Peter Tulip

YouTube video by Oh The Urbanity! The Problem With Left-Wing NIMBYism

The Problem With Left-Wing NIMBYism

It is common for NIMBYs to give absurd reasons for opposing new housing.
Because they know their real reasons are unattractive.

August 1, 2025 AMERICAN ECONOMIC ASSOCIATION Committee on Economic Statistics and Committee on Government Relations Statement from the American Economic Association on the Dismissal of the BLS Commissioner Leaders of the American Economic Association express their grave concern over the dismissal of the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) earlier today. The independence of the federal statistical agencies is essential to the proper functioning of a modern economy. Accurate, timely, and impartial statistics are the foundation upon which households, businesses, and policymakers make critical decisions. Undermining the independence or credibility of these agencies threatens the integrity of the information that markets, institutions, and the public rely on every day. Measuring the vast and dynamic U.S. economy in real time is inherently challenging. It is standard practice for statistical estimates to be revised as more complete and higher-quality data become available. These revisions reflect the commitment of statistical agencies to accuracy, transparency, and methodological rigor-not failure or bias. The BLS has long had a well-deserved reputation for professional excellence and nonpartisan integrity. Safeguarding this tradition is vital for the continued health of the U.S. economy and public trust in our institutions. We call upon elected officials to respect and preserve the independence of the nation's statistical infrastructure. Lawrence Katz President, American Economic Association Katharine Abraham President-Elect, American Economic Association Karen Dynan Chair, American Economic Association Committee on Economic Statistics Kenneth Troske Chair, American Economic Association Committee on Government Relations

Statement from the largest economics association about the BLS firing

As context: AEA approximately never makes such public statements

This is a big deal

Better:
(Perth Ave, Lindfield, NSW, Australia; near my house).

The Queensland Productivity Commission joins the YIMBYs.
Welcome!
qpc.qld.gov.au/docs/constru...

Lessons from the RBA Reformation Be the something, when something must be done

A very good essay by Zac Gross on the lessons we can take from the recent reforms to the Reserve Bank of Australia for the reform process more generally stephenkirchner.substack.com/cp/169438061

Why does more housing boost productivity so much?
Because zoning restrictions create a large wedge between the value of new homes and the marginal social cost of supplying them. 2/2

Key numbers for the productivity summit.
An extra dollar's worth of resources put into most industries creates about $1 of value.
An extra dollar put into building homes creates $1.60 of value in Sydney and $1.24 of value in Melbourne.
productivity.nsw.gov.au/building-mor... 1/2

Richard, as requested, here is my attempt to explain that planning restrictions are behind the crisis.
www.cis.org.au/wp-content/u....
I cite dozens of other accounts.
Could you please point me to one coherent explanation that the tax system substantially boosts the cost of housing.

You will always get these problems with the incentives currently facing landlords. And legal remedies will be ineffective.
The problem is we have the wrong landlords.
Corporate landlords (i.e. build-to-rent) offer security of tenure; whereas 'Mum and Dad' landlords churn.

Used cars are cheap because of new cars. Day-old bread it half price because of fresh bread.

This has been a housing policy post.

The second group are leftists, like Greens and planners, who reflexively distrust the market.
They are noisy but only have influence in inner suburbs.
Their views, like Izabella Antoniou, are economically illiterate. They should read the research. 4/4

This group (like the Double Bay residents featured by the ABC) packs out neighbourhood meetings and swings elections.
But they lack a public spokesperson, because their motives are transparently selfish and privileged. 3/4

The most important opponents of housing are conservatives who want to preserve “neighbourhood character” and don’t care that this makes housing unaffordable for renters and future home owners. 2/4

YIMBYs vs NIMBYs in the battle for your backyard The Yes In My Backyard movement is lobbying for denser cities and more housing in places people want to work and live and YIMBYs want these homes built yesterday. But the NIMBYs haven't given up yet.

The ABC has a very good, long article on NIMBY vs YIMBY by Gina Rushton.
I think it captures the main issues at stake.
One clarification: The NIMBYs are actually two disjoint groups, united by their opposition to new housing.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07... 1/4

This is a very good video on the values and trade-offs in urban design. From a YIMBY perspective.

Persuasive evidence-based speeches on housing policy by local councillors are rare.
This is a good one.
"The Left Case for YIMBY"
By Philippa Scott of Inner West Council.

www.sydney.yimby.au/blog/the-lef...

The deeply personal reasons Australians call themselves YIMBYs Australia's YIMBY movement is relatively new, but it is making an impact and each member has their own housing struggle spurring them on.

And here is the accompanying ABC News story.
abc.net.au/news/2025-06... 2/2

YouTube video by ABC Australia No More Nimby? The rise of the YIMBY housing movement in Sydney | Compass | ABC Australia

A great ABC show on Sydney YIMBY.
A clear and accessible explanation of what the YIMBYs are about.
youtu.be/TS5HuijPvho?...

YouTube video by ABC Australia No More Nimby? The rise of the YIMBY housing movement in Sydney | Compass | ABC Australia

A youtube link:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS5H...

The City of Sydney just introduced new net dwelling retention controls to stop old apartment buildings from being demolished and replaced with fewer large apartments.

A well-intentioned move — but it could make the housing crisis worse. Here’s why:

It is even worse. The housing they insist on retaining has small bedrooms that are illegal in new buildings.
There is no logic regarding "adequate standards". It is unthinking status quo bias.

Is an extra 40cm the secret to happiness in the bedroom? This economics expert doesn’t think so If my comfortable home of 20 years were built today, it wouldn’t be up to scratch. But in our quest for better living, have we forgotten what’s really important?

Fantastic piece from Shane Wright highlighting how well-intended planning rules can make us all poorer 👇
www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...

Board members have one job -- decide on the cash rate and explain their decision.
Attribution of votes would improve incentives to get that right.
Votes should only be secret if there is something to hide -- like decisions made for bad reasons or for sectional preference. 2/2

The RBA will publish votes on monetary policy decisions -- a welcome improvement in transparency.
But votes will not be attributed, so it does not provide accountability. 1/2
theaustralian.com.au/nation/econo...

Join me in supporting the Build Woollahra station, and a big TOD next to it Campaign There is a ghost station between Edgecliff and Bondi Junction. In the 1970s space was dedicated for Woollahra station, but it was never completed because local NIMBYs took it to the High Court. We're ...

Did you know there's an abandoned half-built station in the eastern suburbs?

@sydney.yimby.au have launched a petition to have Woollarah Station finally built. The population in that area has been going backwards so it's a great opportunity for more TOD.

supporthousingcode.good.do/station/wool...

Economists support high uniform land taxes because that helps to allocate land to its most valuable use.
Rosehill racecourse is a good example. If it were fairly taxed, commensurate with its $5billion market value, it would be sold off for housing.
@sydney.yimby.au

Planning for more homes will create a better capital city. Our housing experts Matthew Bowes and Brendan Coates explain: buff.ly/9Kkiav3

Here's the article in the Telegraph.
@sydney.yimby.au's web page has more: www.sydney.yimby.au/blog/rosevil... 2/2

Wealthy Roseville homeowners are asking for “minimum $1000 per household” to fight a block of flats.
This is callous and unfair.
www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/ros... 1/2