The End of Affordability Part 3

The End of Affordability is a grassroots documentary, and has been divided into 5 parts for viewing on YouTube, each part approximately 5 minutes in duration.

The aim of the film, produced in late 2006, is to provide an overview of the problems associated with what is commonly known as "urban consolidation", with particular reference to the reduction in housing affordability resulting from this disastrous planning policy.

Many governments (including the NSW State Government), environmentalists, planners and business interest have advocated this approach for more than a decade. However, not a single successful example of urban consolidation exists in the world, and there are now a growing number of people and organisations coming out against what is a fundamentally flawed and socially destructive planning ideology.

Dr Tony Recsei, President of Save our Suburbs (SOS) is interviewed about the problems of urban consolidation. Five major issues or "fallacies" are discussed, with the reduction in housing affordability being the biggest problem now facing the first home buyer.

In addition, the fight by CAPO and its thousands of supporters against a major apartment development in the Sydney suburb of Putney is highlighted as a typical example of what is happening in many suburbs and towns around Australia. The democratic rights of citizens and their local councils are being overruled by centralised State Government planning policies. The end result is that the ability of the average individual or family to own and live in their own home is under more threat than at any time in the last 60 years.

The critical problem of housing affordability is confirmed by The National Affordable Housing Forum held at Old Parliament House Canberra on 23-24 July 2006, where it concluded that:

"During the last decade or so,

• average house prices relative to income have almost doubled
• the proportion of first homebuyers has fallen by about 20%
• average monthly payments on new loans have risen by 50%
• the proportion of low-rent homes has fallen by at least 15%
• opportunities to rent public housing have fallen by at least 30%"

For more information about this documentary please contact: Dr Tony Recsei, President of Save our Suburbs on:

• Phone: (02) 9487 2061
• Email: trecsei@bigpond.net.au

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• housing
• affordability
• urban
• consolidation

[machinesbreathe]

I fail to understand how urban denizens contribute more to air pollution than droves of commuters filing in from the suburbs.

This guy needs to travel to Atlanta and see how much his beloved suburbs deserve to be saved.

The narrator sees only in shades of black and white, with no prospect of compromise, but rather, offers his own monochromatic vision as the sole option.

[Wildhiland]

For most people, it's a difference in priorities. Research consistently shows that 80% prefer a freestanding home. Selfishness isn't their main motivation, merely a desire for private space. Effective use of urban space is to be encouraged. However, the reality is that urban consolidation as you describe isn't happening -- instead it's a bonanza for developers and corrupt politicians. And you would have to admit there is a limit to how far people can be squeezed together, so what do you do then?

[msleslie1]

Overpopulation is the basis of all these problems. Solve that and you solve all the rest. I don't see anyone talking about that, though, its too dangerous politically. The more people there are the more space they will take up - there is no escaping that basic fact.

[agnorant2008]

0.47 where is this graph/info sourced?

[053196]

"we need - a constructive approach to the very real problems that we all now face in cities" I agree, to me the constructive approach is Urban consolidation and creating higher density communities that are more dynamic, more diverse and have effective public transport. All I was saying was there is opposition. Is it Race? Selfishness? unawareness? or just a difference in priorities you tell me why you want the suburbs to keep sprawling instead of being developed in your neighbourhood.

[Wildhiland]

Thank you for your valuable comments. This is exactly what we need - a constructive approach to the very real problems that we all now face in cities like Sydney, no matter where we or our families originated from.

[frestylz08]

Agree with you Wildhiland, this is not a racial issue. I'm an Asian and I've lived here since I was a primary schooler and have been here for more than 20 years now, we all want to contribute our fair share to the communities and I've lived and owned houses in a more angelo-saxons environment so it is a matter of how you make of the situation sometimes, and not a race thing.

[Wildhiland]

You are missing the point. In Part 3 it's said "owning your own home is something that people have traveled half-way round the world to achieve". These are not "middle class home owning wankas". They find it almost impossible to buy or rent any dwelling and are from many racial backgrounds. I know because I grew up with their forerunners within western Sydney. Their children and recent newcomers just want a decent life, not to be condemned to housing that's worse than where they came from.

[053196]

It "Contribute directly to the negative side of quality of living" for white middle class home owning wankas that claim to have a sense of community yet in reality are just to scared of change and losing their precious suburbs to people of different race and socioeconomic status. I think that is the underlying issue

[benzone50]

makes you think :what the hell are the people in power after? if the decisions they are making contribute directly to the negative side of the quality of living!

[Wildhiland]

The last comment about the narrator completely misrepresents what he actually says -- watch all five videos and you will discover that this comment is false.