Land development rights are in reality a public asset and should be capable of being exploited only where accompanied by a fair value commitment to improvement of the public realm, including for example through the delivery of more social or affordable housing. Part of the value added from increases in the value of development rights (e.g. as a result of re-zoning or infrastructure improvements) should be re-directed from the seller to the community. This could be done without either increasing the cost of development, or the cost of housing.

Transitioning to a clean economy and reducing emissions would save the Australian economy $549 billion over the next decade while at the same time providing a number of social and environmental benefits.

For the first time, the dashboard brings together approximately 7 million data points from across 20 key national housing and homelessness datasets – including the SGS Economics and Planning award-winning Rental Affordability Index data.

Claims that controversial changes to SA’s land tax system will push up rents are overblown, as supply and demand dictate that landlords can’t pass on the extra cost and price themselves out of the market, argues James Atkinson.

Many factors drive housing affordability beyond any direct influence of local government, but local councils do have the power to bolster affordable housing in their jurisdiction and make an even bigger impact by partnering with other councils, institutions and the private sector.

The truth about jobs of the future is that they are complex and need integrated land use. The recent debate on the Greater Sydney Commission’s policy on the management of Sydney’s industrially-zoned lands is welcome as it means an important but neglected strategic planning issue is finally getting the attention it deserves. In the paper, A Metropolis that Works, the Greater Sydney Commission acknowledges that industrial precincts have long been considered “land in waiting” for residential development in Sydney. This has been done without truly understanding...