The Gold Coast economy has grown by 25 per cent since 2020/21 to surpass $55 billion, but perhaps the more significant story is what sits behind the headline number.

For decades, the Gold Coast has been viewed through the lens of tourism, lifestyle and population growth. The latest State of the City Report suggests that perception is increasingly out of step with reality.

Released by Invest Gold Coast, the report ranks the Gold Coast as Australia's largest non-capital city economy and, perhaps more notably, second nationally behind Sydney for Economic Complexity, a measure that assesses the diversity and sophistication of an economy.

It's a result that places the Gold Coast ahead of Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, highlighting the extent to which the city's economic base has broadened beyond its traditional industries.

Today, the Gold Coast supports more than 350,000 jobs, is home to over 83,000 businesses and generates $19 billion in annual exports. Manufacturing now accounts for 62 per cent of international export growth, while sectors including health, education, advanced manufacturing, technology and professional services are becoming increasingly important contributors to the local economy.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the report confirmed the city's evolution into one of Australia's most significant economies.

"The Gold Coast economy continues to grow at an incredible pace. This is no surprise to those of us who have watched the evolution up close," Mayor Tate said.

"As one of the most entrepreneurial, investment driven and opportunity focused economies in the country our ambition has been realised and possibilities are endless.

"The Gold Coast has built a reputation as the city that says yes. We say yes to investment, yes to opportunity and yes to people who want to build something.

"It's this mindset helping us drive major growth across health, advanced manufacturing, screen production, marine, technology and the knowledge economy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360975]

While population growth has been one of the defining stories of the past decade, the report points to a broader economic transformation taking place.

The city's knowledge economy now contributes $7.9 billion annually and supports around 31,000 jobs, while the health and wellbeing sector contributes $5.2 billion and employs more than 42,000 people. Together, the six priority sectors identified in the report account for almost $24 billion in economic output and more than 145,000 jobs.

One of the strongest examples is the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct at Southport. The 200-hectare precinct now contains more than $5 billion worth of health, education, research and innovation infrastructure and supports over 16,000 jobs.

The report also highlights the growing role of advanced manufacturing, particularly in aerospace, defence and modular construction.

Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space Technologies recently became the first Australian commercial company to attempt an orbital launch, while companies including Modscape and ModnPods are helping establish the Yatala-Stapylton corridor as one of Australia's fastest-growing advanced manufacturing hubs.

The city's entrepreneurial culture is also translating into business growth.

Since 2019/20, the number of businesses operating on the Gold Coast has increased by 22 per cent, while firms employing more than 200 people have grown by 80 per cent. The report suggests the next challenge is converting more local start-ups and medium-sized businesses into nationally significant companies.

Development activity remains another key indicator of confidence.

There are currently more than $23 billion worth of major projects underway across the Gold Coast, supported by a record 75 active cranes, a figure that now exceeds Brisbane and represents a 150 per cent increase since 2016.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112024 project_image_fid=343235]

Importantly, the report notes the next phase of investment will need to extend beyond residential development.

While 93 per cent of crane activity is currently tied to housing, Invest Gold Coast argues future investment will increasingly need to focus on cultural, civic, infrastructure and industry-enabling projects that strengthen the city's long-term economic resilience.

Invest Gold Coast Chair Will Hodgman said the city was now benefiting from years of economic diversification.

"What is happening on the Gold Coast is the result of the city's economic base broadening, fuelled by industries with long-term, high-growth potential," Mr Hodgman said.

"This is no longer a secondary Australian economy, the Gold Coast is becoming a globally connected city with deeper capability across health, knowledge and creative industries, advanced manufacturing, technology and exports."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365786]

Looking ahead, the Gold Coast's population is projected to exceed one million residents by 2046.

For a city that was once largely defined by tourism and lifestyle, the latest figures suggest the Gold Coast is becoming something more significant, one of Australia's most diverse and economically sophisticated urban economies, and increasingly one that national and international investors can no longer afford to overlook.

Joel Robinson

75 cranes, $23 billion pipeline and a $55 billion economy: Inside the Gold Coast economic boom

Ron Bakir's Homecorp has sold more than 75 per cent of the apartments in its wellness-driven Florence Residences in Surfers Paradise following its first weekend release.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/florence-residences-24-monte-carlo-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">26-storey project on Monte Carlo Avenue</a>, which commenced construction earlier this year, has seen a flurry of buyers secure their slice of the Gold Coast's latest wellbeing-focused offering in one of the nation's most competitive property markets.

Since the pandemic, the Gold Coast's population has grown by more than 11 per cent, a rate approximately four times faster than Sydney's, driven largely by lifestyle changes and interstate migration. While buyer activity has moderated in some markets nationally, demand for newly built dwellings on the Gold Coast continues to gain momentum as purchasers increasingly prioritise lifestyle, amenity, wellbeing, liveability and long-term investment potential.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372743]

Homecorp CEO Ron Bakir says buyers today are looking for more than just a home.

"What we are seeing is a shift in how people define value in property," Bakir says.

"What attracts residents to new developments is a desire for more than just a residence. They are looking for a place that complements their lifestyle, supports their wellbeing and reflects the way they want to live into the future.

"Lifestyle, longevity, proactive health, wellbeing, connection and a sense of community are increasingly shaping purchasing decisions, particularly on the Gold Coast, where these factors continue to be a major drawcard."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372744]

Bakir says Homecorp is responding to this shift through an approach that places greater emphasis on design, amenity and experience working together to create places that feel considered, connected and enduring in value.

Inspired by Eastern European design, Florence Residences will comprise 120 apartments alongside a private residents-only wellness club featuring a resort-style rooftop pool, hot and cold plunge pools, a spa retreat, contemporary gymnasium, and a spacious yoga and Pilates studio.

The development will also feature a residents-only lounge with private dining facilities and a rooftop bar, premium outdoor entertaining areas, a hotel-style lobby lounge, generous bike parking, and pet-friendly amenities including a heated dog wash.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372742]

A limited number of apartments remain available, with an exclusive collection of four-bedroom sub-penthouses set to be released in the coming months.

Florence is one of the latest additions to Homecorp's expanding multi-billion-dollar property portfolio, which also includes plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/homecorp-lodges-plans-for-260-million-moroccan-bathhouse-inspired-tower-in-budds-beach">$260 million development in Budds Beach</a> tailored to the growing wellness market.

A development application has been lodged for a 27-storey, 156-residence tower at 8–10 Acacia Avenue and 25–27 Oak Avenue, featuring a residents-only Moroccan spa-inspired sanctuary.

Apartments at Florence Residences are priced from $1,249,000, with construction expected to be completed by late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150414]

Buyers rush to Homecorp's Florence Residences as Gold Coast wellness trend gains momentum

The NSW Government has expanded its $1 billion Pre-sale Finance Guarantee program, broadening access for affordable housing providers and smaller residential developments as it seeks to accelerate housing delivery across the state.

The Minns Government says the program has already helped bring forward more than 600 homes across Sydney and regional NSW since launching in September 2025, with similar models now adopted in South Australia and Western Australia.

The latest changes, announced by Treasurer Daniel Mookhey and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully, are designed to improve access to finance for projects that have planning approval but are struggling to secure funding.

Among the key changes is an expansion of support for community housing providers. The program will now support up to 100 per cent affordable housing projects valued at up to $30 million when delivered by not-for-profit providers, while support for larger affordable housing developments will increase for projects worth up to $80 million.

The government says the changes will help accelerate the delivery of housing for low-income workers, older people, people living with disability, and those at risk of homelessness, while reducing reliance on direct grants or subsidised loans to bridge funding gaps.

The eligibility criteria for smaller residential developments have also been broadened. The previous $5 million minimum project value threshold has been removed and replaced with a requirement that projects deliver at least four homes.

Support has also increased for projects delivering fewer than 20 homes, with the guarantee now able to cover up to 75 per cent of dwellings in a development, capped at $30 million per project.

The changes are expected to particularly benefit smaller-scale and regional developments, which often face greater challenges meeting pre-sale requirements imposed by lenders.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the scheme demonstrates how government can use its balance sheet to stimulate housing supply without relying solely on taxpayer-funded grants.

"The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee shows how this Government is using its balance sheet to reduce risk and unlock private investment, enabling new homes to move from design to construction faster," Mookhey said.

"This landmark reform allows us to deliver homes for working families at a lower cost to taxpayers, while also maintaining strong financial discipline."

Planning Minister Paul Scully said the program had already proven effective in bringing stalled projects to market.

"The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee has already proven it can unlock stalled projects and accelerate housing delivery by giving lenders the confidence they need to back good developments," Scully said.

"These changes will allow more affordable housing and smaller developments to access support so more homes can be built faster where communities need them most."

Housing Minister Rose Jackson said the expansion would help community housing providers overcome financing barriers that often delay projects.

"We know community housing providers are ready to build more homes, too often they're held back by barriers to finance," Jackson said.

"Expanding the Pre-sale Finance Guarantee helps remove those barriers so more affordable homes can get off the ground sooner."

The announcement was welcomed by the Property Council of Australia, which has long advocated for measures aimed at improving project feasibility and access to finance.

Property Council NSW Executive Director Katie Stevenson described the expansion as a practical intervention that addresses one of the most immediate constraints on housing delivery.

"This is exactly the kind of practical intervention we need right now, focused on getting projects out of the ground, not just approved," Stevenson said.

"It builds on a model the Property Council has worked closely with government to develop following calls for such a scheme ahead of last year's NSW Budget, so it's great to see it being expanded."

Stevenson said the reforms would help unlock projects that are ready to proceed but have been delayed by financing challenges. However, she noted that broader feasibility issues remain a significant barrier to increasing housing supply.

"The biggest challenge in NSW housing today is delivery. Too many projects have planning approval but are simply not financially viable to proceed under current settings," she said.

Speaking at the Property Council's NSW Housing Summit, Housing Minister Rose Jackson acknowledged that feasibility and financing pressures continue to constrain housing delivery, while reaffirming the government's commitment to work with industry on solutions.

Stevenson said the government's recognition of those challenges was encouraging ahead of next week's state budget.

"It's positive to see the government clearly recognising that feasibility pressures are now a binding constraint on supply," she said.

"With the Budget just days away, the focus must be on backing delivery, making sure projects stack up, finance can flow, and more homes can move from approval to construction."

The expanded Pre-sale Finance Guarantee forms part of the NSW Government's broader housing agenda, which also includes planning reforms, the NSW Housing Pattern Book, and a series of rezonings intended to increase housing capacity across the state.

NSW expands Pre-sale Finance Guarantee to unlock more affordable and regional housing

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.

&nbsp;

[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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372222]

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.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146717]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6395]

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.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6399]

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.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=353235]

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.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134323]

The Walden pairs house-scale living with North Sydney connectivity

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?

Are mortgage holders set to get a reprieve from the RBA in 2026?

Big Four bank NAB believes so. They are now expecting the next move from the RBA to be a cut, rather than a hike, which they had pencilled in for August. They are unsure of the timing of the cut however, they note in their latest&nbsp;NAB Economics RBA Watch.

NAB Chief Economist, Dr Sally Auld, said recent data suggests the economy has lost momentum and the outlook for rates has shifted, noting that the broader economic backdrop has changed since earlier in the year.

“The next move in the cash rate is likely to be down, but the timing is uncertain," Dr Auld said.

"In February, growth was above trend, the economy was operating above capacity and there was uncertainty over the restrictiveness of rates. None of these conditions exist today,” she outlined.

Dr Auld said recent data pointed to softer momentum across the economy while acknowledging that at the same time, uncertainty remains a key feature of the outlook.

“Both Q1 GDP data and the NAB business survey suggest momentum in the economy has slowed, meaning that growth has likely peaked for the cycle. That said, we are cognisant there is still considerable uncertainty around the outlook, both with respect to activity and inflation.”

Dr Auld said inflation risks and labour market outcomes would be important to watch.

“On the prices side, we are still forecasting above target core inflation through to mid-2027. Margins will compress and weaker labour market outcomes are a risk.”

She said tighter financial conditions are expected to weigh on housing and activity.

“Tighter financial conditions will be reflected in a slowing in house price growth and housing credit growth. In summary, we have greater conviction that the next move in rates is down, but less conviction on the timing.”

Mortgage relief? NAB forecasts RBA rate cut, not hike, after softer economic conditions

<html><body>
Developer Boill Australia are set to launch the second stage of the 290 apartment residential development at Kellyville in western Sydney.
Stage two, named Magnolia, is part of Boill’s Peony Place project. It is set over four stages with eight buildings located opposite the Bella Vista Waters luxury homes precinct.
Stage one construction is at the third floor with only a handful of apartments remaining on sale.
The one bedroom apartments are sized from 77sqm to 110sqm internally, two bedrooms starting at 109sqm and the three bedroom apartments ranging from 105sqm to 141sqm internally. 
George Xu, General Manager of Boill Australia said stage two of our development has a great deal to offer residents.
"Key attractions are likely to be the generous indoor and outdoor spaces that many of the apartments feature coupled with the location, which offers a variety of parks and leisure spaces, transport and retail options and it is only three minutes’ drive to Norwest Business Park," he said.
Ed Tancred, Sales &amp; Marketing Manager, Boill Australia, said they took into account the demographics of the area and saw a market for those buyers looking to downsize to a house sized apartment.
Design firm DKO have included Quantum Quartz engineered stone bench-tops and timber paneling in the kitchens with European cooking appliances and bold pendant lighting above the islands. Engineered oak floors, plush cut pile wool carpet, black window frames and air conditioning are all standard.
Peter Coulton from Savills Residential Projects said early indications show us the first home buyers and investor market definitely appreciate the multi-purpose rooms and the extra size that Magnolia offers.
To register for the Savills VIP launch <a href="https://www.magnolialiving.com.au" target="_blank">click here</a>. 
</body></html>

jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Boill Australia launching stage two, Magnolia at Peony Place

<html><body>
Melbourne’s eclectic cultural mix continues to draw Australians in, driving property prices up, according to Domain's latest State of the Market report.
The median house price is now just over $860,000, a much more attractive price tag than that of its neighbouring capital, Sydney.
With the unit median price now pushing up to $475,000, this city brings more than just the ‘cool’ factor to the table – it brings opportunity for first home buyers and investors alike.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/07/20/Screen%20Shot%202017-07-20%20at%2010.43.25%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<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/2017/07/20/Screen%20Shot%202017-07-20%20at%2010.43.25%20am.jpg" alt="">
The capital has a strong track record for "astounding" price growth, with a yearly growth of 15.1%, Domain noted.
Performance paired with an appealing lifestyle, makes it the market to watch over the coming months, it said.
<table style="width: 449px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="113">
Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
Jun 2017
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
Mar 2017
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
Jun 2016
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
Quarter-on-quarter
</td>
<td valign="top" width="69">
Year-on-year
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="113">
Ballarat
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$348,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$325,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$310,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
7.1%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="69">
12.3%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="113">
Greater Bendigo
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$350,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$349,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$338,250
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
0.1%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="69">
3.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="113">
Greater Geelong
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$466,750
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$450,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$420,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
3.7%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="69">
11.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="113">
Greater Shepparton
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$260,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$275,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$270,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
-5.5%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="69">
-3.7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="113">
Mildura
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$265,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$273,250
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$265,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
-3%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="69">
0%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="113">
Surf Coast
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$770,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$735,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$666,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
4.8%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="69">
15.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="113">
Warrnambool
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$349,900
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$350,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$325,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
0%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="69">
7.7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="113">
Wodonga
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$320,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$333,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$315,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
-3.9%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="69">
1.6%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Melbourne's 'astounding' property price growth continues

<html><body>
Australia’s cosmopolitan hub continues to boom with price growth increasing yet again this quarter, according to Domain’s latest State of the Market report.
The median house price is now sitting just under $1.2 million, with the unit median almost breaking $760,000.
Sydney’s house price growth is showing signs of ease, with June’s results half of the rates recorded in 2016.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/07/20/Screen%20Shot%202017-07-20%20at%2010.21.12%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<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/2017/07/20/Screen%20Shot%202017-07-20%20at%2010.21.12%20am.jpg" alt="">
While this may be welcome news for buyers seeking a house, the increasing growth of unit prices indicates it’s a strong seller market.
There is a range of property prices across the vibrant city’s suburbs, but what you can buy in the city comes down to lifestyle and individual needs.
If strong price growth is something you’re looking for, Sydney remains the capital of choice.
<table style="width: 451px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="93">
Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
Jun 2017
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
Mar 2017
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
Jun 2016
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
Quarter-on-quarter
</td>
<td valign="top" width="80">
Year-on-year
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="93">
Albury
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$299,225
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$330,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$312,250
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
-9.3%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="80">
-4.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="93">
Armidale Dumaresq
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$352,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$328,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$361,250
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
7.5%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="80">
-2.4%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="93">
Ballina
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$597,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$545,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$527,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
9.6%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="80">
13.4%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="93">
Bathurst
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$417,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$410,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$385,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
1.7%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="80">
8.3%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="93">
Byron
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$910,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$850,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$704,250
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
7.1%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="80">
29.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="93">
Clarence Valley
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$360,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$369,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$330,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
-2.4%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="80">
9.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="93">
Coffs Harbour
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$486,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$453,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$432,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
7.3%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="80">
12.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="93">
Dubbo
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$337,750
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$367,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$345,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
-8%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="80">
-2.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="93">
Eurobodalla
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$445,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$438,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$392,250
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
1.6%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="80">
13.4%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="93">
Great Lakes
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$485,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$514,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$441,250
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
-5.6%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="80">
9.9%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="93">
Lismore
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$372,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$349,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$350,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
6.4%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="80">
6.3%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="93">
Newcastle
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$620,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$565,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$502,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
9.7%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="80">
23.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="93">
Orange
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$370,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$345,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$331,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
7.2%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="80">
11.8%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="93">
Port Macquarie-Hastings
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$499,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$505,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$465,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
-1.3%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="80">
7.3%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="93">
Richmond Valley
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$265,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$318,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$253,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
-16.5%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="80">
4.7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="93">
Shellharbour
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$645,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$605,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$550,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
6.6%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="80">
17.3%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="93">
Shoalhaven
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$537,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$525,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$456,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
2.3%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="80">
17.8%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="93">
Tamworth Regional
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$332,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$325,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$325,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
2.2%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="80">
2.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="93">
Tweed
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$580,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$565,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$507,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
2.7%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="80">
14.3%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="93">
Wagga Wagga
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$342,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$340,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$337,250
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
0.6%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="80">
1.4%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="93">
Wingecarribee
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$800,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$780,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$675,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
2.6%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="80">
18.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="93">
Wollongong
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$760,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="67">
$719,250
</td>
<td valign="top" width="65">
$640,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
5.7%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="80">
18.8%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</body></html>

Sydney's property price growth continues to rise

<html><body>
Peter Campbell, the Clarendon Homes founder, and wife Catherine have paid $12 million for a penthouse in The Rocks.
It ranks as the sixth most expensive apartment sold in the last financial year. It has quintessential Sydney postcard views across Campbells Cove to the Opera House and up towards the Harbour Bridge.
The Hickson Road apartment has a stellar provenance having first been owned by the late McDonald's chief Charlie Bell.
Bell spent $8,525,000 in 2003 after its refurbishment of the 1912 Metcalfe Bond building by Nettleton Tribe Architects for Tjeerd la Grouw's Amstal Property Group.
Qantas chief Geoff Dixon was another past owner though he sold it at a loss in 2014 for $7.45 million.
Set in the 1912 Metcalfe Bond building, the two level apartment has three bedroom and spans 328 sqm.
The two most expensive established apartments to sell in last financial year were both secured off market by downsizers.
The former Sydney Lord Mayor Nelson Meers and his wife Carole paid $16 million for a Point Piper whole floor apartment in the Alex Popov designed harbour front Buckhurst Avenue block.
Last traded for $11.6 million when new in 2011, the unit came with four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a temperature-controlled wine cellar.
LJ Hooker agent Bill Malouf handled the sale.
The couple had downsized from Bayview where they sold their five bedroom Tuscan style villa for $4.55 million last year.
Businessman Stephen Johns, most known for being the longtime chairman at Brambles, bought the Darling Point apartment of Silicon Valley software billionaire David Doyle.
Set in the Burley Katon Halliday block, the four bedroom penthouse comprises 456 sqm of internal space, 103 sqm of terraces and a 12 sqm rooftop garden.
It has a private gym, study, maids suite, home theatre and large terrace which takes in views of the Harbour Bridge.
Doyle, a software pioneer and backer of Neil Perry's Rockpool Bar &amp; Grill, paid $7.1 million for the lavish New Beach Road spread in 2000, a record breaking apartment sale in Sydney's eastern suburbs at the time.
Like the Meers, Johns has also downsized.
He and wife Michele Bender are waiting for a buyer for their long-held Bellevue Hill trophy Belhaven which has price hopes of between $25 million and $27 million.
The third most expensive apartment came in August last year when Rocco Lagudi and wife Frances, paid $13.5 million for a Point Piper apartment.
Aussie John Symond sold his Point Piper penthouse for $13.3 million, with a caveat lodged by Angela Teplitsky, wife of property developer Michael Teplitsky.
Ferrari Australasia chief executive Herbert Appleroth sold his harbourfront apartment in Pyrmont for more than $13 million, making it the fifth most expensive sale this financial year.
The five bedroom, four bathroom apartment amalgamation had been inspected by Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio in 2011 as a possible rental while he was shooting Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby. 
The top six sales of established units totalled over $80 million.
The top off the plan sales were considerably pricier, with two apartments in the new Circular Quay development the Opera Residences fetching $26 million and $27 million.
The third most expensive was a $17 million apartment in another off the plan Circular Quay development, Loftus Lane.
This article first appeared in the Daily Telegraph.
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

$12 million paid for The Rocks penthouse

<html><body>
Preliminary auction numbers down for the fourth consecutive week, according to CoreLogic's latest report.
The property data firm says that however auction clearance rate increases.
The number of homes taken to auction across the capital cities has fallen for the 4th week in a row, with just 1,612 auctions held this week, down from 1,766 last week, although higher than this time last year when 1,391 properties went under the hammer.
The combined capital city preliminary clearance rate increased to 72.4 per cent this week, up from the final clearance rate of 68.4 per cent last week, although this will revise as more results are collected.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/07/16/Screen%20Shot%202017-07-16%20at%2011.07.13%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<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/2017/07/16/Screen%20Shot%202017-07-16%20at%2011.07.13%20am.jpg" alt="">
The final clearance rate has nudged slightly higher over the last two weeks after reaching a year to date low of 66.5 per cent; it will be interesting to see if this is still the case on Thursday when the final figures are released.
Adelaide and Brisbane were the only cities to see a slight increase in auction volumes this week, while Melbourne had the highest number of auctions scheduled (753).
In terms of preliminary clearance rates, Melbourne was the best performing city with 77.4 per cent of the 667 results recording a successful result, and although this result will revise lower as the final results are collected, it is likely to be stronger than what we have seen in Melbourne over the last month.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/07/16/Screen%20Shot%202017-07-16%20at%2011.07.23%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<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/2017/07/16/Screen%20Shot%202017-07-16%20at%2011.07.23%20am.jpg" alt="">
Across Melbourne, 77.4 per cent of the 667 reported auctions sold this week.
There were 753 auctions held across the city this week, falling from 818 last week when the final clearance rate was 72.9 per cent, but higher than one year ago when 667 homes went to auction and a clearance rate of 76.1 per cent was recorded.
The West region of Melbourne had the highest number of auctions this week (138), with a preliminary clearance rate of 68.8 per cent.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/07/16/Screen%20Shot%202017-07-16%20at%2011.07.32%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<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/2017/07/16/Screen%20Shot%202017-07-16%20at%2011.07.32%20am.jpg" alt="">
Meanwhile, the strongest clearance rate was recorded across the Outer East, with 90.9 per cent of the 55 reported auctions clearing, followed by the South East region with a clearance rate of 86.2 per cent.
In Sydney, 600 properties were taken to auction this week with a preliminary clearance rate of 72.9 per cent, increasing from last week, when the final clearance rate for the city was 68.6 per cent across 656 auctions.
One year ago, 470 Sydney homes were taken to auction and the clearance rate was 74.9 per cent.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/07/16/Screen%20Shot%202017-07-16%20at%2011.07.40%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<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/2017/07/16/Screen%20Shot%202017-07-16%20at%2011.07.40%20am.jpg" alt="">
Looking at the sub-regions of Sydney, the Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury region recorded the strongest clearance rate of 94.1 per cent across 21 auctions, followed by the Eastern Suburbs (84.2 per cent), while the North Sydney and Hornsby region had the highest volume of auctions (84), and recorded a clearance rate of 76.9 per cent.
There were 116 Brisbane homes taken to auction this week, with 87 results reported so far.
The preliminary clearance rate for the city is 44.8 per cent, down from 55.7 per cent last week and lower than one year ago, when 47.0 per cent of the 120 properties taken to auction were successful.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/07/16/Screen%20Shot%202017-07-16%20at%2011.07.47%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<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/2017/07/16/Screen%20Shot%202017-07-16%20at%2011.07.47%20am.jpg" alt="">
Across the Gold Coast 14 results have been reported so far, with a success rate of 64.3 per cent.
This week, Adelaide saw a preliminary clearance rate of 75.0 per cent, with 36 reported results across a total of 65 scheduled auctions.
In comparison, over the previous week Adelaide’s clearance rate was 59.6 per cent and 54.7 per cent one year ago.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/07/16/Screen%20Shot%202017-07-16%20at%2011.07.58%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<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/2017/07/16/Screen%20Shot%202017-07-16%20at%2011.07.58%20am.jpg" alt="">
There were 33 Perth auctions this week and so far 18 results have been reported, with 44.4 per cent selling.
Last week 36.4 per cent of the 22 reported auctions were successful.
Canberra’s preliminary auction clearance rate of 72.7 per cent across 39 auctions is higher than both last week, when the final auction clearance rate was 62.7 per cent, and last year (63.3 per cent).
Tasmania saw 6 auctions take place this week and 5 results have been reported so far, with 3 sales.
</body></html>

Preliminary auction numbers down for fourth week in a row: CoreLogic

<html><body>
The median unit price in Brisbane dropped 5.5 percent over the June quarter to $375,000.
Annually, unit prices are down 4.9 percent, the latest Domain State of the Market Report calculates.
Domain Group chief economist Andrew Wilson not at 3.1 percent annual house price growth is still positive, but this is the slowest growth rate recorded since 2013. 
The drop of 5.5 per cent is the steepest fall in unit prices since the December 2000 quarter - and is predicted to continue as supply continues to outweigh demand.
In the Greater Brisbane area, which includes the local government areas of Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Redland City and Logan, house prices fell 0.1 per cent
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="106">
Region
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
Median price
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
Quarter change
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
Year change
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="106">
Brisbane (C)
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
$657,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
4.4%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
1.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="106">
Ipswich (C)
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
$371,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
6.3%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
-2.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="106">
Logan (C)
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
$400,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
0%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
0%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="106">
Moreton Bay (C)
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
$445,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
1.4%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
-1.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="106">
Redland (C)
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
$520,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
0%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
-0.4%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
House prices in Ipswich, Moreton Bay and Redland City have all recorded drops, while Logan’s house prices are flat.
Brisbane as a city has performed slightly better, recording a 1.2 per cent rise in house prices. The median is now $657,500.
CoreLogic is not tracking the same decline.
Brisbane has the third highest 12 month home value growth among the capitals, according to CoreLogic’s latest report.
The property data firm says that in the past 12 months Brisbane’s home value has risen by 4%
The property data firm says that a rise in house values compensates a fall in unit values takes Brisbane’s annual growth rate into 2% in the June quarter.
Melbourne and Sydney take the top two spots with a home value growth of 16% and 13% respectively.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/07/17/Screen%20Shot%202017-07-17%20at%2012.12.17%20pm.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<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/2017/07/17/Screen%20Shot%202017-07-17%20at%2012.12.17%20pm.jpg" alt="">
 
</body></html>

Brisbane unit prices in serious price decline: Domain

<html><body>
Sydney still has the latest selling units among the capital city markets.
But Melbourne and Canberra are neck and neck in the quickest selling houses, according to CoreLogic’s latest report.
The property data firm says that the average time that a unit in Sydney stays on the market is 30 days.
Melbourne and Canberra houses are selling in 29 days in the private treaty market.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/07/12/Screen%20Shot%202017-07-12%20at%2010.34.26%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<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/2017/07/12/Screen%20Shot%202017-07-12%20at%2010.34.26%20am.jpg" alt="">
Darwin and Perth are the two capitals where properties take the longest time to sell.
</body></html>

Sydney units the quickest selling capital city market: CoreLogic

<html><body>
The amount of construction in <a href="/new-apartments/melbourne-vic">Melbourne's central city</a> is reaching fever pitch with a number of large scale towers either topping out or rising out of the ground, forever changing the face of the city. But that's not what today's article is about. Instead I'd like to focus on five city changing projects which direct the eye to the street rather than the sky.

<h2>1. Melbourne Metro Rail Project</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/mt_cbdn_sl_03.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="CBD North Station Franklin Street entry. Image: MMRA"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="385" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mt_cbdn_sl_03.jpg?itok=xOBu_jhP" title="CBD North Station Franklin Street entry. Image: MMRA" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>CBD North Station Franklin Street entry. Image: MMRA</figcaption></figure>I may be slightly biased with this one having been involved with the Reference Design throughout 2015 but no project will have as great an impact on Melbourne as the Melbourne Metro Rail Project (MMRP).

Over the course of the next eight years as tunnel boring machines carve their way through the heart of the city creating five new underground stations linked by twin nine kilometre tunnels, a number of changes will also be noticed at the surface as road space is taken over for station entries and widened footpaths to accommodate surging passenger and pedestrian numbers in key areas of the city.

The concept designs produced by <a href="/architects/hassell-studio">Hassell</a> in association with Weston Williamson as part of the winning Cross Yarra Partnership are largely in keeping with the framework developed as part of the reference design by the mighty MMRP design team.

Without going into too much detail lest I get myself in hot water for disclosing more than what I am allowed to, as the concept images suggest the station entries will be integrated into the fabric of the city adding to its rich tapestry of public spaces and network of laneways.

Eight years may seem like a long wait but the $11 billion investment will definitely be worth the inconvenience of construction in the heart of the city.

More information:

<ul>
<li>
<a href="/news/metro-tunnel-gets-its-tunnel-signaling-contractors">Metro tunnel gets its tunnel &amp; signaling contractors</a> (Apartments.com.au)</li>
	<li><a href="http://metrotunnel.vic.gov.au/">Metro Tunnel website</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>2. Queen Victoria Market Renewal Project</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/munro-render-8-1200_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Concept image for Munro site as part of the QVMRP. Image: City of Melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/munro-render-8-1200_0.jpg?itok=QpS0L5tK" title="Concept image for Munro site as part of the QVMRP. Image: City of Melbourne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Concept image for Munro site as part of the QVMRP. Image: City of Melbourne</figcaption></figure>Yes, there is a 125 metre tower on the former Munro site, but this project is more than a tower or the transformation of the market's operations but rather the creation of key public spaces in the northern quadrant of the city, serviced by community facilities.

Occupying space previously reserved for vehicular movements and parking, the creation of key public spaces in the new 'Market Square' and 'Market Cross' will firmly reinforce the market as an environment for people, not cars and forklifts.

The City of Melbourne has long spoken about a public space at the market as a 'Fed Square of the north' but rather than thinking of it in terms of built form or architecture this is meant as a comparison of what Federation Square provides in the way of quality multi-functional open space which can host a range of events of various size throughout the year.

For a complete rundown, read <a href="/news/the-queen-victoria-market-renewal-project-a-refresher">The Queen Victoria Market renewal project: a refresher</a> (Apartments.com.au).

<h2>3. Southbank Boulevard</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/df7137ecebff824cdc3581a6ddd69bec_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Southbank Boulevard renewal. Image: City of Melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="363" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/df7137ecebff824cdc3581a6ddd69bec_0.jpg?itok=6Z4uX7a2" title="Southbank Boulevard renewal. Image: City of Melbourne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Southbank Boulevard renewal. Image: City of Melbourne</figcaption></figure>Covered on Apartments.com.au <a href="/news/southbanks-new-green-spine-a-step-closer">last week</a>, the Southbank Boulevard and Dodds Street concept plan sees ancillary road space in the heart of <a href="/new-apartments/southbank-vic-3006">Southbank</a> transformed into new open space to help service Southbank's growing residential population.

With Council voting to adopt the concept plan, its full steam ahead on the first of many projects which will see the replacement of bitumen with grass and trees providing 2.5 hectares of usable open space in Melbourne's most densely populated suburb. What was once a traffic sewer will by 2020 become Southbank's new green spine.

To find out more, visit <a href="https://participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au/southbankboulevard#/features">Southbank Boulevard and Dodds Street Draft Concept Plan</a> (Participate Melbourne).

<h2>4. Elizabeth Street South</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/elizabeth_south.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Elizabeth Street South concept image. Image: City of Melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="305" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/elizabeth_south.png?itok=MpaO06OF" title="Elizabeth Street South concept image. Image: City of Melbourne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Elizabeth Street South concept image. Image: City of Melbourne</figcaption></figure>The southern end of Elizabeth Street will be transformed via a $1.5 million makeover, with plans to close the southbound lane between Flinders Lane and Flinders Street to make this major entrance to the station more pedestrian friendly, with new paving, street trees and improved drainage.

Despite being one of the most important entry points into the city, this section of Elizabeth Street is characterised by poor urban design, an absence of trees, soft and hard landscape and constrained footpaths which results in a compromised pedestrian experience. Additionally, the current state of the tram turnaround area and shelters detracts from the visual and historical significance of Flinders Street Station.

Construction is expected to begin later this year following the release of a detailed concept plan in coming weeks. The City of Melbourne is also considering eventually extending the pedestrianised areas up to Bourke Street in future.

To find out more about the Elizabeth Street South Project, visit <a href="https://participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au/elizabethstreet">Elizabeth Street South</a> (Participate Melbourne).

I believe another candidate for a similar transformation into a more welcoming pedestrian environment would be Spencer Street directly opposite Southern Cross Station between Collins and Bourke Streets. These corners are already swelling during peak hours and during event mode, with pedestrians waiting at the respective intersections to cross to or from the station - a potentially hazardous scenario.

This would then allow the tram super stop to be reconfigured for direct interchange between the station and the trams removing the pedestrian conflict with vehicles and allowing for a more permeable interface between the now 10-year-old station and an improved 'front door' allowing retail to spill out onto Spencer Street.

Fewer bollards would also be required (sorry boll-artists) and these could then form part of an overall urban design and landscaping strategy for the area.

With a bit more interrogation this may eventually become the subject of its own article on Apartments.com.au.

<h2>5. Harbour Esplanade Redevelopment</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/harbour_esplanade.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Concept sketch for Harbour Esplanade. Image: City of Melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="306" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/harbour_esplanade.png?itok=I365TGLJ" title="Concept sketch for Harbour Esplanade. Image: City of Melbourne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Concept sketch for Harbour Esplanade. Image: City of Melbourne</figcaption></figure>While construction progresses all over the Docklands Precinct one key project has consistently lagged behind the rest - the Harbour Esplanade Redevelopment.

Long mooted for the past decade, only the first stage of what was a <a href="/architects/bkk-architects">BKK Architects</a> produced scheme was realised. This involved the reconfiguration of the road reserve and relocation of the tram tracks to a more central location releasing land along the water's edge for a grand public space.

Additionally, the Canary Island palms planted as part of <a href="/architects/arm-architecture">ARM's</a> initial take on Harbour Esplanade were replaced with Norfolk Pines which are more suited to a waterside environment.

Since then a subsequent master plan was produced by Hassell following further rounds of community engagement. While not proposing anything concrete, the master plan rather takes a space proofing approach identifying areas suitable for particular activities or built form.

To allow this master plan to progress (albeit very slowly) a number of wharves were demolished by Places Victoria in order to create a seamless transition from the existing footpath to the reinstated but lowered wharves. A this stage no definitive date has been nominated for completion of these works or the further progression of the Harbour Esplanade Master Plan.

I consider Harbour Esplanade to be <a href="/new-apartments/docklands-vic-3008">Docklands</a>' most important project and as such should be adequately funded with Development Victoria and the City of Melbourne working together to deliver the best outcome for Melbourne.

Talk of reinstating sheds seems counter intuitive considering they were initially demolished to open Harbour Esplanade to the water although built form wind breaks of some form may be required or the sheds' exposed structures reinstated as a 'memory' of what once was while still allowing for a degree of visual and physical permeability to the water.

One of Harbour Esplanade's most critical roles is not only linking a number of disparate precincts together while also providing quality, usable open space which celebrates Docklands waterfront location. I would suggest that whatever the final outcome the master plan needs to also consider Harbour Esplanade's relationship to Central Pier creating a unified vision for the waterfront.

<blockquote>
Places Victoria’s ambition for Harbour Esplanade is for it to be a place of increased national significance and one of the great post-industrial waterfronts anywhere in the world.

Harbour Esplanade should be the primary public space in Docklands – a fine boulevard for promenading, providing an opportunity to experience elements of Melbourne’s rich industrial ports heritage and a place to welcome and guide the public through the sub-precincts of Melbourne’s Docklands and central city.
<cite>Places Victoria</cite>
</blockquote>

For further information, read: <a href="/news/places-victoria-submits-harbour-esplanade-masterplan">Places Victoria submits Harbour Esplanade Masterplan</a> (Apartments.com.au).

Do you agree with the list? What do you believe the top five projects for Melbourne are? Leave your comments below.
</body></html>

Laurence Dragomir

My top 5 city changing projects

<html><body>
Grants for first home buyers keen to buy off-the-plan in South Australia could total around $40,000 of incentives.
According to South Australia Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis a number of property developments had not sold enough apartments off-the-plan to begin construction and a $10,000 pre-construction grant will be given to buyers of off-the-plan apartments who sign a contract before September 30, 2017.
On top of the grant, off-the-plan buyers incentives include stamp duty concessions of up to $15,500, and a first-home owner grant of $15,000 for buyers of new residential property.
Previously home owners will be eligible to receive the stamp duty concession and new grants of up to $25,000.
State Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis said the $10,000 pre-construction grant, combined with the Adelaide City Council’s scheme to give owner-occupiers a “five-year holiday from council rates” was a great incentive to buy off-the-plan.
“It’s our responsibility as a state to make sure people can buy an apartment where they grew up,” he said.
View our guide to first home buyer grants here.
</body></html>

New off-the-plan grants for South Australian first home buyers

<html><body>
The middle to outer eastern Melbourne suburbs are becoming unaffordable, according to Herron Todd White’s latest July report.
The property data firm says that there are some areas where $500,000 can get you a two bedroom apartment or unit.
“Within the middle to outer eastern suburbs, $500,000 will not enable purchase of a dwelling, however there are some areas where 2-bedroom units or apartments are affordable.
“In Boronia the median unit sale price in March 2017 was $496,944 (RP Data) which is expected to achieve a rental return of $333 per week reflecting a yield of approximately 3.48%.
“Similarly, the median unit sale price in Bayswater in March 2017 was $467,000 (RP Data) which is expected to achieve a rental return of $330 per week reflecting a yield of approximately 3.67%.
“If buyers desire to be closer to the Melbourne CBD, apartments provide a more affordable option in suburbs such as Mitcham, Forest Hill and Blackburn.
“For example, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-apartment-vic-blackburn-124547918">410/394-398 Middleborough Road</a>, Blackburn sold on 27 April 2017 for $492,000.
“It last sold in 2013 for $528,000.
“The apartment comprises 2-bedrooms, 2-bathrooms and two basement car parking spaces.
“If the market keeps firming, soon buyers with a budget of $500,000 might be priced out of the 2-bedroom unit or apartment market, however 1-bedroom apartments would still provide an alternative.
“Last year, 2-bedroom dwellings were under $500,000 in Boronia and Mooroolbark, however currently the median price for a 2-bedroom house in Boronia is $572,750 (realestate.com) and $526,000 in Mooroolbark (realestate.com), so buyers with a budget of $500,000 can no longer afford these properties.
“A three bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-mooroolbark-125860598">17 Old Kent Street</a>, Mooroolbark (below) has been listed for between $550,000 to $590,000.
“Built in 1975 it last sold in 2015 for $400,000, in 2009 for $313,000, 2007 for $334,000 and in 2002 for $229,000,” the report stated.
<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/2017/07/11/17%20Old%20Kent%20Road.jpg" alt="">
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