Property & Projects - What's News - 16 August 2013

In the media - National

Surplus Commonwealth Land should be used for Housing Tens of thousands of new homes could potentially be accommodated on underutilised Commonwealth Government land across Australia's major cities, according to the UDIA, calling on the Government to undertake thorough, regular auditing of its land assets (30 July 2013). More...

Future of Government's Mineral Resource Rent Tax decided in High Court Mr Forrest and his Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) had argued the tax discriminated between states and interfered with the rights of states to control their own mineral resources. The court unanimously rejected the challenge, saying the act does not give preference to one state over another, and ordered Mr Forrest to pay costs (07 August 2013). More...

Could Australia follow NZ on property damage definition Insurers could end up paying more claims in the future after legal experts said it was possible that Australian law will adopt New Zealand's definition of property damage (07 August 2013). More...

UDIA: hidden Government charges destroying Australian home ownership Exorbitant charges levied by governments on new housing are adding as much as $65,000 to the cost of a new home, worsening the housing affordability crisis and locking young families out of home ownership, according to the UDIA, calling for the...