<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> has lodged plans for a $750 million, three-tower mixed-use precinct that would complete the long-running redevelopment of Carlton's former Carlton United Breweries site.

The proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/185-195-queensberry-street-carlton-vic-3053">46-78 Bouverie Street and 185-195 Queensberry Street</a> spans a 6,468 sqm site, the last remaining undeveloped parcels within the former brewery's 2007 masterplan.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the development will comprise two purpose-built student accommodation towers and a third build-to-sell apartment tower above a shared commercial podium and basement.

Across the three towers, SP Setia is proposing 606 build-to-sell apartments and 1,499 student accommodation units containing 2,009 beds.

The apartments will sit in the tallest tower, which will rise nearly 200m and 55 storeys. It will become&nbsp;one of the more substantial new build-to-sell apartment projects at the northern edge of Melbourne's CBD.

The apartment mix is weighted toward smaller inner-city product, with 188 studios, 206 one-bedroom apartments, 192 two-bedroom apartments and 20 three-bedroom apartments

<img alt="First look: SP Setia plans three-tower finale for Carlton’s former CUB precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8271bc87-1b0a-41b7-ac73-a425ee375261" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/3_2.png?VersionId=G4lw23o90B1boX4k4dj7rdz2ZEajS9wy" />

Part of the precinct will be a large-scale&nbsp;3,684 sqm supermarket and a further 2,198 sqm of speciality retail, creating close to 5,900 sqm of new commercial space within the precinct.

But one of the biggest components of the proposal is what sits between the buildings.

Around 4,650 sqm, or roughly 72 per cent of the site, will be publicly accessible open space, incorporating plazas, pedestrian connections, landscaped laneways and retail spill-out areas.

The ground plane is intended to finally complete pedestrian connections envisaged when the CUB masterplan was first approved nearly two decades ago, stitching together Victoria Street, Queensberry Street, Bouverie Street and Swanston Street through the former brewery precinct.

Urbis said the development would "complete the CUB precinct", with the public realm providing important north-south and east-west connections through what is currently the final undeveloped portion of the masterplanned site.

SP Setia is also exploring a new linear park within the Bouverie Street road reserve, with the concept to be developed further with the City of Melbourne through the planning process.

The proposal is being pursued through the Victorian Government's Development Facilitation Program under Clause 53.23 for significant residential development with affordable housing.

The planning report acknowledges the proposed heights exceed those contemplated under the original Comprehensive Development Plan and masterplan, but argues the built-form context has changed considerably over the past two decades.

Urbis said the three towers would instead create a stepped transition between Carlton and the Hoddle Grid, rising progressively from the 94.1-metre Tower One along the Queensberry Street edge to the 199.44-metre Tower Three closer to the established CBD-scale buildings to the south.

<img alt="SP Setia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e885a07a-592c-40fc-bf82-e6dbaf32da54" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.52.24%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=7s_ErUkSKAdY1mAWp3GRZgMNCGtwhk5m" />

SP Setia plans to deliver the development across three stages.

Stage One would deliver the basement, podium and retail areas for the entire precinct alongside the first student tower. Tower Two would follow in Stage Two, before the 606-apartment Tower Three is delivered as the final stage.

If approved and delivered, the project would close out a redevelopment process that has been underway since the former brewery masterplan was approved in 2007, adding more than 2,600 student beds and apartments to a precinct already home to Swanston Central, the Barak Building, RMIT Design Hub and several large student accommodation developments.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

SP Setia plans three-tower finale for Carlton’s former CUB precinct

Melbourne developer Lowe Living is seeking to add to its growing bayside apartment pipeline, filing plans for a boutique eight-residence development in tightly held Middle Park.

Lowe Living, which has built much of its development portfolio across Melbourne's affluent bayside and south-east suburbs, is behind the plans for the 730 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/123-125-erskine-street-middle-park-vic-3206">123-125 Erskine Street</a>, just off Armstrong Street and within the Armstrong Street Neighbourhood Activity Centre.

The developer is seeking approval for a five-storey residential building above two basement levels, with just eight large-format apartments and 18 car spaces.

“This is a deliberately very different proposition for us,"&nbsp;Tim Lowe, Co-Founder of Lowe Living, said.

"Eight residences is exceptionally boutique, but that's precisely what this site calls for.

“There is a strong community in Middle Park and the surrounding suburbs who have spent decades building a life here. They no longer want the maintenance of a large period home, but they aren't prepared to compromise on space, quality or location. We think there is a real opportunity to capture that hyper local market. A site like this rarely comes to market.”

<img alt="Lowe " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="875fe572-0f14-4d90-9e11-55b28dd07731" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.42.49%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=GDNQRv9BfpR9r1zkZ5UDyUM4ZvpIksut" />

The low-density proposal has been designed by Cera Stribley and is being progressed through the Victorian Government's Great Design Fast Track pathway, having already secured eligibility from the Minister for Planning.

The Office of the Victorian Government Architect supported its eligibility after finding the proposal demonstrated consistency with the program's seven design principles, while the project's financial feasibility has also been independently confirmed by Invest Victoria.

The project is targeting the downsizer market, with the planning documents describing the homes as larger-format residences and noting the two penthouses could otherwise have been configured as four separate apartments.

<img alt="Lowe 2" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="60ab0987-2da6-4175-adac-315dcf6053c6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.43.15%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=bOCPH0B2MFwlmaRW.TTCF9TzyifgVoQI" />

The site has dual frontage to Erskine Street and Canterbury Place and currently comprises a collection of commercial buildings used as offices, including a former heritage bakehouse, a former stable, a later gabled addition and a central courtyard.

It sits within the Commercial 1 Zone and the Armstrong Street Commercial Precinct heritage overlay, with the existing property classified as a contributory heritage place.

Heritage has subsequently played a significant role in Cera Stribley's design.

The front section of the former bakehouse facing Erskine Street will be retained, including its return walls, street-facing hipped roof and chimneys, while the Erskine Street façade and part of the western return wall of the former stable will also be incorporated into the new development.

Levels four and five will be set back five metres from the retained stable façade, while bricks removed through demolition are proposed to be salvaged and reused within the new building where possible.

<img alt="Lowe 3" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e97927a9-a2de-4a0f-83b6-65451238abfa" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.43.06%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=VR44AChLrX9q1XPB9GvVQV.ALXXbe4gC" />

Rather than presenting as a single five-storey building to Erskine Street, Cera Stribley has broken the development into a series of distinct forms.

A three-storey infill element will sit between the retained bakehouse and stable façades, with the upper levels recessed behind the heritage fabric. Canterbury Place will similarly feature two three-storey podium forms, separated by a central pedestrian accessway, before the upper two levels step back from the street.

A pedestrian through-link will run through the centre of the project between Erskine Street and Canterbury Place, creating entrances from both sides of the site and introducing landscaping and communal areas through the ground plane.

Landscape architect Acre has designed planting across the ground level, private terraces and upper levels, including a feature canopy tree at level three and integrated planting and arbours across the level four terraces. Five existing Erskine Street trees are proposed to be retained.

Sustainability is also a significant component of the Great Design Fast Track application. The apartments are targeting an average eight-star NatHERS rating, with no residence below 6.5 stars, while the project has achieved a 75 per cent BESS score. Seven of the eight apartments are designed for cross-ventilation, with the remaining residence using mechanically assisted natural ventilation.

The plans also incorporate an 8kWp rooftop solar system, a 5,000-litre rainwater tank and infrastructure allowing future electric vehicle charging for every residence.

Lowe has a strong portfolio across Melbourne's blue-chip suburbs. They recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/jardin-house-by-lowe-living-camberwell-335-camberwell-road-camberwell-vic-3124">Jardin House by Lowe Living</a> in Camberwell, their first development in the Stonnington LGA.

Lowe Living unveils Middle Park apartment development

Article summary

<ul data-end="888" data-start="289">
	<li data-end="442" data-section-id="8tsh6o" data-start="289">DVB Projects is preparing to launch its second Gold Coast apartment development, with demolition now underway at 137 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach.</li>
	<li data-end="573" data-section-id="1nyxl3e" data-start="443">The 34-level tower will comprise just 49 ultra-luxury residences, including half-floor, full-floor and penthouse apartments.</li>
	<li data-end="717" data-section-id="oiyimj" data-start="574">The launch follows strong demand at DVB's nearby Sea Glass project, which is more than 50 per cent sold and currently under construction.</li>
	<li data-end="888" data-section-id="epk9o9" data-start="718">The development adds to the transformation of Old Burleigh Road, with premium beachfront apartment projects continuing to reshape the tightly held Broadbeach strip.</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/dvb-projects">DVB Projects</a> is preparing to launch its second Gold Coast apartment development, with demolition now underway on the Broadbeach site as the Sydney developer moves closer to bringing the ultra-luxury project to market.

The 34-level tower at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/137-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">137 Old Burleigh Road</a> will comprise just 49 residences, ranging from half-floor apartments through to full-floor homes and a penthouse. The launch follows the strong sales performance of DVB's nearby Sea Glass development. More than half of the apartments at Sea Glass, on the other side of Broadbeach, have been snapped up, well ahead of its late 2027 completion

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2944b4be-c84e-4b54-8dc1-c712e76704c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E02_Exterior_Street%20Level%20Entrance.jpg?VersionId=YoNig7pRdrE3HCue7sUj78LzJteeQf3H" />

The start of demolition at 137 Old Burleigh Road signals DVB Projects’ underlying confidence in the Gold Coast’s luxury beachside apartment sector.

“We see the Gold Coast as one of the most compelling lifestyle markets in Australia, particularly at the premium end where demand continues to deepen,” said Dean Brown, Managing Director of DVB.&nbsp;

“This project has been carefully designed to respond to that demand - delivering large-format residences with a level of quality, privacy and amenity that is still relatively rare in the apartment market on the beachside."

Brown says the site itself is "exceptional."

"Old Burleigh Road is one of the most tightly held beachfront strips, and opportunities to deliver a project of this scale and calibre in this location are extremely limited.”

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="398f377a-c037-455e-9250-0c5e0d84c35b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/I12_FF%20Balcony.jpg?VersionId=NwOiRWGMubR1c8wthuEfggklcja7al9." />

The project will comprise 40 half-floor residences of approximately 260 sqm, alongside eight full-floor residences spanning around 524 sqm.

A single penthouse will crown the building, featuring a private pool, barbecue area, indoor gym and dedicated entertaining spaces.

Residents will have access to a resort-style suite of amenities, including a 20-metre pool with daybeds, a gymnasium, hot and cold plunge pools, a sauna, and private residents’ lounge and dining facilities.

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1642bb0-9a66-4427-a022-dfc0988c6287" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/A02_Pool%20to%20View.jpg?VersionId=c0IXPyn_Gp_Kn3XCwzMrqIVkAdCEwVXP" />

Sales agent Todd Matheson, of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/pezet-matheson">Pezet Matheson</a>, which is marketing both 137 Old Burleigh Road and Sea Glass, said 137 Old Burleigh Road would address a clear gap in the market for genuine luxury products.

“There are very few opportunities on the Gold Coast where buyers can secure a residence of this size and quality in a new building,” Matheson said.

“What we’re seeing is a growing cohort of downsizers and interstate buyers who still want space - they’re not willing to compromise on living area, entertaining or finishes.

“This project has been designed with that buyer in mind. It offers the scale of a home, combined with the convenience and security of apartment living, in one of the coast’s most desirable positions.”

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="59aae0ca-5639-4320-8aca-d0bf60f48e43" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E01_Exterior%20Hero.jpg?VersionId=DS8Zfy2WtgUEtdfe0TEUuf1W1GfcZq8S" />

Located on a 1,156 sqm site one block from the beachfront, the development will replace an ageing walk-up building and is expected to contribute to the ongoing transformation of the Old Burleigh Road strip into one of the Gold Coast’s most prestigious residential corridors.

With the development moving into the delivery phase, 137 Old Burleigh Road is slated to hit the market later this year.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145141]

DVB Projects to launch second Broadbeach apartment tower as demolition commences

<a data-end="327" data-is-only-node="" data-start="250" href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/norus-projects" rel="noopener" target="_new">Norus Developments</a> has lodged plans for a new apartment development in Clayton that would add further momentum to the suburb's emerging Green Street corridor.

Plans have been lodged for the consolidated site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/1359-1365-centre-road-clayton-vic-3168">1359-1365 Centre Road</a>, where Norus is seeking approval for 218 apartments across a 12-storey apartment building designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/life-architecture-and-urban-design">Life Architecture</a>.

The proposal sits within the Clayton Major Activity Centre at the threshold of the planned Green Street corridor, a landscaped pedestrian connection intended to improve links through the precinct towards Clayton Railway Station.

The development would replace the site's existing collection of low-scale residential and commercial buildings with a single consolidated building, introducing significantly greater housing density to this part of Centre Road.

A retail tenancy is proposed at ground level to activate the Centre Road frontage, accompanied by transparent street interfaces and landscaping intended to create a more pedestrian-focused edge to the development.

<img alt="First look: Norus Developments plans landscape-led apartment project for Clayton’s emerging Green Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0a5a763a-d9e9-4253-af2f-88008de27ebf" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Clayton%20a.png?VersionId=S2WJJbat1XVkZwB9SnYtygirXgWHiklX" />

The building has been designed with stepped massing and upper-level setbacks to manage its transition towards surrounding residential properties. The planning report describes the approach as one that integrates the building into the landscape rather than treating landscaping as a secondary element.

"A strong landscape and public realm strategy underpins the proposal," Urbis states in the planning report.

"Public benefits include an affordable housing contribution, a new pocket park, generous landscaped setbacks, deep soil planting and integrated Water Sensitive Urban Design."

The report adds that these elements are intended to create "a permeable, pedestrian-focused ground plane that enhances walkability, supports urban cooling and reinforces the emerging Green Street character."

Biophilic and passive design principles extend through the residential levels, with planting, daylight, natural ventilation and views towards landscaped areas forming part of the amenity strategy.

Parking would be concentrated away from the public realm, with 145 car spaces proposed from the rear laneway rather than dominating the Centre Road frontage.

The proposal follows an extensive pre-application process with the City of Monash. Three formal meetings were held between the project team and Council from December 2025 to March 2026, with the scheme evolving through several concept iterations before the current design was lodged.

The project arrives as Clayton prepares for substantial change around its established activity centre and the wider Suburban Rail Loop precinct. Its position on Centre Road places the development within an existing concentration of shops, services and public transport, while the Green Street connection is intended to strengthen pedestrian access towards Clayton Railway Station.

First look: Norus plans landscape-led apartment project for Clayton’s emerging Green Street

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a> has officially commenced construction on Bronze on Chevron, celebrating the sod turning of its first-ever Gold Coast development and marking a significant milestone in the company's continued expansion across South East Queensland.&nbsp;

Following the successful delivery of premium residential developments throughout Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bronze-on-chevron-8-mawarra-street-chevron-island-qld-4217">Bronze on Chevron</a> represents Gardner Vaughan Group's entry into the Gold Coast market. Bronze will deliver 119 one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments above two ground-level retail tenancies.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367193]

The recent sod turning ceremony was attended by Deputy Mayor Mark Hammel, President of the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club, Cassandra Sedgman, project consultants, purchasers, project partners and invited guests to celebrate the commencement of construction.&nbsp;

Gardner Vaughan Group Chief Executive Officer Simon Betteridge said Bronze on Chevron represented an exciting new chapter for the business.&nbsp;

"We've spent almost four decades building homes that respond to the way people want to live, and we're excited to bring that experience to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/chevron-island-qld-4217">Chevron Island</a>," Betteridge said.

"Bronze on Chevron is particularly significant because it marks Gardner Vaughan Group's first development on the Gold Coast following many successful projects across Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367183]

Betteridge said the ground breaking is a proud moment for the&nbsp;team and their purchasers, who can now see their future homes beginning to take shape.&nbsp;

"As both developer and builder, we're able to oversee every aspect of the project from design through to construction, ensuring the quality and attention to detail Gardner Vaughan Group has become renowned for."&nbsp;

Designed by acclaimed architectural practice <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cottee-parker-architects">Cottee Parker</a>, Bronze on Chevron has been thoughtfully designed to complement Chevron Island's evolving streetscape while embracing its relaxed coastal lifestyle.

The development will offer generous residences with refined interiors, premium finishes and resort-style amenities, with completion anticipated in early 2029.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=107520]

The development will offer generous residences with refined interiors, premium finishes and resort-style amenities, with completion anticipated in early 2029

Gardner Vaughan Group breaks ground on first Gold Coast development, Bronze on Chevron

Sydney’s property market is known for high prices, competitive bidding, and mounting pressure on first home buyers. But change is on the horizon.

From late 2025, eligible first home buyers in New South Wales will have access to a new federal government initiative aimed at addressing affordability: the Help to Buy Scheme.&nbsp;

<h2>What is the Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

The program introduces a shared equity model intended to reduce the upfront cost of entering the property market, particularly in high-demand urban areas such as Sydney.

The scheme operates under a shared ownership structure in which the federal government takes an equity stake of up to 40 per cent for new homes, or 30 per cent for existing dwellings. This arrangement allows eligible buyers to significantly reduce their loan size and avoid the added cost of Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

Under this model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required. The government’s contribution is not a loan but a co-ownership stake in the property. As such, there is no interest or rent charged on its portion.

Because the government’s equity combined with the buyer’s deposit typically meets or exceeds the 20 per cent threshold, LMI does not apply. The remaining balance, generally between 60 and 70 per cent of the property’s value, is financed through a standard home loan with a participating lender.

The government's equity in the property remains in place until the buyer chooses to repay it voluntarily or until the property is sold. Buyers can buy back the government’s share over time, in increments of at least five per cent, depending on their financial situation.

There is no fixed repayment timeline, but the amount to be repaid will be based on the property's market value at the time of repayment, not the original purchase price.

<h2>How do you qualify for the&nbsp;Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

To qualify for the Help to Buy Scheme, applicants must meet the following conditions:

<ul>
	<li>Be an Australian citizen at least 18 years of age.</li>
	<li>Be a first-home buyer who does not currently own property.</li>
	<li>Intend to live in the property as their primary residence.</li>
	<li>Earn less than $100,000 per year for individuals, or $160,000 for couples.</li>
	<li>Purchase a property within the regional price caps, currently $950,000 in Sydney, though this is expected to rise to approximately $1.3 million ahead of the program’s launch.</li>
</ul>

While the Help to Buy Scheme does not solve affordability challenges across the board, it does offer a more accessible pathway for a defined segment of the market, particularly younger buyers with moderate incomes who have been priced out of traditional lending routes.

The scheme is expected to commence in NSW in late 2025, as part of a national rollout.

Under the new model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required

Help to Buy Scheme: What first home buyers in NSW need to know

The First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) is a government initiative designed to help eligible first-time home buyers by offering financial assistance towards the purchase or construction of a new home.

While the FHOG is a nationwide program, it is administered separately by each state and territory, meaning the eligibility criteria, grant amounts, and property requirements can vary depending on your location. This means that the amount available and the conditions attached to the grant will differ, so it is important to check the specific guidelines for your state or territory.

It’s important to note that the FHOG is just one of several incentives available to first home buyers. In most states and territories, the grant is not linked to stamp duty exemptions or concessions, with the exception of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The FHOG is typically a one-off payment, reducing the overall cost of purchasing or building a new home before any stamp duty concessions are applied.

Below, we provide a breakdown of the First Home Owner Grants available across Australia, outlining the specific details for each state and territory.

<h2>New South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $600,000. For land purchases and owner-builders, the threshold extends to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Benefits: Provides full stamp duty exemption for homes valued up to $800,000, with concessions available for properties up to $1 million.

<h2>Victoria South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Provides a $10,000 grant for first-home buyers purchasing or building new homes valued up to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Benefits: Offers full stamp duty exemption for properties up to $600,000, with concessions available up to $750,000.

<h2>Queensland First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers $30,000 for contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2025. The FHOG applies to new homes valued up to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Concessions: Provides additional concessions for properties valued up to $800,000.

<h2>Western Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

&nbsp;

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $750,000 in the southern regions and up to $1 million in the northern regions.

Stamp Duty Concessions: Available for homes valued up to $600,000 for transactions entered into on or after 9 May 2024.

<h2>Australian Capital Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Replaced by the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, offering full stamp duty concessions for eligible buyers.

<h2>South Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Provides up to $15,000 for new homes, including houses, apartments, and townhouses. As of 6 June 2024, there is no property value cap for eligibility.

Stamp Duty Relief: Available for new homes and vacant land purchases.

<h2>Tasmania First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes and off the plan purchases.

Stamp Duty Exemption: Between 18 February 2024 and 30 June 2026, first home buyers of established homes valued up to $750,000 receive a full exemption on property transfer duty.

<h2>Northern Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: The Northern Territory provides a $10,000 grant for new homes only. Additional government grants and concessions are available for first home buyers.

Stamp Duty Exemption: The only stamp duty exemption available to property buyers is the House and Land Package Exemption (HLPE).

Eligibility criteria and application processes differ across states. Prospective buyers should refer to their respective state revenue offices for full details on grant availability, conditions, and additional concessions.

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

In the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable architecture and environmentally conscious design, systems and ratings in place can help determine the energy efficiency of residential buildings in Australia.

Australia has multiple building rating systems that evaluate energy efficiency and sustainability in existing and new building designs.

Some systems assess individual building components, while others provide an overall rating for the entire structure.

A rating system ensures that homes are comfortable and energy-efficient, whether you are buying, renovating, or building.

NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme) is a common way for new homes to meet energy efficiency requirements.

As new developments continue to shape the urban environment, understanding NatHERS ratings becomes essential for developers and homeowners. This article delves into the concept of NatHERS ratings, their significance, and how they contribute to creating energy-efficient homes.

<h2>What is NatHERS?</h2>

NatHERS is a national initiative implemented by the Australian government to promote energy efficiency in residential buildings. The scheme aims to provide a standardised method for assessing the thermal performance of homes, considering factors such as insulation, orientation, ventilation, and building materials.&nbsp;

NatHERS ratings are the most common way new homes meet the National Construction Code's (NCC's) minimum energy efficiency requirements.&nbsp;

NatHERS assessments provide thermal and whole-home ratings for new homes, townhouses, and apartments.

The rating helps evaluate the energy performance of buildings, guides homeowners and developers to make informed decisions about the energy efficiency of their properties, and encourages the construction of more sustainable, comfortable, and cost-effective homes.

<h2>How NatHERS Ratings Work</h2>

NatHERS ratings are determined through four accredited software tools (AccuRate, BERS Pro, FirstRate5, HERO) using a calculation engine CSIRO developed to predict building temperature based on various factors.

The tools can model complex effects of building mass, insulation, window size, and other elements.

The outcome is a star rating that reflects the building's overall thermal efficiency, indicating how well it can maintain a comfortable indoor temperature without excessive reliance on heating or cooling systems.

The star rating scale ranges from 0 to 10, with a 6-star rating being the minimum requirement for compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC).&nbsp;

Achieving a higher star rating demonstrates a commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability, as the building is better equipped to minimise its environmental impact and reduce long-term energy costs.

Anyone can use NatHERS tools, but accredited assessors can provide certified ratings and professional advice.

<h2>Benefits of Higher NatHERS Ratings</h2>

Energy Efficiency: Buildings with higher NatHERS ratings are more energy-efficient, requiring less heating and cooling energy. This reduces the structure's carbon footprint and lowers occupants' energy bills.

Cost Savings: Homes with higher NatHERS ratings are generally more energy-efficient, resulting in reduced energy consumption for heating and cooling. This translates to lower energy bills for homeowners, making sustainable living environmentally friendly and economically viable in the long run.

Environmental Impact: Lower energy consumption directly translates to a reduced environmental impact. Buildings with higher NatHERS ratings contribute to the overall goal of mitigating climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with heating and cooling systems.

Improved Comfort: Buildings with high NatHERS ratings offer better thermal comfort to occupants. Proper insulation, well-designed ventilation, and optimal orientation maintain a consistent and comfortable indoor temperature, providing occupants with a more enjoyable and healthier space.

Market Value and Desirability: Higher NatHERS ratings can enhance the market value of a property. As energy efficiency becomes a more significant consideration for homebuyers, a well-rated building may attract a premium price and stand out in the real estate market.

Compliance with Building Codes: NatHERS ratings are a vital component of the National Construction Code (NCC), and compliance with these ratings is often a mandatory requirement for new developments. Local councils and planning authorities may set minimum energy efficiency standards that must be met to obtain development approval.

The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) is a crucial initiative shaping the future of energy-efficient, resilient, and cost-effective homes. With its recent upgrades, NatHERS has evolved into a world-leading tool for the building sector, supporting the global commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Staff Writer

What is a NatHERS rating in new off the plan apartment developments?

Mixed-use developments have gained significant popularity across Australia in recent years due to their unique blend of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.

Unlike traditional single-purpose developments, mixed-use projects offer a harmonious integration of various functions within a single locale.

Residential units seamlessly coexist with commercial establishments, retail outlets, dining venues, entertainment hubs, and recreational facilities, with the combination not only enhances convenience but also fosters a vibrant lifestyle and a sense of community.

<h3>Convenience and accessibility</h3>

Mixed-use developments are designed with convenience in mind. They often integrate residential units with commercial spaces, retail outlets, restaurants, and recreational facilities, creating a self-contained community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114215 project_image_fid=204874]

The proximity allows residents to enjoy the convenience of having essential amenities and services within walking distance. Whether it's grabbing a cup of coffee, going grocery shopping, or accessing healthcare services, everything is conveniently located, saving residents time and effort.

<h3>Vibrant lifestyle and community</h3>

One of the major advantages of mixed-use developments is the vibrant lifestyle they offer. With a diverse range of amenities and communal spaces, residents have ample opportunities to interact, socialise, and build a sense of community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107714 project_image_fid=214122]

The presence of parks, community centres, and shared spaces fosters a lively atmosphere, encouraging residents to engage in various activities and events. The vibrant lifestyle within these developments creates a unique sense of belonging and camaraderie among the residents.

<h3>Potential for higher rental yields and property value appreciation</h3>

Mixed-use developments tend to attract a broad range of tenants and buyers due to their versatile nature. This high demand can result in higher rental yields for investors and potentially lead to property value appreciation over time.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=212887]

The integration of commercial and retail spaces attracts businesses, which can provide a stable rental income stream. Additionally, the popularity of mixed-use developments often drives up property values, making them a potentially lucrative investment in the long term.

<h3>Enhanced security and maintenance</h3>

Mixed-use developments typically have comprehensive security measures in place. With controlled access points, CCTV surveillance, and professional security staff, residents can enjoy enhanced safety and peace of mind.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108019 project_image_fid=212658]

Additionally, these developments often have dedicated maintenance teams responsible for the upkeep of common areas, landscaping, and infrastructure. This ensures that the overall appearance and functionality of the development are well-maintained, creating a pleasant living environment for residents.

<h3>Live-work-play balance</h3>

One of the key attractions of mixed-use developments is the ability to achieve a desirable live-work-play balance. The integration of residential and commercial spaces allows residents to live closer to their workplaces, reducing commuting time and improving work-life balance.

The proximity to various amenities and recreational facilities encourages an active and healthy lifestyle. Residents can easily access fitness centres, parks, restaurants, and entertainment options, all within the same development, leading to a more fulfilling and convenient way of life.

alisonwarters@gmail.com

The top five reasons to buy in a mixed-use development

When buying a property, everyone needs to be aware of the additional costs that come as part of the buying process.

Often the largest outlay, after the deposit which goes to the bank, is stamp duty.

<h2 style="line-height: 1.38;">What is Stamp Duty?</h2>

Stamp duty is an extra tax to pay the government when you buy land, a property, and other certain assets.

It happens when the legal ownership is transferred. It can also be known as property transfer duty or transfer duty.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C32BWkB5--c" title="YouTube video player" width="660"></iframe>

<h2>Who pays Stamp Duty?</h2>

In some circumstances, you may get an exemption. For some states, you won’t have to pay for stamp duty if you are a first home buyer or a pensioner for houses under a particular price. There are also stamp duty concessions, where you may be entitled to a discount.

<h2>How much does Stamp Duty cost?</h2>

Each state has different rules which affect how much you need to pay. These rules can affect the rate you pay, and the timeframe you will need to pay in. Before you buy land or a property, make sure you check the up-to-date information for your state’s stamp duty.

You can use a free stamp duty calculator online to see approximately how much you’ll need to pay. Find out if you’re eligible for an exemption by enquiring on a project via Urban!

Overall, the stamp duty you need to pay will depend on:

<ul>
	<li aria-level="1">How much your land/property is worth</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Where your land/property is located</li>
	<li aria-level="1">What type of land/property it is</li>
</ul>

Want to find out more? <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@UrbanAustralia?utm_source=YouTube&amp;utm_medium=Video&amp;utm_campaign=Subscribe&amp;utm_id=Subscribe">Subscribe to our YouTube channel</a> for more property videos.

Ellen Walker

Off-the-plan property explained: What is stamp duty?

Australia Post is one of the country’s most trusted institutions, powering one of the largest delivery networks in Australia. As online shopping continues to scale, Australians spent a record $82.6 billion online in 2025, with nearly one in four retail dollars now spent online.

That scale of eCommerce activity has fundamentally changed expectations around how and when parcels arrive, and what happens when someone isn't home.

<h3>Problem solved with Parcel Lockers</h3>

The traditional alternatives to home delivery are far from ideal. Buildings can rely on reception teams to manage deliveries, which introduces ongoing staffing costs and liability concerns. Parcels can be left in common areas, which creates security and aesthetic issues. Or residents are redirected to nearby Post Offices for collection, which shifts the inconvenience rather than solving it.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dVG5ChLHf7E?si=D9hQRGCBuzlSQBqK" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

The data behind that frustration is significant. Nationally, around 9 per cent of deliveries are carded, meaning the recipient was not home and must collect the parcel from a Post Office. That figure reflects the national average reported between November 2025 and January 2026. In Melbourne, that figure rises to 20 per cent. In high-density living, it climbs again to 28 per cent. In other words, more than one in four deliveries in Melbourne apartment buildings results in a failed first attempt.

<h3>How Parcel Lockers work</h3>

The mechanics are simple. When a parcel arrives, the resident receives a notification either through the Australia Post app or via SMS. They scan a QR code, use their one-time PIN and the compartment opens. The parcel is secure, accessible and removed from the lobby floor.

Located in thoughtfully chosen, easily accessible areas, including external building interfaces, mixed-use precincts or shared communal zones, Parcel Lockers enhance convenience without requiring internal building access or additional operational oversight.

<h3>The scale of the network</h3>

This expansion represents Australia Post's largest investment in parcel infrastructure to date, building on momentum that began in 2011 when the first 24 Parcel Locker sites were introduced.

Today the Australia Post Parcel Locker network spans over 1,400 locations and more than 105,000 individual compartments, with major investment already underway to significantly expand the network further.

<h3>What it means for developers and building operators</h3>

A Parcel Locker bank is free to install and free for residents to use. That removes one of the primary barriers to adoption and shifts the conversation from cost to integration.

Australia Post's preference is to engage with developers during the design phase. That allows Parcel Lockers to be located in a considered, publicly accessible space that works for residents and the broader community. Retrofit is possible, and existing buildings can be assessed, but the strongest results occur when Parcel Lockers are treated as part of the core services plan rather than a bolt-on solution.

While the iconic Australia Post red is widely recognised, Parcel Lockers can also be delivered in more muted palettes such as beige or green to align with architectural intent.

For developers, they offer a tech-forward amenity that meets modern expectations, a reduction in courier congestion and building-management load supporting lower emissions and better ESG outcomes, and a meaningful marketability advantage in high-density, eCommerce-active areas, all at no cost for installation and maintenance, with Australia Post funding the program aside from power access.

<h3>Who's using them</h3>

Generational shopping behaviours show strong, sustained growth across all cohorts. Millennials (27–43) led online spend in 2024, contributing nearly $25 billion. Baby Boomers (60–78) increased their online spend by 17.6 per cent, becoming the fastest-growing adopters. Gen Z (13–26) and Gen X (44–59) continue to lean on delivery services as part of their everyday shopping habits.

Internationally, uptake is even more pronounced. Overseas markets are seeing rapid adoption by both developers and consumers, positioning Parcel Lockers as standard infrastructure in many new residential projects. For Melbourne's development community, this signals a shift in baseline expectations. Just as secure bike storage and dedicated parcel rooms have become more common, integrated Parcel Locker networks may soon be viewed as part of the essential service mix.

<h3>The bigger picture</h3>

Parcel Lockers aren't just a logistics fix. Developers invest heavily in lobby design, materials, lighting and landscaping to shape first impressions. Yet a stack of unattended parcels can undo that effort in an instant. Embedding parcel infrastructure early allows projects to respond to how people actually live today, supporting resident satisfaction, reducing operational strain and aligning with broader community and ESG outcomes.

As Belinda Quinn, Senior Transaction Manager – Retail &amp; Out of Home at Australia Post, puts it, residents increasingly expect delivery solutions that align with real life, are flexible, secure and available whenever they need them.

How Australia Post is solving the parcel problem for apartment living

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More home owners are undertaking renovations from savings rather than borrowing the money to do so, according to mortgage broker Loan Market.
“We're seeing many consumers saving money instead of borrowing to fix up their homes,” says Loan Market spokesperson Paul Smith.
Smith says that consumer feedback this year has largely prioritised debt reduction in uncertain economic times.
“We also suspect many Australians would be carrying out their own home renovations to cut costs,” he says.
These findings are supported by end-of-year ABS housing finance figures, which revealed a 7% decline in the value of renovation refinancings compared with 2010 despite an overall rise in the number of home loan customers refinancing their mortgages.
Property investors or owner-occupiers who are considering renovating and adding value to their property should sign up for Property Observer’s free webinar: Renovating for Profit on Wednesday, February 29 at 12.30pm
 
 
 
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lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Self-funded renovations on the rise: Loan Market

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Carrying out home renovation remains the main reason that borrowers refinance their mortgages, according to research by the Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA).
While the percentage of borrowers who refinance to renovate has fallen from 20.9% in July 2010 to 17.1%, it is still edges the 16% who say they refinance for a more compelling deal or a better interest rate.
The other explicit reasons why people renovate are to consolidate debts (12.1%), buy a house or car (8.7%) or purchase an investment property (7.7%).
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/renovating.gif"><img src="/images/stories/renovatingthumb.gif"></a>
Readers considering undertaking a renovation should sign up for the free Property Observer webinar on Wednesday, February 29 at 12.30pm: Renovating for Profit, with tips and tricks for getting the most out of your renovation and what costly mistakes to avoid.
To ensure you make an informed decision before refinancing your mortgage <a href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/ebooks/free-ebook-12-tips-for-refinancing-your-mortgage">download Property Observer’s free eBook: 12 tips for refinancing your mortgage – how to find the best home loan in 2012</a>.
 
 
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Renovation the main reason mortgage holders refinance: MFAA

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The trend towards slimmer and shorter building blocks has prompted the Metricon home building company to unveil 19 new home designs.
They are mostly suited to smaller frontage and depth land sizes, reflecting developer trends towards smaller, narrower blocks.
New <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/land/melbourne-median-new-lot-size-falls-below-400-square-metres-oliver-hume/2012022053455">Melbourne median residential lots sizes have fallen fell below 400 square metres</a> for the first time.
“It’s very important that current trends in land sizes don’t impact on our ability to deliver spacious, light-filled homes that offer the flexibility modern families need to really love where they live,” Metricon’s head of design Adrian Popple says.
It’s one of the largest releases ever made by Metricon, Australia’s leading home builder. The designs have been added to their Allegra, Freedom and Designer range of homes.
The new releases in the Allegra range, 12 in total, include the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.metricon.com.au/melbourne/homes/alpha">Alpha, a compact entry-level home maximising available space,</a> available from just 16 squares (149 square metres), yet with three-bedroom living.
Metricon marketing general manager Yvonne Abood described the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.metricon.com.au/melbourne/homes/breeze">Breeze home within its Freedom range</a> as “an especially remarkable achievement by our designers, as no comfort is sacrificed to create luxury two-storey living on the narrowest of home sites”.
She expects the Breeze design to be very helpful for the smallest blocks made available in large developments, but also for knockdown rebuild sites.
The Breeze, with a side portico entry, comes with three bedrooms, with the ability to fit on a narrow 8.5-metre wide block.
The company dates back to 1976.
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Smaller lot sizes prompt Metricon to maximise space in 19 new designs

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Restaurateurs Matt Moran and Peter Sullivan are immersed in the final renovations of the old Prunier’s building in Woollahra’s lovely Chiswick Gardens before its March 7 reopening.
<img src="/images/stories/moranwork6.jpg">
Moran recently tweeted that operation Chiswick will have a ceiling-to-floor white-tiled Parisian bistro-style bar plus a wood-fired oven.
<img src="/images/stories/moranwork5.jpg">
A kitchen garden, with a dedicated gardener, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.chiswickrestaurant.com.au/the-garden/recipes">will produce seasonal goodies</a> for the “sharing” menu. Apparently the radishes (pictured above) and cucumbers are doing well.
<img src="/images/stories/moranwork3.jpg">
Art director Vince Frost, who created chic packaging for Donna Hay and Ceramica di Manfredi and produced a beautiful book for Damien Pignolet, is also working to create the restaurant theme. The wine list is designed by ARIA sommelier Matthew Dunne with diners enjoying views over the council garden on Ocean Street. 
The space is believed to have been part of the stables of an old house called Chiswick, which occupied the land. Woollahra Council bought it from a Mrs L.F.Holmes in 1938 for seven thousand pounds.
From 1953 the restaurant was called The Kiosk. In 1970 it was Dimitris, and Pruniers moved there in late 1972 from the Al Corso, in Double Bay, where it had opened in 1947.
<img src="/images/stories/moranwork4.jpg">
Chris Grinham from Humphrey and Edwards Design worked with Moran and Sullivan  on the restaurant’s design and interiors.
<img src="/images/stories/moranwork7.jpg">
The restaurant is set to open March 7.
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andreadixon-oif3j7eKne

Celebrity chefs Matt Moran and Peter Sullivan have a taste for design with restaurant and kitchen garden in Woollahra

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New Melbourne median residential lots sizes have fallen fell below 400 square metres for the first time, according to December 2011 quarterly research by Oliver Hume.
The median lot size in the first stage of eight new residential communities’ projects launched during the quarter dropped below 400 square metres to a median of 396 square metres.
Lots less than 400 square metres now comprise 32% of the retail supply compared to around 10% in 2008.
In its recent 2012 interim results, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/higher-price-for-less-land-stockland/2012020953317">Stockland reported that it was charging a higher price for smaller property lots in its residential developments.</a>
The eight new communities will comprise more than 10,900 lots when fully developed. There were three new projects each in Casey and Melton, and two in Wyndham.
The eight new projects lifted the total number of projects launched this calendar year to 34, a combined fully developed yield of 24,400 lots, the highest on record both in terms of projects and lots.
The median land price across the eight new projects was $193,000 or $188,000 including incentives. 
The most affordable lot released during the quarter was offered for $138,400 in Melton.
During the December quarter, land prices in Melbourne’s growth areas declined by $3,000 or about 1.4% to $215,000 – the fourth consecutive quarter that prices have declined.
Over the past 12 months, land prices are down 4.8% or $10,000 from their peak of $225,750.
According to Oliver Hume there are currently 3,200 lots available for sale, a five-year high and equal to for five months of supply at current sales rates.
The emergence of smaller lot product is well documented and highlighted in the following graphic:
<img src="/images/stories/oliverhume.gif">
Land supply is now edging close to the industry benchmark of around six months, which was last experienced in the September quarter of 2006.
Casey, Whittlesea and Wyndham dominate supply, with 21%, 20% and 19% market shares respectively.
Mitchell (Beveridge-Wallan), the most recent addition to the six initial metropolitan local government growth areas, is the smallest market, with just under 7% of retail supply.
“Despite recent downward movements during the quarter in the official cash rate, projects sales rates continue their downward spiral – to their lowest levels since 2006,” the report says.
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Melbourne median new lot size falls below 400 square metres: Oliver Hume

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Channel Nine’s The Block will compete with Channel Ten’s The Renovators as well as 21 other reality television shows for the title of best reality program at this year’s Logie Awards.
In terms of viewer numbers The Block was a much more successful show drawing 3 million viewers to its series final while The Renovators managed just 1.26 million.
In the category of most popular factual program the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV)-backed <a href="https://melbournepropertytv.com/MPTV/index" target="_blank">Melbourne Property TV</a>, which runs on Channel 31 is nominated alongside Channel Nine’s Hot Property show, hosted by The Castle’s Michael Caton.
In the lifestyle program category, three popular property shows are competing for the title, these being Channel 7’s Better Homes and Gardens and two Lifestyle Channel shows Relocation, Relocation Australia and Selling Houses Australia Extreme.
You can vote for your favourite property show of the year at the <a href="https://surveys.asteroid.com.au/bvbin/bvgate.exe?noj=1&amp;sid=917190" target="_blank">TV Week’s 2012 Logie Awards site.</a> Voting closes Sunday.
The 2012 Logie Awards will take place in Melbourne on Sunday, April 15.
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The Block and The Renovators to square off, and Channel 31's Melbourne Property TV hopes to get a Logies look-in 

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Amid a somewhat lacklustre environment for the new housing sector, home builder Peet Limited has secured its 100th sale in its Aston development, in the outer-Melbourne suburb of Craigieburn.
Aston launched in June 2011, and the 100th buyer, the Singh family, purchased a block of land in late January. The Singhs plan to begin construction next winter.
The family have lived in Craigieburn, about 30 kilometres north of Melbourne, for most of 2011 and they are glad to have secured a home in the area.
“It’s a nice, quiet area close to everything we want and it’s an easy 20-minute trip in to work for me,” Rupinder Singh says.
But not many Australian families are following the Singhs’ example, with detached new home sales falling 7.7% in the December quarter, according to the Housing Industry Association.
“Weakness in the new home building sector reflects a combination of subdued demand and an excessive cost base driven by high and inefficient taxation, the latter of which was further highlighted in 2011 by the modest decline in existing property values,” HIA chief economist Harley Dale says.
Victoria was hit particularly hard in the December 2011 quarter, with a 10.5% decline in new detached home sales.
Land sales are not doing much better, according to HIA-RP Data. Although land sales increased by 1.3% in the September 2011 quarter, they were 16.8% lower than in the September 2010 quarter and substantially lower than their September 2009 peak.
But despite hard times for the sector as a whole, Aston has proven popular with buyers. It will offer residents a total of 20 hectares of parkland and open space, including three sports fields.
<img src="/images/stories/aston.jpg">
December was the best month for sales in the development since its launch.
Land it set aside for an onsite retail sector and a school, and the development is close to several primary and secondary schools and is within a short drive of Greenvale, Craigieburn and Roxburgh Park Shopping Centres.
Blocks in the development range from 315 square metres through to 494 square metres, with frontages varying from 14 metres to 17.6 metres. Prices range from $180,000 through to $220,000.
The median house price in Craigieburn increased 3.2% last year, according to RP Data.
The median value for capital cities land rose by 1% in the September 2011 quarter to $213,718, or 2.5% higher than one year earlier.
 
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Buyers snapping up vacant land in Peet's Aston development, despite lacklustre sector

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The total value of the 59,810 properties in the Wyong area in July 2011 was $13.063 billion, according to NSW Valuer-General Philip Western.
The figure was down 7% from the last valuation of $14.063 billion in 2008.
The Valuer-General found that residential land values had generally shown a slight decrease over the past three years, with medium-density and larger more valuable sites experiencing a slight to moderate decrease.
Residential properties in the low and middle price ranges remained steady or increased slightly, but higher-value properties, including waterfront and beachfront properties, experienced a strong decrease in land values.
In 2011 median residential values decreased 2% from $160,000 in 2010.
Commercial land had a slight decrease overall. Tuggerah experienced a strong decrease while Budgewoi remained stable and Wyong CBD increased significantly over the three years.
Industrial land had a slight decrease in land value overall. Larger sites and more valuable sites traditionally purchased by institutional investors had a moderate decrease in value while parts of Berkeley Vale showed a slight increase.
Year on year, median 2011 industrial land values in Wyong decreased 0.5% from $397,000 in 2010.
Rural and lifestyle properties had a slight to moderate decrease in Wyong. Rural residential properties close to major suburban areas were the most stable while unimproved, ecologically affected land without a designated building envelope had a strong decrease in value.
Since 2010 median rural land prices decreased 0.7% from $413,000.
Landowners and rate-paying lessees received a notice of valuation this month.
The valuations are used to determine rates and land taxes on investment properties.
 
Typical residential land values were:
<ul>
<li>531 square metres at Dening Street, The Entrance valued at $375,000 </li>
<li>654 square metres at Fishburn Crescent, Watanobbi valued at $130,000 </li>
<li>620 square metres at Iluka Avenue, San Remo valued at $125,000 </li>
<li>790 square metres at Lakedge Avenue, Berkeley Vale valued at $258,000 </li>
<li>556 square metres at Robertson Road, Killarney Vale valued at $160,000 </li>
<li>613 square metres at Soldiers Point Drive, Norah Head valued at $304,000 </li>
<li>677 square metres at Surf Street, Long Jetty valued at $195,000 </li>
<li>753 square metres at Werrina Parade, Blue Bay valued at $1,774,000</li>
</ul>
 
Typical commercial land values were:
<ul>
<li>518 square metres at Canton Beach Road, Toukley valued at $325,000 </li>
<li>2,098 square metres at Pacific Highway, Tuggerah valued at $669,000 </li>
<li>278 square metres at Pacific Highway, Wyong valued at $255,000 </li>
<li>524 square metres at The Entrance Road, The Entrance valued at $494,000 </li>
</ul>
 
Typical industrial land values were:
<ul>
<li>3,274 square metres at Catamaran Road, Fountaindale valued at $491,000 </li>
<li>2,363 square metres at Joule Place, Tuggerah valued at $270,000 </li>
<li>5,828 square metres at Reliance Drive, Tuggerah valued at $665,000 </li>
<li>4,002 square metres at Naples Place, Wyong valued at $488,000</li>
</ul>
 
Typical rural residential land values were:
<ul>
<li>4 hectares at Cams Boulevard, Summerland Point valued at $406,000 </li>
<li>1.1 hectares at Hansens Road, Tumbi Umbi valued at $457,000 </li>
<li>1 hectare at Holloway Drive, Jilliby valued at $365,000</li>
</ul>
 
Typical hobby farm land values were:
<ul>
<li>8.7 hectares at Finns Road, Kulnura valued at $617,000 </li>
<li>10 hectares at Beaven Lane, Jilliby valued at $530,000</li>
</ul>
 
 
<ul></ul>
 
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Beachfront land values fall sharply in Wyong in past three years

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Investors returning to the market, not first-home buyers, helped Villa World secure 209 sales across 11 projects during the past six months.
The tally compared with 288 in the previous corresponding period.
First-home buyers constituted about 10% of buyers, with the bulk being upgraders.
<img src="/images/stories/villawood.gif">
Projects in Queensland, including the resource-strong market of Gladstone, notched up a 29% increase in sales success.
But Villa World reported the Victorian market continued to be “very challenging.”
Victorian sales and price growth continued to soften, with Villa World noting over the last six to nine months that Victoria’s previously strong population and migration growth had stalled.
“Consistent price growth over recent years has put pressure on affordability,” the company notes.
Villa World’s Victorian operations will carry forward 161 lots sold worth $29.8 million.
Across all states, an average gross margin of 24.5% per lot was achieved across all its sales, up from 18.8%, with the 2011 first half result affected by the sale of non-core projects.
The group recorded 343 settlements in the six-month period.
The group has total net lots under control of 4,897, including proportional joint-venture ownership.
Villa World indicates the group’s strategy remains unchanged with its focus of developing affordable residential communities, “combined with prudent capital management and maintenance of strong leverage and gearing ratios.”
 
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Investors and upgraders, not first-home buyers, behind Villa World’s building lot sales in past six months

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The Ten Network is seeking applications from hopeless husband renovators for its new lifestyle series, which offers to help home owners in desperate need of renovating.
But unlike the unwieldy, expensive 2011 reality series The Renovators, the next crop of willing participants must own their own homes and make a financial contribution to the renovation they oversee.
Ten <a target="_blank" href="https://ten.com.au/competitions-homemakeovercallout.htm">promises</a> to provide the "design expertise, manpower and materials" to turn a do-it-yourself dud or a house seeking inspiration into a "triumph".
Television industry sources suggest the announcement casts doubt as to whether there will be a second season of The Renovators.
Ten had originally revealed that The Renovators would return in 2012, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/renovating/the-renovators-will-not-return-in-same-format-and-possibly-not-at-all-lachlan-murdoch/2011102752103">but it has been vague about the show's precise future</a>.
"Obviously there's been a lot of discussion back and forth on The Renovators, and we obviously have a new chief executive on board who is actively involved and just terrific and wanting to be involved in building brands and content," Ten's chief programming officer David Mott said in an interview with David Know at TV Tonight.
“There’s no decision on Renovators at this point in time,” Mott said.
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