Out-Of-Touch Planning Blamed For High Home Prices In Australia

Planning and land use regulations are being blamed for Australia's high home prices, and also for the fact that four of its major cities are in a list of the 25 most unaffordable cities. Some feel planners are not planning with the people in mind.

1 minute read

January 23, 2007, 2:00 PM PST

By Nate Berg

"Australia has arrived at its present poor position despite having one of the most efficient and low-cost house building industries in the world."

"The cost increases are partly produced by rising government taxes, charges and regulatory requirements on houses. But, above all, they are due to planning restrictions."

"Gradually over a 40-year period the role of urban planners has switched. Planners used to determine where people wished to live and arranged roads, sewerage, school developments and other infrastructure to meet the demands. More urban planners have tried to dictate where people live, and designating this to be confined to within an 'urban growth boundary'."

"This sort of development is in line with the preferences of those who want to transplant to Australia the densely packed European-style city. Such people see this as ideal to promote culture and facilitate public transport."

FULL STORY: Planning rules price more people out of housing market

Tuesday, January 23, 2007 in The Age

Government / Politics Housing Australia

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