The Hidden Cost of Housing, revealed.
On Monday, UDIA Victoria released a significant research report highlighting an important issue for industry and homebuyers.
The Hidden Cost of Housing research shows up to 34% of a Victorian homebuyer’s purchase price is driven by government taxes and charges.
7News Melbourne spoke to a homebuyer about the key findings; who was particularly surprised that the cost of government charges is significantly higher than the developer’s profit – a finding that disproves the view that home prices are high because developer profit margins are high.
Click here to watch the 7News segment.
Click here to read the Herald Sun’s write-up on the report
Learn more about The Hidden Cost of Housing here.
Advocacy update: Meeting with the Planning Minister.
On Tuesday, our President, Vice-President and CEO met with Planning Minister Richard Wynne, providing him with on-the-ground market insight and discussing several policy matters including:
- Infrastructure Contribution Plan systems for greenfield and strategic development areas;
- Affordable housing;
- Bellarine Peninsula Distinctive Areas and Landscapes;
- Implementing the Melbourne Industrial Commercial Land Use Plan; and
- Geelong Residential Zones.
We also briefed the Minister on UDIA Victoria’s The Hidden Cost of Housing research, which was well-received and helpful in bolstering our calls for a moratorium on residential development levies and policy changes, and an extension to the Building Victoria’s Recovery Taskforce.
As always, we will continue to keep you updated on our advocacy initiatives and progress.
Advocacy win: HomeBuilder broadened.
In a major win for our members and homebuyers, UDIA Victoria has successfully advocated for the broadening of HomeBuilder eligibility requirements.
The new guidance from the State Revenue Office (SRO) confirms that new home and off-the-plan buyers now have over 24 months (until October 31, 2022) to have their name registered on the certificate of title. Buyers will be paid the $25,000 once they are registered on the title.
Read more on our COVID-19 Industry Hub.
Click here to go to the SRO HomeBuilder Grant Guidelines.
Building, construction and development industry sends Premier joint ‘Working to Keep Victoria Safe’ paper.
In collaboration with other industry associations, UDIA Victoria has written to the Premier with a Building, Construction and Development Industry COVID-19 Working to Keep Victoria Safe paper.
The paper provides detail of our initiatives and collaboration, and requests open dialogue between industry and the Victorian Government continues as we collectively navigate future phases of this pandemic.
Click here to read our letter to the Premier and accompanying Working to Keep Victoria Safe paper.
V.6 COVID-19 industry guidelines updated and released.
COVID-19 Guidelines for the Building and Construction Industry Victoria (Revision 6) have been updated to:
- Incorporate new OHS regulations requiring employers and self-employed people to notify WorkSafe immediately on becoming aware that an employee or an independent contractor or a contractor’s employee has received a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis and has attended the workplace during the infectious period;
- Clarify that a worker who has been in casual contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus, may be required to be tested;
- Emphasise the importance of temperature testing;
- Clarify the need for a worker to get tested if they experience symptoms; and
- Communicates the Government’s one-off $300 payment available to support workers if required to self-isolate while they wait for test results.
Click here to read the Explanatory Note.
Advocacy update: ESC review into timely electricity connections.
In May, UDIA Victoria submitted a Summary Position to the Building Victoria’s Recovery Taskforce regarding timely electricity connections for new developments (read it here). We are currently building on this position to submit to the latest Essential Services Commission (ESC) review (more information here).
This follows a presentation our CEO Danni Hunter gave yesterday at a public forum hosted by the ESC on behalf of UDIA Victoria’s members, in which she emphasised the critical nature of addressing delays in the current environment, particularly given new time constraints associated with HomeBuilder.
One-stop shop for new major projects portal.
The Victorian Government has launched a new online portal to help the construction sector find more opportunities to be part of major project delivery across Victoria.
The online Victorian Major Projects Pipeline is a ‘one-stop shop’ for businesses, suppliers and contractors so they can contribute to the projects that will transform our state over the next decade and beyond.
The Victorian Major Projects Pipeline highlights around 70 major projects, each with a value of $100 million and above, developed by the Office of Projects Victoria (OPV) alongside key project delivery agencies and contractors.
The Victorian Major Projects Pipeline will help business to assess what’s being delivered and when it’s being delivered so they can plan accordingly.
The Victorian Major Projects Pipeline can be viewed on the OPV website here.
Homes for homeless.
At the start of this pandemic, State Government helped 2,000 Victorians off the streets and into accommodation in vacant hotels. This week, government announced a new $150 million From Homelessness to a Home package, extending current hotel accommodation until at least April next year while these 2,000 Victorians are supported to access stable, long term housing.
Government will arrange to lease 1,100 properties from the private rental market, providing a permanent home for people once they leave emergency accommodation.
The first of the Government’s promised 1000 new social housing units are also coming online .
Macaulay Structure Plan Refresh.
The Macaulay Draft Structure Plan Refresh (PDF 16.9 MB) shows the plan for:
- greater certainty about development in the area
- a mix of homes, local businesses and community facilities that keep pace with a growing population
- well-connected streets that encourage walking and cycling
- more open space and green streets
- a climate ready precinct.
You can learn more in the draft structure plan overview and have your say by clicking here.
UDIA Victoria is working with our Planning and Urban Renewal and Built Form Committee members to prepare and provide a comprehensive submission.
2020 UDIA Victoria Awards for Excellence: Entry deadline extended to 18 September.
Given the huge impact of Stage 3 and 4 restrictions across Victoria, the 2020 UDIA Awards for Excellence entry deadline has been extended.
YOU NOW HAVE UNTIL FRIDAY 18 SEPTEMBER TO SUBMIT YOUR 2020 ENTRY!
