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
New suburb of Southwark unveiled with 1,300 houses on former West End Brewery site
Alana Calvert ABC (No paywall)The large vacant site which was once home to the West End Brewery will become Adelaide's newest suburb, the SA government today announced. The 8.4-hectare site in Thebarton will be renamed Southwark, which was the suburb's former name. The $1-billion housing development will incorporate "up to" 1,300 homes, according to Premier Peter Malinauskas – an increase of 300 on when the project was first announced in September 2023. Situated between the inner-western suburbs of Thebarton and Hindmarsh and flanked by Port Road and the River Torrens, the site was occupied by the historic West End Brewery until its closure in 2021.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-14/sa-southwark-housing-deve…
# Hot topic Australia, .'Location matters to me more': Young Aussie renters delaying mortgages for chance to live in expensive beachside suburbs
April Glover 9 News (No paywall)The rate of first home buyers in Australia has taken a steep dip as more renters choose prime locations over mortgages. While buying a house is top priority for some young Aussies, plenty are delaying home ownership because of dire unaffordability – and are renting by the beach while they're doing it. Lauren Swan hails from Wagga Wagga in country NSW and wanted to live near the beach when she moved to Sydney. The Bondi local is happy living in the pricey eastern suburbs and is enjoying the beachside dream, even if that fantasy has an expiry date.
https://www.9news.com.au/national/young-australians-delaying-mor…
# Hot topic Australia, Rent.Cost of living pitch for renters could save $2600 over 10 years
Emily Bennett 9 News (No paywall)There are calls for renters to pay bond just once in their lifetime under a new cost of living pitch to the federal government. The McKell Institute is recommending a national portable bond scheme where renters transfer their bond between leases, rather than coming up with a second deposit while the previous bond is being refunded. Under the proposal, renters would also earn interest on their bond, saving an estimated $2600 over 10 years. McKell Institute chief executive Edward Cavanough said the policy would relieve significant cost of living pressures in a tough market. "Renters are under enormous financial strain and the current need to double-up on bonds to move often traps people in unsuitable housing," Cavanough said.
https://www.9news.com.au/national/cost-of-living-pitch-for-rente…
# Video Australia, Bond, Rent.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, .