housing

NSW
unit and townhouse dwellers are being forced to contribute to global
warming by a state government law that encourages body corporates to
ban the hanging of washing where it can be seen, according to Greens
NSW MP John Kaye.

Commenting on a story on page 8 of today's
Sun-Herald, Dr Kaye said: "Residents without the opportunity to hang
their laundry out to dry are left with no alternative but to use
electric dryers.

"While natural sunshine provides free solar
power to dry clothes, the average electric-powered unit is responsible
for almost a half a tonne of carbon dioxide each year.

Rudds government plans to use  the desperate need for cheaper housing to subsidise capitalist investors and "skills shortages" as excuses to expand the importation of more indentured workers for the construction industry.

Eco-shout has launched new networks that are now open and waiting for mass participation from NSW to Tasmania. The HOUSING network exists so that enviro conscious peoples can look for affordable and enviro aware sharehousing with like minded people. The JOBS network is soon to be automated so that anyone can add a job vacancy. The informal hitching network called HITCH A RIDE links the three states so that you can look for a lift or a car companion across South East Oz.

It has taken a decade for Federal and State governments to realise that Australia is in the midst of a housing crisis. Only 33% of Australians own their own home; another 35% are paying off soaring mortgages, while 28% live in rental accommodation (mainly in the private sector). Public housing is now only available to people in dire straits, people on low and modest incomes are expected to find housing in the private rental market. It is not unusual for people renting in Australia to have to pay over 50% of their income on rent.