New energy efficient standard on way
Source: Queensland. Minister for Infrastructure and Planning. Media Release. " Queensland’s sub-tropical and tropical climate will be taken into account when the State adopts a new national code for a 6-star (or equivalent) energy efficiency standard. Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Stirling Hinchliffe said the changes, to take effect for new houses and townhouses and major renovations from 1 May 2010, will be made through an amendment to the Queensland Development Code (QDC) 4.1 – Sustainable buildings."

Far North Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy
Source: Queensland. Minister for Natural Resources. Media Release.
" In the lead up to Queensland’s Growth Management Summit, Natural Resources Minister Stephen Robertson has announced plans to secure a long-term water strategy for far north Queensland. The Far North Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy will focus on the future water needs for urban, rural and industrial water users in the wider Cairns area, up to Port Douglas, out to Ravenshoe and west to Dimbulah."

Draft Queensland Greenspace Strategy
Source: Queensland. Premier. Media Release.
" Premier Anna Bligh has announced plans for a major new park and released a Draft Queensland Greenspace Strategy in the lead up to the Queensland Growth Management Summit on March 30 and 31. “Opening up and creating more greenspace for Queenslanders to enjoy is part of our growth management strategy,” said the Premier. “More greenspace is essential if South East Queensland is to retain the lifestyle we are famous for."

Metropolitan Strategy Review: Sydney Towards 2036
Source: New South Wales. Premier. Media Release.
"Premier Kristina Keneally announced the beginning of the formal public consultation on Sydney’s Metropolitan Strategy. The Sydney Towards 2036 discussion paper is the first stage in an extensive consultation process to review Sydney’s Metropolitan Strategy." Discussion Paper.

The Public Transport Information and Priority System (PTIPS)
Source: NSW. Premier. Media Release.
"A record 2,000 State Government buses have been fitted with a special global positioning
priority system linking them to traffic lights to help late buses make up lost time. This means that buses can get priority over other vehicles and speed up journeys. The Public Transport Information and Priority System (PTIPS) is part of a $295 million package of bus priority measures to support the operation of strategic bus corridors across the Sydney road network."

Regional Economic Development and Employment Strategy (REDES)
Source: NSW. Premier. Media Release.
"The NSW Government today announced the Central Coast regional development vision to
support 45,000 new jobs, new businesses and industries in the region over the next 20 year.
Premier Keneally said the Regional Economic Development and Employment Strategy
(REDES) will support the growing population of the Central Coast – expected to be 405,000
by 2031 - an additional 100,000 people moving in."

Metropolitan Transport Plan: Connecting the City of Cities
Source: NSW. Premier. Media Release.
"The Metropolitan Transport Plan: Connecting the City of Cities and the Metropolitan Strategy are complementary documents which will be used to create a single view on future land use and transport planning for Sydney. This is the first time that governance, accountability and management have been integrated into a single plan."

Productive Ageing Package announcement
Source: Australia. Minister for Employment Participation. Treasurer. Joint Media Release
"The Rudd Government today launched a new $43.3 million Productive Ageing Package to provide vital training and support for older Australians who want to stay in the workforce. Treasurer Wayne Swan and Minister for Employment Participation Mark Arbib today announced the new measures which harness the tremendous skills and experience of older Australians. Australia’s mature age participation rate is below that in other comparable economies like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand. The 2010 Intergenerational Report, Australia to 2050: Future Challenges, highlights the importance of addressing this issue and the need to make the most of a proportionately smaller workforce as the workforce ages."

Land rent scheme a success: Stanhope
Source: ACT. Chief Minister
"More people are achieving their dreams of home ownership thanks to the success of the ACT Government's Land Rent Scheme, Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said today (19/01/10).
Owners of the first house to be built under the scheme have just moved in some 17 months after the launch of the initiative which was aimed at addressing Canberra's land shortage and affordability. The scheme allows Canberra families to rent a block of land from the ACT Government and then finance the cost of the home only. "