Build-to-Rent short series | Subdivisional solutions

The Gadens Build-to-Rent short series will focus on emerging property and development issues that affect Build-to-rent (BTR) projects – covering planning, subdivision structuring, fund through models and management issues. Click through the following links to read each instalment.  Build-to-Rent short series | Has the planning scheme caught up? Subdivisional solutions BTR Projects often seek to […]

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Build-to-Rent short series | Has the planning scheme caught up?

The Gadens Build-to-Rent short series will focus on emerging property and development issues that affect Build-to-rent (BTR) projects – covering planning, subdivision structuring, fund-through models and management issues. Click through the following links to read each instalment.  Build-to-Rent short series | Subdivisional solutions Has the planning scheme caught up? As BTR projects are increasing in popularity […]

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Carbon Project Agreements – Landholder Risks and Recommendations

Gadens is active in the Australian Carbon Market advising Carbon Service Providers (CSPs), regulators, financiers, traders and other participants. Gadens has recently been busy acting for landholders (mainly farmers) who are drafting and negotiating Carbon Project Agreements (CPAs) with CSPs (who test carbon levels and establish Carbon Projects with the Clean Energy Regulator (Regulator)) to […]

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VCAT returns to in-person planning and valuation hearings

After more than 2 years of online hearings, this week VCAT reintroduced in-person planning and valuation hearings where appropriate. This Gadens planning update provides an overview of what hearings will now be held in person, what we can except in the hearing rooms and the COVID-19 safety measures that have been implemented. What hearings and […]

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Major reform of NSW construction legislation on the horizon

The New South Wales Government has recently introduced three new bills and one accompanying regulation which aims to improve the standards and accountability of participants in the construction industry within the state. The bills, which are currently in the consultation phase until 25 November of this year, are the: Building Bill 2022; Building Compliance and […]

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Unions seeking to expand into the real estate industry

There has been a recent push in NSW by the United Services Union (USU) and the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) to expand into the real estate industry – an industry that has traditionally seen low levels of union activities. Spokespersons from both unions have raised concerns about harassment and unsafe practices within […]

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The 2022 NCC – Mandating energy efficient homes

The National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 will be available from 1 October 2022, with a raft of new performance requirements designed to improve liveability and reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. This update focuses on the new energy efficiency requirements in the NCC 2022. The proposed changes to NCC 2022 to address energy wastage are […]

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Changes to Victorian planning law to support environmentally sustainable developments

The Minister for Planning has approved Amendment VC216 (Amendment), with the changes to the Victorian Planning Provisions taking effect from 10 June 2022. What does the Amendment do? The Amendment makes changes to the Victoria Planning Provisions and all local Planning Schemes to support environmentally sustainable development (ESD) outcomes. For the first time, all local […]

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VCAT Fast Track List for post-permit applications

From 1 July 2022, VCAT will establish a Fast Track List to expedite a number of post-permit applications. These changes are designed to improve the efficiency of VCAT’s procedures and to provide certainty to applicants and developers – particularly after a permit has been secured for a development site. The following applications under the Planning and […]

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The duty of care under the DBP Act can extend to owner developers who have ‘substantial control’ over the carrying out of building work

In The Owners – Strata Plan No 84674 v Pafburn Pty Ltd [2022] NSWSC 659, the plaintiff (Owners Corporation) commenced proceedings against Pafburn Pty Limited (First Defendant) (Builder) and Madarina Pty Limited (Second Defendant) (Developer) in relation to alleged defective construction work in respect of a strata development in North Sydney. The Developer was the owner […]

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Green loan financing – taking root in fertile soil

Green finance is financing where the proceeds are used by a borrower in financing projects that make a contribution to an environmental objective. This is an important way in which finance markets are contributing to the objectives of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, seeking to align finance with low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development. […]

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Queensland’s Project Trust Account phased rollout delayed

Project Trust Accounts (PTAs) are currently required for eligible contracts for: State Government and Hospital and Health Services valued at $1 million or more (ex. GST); and since 1 January 2022, the requirement to have a PTA has been extended to the private sector and local government building contracts valued at $10 million or more […]

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