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.
housing and urban planning
energy and resource
environmental issue
environmental politics
housing and urban planning
laws
politics
renewable energy
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.
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.
economic indicator
economy, business and finance
house building
housing and urban planning
politics (general)
real estate
‘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.
economic indicator
economy, business and finance
house building
housing and urban planning
politics (general)
real estate
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
‘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.
breaking_news
central bank
construction and property
economy, business and finance
housing and urban planning
interest rate
money and monetary policy
mortgages
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.
central bank
economy, business and finance
housing and urban planning
interest rate
money and monetary policy
mortgages
politics
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Fast or gradual: RBA debate shapes rates outlook
A debate inside the Reserve Bank board over the tightness of Australia's labour market could determine how quickly it moves to cut interest rates.
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.
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.
business (general)
economy, business and finance
housing and urban planning
politics (general)
regulatory policy and organisation
Cutting ‘nightmarish’ red tape may awaken productivity
Fixing Australia's regulations could help businesses and shoppers save and reinvigorate Australia's languishing productivity base.
Further rate cuts at risk as rent pushes up inflation
Future rate cuts may be less likely if renting and construction costs contributing to housing inflation continue to grow.
breaking_news
central bank
economy, business and finance
housing and urban planning
inflation and deflation
labour
Real wages boost for workers, but costs might worry RBA
Strong annual growth in wages will be noted by the Reserve Bank as it collates data leading up to its next decision on whether to cut interest rates.
Hopes RBA won’t repeat shock rates hold as board meets
The "Trumpification" of the US Federal Reserve provides an unsettling backdrop to the Reserve Bank's August meeting, where it is expected to cut interest rates.
Red tape slashed to fast-track building new homes
In a bid to meet it's target of building 800,000 homes over the next decade, a state government has announced new housing laws designed to speed up approvals.
Mortgage holders ready for relief after past rates blow
The Reserve Bank of Australia board is expected to deliver mortgage holders more hip-pocket relief in its upcoming interest rates decision.
construction and property
economy, business and finance
housing and urban planning
interest rate
personal finance
real estate
Rates take back seat to affordability for home buyers
Interest rates might be weighing less on Australians' decision to buy or sell a property, with affordability now ranked as the leading influence.