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GUEST OBSERVATION
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has <a href="https://theconversation.com/slimmed-down-migration-program-has-regional-focus-113847" target="_blank">announced two new regional visas</a> as part of a national population plan. The <a href="https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/regional-migration/news/new-regional-visas" target="_blank">Skilled Employer Sponsored and Skilled Work regional visas</a> require workers to live outside major cities for three years before they can apply for permanent residency. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/mar/20/coalitions-permanent-migration-cap-revealed-as-morrison-launches-population-policy" target="_blank">Morrison said</a> the new visas would benefit communities “looking for more people to come and settle in their districts, to fill jobs, inject more life into their towns, and shore up the important education and health services for the future”.
However, <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/0/B7616AB91C66CDCFCA25827800183B7B?Opendocument" target="_blank">newly released statistics on regional population growth</a> in Australia in 2017-18 show current growth is heavily concentrated in the capitals. People clearly prefer to settle in these cities. So how can migration to the less favoured regional centres be made to work?
POPULATION GROWTH ACROSS AUSTRALIA, 2017-18
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/266214/original/file-20190327-139371-1pnuf27.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/266214/original/file-20190327-139371-1pnuf27.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
Population change by SA2 (a community that interacts together socially and economically) across Australia in 2017-18. <a class="source" href="https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/0/B7616AB91C66CDCFCA25827800183B7B?Opendocument" target="_blank">ABS</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank">CC BY</a>
<a href="https://welcomingcities.org.au/regional-migration-queensland/">Research by the Monash Migration and Inclusion Centre and Welcoming Cities</a> has examined the benefits and risks of regional migrant settlement. We identify five key factors — four essential and one desirable — that will make regional settlement successful.
Five elements of success
First, coordination and planning must be inclusive and driven by local communities. These are more than just buzzwords. Local employers, service providers and community groups are best placed to determine realistic settlement options together.
<a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/ajs4.26">Local councils</a>, in particular, are a crucial channel for information and community perspectives. Planning should carefully consider social and economic conditions so migrants and existing residents can develop <a href="https://www.qcoss.org.au/refugee-re-settlement-regional-australia" target="_blank">clear expectations</a>.
State and federal authorities may be called upon to provide a <a href="https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/media-and-resources/publications/refugee-resettlement-in-regional-and-rural-victoria" target="_blank">package of supportive policies</a>, such as funding for relocation programs. However, in the absence of a <a href="http://scoa.org.au/policy-hub/scoa-publications/scoa-regional-settlement-policy-paper/" target="_blank">whole-of-government regional settlement strategy</a>, local stakeholders still need to lead the process.
Second, sustained employment is vital. It “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2013.830882" target="_blank">speeds up</a>” migrants’ integration into Australian society and makes long-term settlement viable. The celebrated “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/mar/24/australias-fierce-immigration-debate-is-about-to-get-louder" target="_blank">win-win scenario</a>” in regional areas demands stable employment. The example of the <a href="https://www2.deloitte.com/au/en/pages/economics/articles/economic-social-impact-karen-resettlement" target="_blank">Nhill poultry business in western Victoria</a> shows some destinations can be a good fit for migrants and refugees from rural-agricultural backgrounds.
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f_gNQ59X5bY?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" frameborder="0" width="440" height="260"></iframe> Karen-Burmese refugees helped revitalise the previously shrinking town of Nhill.
However, regional labour markets can be quite “thin”. The <a href="http://inform.regionalaustralia.org.au/population-and-people/population-and-migration/item/regional-retention-of-migrants-critical-success-factors">number and variety of jobs</a> on offer are often limited.
Short-term visa schemes can help plug gaps in local labour markets. But migrants may not stay if they find themselves in jobs that <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/pm/migrants-sceptical-about-morrisons-policy-announcement/10921952">don’t match their skills and experience</a>.
Third, public housing, transport and services form crucial infrastructure to support migrant settlement. Regional towns <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/15562948.2017.1358410">vary significantly</a> in their levels of access and affordability. Communities like <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/austory/a-field-of-dreams-opening-teaser/7999312">Mingoola</a> have taken the creative step of renovating abandoned farmhouses to accommodate refugee families.
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R4QRC_eR0uQ?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" frameborder="0" width="440" height="260"></iframe>
Resettling African refugees saved Mingoola’s school from closure and breathed new life into the small town.
But, in addition to housing, new migrants may require access to specialised service providers, like skilled health workers. Regional towns already grappling with social challenges can face a “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jrs/fes003" target="_blank">double disadvantage</a>” when migrants increase demand on existing services.
Here again, consultation and thorough needs analysis are required. Local government and community associations have central roles to play in this.
Fourth is a culture of welcome in regional communities. Building and sustaining such a culture is perhaps the most challenging element of success. The early stages of planning need to develop an understanding of local attitudes towards migrants, as well as perceptions about different cultures and ethnicities.
Some communities may benefit from induction and resources to develop long-term <a href="https://www.vu.edu.au/sites/default/files/Relocation_RefugeeSettleJune07.pdf" target="_blank">acceptance of cultural change</a>. The City of Greater Bendigo - a recognised <a href="https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/what-is-a-refugee-welcome-zone/" target="_blank">Refugee Welcome Zone</a> — has <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/news/australia-day-bendigo-s-new-citizens-looking-forward-to-giving-back" target="_blank">attracted migrants</a> by promoting its approach to cultural diversity and inclusion.
A culture of welcome can reduce the cultural distance between migrants and local residents, and reduce the risk of isolation for migrants. This not only bolsters the longer-term viability of migrant relocation, but can also lead to the social, cultural and economic revitalisation of the broader community.
As custodians of all settlement destinations in Australia, the leadership of First Nations people in welcoming work is also critical in negotiating matters of <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/2015/09/06/first-australians-can-speak-refugee-crisis-who-listening" target="_blank">cultural exchange and understanding</a>.
A final, desirable element of regional settlement is the presence of multicultural organisations and ethnic communities. Established migrant communities can act as “anchors” for new arrivals. They provide experience, advice and familiarity with local settlement processes and opportunities.
In contrast, the absence of culturally and linguistically diverse groups in regional towns can be a “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.03.016" target="_blank">unique source of acculturation stress</a>”, especially for young migrants.
Moving forward with regional migration
Migration has the potential to breathe new life into regional economies. It can add cultural richness and diversity to regional communities. At the same time, regional migration can ease the pressure on capital city infrastructure and services.
In reality, however, few regional destinations optimally combine all key success factors. Potential benefits of migration can be offset by existing inequalities, narrow employment pathways and gaps in social infrastructure. Limited understanding of cultural diversity also acts as a barrier to the inclusion of new migrant communities.
These risks can compromise the sustainability of regional settlement before it has begun.
<a href="https://welcomingcities.org.au/regional-migration-queensland/" target="_blank">Our research</a> recommends that regional councils and local partners consider their readiness to grow a culture of welcome, build intercultural connections, and inform uptake of regional visa opportunities. Early planning that considers both the challenges and the opportunities for migrant settlement is critical to ensure a sustainable win-win outcome.
<hr>
Aleem Ali, the national manager of <a href="https://welcomingcities.org.au/who/" target="_blank">Welcoming Cities</a> and CEO of <a href="https://welcoming.org.au/" target="_blank">Welcoming Australia</a>, is a co-author of this article.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/114196/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;">
John van Kooy, Research Associate &amp; PhD Candidate, Monash Migration and Inclusion Centre, Monash University 
Rebecca Wickes, Associate Professor in Criminology and Director of the Monash Migration and Inclusion Centre, Monash University
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/settling-migrants-in-regional-areas-will-need-more-than-a-visa-to-succeed-114196" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Settling migrants in regional areas will need more than a visa to succeed

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Labor is promising a “living wage” rather than a “minimum wage” if elected.
It will ask the Fair Work Commission to first determine what wage would offer a “<a href="https://brendanoconnor.com.au/news/latest-news/labor-will-make-sure-the-minimum-wage-is-a-living-wage/" target="_blank">decent standard of living for families</a>”, and then to determine the time frame over which it should be phased in, taking into account the capacity of businesses to pay, and the potential impact on employment, inflation and the broader economy.
It is selling the idea of what would be a very big increase on the present minimum wage as “good for workers and good for the economy”.
“Consumer spending makes up 60% of the Australian economy,” its employment spokesperson Brendan O'Connor said. “When low-paid workers get a pay rise, they spend it in the local shops and help small businesses. It’s good for everyone.”
The idea harks back to the 1907 <a href="http://worksite.actu.org.au/the-harvester-judgement-and-australias-minimum-wage/" target="_blank">Harvester judgement</a>, in which an arbitration court judge decreed that wages at a Melbourne factory should be based on the cost of living “for a worker and his family”.
To get there from the current bare minimum wage of A$18.93 per hour would almost certainly require increases bigger than the sum of productivity growth and inflation, which are running at a combined annual rate of around 3%.
Unacknowledged by Labor in spruiking the policy this week was the fallacy of its consumer spending argument, the cost of the proposal to jobs, and the likelihood that it won’t much help many of the people who need it.
The false increased spending argument
One of the claimed benefits of a living wage is that employees will spend most of their extra income, resulting in large increases in national spending, national income, and even the tax take.
An implicit assumption is that the extra money comes “as manna from heaven” with no second-round effects.
But given that other labour costs won’t come down (it is hard to see executive pay being cut), the labour cost for each affected business will climb, pushing down returns to the providers of capital, including the returns to shareholders and small business owners.
With lower returns, less capital will be put up to invest.
Where businesses can, they will pass on the increased costs not matched by increased productivity by increasing prices.
They will get away with it unless they face competition from imports or other exporters.
Where import competitors and exporters face international competition, they will reduce output. In turn, the greater amount of money sent out of the country will eventually push down the Australian dollar, pushing up the Australian dollar price of import and export products.
In the short term, the increases in prices of goods and services will cut the purchasing power of the wage increase. In the longer term, it might create a vicious cycle of wage and price hikes, with adverse economic consequences.
The bad news on jobs
It is well established that wage increases above the rate of productivity growth plus inflation lead to less employment than there would otherwise be, in both the number of employees and the hours worked per employee.
Labour costs are a major expense for most businesses.
In response to higher labour costs, many employers will choose less labour-intensive ways of making their products. The large and rapid wage increases in the mid-1970s and early 1980s resulted in sharp reductions in employment. In contrast, the recent low rates of labour cost increases have helped drive significant increases in employment and a fall in unemployment.
With the Australian economy facing a likely slowdown over the next year or two, a large increase in wages might be particularly poorly timed.
The false hope for those most in need
Universal education and health care, and the redistribution of income via social security payments funded by a progressive income tax, are the most direct and effective ways to fight household poverty.
The world today is very different to the world of the Harvester case in 1907. Then, most workers were in full-time employment and needed a living wage to support a family. Now, about a third are employed part-time. Redistribution via the tax and payments system is how we support families who need it.
A higher minimum or “living wage” would provide minimal assistance to some on low incomes, and would lift the incomes of many others not generally considered in need of support.
Many of those below the poverty line who are only employed part-time or not at all would not be lifted out of poverty. A higher living wage would provide more to those already in full-time jobs than it would to part-time workers.
And it would provide more to low-wage employees who are members of high-income families, who probably shouldn’t be our first concern.
We can do more more directly to alleviate poverty by reforming the income tax and social security systems. They are specifically designed to redistribute income according to need.
We should start by reducing income tax on low earnings, automatically indexing tax brackets, and increasing Newstart.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/114359/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;">
John Freebairn, Professor, Department of Economics, University of Melbourne
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-false-hope-offered-by-talk-of-a-living-wage-114359" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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The false hope offered by talk of a living wage: John Freebairn

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Matt Lahood, the chief executive of the ASX-listed real estate network, The Agency, and his wife Connie put their Maroubra home to auction yesterday.
But the downsizing couple had no joy. It was passed in on a $3 million vendor bid from the struggling auctioneer, who had just one registered bidder amid many longtime neighbours.
The Lahoods have owned the four-bedroom 1970s family home for eight years, bought when he was a McGrath Estate Agents executive. It cost $2.26 million in 2011 after its 2010 refurbishment.
The initial auction price guide was $3.2 million, which was revised to $3 million given his listing agent Tony Laing gauged buyer interest during the marketing campaign.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/4/1/Lahood2.jpg" alt="">
Lahood has a Coogee triplex development with plans to reside on the top floor.
Lahood departed McGrath after two decades in late 2016 to establish The Agency, which traded at a record low 12c on the sharemarket last week,
Like McGrath, which also traded at record lows last week, the two estate agencies are the bellwether stock on the patchy state of the property market.
The Agency’s own Coogee office recently shut its doors as a cost-cutting measure. 
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.
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The Agency boss Matt Lahood fails to find single bid

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Nooken Farm, the Victorian rural estate run by the late Victorian Solicitor-General, Hartog Berkeley has been listed for sale.
It comes with $10 million price hopes through Elders.
The 378-hectare Thornton property is near the township of Alexandra in the Yarra Ranges.
It has operated as a renowned Hereford Poll stud farm since the late 1970s. There's two cattle yards, a machinery shed and workshops.
Its modern homestead complex offers views over the Rubicon Valley at 1235 Taggerty-Thornton Road.
It features a 20 metre solar-heated swimming pool.
The listing comes after the death of Berkeley in 2017, aged 88.
 
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Hartog Berkeley's Nooken Farm, Thornton listed with $10 million hopes

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There was no game, set and match when a Brighton tennis court failed to find a buyer at weekend auction, after attracting just the one bid of $3.75 million.
The vendors at <a id="m_1632196101188182388LPlnk173799" class="m_1632196101188182388OWAAutoLink" href="https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/tucWCmO5OnH1wWoOiGsxWv?domain=marshallwhite.com.au" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/tucWCmO5OnH1wWoOiGsxWv?domain%3Dmarshallwhite.com.au&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1554153686165000&amp;usg=AFQjCNFdfXvzXpBMTEtqfYK6m_HzxGdf8Q">58 Were Street</a> had $3.8 million to $4.1 million pre-auction price hopes, and will now take $3.95 million.
Their neighbouring house at <a id="m_1632196101188182388LPlnk64277" class="m_1632196101188182388OWAAutoLink" href="https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/jqFBCnx1xocl0mZ8tJb4La?domain=marshallwhite.com.au" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/jqFBCnx1xocl0mZ8tJb4La?domain%3Dmarshallwhite.com.au&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1554153686165000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGr-SNOj-SnNcfmEcJDXA24CH8Usg">60 Were Street</a>, which had $3.5 million to $3.8 million hopes, was also passed in with one bid at $3.55 million.
The home with tennis court has only had two owners since its 1919 construction with the current vendors buying it in 1982 for $285,000, The Herald Sun reported.
The tennis court is a 892-square-metre block of land (top) , while the five-bedroom house with garden (below) covered by a heritage overlay is on 1070 sqm.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/4/1/Were1.jpg" alt="">
It's a periodic occurrance as earlier this month a Hunters Hill, Sydney tennis court offering fetched $3.55 million, some $250,000 above reserve.
<a id="m_1632196101188182388LPlnk449287" class="m_1632196101188182388OWAAutoLink" href="https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/BIe2CoV1V0hlNvVOtVXeJ3?domain=thenewdaily.com.au" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/BIe2CoV1V0hlNvVOtVXeJ3?domain%3Dthenewdaily.com.au&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1554153686165000&amp;usg=AFQjCNEqulnKGlPV5H63j7dbgn2QGjlMlw">The 900-square-metre grass tennis court holding</a> was once part of the 1893 house next door.
In 2017 a tennis court at <a id="m_1632196101188182388LPlnk651901" class="m_1632196101188182388OWAAutoLink" href="https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/OEDuCp818qhQrA0YtGBQWi?domain=thenewdaily.com.au" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/OEDuCp818qhQrA0YtGBQWi?domain%3Dthenewdaily.com.au&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1554153686165000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHpzW3jOsD8qG0zp3G_ojkBDvBWiA">16 Stradbroke Avenue, Toorak</a> fetched $7.805 million at an auction that resembled a five-set tennis match.
Melbourne's top weekend sale was at Albert Park where <a id="m_1632196101188182388LPlnk567997" class="m_1632196101188182388OWAAutoLink" href="https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/dGsgCq717rSLAXyqsNNNS8?domain=cayzer.com.au" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/dGsgCq717rSLAXyqsNNNS8?domain%3Dcayzer.com.au&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1554153686165000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGBRS2-wtUAZBG1MM-PtmfZW-xp7g">7 O'Grady Street</a> (below) sold through Cayzer Real Estate for $3.14 million after it had been totally transformed behind its classic Victorian facade.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/4/1/Albert.jpg" alt="">
Set on 272 sqm with double garage, the four bedroom, two bathroom home last traded at $492,500 in 2000. 
There had been $2.75 million to $3 million price guidance.
Melbourne had the <a id="m_1632196101188182388LPlnk572311" class="m_1632196101188182388OWAAutoLink" href="https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/OaT7Cr818vhwK2RgCN-NPS?domain=harcourts.com.au" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/OaT7Cr818vhwK2RgCN-NPS?domain%3Dharcourts.com.au&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1554153686165000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGzRHzcKl0ZmlxjFt9qYC8WU_IbAA">cheapest weekend result across the capital cities when a Malvern East</a> studio apartment sold at $103,000.
The price guidance had been $130,000 to $143,000 for the student accomodation at 203/60 Waverley Road, set close to Monash University Caulfield Campus.
It was last advertised as a $275 a week rental.
CoreLogic reported the highest residential sale under the hammer in Sydney was <a id="m_1632196101188182388LPlnk118333" class="m_1632196101188182388OWAAutoLink" href="https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/8-_-Cvl1lzIOmAnQHyb2Ln?domain=georgesellis.com.au" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/8-_-Cvl1lzIOmAnQHyb2Ln?domain%3Dgeorgesellis.com.au&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1554153686165000&amp;usg=AFQjCNFvazU6Wkg5Onyd_O8iSaVAZ-vyPA">7 Wallis Avenue, Strathfield</a> (below) for $4,250,000 through George Ellis and Co. It was a three bedroom home marketed as set to be extended or rebuilt on its 689 sqm block.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/4/1/Strath.jpg" alt="">
There was a pre-auction $5,375,000 sale at <a id="m_1632196101188182388LPlnk7499" class="m_1632196101188182388OWAAutoLink" href="https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/XuqKCwV1VAh0MyEBSQAJyc?domain=ppdre.com.au" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/XuqKCwV1VAh0MyEBSQAJyc?domain%3Dppdre.com.au&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1554153686165000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHb61nGq2NKP-b4GEkWSanBCGC-oQ">436 Bronte Road, Bronte</a>, continuing the Sydney trend where more offerings sold pre-auction than under the hammer for the third consecutive week.
But the Sunday Telegraph reported the vendors of a unit in Cremorne Point were rewarded for sticking with their auction when it sold for $2.11 million, some $110,000 higher than a pre-auction offer for the three-bedroom <a id="m_1632196101188182388LPlnk733547" class="m_1632196101188182388OWAAutoLink" href="https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/P3okCxngnBIm6x5YfA3Kms?domain=belleproperty.com" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/P3okCxngnBIm6x5YfA3Kms?domain%3Dbelleproperty.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1554153686165000&amp;usg=AFQjCNF8MR5LlP4A-LzxUIebNVgDTxLcZg">14/14 Kareela Road offering</a>.
It last sold at $1,411,001 in 2014.
There were 2,155 homes taken to auction across the capital cities this week, with preliminary results showing a 56.8 percent success rate. 
"It is likely that we will see revision down to the low 50’s as final results are collected," CoreLogic auction analyst Kevin Brogan said.
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Through March the largest auction markets have seen the clearance rate holding around the mid-to-low 50 percent range which is lower than the same time last year, but a substantial improvement relative to late 2018, he noted.
"The number of auctions is likely to rise further in the lead up to Easter; if we see the clearance rate continuing to hold, it will be a strong sign that the fit between buyer and seller pricing expectations is becoming more balanced," he added. 
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In Melbourne, a preliminary auction clearance rate of 53.4 per cent was recorded across 991 auctions this week, down slightly from 55.1 per cent across 814 auctions over the previous week. 
Last week’s clearance rate was the highest Melbourne had seen since September 2018.
Sydney was host to 789 auctions this week, with preliminary results showing a 65.9 per cent success rate, compared to 52.1 per cent across 506 auctions last week. This time last year, the clearance rate was a stronger 67.9 per cent across 394 auctions.
Across the smaller auction markets, Brisbane was the only city to see an increase in the number of homes taken to auction this week, while all other cities saw lower volumes week-on-week.
In Brisbane a waterfront apartment in East Brisbane sold at auction for $1.91 million. There were three registered bidders for the Riyala complex offering, a three-bedroom, plus study and two-bathroom apartment at <a id="m_1632196101188182388LPlnk694141" class="m_1632196101188182388OWAAutoLink" href="https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/5LDwCyojoDh6vLPxhk-RDV?domain=raywhitepaddington.com.au" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/5LDwCyojoDh6vLPxhk-RDV?domain%3Draywhitepaddington.com.au&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1554153686165000&amp;usg=AFQjCNH6tsvQAaR-fdyS9Ak71jQjZb_qEg">241 Wellington Road, East Brisbane</a>. 
Bidding opened at $1.7 million through agent Phil Waight of Ray White Paddington.
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Brighton tennis court fails to sell in final set of March weekend auctions 

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Ceres Agricultural Company has gone into administration.
The administrators are Philip Campbell-Wilson and Said Jahani from Grant Thornton.
In a statement published by the Beef Central website, the administrators said Ceres Agricultural Company operated one of Australia’s largest integrated cattle-finishing and cropping enterprises.
<div id="mobile_ad_3" class="mobile-ad">It said the company operated from leased properties at Oberon and Warialda.</div>
“While it is too early to confirm the factors which contributed to the need for the company to appoint administrators, it is understood that the company had been experiencing working capital/cash flow issues in recent months,” Mr Campbell-Wilson said.
“The drought, which has no doubt had an impact on many farmers, has had an effect on the company.”
The cost of expensive grain has made it very difficult for farmers facing a drought that has been going harder and longer and wider than anyone thought.
Campbell-Wilson said animal welfare was a key priority during the administration process.
“We are finalising arrangements in regards to the remaining 10,000 head of cattle on site which will enable the orderly finishing process for those cattle.”
Campbell-Wilson said the company being in administration would result in further redundancies, following a number of employees having been made redundant in recent months as the business has scaled back. 
“We are mindful that the closure of the company will have an impact not only on employees but on the local communities and businesses that were supported by the company.
“Our aim is to make the administration process as smooth as possible for employees and stakeholders, and to provide support and certainty around next steps."
The farmland is owned by separate corporate entities, with the administrators confirming their appointment did not extend to any related party entities.
The first meeting of creditors will be held on 9 April.
According to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission, Ceres Agricultural Company’s directors are Vaucluse resident Garrick Hawkins and Singapore residents John Sheehy and Michael Sweeney.
<div id="mobile_ad_2" class="mobile-ad">Ceres is fully owned by Pegala Pty Ltd, who registered address is home to the Hawkins family’s showcase Mayfield Gardens.</div>
Sources have said Mr Hawkins intended to retain involvement with the Ceres’ Oberon properties, Mayfield and Ballyroe.
Ceres recently sold the 9000-hectare Brudle Park cropping aggregation (top) north of Moree for around $50 million.
Macquarie-backed Viridis Ag secured the cropping aggregation on the Newell Highway north of Moree.
The sale of the Brudle Park aggregation, which comprises the four properties of Brudle Park, Oaklands, Braden and Yileena, was the first major divestment by Ceres Ag since the business was put up for sale two years ago with a $200 million price tag.
Ceres Agriculture was established in 2012 when cropping and beef enterprise Pegela Pastoral Company received the backing of Singapore-based fund manager Duxton Asset Management in a deal put together by Mark Mason and Garrick Hawkins.
<div id="mobile_ad_1" class="mobile-ad">Ceres Agricultural Co’s other asset in northern New South Wales is Gunyerwarildi, which includes a feedlot and large-scale cropping operation at Warialda, east of Moree.</div>
“Brudle Park sold walk-in walk-out, and it settles next week. Contracts have been exchanged unconditionally,” CBRE agent Richard Royle said last week.
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Drought tips Ceres Agriculture into administration

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AMP Capital Diversified Property Fund has sold Crossroads Homemaker Centre to Ashe Morgan for $140 million.
Located on the corner of Beech Road and Camden Valley Way, Casula, the 48,400 square metre-plus centre is home to 28 large format retailers, including anchor tenants Bunnings, The Good Guys, Freedom, Nick Scali and Fantastic Furniture. 
The centre was developed by AMP Capital after its acquisition of the 143,400 square metre site in 2002. 
CBRE's Nick Willis said the sale highlights continued demand for Sydney metropolitan retail assets. 
“Despite forecast headwinds in the retail sector, we are continuing to see an uplift in enquiry and bidder interest as investors identify relative value in the sector compared to other commercial real estate sectors,” said Willis.
“This was again evidenced with Crossroads Homemaker Centre, where we attracted strong and diverse investor interest from private and institutional groups, with 46% of the formal offers received being maiden capital into the large format retail sector. 
 “The Homemaker Centre’s strategic gateway position in Sydney’s south west growth corridor, coupled with its143,400 square metres underlying land area over four separate lots, provides flexibility to adapt the asset to meet the needs of the rapidly changing surrounds.” 
Jonathan Fox of Stonebridge added: “The sale result and volume of enquiry during the sale campaign was extremely strong. We received 13 expressions of interest and the highly competitive second round process highlighted the depth of demand for quality Sydney metropolitan retail assets.”
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Crossroads Homemaker Centre at Casula sold for $140 million

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Following success on New South Wales’ Central Coast, The Grand Pavilion Indian restaurant has established a flagship fourth location in Sydney’s CBD. 
The restaurant has leased 315 square metres of strata retail space at 261 George Street. 
CBRE’s James Beerworth and Leif Olson negotiated the five-year lease deal at $300,000 per annum + GST, which equates to circa $952 per square metre. 
“The Grand Pavilion has opened its new central location, following a $1 million fitout, in answer to Sydney’s under-representation of premium Indian cuisine in the CBD,” Beerworth said.  
“The space offers an accessible George Street location, with proximity to Sydney’s commercial and hotel market, George Street light rail, Australia Square, the Met Centre and Wynyard Station.”
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Grand Pavilion Fine Indian restaurant chain expands into Sydney CBD

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The historic five-storey Assembly Hall building at Scots’ Church in Melbourne CBD’s ‘Paris End’ is now fully leased.
Designed by Henry H. Kemp and built by Swanson Bros. in 1914, it sits immediately in front of Westpac’s modern headquarters and is adjacent to the 1873-built Scots’ Church, on the corner of Russell Street.
Mens’ shoes and fashion accessory label Double Monk has taken a 42 square metre space on part of the ground floor on a 6+6-year deal at $35,000 per annum plus GST with 3.5% increases.
The five suites, across the ground and second floors, cover a total of 172 square metres and the leases will initially bring in a combined rent of circa $94,000 per annum gross plus GST.
Rates range from $450sqm to $550 square metres plus GST per square metre for the second floor.
Other tenants include Jackie Knight Consulting, William Angliss Charitable Fund and Enable Workplace Consulting.
Fitzroys Manager - Agency, Stephen Land and Agency Executive, Sam Friend negotiated the deals.
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Land said the Gothic Revival-style Assembly Hall offered rare self-contained offices in the coveted east end of Collins Street.
“Assembly Hall has retained its historic character over more than a century, an element that continues to draw tenants across the boutique office market,” said Land.
He said strong levels of enquiry were received from a number of different commercial operators, with legal, financial and real estate consultants, not-for-profit groups, and psychology and counselling services particularly prominent.
“The city’s east end offers a vibrant mix of its famous high-end shopping that has the street dotted with iconic global brands; high-profile modern and classic office buildings, and a range of food and beverage options, while Assembly Hall is also located a short distance from the heart of the Melbourne’s CBD.
“Tenants continue to look for spaces that offer attractive lifestyle elements and are well located, with Assembly Hall’s location on Collins Street between Swanston and Russell Streets easily accessible via a multitude of public transport options.”
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Scots’ Church’s Assembly Hall building now fully leased

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Ascott Residence Trust (Ascott Reit) has bought Felix Hotel, for $60.6 million.
The prime freehold limited-service business hotel is located close to Sydney Airport and will be rebranded as Citadines Connect Sydney Airport upon completion of the acquisition in May 2019.
The property will be Ascott Reit’s first business hotel in Australia and its first property to be managed by its sponsor, The Ascott Limited (Ascott) under the new Citadines Connect brand.
The 150-room property was completed and opened in February 2018.
Located in Mascot, it is within walking distance to the Mascot railway station and Sydney Airport, which catered to around 44.4 million passengers in 2018 and is forecast to receive around 60.7 million passengers by 2035.
The acquisition will bolster Ascott Reit’s portfolio in Australia to over 900 units across six properties.
Ascott Reit currently owns three properties in Sydney – Quest Mascot, Quest Campbelltown and Quest Sydney Olympic Park, in addition to Citadines St Georges Terrace Perth and Citadines on Bourke Melbourne.
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Bob Tan, Ascott Residence Trust Management Limited’s (ARTML) Chairman, said the purchase was in line with its strategy to redeploy capital and invest in higher-yielding assets.
“This acquisition will deepen Ascott Reit’s presence in the stable and resilient market of Australia, adding to our portfolio a quality property that provides good yield in the highly sought-after Sydney market,” said Tan.
“Well supported by a range of industries, and a transparent and well-regulated business environment, Australia has consistently ranked as one of Ascott Reit’s top contributing markets in terms of gross profit.
“This acquisition will further strengthen our investment in developed markets, which collectively account for almost 80% of the asset value for Ascott Reit.
“Ascott Reit will continue to seek opportunities in key markets with strong corporate demand, such as Australia, Japan, Europe and the U.S., to deliver strong yield and growth in distribution income for our unit holders.”
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Beh Siew Kim, ARTML’s Chief Executive Officer, said the property’s location was important.
“The target business hotel is adjacent to another property owned by Ascott Reit – the 91-unit Quest Mascot which has been enjoying over 85% occupancy,” Kim said.
“It will enable us to leverage scale and increased operational efficiency from the clustering effect across these Ascott-managed properties. 
“With this enhanced presence in the vicinity of Sydney Airport, Ascott Reit is not only well positioned to benefit from the growing transient traveller traffic, but more importantly gain access to a significant number of transport and logistics-related national corporate accounts, as well as to capture demand from the growing industries in its neighbouring suburbs.”
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Ascott Reit buy Sydney airport hotel for $60.6 million

Design-led developer-builder Lowe Living has unveiled its latest residential development, Jardin House, marking its first foray into Melbourne's blue-chip City of Boroondara.

Located a short walk from Camberwell Junction, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/jardin-house-by-lowe-living-camberwell-335-camberwell-road-camberwell-vic-3124">Jardin House</a> has been designed to appeal to affluent local downsizers and established families seeking a low-maintenance alternative to the large homes that have long defined Camberwell and surrounding suburbs.

The project will comprise a collection of two and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 92 sqm to 280 sqm, alongside a limited number of penthouse residences featuring rooftop terraces spanning more than 100 sqm, with optional private pools.

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[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372212]

Lowe Living Co-Founder and Managing Director Tim Lowe said Camberwell represented a natural next step for the developer as it expands into some of Melbourne's most tightly held residential markets.

"Jardin House is an important project for our team as it marks the next evolution of our portfolio into different well-established blue-chip pockets of Melbourne," Lowe said.

"Camberwell, with its incredible walkability, family-led neighbourhood feel and superb access to education and transport, makes it a natural choice for us."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372227]

Designed by Tristan Wong Architects, with interiors by Hecker Guthrie and landscaping by Acre, the development takes inspiration from the Art Deco architecture that remains a defining feature of many of Camberwell's established streets.

A curved facade, arched openings, textured brickwork and sculpted forms reference the suburb's architectural heritage, while extensive landscaping softens the building's presence and creates a strong connection to the surrounding tree-lined streetscape.

The project will be set behind a secure gated entrance, with residents arriving through landscaped gardens designed to create a transition between the public realm and private residences.

Inside, the residences feature natural stone and timber finishes, full-height glazing, Miele appliances and generous open-plan living areas designed for long-term owner occupation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372225]

While the apartments themselves have been designed to attract discerning owner-occupiers, it is the amenity offering that sets Jardin House apart from many other boutique projects currently launching across Melbourne.

The centrepiece is a 350 sqm private bathhouse curated in partnership with Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse founder Lyndall Mitchell.

The wellness precinct includes mineral pools, hydrotherapy experiences, a Himalayan salt room, sauna, steam room, cold plunge pools and dedicated relaxation spaces, creating what Lowe Living describes as a private wellness retreat exclusively for residents.

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The collaboration follows Lowe Living's recent partnership with Aurora at Maison Savoy in Brighton, although Jardin House is the first project to incorporate both indoor and outdoor wellness experiences.

Emma Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living, said wellness was becoming an increasingly important consideration for apartment buyers.

"Collaborating with Lyndall Mitchell from Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse for a second time is an intentional nod to creating residences that are more than just homes, but a way to enrich the lives of our residents through wellness and longevity," Lowe said.

The amenity offering is complemented by a Technogym fitness studio, residents' lounge, private dining spaces and concierge services.

The launch comes as developers increasingly target Melbourne's established eastern suburbs, where rising land values, ageing housing stock and growing downsizer demand are creating opportunities for boutique apartment projects.

Lowe said the company expects significant generational wealth transfer across suburbs such as Camberwell in coming years, creating further demand for luxury apartment living.

"Camberwell is a blue-chip suburb where homes regularly transact for multiple millions of dollars," he said.

"The generational change of wealth in these locations expected in the coming years is significant, so we see an opportunity to create exclusive residences that appeal to older families and downsizers in order to meet this demand."

Apartments at Jardin house start from $1,195,000. The project forms part of Lowe Living's near-$1 billion portfolio of new developments across Melbourne.

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Joel Robinson

Lowe Living launches Jardin House in Camberwell

As <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/north-sydney-nsw-2060">North Sydney</a> continues its transition from a commercial centre into a more layered residential and lifestyle precinct, a new generation of apartment developments is reshaping expectations around scale, amenity, and long-term liveability.

Improved transport connections through the Victoria Cross Metro, continued investment in dining and public spaces, and a constrained supply of new luxury apartments have sharpened demand for homes that combine proximity to the CBD with the privacy and outlook traditionally associated with harbourside houses.

At 177 Walker Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aland">ALAND</a>’s new apartment development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-north-sydney-177-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> enters the market with a distinctly residential approach to high-rise living. The 30-level tower will deliver 161 residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to sub-penthouses and a full-floor penthouse, all oriented to capture uninterrupted views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and out toward the Pacific Ocean.

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, the project takes advantage of the site’s natural topography and elevated position above the harbour. Rather than relying on density alone, the architecture focuses on outlook, orientation, and spatial flow, with every apartment occupying a corner position to maximise natural light and cross ventilation.

Rothelowman says the site itself shaped much of the architectural response.

“The site has a long history in terms of its inevitable transformation and when we came in, we took inspiration from the idea of reestablishing a sense of the site’s natural terrain and fall. Our scheme aims to integrate with the terrain and the landscape, using the undulating site to slowly reveal glimpses and views of the harbour. The rotation of the tower off grid means every apartment has a view and is naturally cross ventilated. The building's colour palette is quintessentially Sydney, with bronze and sandstone and a luminescent green colour in the glass, making it very earthy and grounded in its location.”

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Inside the residences, the emphasis moves toward larger-format living typically associated with standalone homes. Kitchens sit at the centre of the apartments, connecting directly to open-plan dining and living areas before extending outward into expansive winter gardens and balconies. Calacatta marble, bespoke joinery, integrated appliances, and custom metal detailing are used throughout, while three distinct interior palettes, Terrace, Opera, and Harbour, allow buyers to personalise the spaces without compromising the architectural consistency of the project.

The larger residences place particular attention on separation between entertaining and private zones. In many apartments, master suites occupy the outer corners of the floorplates, allowing bedrooms to benefit from floor-to-ceiling glazing and harbour outlooks independent of the living spaces. Dressing rooms and ensuites continue the material palette through fluted detailing, freestanding baths, and layered stone finishes.

Rothelowman says the design intent centred on creating homes that feel enduring rather than transient.

“Our philosophy is all about the way people live in these spaces, and we wanted to create homes that reflect the quality of life in this unique Sydney location. The apartments showcase expansive living spaces that are generous, sophisticated, and bold, with the ability to connect with views throughout each apartment.”

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A separate four-storey amenity building known as The Pavilion expands the residential offering beyond the apartments themselves. Positioned alongside the tower, the building consolidates wellness, recreation, and social spaces into a dedicated resident retreat. Facilities include a 20-metre rooftop pool and sundeck, sauna, spa, ice bath, wellness studio, gymnasium, concierge service, wine cellar, residents’ lounge, private dining spaces, and dedicated co-working areas with meeting rooms and boardroom facilities.

The amenity mix reflects the buyer profile emerging in North Sydney, where owner-occupiers and downsizers are increasingly prioritising convenience, apartment scale, and long-term usability over purely investment-driven decisions.

The Walden also represents a significant milestone for ALAND, marking the company’s first major move into Sydney’s inner-city luxury apartment market after more than two decades delivering large-scale residential communities across Greater Sydney. Founder Andrew Hrsto says the Walker Street site stood apart because of both its positioning and its rarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6390]

“As a company, we had been searching for a site in one of Sydney’s blue-chip locations, spanning the Eastern Suburbs, the Sydney CBD and the North Shore, and when we had the opportunity to purchase this site, we immediately recognised that it could be something iconic.”

At launch, The Walden recorded more than $103 million in sales, with buyers drawn to the project’s harbour positioning, apartment scale, and proximity to the Metro, which now connects North Sydney to Barangaroo in three minutes and Martin Place in five.

ALAND has commenced construction, and is expecting a completion date in 2028.

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The Walden pairs house-scale living with North Sydney connectivity

The ACT will become the first jurisdiction in Australia to abolish stamp duty for all first home buyers, with no income caps and no property price thresholds from 1 July.

The move, announced as part of the ACT Budget, completes a key election commitment from the Barr Government and removes what Chief Minister Andrew Barr described as one of the biggest barriers to entering the housing market. The reform forms part of the ACT's long-running transition away from transaction taxes and towards a broader-based property tax system.

"This budget marks a major milestone in our long-term tax reform program," Barr said, adding that the government had maintained a sustained focus on removing barriers to home ownership. He said stamp duty had long been one of the largest upfront hurdles facing buyers and that from July, "that barrier is gone" for first home buyers in the Territory.

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The changes come alongside a range of measures designed to encourage new housing supply, including support for the delivery of so-called "missing middle" housing such as terraces, townhouses and low-rise multi-unit developments.

The announcement has renewed debate around whether the ACT's approach could provide a blueprint for improving housing affordability nationally.

New research from OurTop10.com.au, conducted by Primara Research, suggests the Territory's decade-long reform agenda has produced outcomes unmatched elsewhere in Australia.

While stamp duty costs have increased by an average 67 per cent nationally over the past decade, the ACT has recorded growth of just 15 per cent, the lowest increase of any jurisdiction.

The Territory has also emerged as one of the strongest performers on housing delivery. Based on population-weighted housing targets, the ACT is sitting less than one per cent behind its target. Victoria is the next closest at seven per cent behind, while the national average sits 25 per cent below target. New South Wales is tracking 39 per cent behind.

The latest reform removes one of the final barriers facing first home buyers in Canberra.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=359152]

The average Australian home buyer currently pays $61,714 in stamp duty. In the ACT, that figure is $38,399 despite the Territory having the third-highest median house price in the country.

Until now, the ACT's first home buyer concession scheme only applied to purchases up to $1.02 million, around $51,000 below Canberra's median house price of $1.071 million. In practical terms, many first home buyers were unable to access the median-priced home without losing the concession.

From July, those restrictions disappear.

Every first home buyer in the ACT will pay no stamp duty, regardless of income or purchase price.

Canberra remains one of Australia's most expensive housing markets, with dwelling values increasing 82 per cent over the past decade. However, that growth ranks only 11th among Australia's 15 major housing markets, suggesting affordability pressures have been less severe than in many other parts of the country.

Simon Ma, CEO of OurTop10.com.au, said the latest reforms recognise that many first home buyers have simply outgrown thresholds set years ago.

"Many first home buyers aren't just looking for a way onto the ladder, they want a home their family can actually live in," Ma said.

"In a market where the median house price is over a million dollars, a concession scheme that cuts out at $1.02 million was never going to get them there.

"Removing the ceiling entirely means ACT first home buyers can now pursue the home they actually want, rather than limiting themselves to a price point designed for a very different market."

Whether other states follow remains to be seen. But at a time when most jurisdictions are struggling to improve affordability while also increasing housing supply, the ACT has quietly become the national test case for both.

15% stamp duty growth. Just 1% off the national housing target. Zero stamp duty for FHBs. Is the ACT the blueprint for the great Australian dream?

ACT abolishes stamp duty for first home buyers

A rooftop pool and spa overlooking the Brisbane CBD, private dining spaces, expansive landscaped gardens and a residents' lounge are set to crown <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/callista-on-park-west-end-49-mollison-street-west-end-qld-4101">Callista on Park</a>, the final residential building within Brisbane's West Village precinct.

The rooftop amenity collection has been designed as an extension of the lifestyle already established throughout West Village, providing residents with a series of indoor and outdoor spaces that capitalise on the building's elevated position above West End.

A swimming pool and heated spa form the centrepiece of the rooftop offering, surrounded by landscaped gardens developed through a collaboration between developer Sekisui House and ASPECT Studios. The design incorporates expansive lawn areas surrounded by English garden-inspired planting.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134800 project_image_fid=370648]

Residents will also have access to two barbecue and outdoor dining areas positioned to take advantage of views across Brisbane's skyline, neighbouring Mollison Park, and the surrounding inner-city landscape.

For larger gatherings, the rooftop includes a private dining room centred around a substantial stone island bench, complete with a full kitchen and a 10-seat dining table set beneath four-metre-high ceilings. The space has been designed to overlook both the rooftop gardens and the Brisbane CBD skyline.

A separate residents' lounge provides an additional indoor retreat connected to the broader rooftop amenity offering, creating another space for residents to work, relax or entertain guests.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134800 project_image_fid=370647]

The attention to detail extends beyond the rooftop.

Upon arrival, residents will enter through a lobby featuring a bespoke ceiling light installation developed in collaboration between Sekisui House and Alcorn Middleton Architecture. The arrival experience is complemented by private resident mailboxes and carefully considered interior finishes designed to reflect the premium positioning of the building.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134800 project_image_fid=372541]

The amenity offering forms part of Callista on Park, the final residential release within the decade-long transformation of the former Peters Ice Cream Factory site into West Village, one of Brisbane's most established mixed-use communities.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and being delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hutchinson-builders">Hutchinson Builders</a>, Callista represents the most premium residential offering within the masterplanned precinct.

Construction is now entering its final stages, with scaffolding beginning to come down and completion expected in the first quarter of 2027.

Prices for the three-bedroom plus MPR apartments start from just over $2.6 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134800 project_image_fid=351535]

Callista will mark the final opportunity to purchase within West Village, where residents have direct access to more than 35 retail, dining, wellness and medical operators including Harris Farm Markets, Woolworths, Function Well and Goodlife Health Clubs, Metro Arts, and a growing collection of restaurants and cafés.

Located just 800 metres from the Brisbane CBD, the precinct also places residents within walking distance of South Bank, West End's dining scene, riverfront parklands and major public transport connections.

For Sekisui House, which has delivered more than two million homes globally, Callista serves as the concluding piece of the West Village masterplan, bringing together the precinct's heritage character, parkland setting and emphasis on walkability in a final collection of larger-format residences.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134800]

Rooftop pool, private dining and skyline gardens to crown West Village's final apartment release, Callista on Park

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/wahroonga-nsw-2076">Wahroonga</a>’s enduring appeal has long been tied to its balance of bushland, established amenity, and access to some of Sydney’s most respected education and healthcare institutions.

Along Fox Valley Road, that combination is becoming increasingly sought after by buyers looking to remain connected to the Upper North Shore lifestyle while prioritising walkability, wellbeing, and convenience.

Developer Capital Corporation's initial vision of a 62-hectare site on Fox Valley Road was that they could create their own walkable community, bordered by&nbsp;more than 25 hectares of bushland and adjoining Coups Creek.

<img alt="Wahroonga" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b84917a1-0d75-49b9-888c-ddf7ebfd6692" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/NEW2026_Wahroonga_Walkway.gif?VersionId=Gk3_xi5ssYfalmwuQQ5umQakddceC31j" />

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-residences-at-wahroonga-estate-169-fox-valley-road-wahroonga-nsw-2076">The Residences at Wahroonga Estate</a> draws directly on the area’s natural landscape, with walking trails and green corridors linking into sections of Lane Cove National Park. The surrounding network of bushwalks, cycling tracks, and reserves reinforces the suburb’s long-standing reputation as one of Sydney’s most nature-oriented residential pockets, while still maintaining close ties to village retail and transport infrastructure.

The address places residents within minutes of Wahroonga and Turramurra villages, where cafés, local grocers, boutiques, and everyday services support a highly localised lifestyle. Popular nearby venues including The Fox Café and Breeze Valley Café provide easy options for morning coffee or casual dining, while longstanding retailers such as IGA Wahroonga Fresh and Novella Fine Books continue to anchor the area’s village character.

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<img alt="Wahroonga" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c4a950f7-4f05-4370-b360-b106359788e5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/2026_Wahroonga_Entry_Gates.gif?VersionId=7n5kh9ymu.azYEYDemJkPgiIAfSw44oj" />

Healthcare access remains one of the defining locational advantages of the estate. Sydney Adventist Hospital, known locally as The San, sits directly adjacent and is one of the largest and most respected private hospitals in New South Wales. The hospital precinct incorporates specialist medical services, radiology, physiotherapy, and outpatient care, contributing to growing buyer demand from downsizers and owner-occupiers seeking long-term convenience and peace of mind.

Research commissioned by Capital Corporation found that health and wellbeing considerations are increasingly influencing downsizing decisions, particularly among buyers wanting to remain within familiar neighbourhoods while accessing medical infrastructure more easily.

Education has also historically underpinned demand across Wahroonga and the broader Upper North Shore. The estate sits close to several of Sydney’s leading private and independent schools, including Knox Grammar, Abbotsleigh, Barker College, Pymble Ladies’ College, Ravenswood School for Girls, and Loreto Normanhurst. Co-educational options including Wahroonga Adventist School and Sydney Adventist School further strengthen the area’s appeal to established families looking for long-term schooling pathways within a tightly held catchment.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135247 project_image_fid=262183]

Transport connectivity supports the suburb’s liveability without compromising its quieter residential character. Wahroonga and Turramurra train stations provide direct rail access into the Sydney CBD, while the nearby Pacific Highway and M1 motorway strengthen links across the North Shore and broader metropolitan area. At the same time, the heavily treed streetscape and low-density character continue to distinguish the precinct from more urbanised parts of Sydney.

The Residences at Wahroonga Estate forms the first stage of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/capital-corporation">Capital Corporation</a>’s broader masterplanned vision for the precinct, delivered alongside the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135247 project_image_fid=364995]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/group-gsa">GroupGSA</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/coco-republic-interior-design">Coco Republic</a>, the development integrates landscaped communal spaces including a pet-friendly Green Spine, resident lounge, BBQ pavilion, and direct bushland access, reinforcing the project’s focus on outdoor connection and community-based living.

Now under construction by Gold Star iCIRT-rated builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/dasco-australia">DASCO</a>, The Residences at Wahroonga Estate will deliver a collection of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments priced from $990,000, with completion anticipated in 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135247]

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