URBAN CITIES ARE FEELING GROWING PAINS

Australia’s cities are becoming hotter and more congested beneath the strain of population growth, which is having a significant impact on the environment.

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has unveiled the 2021 State of the Environment report — prepared for the previous government but withheld since last year.

The report, which is focused on the damage occurring to the nation’s natural world and wildlife, it also indicates the health and conditions in urban landscapes.

According to Ms Plibersek, the report is damning.

“It tells a story of crisis and decline in Australia’s environment and a decade of government inaction and willful ignorance.”

In summary, the document — which complies the scientific assessments of a five-year period of time by 30 leading experts — reveals most of Australia’s eight major cities are growing at faster rates than many other developed cities internationally.

The largely unmanaged growth has led to greater urban heat, congestion, rising pollution and waste, putting greater pressure on resources.

The report finds population growth is the major driver of environmental issues within cities, according to the report.

Here, Sydney has lost 70% of native vegetation cover due to development. Further, the infrastructure across the city has created pollution hotspots in Sydney Harbour that is 20 times greater than the pre-human disturbance.

“Waste going to landfill in New South Wales increased by 10% over past 10 years, with hazardous waste almost doubling,” according to the summary findings.

A 120-acre property 35 miles outside of Nashville, Tennessee, is selling off market for $30 million, making it the second-most-expensive home for sale in the state.

Located in Franklin, about 20 minutes from downtown, Cortina Farms is both a private residence and an event venue, which charges up to $56,000 to rent for the day, according to Compass, which is marketing the pocket listing. Erin Krueger holds the listing.

The only residence on the open market with a higher price in Tennessee is another Franklin property, which spans 749 acres and is asking $37.5 million.

Cortina Farms takes design inspiration from the Italian countryside, with stonework heavily featured around the verdant grounds.

The main house, with a stone exterior and a shingled roof, has approximately 2,500 square feet of living space, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Outside, there’s a covered back porch, an outdoor grill, a pool and a hot tub. There are also two guest apartments off the main house, each with a bedroom and a full bathroom.

In addition to its event business opportunities, the property is also designed for an equestrian, with two barns featuring a total of 12 stalls. Near the stables are four large fenced pastures that equal about 10 acres.

Other amenities include a wellness center, a party barn with a catering kitchen, an amphitheater, two lakes stocked with bass and catfish, and a helipad. Scenic trails for walking, running or ATV riding meander throughout the property past creeks, mature trees and waterfalls, according to information provided by Compass.

The property last traded hands in 2021 for $9 million, records on PropertyShark show. The owners weren’t available for comment.

The Nashville metro area has become a luxury real estate hot spot over the past few years, largely attracting people from Los Angeles as well as other out-of-state buyers looking for properties with a large amount of acreage.

URBAN CITIES ARE FEELING GROWING PAINS

Environment report finds urban areas are feeling a strain on resources.

$30 Million Nashville-Area Estate Quietly Looks for a Buyer.