The Property Council of Australia has welcomed the NSW Government’s release of the Sydney Plan and State Land Use Plan as strong steps towards a more coordinated, feasibility-led approach to planning, but cautioned the real test will be turning plans into homes, jobs and infrastructure on the ground.

Australian dust and sand storms are intensifying with warming, affecting transport, infrastructure, energy, farming and health. Storms that travel outwards from Central Australia are causing damage to homes, buildings, farming equipment, and solar panels. More research, satellite monitoring, and policy updates are required to protect communities and assets across Australia’s arid regions.

HIA welcomes Sydney’s new planning plan, emphasising the need for a longer-term approach to housing supply. The plan aims to increase housing diversity and choice, including greenfield development, and calls for a clear pipeline of land releases. HIA stresses feasibility and collaboration with the NSW Government to deliver affordable homes across Sydney.

A new Telecommunications Industry report finds seven million regional Australians are left without reliable telco access, with long repair waits and limited emergency contact. It urges a full regulatory overhaul, pause charges during technician delays, a national service-standard database, and independent Statutory Infrastructure Provider benchmarks.

South Australia plans new regulatory changes to enable early works for data centres, aiming to streamline approvals and speed up construction. The move could accelerate project timelines for data-centre development while clarifying compliance steps for developers and planners.

Australia’s 2.5b bailout of aluminium uses specialist investment vehicles to secure long-term, stable power pricing tied to the energy transition. This will back renewables and provide concessional finance, aiming for 50% renewables by 2030 and 100% by 2035. The plan could be cost-neutral over ten years and offers a model for regional industry diversification beyond traditional bailouts.

HIA discusses prefab and modular construction, looking into design-led modules, build quality, costs, speed, and solutions for housing supply. The emphasis is that modular homes can be affordable and suitable beyond institutional uses, offering practical insights for Australian builders and developers.

The ACT Government pledges to boost funding for local arts organisations, honouring a previous commitment. The move aims to strengthen the local arts sector, support community-ready cultural initiatives, and enhance access to arts across Canberra.

Due to state government requirements for new housing projects to include off-street parking, thousands of car spaces are being left vacant while other areas struggle for space. By removing the parking rules for new projects, less space will be wasted, leaving more room for homes to be developed, fitting with the liveable cities trend required for high-density living in Australia.

Many challenges facing contemporary housing, including social isolation, affordability pressures, and environmental stress, suggest that distinction between shared and private space is no longer sufficient. Join the webinar for discussion with architects focusing on belonging in everyday life and how spatial relationships influence perception and patterns of use.

New research on green roofs shows long-term success hinges on ongoing maintenance and stable ownership. While incentives help get roofs built, many fail or are abandoned after ownership changes due to budget cuts and neglected upkeep. All practice should prioritise long-term maintenance plans and funding to realise cooling, flood protection and biodiversity benefits.

Australia’s Household Energy Upgrades Fund (HEUF) has helped households cut energy costs by up to 80%, with average annual savings of $1,700–$2,300. By June 2026, total savings are about $16.4 million annually. The fund finances household solar, batteries, insulation, double-glazed windows and efficient appliances, with more to come.