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🤗 Howdy Readers
In this newsletter, you'll find:
Our latest blog post discusses the Productivity Report - because i'm sure you havent heard anything about this to date 😄 - plus we dropped two shorter posts on the PSA and Pre-Lodgement.
Post 1: Rebuilding Australia's Housing Stock: Addressing Declining Construction Productivity
Australia is facing a significant housing challenge, with the government aiming to construct 1.2 million new homes over the next five years.
However, a recent report by the Productivity Commission highlights a concerning issue: productivity in the housing construction sector has declined by 12% over the past three decades, while the broader economy has seen a 49% increase in productivity.
This decline means we're building fewer homes per hour worked than we did 30 years ago, contributing to rising housing costs and supply shortages. The report identifies several factors behind this trend, including complex approval processes, limited innovation, and workforce challenges.
Addressing these issues is essential for improving housing affordability and meeting construction targets. Proposed solutions involve streamlining regulations, encouraging innovative building techniques, and enhancing workforce flexibility.
For a deeper dive into these findings and potential policy reforms, read our latest blog post:
Anthony Painter
I hit a snag when I realised I had missed a section in the draft, so I’m now working my way through AS4773.2 Masonry in Small Buildings to fill in the gaps.
I’m hoping to have this checklist finalized and published by next week—stay tuned!
Post 2: Pre-Lodgement Checks: Essential Steps to Understand Your Land Before Building
Starting a new construction project is exciting, but unexpected land issues can lead to costly delays. In our latest blog post, we highlight the importance of pre-lodgement checks and provide a real-world example of the process.
Pre-lodgement involves assessing key factors such as zoning regulations, soil quality, noise levels, and council overlays. Identifying potential challenges early allows you to make informed design decisions and avoid surprises later.
To help you navigate this process, we've created a free, easy-to-follow checklist covering each critical aspect of land assessment.
Don't let unforeseen land issues blow your budget—equip yourself with the right knowledge before construction begins.
For a detailed guide and to download the checklist, read our full article:
Anthony Painter
Post 3: Understanding Preliminary Service Agreements
One of the first steps in your home-building journey is signing a Preliminary Service Agreement (PSA). This agreement acts as a foundational contract between you and your builder, outlining essential services such as site surveys, soil testing, and preliminary design work.
By entering into a PSA, you not only secure pricing and key project details but also establish clear expectations, helping to ensure a smoother construction process.
Our latest blog post provides a concise overview of the PSA process and what it includes.
Read the full article here:
Anthony Painter
Introducing the New Constructor Forum – Fast, Simple, and Built for Discussion
We've launched the new Constructor Forum! 🚀 If you have questions about residential construction, or just want to connect with like-minded builders and homeowners, this is the place for you.
It is a work in progress so it would help us if you have an interest in residential construction to sign up as a member and ask a question or just post about something great to you have seen built, and why its great.
There is no bad question. I'm happy when we can respond with something that helps you in some way.
Why the Change?
Our old forum was clunky and slow. The new version is lightweight, fast, and easy to use, inspired by the no-frills efficiency of Hacker News (don’t worry, it’s not a hacking site—just a great format for discussions).
What’s New?
✔ Quick and easy sign-up – No fuss, just start posting.
✔ Upvoting & flagging – Highlight the best discussions.
✔ Straight to the point – No bloated features, just solid, useful construction insights.
Our goal is to foster engaging, informative discussions on all things construction quality. Whether you have a burning question, a tricky build issue, or an insight to share—jump in and join the conversation!
We hope this becomes a place to discuss the right way to build, share tips, and provide answers to quality construction questions. See you in the forum! 🎉
💾 Software of the Week: TransferNow
This is not a sponsored post - just software we use and are sharing it with you
Large File Sharing with TransferNow
Ever tried emailing a batch of photos or a hefty video, only to be blocked by size limits? Enter TransferNow—your hassle-free solution for sharing large files effortlessly.
What is TransferNow?
TransferNow is a user-friendly online service that allows you to send and receive large files securely. Whether it’s high-resolution images, lengthy videos, or important documents, TransferNow handles them with ease.
Why Use TransferNow?
Email sucks and is insecure and sharing large files can be frustrating due to email restrictions and storage limitations (20mb:outlook - 25mb:gmail). TransferNow eliminates these limits, providing a seamless way to share content without compromising on size, speed or security.
Features and Benefits
✅ Generous Transfer Limits – Free users can send files up to 5 GB per transfer, while premium plans allow transfers up to 250 GB, accommodating even the most substantial files.
✅ No Registration Required – Need a quick, one-off transfer? No sign-up needed—just upload your files and share the link. It’s that simple.
✅ Secure Sharing – Files are protected with AES 256-bit encryption during storage and SSL/TLS protocols during transfer, ensuring confidentiality.
✅ Customisable Options – Set file expiration dates, limit the number of downloads, and add password protection for extra security.
✅ Cross-Platform Accessibility – Use TransferNow on any device with an internet connection—computer, tablet, or smartphone. There's also a mobile app for iOS users and a Linux app!
Who Can Benefit?
Whether you're a photographer, videographer, or business professional, TransferNow simplifies file sharing. Share high-quality images, large video files, and important documents without the hassle of traditional methods.
System Requirements
All you need is a device with internet access. The TransferNow app requires iOS 13.4 or later for mobile users.
In a Nutshell
TransferNow makes large file sharing secure, efficient, and easy. Say goodbye to size limits and hello to hassle-free transfers!
Transfer now website: https://www.transfernow.net/
👾 Chrome Store Extension Of the Week - Ublock Origin
Take Back Control of Your Browsing with uBlock Origin
This is not a sponsored post - just software we use and are sharing it with you
Ever feel frustrated by intrusive ads disrupting your online experience? Meet uBlock Origin, a free browser extension designed to enhance your web browsing by blocking unwanted ads and trackers.
What is uBlock Origin?
uBlock Origin helps you enjoy a cleaner, faster, and more private internet experience by filtering out advertisements and tracking scripts that monitor your online activities.
Why Use uBlock Origin?
Online ads aren’t just annoying—they slow down your browser and compromise your privacy. uBlock Origin eliminates ads and prevents trackers from collecting your personal data, offering a smoother and more secure browsing experience.
How Does It Work?
Once installed, uBlock Origin operates quietly in the background. It uses predefined blocklists to identify and remove unwanted content. For those who like customisation, you can fine-tune settings to block specific elements or allow ads on sites you want to support.
Features and Benefits
✅ Efficient Performance – Uses minimal memory and CPU, keeping your browser running smoothly.
✅ Enhanced Privacy – Blocks trackers, preventing your personal data from being collected without consent.
✅ User-Friendly Interface – Easy to install and use, making ad-blocking accessible to everyone.
Who Can Benefit?
Anyone looking to improve their online experience! Whether you're tired of disruptive ads, concerned about privacy, or simply want faster page loads, uBlock Origin is a must-have extension.
System Requirements
uBlock Origin is available for Firefox, Opera, and Microsoft Edge. However, due to recent changes in Google's Chrome browser policies, the original uBlock Origin may no longer be supported on Chrome. Users are encouraged to switch to uBlock Origin Lite, a version compatible with the new standards.
In a Nutshell
uBlock Origin gives you control over your web experience by eliminating unwanted ads and protecting your privacy. It's a simple, effective solution for a cleaner and safer internet. 🚀
Try for yourself
Links to the Chrome Extension Store
Tell us what you think so far?
On with the news from this week
🚀 The latest residential construction news from new sources around Australia for the news week ending 27-02-2025 🔥
A theme of these weeks news titles is: "New" Approaches to Australia's Housing Challenges
Boosting Housing Supply Near Transport Hubs 🚉🏡
The NSW government has introduced a policy to increase low- and mid-rise housing around 171 transport hubs, aiming to deliver 112,000 new homes over the next five years. This initiative seeks to provide more housing options in well-connected locations, making it easier for families and individuals to access work, schools, and essential services.
Addressing Construction Productivity 🏗️📉
A Productivity Commission report reveals a 53% decline in housing construction productivity over the past 30 years. To combat this, experts are calling for:
✅ Reduced red tape and streamlined approval processes
✅ Greater adoption of innovative building methods
✅ Policy reforms to enhance efficiency and affordability
Encouraging Medium-Density Living 🌱🏘️
A growing trend toward medium-density housing with small gardens is emerging, particularly in regional cities. More people are opting for compact, centrally located homes that strike a balance between affordability, space, and accessibility.
Government Initiatives and Investments 💰🏠
Victoria's Housing Target – The Victorian government has set an ambitious goal of constructing 2.24 million new homes in Melbourne's suburbs by 2051. This initiative involves close collaboration with local councils to ensure efficient development and improved housing affordability.
Melbourne Airport Rail Link – The federal government has committed an additional $2 billion to fast-track this infrastructure project, which could spur housing developments along the rail corridor.
Foreign Investment Regulations 🌏🚫🏠
To ease housing market pressures, the Albanese government will implement a two-year ban on foreign investors purchasing established homes, effective April 1, 2025. The goal is to prioritize housing for local residents and address affordability concerns.
Community and Social Impacts 🏕️🚫
In Moreton Bay, local authorities are tightening regulations against indefinite camping on public land to address rising homelessness. The council is collaborating with housing departments to provide alternative accommodations, ensuring fair access to public spaces for all residents.
Looking Ahead 🔍
While housing challenges persist, these proactive initiatives aim to create diverse, affordable, and accessible housing options across Australia. By embracing innovation, streamlining processes, and fostering collaboration, policymakers and industry leaders are working towards a more sustainable housing future.
🤔 Our View on This Week’s Most Important News
🌯🌯🌯🌯🌯 AARON PATRICK: The housing crisis and the six-hour tradie work day – [LINK]
Our comment: It's easy to criticise builders, councils, and developers, but a builder's productivity is ultimately tied to the output of the trades they employ (subcontract).
This key point seems to be missing from the broader discussion on construction productivity. We don’t see this as a matter of blame—rather, it’s about acknowledging the constraints within current processes and finding ways to elevate them. If we want to meet housing demand and plan for future growth, we need to rethink how we build. The current approach simply isn’t scalable.
We've highlighted our favourite news articles for the week by marking with a 🌯 or five
21-02-2025
Here’s why increasing productivity in housing construction is such a tricky problem to solve – [LINK]
Red tape dragging construction productivity, says report – [LINK]
Policy Snapshot – February 2025 – [LINK]
Why first-home buyers aren’t making the most of the biggest financial incentives on offer – [LINK]
🌯🌯 House in Erskineville by Architect George – [LINK]
Our comment: A great use of space and a stunning design—though we’d rather not know the price! – [LINK]
Frequently asked questions: Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy – [LINK]
Rate cut welcomed, but more needed to deliver housing – [LINK]
Housing authority fast-tracks 6,000 homes – [LINK]
Summary of key provisions: Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy – [LINK]
VIDEO: Flooding forces new approach to housing developments – [LINK]
Wagga mother's desperate roadside plea for housing aid – [LINK]
Our comment: For a resource-rich country like Australia, housing should not be an issue for anyone. But it is—and that means something has to change. The current approach isn’t working, and if we want different results, we need different solutions. It’s that simple.
🌯🌯🌯 Here’s why increasing productivity in housing construction is such a tricky problem to solve – [LINK]
Article excerpt: Amid any push to speed up approvals, we need to be mindful of the possible risks. Loosening building regulations can lead to quality issues and inappropriate development.
Excerpt from the linked article on "inappropriate development":
"We should not ignore the risks involved in the rush to get the economy going again. We will pay for mistakes made now in the form of debt created by cost blowouts and unscrupulous developers. We will have to live with poor-quality, ill-conceived, and environmentally damaging developments for decades."
Interest rate reductions: A turning point for housing markets? – [LINK]
22-02-2025
Apartments and terraces to be built around 171 NSW transport hubs under new low and mid-rise housing reforms – [LINK]
🌯🌯🌯 Let’s Build Australia – [LINK]
Our comment: The HIA and Master Builders have no place calling on anyone to do anything. Reading the AHURI report [LINK]—the quality of residential construction in Australia is subpar compared to the rest of the world and is directly impacting the health and well-being of occupants.
Before these associations start making demands, they should first ensure their own members are actually delivering quality work—not just collecting membership fees. These associations are in the best position to enforce accountability, and they could tie membership to performance. But they won’t, because their survival depends on member payments. Their values are not aligned with what they advocate for—they are aligned with maintaining their own existence and brand image to attract new members and remain relevant.
Residential Building – Swann & Burns Streets, Indooroopilly – [LINK]
COX Architecture unveils On Hills Central, redefining urban living in Sydney’s northwest – [LINK]
🌯🌯🌯🌯🌯 AARON PATRICK: The housing crisis and the six-hour tradie work day – [LINK]
Article excerpt: “Now they’re generally gone by 2.30. What used to be a nine-hour day is now a six-hour day.”
Our comment: Absolutely true. Push too hard, and you’ll get blackmailed. Demand quality work, and you’ll either hear, “I’ve been doing this for X years” or nothing at all—until something mysteriously breaks, forcing you to waste time and money fixing it. Yes, this happens.
This comment from the article’s discussion section sums it up well and reflects the current state of Australian productivity:
"It’s not just the building trades—it’s across many industries. I think our old work ethic has changed. Today, it’s all about ‘me.’ Loyalty to a boss has been replaced by the next higher-paying job down the road, and half their mates will follow if you don’t match the rate. It would be hard to run a small business with Aussie workers. I am sad to say this, but why wouldn’t you look at Asian workers who turn up every day, work hard in any weather, and are no trouble? And to the good Aussie tradies with old-fashioned values—this doesn’t include you."
The Nationals WA commit $1 billion to Building Regional Homes – [LINK]
Luxury development Ethos Chatswood reaches topping out milestone – [LINK]
South Australia’s biggest battery project secures buyer and “quite enormous” offtake deal – [LINK]
🌯🌯🌯 Future Victoria: Back yards under threat as sky-high land costs force builders to embrace smaller gardens – [LINK]
Our comment: Backyard size will directly correlate with the mental health of occupants. If you chain up an animal and restrict its movement, it develops anxiety. Do the same to a family and measure the health effects.
Design guides for low-rise housing diversity – [LINK] Download – [LINK]
Beyond housing supply: the value of planning – [LINK]
23-02-2025
Height limits finalised in 10 Melbourne hubs as part of state government housing plan – [LINK]
🌯🌯🌯 Green cities, zero emissions in construction, industry, and transport essential for civilisation to flourish - LISTEN
Sydney’s peaking suburbs: Where buyers risk overpaying for homes – [LINK]
Regional markets in Australia defy urban slowdown – [LINK]
More housing to surround NSW transport hubs under new housing reforms – [LINK]
🌯🌯🌯🌯 Housing solution for priced-out Aussie buyers as CBA announces major lending change: ‘Viable’ – [LINK]
Why millions of mortgage borrowers could soon be thousands of dollars better off – [LINK]
🌯🌯🌯🌯 Growing ranks of homeless seen as society in decline – [LINK]
Article excerpt:"It's very much symbolic of generational wealth inequality and indicative of a feeling of economic disparity and disempowerment," Redbridge director Simon Welsh told AAP.
🌯🌯🌯🌯 Rise in ex-prisoners facing homelessness, struggle to reintegrate – [LINK]
Article excerpt: Ex-prisoner Murray Strawbridge says he has been unable to find accommodation in his home city of Bunbury, and it is preventing him from getting a job.
Our comment: Housing should be a basic human right. We believe this and will fight to provide it while we are here, walking around this place. No home = no job = no productivity = no hope. This is unacceptable.
24-02-2025
The new type of home that property investors are choosing – [LINK]
Residential Building – Bramston Terrace, Herston – [LINK]
Qld’s new satellite cities: Where housing is coming in 2025 – [LINK]
🌯🌯 The case of Australia’s missing family-size apartments – [LINK]
Quick fixes and long-term solutions to Australia's sky-rocketing rental prices – [LINK]
Large Residential Subdivision & Parkland – Teviot Road, Greenbank – [LINK]
Hindmarsh begins construction of fifth development in Bowden, ARC Bowden – [LINK]
🌯🌯🌯🌯 How the housing landscape is changing - John McGrath – [LINK]
NSW reforms to boost supply by unlocking ‘missing-middle’ housing – [LINK]
Housing named Logan’s top issue – [LINK]
25-02-2025
Victorian housing targets reduced in some Melbourne suburbs under government's final plan – [LINK]
🌯🌯🌯🌯 NSW launches $25bn rooftop housing initiative – [LINK]
Our comment: This will be interesting. If properties include residential houses built in the last 25 years, we’ll soon hear that the amount of work required to build upwards makes it easier (and cheaper) to demolish the existing house and rebuild. Now that's a green initiative!
While it’s possible to install new piers and footings outside the existing footing line and construct an exoframe to support new floors, it's not an efficient approach.
The key issue here is that project homes are built to the upper design limits to save costs, meaning they can barely handle the original structure. They aren’t suited for renovations that involve adding additional storeys.
As Australian cities sprawl, outer suburbs are lacking basic services – [LINK]
Welcomed progress on housing targets, but bold reform needed – [LINK]
🌯🌯🌯🌯 Secret advantages of new Aussie mega-housing revealed – [LINK]
Our comment: BTR—what guarantee do tenants have that rents won’t constantly increase just because they can? The comment section on this article is spot on. Modern-day feudalism—corporate overlords and tenants as serfs.
Council pushes housing diversity, water security, and youth connection – [LINK]
More builders likely to fail in absence of any construction silver bullet – [LINK]
Master Builders urges federal budget to boost building sector – [LINK]
Our comment: What are the Master Builders doing about the shoddy quality of work their members and the industry are producing? Where is this conversation? Or are we just pumping out more subpar homes and calling it "quality" and "value for money"?
We urge the Master Builders to clean up their own house before making demands of anyone else. Weed out poor-quality builders, enforce accountability, and stop misleading consumers with the term "Master Builder." Homeowners assume this means superior technical skill—but in reality, it just means they paid a membership fee. Who's actually checking if they deserve the title?
Developers circle Sydney suburbs slated for rezoning around train and metro stations – [LINK]
Our comment: The vultures are circling.
🌯🌯🌯🌯 For a more sustainable future, we need to embrace living in smaller spaces. This means not letting our houses be our primary space for every activity in our lives. – [LINK]
Our comment: Yes. We need to redefine what housing is. Developers have shaped this definition for too long at the expense of everyone—building cookie-cutter junk as the only alternative.
Rethinking this will benefit everyone. But who is really deciding what a house should be? The developer who writes the building covenant and the authority approving the development.
The case of Australia’s missing family-size apartments – [LINK]
Construction starts on large battery project next to Australia’s biggest solar farm – [LINK]
Breaking ground on the pathway to completion – [LINK]
🌯🌯 How this couple used government grants and incentives to build their Reservoir home – [LINK]
New Wollert shopping precinct underway – [LINK]
26-02-2025
The housing crisis is turning into an inequality crisis – [LINK]
🌯🌯🌯 Key electorates to swing on housing crisis, new poll warns – [LINK]
Surge in demand for buyer's agents amid Australia’s tight housing market – [LINK]
Our comment: That’s right. The Australian housing market is so hyper-inflated that we’re now paying agents on both the buy and sell sides of the equation. There is zero value creation in this—it just makes housing more expensive. In a seller’s market, agents should be reducing their commissions, not collecting excess fees for no added value. The focus should be on creating value, not extracting it just because they can.
Housing blitz: the latest policy announcements in NSW and VIC – [LINK]
Coalition claims Labor’s housing fund has built zero homes. Wrong. Here’s where they are – [LINK]
🌯🌯🌯🌯 9 ways to fix Australia's housing crisis – [LINK]
Article excerpt: "Australia needs an agreed national housing policy set with a bipartisan approach. A policy that targets agreed outcomes. The affordability of housing, based on sustainable multiples of average income, should be set. The policy needs to address the rental market to make it sustainable for low-income earners over the long term."
Our comment: A few key takeaways from this:
1️⃣ "Target low-income and income support housing developments. Create Public/Private ‘build to rent’ infrastructure bonds. Government guarantees will be important to create a stable secondary market for these bonds."
We wrote about this last year in our article titled "Boomer Bonds." We do not support BTR (Build to Rent) as it primarily benefits investors and corporations unless it is government-owned and regulated to prevent excessive rent increases. The bigger issue with BTR is that the occupant never owns anything—there’s no opportunity to build equity, leverage, or long-term financial security.
Anthony Painter
2️⃣ "Support private builders developing mid-range housing. Create a regulated environment for partnerships with superannuation funds incentivised to provide funding (debt/equity) to approved/registered builders. Severely restrict the existence of private builders with thin capital."
We wrote a post called "Builderpulse", which focuses on identifying financially unstable builders in the market. However, the reality is many of the large builders are on shaky ground as well, and governments need the construction sector to project confidence, which makes enforcing stricter regulations unlikely.
Anthony Painter
3️⃣ "Consider tax changes inside a proper reset of taxation laws. For instance, should rent (paid) be tax-deductible for certain people in certain income bands? Should negative gearing be limited to the income of the underlying asset? Can housing infrastructure bonds be created to channel savings towards appropriate borrowers inside a restructured tax system?"
Point 8 in this article is worth noting too.
🌯🌯🌯🌯 Construction productivity reset: housing productivity for a post-carbon era – [LINK]
Our comment: Lacuna matata? I’m sure they could have used a less posh word than “gap.” Teasing aside, this is a well-written article with some solid points.
Article excerpt: "Defined as the ‘rate at which outputs, such as goods or services, are produced per unit of input, such as labour, capital, or materials,’ an increase in productivity would allegedly not only reduce construction time and increase supply, but also lower construction costs."
And this: "Taking the first point, it is important to point out that constraints in housing supply centre on land availability, and this is largely in the hands of private industry, not government. Put simply, developers and speculators sit on their land banks until the price is so high that any housing to be built upon it is going to be largely unaffordable."
RICS report shows renewed optimism in Australian construction sector – [LINK]
Accessibility changes to national building code 'exciting', but disability advocates say more could be done – [LINK]
🌯🌯🌯 Australia’s housing construction target downgraded – [LINK]
Victoria reveals the suburbs targeted for a building boom – [LINK]
Is it time to normalise mass timber in construction? – [LINK]
Can you get a loan for a prefab home? Soon you might be able to – [LINK]
Our comment: Better late than never. This news came out two weeks ago.
27-02-2025
Q4 Construction activity recovered over the second half of 2024 – [LINK]
Upper House – a blueprint for the future of urban living – [LINK]
Housing Delivery Authority fast-tracks 18 projects as State Significant Developments – [LINK]
Our comment: Either NSW has the best marketing and PR department, or they’re actually getting more developments started than other states—VIC coming in second (based purely on my daily news reading).
🌯🌯🌯🌯 Australian homebuilders remain trapped in recession – [LINK]
Article excerpt: "The homebuilding industry remains severely supply-restricted. Residential construction costs have risen by around 40% since the pandemic began."
Could 'medium-density housing with small gardens' help solve the housing crisis? Experts think so – [LINK]
Our comment: Except our cities were never well-planned to begin with. More congestion, more time in cars, fewer car parks—expect a congestion tax soon to handle the overflow. If you want to see how this works, look towards Asia and South America, where car restrictions are based on license plate numbers—odd/even days, or last digits controlling who can drive when.
JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT: Stronger Homes Grant to build back resilience in North and Far North Queensland – [LINK]
LGNSW responds to new state housing policy – [LINK]
🌯🌯🌯 Housing affordability: young solo buyers reveal buying and rent challenges they’re facing – [LINK]
🌯 Housing targets: REINSW calls for greater accountability from NSW councils – [LINK]
🌯🌯 Can small homes fix our big housing problem? – [LINK]
🌯🌯🌯 Falling housing inflation means more rate cuts – [LINK]
Solar and battery project targeted by Barnaby Joyce gets federal green tick – [LINK]
The Constructor Forum
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😶🌫️ That's all of today
For more construction insights check out our website. The best way to support us is to share this this with three friends who you think our content will help in some way. Feel free to reach out on X or Mastodon or Bluesky - @obiwonky - 👋 Anthony
PS: Quality Management Checklist Access
All our published checklists are available to download via the Checklists Link in the navigation menu or directly at https://www.constructor.net.au/checklists/.
Anthony Painter
Please note: You’ll need to be a member and to log in to access the content.
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Enjoy the checklists, we hope they help you identify quality improvements in your new home or next project - or at least, get you thinking.
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PPS: If you haven’t tried out our new AI tools yet, here are the links to check them out!
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Anthony Painter
Anthony Painter
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