Property & Projects - What's News - 2 June 2015

In the media – National

Green bonds: ANZ joins the global rush ANZ HAS announced it would in the next two weeks issue its first green bond, joining NAB, Westpac and Stockland with a product that continues to storm global investment markets (22 May 2015). More...

Big business looking to voluntary carbon market for offsets More than 90 per cent of the country's biggest polluters are undertaking voluntary emissions reductions regardless of government policy measures like the Emissions Reduction Fund, according to a new survey from the Carbon Market Institute in conjunction with RMIT (21 May 2015). More...

Water market reforms continue to deliver benefits to irrigators The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has publicly released its fifth Water Monitoring Report. This report will help inform its current review of the Commonwealth's water charge rules. (21 May 2015). More...

Record housing construction forecast to continue for F2016 New analysis of key residential development market indicators released this May points to continued record levels of housing construction into the 2016 financial year (21 May 2015). More...

ASIC updates guidance for carbon market participants ASIC today released updated regulatory guidance for carbon market participants. Given the broad range of financial services that may be provided in carbon markets, ASIC encourages carbon market participants to obtain their own professional advice on how the Corporations Act and other applicable laws apply to their particular circumstances (20 May 2015). More...

The RET is set by Government The bipartisan deal has set the RET at 33,000 gigawatts, lower than the 41,000 gigawatts Labor wanted, exempted trade-exposed industries such as aluminium smelting from the target and called for annual reports from the Clean Energy Regulator on the impact of the scheme on electricity prices and progress towards the target (19 May 2015). More...

Public consultation on transition of Carbon Farming Initiative methods into the Emissions Reduction Fund The transitioning methods are being updated to ensure that they are consistent with the Emissions Reduction Fund legislation, easy to use and more streamlined (19 May 2015). More...

Hunt signs Great Barrier Reef permanent and historic dredge disposal ban Regulations to implement the Coalition's historic ban on the disposal of capital dredge material in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park have been signed off by the Government. In finalising the new regulations, the Government has taken into account more than 7000 submissions received as part of a thorough consultation process (17 May 2015). More...

Inquiry On Home Ownership The House of Representatives Economics Committee has announced a new inquiry into home ownership. The Chair of the Committee, John Alexander, said that home ownership is an issue that lies at the core of the Australian dream and represents the largest investment that most taxpayers will make during their lifetime. The Committee invites submissions to the inquiry by Friday 26 June 2015, and the proposed reporting date is 03 December 2015(13 May 2015).

Climate Bonds and NABERS launch in Australia Climate Bonds and NABERS open doors for Australian property owners into lucrative international bond finance. The Climate Bonds Standard for Low Carbon Green Buildings has been launched and Australian buildings are in an unmatched position to lead the world in attracting low-carbon investment (13 May 2015). More...

Budget ignores cities and climate change With no plan for city infrastructure and no additional funding to tackle climate change or sustainable building upgrades, the 2015 Budget is one of missed opportunities, says the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) (13 May 2015). More...

NHMRC receives 4 applications for wind farm research grants The National Health and Medical Research Council has received applications from four institutions for its targeted call for research funding into the health impacts of wind farms (11 May 2015). More...

In the media – Victoria

Recognising Objectors Bill introduced to give communities a fair go The Government has tabled the Recognising Objectors Bill 2015 in Parliament which seeks to add a new decision-making consideration into the Planning and Environment Act 1987 requiring responsible authorities and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) to have regard to, where appropriate, the number of objectors to a permit application when considering whether the proposal may have a significant social effect. More

$570 Million In Apartments Approved For Fishermans Bend More than half a billion dollars worth of development has been approved for Fishermans Bend, allowing more people to live closer to Melbourne's CBD (22 May 2015). More...

ACCC will not oppose Federation Centres' proposed acquisition of Novion Property Group The ACCC has announced that it will not oppose Federation Centres' proposed acquisition of Novion Property Group after accepting court-enforceable undertakings from the parties to divest one of their shopping centres in South East Melbourne (21 May 2015). More...

Public Review Of The EPA To Commence The public review of Victoria's Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is about to commence, with the appointment of an advisory committee led by former Secretary of the Department of Justice, Penny Armytage. The review will examine the powers and resourcing of the state's environmental regulator (20 May 2015). More...

Heritage Protection For Former Ballarat Orphanage The former Ballarat orphanage and school will receive heritage protection, making way for new development while conserving a historic site near the Ballarat CBD (20 May 2015). More...

National Stronger Regions Fund: Round Two now open Local councils and incorporated not-for-profit organisations can now apply for funding of between $20,000 and $10 million for capital infrastructure projects under Round Two of the $1 billion National Stronger Regions Fund (21 May 2015). More...

New guidelines increase transparency around EPA's decision making process New guidelines explaining the Section 30A approvals process have increased certainty and transparency around Environment Protection Authority Victoria's (EPA) decision making process (20 May 2015). More...

Fewer Trucks On Local Streets In The Inner West The Andrews Labor Government is taking the first steps to reduce truck traffic on local streets in the inner west. Seven construction companies have been shortlisted to build the West Gate Distributor Stage 1. The Expressions of Interest process closed late February with submissions received from a strong field (18 May 2015). More...

Victoria Puts RET Back On The Agenda To Secure Jobs The Andrews Labor Government has today called on the Federal Government to remove section 7c from the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 (Cth), which prevents State Governments from having their own schemes similar to the Renewable Energy Target (RET) (14 May 2015). More...

Melbourne City Council executive calls for more high-rise living in leafy suburbs A Melbourne City Council executive has called for increased density and development to be forced on leafy middle...