Apartment buyers in New South Wales are set to gain a decade of insurance-backed protection against major building defects, after the NSW Parliament passed the Fair Trading and Building Legislation Amendment Bill 2026.&nbsp;

The Bill establishes decennial defect insurance, known in the market as Latent Defects Insurance (LDI), as an alternative to the existing two-year strata building bond. It cleared the Legislative Council with amendments on Tuesday evening (August 4, 2026), with the Legislative Assembly agreeing to those amendments shortly after.

Under the reform, eligible developers can satisfy their statutory bond obligation by taking out an approved decennial-style policy that gives owners 10 years of cover for major structural defects from completion, claimable directly, without first having to pursue developers or builders through costly legal action.&nbsp;

The change forms the final tranche of amendments arising from the 2021 statutory review of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 and related legislation.

Resilience Insurance, which originated the cover in Australia and has delivered it in NSW since 2022, welcomed the passage and credited the NSW Government for delivering it.

“This is protection apartment buyers have needed for a long time, and the credit for delivering it belongs to the NSW Government,”&nbsp;said Corey Nugent, CEO of Resilience Insurance.

“Minister Chanthivong and his team have shown real leadership in replacing an outdated two-year bond with cover that matches the lifespan of the buildings people are buying into. Reform like this is what good, evidence-based regulation looks like.”

Resilience has delivered LDI in NSW since 2022, protecting thousands of apartments, giving the State, and now the country, real-world evidence of how decade-long, no-fault protection works in practice.

The reform also places NSW within a wider national shift.

NSW is the third jurisdiction to put decennial cover into law. The ACT legislated for it in 2024, with the scheme taking effect in late 2025, and Victoria passed its own framework on 17 June. Between them, the three cover the majority of Australia's apartment market.

The reform commences once the legislation is proclaimed, which is expected in the coming weeks. From that point, developers of Class 2 residential apartment buildings can meet their statutory obligation with an approved decennial policy in place of the bond.

Buyers who purchased into projects that took out the cover early are among the first in the country to take keys to apartments carrying decade-long structural protection.

“With the legislation passed, the focus now turns to making it work for buyers,”&nbsp;Nugent said.

“There are already thousands of apartments in NSW covered by this insurance, bought by developers who moved early. The question every buyer should be asking in a display suite is a simple one: does this building come with 10-year defect cover, and who stands behind it?&nbsp;

“We look forward to working with the Government and the Building Commission in coming weeks as the framework moves to implementation, and to sharing what we have learned over the past four years so the protection reaches owners as smoothly and quickly as possible.”

Other states are working through their own reform programs. Western Australia has indicated that decennial cover is within consideration a later stage of its reform sequence, and Queensland has been examining the settings as it looks at the development pipeline ahead of the 2032 Olympics.

Resilience Insurance acknowledges the NSW Government’s continued focus on strengthening consumer protection while supporting housing delivery across the State.

Fast Facts: What the reform means

<ul style="color:#222222; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:small; font-style:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-weight:400; text-align:start; white-space:normal; background-color:#ffffff; text-decoration-thickness:initial; text-decoration-style:initial; text-decoration-color:initial">
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Proven at scale:&nbsp;Decennial cover has operated in NSW since 2022, protecting thousand of apartments.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">10 years of cover:&nbsp;Protection for major structural defects runs for a decade from completion, claimable directly and with no legal action required.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">An alternative to the bond:&nbsp;Eligible developers can meet their statutory obligation with an approved decennial-style policy in place of the 2% strata building bond.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Part of a national shift:&nbsp;The ACT has had decennial provisions in force since 2025 and Victoria passed its framework in June. NSW now joins them.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">No-fault, first resort:&nbsp;Owners corporations claim directly from the insurer without first having to establish who is liable for the defect.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Cost-competitive:&nbsp;At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the 2% bond while offering broader, longer protection.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Market position:&nbsp;Resilience originated LDI in Australia and has delivered it in NSW since 2022.</li>
</ul>

Fast Facts: What is Resilience LDI?

<ul style="color:#222222; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:small; font-style:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-weight:400; text-align:start; white-space:normal; background-color:#ffffff; text-decoration-thickness:initial; text-decoration-style:initial; text-decoration-color:initial">
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Resilience Latent Defects Insurance (LDI):&nbsp;Covers major structural defects for 10 years from completion.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Consumer-first:&nbsp;Direct claim access, no need for lengthy legal action.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Cost advantage:&nbsp;At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the traditional 2% Strata Bond while offering broader protection.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Market leader:&nbsp;&nbsp;Resilience Insurance originated LDI in Australia and is the national market leader.</li>
</ul>

Joel Robinson

NSW parliament passes 10-year defect insurance laws for new apartment buyers

Builder-developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mcnab-developments">McNab</a> has wasted little time reshaping one of South Brisbane's most significant undeveloped apartment sites after acquiring the property earlier this year.&nbsp;

McNab has lodged plans to scrap an existing approval for two 30-storey towers and instead deliver a single 28-storey residential building, preserving part of the site for a future development opportunity.

The proposal, lodged over <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-peel-street-south-brisbane-qld-4101">64 Peel Street and 9 Cordelia Street</a>, is for a residential-led mixed-use development comprising 124 apartments above a landscaped podium, alongside a boundary realignment that preserves part of the land for a future residential project.

<img alt="First look: McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="743bf564-3f8f-45fc-b8d3-bbf18f5b628f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/mcnab%20Peel%20st%20podium.png?VersionId=EhCxGrVn_VFH3qTbKnI4WppGwaMnOn0t" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hayball">Hayball</a>, the development will deliver 119 two-bedroom and five three-bedroom apartments across 23 residential levels. A five-level podium will accommodate 135 car spaces, while the ground floor will include a 66 sqm commercial tenancy, an activated residential lobby with work-from-home spaces, and a publicly accessible landscaped plaza linking Cordelia and Peel streets.&nbsp;

Communal amenities will span Level 6 and the rooftop, including indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, a swimming pool, barbecue facilities, kitchen and dining areas, lawn space, sauna, steam room and yoga facilities.

The application also proposes a boundary realignment to create a standalone 1,290 sqm development lot while retaining an adjacent parcel for future redevelopment, allowing the balance of the site to contribute additional housing over time.

Hayball said the architecture has been shaped by the site's elevated corner position at the intersection of Peel and Cordelia streets and Brisbane's subtropical climate.

The design incorporates generous landscaped setbacks, a masonry podium wrapped with planting, large north-facing balconies, and a slender tower profile intended to maximise natural light, cross ventilation and long-range views. The rooftop has been conceived as a wellness-focused retreat overlooking Brisbane, with amenities positioned to capture views towards Mount Coot-tha and the CBD.

<img alt="First look: McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c5f99e84-6ad8-4a87-82d1-869685b754d2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/mcnab%20tower%20perspective.png?VersionId=Gw0IuJaSAlk.tvGBxInhZOcQAdIB..2b" />

The planning submission positions the proposal as a response to both changing market conditions and Brisbane's Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct planning reforms.

McNab acquired the site after the previous approval was granted, with the existing scheme no longer reflecting current residential market demands, economic conditions, construction challenges, construction efficiencies or the quality of development outcome now being pursued, the planning report noted.

McNab continues to expand its residential development pipeline across Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The developer recently launched The Tannery in West End, securing more than 60 per cent of apartments before the project's public release. It is also delivering Elements Budds Beach in Surfers Paradise and Lucia Highgate Hill, an eight-apartment boutique development overlooking the Brisbane River.

McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower

A steeply sloping Bellevue Hill site is set to accommodate a new mid-rise apartment development, with plans lodged for 20 homes that respond to the site's dramatic topography.

The proposal for the consolidated land at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/138a-140-bellevue-road-bellevue-hill-nsw-2023">138A-140 Bellevue Road</a> has been designed by Sydney architecture practice Common Office, which has used the site’s substantial fall to distribute the building’s scale and unlock 20 apartments without presenting the full height to the street.&nbsp;

“The unique design strategy leverages the site’s substantial topographical fall to facilitate increased density, presenting a seven-storey profile to Bellevue Road while rising to 10 storeys at the rear,” Common Office said in its architectural design report.

The apartment mix spans one, two, three- and four-bedroom residences. Four two-bedroom apartments are designated as affordable housing, while the plans also include two adaptable dwellings. The mix is majority three-beds, with the typical three-bed apartment offering around 144 sqm internally, with balconies of around 15 sqm.

The affordable housing component represents 15 per cent of the residential floor area and allows the project to access additional height and floor space under the NSW Government’s in-fill affordable housing provisions. The site also falls within the inner area of the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy because it is within 400 metres walking distance of Double Bay Town Centre.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1230d0f-3bfa-4a11-abaf-0928c66ef345" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20da.png?VersionId=dZeMK3P.OutGjN8ycjsxm8uNsj_QFWQv" />

Common Office has arranged the building around a masonry podium and a lighter upper volume, drawing on two recurring elements of Bellevue Hill’s established architecture: sandstone bases and the vertical proportions of local Inter-war Art Deco apartment buildings.

“The proposal is governed by a holistic design language that reconciles the solid horizontal masonry of the neighbourhood’s podiums with the elegant verticality of its Art Deco heritage,” the architect said.

“The building maintains a consistent rhythmic logic utilising deep recesses and a sophisticated material transition to break down the 10-storey scale into a series of articulated, human-scale volumes.”

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0147f503-1af1-4d51-97fb-c2f1cba63a9d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20bldg.png?VersionId=GoW7q3NlK67OpnePXhk7zvklrlKb72Qc" />

Large-format sandstone tiles will define the lower levels, establishing a robust base that negotiates the change in elevation from Bellevue Road. Above, red-tinted precast concrete frames, recessed balconies, anodised aluminium screens and expanded metal details will create a more vertically expressed façade. Integrated planter beds will introduce greenery across balcony edges and recessed sections of the building.

The elongated northern façade has been divided into three recessed vertical masses to reduce its perceived length. Triangular window elements and metal privacy screens reference the geometry of nearby Art Deco buildings while controlling overlooking toward surrounding homes. The southern elevation will incorporate further privacy screening, landscaped edges and deep balconies to maintain light and ventilation.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e8679cf1-18bc-4447-8a0f-0052b94ab83c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20da%20rooftop.png?VersionId=5SQqQqRFf76rvE2p1TbxJSweMN70AIbc" />

Private and communal landscaping is distributed throughout the development. A landscaped garden apartment is positioned within the lower portion of the site, while a communal terrace on Level 5 will include a central timber deck, barbecue facilities, resident planting plots and areas for outdoor dining and informal gatherings.

Common Office described the terrace as an elevated sanctuary designed to capture district views and sunlight. Its planting strategy incorporates endemic species associated with the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub, extending the landscape vertically through the building and providing habitat for local flora and fauna.

A second communal outdoor area is proposed at roof level, with built-in seating, paved gathering areas and perimeter planting.

Bellevue Hill is enjoying renewed momentum in the new apartment market, with several boutique developments recently launched and currently under construction. Positive Investment Enterprise is delivering the 16-apartment Kew Palm House on Birriga Road, while Chanine Developments is also under construction at Florian, a 36-apartment project on Banksia Road.

&nbsp;

Bellevue Hill is enjoying renewed momentum in the new apartment market, with several boutique developments recently launched and currently under construction.

First Look: Apartment development pitched for Bellevue Hill, Double Bay fringe

South Brisbane's apartment pipeline continues to build momentum, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/trk-property-group">TRK Property Group</a> lodging plans for a 161-apartment tower on Montague Road as developers accelerate investment across the Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct.

The proposal for 176–186 Montague Road would replace an existing office building with a 20-storey residential tower designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, adding to a growing pipeline of high-density projects reshaping one of Brisbane's fastest-evolving inner-city precincts.

The project has been conceived as a "living building", featuring a flowing tower form, extensive vertical landscaping, and generous communal spaces that respond to the evolving Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct.

TRK Property Group Development Director Matt Kan said the project reflected the confidence developers have in South Brisbane's long-term future.

"South Brisbane is entering an incredibly exciting period, and we see Montague Road sitting right at the heart of that evolution," Kan said.

"With the former Visy site directly opposite us and significant investment planned throughout the broader Kurilpa precinct, there is a real sense of momentum around this part of the city and what it will become over the coming years.

"For TRK, this is an opportunity to be part of that next chapter and deliver a project that responds to where the precinct is heading, while contributing to the continued evolution of Brisbane's river edge."

<img alt="First look: TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="590fe1ad-f892-4446-a679-80e33a16d029" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/TRK%20tower%20facade.png?VersionId=uOJStrcKpyHFcPE1w6_9SMAFzVMCcZll" />

The scheme includes a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, incorporating multi-purpose rooms in selected residences to provide additional flexibility for home offices or expanded living areas. The proposed mix comprises 15 one-bedroom, 13 one-bedroom plus MPR, 73 two-bedroom, 26 two-bedroom plus MPR, 30 three-bedroom, and four four-bedroom apartments.

Rather than adopting a conventional rectilinear tower, COX Architecture has developed a sculpted form inspired by the movement of the Brisbane River.

"The proposal has been designed by COX Architecture as a 'living building' that responds to the site's riverine setting, floodplain history and evolving urban context within the Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct," the planning report states.

"The architectural form draws from the fluid nature of the Brisbane River, with a curved and undulating tower form that creates a varied architectural edge and avoids a conventional rectilinear tower expression."

The podium has also been designed as an architectural feature rather than a conventional parking structure, with cascading planting, screening and natural-toned materials softening its appearance. Resident parking is elevated above ground level to address the site's flood constraints, while habitable apartments sit above flood planning levels. Upper-level communal facilities are designed to accommodate shelter-in-place arrangements during major flood events.

<img alt="First look: TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="01fa15d0-90df-46c7-9555-7941fc45373c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/TRK%20podium.png?VersionId=mHyua.w1pHGBt9qEdWzrlsv.leztUCwO" />

Communal amenity is a major focus of the proposal. Around 1,815 sqm of shared resident space is proposed across the ground floor, level 19 and the rooftop, including co-working areas, indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, wellness facilities, dining and gathering areas, lawn spaces, a rooftop pool and spa, and extensive landscaping. At street level, a landscaped forecourt and approximately 345 sqm of publicly accessible open space along Montague Road are intended to improve the pedestrian experience while activating the building's frontage.

The development will provide 163 car spaces, including 152 resident bays and 11 visitor spaces, together with 144 bicycle spaces incorporating resident storage, visitor parking, bicycle maintenance facilities and e-mobility charging infrastructure.

The site sits within one of Brisbane's fastest-changing inner-city precincts, less than two kilometres from the CBD and within easy reach of South Bank, West End, the Queensland Cultural Centre and extensive public transport connections. The Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct planning framework is encouraging higher-density residential development to help meet Brisbane's housing supply targets while supporting walkable, transit-oriented neighbourhoods.

TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans

Article summary

<ul data-end="785" data-start="311">
	<li data-end="459" data-section-id="5hbcyr" data-start="311">Pikos Group has released the five-penthouse collection at Skye Kangaroo Point, headlined by a two-storey sky home spanning more than 1,000 sqm.</li>
	<li data-end="561" data-section-id="1p7lq8n" data-start="460">Early buyer interest suggests the residences could set a new Queensland apartment price record.</li>
	<li data-end="667" data-section-id="1y70z0l" data-start="562">The collection includes four move-in ready penthouses and the highly customised Skye One residence.</li>
	<li data-end="785" data-section-id="yvm0y1" data-start="668">The release caps one of Bri​sbane's most ambitious luxury apartment developments overlooking the Brisbane River.</li>
</ul>

<hr data-end="790" data-start="787" />
Pikos Group has released the five-penthouse collection at its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/skye-residences-by-pikos-kangaroo-point-8-river-terrace-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">Skye by Pikos</a> development in Kangaroo Point, with early buyer interest indicating the flagship residences could eclipse every apartment sale previously recorded in Queensland.

The collection crowns the luxury riverfront development with five residences, including four completed penthouses and Skye One, a two-level sky home spanning more than 1,000 sqm that will be tailored to its eventual owner.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374075]

Wanting to offer a fully customisable home, Pikos is offering Skye One as a blank canvas, allowing the buyer to work alongside the developer's design team to customise the home's layout, finishes and internal spaces.

The residence will feature a 247 sqm private rooftop terrace with its own swimming pool, sauna, steam room, outdoor kitchen and multiple entertaining areas overlooking the Brisbane River and CBD skyline.

The remaining four penthouses have been completed and are ready for immediate occupation, each offering four bedrooms, expansive open-plan living areas, soaring ceilings and private lift access.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374059]

One of the defining features throughout the project is its use of Roman Classic Travertine, with more than 20,000 sqm of the natural stone imported from Italy after being personally selected by Pikos Group Founder and Executive Director Pedro Pikos, interior designer Julie Williamson and third-generation stone specialist Mario Caucci.

Pikos said the penthouse collection represented the culmination of the company's long-term vision for Skye.

"True legacy isn't measured by what we build today, but by what endures tomorrow," Pikos said.

"Our ambition is to create places that become more valuable with time, enrich the lives of generations, and stand as timeless landmarks long after we've stepped away."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374060]

Williamson said the interiors were inspired by the natural character of Kangaroo Point and the Brisbane River rather than international design trends.

"Materiality tells the story of a place," Williamson said.

"We looked to the movement of the Brisbane River, the texture of the cliff face and the warmth of the surrounding landscape to create interiors that feel understated, enduring and unmistakably Brisbane."

Positioned above the Kangaroo Point cliffs, Skye places residents within walking distance of Howard Smith Wharves, South Bank and James Street while offering uninterrupted river and city views.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=90059]

Brisbane's next apartment price record? Pikos unveils Skye's exclusive penthouse collection

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?

Prominent New Zealand apartment and hotel operator, <a href="/developers/safari-group">Safari Group</a>, is offering up a prime investment opportunity for Australians to purchase off the plan in one of the world’s most popular ski destinations.

They recently took to market Mountain Oak Queenstown Apartments, in the growing precinct of Remarkables Park in Frankton, near the airport and at the foot of The Remarkables - the mountain range the locals like to call “The Remarks”.&nbsp;

Sydney investors have shown interest in the one, two and three-bedroom apartments that secure high-season occupancy six months over the year, primarily over summer and winter months.

They average 90 per cent occupancy across their portfolio over January, February, March, August, November and December, while shoulder season months of April, July, September and October are still occupied 70 per cent of the time, with the growing appeal of Queenstown becoming not just a hotspot for the snow, but a lifestyle destination.

Even in the low seasons of May and June, occupancy levels reach around 40 per cent.

<img alt="Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments brings new investment potential to Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Ext_Cam15_Sunny.jpg?VersionId=SJAROUM_1s.Tr5ciMk4EEj5oAt_Vewmv" />

Safari’s Safari Hotels arm can also manage the holiday letting for an investor, from the listing on holiday accommodation websites such as Airbnb and Booking.com to the cleaning and maintenance of the investment. They’ve been in the short stay management business for 15 years and offer 24/7 support for investors, an important convenience benefit for any overseas investor

Another major drawcard for Australians is that New Zealand doesn’t have a stamp duty policy - so the entry price of NZ$639,000 (AU$586,000), is all that is payable on completion.

<img alt="Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments brings new investment potential to Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/313_Livingv2_WEB.jpg?VersionId=nV229fM0ZeYpoxOrX372HyGjfwY_LR8c" />

Safari is starting construction of the 141 apartments in Q2 this year, with a two-year build estimated to complete in mid-to-late 2027.<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="15" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXczFpFAb7WuA6f4f9TtKWcqXyNwR8qqtakWv352ERkpqNlP3KwIo8YKxw67jZNHfpjEGIZGv5MQTbnvLZwNt8iu9IVdOrswOjCvBZ4zhSoOOLrpt6etVEZTN1gkBho0r_R72zdHNA?key=yq3daOanqHSb88QFd8jGYKdb" title="Click and drag to move" width="15" />​

The apartments will feature modern amenities and contemporary designs with expansive windows capturing sweeping views of The Remarkables mountain range.&nbsp;

Interiors are equipped with modern finishes, premium appliances, and secure electronic key-locked doors, ensuring a comfortable living experience for residents and guests alike.

With its strategic location near Coronet Peak and Cardrona Alpine Resort, as well as key retail and dining precincts such as Market Street, Five Mile Shopping Centre, and Remarkables Market, Mountain Oak offers a strong proposition for investors seeking high rental yields and capital appreciation in one of New Zealand’s most sought-after locations.&nbsp;

Queenstown’s sustained demand for visitor accommodation and rental properties is underpinned by a shortage of housing options, attracting both local and international buyers.

Safari Group offers low-touch investment proposition in Queenstown’s popular ski fields district

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Capital city house prices rose 2.4% in the June quarter led by a surging Perth housing market, according to preliminary estimates of the ABS eight capital city price index.
This means the index is up 5.1% through the year to the June quarter 2013.
Apart from Hobart, all capital cities recorded gains in their price indices in the three months to June led by Perth (+3.4%) followed by Darwin (+2.9%), Sydney (+2.7%), Melbourne (+2.4%), Brisbane (+1.9%), Canberra (+1.0%) and Adelaide (+0.3%).
Hobart’s price index fell 1%.
The ABS also upwardly revised its March quarter estimate from a 0.1% rise to a 0.8% gain. 
The latest data means the Perth house price index is now up 11% over the past 12 months - the fifth consecutive through-the-year rise.
Perth housing clusters with median prices below $750,000 contributed most to the rise in the June quarter 2013.
In Sydney, the ABS said clusters with median prices between $400,000 and $850,000 contributed most to the rise in the June quarter 2013.
Sydney’s index rose 6.1% through the year to the June quarter 2013, the fourth consecutive through the year rise.  The preliminary estimate for Melbourne (+2.4%) follows a rise in the March quarter 2013 (+0.1%, revised from +0.2%). The rise in Melbourne was consistent across a broad range of clusters. The index rose 3.3% through the year to the June quarter 2013. This is the second consecutive through the year rise. Capital city house prices rose 2.1% in the December quarter 2012 and fell 0.2% in the September quarter, according to final ABS revisions.
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Perth leads capital city house prices up 2.4% in June quarter: ABS

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The Federal Election campaign must address the issue of housing affordability, Australians for Affordable Housing have said.
The lobby group, which represents national housing, welfare and community sector organisations has tweeted a number of messages to its 2,159 followers about the issue of housing affordability authored by campaign manager Joel Pringle.
They preceded and followed the ABC's Q &amp; A program where the issue of housing affordability was discussed.
Pringle accused Liberal backer and commentator Grahame Morris of avoiding tackling the issue of housing affordability while telling Labor (represented by Senator Doug Cameron) of relying on past housing programs.
Pringle tweeted <a href="https://twitter.com/HousingStressed" target="_blank">@HousingStressed</a>: 
<a href="https://twitter.com/HousingStressed" target="_blank"><img alt="housing_affordability" height="592" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/larry_uploads/housing_affordability.jpg"></a>
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Housing affordability a federal election issue

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The share market has outperformed the property market every year for the last 20 years, but has offered investors a roller-coaster ride.
Analysis of the performance of equities versus property by Rismark International for the Australian Financial Review shows that this outperformance was greatest in the mid to late 1990s  and in the five years preceding the GFC.
The All Ordinaries Accumulative Index (including dividends) returned nearly 24% per annum between February 2003 and December 2007 while Australian residential property accumulative indices (including capital growth and rental yields net of estimated holding and selling costs) returned 9.6% per annum.
Investing in zero risk 90 day government bank bill returned 5.88%.
However, since 2007 to the present, the share market has cost investors around 1% per annum with property performing a little better (3.7%) while 90 day bank bills would have returned 4.7% per annum.
Averaging out returns over 20 years show that the All Ordinaries Accumulative Index has returned around 9.91% per year over the past twenty years while residential property has returned 9.8%.
Holding funds in a zero risk 90 day government bank bill would have returned 5.5% per annum over this 20 year period.
The Rismark analysis shows that shares were impacted by event such as the dot.com shares bubble bursting, the rise of the bull market prior to the GFC resulting in a very high volatility rating with sharp rises and falls.
In comparison, the property market has grown relatively steadily with smaller dips following the GFC (with assistance provided to the housing market by generous first-home buyer incentives).
The research highlights that good investment portfolios are diversified between shares, property investments and cash deposits.
It also shows that holding just one investment propertyis not a good strategy.
Not only is it an illiquid investment, but according to Rismark’s head of research Matthew Hardman, individual properties have had much higher volatility than the overall housing market index “so the risk return proposition is not as good”.
A diversified residential property portfolio of around six properties offers a better risk-return proposition but is a far less liquid investment than shares, which though riskier, can more easily be sold in different quantities if cash is required.
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More liquid shares just outperform property over last 20 years - if you don’t mind the volatility: Rismark study

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A noticeable side effect of low-confidence economies is that businesses start to behave more like spectators than participants. They enter a limbo where they are waiting for a ‘sign’.
This is concerning in a nation like Australia where in a population of 22 million we have 2.1 million business owners.
But you can establish your own sense of the economy and decide on your own confidence. Here are five indicators you can analyse for yourself:
<img alt="numberonejuly11" height="44" width="35" src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numberonejuly11.jpg"> Growth: Australia’s growth in gross domestic product is currently around 2.4% per annum, which is below the 50-year average of 3% but higher than the current average of developed economies (1.6%).
Growth is a measure of how much an economy is expanding each year and is a good starting point for confidence: Australia’s GDP growth is forecast to end 2013 at 2.3% and rise to 2.8% in 2014.
<img alt="numbertwojuly11" height="41" width="35" src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numbertwojuly11.jpg"> Inflation: Inflation is the measure of how much the cost of good and services rises in one year.
Australia uses the Consumer Price Index which averages the prices in a basket of 11 typical consumer items.
To get the inflation figure, the RBA uses different analyses of the CPI. The one that matters is probably the ‘trimmed mean’ which takes out the anomalies.
If inflation is too low, there is not enough economic activity; if inflation is too high, there is too much activity.
The perfect zone is between 2 and 3% and the current rate is right in the middle and expected to be the same in 2014.
<img alt="numberthreejuly11" height="46" width="35" src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numberthreejuly11.jpg"> Employment: The rate of unemployment is important for predicting spending and confidence.
Unemployment is currently rising off a low base and expected to be close to 6% by the end of 2013.
When you consider that France has unemployment around 11% and the USA has 7.7%, Australia is not looking too bad.
Our average unemployment rate since 1978 is 6.95%.
<img alt="numberfourjuly11" height="45" width="35" src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numberfourjuly11.jpg"> Interest rates: The Reserve Bank can lower official interest rates to stimulate borrowing and spending, and raise rates to slow exuberance.
The current official rate is 2.75% – the lowest it has been in 50 years.
<img alt="numberfivejuly11" height="38" width="35" src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numberfivejuly11.jpg"> Government net debt: There are many arguments about what constitutes problematic government debt.
The real problem is that the more the government owes, the more it has to use tax revenues to repay debt.
Australia’s net government debt is around 12% of GDP. Compare this to the US on 89% and the UK on 86%.
Anyone can keep an eye on these basic economic indicators and come to their own conclusions.
The Reserve Bank of Australia and the Australian Bureau of Statistics have excellent web sites and news alerts, and we can all use them.
You can’t change economies, but you can absorb information, decide on your own levels of confidence and plan accordingly.
Be informed – take back control.
Mark Bouris is executive chairman of <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.ybr.com.au/">Yellow Brick Road</a>, a financial services company offering home loans, financial planning, accounting and tax, and insurance.
 
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5 indicators for the state of the economy

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When you are buying or selling a home it’s highly advisable to make sure that any additions or alterations to the dwelling have been properly authorized by the local shire or council.
You might be surprised how often this is not properly done and just how many homes have unauthorized structures as a part of the property.
Most often these are patios or verandahs but they can be more substantial matters such as the addition of a conservatory, workshop, garage or extra bedroom.
Local authorities have good reasons to design and apply the laws around building and construction and most often this is to do with safety.
Such laws and regulations are important for legal reasons as well as for personal injury and insurance reasons along with safety measures around fire, electricity and structural soundness.
If you are selling, the listing agent will ask you if you are aware of any unauthorized structures or additions to the property. It’s important that you answer truthfully to avoid potential legal problems down the track. The contract for sale might come unstuck if the buyer finds that the property is not in order.
As a seller, if you are aware of unapproved structures you can either remedy those before listing the property for sale or disclose them to potential buyers to avoid any misleading conduct.
Remedies might include removing or making good the structures or seeking retrospective approval from the Council. This latter option is not always available so you will need to check with your local authority.
Alternatively, if the unauthorized structures are made known to potential buyers, dealing with these might form part of the negotiations in settling on an agreed price and sale conditions.
For example, a buyer might make an offer subject to the unlawful patio being removed or the recent carport being retrospectively approved by Council.
As a buyer you have the right to ask about any unauthorised structures and the agent is obliged to answer truthfully based on the information they have been provided by the owner.
Perhaps more importantly, as a buyer you have the right to include a building inspection as a condition of your offer and acceptance.
A building inspector can give a written report on the state of the dwelling you are considering buying including such things as structural soundness, rising damp, appropriate guttering and the quality of any additions or alterations.
You can also check with the local council to ensure that additions or alterations have been properly approved.
While buyers may accept the sale with the unauthorised structure, it’s important that any modifications or additions to the dwelling are legally approved to ensure the safety of the occupants and to protect you from liability.
David Airey is president of the <a href="https://reiwa.com.au/home/default.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Real Estate Institute of Western Australia.</a> This article was originally published on <a href="https://reiwa.com.au/Faq/Pages/Feature.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">reiwa.com</a>.
 
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dairey-MVZf5ZguQC

Check your new home for unauthorised structures before buying or selling

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Landscaper William Dangar's house at Bondi Beach has been sold by the GoodyerDonnelley estate agency.
William Dangar (pictured below), one of Australia’s leading landscape designers, and his wife Julia, were expecting to sell for $1.6 million plus and secured $1.7 million.
 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/stories/2013/07/bondijuly15headshot.jpg" alt="bondijuly15headshot" width="470" height="626">
 
It sold well ahead of its scheduled August 10 auction through <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.gdrealestate.com.au/residential-sales/0000117993" target="_blank">Debbie Donnelley of GoodyerDonnelley Real Estate</a>.
Renovated and extended by Molnar Freeman Architects, the two-level residence stands on a level 241 square metre block.
There are lush courtyards along with a sunny outdoor entertainment area showcasing Dangar’s distinctive design skills.
Set a short walk to the beach and Hall Street’s village café hub, it has four large bedrooms and two bathrooms.
There is a spacious living and dining zone that incorporates a gourmet gas kitchen with limestone benchtops and a heated natural stone floor.
Featured in the 2008 Collectors Edition of Belle magazine, the Wellington Street residence is expected to sell for more than $1.6 million.
Dangar has designed gardens for many of the “rich and famous” including actor Nicole Kidman, pastoralist Markus Kahlbetzer and property developer Tim Casey who recently bought a Queen Street, Woollahra house, a two-level former doctor's surgery which cost him and wife Anne Marie $4.75 million through Ballard Property Group agent Bill Bridges.
Dangar also is the creator of <a href="https://robertplumb.com.au/" target="_blank">Robert Plumb </a>Outdoor Furniture, a modern furniture collection.
He also manufactures a range of architectural products including letterboxes and outdoor showers.
A huge fan of the Bondi Beach area, Dangar, and his business partner Bill Clifton, own two Bondi holiday retreats.
They are available for short-term <a href="https://www.staybondi.com.au/">www.staybondi.com.au</a> lease.
One house features a striking front gate by sculptor Michael Snape.
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Landscaper Will Dangar secures strong Bondi Beach price well ahead of the spring season

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There are 337 properties scheduled to go under the hammer in Sydney this weekend, according to Australian Property Monitors.
The inner west remains the most popular with 66 properties scheduled auctions including five houses and four units in Camperdown in the inner west.
The inner west recorded the best regional result with price growth over the year ending June 2013 with the median house price increasing by 11.4%.
Agents, buyers and vendors will be watching to see if Sydney can achieved four consecutive weekends with the preliminary result at 80% or higher.
Sydney managed a preliminary auction clearance rate of 80.8% last weekend, according to Australian Property Monitors (APM), the third consecutive week of an 80% plus preliminary clearance rate.
Last week Property Observer asked readers if Sydney could make it three weeks in a row. Around 60% said it would not, but they were proved wrong with a preliminary clearance rate of 80.8% recorded.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/auctions/friday-august-2-poll-of-the-day-will-sydney-maintain-its-80-auction-clearance-rate-this-weekend/2013080263801?utm_source=po&amp;utm_medium=aida&amp;utm_campaign=copyofpolloftheday">There is now a poll for this weekend's results</a>.
 
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Camperdown units and house are the weekend's most active Sydney auction suburbs

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The fashion designer Lisa Ho and ragtrader Philip Smouha have sold their 380-square-metre retail premises in Queen Street, Woollahra for $3.9 million to a company called Flocolo 1 Pty Ltd, whose shareholder is Charlotte MacKenzie, the bookseller wife of Adrian MacKenzie, the private equity entreprenuer.

<img src="/images/stories/2012/10/lisaho.jpg">
The three-storey 1905 building (pictured above) with rear lane access has three separate lease spaces.
Pauline Goodyer from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.gdrealestate.com.au/includes/property/search.asp?f_propertyID=1861441&amp;f_ct=1&amp;f_st=1&amp;f_ps=6&amp;xsl=2421&amp;stylename=default">GoodyerDonnelley Real Estate </a>persisted on the listing having initially offered it in 2007 with $6 million-plus hopes.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/10/lisaho3.jpg">
The 222-square-metre holding cost $4.5 million in 2004.
Featuring a handsome façade and impressively proportioned rooms with soaring patterned ceilings and superb period details, it spans three levels as well as a basement.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/10/lisaho2.jpg">
Lisa Ho had the ground floor retail outlet and the second floor hairdressing salon had been empty.
The queen of Australian fashion Collette Dinnigan gave <a target="_blank" href="/news">Woollahra'</a>s burgeoning fashion precinct a fillip since <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/fashion-royalty-boosts-queen-street-s-leasing-pedigree/2011062250571">the opening of her store on the Queen Street retail strip </a>in 2011.
The former Random House publishing production manager Charlotte MacKenzie opened her Double Bay bookshop, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.oscarandfriends.com.au/">Oscar &amp; Friends </a>in 2006 and more recently in Crown Street, Surry Hills.
 
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Bookseller Charlotte MacKenzie buys onto Queen Street, Woollahra from Lisa Ho

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New home sales figures illustrate the changing composition of new home building this year, according to the Housing Industry Association (HIA).
“Detached housing has gained momentum as non-detached housing - primarily mid/high density product - has lost momentum to date,” chief economist Harley Dale says.
“The leading home building indicators of both new home sales and building approvals are highlighting this trend.”
The HIA New Home Sales report, which surveyed Australia's largest volume builders, shows that total seasonally adjusted new home sales rose by 3.4% in June - the fourth consecutive rise.
<img alt="hia-aug-1-chart_-_Copy" height="291" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/08/hia-aug-1-chart_-_Copy.jpg">
Detached house sales rose by 7.3%  in the last month of the 2013 financial year, but multi-unit sales dropped by 17.5%.
“Last financial year was a tale of two halves for new home sales,’’ Dale says.
‘’The first stanza was dominated by weakening detached house sales up against stronger multi-unit sales; the latter marked by an improving detached house segment occurring as the multi-unit market lost momentum.”
Dale says the overall result is that new home sales fell by 4.3% in 2012/13 when compared to the 2011/12 financial year.
“Given it was a weaker year overall for new home sales it has been very encouraging to observe upward momentum build as we moved through 2012/13,” Dale says.
“There is still a long way to go. New home sales volumes are 27% down on their long-term average. A range of leading indicators beyond just new home sales are yet to provide evidence of Australia approaching the healthy and geographically broad-based new home building levels required by our growing population and transitioning economy.”
In June detached house sales rose by 19.7% in Victoria, 7.1% in Western Australia, 3.9% in New South Wales, and 0.5% in South Australia. Detached house sales fell by 11.0% in Queensland.
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Home building composition changing with 7.3% rise in detached new home sales in June: HIA 

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Gold Coast property developer and mortgage fund manager LM Investment Management has been placed in liquidation.
Creditors voted to wind up the company at a meeting on the Gold Coast yesterday.
“The Administrators have advised that at a creditors meeting held yesterday creditors voted that LM Investment Management Limited (LMIM) be placed into liquidation and that the administrators, Ginette Muller and John Park be appointed the liquidators to wind up the Company,” said a spokesperson for FTI Consulting.
LM Investment Management said it managed around $3 billion of funds under management before it collapsed in March this year with its various mortgage funds promoted in over 70 countries through a network of financial advisers.
However, the book value of LMIM’s assets is just $7.934 million, just a fraction of the  $400 million poured into LM mortgage funds by overseas investors, reported the Gold Coast Bulletin.
Its biggest residential project is the Maddison Estate Development in Pimpama which was lent $249 million through the LM Managed Performance Fund.
Ahead of the creditors meeting, an administrators’ report sent to creditors on July 25 recommended that it would be in the best interests of creditors for the company to be wound up.
“In our view, the winding up of the company is the best option for creditors. If creditors resolve to wind up the company, Liquidators will be appointed to realise the company’s assets for the benefit of creditors,” said of John Park and Ginette Muller of FTI Consulting.
“This option also allows voidable transactions, insolvent trading, breaches of director duties and other offences to be investigated more thoroughly.
“If the company is wound up, creditors with guarantees from the company’s director(s) could pursue the director for those debts immediately.”
FTI Consulting said that at this stage the estimated dividend to creditors for winding up the company is unknown.
“We anticipate a dividend to creditors may be distributed in liquidation, however at this stage we are unable to quantify the amount of such a dividend due to the commercially sensitive nature of the property-related assets of the company and the unknown recoveries in relation to voidable transactions,” the administrators said.
The administrators also said their investigation had found some evidence to indicate that the company may have traded whilst insolvent for a period and entered into certain transaction that may be voidable against a liquidator.
The administrators also said investigations revealed that some LMIM directors may be guilty of various offences committed prior to the appointment of the administrators.
ASIC is seeking orders in the Queensland Supreme Court that liquidators from PricewaterhouseCoopers be appointed to wind up the $326 million LM First Mortgage Income Fund (FMIF).
The fund is the subject of a dispute over who should be the responsible entity. Deutsche Bank appointed receivers from McGrathNicol to manage the fund whilst Trilogy Funds Management Limited seeks control.
Deutsche Bank has provided a line of credit facility worth $25 million to the fund.
A judgement on who should control the fund has not yet been made.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/lmim-founder-peter-drake-under-pressure-to-repay-%2417-million-loan-as-receivers-appointed-to-%24326-million-mortgage-fund/2013071163189">Trustees of the $400 million LM Managed Performance Fund</a> are demanding that group founder Peter Drake pay back more than $17 million in loans.
 
 
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