rise amid supply challenge
Housing will remain a key policy battlefield at the election with prices expected to continue increasing and efforts to boost supply lagging behind targets.
Fresh data to shed light on retail, housing strength
Australians are expected to have pulled back on retail spending after major sales, with the latest data unlikely to shift the dial for the Reserve Bank.
Apprentice incentive not enough to meet housing targets
Despite the Albanese government's well-meaning rhetoric, its policies and results reveal a failure to fix housing affordability, a housing expert says.
Home construction rises but target remains out of reach
High costs, labour shortages and low productivity are limiting the sector's ability to build new homes as construction activity remains below required levels.
Housing affordability blow as construction costs go up
The cost of building a home continues to rise, making it harder for builders to meet supply targets and alleviate housing affordability.
Buyer’s market: 2025 to bring relief to home buyers
A major pullback in house price rises has not stopped the market from extending its growth streak to eight consecutive quarters.
Downturn in house values as ‘something’s got to give’
Australia's two most populous cities have signalled the beginning of a property downturn amid widening gaps between income, borrowing capacity and home values.
Home building to pick up in 2025, but only modestly
Housing construction is expected to ramp up this year but labour shortages, builder insolvencies and higher global inflation pose headwinds.
Weak start, stronger finish tipped for property in 2025
Australia's property market is entering 2025 in a downturn and while interest rate cuts should boost demand, any home price growth rebound is tipped to be mild.
Stadium build continues despite $1 billion cost blowout
An independent expert has highlighted major concerns about the cost and location of a new AFL stadium but key decision-makers are maintaining their support.
Rental affordability still stretched, but worst is over
Vacancy rates are edging higher and growth in advertised rents is stalling in welcome news for the nation's renters.
‘Whitewash’: doubt cast over fixes for ‘rotten’ CFMEU
Measures may not be strong enough to weed out construction sector criminality after revelations of bikie and organised crime figures infiltrating the CFMEU.
‘Sense of urgency’: extra social homes fast-tracked
Funding an extra 5000 social properties through a partnership with the community housing sector will help get more people into homes sooner, advocates say.
‘Not bringing down a premier’: new turn in track plan
A probe into a controversial proposal to turn a historic racecourse into housing has delivered the latest salvo in a divisive debate over the facility's future.
Development halted causing ‘distress, financial strain’
A major development has been paused after a local council raised significant concerns about the distress and financial strain placed on buyers.
Door opens for first-home buyers to unlock ownership
Headway has finally been made on federal housing policy reform with laws set to pass parliament to allow home buyers to buy with a smaller deposit.
Mining hubs lead regional property price rise
Affordability and lifestyle choices continue to drive up property prices in regional Australia, but there are signs the heat is coming out of the market.
Union members march against changes to work conditions
The mother of a construction worker who died of heat stress has marched alongside thousands of unionists to maintain workplace rights.
2032 Olympic Games countdown begins with venue review
The countdown to the Brisbane Olympics has begun with an independent infrastructure review body to deliver a 2032 Games venue blueprint in 100 days.
‘Flippant’: Greens’ housing scheme demands draw ire
The housing crisis is too serious for the Greens' "flippant ideas" about help-to-buy and build-to-rent scheme reforms, the Property Council of Australia says.
Property giants see reasons for optimism in real estate
Positive sentiment is returning to the Australian property market, the bosses of Mirvac and Lendlease have told shareholders at their annual general meetings.
Govt ditching ‘sweetheart deal’ will cost lives: union
The Queensland government's decision to suspend a "sweetheart deal" with the CFMEU has copped a backlash, with one union claiming it will cost workers' lives.
Union ‘sweetheart deal’ suspended in state crackdown
Members have hit out at a state government after CFMEU "perks" were put on ice as a campaign against the beleaguered union heats up.