Tom Forrest
Tom Forrest is the chief executive of Urban Taskforce, an organization representing the property development industry in Australia. He has praised the swift actions of the NSW Housing Delivery Authority in expediting housing project approvals, emphasizing the need for a more efficient planning framework to unlock development opportunities.
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Recent news mentions
Urban Taskforce chief executive Tom Forrest emailed his members raising concerns about several of the changes.
Sydney CBDs and major hubs excluded from residential fast-track scheme
Australia· 2026-05-27
Tom Forrest, the chief executive of developer lobby group Urban Taskforce, argues the start of Shinkansen-style train services is 'decades away, if ever'.
Why Australia’s dream of an east coast line is closer than everAustralia· 2026-02-26
Developer lobbyist Tom Forrest, of Urban Taskforce, says a 'salt and pepper approach' to including social and affordable housing might be preferable.
One unit block with two entrances – the problem with ‘poor doors’Australia· 2026-01-28
Tom Forrest described the dwelling loss issue as 'confected' and criticized preserving run-down blocks for affordable housing.
If developers are allowed to bulldoze older units to build fewer homes, we have a big problemAustralia· 2026-01-21
Urban Taskforce developer lobby chief executive Tom Forrest, a former Labor staffer.
Plan to transform area into ‘world-class’ precinctAustralia· 2025-11-09
Tom Forrest, a developer lobbyist, criticized the luxury redevelopment phenomenon and the preservation of run-down buildings for affordable homes.
James Packer-backed project sparks affordable housing concernsAustralia· 2025-08-24
Urban Taskforce chief executive Tom Forrest said that changes to give clear definition on the circumstances where the SES and RFS can be overridden would greatly assist.
Reforms could let department override SES, RFS advice on housing developmentsAustralia· 2025-08-23
Urban Taskforce chief executive Tom Forrest said IPART’s proposal would deliver considerably less than 263,000 homes.
Would you pay more or boil your water?Australia· 2025-07-09
Urban Taskforce chief executive Tom Forrest praised the government's approach to leveraging funds for housing.
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey’s $1 billion housing guarantee explainedAustralia· 2025-06-24
Urban Taskforce chief executive Tom Forrest said the draft guidelines would allow the taxes on housing development to be spent on critical infrastructure that supported that development.
Developers can deliver infrastructure or pay levy in move to speed up delivery of thousands of homesAustralia· 2025-06-19
Urban Taskforce chief executive Tom Forrest said there was no sensible reason for abandoning the rezoning of a government-owned precinct.
Central Station zoning changes not so grandAustralia· 2025-04-22
Urban Taskforce chief executive Tom Forrest said the government had stepped back from the initial scope of the reforms.
171 Sydney spots getting more apartment blocks in pared-down density reformsAustralia· 2025-02-20
Tom Forrest is the chief executive of Urban Taskforce who welcomed the speed and transparency of the housing authority.
More than 6000 homes have been fast-tracked in Sydney. This is where they areAustralia· 2025-02-18
