The End of Affordability Part 5

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

[rboniii]

The optimal population size for cities is between 750,000 to 950,000 thousand people, and planning policies alone will not stop a city from growing past this point. Having electoral systems like the proportional system that exists in Tasmania that enourages decentralisation and regionalism might help in stopping mega cities from emerging.

[Wildhiland]

There is a lot of merit in what you are proposing. Thank you for your constructive contribution.

[3DegreeSydney]

A commendable effort, although it is more of a video treatise than a documentary.

I believe it's important to be passionate about local issues, such as planning and development.

Looking forward to seeing some more engaging videos from your point of view.

[Wildhiland]

Thanks. I definitely agree with you regarding our planning system, at least regarding its lack of vision. Of course planners think otherwise. They think of themselves as true visionaries, just like when they built the high-rise towers of the 1950s & 60s for public housing. Now they want to shove everyone into these things whether they like it or not. Of course developers love it, and now the Federal Government is going to bail them out, because overseas money has dried up. How convenient!

[wilde567477]

Save Our Suburbs SUCKS!

[Wildhiland]

Why so serious - it's all part of the plan!

[arthurphillip]

Govt needs to build housing. [they don't care what type] at the lowest possible cost to themselves. Those that build housing, DEVELOPERS, want to build as cheaply as possible, housing that can be sold as expensively as possible.

So Govt. controls where developers can build, so they can control housing. BUT developers will only build what pays them. The more govt, need housing, the more leverage Developers have, and so the more expensive housing will end up being. See PROOF

[lovemetalmusic1]

Bloody spot on mate. I appreciate and commend those who stand up and make a very important issue known that is under everyones nose. I have myself lost everything due to the incresing cost of living. Firstly my house in sydney which in my case i had to relocate to a rural way of living to try and survive as sydney became to much to bare. now i am forced to live in a public housing enviroment and am losing my marriage to unaffordability to provide what australia use to be about. Good on ya mate.

[3DegreeSydney]

There's a railway, several air routes, and long-haul buses that lead to Melbourne from Sydney, as well as a couple of different road routes if you prefer driving. I also hear there are competitive rates for moving all your furniture down there. When are you leaving?

[3DegreeSydney]

Essentially, we have a political and planning system that doesn't encourage vision. It is about short-term gains, turning a profit and holding onto power and influence. If government terms were longer and there was an easier way to keep governments and politicians in check (other than sacking and appointing auditors/administrators) then I think we'd have better planning for a start. Unfortunately, there is no perfect system as there are many and varied desires and choices in a "free" society.