Proposed changes to Retail Leases Act 1994 (NSW)
It is proposed to change the Retail Leases Act 1994 (NSW) (Act). The changes would be made by way of the passing of the Retail Leases Regulation 2022 (Draft Regulation). What is the current status? The Draft Regulation is currently out for public consultation. When is this proposed to commence? 1 January 2023. What are […]
ReadmoreVCAT returns to in-person planning and valuation hearings
After more than 2 years of online hearings, this week VCAT reintroduced in-person planning and valuation hearings where appropriate. This Gadens planning update provides an overview of what hearings will now be held in person, what we can except in the hearing rooms and the COVID-19 safety measures that have been implemented. What hearings and […]
ReadmorePlanning agenda set for the suburban rail loop (If it goes ahead)…
The most contentious infrastructure project of the upcoming 2022 state election campaign is the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL). While construction is already underway on SRL East, Leader of the Opposition, Matthew Guy has promised that a Coalition government would “shelve the SRL”. In the lead up to the polls, this Gadens planning update provides an […]
ReadmoreIncreased competition and consumer law penalties now take effect
The maximum penalties for contraventions of competition law prohibitions in the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) and offence and civil penalty provisions in the Australian Consumer Law have now markedly increased following the Treasury Laws Amendment (More Competition, Better Prices) Act 2022 (Cth) having received the Royal Assent. Of particular note, the maximum penalty for […]
ReadmoreDate set for ‘unfair contract terms’ to be rendered unlawful: Time to act
Businesses now have less than 12 months to cease using unfair contract terms in their standard form consumer contracts and small business contracts, now that the Treasury Laws Amendment (More Competition, Better Prices) Act 2022 (Cth) has received the Royal Assent. Whereas unfair contract terms can presently be rendered void and unenforceable, the use of unfair […]
ReadmoreMajor reform of NSW construction legislation on the horizon
The New South Wales Government has recently introduced three new bills and one accompanying regulation which aims to improve the standards and accountability of participants in the construction industry within the state. The bills, which are currently in the consultation phase until 25 November of this year, are the: Building Bill 2022; Building Compliance and […]
ReadmoreUpdate on Retail Leases Amendment Regulations 2022 – Important reminder of a Landlord’s disclosure obligations
On 27 September 2022 the Retail Leases Amendment Regulations 2022 (Vic) (Amendment) was passed by the Victorian Parliament and comes into effect on 1 December 2022. The Amendment makes changes to the Retail Leases Regulations 2013 (Vic) (Regulations), which brings the prescribed form Landlord disclosure statements contained within the Regulations into line with the 2020 […]
ReadmoreUnions seeking to expand into the real estate industry
There has been a recent push in NSW by the United Services Union (USU) and the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) to expand into the real estate industry – an industry that has traditionally seen low levels of union activities. Spokespersons from both unions have raised concerns about harassment and unsafe practices within […]
ReadmoreThe 2022 NCC – Mandating energy efficient homes
The National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 will be available from 1 October 2022, with a raft of new performance requirements designed to improve liveability and reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. This update focuses on the new energy efficiency requirements in the NCC 2022. The proposed changes to NCC 2022 to address energy wastage are […]
ReadmoreFMCG Express | September 2022 Edition
In the latest edition of FMCG Express, Partner Breanna Davies and the Gadens team bring you the latest developments in the consumer, retail and hospitality sectors in Australia. In this issue, our team delves into the issues surrounding positive obligations to eliminate sexual harassment in the workplace; risks and solutions when dealing with commercial contracts […]
ReadmoreAustralian Carbon Credit Units: Financiers tap into carbon farming and development projects
With the emergence of a thriving carbon credit market in Australia, the banking and finance industry has seen a significant increase in funding being utilised towards the establishment of carbon farming and development projects. Much of this has been driven by a material increase in the market value of Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) which […]
ReadmoreEmbedded networks live on as Victorian reform for residential embedded networks slowly takes shape
New embedded networks in residential apartment buildings will be banned from January 2023 unless 100% of electricity is sourced from renewable energy, with at least 5% being sourced from on-site generation. Existing embedded networks in residential sites, including apartment buildings, retirement villages, social housing and residential/caravan parks, will transition to a new regulatory regime, moving through […]
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