
We’ve got a housing crisis of global proportions
There’s no single answer.
How do we break rusted on patterns that are no longer fit for purpose and create new models that people need?
Let’s gather the most creative people with breakthrough ideas from the industry – designers, planners, innovative developers, government agencies, community housing leaders, financiers and community leaders.
Then there are the new building methodologies and building materials that offer lower cost more sustainable solutions.
A SURROUND SOUND FORMAT
This is the format that’s produced the most exciting, engaged and original content.
What’s it look like?
- Two panels taking questions from the floor.
- Two soap boxes with open mics
- Plenty of refreshments to keep the night activated
Moderator:
Maria Atkinson, company director and a co-founder of the Green Building Council of Australia.
Two questions will frame our event:
- What’s the housing we want?
- How will we get it?
For the first question here are five priorities to get us started:
- Affordable – both to rent and buy with special focus on social housing and for essential and creative workers and with options for young people, productive professionals and the over 55s
- Quality – minimum structural performance standards that last the distance in structure to protect against weather, fire, safety and acoustics
- Access – to social and economic services such as schools, medical facilities, retail and to jobs and other economic opportunities
- Connection to Country and people – the physical and mental health (and global heating resilience) promoted by nature amenities such as parks, waterways, street trees, urban cooling, walking, cycling, family friends and social life
- Planetary boundaries – Housing that minimises its footprint and integrates with a national land use plan to provide for other human needs and those of nature and climate resilience.
You can submit questions now for the panellists and ask them in person on the night. Comments and suggestions will also be allowed as long as they are succinct.
Check out a sample of questions submitted so far
Date: 26 Sept
Time: 5-8.30 pm
Venue: Warren and Mahoney Studios, The Rocks
Tickets: General Admissions: $85
TFE Members: $35
Meet the speakers!

Nick Deans
Principal
Warren and Mahoney

Nicole Gurran
Professor of Urban and Regional Planning
University of Sydney

Michael Pascoe
Finance and economics writer and commentator

Craig Kerslake
Director
DesignInc

Liam Wallis
Founder
HIP V. HYPE

Brian Seidler
Executive Director
Master Builders Association NSW

Fabrizio Perilli
President Property Council NSW, founder
Perifa

Jess Miller
Contender Deputy Lord Mayor City of Sydney, director
Finding Infinity

Tim Sneesby
Manager of Strategic Planning
Waverley Council

Tim Williams
Practice Leader, Cities
Grimshaw

Louise Crabtree-Hayes
Associate Professor
Western Sydney University
Agenda
See questions submitted by our readers here
| Topic | Issues | Potential respondents |
|---|---|---|
| Housing’s potential | Housing has the potential to deliver direct benefits to the occupants but also to neighbourhoods and the society as a whole – the economy included | Craig Kerslake, Michael Pascoe Nicole Gurran Nick Deans |
| Planning and the feds and supply | Is it really planning’s fault? Can it bring the cost of housing down Why is it always under the hammer? How do we get an integrated national settlement strategy given that climate does not respect borders? | Tim Sneesby, Tim Williams, all |
| Inclusionary zoning/value | Do we capture publicly funded value – what are the nuanced debates on this Was the “Auckland Miracle” true or not true | Nicole Gurran, Tim Sneesby, Tim Williams, all |
| Development and feasibility | Developers don’t like the TODS and can’t deliver social/affordable (S/A) housing for the incentive provided ($300,000 sale price to Community Housing Provider but cost of apartment is $900,000 Supply – no buffers or redundancy in supply so prices rise All solution stories are in isolation – need collaboration between all sectors | Nick Deans, Michael Comninos, Fabrizio Perilli |
| Tax | Negative gearing, capital gains tax – see tiered solution from RMIT’s Jago Dodson and Liam Davies | Michael Pascoe Tim Williams, all |
| Immigration | Furphy or true that it has added a lot to our problems What about unintended knock on effects such as shortages in unskilled and high tech labour | Michael Pascoe, all |
| Heritage and quality of housing | Is it still a thing? The role of heritage – can we dispense with it altogether when the need is strong And what about quality Refer to the NSW Productivity Commission report here and here | all |
| Local government | Limited tools – planning to incentivise S/A housing and rates to reduce empty buildings and Airbnb. Local gov can’t build direct as Green advocate More opportunities in regional areas where land is lower cost | Jess Miller, Louise Crabtree-Hayes, Cathryn Callaghan |
| Victoria | Prices falling as more tax on vacant property, threats to Airbnb and investment property | Michael Comninos, Jess Miller |
| Public Housing | The role of Treasury that mandates financial returns over wider benefits (that are also financial – eg health and crime) How was the Camperdown site sold for no S/A housing dividend? Is it possible to build up a public developer fast – what kind of time frame and would the private sector help or hinder- can it actually deliver efficiently on the need | Brian Seidler ,Michael Conminos. Cathryn Callaghan |
| Quality | Why do some housing and construction advocates always lobby against improved quality of housing What happened in SA – where they froze the BCA for 10 years | Brian Seidler, Cathryn Callaghan, Nick Deans, all |
| Capacity and alternative construction methods | What’s the answer to labour shortages and the culture of construction – how much of a role has that had Can we switch to off-site pre-fab methods and will these help the cost and scale of deliver | Fabrizio Perilli, Brian Seidler, Nick Deans Liam Wallis, all |
| Development and construction | What kind of developers can deliver out of the box projects such as Nightingale and Assemble – and why are they mostly in Melbourne What do developers need to be influenced to better outcomes and sustainability | Fabrizio Perilli, Liam Wallis |
| Community housing | Its benefits and how it can work in Australia The difference with Community Housing Providers | Louise Crabtree-Hayes, Cathryn Callaghan |
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