What's the biggest component of inflation in Australia at the moment? Housing.

(Groceries follow close behind.)

Here's an interesting breakdown from Alan Kohler on the ABC:

https://youtu.be/cvwLsCfw4Xo

#housing #HousePrices #HousingAffordability #economics #news @australia @news #AusPol @urbanism

"ABC election analyst Antony Green says Labor will either form a minority or majority government in New South Wales.

"Chris Minns will be the 47th Premier of the state after leading his party to an election win after 12 years in opposition."

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/908423

From the ABC: "Sydney's train network has again been hit by delays due to "urgent signal repairs" at Homebush, with some trains cancelled.

"Sydney Trains is warning passengers to seek "alternative arrangements", with commuters facing long delays at stations across the city."

It's about protecting Australia's trade with China... From China!

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/903256

"Queensland Rail has released horrifying footage of erratic and irresponsible drivers smashing through boom arms at level crossings, prompting a desperate plea for caution around the tracks.

"Queensland Rail Senior Manager Security and Emergency Preparedness Drew Brock said the footage painted a distressing picture of drivers blatantly ignoring safety signs and signals as they dashed across the train tracks."

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/843647

Greener buildings, barrier-protected cycle lanes and pedestrianised streets are on the agenda in the new masterplan for Maroubra Junction.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/900935

Looks like the NIMBYs are out in force in Sydney's wealthy inner eastern suburbs.

They're complaining about over-development in the wealthy inner suburbs in the roughly 6 kilometre area between the Sydney CBD and Bondi Beach.

These are Australia's wealthiest suburbs, including Bellevue Hill, which has a median house price of A$7.6 million (US$5.1 million): https://www.afr.com/property/residential/sydney-dominates-melbourne-for-the-20-most-expensive-postcodes-20211213-p59h08

They're opposed to new apartments being built above a train station, and new bike paths in the area.

In fact, despite being ideally placed near the Sydney CBD, they're opposed to any development unless their area gets more roads:

"At a candidates’ forum at Double Bay Bowling Club last week, most questions centred on the planning system and what the aspiring MPs would do to stop 'overdevelopment' in the east.

"Sloane doubled down on her comments from last year that the eastern suburbs should not be “punished” with more housing. She also said she was not there to defend previous government decisions.

"Independent candidate Karen Freyer – an ex-staffer to former Wentworth MP Kerryn Phelps – drew an even harder line against development, saying unless the east had more schools and better roads, housing growth targets should be set at zero.

"That included a council plan for up to 500 apartments directly above Edgecliff train station. 'That’s not the only infrastructure people living at Edgecliff will need,' Freyer said.

"Last week’s candidate forum also heard complaints about a possible skate park in Rushcutters Bay –which has been on the agenda for 10 years – and the proposed Oxford Street East Cycleway from Taylor Square to Centennial Park Gates."

https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/i-m-a-liberal-but-development-divides-party-in-sydney-s-east-20230317-p5ct4c.html

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/898058

An interesting look at where the two major parties stand on transport, ahead of the New South Wales state election on Saturday.

"The Perrottet government will push ahead with business cases for four lines to link up with the future western Sydney airport. Labor will only proceed with two, with the Coalition accusing it of deserting western Sydney, an area earmarked for extraordinary residential development in coming years."

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/903180

"The surge in popularity of larger vehicles in Australia has been driven by tax perks that incentivise buying SUVs, utes and other 4WDs instead of less-polluting smaller-sized cars and sedans, transport experts argue.

"SUVs accounted for more than 50% of new vehicles sold in Australia last year, a share which has almost doubled over the past decade. The uptick has prompted calls to tackle the trend by limiting tax incentives, building bus lane-style narrow lanes and more parking spots exclusively for small cars."

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/903189

"A Monash University team pioneering an eco-friendly alternative to the millions of railway sleepers across Australia has received a $500,000 research and development grant from the Victorian Government."

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/900935

Looks like the NIMBYs are out in force in Sydney's wealthy inner eastern suburbs.

They're complaining about over-development in the wealthy inner suburbs in the roughly 6 kilometre area between the Sydney CBD and Bondi Beach.

These are Australia's wealthiest suburbs, including Bellevue Hill, which has a median house price of A$7.6 million (US$5.1 million): https://www.afr.com/property/residential/sydney-dominates-melbourne-for-the-20-most-expensive-postcodes-20211213-p59h08

They're opposed to new apartments being built above a train station, and new bike paths in the area.

In fact, despite being ideally placed near the Sydney CBD, they're opposed to any development unless their area gets more roads:

"At a candidates’ forum at Double Bay Bowling Club last week, most questions centred on the planning system and what the aspiring MPs would do to stop 'overdevelopment' in the east.

"Sloane doubled down on her comments from last year that the eastern suburbs should not be “punished” with more housing. She also said she was not there to defend previous government decisions.

"Independent candidate Karen Freyer – an ex-staffer to former Wentworth MP Kerryn Phelps – drew an even harder line against development, saying unless the east had more schools and better roads, housing growth targets should be set at zero.

"That included a council plan for up to 500 apartments directly above Edgecliff train station. 'That’s not the only infrastructure people living at Edgecliff will need,' Freyer said.

"Last week’s candidate forum also heard complaints about a possible skate park in Rushcutters Bay –which has been on the agenda for 10 years – and the proposed Oxford Street East Cycleway from Taylor Square to Centennial Park Gates."

https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/i-m-a-liberal-but-development-divides-party-in-sydney-s-east-20230317-p5ct4c.html

Air pollution in New South Wales is estimated to cause 603 premature deaths and increase health costs by $4.8bn each year, according to a long-term government study.

Published online the day before the Perrottet government went into caretaker mode ahead of this month’s state election, the Sydney air quality study suggests most people in the city’s greater metropolitan region are exposed to air pollution at levels considered unsafe by the World Health Organization.

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has revealed draft electricity price increases of between 20 and 22 per cent over the coming financial year, while Victorian consumers can expect a 30 per cent price surge.

China has made no secret of its plans to diplomatically thwart Australia's AUKUS submarine plan, which it sees as part of a broader US effort to contain China's future military dominance of Asia.

Beijing's mission to the United Nations yesterday slammed the announcement that Australia will obtain several American nuclear-powered submarines as part of the deal, saying it "fuels arms races and hurts peace and stability".

Bad news for anyone living in Sydney, with more train headaches in store.