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In this newsletter, you'll find:

Our latest blog post on housing affordability and affordability solutions.

We’re currently working on our latest Quality Management Checklist, C10 Rough-In Stage Inspection Checklist, and while it’s not quite ready yet, we’re excited to share that it will be finalised and published next week. Stay tuned!

This Week’s Blog Post: How Australia Can Improve Housing Affordability

Let’s talk about one of the biggest challenges facing Australians today: housing affordability. It’s no secret that buying or renting a home has become increasingly out of reach for many, but what can we actually do about it? In our latest blog post, we dive deep into practical solutions that could make a real difference.

From rethinking land supply and planning regulations to embracing innovative construction methods, we explore how Australia can tackle the housing crisis head-on.

We also discuss the role of government policies, the need for more social and affordable housing, and how smarter urban design could create more liveable, sustainable communities.

👉️ Ready to read more? Check out the full post below:

Improving Housing Affordability in Australia: Key Solutions
Housing affordability is a major challenge in Australia, but there are solutions. Learn how increasing supply, government policies, and innovative construction can make housing more accessible for everyone.
🙋
What do you think is the key to solving Australia’s housing affordability crisis? Share your thoughts with us!

💾 Software of the Week: QRDoc

This is not a sponsored post - just software we have used and are sharing with you

This week, we’re shining the spotlight on QRDoc, a clever little tool that’s all about making document sharing and collaboration smoother than ever. If you’ve ever found yourself drowning in email attachments, lost in a sea of file versions, or struggling to share documents securely, QRDoc might just be your new best friend.

What is QRDoc?

QRDoc is a web-based platform that simplifies document sharing by generating unique QR codes for your files. Instead of sending bulky attachments or dealing with clunky file-sharing services, you can upload your document to QRDoc, create a QR code, and share it with anyone. When scanned, the QR code grants access to the document, making it a seamless way to share files in meetings, presentations, or even on the go.

Why We Love It

Effortless Sharing: QRDoc eliminates the hassle of email attachments or file-sharing links. Simply scan the QR code, and the document opens instantly. It’s perfect for professionals who frequently present or share files in person, like teachers, sales teams, or event organisers.

Version Control Made Easy: Ever sent the wrong version of a document? QRDoc ensures everyone accesses the latest version of your file, reducing confusion and saving time.

Secure and Private: Worried about privacy? QRDoc lets you set access permissions, so only the people you choose can view your document. You can even password-protect it for an extra layer of security.

No Downloads Required: Recipients don’t need to download anything to view your document—just a QR code scanner (which most smartphones have built-in these days).

Who’s It For?

QRDoc is a great way for anyone who regularly shares documents, especially in face-to-face settings.

📌 Teachers can share lesson plans or assignments with students.
📌 Sales teams can distribute brochures or proposals during meetings.
📌 Event organisers can provide schedules or agendas without printing a single page.
📌 Small businesses looking for a simple, cost-effective way to streamline document sharing.

A Few Considerations

While QRDoc is incredibly user-friendly, it works best for smaller teams or one-off sharing scenarios. If you’re managing large-scale document workflows with multiple collaborators, you might need a more robust platform. That said, for quick, secure, and hassle-free sharing, QRDoc hits the mark.

Final Thoughts

QRDoc is a brilliant example of how a simple idea can solve a common problem. By turning document sharing into a quick scan-and-go process, it saves time, reduces clutter, and keeps everyone on the same page—literally.

If you’re tired of the email attachment shuffle, give QRDoc a try. It might just make your life a little easier.

QRdoc - Document lifecycle management by PaperCut
Publish PDF documents with a QR code to get powerful digital tools on your smartphone. Get the lastest version and be notified of updates. View, search and email the document and more.

👾 Chrome Store Extension Of the Week

This week, we’re got a tool for you that’s all about keeping your online activities secure, especially when it comes to sensitive tasks like bank transfers or payment processing.

Say hello to Network Chuck Browser—a Chrome extension that brings virtual machine (VM) browsing to your fingertips, offering a level of security that’s hard to beat.

What is Network Chuck Browser?

Network Chuck Browser is a Chrome extension that lets you launch a virtual machine (VM) directly in your browser.

Think of a VM as a completely isolated computer within your computer. When you use this browser, your online session runs in this isolated environment, making it virtually impossible for hackers to interfere with your activities.

Once you’re done, you can delete the VM instance, leaving no trace behind. It’s like having a disposable, ultra-secure browser for those high-stakes moments.

Why We Love It

Bank-Level Security: If you’re doing online banking or payment processing, this is the tool for you. Since the VM is isolated, there’s no risk of cookie jacking or third-party interference. Your session is as secure as it gets.

No Trace Left Behind: Once you finish your session, you can delete the VM instance entirely. It’s like it never existed—perfect for maintaining privacy and security.

Fast and Affordable: Unlike setting up your own VM, which can be time-consuming and costly, Network Chuck Browser is quick to launch and budget-friendly. It’s a high-security solution without the high price tag.

✅ Cloud-Based Convenience: Since it’s cloud-based, you don’t need to worry about local storage or system requirements. Just launch, use, and close.

Who’s It For?

This extension is a must-have for anyone who values online security, especially:

📌 Businesses handling payments or financial transactions.
📌 Remote workers who need extra protection when accessing company systems.
📌 Privacy-conscious users who don’t want to leave a trace of their activity.
📌 Anyone paranoid about online security (and rightly so!).

A Few Tips for Maximum Security

💡 While Network Chuck Browser is a fantastic tool, we recommend pairing it with a robust firewall for added protection.

💡 If you’re using a cloud-based system, consider running Linux for its strong security features, like disk encryption and user-level password protections.

💡 Linux’s sudo/root access restrictions also make it harder for unauthorised changes to be made to your system.

Final Thoughts

In a world where online threats are constantly evolving, Network Chuck Browser is a simple yet powerful way to protect yourself.

It’s fast, affordable, and incredibly effective—making it a no-brainer for anyone who takes online security seriously.

Whether you’re transferring funds, processing payments, or just browsing sensitive information, this extension has your back.

I recently introduced this software to my father, who’s in his mid-70s. While he’s decent with computers, he’s not a tech wizard—but he’s come to understand (after years of me ranting at him) that the internet is like the Wild West and online security is non-negotiable. If he can get the hang of it, so can you.

I truly believe this is an affordable, accessible way for anyone to secure their online personal or business transactions. Whether you’re a tech novice or a seasoned pro, this tool is designed to make online safety simple and effective.

🔗 Check it out below: Network Chuck Browser

NetworkChuck Cloud Browser

Tell us what you think?


On with the news from this week 😄

🚀 The latest residential construction news from new sources around Australia for the news week ending 30-01-2025 🔥


We've highlighted our favourite news articles for the week by marking with a 🌯 or five

The overarching theme here is "Tackling Australia’s Housing Crisis with Innovation and Investment"

This week’s news cycle is dominated by Australia’s housing market, with discussions revolving around affordability, construction challenges, and government interventions.

The recurring theme? "Building the Future: Tackling Australia’s Housing Crisis with Innovation and Investment." Here’s why:

1. Government Initiatives Take Centre Stage

The Albanese government’s $10,000 cash incentive for apprentices in residential construction is a bold attempt to address the skilled labour shortage. However, opinions are divided—some see it as a much-needed boost, while others argue it could drive inflation or be an election tactic.

In addition, the government has unveiled the "biggest home-building program in Australian history." While the details are still unfolding, the initiative reflects a proactive stance in tackling the housing supply backlog.

2. Affordability and Supply Challenges

Many reports highlight the widening gap between housing demand and supply.

📈 Land prices are rising faster than inflation.
🔨 Construction costs continue to climb.
🏡 The national target of 1.2 million new homes looks increasingly unrealistic.

For first-time buyers and renters, the outlook is concerning, but regional markets and state-led initiatives like Victoria’s Big Housing Build offer some optimism by expanding affordable housing options.

3. Innovation and Resilience in Construction

The conversation around stronger building standards and climate-resilient materials signals a forward-thinking shift in housing development.

While challenges such as construction delays and cost increases persist, there’s a growing emphasis on:

Sustainability – New materials and technologies that improve energy efficiency.
Resilience – Designs that withstand climate extremes.
Innovation – Emerging construction methods that reduce waste and improve efficiency.

Trends in exterior design and modern materials indicate that Australia’s housing future is not just about quantity but quality.

4. The Community and Social Impact of the Crisis

The housing crisis isn’t just about numbers—it’s about people.

🔹 Women fleeing domestic violence, forced to sleep in cars due to a lack of emergency housing.
🔹 Families abandoning construction projects as rising costs make completion unaffordable.

However, there are glimmers of hope. Initiatives such as Western Australia’s new affordable housing program aim to provide secure housing for vulnerable groups, ensuring the crisis is met with inclusive and compassionate solutions.

5. Economic and Political Dynamics

Housing policy is becoming a heated political battleground, with increasing calls for:

🟠 Bipartisan cooperation to create long-term solutions.
🟠 Reforms in planning regulations to encourage faster, more efficient development.
🟠 A balanced approach that tackles both affordability and housing market stability.

The federal-state interplay adds layers of complexity, but it also presents opportunities for collaborative solutions that could reshape Australia’s housing future.


Our Take on the $10,000 Apprenticeship Incentive

The Government’s recent announcement to incentivise apprentices with a $10,000 staged payment has dominated headlines this week. While the intention is commendable, we believe this approach won’t solve the deeper issues at play. Generational shifts are reshaping the workforce—young people today have different priorities and expectations compared to past generations. Before throwing money at the problem, we need to address three key challenges:

  1. What will they earn? Is the income from this career path enough to live on, let alone thrive?
  2. Will it help them “get ahead”? Can it realistically help them afford a home, start a family, or achieve other life goals?
  3. Is the effort worth it? How does this career compare to alternative jobs in terms of stability, growth, and work-life balance?

Throwing money at the problem might seem like a quick fix, but it’s a one-time gesture with long-term implications.

Younger generations (Gen Z) aren’t naive—they can spot a superficial incentive when they see one.

How Could This Work?

In our view, monetary incentives are a good start, but they’re not enough. Here’s what’s missing:

  • A clear career path: Apprentices need opportunities to learn, grow, and continue their education—not just a one-off payment and a vague promise of joining the sector.
  • A structured environment: Construction work, whether as a tradie, contractor, or self-employed professional, is inherently risky. Many trades operate as small, two-person teams, with one handling the back office and the other managing the front. This setup leaves little room for mentorship or career development.
  • Trust and credibility: Asking someone to commit to a high-risk sector with lifelong implications for a $10,000 incentive feels shortsighted. What’s needed is a reliable pipeline—a system newcomers can trust and depend on. Unfortunately, “trust” and “government” aren’t often words that go hand in hand.

The Bigger Picture

In our opinion, the only way this incentive could truly work is through modular construction. Imagine warehouse-built housing in controlled environments, offering structured processes, consistent training, and real opportunities for growth. Traditional trades can’t guarantee this level of stability, and industry bodies often fall short, offering piecemeal advice wrapped in hollow promises of support.

At the end of the day, convincing someone to join an industry to help fix a mess that others created will cost more than $10,000. It requires building trust, demonstrating credibility, and showing why this career is worth investing a lifetime in.


24-01-2025

🌯🌯 Albanese to announce $10,000 cash for apprentices who build homes in National Press Club election pitch - [LINK]

📝 Our Comment:

Hmm. More "free money splashed around." Muse be an election in the air.

When trades and businesses are already busy, the last thing they want is the liability of taking on apprentices. Small businesses lack the staff resources to train apprentices properly. This means medium to large businesses—primarily in the commercial sector—will be the ones hiring them. These companies work on government and commercial contracts, pulling labour away from residential projects.

The result? Building new homes becomes even more expensive.

If the real goal was to secure labour for government contracts before the 2032 Games, well played. But don’t expect housing affordability to improve until after the Games.

This reeks of an election vote grab—throw money, secure power, and pick up the pieces later when everyone has forgotten.


🌯🌯🌯🌯🌯 What’s shaking up the housing market in 2025? - [LINK]

🌯🌯 Government announces ‘biggest home building program in Australian history’ - [LINK]

Land price growth outpaces CPI and home building costs - [LINK]

🌯🌯🌯 Think building and reno costs have jumped? The numbers confirm it - [LINK]


Housing target already behind: Will we hit 1.2m homes? - [LINK]

📝 Our Comment:

The image in this article shows windows installed into the frame before the roof is on—this is POOR building practice for several reasons:

1️⃣ Structural Load Issues: The roof adds weight, shifting the frame. If windows are already installed, downward pressure can misalign them, meaning they need to be re-plumbed and refixed—double handling the installation.

2️⃣ Material Damage: Most window frames are MDF, not timber. MDF absorbs moisture, leading to swelling and damage at joint connections—potentially requiring frame replacement before completion.

3️⃣ Site Hazards: Roofers—especially tilers—cut and drop tile offcuts onto the slab. Pre-installed windows risk being damaged.

The only reason this might have happened? Poor planning. They likely miscalculated delivery dates and received the windows before considering these risks.

Just from this image alone, I can tell this builder doesn’t care about the job. I’d take a closer look at their workmanship.


🌯🌯🌯🌯 More charges over building regulator kickbacks scandal - [LINK]

📝 Our Comment:

This is insane! Every person involved should be jailed for the suffering their greed has caused. Money must have changed hands for this to happen. Unless harsh consequences follow, people will try to pull this scam again.


🌯 A confident recalibration finds clarity for a sandstone terrace that has endured 150 years of change, demonstrating a masterful balance of old and new. - [LINK]

🌯 Australia falls short in national housing target - [LINK]


🌯🌯🌯 Housing Backlog Blamed on Costs, Delays, Not Councils - [LINK]

📜Article Excerpt:

"Local government is often targeted as the barrier to housing supply, which is simply not true. Rather, the lack of housing supply is due to many factors including a decline in the number of Development Applications (DAs) being lodged for assessment, not a lack of council action," Mayor Miller said.

📝 Our Comment:

Reality is far simpler than the media’s emotional storytelling designed to solicit engagement, clicks, and ad revenue (CTR, CVR, page hits). It’s all about data. Boring reality often gets in the way of a "news" story.


25-01-2025

The state winning the race on home building - [LINK]

(Audio) Will the $10,000 tradie bonus work? - [LINK]

🌯🌯 These charts show the challenge to secure the next generation of home builders - [LINK]

🌯🌯 USA Jurisdiction Article - Why Is Housing So Expensive? Build Costs Alone Now Make Up 64%! - [LINK]


🌯🌯🌯🌯🌯 Building Standards - [LINK]

📜 Article Excerpt:

"To address this challenge, the Insurance Council encourages the Federal Government to work with states and territories to strengthen the National Construction Code (NCC) to require that new homes are made more resilient to the impacts of bushfires, cyclones, and floods."

📝 Our Comment:

We agree. However, before we focus on making materials more resilient, we should be improving regulation around quality management in residential construction.

Builders should be professionals who follow standards before we raise the current standards before we change them.

We wrote about this at length in our post on accountability (see below)

Demand Better: Accountability in Australian Home Building
We’ve grown accustomed to flashy kitchens and sleek “hamptons style” façades, but what about the hidden quality issues? In this article we discuss why Australian builders and their directors must be held accountable for delivering healthier, more durable homes beyond mere compliance.
The Unspoken Reality: Why Contractors Don’t Follow Standards
Ready to hire a contractor? Think again. Many contractors use methods that don’t align with regulations or Australian standards. This article reveals why you might hear, “We don’t do it that way here,” and how such shortcuts can risk your home’s quality and safety. Learn to protect your investment.
Understanding Nominative and Informative Building Standards
Do you truly understand nominative and informative standards? Present in many sectors, these standards play a significant role in construction. Understanding these distinctions can affect numerous decisions, from choosing materials to planning methods.

Additionally, before we improve materials and methods, we need to address condensation and mould issues. These problems cost the country billions in health expenses every year.

This issue has been documented since 2016, well before this article (the Insurance Council looking to wipe their arse and get what they want).
We also wrote about this extensively—MOULD CRISIS—read the post below and the scope study embedded within this post.

Mould Crisis in Oz Homes: Understanding a Condensation Issue
Explore the growing mould issue in Australian homes caused by condensation. This article discusses the lack of regulatory oversight, the science behind condensation, its impact on health and homes, and the urgent need for improved building practices and standards.

If we change building envelope requirements, we can create homes that are more resilient while also preventing condensation and mould-related health problems—two birds, one stone.


🌯 New constructions setting exterior design trends in 2025 - [LINK]

Apprentice incentive not enough to meet housing targets - [LINK]

🌯🌯🌯🌯🌯 What’s shaking up the housing market in 2025? - [LINK]


🌯🌯🌯🌯 The keys to the housing crisis - [LINK]

📜 Article Excerpt:

"This, of course, is where things start to get controversial. It is an unfortunate irony that almost the only instance of current housing policy bipartisanship is the claim, voiced by both major parties and by many media pundits, that the prime cause of over-expensive housing is 'inadequate supply' due to over-restrictive land-use planning."

"This is a convenient position for federal politicians because it shifts blame for unaffordable housing to the state and territory governments responsible for development approval."

"It also rests on a failure to recognise the reality that, as described in research for the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, 'while the planning system can create opportunities for development by zoning land and ensuring that zoning and development controls allow for a range of housing types, decisions about whether and when to develop are ultimately made by the development industry and reflect market factors'."

📝 Our Comment:

This is political blame-shifting at its finest. Federal politicians love to pass the buck to state and local governments, knowing full well that development decisions are driven by market factors, not just planning regulations.


State Planner appointed to unlock more housing approvals - [LINK]

Residents shocked after common feature of new housing estate goes up in flames - [LINK]

Apprentice incentive not enough to meet housing targets - [LINK]


26-01-2025

Government looks to boost residential construction apprentice numbers with $10K bonus - [LINK]

Showroom & Office – Stapylton Street, North Lakes - [LINK]

Home recycling: Victorian homes being sold for next to nothing, if you pay for their relocation - [LINK]

Proposed standard to shape an effective compliance pathway for exterior timber wall cladding - [LINK]

Melbourne housing market: Property listing surge and coastal sell-offs creating a buyer’s market - [LINK]

New masterplan reveals future vision to bring 8000 homes to pocket of western suburbs - [LINK]

Geelong’s big jump in sales as national price beats inflation - [LINK]


27-01-2025

Small businesses brace for higher costs but hope for interest rate cuts - [LINK]

🌯🌯🌯 ‘Forever shut out’: Australia’s housing crisis reveals depressing truth - [LINK]

📜 Article Excerpt:

"Federal Housing Minister Clare O’Neil recently made headlines after she made it clear in an interview with ABC’s Triple J that the Albanese government doesn’t desire a fall in housing prices at all – and that the government in fact wants 'sustainable price growth'."


Victoria's Big Housing Build promised thousands of new homes, will it hit its target? - [LINK]


🌯🌯🌯🌯🌯 The Great Australian Housing Swindle - [LINK]

📝 Our Comment:

Queensland is the Texas of Australia. We welcome all newcomers. Just make sure to bring your cuisine with you! We need more restaurants. We're all good on coffee shops, but tasty food places? Bring them on! Thank you in advance!


Residential Tower – Lowry Street, North Ipswich - [LINK]

📝 Our Comment:

This design already looks old before it’s even built. Same plain vanilla building design from the last 30 years. A yield-building project with zero care given. Way to build the past in the future!


The cost of this life-saving measure is 'negligible' when shared by strata owners - [LINK]

Regional markets creating a new housing haven for struggling home buyers - [LINK]

Balancing Affordability and Stability: Government Policies and the Housing Market - [LINK]


🌯🌯🌯🌯 Women fleeing violence are sleeping in cars, as service providers try to plug the refuge and housing crisis - [LINK]

📝 Our Comment:

Reducing homelessness through affordable housing must be the priority. Eliminating homelessness and domestic violence should have happened yesterday. It’s beyond a joke that Australia’s mining royalties don’t cover these social costs.


28-01-2025

Construction delays threaten national housing targets - [LINK]

Dreams shattered: Family forced to abandon home as construction costs soar - [LINK]


🌯🌯🌯 NSW unveils new plan to boost industrial land supply - [LINK]

📝 Our Comment:

Interesting.


Land prices surge by 7.6% nationwide - [LINK]


🌯🌯🌯🌯 Photo of a recently built Australian home exposes the disturbing future of housing - [LINK]

📝 Our Comment:

This is what developers think of families and family environments. Same old formulaic bullshit. No innovation, just a new name slapped on the same old estates.
Zero-lot-to-zero-lot construction is a joke—impossible to finish properly and completely impractical.

At least someone is flying private to Aspen to ski and tell their friends about it—all at the expense of entire generations forced into sardine-block housing.

Comment from the article:
"Mark, 6 hours ago: 'The never-ending pursuit of profits has ruined everything.'"

Well put, Mark!


LGNSW: costs, delays causing housing backlog - [LINK]

🌯🌯 2024's most affordable rental suburbs revealed - [LINK]


🌯🌯🌯 Are High Interest Rates to Blame for the Rental Crisis? - [LINK]

📜 Article Excerpt:

"Despite popular belief, rising interest rates aren't the primary cause of increasing rents. The RBA's research indicates that rent prices are determined by supply and demand, not by landlords’ mortgage costs."

"The main driver of the rental crisis is rapid population growth, particularly due to record-high immigration levels. This has created strong demand for rental properties, outstripping supply."


Survey Urges Rethink for Net Zero, Housing Boost - [LINK]


29-01-2025

FOI documents show Victorian Building Authority found issues in government housing block before sale settled - [LINK]

📜 Article Excerpt:

"A building practitioner was asked to demonstrate how this installation would disperse rainwater to the building's gutters. (Supplied: Victorian Building Authority)"

📝 Our Comment:

Oh man! This is incompetence at every level. Poor design. Supply chain failures.No enforcement of compliance. No quality management by the builder. No supervision or oversight from certifiers.

This is a total systemic failure.

The company directors and builders should be PUT IN JAIL.

This isn’t building work—this is a scam disguised as a construction business, stealing customers' money under the veneer of legitimacy.

These people are not builders—they are scam artists.


The Battle for Recovery Supplies in a Disaster-Strewn America! - [LINK]

📜 Article Excerpt:

"Kishani Perera, a Los Angeles-based interior designer, suggests that her clients consider rebuilding their homes with unconventional materials. Instead of lumber framing, she proposes aluminium; instead of fibreglass insulation, sheep’s wool; instead of drywall, magnesium board."

📝 Our Comment:

Aluminium is not a fire-resistant material. I’m scared for people following recommendations like this. Materials must be TESTED and have a flammability index suitable for the fire rating (bushfire rating). This is how you determine the best material for fire-prone areas.

You do not just "suggest" what should be used. An interior designer is NOT QUALIFIED to offer this advice. A builder isn’t either—we know general recommendations, but compliance must be signed off by a qualified consultant.

📜 Article Continues:

"For years, she has pitched these alternatives as being more climate-resilient. Now, Perera also plans to recommend them as tariff-resilient: 'All these materials can be found in America,' she said."

📝 Our Comment:

Including statements like this diminishes any credibility the article might have had. This is a stupid conversation about fire-resistant materials and flammability ratings. Just bullshit.


🌯🌯🌯 Sluggish construction among 2025 housing trends, flags CoreLogic - [LINK]


🌯🌯 $10,000 for tradies won’t ease housing shortage anytime soon - [LINK]

📜 Article Excerpt:

"The construction trades apprentice allowance would be given to young people living away from home in 5 increments of $2,000 on top of their normal wages, as they complete significant milestones in their training."

📝 Our Comment:

Oh, now I see. So Master Builders lobbied for this because they will be running the training courses. This is a self-serving money grab. They benefit directly, while it does little to increase trade numbers. This is an own goal, just moving more money into Master Builders' hands. This will have little to no impact on actual trade growth or industry output.


🌯🌯 Economic factors reshaping real estate in 2025 - [LINK]

🌯🌯🌯 PropTrack New Homes Report - January 2025 - [LINK]

Western Australia launches major social and affordable housing initiative - [LINK]

Capital city auction volumes on the rise - [LINK]

🌯🌯🌯🌯🌯 What’s shaking up the housing market in 2025? - CoreLogic - [LINK]


Australia housing infrastructure: Nation faces multibillion-dollar black hole under re-elected Albanese government - [LINK]

📝 Our Comment:

From the title alone, it’s clear who this publication supports. I thought realestate.com.au was about real estate, not politics. This reads as propaganda.


30-01-2025

Strong start for Housing Delivery Authority - [LINK]


🌯🌯 LGNSW warns against hasty housing reforms - [LINK]

📜 Article Excerpt:

"President Miller also cautioned against any moves that would seek to scrap or defer the essential infrastructure contributions that provide the infrastructure, green space, pools, and community facilities."

📝 Our Comment:

Developers would love nothing more than to increase yield by removing all green space. The problem with this short-sighted approach is its long-term impact on communities. Living in a paved jungle has mental and emotional consequences—people need green space. Developers are constantly looking for creative ways to make:
Sites smaller, Carriageways (roads) narrower, Parking more limited.

This is a short-term profit win at the long-term expense of residents. Developers' families should be required to live in their developments for two years. Let them experience the reality of what their designs actually feel like—beyond just lines on paper.


🌯🌯🌯 Land prices soar, outpacing CPI and building costs - [LINK]

📜 Article Excerpt:

"HIA economist Maurice Tapang said that land prices have been rising at more than double the rate of inflation, as measured by the ABS Consumer Price Index (CPI) and five times faster than the increase in home building material costs, as measured by the Producer Price Index (PPI)."


Fed Gov delivering $10k apprentice incentives - [LINK]


More balanced approach to apprenticeship funding needed, says HVIA - [LINK]

📜 Article Excerpt:

"We want trades in Australia to be a high-level, attractive career choice for everyone," Hacking added. "But this requires thoughtful engagement from the government, not quick-fix solutions."

📝 Our Comment:

We couldn’t agree more. Construction does not exist without freight and logistics companies. No materials get delivered to site without truck drivers. This needs a bigger-picture solution—not just throwing money at apprenticeships.


Upgrading noise walls in Sargent Street, Doncaster - [LINK]

More development reform needed to curb housing crisis, Wollongong advocate says - [LINK]

🌯🌯🌯🌯 Winners and Losers in Australia’s Housing Market: A Deeper Dive - [LINK]

Melbourne predicted to almost be $1m housing city again by 2026: KPMG house price forecast - [LINK]


Requests from you - If you have any requests on areas you would like me to explain, feel free to let me know and ill do my best to respond in kind.

Constructor Forum

Got a question? Head over to the forum and ask away! There aren’t any categories—just post your question, and I’ll give it some thought, maybe scratch my head a bit, and get back to you as best I can.

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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/.

Comprehensive Quality Management Checklists for Building
On this page you will fund our full suite of our Quality Management Checklists to guide you through every step of building your new home—from pre-purchase all the way to 6-months maintenance. Last Updated 19-12-2024

Please note: You’ll need to be a member and to log in to access the content.

This is necessary to protect our work from being scraped by AI bots, which are currently unregulated and contributing to one of the largest instances of intellectual property theft in history. These checklists represent nearly two years of effort to input and format, and we want to ensure they are used responsibly.

Although we have half a clue, we'd love to add a Tar Pit to our blogging platform to slow down the AI bots that constantly crawl the website.

All of this unwanted, automated nonsense consumes bandwidth, slows down page speed, and clogs up the internet—while the companies behind it profit, harvest our data, and sell it back to us with a smug look of superiority on their faces.

To download, simply enter your email when prompted. This allows us to assign you a free license—nothing more. Once completed, you’ll be able to view and download the checklists.

Each checklist is formatted on A4-sized paper for easy printing. Be aware that the files are larger than typical PDFs, around 25–35 MB each, as they are saved in CMYK (print-ready) format. This ensures the best quality for printing, even if it makes the files a bit “chunkier.”

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