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“Minister Chanthivong and his team have shown real leadership in replacing an outdated two-year bond with cover that matches the lifespan of the buildings people are buying into.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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The Safeway supermarket that anchors Lend Lease’s Victoria Harbour Merchant Street retail strip in Melbourne’s Docklands has been listed for sale. 
The 2,681-square-metre supermarket on Merchant Street is the only full-line national supermarket in Docklands and the first major retail investment to be sold in the Victoria Harbour precinct. 
It was built by <a href="companies/lend-lease" target="_blank">Lend Lease</a> in 2008 and is leased to Safeway until May 2028 and brings in fully leased net income of around $910,000 per annum.
The sale includes two kiosks (72 square metres and 90 square metres) leased to food and beverage tenants and 120 car parks. 
Merchant Street includes 12 specialty retail outlets (totaling 1,500 square metres) at 63-93 Merchant Street and eight shops (measuring 1,300 square metres) across the road in The Gauge office building at 825 Bourke Street. 
Real estate listings suggest the strip is tightly held – unlike other parts of <a href="/news">Docklands</a> where many shops stand vacant – with no shops available for lease on Merchant Street and very few recent transactions. 
There are more than two dozen shops available for lease in other parts of Docklands, including in Victoria Harbour. 
The inclusion of the car park in the Safeway sale is considered a “key factor” bringing in “strong casual parking income due to its central location adjacent to Woolworths, ANZ, Lend Lease, Ericsson and Myer, and its proximity to NAB and Etihad Stadium, according to Colliers International agent Daniel Wolman. 
Wolman is marketing the property alongside Colliers International colleagues Lachlan MacGillivray and Tom Noonan. 
“Victoria Harbour’s car park market is also an exceptionally tightly held and lucrative market sector, one that is protected by planning policies aimed at minimising the construction of additional car bays within Docklands and the CBD.” 
Interest is expected from high net worth private investors and syndicators. 
A price in excess of $14 million is expected, The Australian reported. 
Victoria Harbour is home to more than 38,000 office works including 4,500 NAB staff who work in the 700 Bourke Street building, 6,500 ANZ staff who work in the ANZ building at 833 Collins Street, the Australia’s largest single-tenant office building and 1,000 Myer staff. 
There are 1,500 apartments close by and plans for another 1,800 to be built.
Lend Lease project director for Victoria Harbour Claire Johnston quotes the latest Macro Plan Dimasi report, which forecasts the current working population of 38,020 to nearly double to more than 69,980 by 2026.
“We are continuing to see strong investor demand for supermarket retail due to the strong covenant and ability to provide steady rental income through long term leases and food retail which has lower average occupancy costs than traditional retail uses,” Noonan says. 
“The demand for quality retail investment property is far outweighing supply, with only two metropolitan Woolworths transactions since February 2010, with average sub-6.5% yields, and our recent sale of Woolworths Byron Bay negotiated on a yield of sub-6%.”
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Lend Lease lists Docklands Safeway supermarket premises seeking $14 million-plus

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Australian hotels delivered property investors a 9.4% total return over 2012, according to the IPD Asia Pacific Hotel Property Index.
Australian hotel properties outperformed returns generated across the Asian market (5%) and the Asia Pacific (7.7%) over 2012.
The majority of the 9.4% return was the result of capital appreciation (8%) with the remainder (1.4%) coming from income growth.
This was below the three-year return of 13% for the Australian hotel sector but above five-year returns of 7.7%.
Click to enlarge
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The IPD Asia-Pacific Hotel Property Index, which is sponsored by Jones Lang LaSalle and Ryan Lawyers, has a combined asset value of US$12 billion and provides a broad measure of returns for hotel property investment in the Asia Pacific region.
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Australian hotel returns fall but still top regional property performer: Chart of the week

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Recently released housing finance figures from the ABS appear to confirm a change in investor sentiment with a 4.4% increase in investors lending for January.
Click to enlarge
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This increase is resulting in strength in the property market and will entice more investors back to the market. <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/retail/private-investors-return-to-retail-property-market-as-trusts-sell-out-chart-of-the-week/2013032560066" target="_blank">Investors</a> traditionally want to ensure they get the timing right and do not want to be left behind. This means most investors will make their move once they are sure other investors are active.
As investors come back it is important to enter the market with a level head and not to get too carried away. Whether you’re a first-timer or seasoned campaigner, successful property investment is based on certain timeless principles. Here, I take you through six of the best.
1. Horses for courses. Despite much of what you read and hear, no two properties work the same way. Commercial property is primarily income-producing, whilst residential property primarily generates capital growth. Some properties need substantial renovation to improve their resale value, whilst others have inherently high land values that do the job for you. Some properties (like B&amp;Bs) demand a lot of time and hands-on involvement, whilst others can be managed by a third party, enabling you to ‘set-and-forget’.
All these differences mean that the property which is right for you may not be the property which is right for someone else. Before you enter the market, it’s essential to consider your personal and financial circumstances and goals, your stage of life and the level of involvement you’re prepared to have.
2. Strategise first, buy later. Decide what type of property is appropriate for your situation. Do you have a large enough working income to support the costs of owning an investment property? If so, a residential property that can provide capital growth may be the best bet. Do you need income to replace your wage or salary? In this case, a commercial property or commercial property trust may be more suitable.
Next, determine which entity is going to own it. There are several forms of ownership: individual, partnership, company, trust or self-managed superannuation fund. The tax office treats each form of ownership differently, so seek advice from your solicitor or accountant before you buy. If you have to change the form of ownership down the track, you could be up for thousands in additional stamp duty and/or capital gains tax.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
3. Get your finances in order. No matter which type of property you buy, the substantial entry and exit costs mean you must consider it a long-term proposition. It’s not just a case of having the funds to buy the property, but being able to fund the holding costs for at least seven to 10 years. Think ahead to possible changes in your circumstances (such as starting a family, becoming self-employed or retiring) that could affect your ability to hold the asset for the long term.
If you’re buying a new or near-new property and relying on claiming depreciation benefits to maximise your cashflow, remember that most depreciation occurs in the first five years. Once you’ve used up your depreciation allowance, you could be out of pocket unless you can find another source of income to fund the holding costs.
4. BYO research. When you’re researching the local market, be wary of free advice. If someone is purporting to ‘advise’ you but being paid by the vendor, they’ll be accountable to the vendor, not to you.
Instead, do your own research by looking at reputable statistics from objective agencies, attending auctions in person and tracking auction results. If you need back-up, seek advice from professionals who don’t have a vested financial interest in steering you towards a certain course of action.
5. Know your limit. You’re buying an investment property, not a home to live in. You don’t have to love it – or even like it. Leave your emotions at the front gate, set a limit based on your research and stick to it. If the bidding goes over your limit, drop out of the race. It’s one thing to buy well, but buying at all costs simply isn’t smart investing.
6. Regular reviews. Cast a critical eye over your financing arrangements and property portfolio once a year to decide whether they’re still doing the required job. The finance market changes constantly, so you may be able to get a better deal with a different product, package or lender. Are your properties generating rental income and/or capital growth higher than the wider market? If they’re lagging behind Melbourne-wide or local median rental and property values, it may be time to consider selling.
Mark Armstrong is a director of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ipropertyplan.com.au/">iProperty Plan</a>, which provides independent analysis and tailored advice to investors and homebuyers.
 
 
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Investor confidence rising but six principles of success remain the same: Mark Armstrong

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RP Data's Tim Lawless takes a look at the current state of the Australian housing market, including each capital city.
{qtube vid:=9zH3ADFoCS0&amp;feature}
For the discussion of Sydney tune in at 3:09 minutes, Melbourne at 3:49, Brisbane at 4:29, Adelaide at 5:05, Perth at 5:31, Hobart at 6:10, Darwin at 6:46, Canberra at 7:18 and closing comments at 7:46.
Tim Lawless is national research director of <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.myrp.com.au/" target="_blank">RP Data.</a>
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Melbourne house values recovering: RP Data's Tim Lawless gives an update on the Australian housing market

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Someone was foolhardy enough to propose a petrol station in my home town.
As the <a href="/news">Maleny</a> region is growing strongly and has only one petrol provider, it could certainly use another, more modern facility.
But the avalanche of opposition to the proposal was stunning. People claimed the traffic and petrol fumes would put their kids at risk. Abuse and threats were directed at the proponents and their business (not by everyone opposed to the project, but by plenty of them).
The plan was dropped and the local weekly rag called it a victory for “parent power”.  It was nothing of the sort. It was a loss from which this community may never fully recover.
I refer not to the loss of a petrol station but to the loss of decency and proper process. It is now established that, in Maleny, it’s okay to use threats and intimidation if you disagree with other people’s ideas. The end justifies the means. Maleny is changed forever.
Some claim they were not opposed to the concept of a petrol station, but were against the location. They’re kidding themselves. People would oppose it no matter where it was planned.
I’m quite sure that if someone announced plans to build a children’s playground, hordes of citizens would rise up and form a group with a silly acronym, claiming their kids would be at risk because it would attract drug dealers and paedophiles.
And the fuzzy feeling of victory some Maleny people are feeling will be short-lived. Woolworths, another unpopular presence in the town, plans to build a service station in the town and the retailing giant won’t let something as trivial as public opinion stop them.
This, sadly, is a national trend. Nothing can be proposed without attracting feverish opposition from noisy minorities, dominated by people who use concern for their kids to justify bad behaviour. What we have in Australia today is <a target="_blank" href="?option=com_googlesearch_cse&amp;q=NIMBY">NIMBY</a>-ism on steroids. There are no winners.
Here’s one of the more absurd examples. McDonald’s plans to build a store in <a href="/news">Tecoma</a>, a small town in Victoria. Townsfolk have mounted strenuous opposition.
According to the local paper, their reasons include “crime will increase in Tecoma” and “it’s going to attract a hoon element”. It will also prevent Tecoma from “shutting down after 9pm”, something locals apparently like about their town.
One who opposes this travesty went to the trouble of researching crime at McDonald’s stores across Australia. She found that, over a three-year period, there were 94 instances of criminal activity (including assaults and robberies) at McDonald’s stores. She obviously doesn’t realise it, but she has accidentally supported the case for the development.
There are 958 McDonald’s stores in Australia. The statistics gathered by the Tecoma woman with too much time on her hands indicates criminal activity happens at a rate of 31 incidents per year. That means that only one in 30 stores has any kind of criminal incident in a typical year - and that 927 of the 958 stores have no crime events at all.
How this supports the statement that “crime will increase in Tecoma should the McDonald’s go ahead” is beyond me. I can think of many reasons to oppose McDonald’s but a projected crime wave is not one of them. People in Tecoma need to get a life.
I have written previously on the bizarre fixation some people have with wind farms and the fanatical opposition that mosques generate (while mainstream WASP-type religions can build places of worship without unleashing opposition campaigns from Pauline Hanson clones).
The greatest shame in all this is that the kneejerk anti-anything zealots do a great disservice to people with genuine grievances. The outcry from neighbours of resources companies who routinely breach the environmental provisions of their approvals gets lost in the maelstrom of static from those who see construction of a roundabout or a six-pack unit building as a life-or-death issue.
Terry Ryder is the founder of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/">hotspotting.com.au</a>
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What we have in Australia today is NIMBY-ism on steroids: Terry Ryder

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Iconic fashion label Dolce &amp; Gabbana will occupy the space at the front of the heritage-listed Mayfair Building, which is currently undergoing a $280 million redevelopment by Charter Hall and Cbus Property at the Paris end of Collins Street.
D&amp;G will lease around 350 square metres of space across the ground and first floor of the 171 Collins Street building in a deal negotiated  through leasing agent Fitzroys.
Rents at the 'Paris end' of <a target="_blank" href="?option=com_googlesearch_cse&amp;q=Collins%20Street">Collins Street</a> are around $4,000 per square metre.
The Mayfair Building was previously the Mayfair Theatre but ran its last curtain call in 1982.
It has since be restored and offers seven floors of boutique offices, each with a space of approximately 250 square metres.
The redevelopment of 171 Collins Street includes a 20-floor office tower which will rise behind the restored Mayfair Building.
The tower will boast a nine-storey atrium in the centre for natural light.
The design is a combination of historical elegance with a contemporary facade, designed by architects <a target="_blank" href="companies/bates-smart">Bates Smart</a>.
"The faceted crystalline facade reflects the right urban fabric and historic elegant of Collins Street like a finely crafted jewel," says chairman of Bates Smart, Roger Pool.
The office tower at 171 will be the future headquarters of BHP Billiton and will offer end-of-trip facilities, such as showers, change rooms, lockers and bicycle air-fill stations.
Around 2,000 square metres of the 30,000-square-metre development will be dedicated to retail, however Dolce &amp; Gabbana will be the only apparel store with food and beverage accounting for the rest of the space.
Collins Street is currently home to luxury brands Chanel, Prada, Hermes, Cartier and Gucci.
Dolce &amp; Gabbana’s flagship store is expected to open mid-2013 with 171 Collins Street scheduled for completion in June 2013.
BHP Billiton will not move in until September 2013.
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Dolce & Gabbana set to open at 171 Collins Street

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Properties with direct parkland views as well as in close proximity to parks are top performers compared to other properties in a given suburb, according to a report by buyer's advocates, Secret Agent.
The report, which surveyed 30 suburbs in inner Melbourne, found that parkland properties in general fetch stronger prices.
Conversely, properties that are close to parks but don't have a view do not perform as well as those with a direct view.
According to the Secret Agent report, the average sales price of park houses (houses opposite or facing parks, or in extremely close proximity) in <a href="/news">Fitzroy North</a> (Edinburgh Gardens) from 2009-2012 was $1,781,833.
In comparison, the average sales price of non-park houses was $969,749 while the average sales price in the whole suburb was $991,491 in the same period.
Similarly, the average sales price of park houses in <a href="/news">Albert Park</a> (St Vincent Gardens) from 2009-2012 reached $3,198,571. In comparison, the average sales price of non-park houses was $1,289,796 while the average sales price in the whole suburb was $1,339,183.
A <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-albert+park-113235227">three-bedroom house</a> (pictured below) on St Vincent's Place will go to auction on April 20.
<img alt="secretagentapril9one" height="352" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/04/secretagentapril9one.jpg">
<img alt="secretagentapril9two" height="157" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/04/secretagentapril9two.jpg">
<img alt="secretagentapril9three" height="159" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/04/secretagentapril9three.jpg">
Source: Secret Agent
Secret Agent’s analysis of properties within 200 metres of St Vincent Gardens in Albert Park found that properties on St Vincent Place were at least double the value of their parallel counterparts.
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Properties with direct parkland views fetch higher house prices: Secret Agent

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Heading into the quieter autumn months, the number of residential properties listed for sale rose in all capital cities in March, but still remain lower than a year ago, according to figures from SQM Research.
Nationally, residential listings rose 3.8% from 341,662 properties for sale in February to 354,738 in March.
A year ago there were 362,306 properties listed for sale.
Sydney recorded the largest rise in listings in March; rising by 7.6% or 1,966 properties, but listings are down by 15.7% or 5,170 properties year-on-year.
All other cities recorded monthly gains in the range of 2% to 6%.
However, apart from Melbourne (where listings are up 0.2% year-on-year), all capital cities have recorded declines in available real estate listings compared to March 2012.
“It is our opinion that differing from the recovery witnessed in 2009, the upturn in the Australian property market being experienced at present is a much slower, more normal cyclical uplift,” says Louis Christopher, managing director of SQM Research.
"Without the stimulus of a first home buyers grant (as given in 2009) this recovery is based fundamentally on interest rates cuts spread over a longer period of time and an economy recording moderate growth rates.
“This view fits with why in this current recovery stock levels are not in a state of rapid decline as what was recorded in the first half of 2009.”
First-home buyer numbers peaked in May 2009 following of the doubling of the first-home owner grant to $14,000 for those buying existing homes and trebling it to $21,000 for those buy newly built homes in October 2008.
The full boost ran between October 4 2008 and September 30 2009.
Between October 1 2009 and December 31 2009 the boost was halved.
<img alt="sqmapril8one" height="172" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/04/sqmapril8one.jpg">
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Residential listings rise 3.8% in March without overall pre-Easter volume uplift: SQM

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Home builders and contractors expect the building industry to improve in the medium term, but are still struggling in the short term, according to the latest quarterly Master Builders National Survey of Building and Construction.
The overall  index rose above the neutral 50 mark over the March quarter, indicating that builders believe their own business activity will improve over the next six months.
But current conditions remain weak.
Own business profitability rose slightly in the March quarter but the index remains well below the neutral 50 mark.
Master Builders notes that "it may be some time before industry profitability improves".
"The index is showing signs of bottoming following a trend decline in the index over the past two years to levels below that recorded during the global financial crisis," says Master Builders.
The “key forward indicator” index for display centre traffic/commercial enquiries rose markedly in the March quarter.


Although remaining below the neutral 50 mark, the index is now higher than the average reading recorded during the past nine years. 

Master Builders says the improvement in this index “may be another sign that the market is finally responding to lower interest rates and that the worst may be behind the building industry”.

The results are based on a survey of more than 500 builders and contractors. 
Peter Jones, chief economist of Master Builders Australia, says while signs of a recovery may be beginning to emerge for the industry, the upswing is coming from a very low base and questions remain about its strength.


“The turnaround in the survey sentiment suggests previous interest rate cuts may be beginning to take hold, but builders are yet to see any benefit from the rate reductions.

“Builders reported less work on the books than in the previous quarter, sales contracts remained essentially unchanged and profits remain weak.

“The good news for builders came in some of the industry’s forward indicators. Display centre traffic and commercial enquiries increased markedly in the quarter and are now higher than the average reading recorded over the past nine years.

“Expectations for industry activity and own business activity also rose to levels above the survey’s neutral reading, which suggests there could be improvement for the industry in the short to medium term,” he says.
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Construction sentiment improving but not yet activity: Master Builders survey

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At the beginning of 2013, some were predicting that the cash rate would drop to around 2% – I remained in the school of thought that it won’t go below 3%.
The gallery remains divided although one can’t help but notice that the <a target="_blank" href="/news">cash rate setting</a> is the monetary policy indicator as to the overall health of our economy.
Retail and real estate suggestions that it must be lower are, in my opinion, self-serving.
The TG Securities Melbourne Institute Monthly Inflation Gauge increased by 0.2% in March for a 2.1% annual pace which just so happens to be the lowest annual inflation result for eight months.
Australia as a nation has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theage.com.au/business/manufacturing-contracts-for-14th-month-20130402-2h3qp">many economic problems</a> with Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Wilcox commenting: “The strong dollar, falling selling prices, further cost pressures and the weakness of commercial and residential construction continue to take their toll.”
The head of Australia’s peak business group <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessspectator.com.au/news/2013/3/28/politics/govt-should-invest-infrastructure-bca">has urged the federal government to invest more in infrastructure</a>, even if it means borrowing for top–priority projects. The only problem is that the federal government has been handing out money to buy the votes of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.news.com.au/money/money-matters/independent-federal-mps-win-15-billion-for-their-electorates/story-e6frfmd9-1226611161247" title="Independent federal MP’s win $1.5 billion for their electorates.">Independent federal MP’s win $1.5 billion for their electorates.</a>
The Reserve Bank of Australia is responsible for monetary policy not fiscal policy where it should be remembered that in Australia we have approximately one third who rent, one third who own a house with a mortgage and the final third own their house with no mortgage. A difficult balancing act given two thirds would much prefer a higher cash rate with one third relying on a lower cash rate.
I don’t concur with the thought bubble <a target="_blank" href="https://canberratimes.domain.com.au/real-estate-news/we-are-in-an-up-cycle-now-property-agents-rejoice-as-good-news-rolls-in-20130402-2h4gc" title="‘We are in an up cycle now’: property agents rejoice as good news rolls in">‘We are in an up cycle now’: property agents rejoice as good news rolls in</a>with RP Data figures showing that dwelling values (houses and apartments combined) across Australia’s capital cities increased by 2.8% thus far in 2013.
Of course prices should be climbing due to a record low cash rate together with Australia’s population growing by 1.7% in the year to September 2012 which is the highest annual recorded rate since December 2009; this is above the 30-year average of 1.4% according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
<img height="308" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/04/simeonapril8one.jpg" alt="simeonapril8one">
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.theage.com.au/business/mergers-at-eightyear-low-20130401-2h31n" title="Mergers at eight – year low">Mergers at eight – year low</a> previously the resources sector led this demographic market which now appears to be slowing down. Last year Australian companies were involved in 1,037 deals worth $US65.46 billion, a marked decline from 2007, in the peak of the equities boom. In that year, companies locked in $214.7 billion in mergers and acquisitions in 2,267 deals.
 
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This resonates through <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-27/australian-homebuyer-confidence-lowest-since-2008-genworth-says" title="Australian homebuyer confidence hits lowest since 2008">Australian homebuyer confidence hits lowest since 2008</a> – while Australian employers added the most jobs in almost 13 years in February and the economy expanded 3.6% in 2012, business confidence and home–loan approvals declined, illustrating continuing concerns about the nation’s economic outlook. These results are more evident in the suburbs that previously relied on high investment bank participation – which is obviously the missing link today.
<img height="461" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/04/simeonapril8two.jpg" alt="simeonapril8two">
<img height="477" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/04/simeonapril8three.jpg" alt="simeonapril8three">
I’m a huge fan of Warwick J. McKibbin, who recently posted <a target="_blank" href="https://www.brookings.edu/research/opinions/2013/03/12-australian-economic-policy-mckibbin" title="Poor economic policy must end no matter who wins Australian election ">Poor economic policy must end no matter who wins Australian election </a>– an excellent critique of the Australian economy since 2007:
“Key to improving Australia’s performance will be the move away from populist short – term policy along a path of structural reform that increases the flexibility of the Australian economy. Large investments in infrastructure and efficient pricing of congestion and other problems are needed to drive productivity growth. These investments should be based on independent assessment of the economic returns and not the political returns to marginal seats or the lobbying of vested interests. The Productivity Commission is critical to this process. Most urgently there is need for comprehensive review of current government spending programs and measures to reform the tax system. Australia desperately needs the next prime minister to be a leader rather than one who is a fighter.”
Hear, hear!
Robert Simeon is a director of <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.rwm.com.au/" title="RWM" style="font-size: 14px;">Richardson  Wrench Mosman and Neutral Bay </a>and has been selling residential real estate in Sydney since 1985. He has also been writing real estate blog <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.rwm.com.au/news/" title="Virtual Realty News" style="font-size: 14px;">Virtual Realty News</a> since 2000. The RWM real estate model has sold in excess of $1 billion in database sales globally.
 
 
 
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