A cash ban may limit people’s freedom

The House passed a controversial bill that banned $10,000 in cash and sentenced people who used cash to exceed the limit to two years in prison. But the bill won’t become law until the Senate investigates the bill. The 2019 Currency (Cash Use Limits) Act was passed in the House of Representatives on Thursday. The…

Rail projects have driven up real estate prices, demonstrating value capture’s potential to fund urban infrastructure

Value capture has been advocated as an innovative way to finance infrastructure, including by the Australian government. However, its effectiveness in Australia has been questioned. Our research based on the demolition of railway level crossings in Victoria shows that infrastructure projects do lead to higher property values that can be used to finance projects. Property…

Victorian apartment costs may rise

According to the Herald Sun, the building permit tax for most apartment developments will increase by 640%. The money will be used to pay for the state government’s demolition plan. According to current regulations, for construction projects exceeding 1.5 million yuan, builders are required to pay a license tax of 0.128 points per dollar. According…

Reshaping density: how to develop a self-constructed city (2)

Fuzzy public and private boundaries As private indoor spaces shrink and shared family spaces become more prevalent, the public realm is changing. Previous private activities, such as work and communication, have increasingly appeared outside the home, while the public sector has characterized indoor or home environments: privacy, interior furniture and decoration, pocket parks, and guerrilla…

Victorian government introduces new building law

According to The Times, in response to the crisis facing Victoria’s residential construction, the Andrews government will take action to crack down on illegal builders, architects and plumbers. The new bill will target the “fraudulent liquidation of the Phoenix company”, which seeks to avoid being criticized by victims through deliberate liquidation. The Victorian Bureau of…