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?

National Australia Bank (NAB) has brought forward the timing of the first RBA cash rate cut by three months.

NAB is now expecting a cut in February, in line with ANZ and Westpac, having initially thought a cut wouldn't come until May.

Commonwealth Bank, the nation's largest lender, still thinks the first cut will come in December.

NAB changed its call following the August monthly inflation figures that were released at the end of September, showing it had dropped to 2.7 per cent.

"The risk has been skewed to a first cut earlier in 2025, and today’s change acknowledges the balance of risks has likely shifted sufficiently for the RBA to feel comfortable cutting a little sooner than we earlier expected," NAB noted in its latest update.

They added that the cadence of the cuts may be faster than its central profile.

"Domestic inflation pressures are cooling, but only gradually, and we continue to expect the conditions for a cut will not be in place this year.

NAB believes the easing cycle will end at 3.1 per cent by early 2026, which is five cuts from the current 4.35 per cent cash rate.&nbsp;

CBA also thinks 3.1 per cent will mark the end of the cutting cycle, while Westpac is forecasting 3.35 per cent, and ANZ is the most pessimistic at 3.6 per cent, which would be just three interest rate cuts.

<h2>What would a rate cut in February look like for borrowers?</h2>

According to&nbsp;<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn%3Du001.IVvjJ-2BPT0A8C3VxtqKc6e3bj5hBuw27WFEYqovsYs7kPsgFulYrdOzeP8gI7CybJOya3_RgrM7qq-2BfK-2FtAHeRBLv5Qrb-2Bii5fzjLeKcP4w-2FkNgJPXygpiRhVUan3WV3QEggcf617UC8Z60RjQJZAqx7PiO7FtVJQSn0D46Zc3iTVP0kAhTTzG51cPpa5hrqz1OkSA-2BiXAxUajQ686MTtiseWBIdMdknd83aB7cOVgXlVTeHCGf3-2BcMHwfvI8TYlkUovqEhn4dj0KXf2eJGpb9-2BBv20hPXdLlPP9yD7DvFFDBM5yrTqxvcCiMfAsW1onD-2FcriL628eYdhNQE7bwzYrxcOYnmaYfRhGl-2FEHQ6eK2uQcLxs6Cbu6Dx0bYvpi5A6enmxMWU5TkcRYrP6Z8GbXZYtc5qSoKu6eWFBQR9K7fsjXwHMmby3D3X6Yx-2BxcDcdRruTG&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1727774368149000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2vK2ujS77CHs9VRvSSXzLC" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.IVvjJ-2BPT0A8C3VxtqKc6e3bj5hBuw27WFEYqovsYs7kPsgFulYrdOzeP8gI7CybJOya3_RgrM7qq-2BfK-2FtAHeRBLv5Qrb-2Bii5fzjLeKcP4w-2FkNgJPXygpiRhVUan3WV3QEggcf617UC8Z60RjQJZAqx7PiO7FtVJQSn0D46Zc3iTVP0kAhTTzG51cPpa5hrqz1OkSA-2BiXAxUajQ686MTtiseWBIdMdknd83aB7cOVgXlVTeHCGf3-2BcMHwfvI8TYlkUovqEhn4dj0KXf2eJGpb9-2BBv20hPXdLlPP9yD7DvFFDBM5yrTqxvcCiMfAsW1onD-2FcriL628eYdhNQE7bwzYrxcOYnmaYfRhGl-2FEHQ6eK2uQcLxs6Cbu6Dx0bYvpi5A6enmxMWU5TkcRYrP6Z8GbXZYtc5qSoKu6eWFBQR9K7fsjXwHMmby3D3X6Yx-2BxcDcdRruTG" target="_blank">Canstar</a>, if there is a cut in February, a borrower with a $600,000 loan today and 25 years remaining would see their monthly repayments drop by $92.&nbsp;

<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td colspan="3">
			Impact of 0.25% pt cut in February 2025
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			Current loan size
			</td>
			<td>
			Drop in monthly repayment
			</td>
			<td>
			New monthly repayment
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			$600,000
			</td>
			<td>
			-$92
			</td>
			<td>
			$3,907
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			$750,000
			</td>
			<td>
			-$114
			</td>
			<td>
			$4,884
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			$1M
			</td>
			<td>
			-$153
			</td>
			<td>
			$6,512
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td colspan="3">
			Source:&nbsp;<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn%3Du001.xWMOP9hChsvn-2BC9O-2FebBihXIZ4cEzbiuENdxm-2Bx3-2FYEEgYMhZlKWNj5Zzy1YZ56RuASD_RgrM7qq-2BfK-2FtAHeRBLv5Qrb-2Bii5fzjLeKcP4w-2FkNgJPXygpiRhVUan3WV3QEggcf617UC8Z60RjQJZAqx7PiO7FtVJQSn0D46Zc3iTVP0kAhTTzG51cPpa5hrqz1OkSA-2BiXAxUajQ686MTtiseWBIdMdknd83aB7cOVgXlVTeHCGf3-2BcMHwfvI8TYlkUovqEhn4dj0KXf2eJGpb9-2BBv20v2akwr6-2BqLyRrlEgkJ4J-2BCCyY0x189xEHZA4Ylf8c7ChBqNIkhmftZzoFuZKFn43pw3oJVg2o1gumrpdA-2B7MB-2FBtmL2rFCI-2FXORATQHySCLVOMg7Vywv-2BqnnQUAtDz6XkvpwxdHFXh70VwKazzhJsICilEYOvP4ju0sIfi5g6TL&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1727774368149000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2qVnp6oqATgqDUi2Frm22q" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.xWMOP9hChsvn-2BC9O-2FebBihXIZ4cEzbiuENdxm-2Bx3-2FYEEgYMhZlKWNj5Zzy1YZ56RuASD_RgrM7qq-2BfK-2FtAHeRBLv5Qrb-2Bii5fzjLeKcP4w-2FkNgJPXygpiRhVUan3WV3QEggcf617UC8Z60RjQJZAqx7PiO7FtVJQSn0D46Zc3iTVP0kAhTTzG51cPpa5hrqz1OkSA-2BiXAxUajQ686MTtiseWBIdMdknd83aB7cOVgXlVTeHCGf3-2BcMHwfvI8TYlkUovqEhn4dj0KXf2eJGpb9-2BBv20v2akwr6-2BqLyRrlEgkJ4J-2BCCyY0x189xEHZA4Ylf8c7ChBqNIkhmftZzoFuZKFn43pw3oJVg2o1gumrpdA-2B7MB-2FBtmL2rFCI-2FXORATQHySCLVOMg7Vywv-2BqnnQUAtDz6XkvpwxdHFXh70VwKazzhJsICilEYOvP4ju0sIfi5g6TL" target="_blank">www.canstar.com.au</a>. Starting rate is the RBA existing average owner-occupier variable rate of 6.36%. Assumes banks pass the cash rate cut on in full the month after the meeting.
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

Canstar Data Insights Director, Sally Tindall, says if core inflation continues to track in the right direction, or unemployment starts to accelerate significantly, we could well see a cash rate cut as early as February of next year.

“All four big banks now believe the RBA will be ready to cut the cash rate in just over four months’ time, if not before, in the case of CBA.

“However, the outlook for both inflation and unemployment is still highly uncertain. A couple of wobbly sets of inflation data could see the RBA holding for longer, particularly if unemployment remains relatively steady."

&nbsp;

Commonwealth Bank, the nation's largest lender, still thinks the first cut will come in December.

NAB bring forward first RBA cut to February 2025

<html><body>
Freshly fired celebrity apprentice Warwick Capper is unlikely to ever get a job as a bank manager at Yellow Brick Road following reports that the wealth management business set up by Mark Bouris will apply for a banking licence.
However, the likelihood of Yellow Brick Road actually challenging the major banks as a deposit-taking institution may be some time off.
Rather Celebrity Apprentice host Bouris appears to be milking the media exposure his wealth management business is receiving from the prime-time show on Channel 9 – which owns almost a fifth of Yellow Brick Road – by suggesting it could become a bank some time in the future.
Celebrity Apprentice attracted more than 1.3 million viewers for the first two episodes of the latest series.
Former NAB banking executive Matt Lawler, hired by Bouris as CEO of Yellow Brick Road in July, hinted at the possibility of applying for a banking licence in an interview with The Australian Financial Review.
Lawler says the company is aiming for 150 branches by the end of December 2012. The Yellow Brick Road website list 70 branches, with the majority of these located in NSW.
Lawler, who led NAB’s mortgage broking division before joining Yellow Brick Road, says as the business grows it would become big enough to make decisions about whether to write its own mortgages or become an authorised deposit-taking institution.
He claims Yellow Brick Road managers are better placed to sell mortgage credit than the major banks because its branches do not have targets and are more client focused.
Yellow Brick Road currently distributes mortgages via a partnership with Gateway Credit Union.
Bouris made his money from his Wizard mortgage broking business, which he eventually sold to GE Money for about $500 million in 2004.
He founded Yellow Brick in 2007 to sell investment services in former Wizard Branches.
Aussie Home Loans bought the Wizard brand and franchise network from GE Money in December 2008, changing the stores to the John Symond brand.
</body></html>

lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Mark Bouris' Yellow Brick Road hints at intentions to become a bank

<html><body>
Documents released by the RBA under freedom of information laws show the central bank is concerned about households who took out loans in the period between 2004-2007, when property prices were at their height, fearing they may be "overstretched".

The release of the documents comes just weeks after separate data indicated that many households who purchased homes in the last decade actually returned to renting, prompting fears they had taken out loans that were too large to service.
The documents show the RBA was told in March that there are a number of problems facing the housing market, with a number of areas facing a higher level of arrears.
"Even though the pace of debt accumulation has moderated in recent years, aggregate household indebtedness and gearing remain around historically high levels," it was told.
"This means some households could be exposed to shocks to their incomes and financial circumstances. A continuation of the recent borrowing restraint would thus be a welcomed development, as it would add further resilience into household balance sheets and avoid a build-up of risk in the household financial position."
It was also told that the rise in arrears in Queensland was occurring well before the Queensland floods, "and is consistent with the higher-than-average unemployment rate and weaker property market in the state".
These findings gel with a separate report from the RMIT Research Centre of the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, which found that 20% of home owners who bought a property between 2001-09 actually dropped out of ownership at one point, suggesting some of these households found property too expensive to maintain.
Those findings also come after the big four banks expressed some concern over over-stretched households.
CLSA Australia analyst Brian Johnson says while arrears have remained low, Australian households still face incredibly high levels of debt.
"You have never seen indebtedness like you see it now. What we also saw was a dramatic increase in interest rates from the lows of 2008 and 2009. Over and above that, margins have increased by 125 basis points."
"If you talk to mortgage insurers they will tell you loans don't default in their first or second year, it's after that, up to six years. We may be starting to see that now."
Johnson says employment in some industries has remained shaky, pointing to the rise in unemployment two months ago. "Job security is an issue at the present time," he says.
However, the RBA was also told that households are handling that debt quite well. Experts say the level of arrears has remained quite low, helped by the banks' tightening of lending standards and strict LVRs, and note it will continue to do so if employment remains high.
Johnson says as long as employment remains high, mortgage arrears will stay in check, but he notes many industries are suffering, and says ultimately it will come down to how the Government and Reserve Bank handle any housing crisis.
"If you were to get the start of a dramatic fall in housing prices, they would be aggressively cutting interest rates."
HIA economist Harley Dale says he believes the industry is a "long way off" from any problem that would cripple the industry.
This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/economy/20111025-rba-warned-of-over-stretched-mortgage-holders" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
</body></html>

cknowlton-QnEa6ntUYP

RBA warns of overstretched mortgage holders

<html><body>
Property investors who manage their own tax affairs have less than a week to submit their tax returns and <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/property-depreciation-101/2011061450484" target="_blank">accompanying property depreciation</a> schedules.
The ATO deadline for taxpayers who file their own returns is October 31.
Under Australian tax rules investors can also claim the depreciation of their investment properties against their taxable income
According to quantity surveyor Washington Brown, there are two types of allowances available: depreciation on plant and equipment, and depreciation on building allowance.
“Plant and equipment refers to items within the building like ovens, dishwashers, carpet and blinds while building allowance refers to construction costs of the building itself, such as concrete and brickwork,” the firm explains.
“Both these costs can be offset against your assessable income.”
Depreciation can be claimed even if a property has been renovated.
Depreciation schedules can only be completed by a qualified quantity surveyor.
Tax returns can also be amended up to two years back to claim for property depreciation over these periods.
As there are some exceptions, property investors are advised to seek clarification from their tax agent or the ATO.
For more on property depreciation read <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/property-depreciation-101/2011061450484" target="_blank">Property Depreciation 101</a> prepared by Tyron Hyde, director at <a title="Washington Brown" target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonbrown.com.au/">Washington Brown</a>.
</body></html>

October 31 tax return deadline looms for property investors

<html><body>
Aussie Home Loans founder and executive chairman John Symond is encouraging borrowers to fix at least a portion of the mortgage repayments after the mortgage broker became the latest lender to cut its fixed-rate product suite.
Aussie has cut its three-year fixed rate to 6.29% per annum, pointing out that this is “considerably lower than the average advertised standard variable rate of the four major lenders at 7.8%”.
It beats the three-year fixed rate of 6.48% <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/commonwealth-bank-cuts-fixed-home-loan-rates/2011080951090">being offered by the Commonwealth Bank</a>, which owns a third of Aussie.
According to mortgage comparison website Ratecity.com.au, Aussie (alongside AMP) now offers the third cheapest three-year fixed rate product behind Newcastle Permanent (5.99%) and Homestar Finance (6.25%).
Symond points out that the RBA would have to cut the cash rate six times (assuming cuts of 25 basis points) to bring it in line with its current fixed-rate offering and says the time is right for home owners to consider locking in at least part of their mortgage, as the current fixed rates are extremely competitive.
"Over the years I have advised people to stick with variable and pay off as much as you can in order to pay the loan off faster," he said. "However, with these competitive rates, it makes sense to lock away part of your loan as an insurance policy against global uncertainties," he adds.
"The cost of funding is quite high and while the current round of aggressive fixed rates may be good news for consumers, they may not last forever, so it pays to look at your home loan now," he says.
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left" style="width: 470px;">
<thead><tr>
<td></td>
<td>
Aussie Optimizer Fixed Rate
</td>
<td>
Comparison Rate* Aussie Optimizer Fixed Rate Converting to Aussie Optimizer 
</td>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
1 year fixed
</td>
<td>
6.33%
</td>
<td>
7.65%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
2 year fixed
</td>
<td>
6.39%
</td>
<td>
7.52%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
3 year fixed
</td>
<td>
6.29%
</td>
<td>
7.37%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
4 year fixed
</td>
<td>
6.59%
</td>
<td>
7.36%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
5 year fixed
</td>
<td>
6.69%
</td>
<td>
7.31%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
 
 
</body></html>

Now may be the time to fix your mortgage: John Symond

<html><body>
The mortgage broking industry has been toasted at the 10th Australian Mortgage Awards marking a year during which brokers strengthened their market participation but gave up more power to the major banks.
According to the most recent JP Morgan/Fujitsu Mortgage Industry Report mortgage brokers are now writing about 43% of new home loans in Australia, just below the pre-GFC peak of 45%, but power has shifted further towards lenders.
The awards follow a challenging 12 months for the industry, with housing credit growth slowing and brokers now operating under a stricter ASIC compliance and licencing regime.
The announcement of winners also coincided with the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/industry-news/refund-home-loans-in-administration/2011101451935" target="_blank">collapse of one the biggest mortgage broking franchises, Refund Home Loans</a>.
The major banks scooped up three awards on the night, with Westpac judged to have the best internet presence, NAB Broker winning the best industry advertising campaign and the Commonwealth Bank’s Natasha Kelso named the best bank business development manager.
Multiple award winners included Oxygen Home Loans, the mortgage broking arm of John McGrath’s real estate business, which scooped independent brokerage of the year (six or more staff) and Australian brokerage of the year.
The mortgage broking awards follow McGrath’s Neutral Bay/Mosman/Northbridge office winning the Franchise Council of Australia’s national Community Service Award following its involvement with 14 community groups during the last 12 months. 
Melbourne-based The Australian Lending and Investment Centre picked up three gongs on the night including new brokerage of the year and Australian broker of the year for its loan writer, Mark Davis. 
One of the industry’s most successful mortgage brokers, Wendy Higgins, operator of Mortgage Choice’s Glenelg franchise in the western suburbs of Adelaide, took home the Golden Morgie for lifetime achievement. 
South Australian franchise Club Financial Services picked up two awards, as did mortgage aggregator Connective, both to its BDM Fiona Brown. 
While it did not take home any of the prizes, Century 21 Home Loans received four nominations including ‘Best Customer Service from an Individual Office’ (Century 21 Home Loans/Solution Funding, Dural), Commercial Broker of the (Scott Colless, Broker of the Year (Franchise) - Geoffrey Slater, and Franchise Brokerage of the Year - Century 21 Home Loans Mayland. 
<a href="https://www.australianmortgageawards.com.au/winners/" target="_blank">Click here for a list of all the winners.</a>
</body></html>

Major banks among the winners as mortgage brokers celebrate industry growth

<html><body>
Despite a stalling property market, Victorian households remain the most comfortable about their financial position, according to the latest ING Direct Financial Wellbeing Index, which surveyed more than 1,000 household financial decision makers at the end of September and start of October.
Victorian households enjoy Australia’s highest level of financial wellbeing, with an Index score of 110.1 compared with a national index score of 105.9.
The state’s residents lead the nation for comfort levels across three leading indicators including comfort with their mortgage (5.6 out of a possible 7), household income (4.19) and personal savings (3.58).
The survey also reveals that Victoria has the highest proportion of landlords, with one in five respondents earning rental property income, compared with a proportion of between 17% and 18% in the other states and a national average of 18%.
In contrast, NSW households have the greatest preference for the share market, with more than a third (36%) having investments in listed companies compared with a national average of 30%.
NSW households are also feeling more comfortable about their financial situation, with the state index rising to 108.0 in the third quarter, up from 104.5 in the second quarter.
Mortgage holders in NSW feel as comfortable about their level of mortgage debt as those in Victoria while NSW households are also the most comfortable about paying their regular bills scoring a comfort rating of 3.99 out of 7 compared with 3.84 nationally.
In addition, NSW households are more likely to renew spending in time for the festive season than residents of any other state, with 33% saying Christmas is the circuit breaker that will revitalise their spending.
Only a quarter of Victorians say they will increase their spending over the Christmas period, according to the survey.
<img src="/images/stories/ingoct19.gif">
Source: ING Direct
Queenslanders are the least comfortable about their finances with the “challenge of rebuilding disaster-ravaged households” taking its toll on financial wellbeing.
The Queensland Index is 97.3, down from 105.2 in the second quarter, with median household income falling to $62,518 in the third quarter compared with $72,737 nationally. Median household savings are worth $2,905, below the national figure of $7,812. One in four (24%) households has no personal savings, and 9% say they are falling behind on their mortgages.
Queenslanders are also the least likely to increase their spending in the lead up to the festive season. One in three (30%) don’t expect to loosen the purse strings in the foreseeable future.
However, there are some bright spots for Queensland. Median figures for household credit card debt and home loan balances show Queenslanders are about on par with national figures.
Financial wellbeing has also declined in WA, with the state’s index score dropping to 105.9 in the third quarter down from 107.4 in the second quarter. 
The overall Financial Wellbeing Index for the third quarter climbed to 105.9  – a rise from its lowest level in the first quarter of the year (104.8) and second quarter (105.8), indicating confidence is improving.
“Despite a volatile quarter in financial markets, Australian households are proving their resilience as they get debt under control and build a strong savings base,” says Don Koch, CEO of ING Direct.
</body></html>

Victorians most comfortable with their mortgages: ING Direct

<html><body>
The nation’s biggest mortgage lender was one of 36 lenders that cut their fixed rates in October. 
The Commonwealth Bank cut its five-year fixed rate by 85 basis points to 6.89% in October, the biggest fixed-rate cut of all the major banks, according to RateCity.com.au. 
All the major banks have cut their fixed rates by at least 50 basis points for spring, according to the mortgage comparison website. 
Since the first of August this year, 90% of mortgage lenders have lowered some of their fixed rates, with some cutting fixed rate home loans by as much as 140 basis points in that time. 
The average three-year fixed rate is now 6.61% compared with 7.43% at the start of the year. 
Newcastle Permanent Building Society is offering a three-year fixed rate of just 5.99%, equating to repayments of just over $1,600 on a $250,000 mortgage – the lowest fixed rate of all lenders, according RateCity.com.au. 
"On average, three-year fixed rates have dropped by 66 basis points since the start of August, while five-year rates have fallen by 68 basis points on average. The three-year fixed rate has moved nine basis points in the first half of October alone,” RateCity.com.au Damian Smith says. 
"For a $300,000 mortgage, if you took up the average three-year fixed rate now compared to August 1, your repayments would be $122 less per month, saving you around $4,400 over three years. 
"Take up the lowest available three-year fixed rate now and the savings would be closer to $7,000 after three years," he says.
</body></html>

CBA leads big bank rate cut as 36 lenders cut fixed rates in October

<html><body>
More than two-thirds (70%) of lenders are now requiring a deposit of as little as 5% in an effort to encourage more borrowing and to “kick-start” a sluggish mortgage market, according to comparison website RateCity.com.au. 
“Almost 70% of home loans in our database now offer up to 95% of a home's purchase price, which is the highest loan-to-value ratio levels we've see in more than two years, up from 49% 12 months ago," says RateCity CEO Damian Smith. 
“All major four banks now offer home loans with up to 90% LVR while Commonwealth, NAB and Westpac also offer up to 95% LVR on some of their home loans.” 
Lenders are relaxing borrowing criteria, having already used the other levers – negotiating on rates and fees and cutting fixed rates – available to them in the absence of an official interest rate cut. 
It comes as expectations of rate cut on Melbourne Cup Day subside on the back of a drop in unemployment. 
"There’re three things lenders can do in the absence of a rate change from the Reserve Bank. First, they negotiate on rates and fees – we’ve seen ads from the big four showing their willingness to negotiate variable rates, and we think many borrowers should be able to get variable rate loans well below 7%,” Smith says. 
“Second, they’re continuing to cut fixed rates. The average three-year fixed rate is now 6.62%, versus 7.38% in July this year, with the lowest at 6.25%. 
“But finally, they’re also proving willing to lend to people with less deposit or equity, by increasing the loan to value ratio. This means many more potential borrowers are 'eligible' for loans than might have been the case just 12 months ago.” 
Home loans with up to 95% LVR over the past 12 months
<div align="center">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" style="width: 470px;"><tbody>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="20%"></td>
<td width="41%">
Number of loans with up to 95% LVR
</td>
<td width="37%">
% of RateCity database *
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="20%">
Sep-11
</td>
<td nowrap width="41%">
1,690
</td>
<td nowrap width="37%">
66%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="20%">
Mar-11
</td>
<td nowrap width="41%">
1,532
</td>
<td nowrap width="37%">
59%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="20%">
Sep-10
</td>
<td nowrap width="41%">
1,088
</td>
<td nowrap width="37%">
50%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Please note: total home loans monitored by RateCity, the total number of home loans available varies month to month. Source: RateCity. 
According to RateCity, there were more than 40,000 fewer first-home buyers in the last 12 months compared with the average of the last four years.
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Lenders enticing borrowers with low deposit requirements

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<h1>Mortgage broking group Refund Home Loans has been placed into voluntary administration, but several buyers are considering acquiring the business, which has more than 350 franchisees and a substantial stake in the growing alternative home loan market.</h1>
The announcement comes just 18 months after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission slammed the company and Ormond, after he admitted making false and misleading statements to franchisees about an agreement with the ACCC itself.
It also comes just two weeks after BRW again named Ormond as one of the wealthiest people under 40 in Australia, with his fortune rising $5 million to $33 million.
Ormond declined to comment.
However, a company spokesperson said the company had endured "a difficult 12 to 18 months".
"Banks have been tightening up their lending to small business, and that's just the reality of the situation. They've made it particularly hard," the spokesperson says.
"The company is effectively under-funded, and we have director responsibilities. So there, the banks had no choice but to put in a voluntary administration."
Refund has suffered since the beginning of the year, especially in Queensland, where the property sector has suffered due to the January floods.
However, the spokesperson confirmed that four buyers are current involved and franchisees – who are still operating – are also looking at purchasing the business.
The company hopes to use the company's strong brand as leverage, along with its scope – the company has a loan book worth $2 billion.
While the company does have $2.5 million in debt, the spokesperson says this is "a small amount of debt considering the company's valuation".
It is understood the administration does not affect either the real estate or financial planning divisions of the business. A sale process is currently underway, led by administrators SV Partners.
It is unknown whether competitors are eyeing a stake in the company, although the company's substantial franchisee footprint would be very attractive to a number of existing players.
Two other businesses operated by Ormond, Refund Real Estate or Refund Financial Planning, are not in administration and are unaffected.
Ormond launched Refund back in 2003, after working in the banking finance industry. The company's model is based on providing a refund of any commission it receives from lenders.
The business has experienced substantial growth over the past few years, with its franchisees growing to more than 350, carving out a significant portion of the growing market for mortgage products sourced from outside the big four banks.
Refund appeared in the SmartCompany Smart50 list of Australia's fastest-growing small and medium enterprises during both 2008 and 2009, ranked as sixth and 43rd, respectively.
This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/finance/20111017-refund-home-loans-falls-in-administration-but-buyers-waiting-in-the-wings" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
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Refund Home Loans in voluntary administration but buyers waiting in the wings

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Anyone who has ever had to pay off a mortgage will tell you they would love to pay it off before the term, but most people will continue to chip away at their loan on autopilot. A proactive strategy can cut your loan term from 30 years to less than half in some cases.
<ol start="1">
<li>Pay your mortgage as you receive your income, e.g. fortnightly. Doing this cuts down on interest payable and will save you a lot of money over the course of your home loan. If you are super focused, pay your mortgage weekly, which will reduce interest further again.</li>
<li>Set up an automated recurring payment for your mortgage payments. This is usually free of charge and means that you are always on time and can’t overspend on other things, leaving you short to meet your payment obligations.</li>
<li>Park the large lump sum into your mortgage account e.g. if you get $2,000 back from your tax return, receive dividends from other investments or get bonus payments from your job, make a large payment towards your mortgage. These large lump sums can cut years worth of interest off the loan.</li>
<li>List your regular expenses and you will find 1 or 2 items that you can do without. This will make a big difference to either your cash flow, freeing up disposable income to park in your mortgage account.</li>
<li>Make a habit of going only to the ATMs of your bank. The charges (usually $1 to $2.50 per transaction or account enquiry) can easily add up to a nice little amount that can remain in your pocket rather than a banks or ATM provider or go towards your loan. (see #6)</li>
<li>Increase your repayments while rates are stable. You can cut up to two years off the lifespan of your loan by paying an extra $20 to $50 on each payment. This may just mean cutting out an extra cup of coffee here or there or once a week taking lunch to work rather than buying it occasionally.</li>
<li>Have your wages paid directly into your home-loan account - you will need a loan with re-draw or line-of-credit type facility so you can have unlimited access the funds for living expenses etc. This will greatly reduce the interest that you pay as the interest is debited at the end of the month and usually calculated daily.</li>
<li>Offset your loans with a savings account. This is called mortgage offsetting, where as the amount in your savings account (earning interest) is calculated/subtracted against the actual interest charge against the loan amount, then the interest is calculated only on the balance. For example, if your loan is $400 000 and you have $100 000 in savings, this equate to $300 000 on which you actually pay interest. This of course greatly reduces the amount of interest you effectively pay and will save you years on your home loan.</li>
<li>Perform a mortgage health check. Sometimes you just have to admit your loan might not be the best for you anymore. Your loan may have been superseded as a product. Interest rates may have changed drastically, leaving you better off with a variable rate than a fixed one. In that case, look at re-financing whether it is with your existing lender or a different one. Go to a home loan lender or broker to make sure you do get the best deal. Don’t just go to one provider as usually they will only offer you their products. To get a full scope of available options talk to a specialist who has access to various funds and lenders. They are in a competitive market and will try to gain your custom – let them earn it.</li>
<li>When re-financing, consider pooling or consolidating any other loans eg. (car or personal) and credit cards (with a much higher interest rate) into the one loan as the savings often will outweigh the slightly higher loan amount. 
</li>
</ol>
To give your home loan the free ‘home loan heath check-up’ log onto <a href="https://www.amohomeloans.com.au">www.amohomeloans.com.au</a> 
Robert Projeski is the MD of multiple award-winning independent lender <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amo.com.au">Australian Mortgage Options</a>. 
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