Piecemeal upzoning ‘not enough’: The case for a new density rule in all Australian cities 

The Productivity Commission’s interim report on housing supply asks Australians to consider upzoning all major cities to at least three storeys. Are Australians ready to accept three-storey homes on all residential streets? Image: GettyIn the midst of a housing supply crisis, with an ambitious deadline to build 1.2 million homes looming, Australia has an urgent question to tackle: how can the country speed up home building? To address the complex problem, the Australian government has tasked the Productivity Commission to undertake an inquiry into the rules and regulations that impact housing supply. The first interim report from that investigation has now been released to the Australian public, and is open for response. This report does not make recommendations, but rather puts forward reform areas on which the commission is seeking further input. Official recommendations will be made in the final report due in March 2027. The commission's interim proposals are likely to generate some discussion. With rezoning increasing point of contention in Australian society, the commission has argued that even the current efforts by states and territories to update their planning policies to ...