Lachlan McKenzie

It's World Town Planning Day today - not something I would have acknowledged in previous roles! But living and working in a bustling, developing city that has seen phenomenal growth over the last 30 years, and will continue to see it for at least the next 30, I'm amazed at the challenges, considerations and outcomes our planning team have to work through every day. These guys have to live in the future. Very few residents are thinking about the challenges that come with a growing population. There aren't many people who are designing things for use in 10, or 20 years, but that's what this team is doing every day. They're like futurologists with blueprints. There's federal, state, local regulations to consider; there are environmental and sustainable issues to consider; increasingly there are technological and social challenges to respond to, and all while making our public spaces beautiful and useable and accessible and, in the case of much of Mandurah, iconic. Thanks planning team - you do an incredible job! #thingsyoudidntknowyourcouncildoes

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🚆 There is a lot of controversy and differences of opinion over Victoria's Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) Project. 🤝 In contrast, Sydney's Metro projects have tended to have much greater support. Why is that, and what can we learn for future rail projects? Here are three reasons why I think the SRL is suffering: ❌ The SRL was created by politicians drawing lines on maps as part of an election campaign. There was very little work done in advance and certainly no business case. This got the project off to a bad start. ❌ Little consensus exists on the rail projects that should be built in Melbourne. For example, many people would prefer to prioritise the rail line to the airport. ❌ There are significant doubts about Victoria's ability to fund the project or the impact of funding the project on other priorities. 🧑‍🏫 What can we learn from the SRL controversy? I would argue that many of the problems stem from the original sin of politicians drawing lines on maps before getting expert advice. Let me know what you think in the comments below. Marion Terrill Dr Chris Hale David Hayward Graham Currie FTSE https://lnkd.in/g6PGiFZ9

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Victorian councils understand the urgent need for all levels of government to address the deepening housing crisis in Australia. Because every single Victorian deserves access to affordable and suitable housing. We acknowledge that targets, as part of a range of responses, can be a useful tool in driving the creation of new homes in our State. But the road to target-driven outcomes must be paved with collaborative planning and the recognition of local realities. Today’s news that the State Government could remove planning powers from councils that fail to meet targets is worthy of discussion, but a more constructive idea is to recognise the value of partnership and collaboration.    Local governments hold invaluable local knowledge and insights that are an essential input into effective housing strategies. As the closest tier of government to the community, councils are uniquely positioned to translate housing targets into meaningful local developments that respect and enhance the character and needs of each area. We steadfastly believe the community is best served by a shared approach, where the State Government and councils work hand-in-glove to address the housing deficit together.  Stripping councils of their planning powers is not the solution. Instead, we should focus on strengthening the capabilities of local councils to work in line with the State Government’s objectives, bolstering their role in planning decisions and ensuring there is meaningful community engagement in the process. As we move forward, the MAV is committed to this partnership model as part of an approach that champions the expertise of local governments and nurtures the cooperative spirit that has always been present when we have solved big problems like this in the past. I invite the State Government to join us in ensuring a future where the creation of new housing is not just a mandated metric, but a collaborative effort between governments to get us out of the housing mess we’ve been in for far too long. #HousingCrisis #CommunityFirst #LocalGovernment #Victoria #UrbanPlanning #Collaboration

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💭 Modern slavery is a serious violation of an individual's dignity and human rights. Exploitative practices such as human trafficking, slavery, forced labour, forced marriage and debt bondage are all forms of modern slavery, and sadly they all happen in Australia. #1800FREEDOM help line, launched by Office of the NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner, provides an empowerment mechanism for people who might be at risk of or experiencing modern slavery to access confidential support and assistance. For more information on how to report or access help and support 👉https://lnkd.in/g6sH5T9u #SocialJustice #HumanRights #ModernSlavery

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Meet Sydney's new housing tsars. Today, the NSW Government announced a new state-led approval pathway for major residential housing projects, as well as a process for rezonings. Three highly respected public servants Simon Draper, Kiersten Fishburn and Tom Gellibrand will lead the new Housing Delivery Authority and oversee housing developments: - Over $60 million (on average 100 or more homes) in Greater Sydney; or - Over $30 million (on average 40 or more homes) in regional NSW. This is a big move and close to what Housing Now! was calling for when they suggested a Co-ordinator General for Housing. David Borger The purpose of this new centralised Authority is to give extra powers to accomplished public servants so they can cut through red tape and council bureaucracy to approve projects to get more homes built quickly. For rezonings, a new pathway will allow selected projects that would deliver significant housing uplift to go through a DPHI-led fast-track rezoning pathway that cuts out councils. A consultation process with industry is still required to iron out any issues, but the new pathways are expected to be active in early 2025. Media release: https://lnkd.in/gNXhfQCQ

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Consistently supporting a definition of ‘affordable housing’ that is linked to household income, targeted to households on low to moderate incomes (i.e. the lowest 40% of the Australian income distribution), and ensuring they spend no more than 30% of their household income on housing costs. This income group continues to miss out and it’s imperative that tax payer funds, subsidies and concessions for housing projects are used to target this group amid the wider housing challenges we currently face. #Affordable #Housing #Definition #IncomeBased #CommunityHousing #Queensland

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AITPM provides Industry Guidance: Queensland's 50 Cent Public Transport Fare Trial 🚌 In a bold move to reduce road congestion and provide cost-of-living relief, the Queensland Government has launched a six-month trial slashing public transport fares to just 50 cents across all TransLink services, starting August 5, 2024. 🔍 A working group of AITPM members has crafted a comprehensive data collection guidance paper to evaluate this initiative's impact on public transport usage, commuter behaviour, and traffic patterns. This is a golden opportunity to gather insights that could shape sustainable transport policies for the future. Our guidance paper is intended to provide an independent industry perspective for the Department's consideration, to assist in their implementation of the trial. 📊 Key metrics such as ridership numbers, demographic data, travel patterns, and environmental impact should be closely monitored. Advanced data sources, including mobile phone location data, can be leveraged for an in-depth analysis. 🌏 The trial is not just about immediate benefits; it's a chance to deepen our understanding of transport economics and fare price elasticities, particularly in the Australian context. The findings could inform future pricing strategies and transport policies, enhancing community well-being and contributing to global research on transport economics. 👥 Surveys could capture both revealed and stated preferences, providing a rich dataset to understand the trial's influence on work-from-home rates, university attendance, and overall commuting patterns. 📢 This is a pivotal moment for Queensland's transport system, and the insights gained could lead to innovative solutions for public transport systems across Australia and worldwide. #PublicTransport #DataDrivenPolicy #Transport #AITPM #SocialInclusion https://lnkd.in/gFRVVaEy

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New Local Land Services board chairs and members announced and LLS review released https://bit.ly/3xWsSTp (NSW Government Media Release) The NSW Government has announced new appointments and reappointments to the 11 Local Land Services (LLS) regional boards, as well as the release of a review into LLS boards and committees. After a substantial statewide recruitment drive that drew 157 applicants, the new board members, comprising a mix of ministerial appointees and elected individuals, are set to continue LLS's work in providing community-tailored agricultural and environmental services. The review commissioned by Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty has confirmed LLS's effectiveness and suggested several governance refinements aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing costs without overhauling the existing structure. For Landcare NSW, this announcement is particularly welcome because it reaffirms the government's commitment to maintaining strong, regionally focused governance in land management. The decision to refine rather than overhaul LLS governance ensures continuity and stability in service delivery, which is crucial for effective natural resource management and agricultural productivity.

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New Local Land Services board chairs and members announced and LLS review released https://bit.ly/3xWsSTp (NSW Government Media Release) The NSW Government has announced new appointments and reappointments to the 11 Local Land Services (LLS) regional boards, as well as the release of a review into LLS boards and committees. After a substantial statewide recruitment drive that drew 157 applicants, the new board members, comprising a mix of ministerial appointees and elected individuals, are set to continue LLS's work in providing community-tailored agricultural and environmental services. The review commissioned by Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty has confirmed LLS's effectiveness and suggested several governance refinements aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing costs without overhauling the existing structure. For Landcare NSW, this announcement is particularly welcome because it reaffirms the government's commitment to maintaining strong, regionally focused governance in land management. The decision to refine rather than overhaul LLS governance ensures continuity and stability in service delivery, which is crucial for effective natural resource management and agricultural productivity.

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New Local Land Services board chairs and members announced and LLS review released https://bit.ly/3xWsSTp (NSW Government Media Release) The NSW Government has announced new appointments and reappointments to the 11 Local Land Services (LLS) regional boards, as well as the release of a review into LLS boards and committees. After a substantial statewide recruitment drive that drew 157 applicants, the new board members, comprising a mix of ministerial appointees and elected individuals, are set to continue LLS's work in providing community-tailored agricultural and environmental services. The review commissioned by Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty has confirmed LLS's effectiveness and suggested several governance refinements aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing costs without overhauling the existing structure. For Landcare NSW, this announcement is particularly welcome because it reaffirms the government's commitment to maintaining strong, regionally focused governance in land management. The decision to refine rather than overhaul LLS governance ensures continuity and stability in service delivery, which is crucial for effective natural resource management and agricultural productivity.

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New Local Land Services board chairs and members announced and LLS review released https://bit.ly/3xWsSTp (NSW Government Media Release) The NSW Government has announced new appointments and reappointments to the 11 Local Land Services (LLS) regional boards, as well as the release of a review into LLS boards and committees. After a substantial statewide recruitment drive that drew 157 applicants, the new board members, comprising a mix of ministerial appointees and elected individuals, are set to continue LLS's work in providing community-tailored agricultural and environmental services. The review commissioned by Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty has confirmed LLS's effectiveness and suggested several governance refinements aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing costs without overhauling the existing structure. For Landcare NSW, this announcement is particularly welcome because it reaffirms the government's commitment to maintaining strong, regionally focused governance in land management. The decision to refine rather than overhaul LLS governance ensures continuity and stability in service delivery, which is crucial for effective natural resource management and agricultural productivity.

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Royal Far West welcomes the release of the Federal Government's Early Years Strategy (7 May) which sets out a ten year roadmap for children aged 0-5 years, aimed at achieving a nationally consistent early years system. The strategy highlights many areas for reform in the sector like the need for a more coordinated approach, greater collaboration between Commonwealth, State and local governments, supporting local solutions and the need for better data. It is based on solid principles and good outcomes like improving access and disadvantage, which is especially important for country kids. We look forward to the first Action Plan from the Strategy, to be released later this year, and how funds will be allocated. Early learning is one of the best gifts we can give our children. It is in this timeframe that many building blocks are laid. For country kids experiencing developmental challenges, a lack of access to services, long wait times and cost are inhibitive factors in getting help. The combination of these factors and other social determinants are inextricably linked to poorer mental health, poorer educational outcomes and ultimately poorer life outcomes. Early intervention and preventative supports are key. It is important that any action plan recognises the importance of allied health as part of the solution for both early and preventative intervention in rural and remote areas of Australia. Where a child lives should not be a barrier to access services nor a cause for disadvantage. https://lnkd.in/gtXpbuNm #AnneAly #earlylearning #amandarishworth #auspol 

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Today I announced new guidance to help agencies make smarter use of taxpayer dollars through private sector strategic leasing partnerships for infrastructure. This 'PPP-lite' approach ensures New Zealanders can get the quality infrastructure they need, where and when it's needed, while retaining flexibility to changing circumstances. Strategic leasing complements our recent PPP Framework refresh, adding another tool in our infrastructure tool belt to better deliver a different class of assets. Read the guidance and the full release below.

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STATEMENT FROM VRCA Regional Victorian Building Industry in Crisis: Urgent Government Intervention Needed The Victorian Regional Chamber Alliance (VRCA) is calling for immediate Government action as the residential building industry throughout the State faces an unprecedented crisis. Despite the high demand for housing, regional and rural areas are witnessing a major downturn in all aspects of the housing and residential building industry. Land sales in new subdivisions have virtually stopped and agents are reporting a notable increase in land resales, where the current market value is significantly below the initial purchase price. Prospective homebuilders are therefore experiencing increased difficulty in securing bank finance to build and alarmingly, there has been an unprecedented number of defaults on land settlements. This downward spiral flows onto builders, who are unable to secure stable work which in turn impedes the commencement of much-needed dwelling construction projects across regional Victoria. Earlier this year Victoria experienced its lowest dwelling approvals in over a decade. January saw a staggering 9.8% decline in approvals compared to the previous month, illustrating a severe slowdown in construction activity. This trend underlines the financial strain faced by industry players, threatening the stability of the entire sector. Furthermore, the erosion of confidence in the building sector has led to a notable shift in consumer behaviour, with prospective buyers increasingly favouring established homes over new land and build options. The absence of first-home buyers, residential investors and upgraders in the current land market further exacerbates the challenges faced by industry stakeholders. “The Victorian Government must urgently intervene to address these pressing issues and safeguard the future of the building industry,” says the VRCA. “The Government has set a target of 80,000 new homes in Victoria in the next 10 years. Who is going to build them? Small construction companies are going out of business, looking to commercial work to survive or exiting the industry. “Supply chain issues continue to cause gaps in the construction process, and sub-contractors are stood down until materials arrive, so they too are looking for work outside of residential projects. “Immediate measures such as reassessing land tax policies, revisiting windfall-gains tax regulations, and implementing targeted financial support are essential to restore confidence and stimulate activity. “We call upon the Victorian Government to the prioritise regional and rural Victoria and take decisive action to mitigate the current crisis. Failure to act swiftly risks long term damage to the State's economy and housing market,” the VRCA said. Contact Jodie Gillett for further information

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The Government has released the transport update to the ACT Infrastructure Plan, outlining work completed since 2019 and further short, medium and long-term investments in the Territory’s transport system. The release of the ACT Infrastructure Plan Update: Transport outlines projects the Government will continue to invest in to make it easier for Canberrans to get from A to B, whether on foot or by bicycle, car, bus or light rail. This includes the extension of the light rail network south through the city to Commonwealth Park, the National Triangle and on to Woden. Other initiatives include the Garden City and Kingston Cycleways, the Molonglo River Bridge, and road upgrades right across Canberra. The release of the transport sector update reinforces the Government’s commitment to delivering the transport options needed for our growing city, which is on track to reach 500,000 people by 2027. For more information about what we’re building today to transform tomorrow, visit: builtforcbr.act.gov.au.

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What is the government going to do to bring excessively high public service remuneration packages into line with community expectations? AND What can the government do to stop excessively overpaid elites lecturing us about disadvantage?

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🌟 NSW Local Government Elections – 14 September 2024🌟 Local Government elections are more than just a democratic exercise; they are a cornerstone of our communities’ growth and development. 🏘️ Why? Empowering Citizens: These elections give residents a voice in shaping the future of their neighbourhoods. Every vote contributes to the collective vision of a better, more inclusive community. Strategic Decision-Making: Elected councils play a pivotal role in making strategic decisions that impact everything from infrastructure to public services. These decisions set the direction for the community’s well-being. Collaborative Relationships: The synergy between elected officials and council staff is vital. Constructive relationships ensure that strategic decisions are effectively implemented. Staff bring expertise and continuity, while elected officials provide fresh perspectives and community representation. Accountability and Transparency: Elected leaders are accountable to the community. They ensure that council remains transparent and responsive to the needs and aspirations of the community. Remember the power of our vote - Together, we can build communities that thrive and prosper. 🌱

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