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ARTICLE · 10 FEBRUARY 2025

Sustainable development: Australia's outlook in 2025

Corrs Chambers Westgarth
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Australian businesses are facing complex, interconnected challenges in undertaking development projects.

AustraliaCorporate/Commercial Law
Louise Camenzuli
Louise Camenzuli
Emily Andrews
Emily Andrews
Louise Lee
Louise Lee
Rosie Syme
Rosie Syme
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Australian businesses are facing complex, interconnected challenges in undertaking development projects. Key focus areas shaping the Australian policy landscape in 2025 will be around housing affordability, climate change and environmental conservation. However, with domestic and global regulatory pathways uncertain, businesses must be vigilant of rapidly evolving policy shifts.

State governments are continuing their push for higher-density housing as pressure mounts to address the shortage of affordable housing, with an objective to reconcile both social and environmental considerations. While the federal government's environmental reforms face hurdles and delays, suspending progress on climate and sustainability goals at the national level, nature positive state government reforms are forging ahead. Simultaneously, the risk of climate litigation and regulatory scrutiny on corporate sustainability claims is intensifying.

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