HK arrests more suspects in fire probe as deaths rise
The netting on apartment buildings that caught fire in a horrific inferno in Hong Kong wasn't up to code, authorities say, as the death toll rises to 151.
housing and urban planning
Commonwealth Bank boss reveals preferred migration rate
The boss of Australia's biggest bank has nominated a preferred migration rate while appearing before a parliamentary committee. saying a target is appropriate.
House prices surge as city-dwellers flee to the regions
Aspiring home buyers are fleeing to the regions as falling interest rates and limited supply drives city house prices to fresh record highs.
Dire housing affordability widening the wealth divide
An extraordinary rise in demand combined with constrained supply has created a boom in Australian home values and rents over the past five years.
Door closes on inner-city homes for young Australians
The dream of owning a freestanding house close to the city is fading, with data showing demand far outstripping supply.
Red tape ‘layers’ peeled back to build homes quicker
Drawn-out planning approvals are being sped up with a one-stop shop ticking off major projects, heightening environmentalists' concerns about fossil fuel plans.
One million pushed to brink amid child poverty crisis
Advocates are renewing calls for Australia to adopt a nationally-agreed definition of child poverty, as concerning data shows almost one million are struggling.
No smoking gun to link deposit scheme, home price spike
Lower-end homes outperformed the rest of the market in October, but it's difficult to directly connect it to the government's expanded deposit guarantee scheme.
Japanese courtyard Queenslander leads design winners
A Queenslander cottage extended around a Japanese-inspired courtyard garden is among the winning designs at the National Architecture Awards.
Australians lose hope as nation lags on housing targets
Australians aren't confident the housing crisis will be solved and not one state is on track to reach its homes target over the next five years, research shows.
Urgent need for speed in renewable energy approvals
Environmental reform analysts have weighed in on the federal government's bid to modernise Australia's dated nature protection laws, calling for a key change.
Million buck benchmark loses sparkle in house value run
One in every three property markets in Australia have a median value of $1m after fresh gains across the country, led by Queensland.
‘Wild’ $2m forecast for nation’s priciest house market
It's a great time to own a home but a tough time to buy one, with values rising fast in the regions and every capital.
Soaring rents push people further from jobs, community
Australian renters are paying on average an extra $204 per week to keep a roof over their heads compared to five years ago, a nearly 44 per cent increase.
Renters surprise winners from cheaper mortgage deposits
Despite predictions a five per cent deposit scheme will drive up house prices, analysts say the government policy could be good news for the nation's renters.
Shaving red tape, inflation key to economic growth
The economy is in a "good spot" but one sector is proving more stubborn than expected, the boss of the Reserve Bank says.
PM says briefing on super tax plan was nothing unusual
The PM's office is briefed all the time on a range of issues, says Anthony Albanese after a hearing was told of conversations over a plan to tax super balances.
‘Decades of neglect’: ‘dire’ state housing picture
Two years on from the inception of a target to build 800,000 homes in a decade, data illustrates the "dire" housing picture continuing to confront one state.
Life-changing or dark day: jury out on deposit scheme
An expanded government scheme to help first-home buyers clear the deposit hurdle could pour more fuel on the red-hot property market, housing experts warn.
Australia’s luck running out despite budget bright spot
Australia's budget deficit for last financial year ended up being narrower than expected but younger workers will still be on the hook for a decade of red ink.
Rate cut run may be over as inflation raises concerns
Hopes for more rate cuts are fading after the Reserve Bank of Australia took a hawkish turn as it held interest rates steady in a widely-expected move.
One in three homes in line for sunny value boost
Home buyers have seen the light and are now prepared to pay a little more for solar systems in the expectation of lower bills over time.
Approvals turbocharged in bid to tackle housing crisis
Longstanding, complicated planning processes will be swept aside in an effort to build more homes faster in a state that's fighting to keep young families.
Developer’s stark warning after critical stadium report
A day after a report recommended a divisive AFL stadium not go ahead, the project's developer has fired back with a warning over already rising costs.
Complex puzzle: concessions needed for climate target
Steps to boost renewables might have an impact on local environments, experts say, but a trade-off is needed in efforts to slash emissions.
NZ offers blueprint for home-building productivity fix
Australia should follow New Zealand in reforming zoning rules to boost limp construction productivity and expand housing supply, leading economists say.
Home scheme extension set to open more doors
Lifting the caps in an expanded government home-buying scheme will open the door for more first-time buyers, but it also risks fast-tracking price rises.
Worrying trend for bargain-hunting first home buyers
Abolishing "terrible" stamp duty would help arrest the loss of affordable homes, with lower-end properties growing in price faster than the rest of the market.
Tree-change trend slows but regions remain attractive
The rate of migration from capital cities to regional centres continues to outpace moves in the other direction despite slowing towards pre-pandemic levels.
Pause on new regulations to fast track building homes
A pause in new regulations on construction standards will aim to have homes built faster under changes stemming from the productivity roundtable.
Housing bubble warning as deposit scheme fast-tracked
House prices could surge and mortgage defaults rise when a government scheme to help first home buyers begins ahead of schedule, experts warn.