Around 400 additional homes could be built at Southwark Grounds on Port Road, lifting total site capacity from 1300 to around 1700 dwellings.

A recently approved code amendment would allow apartment towers of up to 14 storeys in some areas of Renewal SA’s redevelopment of the former West End Brewery.

Renewal SA Acting Chief Executive Shane Wingard said he welcomed the code amendment, with the increase in heights and homes making a positive impact on the supply of high-quality, well-connected housing close to the city.

“By going higher across some parts of Southwark Grounds, we are adding a substantial number of very well-located homes with little impact on project delivery time or planned open space,” Mr Wingard said.

Since the project officially launched in 2025, Mr Wingard said more than 12,000 enquiries had been received about living at Southwark Grounds.

“The very strong early interest we’ve seen since homes were first released in the precinct reinforces our plans to create more housing opportunities,” he said.

The Southwark Grounds code amendment was launched in December last year, with community engagement undertaken over five weeks from January.

It proposed increasing maximum building heights from eight to 14 storeys on the eastern section of Southwark Grounds, and to 12 storeys across the remainder of the site, with minimum building heights ranging from two to four storeys.

The code amendment was implemented through an Early Commencement policy in late January, allowing developers to quickly explore the viability of increased height and housing yield while other planning processes continue.

One of the first developers delivering apartment sites have already finalised redesigns to increase the number of apartments following the code amendment.

Samaras’ development adjacent to the future Colonel Light Park is now planning to deliver 125 apartments across 11 storeys, significantly greater than original plans of around 50 apartments across four storeys.

The developer is also exploring the potential for additional affordable housing outcomes.

Most of the apartments at Southwark Grounds will be delivered within a master-planned precinct on a large parcel of land on the eastern portion of the site, covering around two-thirds of its 8.4 hectares.

Wingard said detailed precinct planning over the coming months may identify further opportunities to increase yield further that could see total apartment numbers at Southwark Grounds, exceed this number.

Affordable homes at Southwark Grounds will also see a net increase, with Renewal SA maintaining its commitment to a minimum of 20 per cent affordable housing across the development.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Civil works have begun across the site, with construction under way on the first new roads surrounding a townhouse precinct in the south‑west corner of Southwark Grounds. This includes Renewal SA’s 17 Founder’s Row homes, which are on track for completion by Christmas.

“We expect to have people living at Southwark Grounds by the end of the year, so delivering roads and public spaces for those residents is among our highest priorities.”

Construction of 40 townhouses off Anderson Street, known as West Village and being delivered by Contour, is forecast to begin in mid‑2026. Kolabb’s Anderson Lane development will follow shortly after, delivering a further 26 townhouses.

Southwark Grounds is a state government‑led urban renewal project now set to deliver around 1,700 homes over the next decade.

Homes will be supported by a supermarket, a range of retail and hospitality offerings anchored by a revitalised Walkerville Brew Tower, a childcare centre, car parking and well‑connected public spaces.

Joel Robinson

400 new homes planned for Adelaide's former West End Brewery site

Brisbane developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/cavcorp">Cavcorp</a> has lodged plans for a new mixed-use residential development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-wyandra-street-teneriffe-qld-4005">55 Wyandra Street</a>, Teneriffe, anchored by an 85-metre public laneway designed to reconnect the suburb’s riverfront with the Gasworks precinct.

The buildings, known as Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane, would replace the existing Queensland Cotton head office site with a 15-storey residential tower transitioning to eight storeys toward Helen Street. The project has been designed by Plazibat Architects and lodged as a code assessable development application for 93 apartments across a 3,401 sqm mixed-use site within the Newstead and Teneriffe Waterfront neighbourhood plan.

Central to the scheme is the transformation of an existing service easement into a publicly accessible cross-block connection linking Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the new laneway will act as both a pedestrian shortcut and a landscaped civic space between the Teneriffe Riverwalk, ferry terminal, and Gasworks precinct.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="26e7f058-b065-4de8-b13d-a2b8cb64dfcc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bldg.png?VersionId=sELS0ZKYi361oYipUa1BIKfe_.DLZoFV" />

“The revised proposal delivers a legacy public-realm cross-block link, permanently secured for community use, transforming an existing private easement into a safe, high-quality pedestrian connection between the Teneriffe heritage riverwalk and the Gasworks–Long Island precinct,” the planning report states.

The laneway will sit beneath a large subtropical loggia integrated into the podium levels of the development. The design incorporates deep landscaping, water gardens, lobby spaces, business lounges, and ground-floor apartments to create what Cavcorp describes as a climate-responsive “urban verandah.”

The tower itself has been designed as a slender form with recessed floorplates and curved translucent corners inspired by contemporary Japanese architecture. The building height aligns with the Commercial Road precinct controls, which permit towers up to 15 storeys within proximity to Longland Street.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a8a17d40-43b6-4718-b3fd-67676fcbb485" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers%202_1.png?VersionId=i3VwDtp5AmL_8InW7w4qRbDFEpb744Jt" />

The project will comprise a mix of larger-format apartments aimed at owner-occupiers, downsizers, and families. The proposed apartment mix includes 11 loggia apartments across the lower levels, 50 four-bedroom Sky-Terrace apartments from levels three to seven, and 32 Sky-Pool Homes occupying the upper tower levels. The Sky-Pool Homes will feature private thermal plunge pools integrated into oversized balconies.

According to the application, the apartments are intended to reinterpret the scale and character of Teneriffe’s woolstore conversions and Queensland homes within a vertical residential format.

“The sky-pool homes build on Cavcorp’s previous projects and introduce a distinct apartment typology to Teneriffe, informed by both local and international precedent and responding to an identified market demand for enhanced safety, space and amenity,” the planning submission notes.

A major focus of the proposal is its five-level wellness and lifestyle offering, extending from the basement through to the rooftop.

Amenities proposed include a rooftop Swim &amp; Racquet Club with a 25-metre Olympic lap pool and tennis court, coworking spaces and libraries, golf simulators, wine storage, concierge facilities, business lounges, pet wash areas, and rooftop longevity-focused wellness spaces with spas, outdoor fitness zones, and landscaped terraces.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="944b352c-49b9-4247-a4c6-5967b4b69fda" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/amenity.png?VersionId=Ed_qKjAtMwFT.5gfl3jiA9QwdWxSMsaX" />

All parking will be concealed within basement levels accessed from Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the deep-basement engineering approach allows the entire ground plane to prioritise landscaping, pedestrian movement, and active frontage rather than vehicle infrastructure.

The development continues Cavcorp’s concentration in Newstead and Teneriffe, where the Brisbane developer has delivered a number of apartment projects including Lucent, Le Bain, and Luminare, as well as the Long Island Wellness Precinct nearby. Several of those projects have received national design and architecture awards, including recognition under Brisbane’s “Buildings that Breathe” program.

Cavcorp unveils wellness-focused Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane apartment buildings

Focus Group Investments has lodged plans for a new apartment development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-70-hanover-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">64–70 Hanover Street</a> in Fitzroy, seeking to utilise the Victorian Government’s recently introduced Great Design Fast Track pathway to accelerate approvals for the project.

The proposal is among the latest developments to emerge through the state-led initiative, which was established to fast-track well-designed residential projects in activity centres and transport-connected inner-city locations. The pathway allows qualifying developments that meet elevated design and housing benchmarks to bypass traditional council planning timeframes and instead be assessed directly by the Department of Transport and Planning.

Designed by SJB, the development will comprise a mix of apartments above activated lower levels, with a strong focus on architectural articulation, landscaping, and communal amenity. The design response seeks to balance the industrial character of Richmond’s former warehouse precincts with a more contemporary residential form.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="abea51cc-d85b-479e-9aef-a589f3b37ca7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/ground.png?VersionId=e1Kf8EyPWwyiVumtqQ4rM5S4GpOR3CCz" />

Proposed are 63 new dwellings, a wide ranging mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, and townhouses and duplexes. They will be spread across a part-three, part-eight storey building.

The Planning and Urban Context Report by Tract says the development is of an "exemplary architectural standard" and has been carefully crafted by SJB Architects.

"Dwellings&nbsp;will benefit from excellent access to natural light, cross-ventilation opportunities and extensive communal space," the report noted.

The architectural material highlights the project’s integration of landscaped elements and communal spaces throughout the building. The proposal also incorporates sustainability initiatives aligned with the Victorian Government’s push for higher-performing apartment developments under the fast-track program.

The Great Design Fast Track was unveiled by the Victorian Government in 2024 as part of a broader housing supply strategy aimed at accelerating the delivery of new homes. Projects assessed through the pathway must demonstrate high-quality architecture, sustainability outcomes, and housing diversity while being located close to public transport and existing infrastructure.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="afdbe834-8dc4-4a77-a943-ba07bc927348" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/site_11.png?VersionId=0J657j.TaChAZfp93wqJYBTqSsnREJx2" />

Focus Group, founder and led by Paul De Lutiis, is increasingly active across Melbourne’s inner suburbs, targeting well-connected urban renewal locations suited to medium and higher-density residential development. The Fitzroy proposal continues that strategy, leveraging the area’s strong transport links, established retail amenity, and proximity to the CBD.

Fitzroy has been one of the most popular spots for developers and buyers in recent years. The likes of PACE Development Group, SMA Projects, Crema Group and Chapter Group, currently selling projects in the suburb.

First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Fitzroy apartments

The Gold Coast Planning Committee has supported the preliminary approval for the Benowa Gardens Urban Village project following an extensive community consultation and assessment process.

The proposal will now proceed to a full council vote on June 2.

The application sought approval for a masterplanned urban village on the existing Benowa Gardens Shopping Centre site, combining new housing, retail, dining, health and lifestyle amenities within a walkable, integrated precinct.&nbsp;

The proposed redevelopment includes around 413 apartments integrated above a revitalised mixed-use centre featuring a full-line supermarket of 4,000 sqm, 6,000 sqm of specialty retail and dining space across around 30 retailers, a 7,000 sqm health and wellness precinct, and roughly 9,630 sqm of office and medical suites.&nbsp;

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fb36ae47-80bc-45f0-9914-31b0c7b6007d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/PR26576%20Ashmore%20Road%20C4%201121%20FI.jpg?VersionId=6mRKk2uU4r67TmTt39DKGUlvFRbTVqWa" />

The broader masterplan also includes very significant traffic and transport improvements, wide pedestrian walkways, upgraded pedestrian and cycle connections, and enhanced public areas designed to create a more connected and walkable community environment.&nbsp;

Centre owner Patrick Lu said the milestone reflected months of detailed planning, technical assessment and ongoing communication with local residents, businesses, schools and stakeholders.

“We appreciate the time, consideration and care Council officers and the Planning Committee have given this proposal throughout the assessment process,” Lu said.

“We also sincerely thank the local community for engaging with us, sharing feedback and participating in the consultation process over many months.

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="32fd1fc3-d0e6-485f-ac57-9916c9bcb818" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/PR26576%20Ashmore%20Road%20C5%201121%20FI_2.jpg?VersionId=fz8qQKDBLQ7MyFRc856Zccfbh9nFwLOe" />

“We understand projects of this scale bring questions and concerns, which is why we have worked hard to listen carefully, provide information transparently and continue refining elements of the proposal where possible.

“Our vision has always been to create a well-designed, community-focused urban village that responds to the changing needs of the Gold Coast, while delivering improved amenity, housing diversity, healthcare access and local lifestyle benefits.

“This proposal is about creating a genuine live-work-play environment where residents can access everyday services, schools, healthcare, dining, shopping and green space within walking distance, while also supporting local jobs and economic activity.”

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="50dfbd04-590e-4fc6-983b-766880947867" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Dining%20Day%20Time%20-%20High%20Resolution.jpg?VersionId=BP7ZoKJ0DdL_8iRkkC8VVx99moICV6kg" />

Lu said the proposal had evolved significantly through consultation and technical review, particularly around traffic, pedestrian and student safety and neighbourhood connectivity.&nbsp;

Melissa Griffin, Director at Urbis, said the recommendation recognised the strategic importance of delivering more housing and services within established urban areas already supported by infrastructure.

“This proposal represents the type of thoughtful, integrated growth that planning frameworks across South-East Queensland are encouraging,” Ms Griffin said.

“The project seeks to place housing, retail, healthcare and employment opportunities together in a highly accessible location close to schools, transport and existing services.

“Importantly, the process has involved significant technical assessment and community engagement to ensure local issues and feedback were properly considered throughout the planning pathway.”

$1 billion Benowa Gardens Urban Village heads to council vote following Planning Committee support

Surfers Paradise is officially set for its first new residential development with a 45-storey skybridge connecting the two towers.

John Camilleri’s Celestino Developments has been given the green light by the Gold Coast City Council to develop its major beachfront precinct across its huge 4,000 sqm oceanfront site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/63-79-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">63–79 Garfield Terrace</a>, just five months after its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-exclusive-billionaire-winx-breeder-s-bold-two-tower-surfers-paradise-play-with-45th-storey-skybridge">submission in late 2025</a>.

The approved scheme will deliver two towers rising 55 and 48 storeys, connected by a skybridge positioned on level 45 that will house a range of resident-only wellness and entertainment spaces.

In its notice of approval, the Gold Coast City Council said the&nbsp;proposed overall built form has been designed to complement the scale, intensity and protect the adjacent amenity and surrounding streets through the use of varied setbacks, site cover and architectural elements.

<img alt="First look exclusive: Billionaire Winx breeder’s bold two-tower Surfers Paradise play with 45th-storey skybridge" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-30%20at%209.53.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=ADyPJ_TFbJvSU9wZFOiCBnlPtgF7VWqW" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/dbi">DBI</a>, the development will comprise 275 apartments across the two towers, including a mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom residences, as well as several penthouses. The apartments will sit above a landscaped podium featuring more than 90 metres of beachfront pool frontage, private resident lawns, lounges, and wellness spaces.

DBI said the design draws heavily from the movement and form of the coastal environment, with curving balcony lines and sculpted façades intended to soften the scale of the towers while maximising ocean outlooks and passive shading outcomes.

“The project occupies a rare, uninterrupted oceanfront site and has been shaped by a design philosophy that merges architectural elegance with environmental responsiveness and a carefully curated lifestyle experience,” DBI said in planning documents submitted to the Gold Coast City Council.

The most distinctive element of the approved project is the skybridge linking the two towers at level 45. The elevated communal space is planned to include executive lounges, formal dining areas, wellness facilities, and panoramic ocean-facing outlooks.

“The skybridge enhances the identity of the development, promotes social interaction, and delivers a lifestyle experience not found elsewhere on the Gold Coast,” DBI said.

At podium level, residents will have access to a suite of resort-style amenities, including resident lounges, private dining rooms, a yoga lawn, gymnasium, plunge pools, and treatment spaces. The beachfront pool has been designed with separate lap, lounge, and children’s areas extending across the width of the site.

The project will also introduce new food and beverage offerings along the Enderley Avenue and Oceanway frontages, contributing additional activation to the beachfront precinct.

First look: Winx billionaire’s beachfront Surfers Paradise apartment development greenlit

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?

ANZ believes the Reserve Bank is in no rush to move again.

Following the release of the May Monetary Policy Board Minutes, ANZ has taken the view that the RBA is now firmly in a holding pattern, with the cumulative impact of previous rate hikes giving the Board scope to assess how the economy evolves from here.

That positioning, in ANZ’s view, makes a June rate hike unlikely.

The bank continues to expect the cash rate to remain unchanged at 4.35 per cent for an extended period, with the RBA adopting what is effectively a wait-and-see approach.

The Minutes point to a Board that sees financial conditions as already restrictive, but without a clear read on just how restrictive they are. That uncertainty has shifted the focus away from immediate policy action and toward monitoring both domestic conditions and global developments, particularly the conflict in the Middle East.

As ANZ interprets it, the Board is deliberately avoiding strong forward guidance.

Instead, it is allowing itself flexibility, acknowledging that monetary policy has limited ability to influence the near-term trajectory of inflation, while also recognising that economic growth is likely to remain below potential for some time.

Despite that pause in momentum, ANZ notes that the Board still carries a tightening bias.

The Minutes reveal that, in weighing up its decision, the Board seriously considered another 25 basis point increase. The key debate centred on the trade-off between inflation and activity, particularly in the context of global uncertainty.

Ultimately, most members leaned toward the inflation side of that equation.

Underlying inflation is still expected to remain above target for an extended period, regardless of how external risks evolve. That has led to a view within the Board that the risks to its inflation objective have increased, and that the current cash rate may not be sufficiently restrictive to fully contain those pressures.

That’s important.

While the decision, for now, is to hold, the underlying tone of the Minutes suggests the door to further tightening has not been closed.

ANZ also points to commentary from Assistant Governor (Economic) Sarah Hunter, who highlighted the risk that inflation could pass through the economy more quickly and broadly than in previous cycles. Both Hunter and a majority of the Board expressed concern that inflation expectations could become less anchored after such a prolonged period above target.

That combination, persistent inflation and the risk of expectations shifting, is what continues to underpin the RBA’s cautious stance.

However, where ANZ diverges from the RBA is on the outlook for activity.

The Board appears relatively comfortable with current spending patterns, effectively downplaying recent declines in business and consumer sentiment. It notes that sentiment has historically been only weakly correlated with actual spending, and that feedback from its liaison program has not yet pointed to a meaningful slowdown in consumption.

ANZ is less convinced.

The bank believes the link between household disposable income, sentiment and spending is more direct than the RBA is currently acknowledging. With inflation continuing to erode real incomes, ANZ expects household spending to soften more materially than the central bank is forecasting.

That divergence matters because it shifts the balance of risk.

If activity weakens more than expected, the trade-off between inflation and growth changes. In ANZ’s view, that would reduce the need for further tightening and reinforce the case for the RBA to remain on hold.

It also suggests that the current policy setting may already be doing more work than the Board fully appreciates.

The broader takeaway from ANZ’s interpretation is that the RBA is walking a narrow path.

On one side sits the risk of inflation remaining elevated for longer than expected. On the other is the growing pressure on households and the potential for a sharper slowdown in activity.

For now, the Board is choosing to wait.

But it is a pause that still carries an underlying tightening bias, rather than a clear pivot toward easing.

In practical terms, that leaves the cash rate anchored at 4.35 per cent for the foreseeable future, with the next move still uncertain.

For borrowers, it reinforces the reality that relief is not imminent.

And for the broader economy, it highlights the delicate balance the RBA is trying to strike, between bringing inflation back to target and avoiding an unnecessarily sharp slowdown in growth.

According to ANZ, it is a balance that is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain.

RBA to hold rates for "prolonged period" rather than hikes: ANZ

<html><body>
A new development in the western Melbourne suburb of Maribyrnong is two-thirds sold three months after marketing began, mostly to investors.
The 27 apartments in the complex comprise three one-bedroom and 24 two-bedroom units, some with one bathroom and some with two. Nine units are left, all with two bedrooms. All 27 have car parks.
One-bedroom units are 51 square metres internally (plus eight-square-metre balconies) and ranged in price from $369,500 to $379,500. Two-bedroom apartments range in size from70 to 83 square metres internally (plus 12-square-metre balconies) and are priced between $475,000 and $535,000.
<img src="/images/stories/tropezinside.jpg">
Avion Properties director Phillip Osmond says the company began marketing the units about three months ago but did not have an official launch date.
Osmond says about 60% or 65% of the sales were to investors and adds that the area has a strong rental market.
“You got Victoria University within walking distance, Highpoint’s only walking distance, and it’s only seven kilometres from the CBD,” he says.
Avion Properties estimates that unit 202, a two-bedroom apartment priced at $480,000, would rent for between $455 and $465 per week. That would secure an investor a gross rental yield of about 5%. The gross rental yield does not consider the costs of maintaining the property, including council rates and other fees such as water bills and managing agent fees. According to RP Data the indicative gross rental yield for Melton apartments is 5.4%.
Tropez is within the Riviera Estate, which primarily comprises house-and-land packages but also includes several other unit developments.
Osmond says construction will begin in the next two to three weeks and is due to be finished by late 2012.
For advice on buying off the plan download our free e-book.
</body></html>

cknowlton-QnEa6ntUYP

Maribyrnong development Tropez two-thirds sold

<html><body>
Sydney just pipped Melbourne during the neck-and-neck auction clearance rate race, with a 56% weekend clearance rate compared with Melbourne's 55%. But both results are still with the stewards, given an unusually high rate of unreported results. There are 165 results yet to be notified to Australian Property Monitors, of the 399 scheduled auctions in Sydney. Melbourne awaits 114 results of its 740 scheduled tally by the Real Estate Institute of Victoria, and initially the REIV had suggested there would be 875 auction results.
Even the reported Sydney results are seriously wanting because 64 of the published outcomes give no price outcome. Fair enough for the 14 withdrawn and/or no-bid auctions. But there were 34 passed-in results across Sydney where the agents have declined to give the passed-in price, and a further 16 sales where the price has been withheld from publication. And auctions are supposed to be an open transparent process?
Much attention was accorded to the $1 million-plus markets in both cities, especially after Melbourne buyers’ agent Mal James noted there were 150 in his bailiwick.
Given the Melbourne volumes were the highest since the pre-Easter rush, Saturday was dubbed Super Saturday. (Sydney's is next Saturday.)
But the superlatives didn't flow following the results, with indeed the headlines suggesting it was so-so, in a stupor or simply sucked.
James notes the Stonnington municipality had a 35% success rate above $1 million; the bayside suburbs were 45%; Port Phillip was 22% with the leafy east Boroondara the best-performing precinct at 65%.
There were only 20 known $1 million plus offerings in Sydney, and APM shows 16 selling.
The overall 56% Sydney clearance rate for houses and apartments mirrored the 56% of the same weekend last year.
But the 400 number was down by about 20% on last year, according to Australian Property Monitors research analyst Clinton McNabb.
Melbourne's clearance rate was well down on the 67% on the same October weekend last year, when 1,120 properties went to auction.
Melbourne volumes ease next weekend, given the spring racing carnival, to just 445 auctions.
But Sydney jumps to 600 plus for the last weekend in October. This falls short of Sydney's record 670 weekend in September 2009, the biggest auction day in the state's history. The 2009 record day was a combination of circumstances – the influx of early spring listings after inactivity for much of the previous 18 months after the global financial crisis; good weather; vendors getting in before the October long weekend and school holidays interruption, and also it was the last weekend before the First Home Owner Boost started to phase out.
Melbourne typically can have five or so 1,000-plus auction weekends but doesn't look like it will be getting one in 2011.
Melbourne's biggest auction day, with a record 1,400 properties, was in March 2008.
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Weekend auction wrap: Where the hammer fell

<html><body>
With almost 900 auctions this weekend, 150 of which were properties above $1 million, it was clear that not all properties were going to attract competition. 158 Napier Street, South Melbourne was one of these properties, as a very small crowd looked on as the property was passed in on a vendor bid of $1.3 million. A negotiation commenced after the auction, with a sold sticker appearing on the board shortly after. 
Many tippers on <a href="https://www.propertytycoon.com.au">www.propertytycoon.com.au</a> predicted a stronger price with an average tip of almost $1.4 million. This result shows us that as supply grows in a spring market we see more opportunities to buy well. 
On the upside for the vendor, who only paid $300,000 for the property, it has shown a solid growth rate of almost 9%.
<img src="/images/stories/napierst.jpg">
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/auctions/weekend-auction-tipping/2011101951997" target="_blank">168 Napier Street, South Melbourne </a>
Sale price: $1,300,000
Agent quote: $1.3 million to $1.35 million
% above agent quote:  0%
Bidders:  0
Last sold: June 1994 at $300,000
Growth since last sale:  8.82%
Median growth: 8.39%
Average tip: $1,419,305
% Correct tips  7.32%
</body></html>

Weekend auction tipping $1.3 million result

<html><body>
On March 30, 2010 Twitter introduced trending, which enables users to see why a specific topic got to be a trending topic. Wikipedia describes “a trending topic is a word, phrase or topic that is posted (tweeted) multiple times on the social networking and microblogging service Twitter. Trending topics become popular either through a concerted effort by users or because an event that propmpts people to talk about one specific topic. These topics help Twitter and their users to understand what is happening in the world”.
It did not take long for Google to jump onto this modern-day phenomenon when it launched Google trends. When our Australian parliament sits Question Time #QT is a very popular trend, where anyone wanting to make a comment about what is happening joins in the conversation. Trending is the new go-to word to best describe an event that in turn shapes our opinion(s).
Next week’s inflation numbers will determine the Reserve Bank of Australia’s next rate move – the RBA has had a difficult task in 2011 balancing the cash rate given its projections that Australia faces elevated inflation over 2011, 2012 and 2013. So a string of good data might stop RBA from cutting rates, although the RBA has concerns for our subdued housing market. So when the inflation data is released this will become a trending topic as to what can be expected when the RBA the following week meet to discuss the cash rate – which in turn will become another trending topic.
It is little wonder that our politicians have concerns about the rise and rise of social media, where more often than not the social commentators can be scathing at their actions – #stoptheboats, #apple4S, #property, #stevejobs, #realestate, #carbontax, #auspol, etc.
It is just not social networking that is shaping our opinions online shopping keeps setting new records each month and it is just not because of the strong Australian dollar. The Australian Bureau of Statistics recently revealed that the total value of goods and services sold by Australian online stores in 2009-10 was $143 billion. This figure was up 15% on the previous year, and one would expect that this would be significantly higher again once the 2010-11 figures are released.
A recent report Australia – Digital Economy – E-CommerceTrends and Statistics – revealed “While Australia has experienced rapid growth in online shopping; the lack of local big brand retailers selling online is enticing shoppers to buy from overseas competitors. Industry commentators say Australia is several years behind the US and UK, and Australian consumers are voting with their wallets when it comes to shopping online. “
“ Meanwhile in early 2011 about 25% of mobile users are shopping online with their mobile, with eBay reporting that an item is bought every 15 seconds. The online economy is booming for some online markets with revenues up 40% in 2010.”
So it appears that today our decision making process hinges significantly on what is trending. This would explain why our business confidence trending in Australia is all over the place given we are suffering from information overload.
So what are the most popular online marketing trends in 2011?
Mobile internet usage
Online video
Twitter
Businesses actively pursuing facebook
Blogging
It is the mobile phone network that is the most completive, and BlackBerry’s outlook in Australia is looking not so bright (who would have thought?). The corporate market in Australia is pure gold, and the latest release by Apple with its iPhone 4S looks set to set new phone records. Last week BlackBerry customers in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Canada and the US lost emails and messaging for almost four days. Historically the BlackBerry has dominated the Australian smartphone market – although with the 4S release this should become the Australian market leader.  Telstra’s new 4G network is boasting internet speeds 25x faster than the previous 3G so the phones with the most apps – another trending example.
The online technology market in Australia today resembles a debate much like that of Holden versus Ford (which both now offer the latest technologies in their vehicles).
Today there is anecdotal evidence that some brands are being disconnected by consumers, so keep watching the trending – it’s fascinating unless you’ve been disconnected. I’m not surprised as many have been saying this would happen for years, whenI remember a quote back in 2000 – “Get e-based of get e-rased.”
Many Australian businesses are guilty of “I hear what you’re saying, but I’m not listening”.
Robert Simeon is a director of <a title="RWM" target="_blank" href="https://www.rwm.com.au/">Richardson  Wrench Mosman and Neutral Bay </a>and has been selling residential real estate in Sydney since 1985. He has also been writing real-estate blog <a title="Virtual Realty News" target="_blank" href="https://www.rwm.com.au/news/">Virtual Realty News</a> since 2000. The RWM real estate model has sold in excess of $1 billion in database sales globally.
</body></html>

robertsimeon-hRNTwJyXkQ

Real estate businesses must make the most of the web or be left behind

<html><body>
Developer Australand has released the fifth building in its materplanned Discovery Point development, about 10 kilometres from Sydney CBD, following strong buyer demand for the fourth stage.
<img src="/images/stories/discovery2.jpg">
Arc is the latest building to launch in the development, which is in Wolli Creek, and comprises 88 units, of which 31 have been sold. Of the ones remaining, 24 are one-bedroom units, 29 are two-bedroom units, 13 are  two-bedroom units with studies, and one is a three-bedroom penthouse. Arc launched on September 26.
It follows the success of stage four, called Linc, where 102 of 126 apartments sold within 24 hours of the official launch.
Arc’s one-bedroom apartments are priced from $405,000, two-bedrooms are priced from $610,000, and the penthouse has an $800,000 price tag.
<img src="/images/stories/discovery3.jpg">
Discovery Point includes many outdoor leisure areas around the Cooks River foreshore and Discovery Point Park.
Australand NSW general manager of residential Nigel Edgar says the outdoor lifestyle and the convenience of transport options have struck a chord with buyers.
“The extremely convenient location just five stops from the CBD by train, coupled with a high-quality, low-maintenance apartment means that apartments at Discovery Point have had a consistently low vacancy rate,” Edgar says. “This is reflected in the high percentage of apartments bought by investors.”
<img src="/images/stories/discovery4.jpg">
Each of Arc’s apartments will include a balcony with full-height glass sliding doors for climate control, and Edgar says sustainability and convenience are big considerations for the developer.
“Australand is responding to demand for new apartments close to the city that embrace sustainability initiatives and take advantage of established transport links and infrastructure,” Edgar says. “Discovery Point’s success to date reflects our infill development experience in delivering quality masterplanned residential product at an attractive price.”
For advice on buying off the plan download our free e-book.
</body></html>

Sydney Discovery Point development launches fifth stage after previous successes

<html><body>
It was like any other Toorak property auction.
Indeed five of the attendees drove off in silver Mercedes.
But as Justice Tim Ginnane noted, the occurrence had considerably greater significance than of merely displaying the buying patterns of particular prestige property consumers.
Bidding had stopped at $2.1 million at the RT Edgar onsite auction, with a $2.6 million vendors' reserve.
The top unsuccessful bid had been placed by an undisclosed associated party of the Toorak plastic surgeon and neighbour Dr Chris Moss and his wife, Andrea John.
The couple also had another undisclosed associated party, who sought to make post-auction offers.
The underbidder who resided opposite on Toorak Road, Tom Kartel, had also hovered after the auction, having had his pre-auction $2 million offer declined.
There was much toing and froing by the agent, Greg Herman, with discussions with interested parties and the vendors.
After the auction, Herman went and spoke to Kartel, who was standing next to his silver Mercedes. Kartel indicated he wasn’t prepared to go higher and at $2.35 million not at all.
A bid was made on behalf of the doctor at $2.4 million.
The agent then advised he had already received an offer of $2.6 million. Pressed, he said it was from the underbidder who'd been seen driving a silver Mercedes.
Herman gave evidence that John asked him many times what the bidder’s name was. She placed him under considerable pressure. He said that he was reluctant to give the bidder’s name, because of privacy considerations. Herman gave evidence that he eventually plucked the name “Tom” at random, because John was screaming. He could have selected “Dick” or “Harry”. He said that Tom was driving a silver Mercedes, because that was a common car in Toorak.
Moss was advised that “Tom” the underbidder wearing a pink shirt, had been through the property many times and was thought to be a property developer. Herman told Moss that he had received the offer from “Tom” after the auction by a telephone call received on his mobile telephone.
Herman stated that if Moss did not buy the property, “Tom” would.
John showed Herman a photograph of Kartel on her iPhone and said, “Is this Tom in the pink shirt?”
Herman said, on his evidence to placate her, either “yes, it could be” or “yes”.
She asked him, “Is this his car”? and again he said, “yes” or “it could be”.
Herman said that he was colour-blind and did not recognise pink.
The doctor then offered $2.7 million, which was accepted.
Moss then attempted to write into the special conditions that “you’ve had an offer from the guy in the silver Mercedes” in the contract, but Herman stopped him, stating “Don’t do that. The lawyers won’t like it that, we can’t alter contracts.”
Moss told the court he said to Herman: “Greg, do you give me your absolute word that you received an offer of $2.6 million.” Herman said that he did.
As Ginnane noted,  "the outcome of the auction may well have ended there had not events intervened."
By chance, the doctor’s wife saw the underbidder driving past the property in a silver Mercedes a short time after the contracts had been signed.
She flagged him down then knocked on the window.
She asked him how much his final offer was, and he told her that it was $2.2 million.
She stated that “we’ve been told that you’re a Greek developer and you offered the property of $2.6 million”.
Kartel denied that that was the case.
And then it was on with proceedings started in March 2010.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/plastic-surgeon-wins-court-case-against-deceptive-toorak-estate-agent/2011102052011">It ended up in a 14-day trial in the Victorian County Court with Ginnane ruling the property was only worth $2.5 million and he awarded Moss the $200,000 difference.</a> The couple had claimed damages of $475,000.
The purchasers won their claim that they were misled and deceived into bidding $2.7 million by a representation that a person identified as “Tom” had made a post-auction offer of $2.6 million, when in fact that was not the case.
The vendors submitted that they had not themselves engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct, which Ginnane accepted.
</body></html>

Deceptive Toorak auction aftermath - and the silver Mercedes that almost got away

<html><body>
A surprisingly high number of home owners sell then revert to renting, never to own again, says Professor Gavin Wood, director of the RMIT Research Centre of the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute. The study reveals one in five home owners dropped out of ownership at some point during the period 2001 to 2009.
Using data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey, Wood tracked the housing histories of thousands of Australians over nine years from 2001.
During that time 1.65 million “episodes” of home ownership were terminated as people moved into rental housing. Among people under 50, the “survival rate” in home ownership was 77%.
“On the face of it these figures suggest a higher proportion of Australian home owners are precariously perched on the margins of home ownership than in the past,” Wood says.
He maintains the idea that housing careers progress smoothly from leaving the parental home through renting and then into ownership, with low housing costs matching lower income post-retirement, is losing its relevance in the 21st century.
“It's no longer necessarily true that buying a home sets you up for life,” says Wood.
He says it was not clear why so many fell out of home ownership but financial pressures and high housing prices had played a part.
It was noted while just over half the Australians later moved back into the property market, many became reliant on rental assistance or public housing.
The former owners who did not return quickly to the property market were more likely to enter public housing or qualify for Commonwealth rent assistance than long-term renters, the report suggested.
This suggests they were precipitated out of home ownership by adverse circumstances”' Wood says.
The report noted Australia had a healthy private rental market compared with Britain, allowing people to move more freely between ownership and renting rather than clinging on in penury to their homes.
The relative ease of renting in Australia might also be a factor in the low mortgage default rates. “People sell up before it gets to that point,” Wood told SMH reporter Adele Horin.
As a step towards lowering housing prices he suggests replacing stamp duties with a broad-based land tax, and establishing an income-tested housing allowance that would go to struggling home owners as well as renters, and abolishing subsidies for first-home buyers.
</body></html>

One in five home owners quit property ownership, some not to return: Academic

<html><body>
33 Charles Street, Brunswick, VIC, 3056
<img src="/images/stories/charlesst.jpg"> 
This two-bedroom house in the inner-Melbourne suburb of Brunswick is close to Sydney Road shops, Princes Park and transport links. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tre.com.au/property.cfm?propertyID=1862600&amp;realestate=33_Charles_Street_BRUNSWICK_VIC_3056">GA Thomson </a>agent Jason Sharpe  has done a rental assessment on the property and estimates that it would rent for the "mid $400s". The property sold under the hammer for $623,000 in an auction with five bidders on Saturday, October 22. Its reserve was $570. If the new owner rents it out at $450 per week this would be gross rental yield of 3.8%, higher than the indicative gross rental yield for Brunswick of 3.5%, according to RP Data. The gross rental yield does not consider the costs of maintaining the property, including council rates and other fees such as water bills and managing agent fees. <a href="https://calc.washingtonbrown.com.au/wbdcalculator/calculator.aspx?RID=HPCAZOPTTT" target="_blank">Washington Brown</a> estimates the first-year tax depreciation deduction to be $5,000 and over five years to be $13,000.
For more information about gross rental yields and prices in Brunswick, see the RP Data suburb page.
For more investment prospects that went auction this past weekend, see pages 2 and 3.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
137 Meadows Road, Mount Pritchard, NSW, 2170
<img src="/images/stories/meadowsrd.jpg"> 
This two-bedroom property has had a long-term tenant in place for many years, paying below market rent of $220 per week. <a href="https://www.century21.com.au/c21/propertySearch/brochure.cfm?grplstno=NSW3223144&amp;State=NSW&amp;SBRB=MOUNTPRITCHARD&amp;pcde=2170" target="_blank">Century 21</a> agent Ray Zeait is marketing the property with price hopes of $330,000 plus. If it sells for $330,000 and the current tenants are retained on the current rent an investor would secure a gross rental yield of 3.5%, below the indicative gross rental yield for Mount Pritchard houses of 5.3%, according to RP Data. The median asking rent for the suburb is $390 per week, and that would equate to a gross rental yield of 6.2%. The gross rental yield does not consider the costs of maintaining the property, including council rates and other fees such as water bills and managing agent fees. <a target="_blank" href="https://calc.washingtonbrown.com.au/wbdcalculator/calculator.aspx?RID=HPCAZOPTTT">Washington Brown</a> estimates the first-year tax depreciation deduction to be $5,000 and over five years to be $10,000. The property was passed in at $320,000 at auction on Saturday, October 22. There were two bidders.
For more information about yields and prices in Mount Pritchard, see the <a target="_blank" href="/news">RP Data suburb page.</a>
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
4/89 Crown Street, Tamworth, NSW, 2340
<img src="/images/stories/crownst.jpg">
This tenanted two-bedroom unit in central western NSW could appeal to investors, as it has a high gross rental yield of 5%. <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.dcco.com.au/property/details/3739375" target="_blank">Davidson Cameron &amp; Co</a> agent Kylie Walsh is marketing the property with price hopes of $255,000 plus and says the current tenants pay $250 per week. Walsh says the tenants' lease is up but they would like to stay on. The gross rental yield does not consider the costs of maintaining the property, including council rates and other fees such as water bills and managing agent fees. Strata levies are $1,775 per annum, and council rates are $1,526 per annum for the property. <a target="_blank" href="https://calc.washingtonbrown.com.au/wbdcalculator/calculator.aspx?RID=HPCAZOPTTT">Washington Brown</a> estimates the first-year tax depreciation deduction to be $6,000 and over five years to be $18,000. The property was passed in at auction on Saturday, October 22 on a vendor's bid of $225,000. There were no other bids.
</body></html>

Weekend yield watch: Brunswick sale secures yield of 3.8%

<html><body>
Little-known Perth-based developer Finbar is making an impressive mark on the face of Karratha in the Pilbara.
The developer, which has made its name developing high-rise apartments with some office space around Perth, is shaping the future of accommodation in the mining boom town.
Its $225 million Pelago project on Sharpe Avenue, Karratha will have 292 residential apartments and 22 commercial lots.
In stage 1 – called Pelago West –  63 apartments have been sold for  $44.5 million. In another deal, nine apartments have been leased to CHC, one of the world’s largest helicopter transport companies. The leases are for five years with 4% or CPI increases annually. The average rent is $1,100 a week, and CHC has agreed to $16,000 per unit for furniture and equipment and the company pays all shire rates, management fees, land tax, water rates and strata levies.
Finbar is offering the nine one-bedroom apartments for sale for $609,300 – which includes a $16,300 furniture package – reflecting a net yield of 9.36%.
Pelago West has 114 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with eight commercial lots over eight levels. It is expected to be finished in the first quarter of 2012, and building is running to schedule.
Karratha, which is 1,500 kilometres north of Perth, is the important administration centre for resource companies operating in the region. It has a large population of fly-in fly-out workers, and a growing number of people live there. The WA government has targeted the town as part of its $300 million Pilbara Cities project, which is attempting to create a Dubai-style city in Karratha with satellites in Dampier and Port Hedland.
Finbar was first cab off the rank and is now turning its attention to the second stage of the project, Pelago East.
Regional Development and Lands Minister Brendon Grylls recently announced $30.4 million from the Royalties for Regions fund to build a village for workers in Karratha, including 100 houses to be developed by National Lifestyle Villages.
For advice on buying off the plan download our free e-book.
</body></html>

andreadixon-oif3j7eKne

Developer Finbar making an impact in WA desert

<html><body>
This week I created a system.  My aim was simple: to achieve more in less time.
I had decided to set up a meeting with one of my builders.  The builder and I only started working together fairly recently when I introduced this particular type of development earlier this year, and  over a short period of time we were now up to our sixth project.  I knew we could fine-tune our process.  He’d had some recent staff changes so it was the perfect time to gently tell him exactly how I wanted my developments to run.
Before the meeting yesterday I’d prepared a draft procedures document, which was based on the way we had been doing things up until then.
But it wasn’t until I started documenting pretty much everything we did that I realised how much was involved in this somewhat basic development strategy.  What started in my mind as a one-pager has turned into four. It’s funny how we simplify in our minds a process because we’ve done it time and time again.  But when you really break it down in writing, you can see all the fine details.
Using a system or procedure keeps me on track with our projects. I now literally have a written system for everything I do.  It gives me something tangible to show to my clients and helps explain exactly what Property Bloom really does when managing their development.   It’s also an important tool to use when training new staff as they have a documented procedure to follow.
By the end of the meeting with my builder, we had agreed on a three very important changes that will impact the bottom line of my developments;
<ol>
<li>We changed our standard floor plan slightly to make it more cost effective to build, without reducing the size. Now I could offer my clients a cheaper build price that will not impact on the end value or rental return.</li>
<li>We changed the payment schedule so my clients would pay less in the first half of the build phase, saving them valuable holding costs.</li>
<li>We minimised choice to save time. By setting up standard inclusions plus a list of ‘”optional extras” it meant that clients would not feel overwhelmed by choice on fittings, fixtures and colour selections and we could manage this process faster moving to the next step and saving time.</li>
</ol>
I was happy with my new system and excited to put it into action immediately and already we are getting more done in less time.  Because as they say – time is money.
Jo Chivers is director of <a href="https://www.propertybloom.com.au/" target="_blank" title="Property Bloom">Property Bloom</a>, which manages property development.
</body></html>

Latest Buying Insights

RBA to hold rates for "prolonged period" rather than hikes: ANZ

Editor's Picks

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Latest Buying Insights

RBA to hold rates for "prolonged period" rather than hikes: ANZ

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News