New figures have revealed the extent of NSW’s housing supply struggles and reignited debate among politicians and industry leaders around reforms to the housing approval process.

Housing approvals in NSW increased by 30 per cent in September, according to new data from the ABS.

Despite 4,800 new dwellings being approved over the month, the state remains significantly behind its National Housing Accord target of 75,000 new homes for the year.

According to ABS data, 40,449 dwellings were approved from January to September 2025, or 53.93 per cent of the annual target.

NSW is falling short of its housing approval targets. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gaye Gerard.

Property Council NSW executive director Anita Hugo said housing approvals were “only the first step in the pipeline for completed homes”.

The new figures have heated up discussions around The Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Planning System Reforms) Bill 2025, which is set to be presented before Parliament next week.

Ms Hugo said under the Bill, a new Development Coordination Authority would centralise agency referrals and approvals, the Housing Delivery Authority would be enshrined in law and a Targeted Assessment Pathway would be introduced for straightforward applications.

“This Bill addresses the system’s biggest pain points – long delays, inconsistent decisions, and a lack of clear co-ordination,” she said.

“This is not the time for delay – the Bill before Parliament next week is the circuit-breaker NSW needs.”

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The Minns Government has proposed major reforms to the housing approval process. Photo: NewsWire/Gaye Gerard.

Ms Hugo said the reforms would help “clear the backlog” and fast-track projects.

“The choice before Parliament next week is simple,” she said, “act now or accept that housing supply will continue to fall short and affordability will worsen.”

New ABS figures also revealed the increasing costs of building new homes.

Master Builders NSW executive director Matthew Pollock said the industry was facing “increased cost pressures on the construction of apartments and non-residential construction.”

“On average, input costs into apartments jumped by 3.8 per cent over the year to September 2025,” he said.

“Rising costs are continuing to place pressure on the feasibility of projects, particularly high-rise residential developments which combined with building completion times of over three years pose a too often insurmountable challenge to getting these projects out of the ground.”

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Master Builders NSW executive director Matthew Pollock. Picture: Chris Kidd.

Mr Pollock said the Minns Government’s proposed planning reforms, which are currently being blocked by the Greens, will cut red tape and speed up the pace of housing construction if passed by Parliament.

“Master Builders call on the Greens to be builders not blockers and pass these vital planning system changes when the NSW Parliament resumes sitting next week.”

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ABS figures have also revealed increases in the costs of building apartments. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

In an October statement, Greens MP Sue Higginson called the Bill “the most dangerous change to our planning system we have ever seen,” describing it as “a developer’s charter”.

“It will open the door for damaging projects to be forced onto communities, strip out safeguards for biodiversity and climate, and put people at greater risk from fire and unsafe development,” she said.

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Greens MP Sue Higginson has staunchly opposed the latest proposal to reform the Bill. Picture: NewsWire/Gaye Gerard.

According to Ms Higginson, the Bill removes the requirement for bushfire hazard assessments, which she said “leaves communities more vulnerable at a time when fire risk is intensifying across NSW”.

Ms Higginson said the Bill “undermined the protection of First Nations cultural heritage”.

“By funnelling approvals into the Development Coordination Authority, expert advice from Heritage NSW and the voices of Land Councils and Native Title holders will no longer be guaranteed a statutory role in decision-making,” she said.

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A new study reveals where you live could impact your relationship.

It’s official — the couples of north Queensland’s Douglas Shire are the unhappiest in the country.

The region has been crowned Australia’s least happy place for couples, topping a nationwide analysis measuring divorce and separation rates along with the number of Google searches related to breakups and divorce.

Douglas, home to the tourist hub of Port Douglas, scored zero on the relationship happiness scale in the study by wellness brand, Simply Nootropics — with a divorce rate nearing 12 per cent, a 3.9 per cent separation rate, and one of the highest volumes of divorce-related searches per capita in the country.

Douglas Shire, which includes Four Mile Beach in Palm Cove, is home to the unhappiest couples in the country according to new analysis.

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Family lawyer Vanessa Hernandez said Douglas’s demographics and isolation may be working against it.

“Demographically, Douglas has a strong agricultural base, and some tourism due to being near the Great Barrier Reef,” she said. “Being more isolated in a rural town would play a big role on the health of the local relationships.

“High population growth in Queensland and housing insecurity could also be putting additional pressure on couples — particularly young and less established couples — to put down roots and draw on community support at a time when they may also be facing more financial stress.”

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While Queensland took out the top spot, Western Australia dominated the rest of the list, claiming five of the top 10 unhappiest regions.

Among them were Collie and Claremont, which both landed in the top three, along with East Fremantle, Mosman Park and Bassendean — all posting high rates of divorce-related searches and low relationship satisfaction scores.

Ms Hernandez, head of family law for Australian Family Lawyers, said the pattern reflected the economic and social pressures unique to each state, including money worries, fly in-fly out (FIFO) work structures, and social pressures.

Claremont in WA has been identified as one of the suburbs with the unhappiest couples.

“As for why WA and QLD are leading the nation in the numbers of least happy marriages and fastest relationship breakdowns, respectively, we need to consider each state’s unique economic and social pressures,” she said.

“For example, WA has a large resource-based workforce with the number of workers in FIFO arrangements, which could put significant strain on relationships and families. They’re dealing with long periods of separation and the stress of working in a demanding industry which would understandably make it difficult to maintain a healthy relationship.”

On a brighter note, seven out of 10 of Australia’s happiest marriages are based in New South Wales.

The Hills Shire takes first place with a happiness rating of 100, and 66 per cent of its population married, and just over 5 per cent divorced. Ku-ring-gai comes in second and Lane Cove rounds out the top three.

Other high-ranking areas include Bayside in Victoria, Joondalup in Western Australia, Hornsby in New South Wales, and the Northern Beaches.

“One possible explanation can be attributed to the fact that Australians are getting married later on in life when they are more mature and established financially and socially,” Ms Hernandez said.

The Hills District in NSW is home to the happiest couples in Australia, a new study shows.

“Couples that do marry tend to work well together and have better communication which reduces common stressors that can strain relationships, like finances and differences in lifestyles and values.

“Drilling down into the data, Lane Cove does seem to have a good sense of community. But probably more importantly, it’s wealthy. The median household weekly income was $2,539. “This difference is also reflected in the high real estate prices, with the median mortgage payment in Lane Cove being $2,905 per month, compared to the national median of $1,863.”

This property at 24 Bridge Street, Lane Cove, sold earlier this year for $6.575m — a new suburb record for Lane Cove.

Neuroscientist and longevity researcher Dr Brian Ramos, from Simply Nootropics, said the findings were about more than just relationship drama — they could have real implications for long-term brain health.

“Studies like this one offer a glimpse into how companionship is faring across Australia,” Dr Ramos said.

“The quality of our closest relationships, particularly marriage, has a powerful impact on brain health and resilience as we age.

The post Australia’s ‘divorce capital’ revealed — and it’s not where you think appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Championships aren’t won in a moment. They’re won in the everyday decisions made by players and coaches. Troy Palmquist and Matt Richling share how to craft your winning moment.

New York townhouse buyers gained a new window on property conditions thanks to a regulatory change last year that makes filling out the New York property condition disclosure statement (PCDS) mandatory for sellers of existing one- to four-family properties.

The PCDS does not apply to condos or co-ops, or townhouses being sold through an estate, where presumably the heirs cannot supply this information.

As of March 2024, a seller can no longer provide a $500 credit to a buyer in lieu of filling out a PCDS, which has been an option for the past 20 years. They must fill out the form in full, and that means answering 56 questions, including the year the property was built, last service dates for mechanical systems, and the age of the roof.

There are also questions about a history of flooding, pest infestations, and fire or smoke damage. For most of these questions, answers are a choice of yes, no, unknown, or not applicable.

New responsibilities for townhouse sellers

The change has created several new conversation topics and challenges that weren’t previously part of the typical transaction process, according to Steven Tanen, a townhouse expert and attorney at Starr Associates.

Sellers are required to fill out the form to the best of their knowledge, and it must be attached to the contract of sale. However, a seller who knowingly fails to provide information to a buyer can be liable for actual damages suffered by the buyer. In response, contracts are also being drafted and negotiated differently.

Seller’s attorneys are including strict language in contracts to protect clients to avoid liability, regardless of how well their client knows the property, Tanen said. Some attorneys will bar or limit a buyer’s right to sue under the act, for example, shorten the amount of time a buyer can file against a seller, he said.

“There’s no uniformity to this new language,” he said. “Each attorney has their own way of disclosing the amendment to the property condition disclosure act and [way] to limit their client’s liability from a misstatement. Some are going as far as including language that states a buyer is buying ‘as-is’ when that may not be the case,” he added.

The importance of inspection reports

However, Tanen and other attorneys said buyers should not rely exclusively on the information in a PCDS.

“Inspections are going to tell a buyer everything they need to know about the property they intend to buy, including the age of the more expensive parts [and] systems of the home,” he said.

He said a buyer should pay attention to discrepancies between the inspection report and a seller’s answers on the PCDS. One example could be the maintenance of the heating and cooling system. If a seller notes on the PCDS that they had the system recently serviced, but the inspection report indicates that it requires service, it can lead to a credit to have the system serviced or the seller agreeing to service the system prior to closing.  

Buyers also need to be aware that lenders may want to see the disclosure form. If you’re getting a loan, your attorney needs to help you understand how this may impact your financing, he said.

More work for townhouse sellers

Attorney Caryn Ettinger-O’Brien, counsel in the real estate practice at Tannenbaum Helpern, said she hasn’t seen any litigation yet involving an updated PCDS. “We have not come across anyone suing yet. It’s too new,” said Ettinger-O’Brien, who published a breakdown of what buyers and sellers need to know about changes to the PCDS.

A seller or a broker representing a seller needs to be aware of the new responsibilities, because the form takes time to fill out.

“A seller can only answer the PCDS to the best of their knowledge,” Ettinger-O’Brien said. “Some may have lived there for 25 years and know everything. Others may be selling an investment property,” and not know the details. What’s more: “A seller does not have an obligation to do an inspection to address this statement,” she added.

“But if you had a leak, and hired someone to fix that leak, you can’t answer ‘you don’t know’ in response to questions about leaks,” she said.

Extreme weather and property damage

The change to the form was prompted by the increasingly frequent and extreme weather New York saw with Hurricane Ida and other events

“Many properties suffered damage or mold,” Ettinger-O’Brien said. Governor Hochul’s message was in essence: “you can’t dodge these questions for $500” any longer. The form “forces sellers to disclose whether there is mold in the basement,” she added. It provides an “extra layer of information for buyers to process.”

Still, there are always going to be blind spots. Maybe a seller doesn’t have all the information or their seller provided a $500 credit in lieu of filling out the form. And inspections don’t always turn everything up. Sometimes they indicate further inspection is needed and buyers may not be willing to pay for it.

Chipping away at ‘buyer beware’

A “buyer beware” doctrine used to be predominant in New York State. It shifted when the Property Condition Disclosure Act was originally signed into law in November 2001 by Governor George Pataki.

The act required sellers of one- to four-family properties to provide a 48-question PCDS to prospective purchasers outlining a property’s defects. However, sellers could opt to give a $500 credit to buyers instead of filling out the form.

Bottom line

Tanen said the change creates more transparency. “You get a bigger picture of what you’re buying—it’s a pretty detailed form. It’s good to understand what the seller thinks about what they’re selling in addition to the inspection.”

It was the hit TV series that brought drama, dark secrets and designer clothing to Wisteria Lane for eight seasons.

But behind the scenes, the leading ladies of Desperate Housewives were quietly building high-end property portfolios, translating their on-screen success into real estate gold.

The series, which aired from 2004 to 2012, was a global phenomenon, and the stars commanded staggering salaries, providing the launch pad for their savvy investments.

By the show’s peak, the four main actresses were among the highest-paid on television.

According to media reports, Eva Longoria, Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, and Marcia Cross were each earning an estimated $US375,000 ($A572,000) to over $US400,000 ($A610,000) per episode in the later seasons.

Nicollette Sheridan reportedly earned $US175,000 ($A267,000) per episode before her contract was not renewed.

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Desperate Housewives aired from 2004 to 2012.

Here’s a closer look at the financial success of the show’s cast and their property portfolios.

Felicity Huffman (Lynette Scavo)

Felicity Huffman has a net worth of $US45 million ($A68 million), with an impressive real estate portfolio.

The award-winning actress and her husband, actor William H. Macy sold a mountain retreat near Basalt, Colorado for $US3.9 million ($A5.9 million) in 2015.

The couple also own a replica of Huffman’s childhood home in Little Woody Creek, Colorado.

Felicity Huffman (right) has a net worth of $US45 million.

The award-winning actress and her husband, actor William H. Macy sold a mountain retreat near Basalt, Colorado for $US3.9 million in 2015. Picture: Realtor

When Desperate Housewives ended, the pair snapped up a five-bedroom home in the Outpost Estate neighbourhood in Los Angeles.

They bought the house next door to their Hollywood Hills home, which gave them a three-acre compound with two main houses. The combined lot is worth $US8-10 million ($A12 -$A15 million).

The couple also own a replica of Huffman’s childhood home in Little Woody Creek, Colorado. Picture: Supplied

The combined Hollywood Hills compound is worth $US8-10 million. Picture: Google

Huffman became the centre of scandal in 2019 when she was arrested in relation to the US’s college admissions scandal.

The scandal involved celebrities and other wealthy Americans using their wealth to bypass college admissions process and buy their children into the country’s top schools.

Huffman pled guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud spent two weeks in prison.

Eva Longoria’s onscreen husband in Desperate Housewives, Ricardo Chavira, made headlines after claiming publicly that Huffman’s short prison sentence was an example of “white privilege”.

Eva Longoria (Gabrielle Solis)

With a net worth of $US80 million ($A122 million), Eva Longoria has made a name for herself as a savvy real estate investor.

In 2015, the actress snapped up a Hollywood Hills compound for $US11.4 million, ($A17.3 million) previously owned by Tom Cruise, and sold it in 2020 for $US8.2 million ($A12.5 million).

She also owns a gated residence in Zuma Beach, Malibu, purchased in 2008 for $US2.5 million ($A3.8 million), and a property in San Antonio that houses her charity, Eva’s Heroes.

The Young and the Restless alum bought a Beverly Hills mansion in 2017 for $US13.5 million ($A20.5 million). It hit the market in 2023 for nearly $US23 million ($35 million).

She later slashed the price to $US18.98 million ($A30 million) in May 2024.

Despite her success, Longoria claims to have endured a difficult team on set during her Desperate Housewives era.

Eva Longoria (left) has made a name for herself as a savvy real estate investor.

The Young and the Restless alum’s Beverly Hills mansion hit the market in 2023 for nearly $US23 million ($35 million).

In a letter supporting Felicity Huffman during a 2019 court trial, Longoria revealed she was bullied by another cast member for years.

She further claimed Huffman had intervened to stop the bullying, although the identity of the bully was never revealed.

More recently, Longoria traded her US life for a life in Spain and Mexico. The actress made the move late in 2024 after Donald Trump’s election

When Trump won the 2024 presidential election, the Desperate Housewives actress declared that she was “done” with life in “dystopian” America and was officially going to be based full time in Spain and Mexico.

At the time, the Hollywood star told Marie Claire that she’d “escaped” the country where she had lived for nearly five decades and will now reside full time with her husband, José Bastón, and their six-year-old son in their properties in Central America and Europe.

Teri Hatcher (Susan Mayer)

Teri Hatcher has maintained a significant net worth of $US50 million ($A75 million), largely stemming from her acting career.

In 2000, the Lois & Clark star nabbed a home in Studio City, California for $US1.5 million ($A2.2 million).

The three-bedroom house includes a private courtyard, outdoor kitchen, swimming pool, and spa.

In 2018, the Golden Globe winner turned the property into an income stream. She put the fully furnished pad up for rent for $US25,000 to $US30,000 ($A38,000 to $A45,000) per month.

Teri Hatcher (right) has maintained a significant net worth of $US50 million.

In 2000, the Lois & Clark star nabbed a home in Studio City, California for $US1.5 million. Picture: Realtor

But Hatcher’s success with Desperate Housewives came at the expense of her public image after reports of significant rifts with numerous other cast members.

Multiple sources state Hatcher didn’t get along with a lot of her co-stars, an allegation that was eventually supported by the fact the other actresses excluded Hatcher from a parting gift for the crew.

Marcia Cross (Bree Van de Kamp)

Marcia Cross boasts a net worth of $20 million ($A30.5 million), but has kept her property holdings private.

While the details of her real estate sales are scarce, the Melrose Place alum was last reported to move into a west Los Angeles residence in 2007.

Marcia Cross (right) boasts a net worth of $20 million.

Nicollette Sheridan (Edie Britt)

Nicollette Sheridan amassed net worth of $US25 million ($A38 million). 

In 2008, the Knots Landing alum and then-fiance Michael Bolton purchased a mansion in Hidden Hills, California for $US1.3 million ($A1.9 million).

Nicollette Sheridan (right) amassed net worth of $US25 million ($A38 million). 

In 2008, the Knots Landing alum and then-fiance Michael Bolton purchased a mansion in Hidden Hills, California for $US1.3 million. Picture: Realtor

Sheridan kept the residence after their break-up, which reportedly happened just two days after they finally moved into the house together.

The estate remained the actress’ primary home. She listed the home for sale in 2023 for $US16 million ($A24 million).

The TV star relisted the abode earlier this year for $US12.9 million ($A19.6 million).

Sheridan was the only main cast member not to star in the entire series, with her character being killed off in the fifth season after her contract was not renewed.

She later filed a $20 million (AUD $31 million) lawsuit against series creator Marc Cherry alleging she was fired because she reported him for alleged assault on set.

Cherry denied the allegations and the case was dismissed.

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