Development industry reforms ‘back on track’
After weeks of turmoil in NSW Fair Trading and in the Building and Property services commissioners’ offices, in particular, the loud and clear message is not so much “business as…
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Podcast: a Perrottet and Petinos poser
Look, we know it’s all done and dusted. David Chandler has re-extended his contract as NSW Building Commissioner, John Minns is back as Property Services Commissioner and Victor Dominello has…
Good strata advice and where to find it
The recent story about the elderly couple hit with a “cruel” special levy, the costs trebled by fighting an unwinnable case in court, has highlighted the importance of good, reliable…
Shame: How we were duped by anti-vaxxers
There is no easy way of saying this but I have been duped this past week and the likely culprits, according to the real victim in this, are anti-vaccine campaigners.…
NSW loses yet another minister amid FT chaos
NSW Cabinet has lost its third current or former Fair Trading Minister in as many weeks with the announcement that Victor Dominello is to quit politics at the next election.…
Tenants can take OCs to NCAT over defects
Tenants have the legal right to take their owners corporations to a NSW Tribunal to force them to fix faults in common property, an NCAT Appeals panel has ruled, but…
Fair Trading fall-out: Perrottet sacks Petinos
Small Business and Fair Trading Minister Eleni Petinos was sacked on Sunday (August 31), barely a week after Building Commissioner David Chandler announced he would be cutting short his recently…
Podcast: Defects, debts and dream bathrooms
Sometimes we are just too efficient for our own good. No sooner had we sent this week’s podcast off for transcription than the news broke that NSW Building Commissioner David…
Chandler resigns … and we saw it coming
As predicted on this website months ago, Building Commissioner David Chandler has resigned, just weeks after announcing that he had extended his contract for another year beyond its agreed end…
Forum: Is it a flat roof or a terrace floor?
Now, we’re going to need you to use your imagination for a minute here. You have a rooftop apartment – a penthouse, if you like – and it has a…
Slim block wins top architecture award
by Jimmy Thomson What makes a fabulous apartment? Privacy, aspect, design and the way it can fit seamlessly into the neighbourhood, adding to the sense of community. That’s what the…
How Telcos can bully their way into unit blocks
Ever since the Federal Government embarked on its politically fraught and occasionally flawed efforts to introduce high-speed broadband to our cities, there has been a dubious tactic embraced by some…