Buyers considering a residence at boutique Gordon townhouse development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/lume-gordon-43-47-dumaresq-street-gordon-nsw-2072">Lume</a>&nbsp;now have another reason to bring forward their decision.

For a limited time, purchasers of a residence at Lume will receive a BMW iX3 50 electric SUV, valued at more than $120,000, as part of their purchase. The offer is designed to add value for buyers while complementing the lifestyle envisioned for the architecturally designed Upper North Shore development.

Scott Timmins, Development Manager at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/winim">WINIM</a>, said the partnership was created to provide buyers with a compelling reason to act.

"In today's market, buyers need a compelling reason to act now, and the BMW partnership was designed to create that catalyst. We wanted to add genuine value for our future purchasers. Choosing the all-electric BMW iX3 50 also reflects the values behind LUME, forward-thinking design, innovation and a more sustainable way of living. It's a premium incentive that complements the lifestyle our buyers aspire to and rewards those who commit early."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=374893]

Delivered by WINIM in partnership with Burtonwood Investment Partners, Lume comprises 14 architecturally designed two, three and four-bedroom townhomes created for families seeking the space of a freestanding house with the ease of modern, low-maintenance living.

The three-storey residences, designed by award-winning architecture practice <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, have been tailored for families and multi-generational living, featuring private internal lifts, flexible lower-level spaces, generous open-plan living and entertaining areas, media rooms, and landscaped outdoor spaces with custom outdoor kitchens.&nbsp;

Inside, engineered oak flooring, bespoke dining joinery with integrated wine fridges and backlit bars, sculptural porcelain bathrooms, Parisi freestanding baths and Astra Walker tapware create interiors that balance functionality with refined finishes.

Each townhome has been designed to combine generous internal spaces with sustainability initiatives such as EV charging infrastructure, while <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>'s landscaped communal areas, centred around a restored creek line and native planting, encourage residents to connect with nature and spend more time outdoors.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=269527]

Rothelowman's Gary Tsui said the architecture was conceived to respond carefully to its Upper North Shore setting.

"Our vision was to create elegant, uplifting homes that draw on and positively contribute to the local character through meticulously considered design and an interaction with the surroundings."

The communal landscape has been designed as more than an open space between homes. Arcadia's Ben Newell and Kate Phillips said the adjoining reserve provided an opportunity to create a distinctive natural retreat for residents.

"Just as waterways carve their way through Ku-ring-gai's landscape, a raised boardwalk weaves through the reserve, connecting the homes to this tranquil oasis."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=374892]

Located just 300 metres from <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/gordon-nsw-2072">Gordon</a> Village and Gordon railway station, Lume offers convenient access to Sydney's CBD while placing residents close to some of the North Shore's leading schools, including Ravenswood, Pymble Ladies' College and Knox Grammar. Lane Cove National Park, Gordon Golf Club and a range of cafés and restaurants further reinforce the family-focused lifestyle on offer, with the BMW iX3 50 complementing everything from local trips around Gordon to weekend drives and city commutes.

Construction is underway with completion expected in mid-2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=7354]

Joel Robinson

Boutique Gordon townhomes now come with a BMW iX3 50

Two apartments have sold for more than $10 million at EADE Byron Bay, setting some of the highest apartment prices ever achieved in the coastal town and underlining the growing appetite for luxury beachfront apartments in Australia's most popular coastal locations.

The $210 million project by Vitale Property Group has now secured more than $70 million in sales, led by residences that changed hands for $12.75 million and $11.75 million.

The record-breaking transactions reinforce the shift occurring in Byron Bay's premium property market, where affluent downsizers and lifestyle buyers are increasingly opting for high-end apartments over large beachfront homes.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/eade-byron-bay-29-shirley-street-byron-bay-nsw-2481">EADE Byron Bay</a> occupies a rare 6,000 sqm absolute beachfront site on the corner of Shirley and Milton Streets overlooking Main Beach and The Wreck surf break, just 350 metres from Byron Bay's town centre.

The 25-residence development is the first beachfront apartment project approved in Byron Bay in more than a decade and is currently under construction, with completion expected in May 2027.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359521]

The project has attracted a mix of local Byron Shire residents downsizing from larger homes, alongside interstate buyers from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane seeking a permanent coastal lifestyle without compromising on space.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hayball">Hayball</a> and with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/alexander-co">Alexander &amp; Co</a>, EADE comprises&nbsp;10 garden apartments ranging from 284 sqm to 622 sqm, nine with private pools, five full-floor apartments and 10 rooftop residences with private plunge pools, expansive outdoor entertaining areas and uninterrupted ocean views.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359527]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/vitale-property-group">Vitale Property Group</a> Managing Partner Chris Vitale said the project's combination of scale, location and limited future supply was driving buyer demand.

"There isn't another beachfront holding in Byron Bay of this size and position that could be developed again," Vitale said.

"Buyers are responding to the scarcity and the irreplaceability of a site of this calibre and to floorplans they can't find elsewhere in the market.

"We are seeing buyers place significant value on quality, space, design, resort-style amenities and the rarity of the location. The sales achieved to date demonstrate that discerning purchasers recognise the long-term significance of what is being created at EADE Byron Bay.

"Many are coming from larger homes in the Byron region, or from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and are after the space, security and convenience, without the upkeep of a house."

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359523]

The Byron Bay project follows Vitale Property Group's delivery of the Mondrian Hotel and Private Residences at Burleigh Heads, with EADE continuing the developer's focus on luxury coastal developments.

Residents will have access to a resort-style swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna, cold plunge pool, concierge services and dedicated workspaces, while the project is targeting an 8-Star Green Star rating.

EADE Byron Bay is being exclusively marketed by Projx Australia in conjunction with WHITEFOX Projects.

WHITEFOX National Projects Director Phillip Rand said demand had been driven predominantly by owner-occupiers.

"We are seeing buyers at EADE place significant value on quality, space, design, resort-style amenities and the rarity of this location," Rand says.

"The sales achieved to date demonstrate that purchasers at this level recognise the long-term significance of what is being created at EADE Byron Bay."

Residences at EADE Byron Bay are currently priced between $4.75 million and $15.95 million.

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[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145590]

Vitale breaks Byron Bay records with EADE sales flurry 

When buying an apartment, most people compare the big-ticket items first. Floorplans. Kitchens. Balcony size. Natural light. The view.

But there's one everyday consideration that often doesn't come up until after moving in: how parcels are delivered.

As online shopping has become part of everyday life, parcel deliveries have shifted from an occasional event to a regular occurrence. Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally.

For apartment residents, that can present a challenge.

If nobody is home to accept a delivery, parcels may be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in a building lobby or common area, or require building management to step in. In higher-density buildings, where dozens or even hundreds of residents may receive deliveries each day, parcel management has become an increasingly important part of everyday living.

That can create a range of frustrations. A missed delivery often means making time to collect a parcel elsewhere, while packages left unattended in foyers or mail areas can create clutter and increase the risk of theft. What seems like a minor inconvenience can quickly become a recurring issue for residents who shop online regularly.

It's one of those details that rarely features in a display suite but can have a noticeable impact once residents move in.

As a result, buyers are beginning to look beyond traditional apartment features and consider how a building supports day-to-day convenience, including whether there are secure options for receiving deliveries.

Australia Post's Parcel Lockers provide one solution.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CkF2oKmlACg?si=C50sDaoUUn2nuLmq" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than having a parcel delivered directly to an apartment, eligible deliveries can be sent to a nominated Parcel Locker. Once the parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can collect it using a QR code or one-time PIN at a time that suits them.

The Parcel Locker network now includes more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with installations at Post Offices, shopping centres, transport hubs and an increasing number of residential developments. By providing a secure collection point, Parcel Lockers help reduce missed deliveries and avoid parcels being left unattended in common areas.

For developers, parcel infrastructure is becoming another way to improve the resident experience. Rather than relying on concierge staff or leaving parcels in communal spaces, secure collection points help streamline deliveries while preserving the presentation and functionality of shared areas.

For buyers, it's a reminder that the best apartment features aren't always the most obvious.

A generous floorplan or quality finishes might help narrow the shortlist, but the conveniences that simplify everyday life, whether that's EV charging, secure bike storage or reliable parcel delivery, often become the features residents appreciate most once they're living there.

The apartment feature many buyers don't think about, until their first missed delivery

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hg-developments">HG Developments</a> is doubling down on Maud Street in Newstead, filing plans for a new apartment tower just a few doors down from its under-construction Aire Newstead development.

Recently submitted to Brisbane City Council, the proposal is for an 18-storey building designed by bureau^proberts, which has drawn heavily on Brisbane's subtropical design principles while referencing the suburb's industrial heritage.

A total of 64 apartments are planned for the amalgamated 1,518 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/17-21-maud-street-newstead-qld-4006">17–21 Maud Street</a>, a short walk from the Brisbane River and Newstead Riverwalk.

<img alt="First look: HG Developments plans 18-storey subtropical apartment tower for Newstead" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a400c7fd-bd15-48f8-a63b-10ede92efe00" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Maud%20st%20bldg.png?VersionId=.0vPmjpbC7CNP7kqGWa6L7rGIwsNExaw" />

"The building is defined by a series of vaulted motifs that reinterpret the arches, colonnades and layered facades evident throughout Newstead's historic built fabric," the Urban Design Report states.

"Combined with recessed glazing and generous balconies, these elements create a layered building envelope that provides shade, weather protection and opportunities for natural ventilation whilst establishing a distinctive architectural identity."

The proposal comprises 64 two, three and four-bedroom apartments across 18 residential levels, positioning it alongside a growing number of taller residential projects transforming Newstead's northern precinct. The tower incorporates extensive subtropical landscaping, with cascading planter boxes, deep planting at street level and a landscaped rooftop recreation area.

<img alt="First look: HG Developments plans 18-storey subtropical apartment tower for Newstead" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1d8140f4-8b98-45cd-b1b8-1efe8c8e266b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Maud%20st%20podium.png?VersionId=VAZtbCoD44YCJ57N99fQCAKeSJx7ldZs" />

Bureau Proberts has prioritised passive environmental design throughout the project, with generous balconies, recessed glazing and operable façades helping reduce solar heat gain while maximising natural ventilation. River views become available from the upper levels, while the building has been orientated to capture prevailing breezes from both the Brisbane River and the west.

The architects say landscape is intended to be integral to the building rather than an applied element.

"Vertical greenery, cascading planter boxes and elevated gardens are woven throughout the architecture, softening the built form and strengthening the connection between residents and the subtropical environment."

"Through the integration of landscape, high-quality materials and passive design principles, the development delivers a refined residential address that celebrates Newstead's heritage character while contributing positively to Brisbane's evolving subtropical identity."

Newstead has remained one of Brisbane's most active apartment markets in recent years, with a number of developers continuing to back the inner-city suburb.

HG Developments is currently delivering the 40-apartment Aire Newstead at 25 Maud Street. Fortis recently launched the 65-apartment <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-walker-newstead-12-kyabra-street-newstead-qld-4006">Crest &amp; Walker</a> on Kyabra Street, while builder-developer BPG and Don O'Rorke's Consolidated Properties are both expected to launch their respective Newstead projects before the end of the year.

HG Developments doubles down in Newstead with second Maud Street apartment development

Walk past a new apartment development promoting its sustainability credentials and it's easy to picture rooftop gardens, mature trees, landscaped courtyards and residents surrounded by nature.

But in many cases, that's not actually what those sustainability ratings guarantee.

Australia's leading environmental rating tools have played a significant role in improving the energy efficiency and environmental performance of buildings. Yet despite their focus on reducing emissions, many don't require developers to include trees, biodiversity or meaningful green space.

In other words, a building can achieve one of the country's highest sustainability ratings while containing little more than concrete, glass and hard landscaping.

That disconnect has led to the emergence of a new movement across Australia's property industry: nature-based cities.

The concept goes beyond designing buildings that consume less energy. Instead, it encourages developers to treat nature as essential infrastructure, integrating biodiversity, tree canopy, living landscapes and green spaces into projects from the earliest stages of planning.

Research has consistently linked access to nature with better physical and mental health, cooler neighbourhoods, improved biodiversity, stronger climate resilience and more connected communities. As Australia's cities continue to become denser, advocates say those outcomes should be considered just as important as energy efficiency.

Nature Based Cities (NBC) was established in 2022 to help accelerate that shift.

Founded by Hamton Executive Chairman Paul Hameister OAM, the not-for-profit was created after research highlighted a significant gap in Australia's sustainability framework. While existing environmental rating tools rewarded energy performance and emissions reductions, they placed little emphasis on the inclusion of living landscapes.

"We've always wanted to do more, and we know other developers who want to do more, but the ESD rating tools just aren't there," Hameister says.

"In Australia, you can have a five-green-star rated building that's concrete and glass with not a blade of grass.

"The focus is on reducing emissions, which is laudable, but there hasn't been enough attention paid to protecting and re-establishing nature. We need both for the health of the environment and for communities."

Since its launch, NBC has developed independent design guidelines and accreditation frameworks that encourage developers to prioritise ecology, biodiversity, tree canopy, walkability and living landscapes alongside traditional sustainability measures. The organisation first focused on medium and high-density residential developments before recently expanding into precinct-scale communities and masterplanned neighbourhoods.

Jan Talacko, founder of sustainability consultancy Ark Resources and a member of the Nature Based Cities Advisory Council, says the initiative addresses an area that has largely been overlooked by the property industry.

"Throughout my 25 years of working collaboratively with all stakeholders in the property sector, I've always favoured a pragmatic approach to sustainable design which encourages initiatives that not only meet environmental expectations but also improve amenity," Talacko says.

"Whilst we are making steady progress in relation to energy and carbon emissions from buildings, there has been much less emphasis on encouraging biodiversity and tackling the urban heat island effect.

"The Nature Based Cities initiative responds to a gap in the suite of tools currently used by the property development sector, which don't provide sufficient incentive, or recognition, for the integration of landscaping and greenery."

For apartment buyers, the shift is also changing the questions worth asking.

Rather than assuming a sustainable building will naturally include abundant green space, buyers are increasingly being encouraged to look beyond environmental ratings and ask what nature is actually being delivered. How much tree canopy will the development create? Has biodiversity been considered? Are landscaped spaces designed for people as well as appearance?

As Australia's cities continue to grow upwards and outwards, the next generation of sustainability may not simply be measured by lower emissions, but by how successfully developments bring nature back into everyday urban life.

What does it really mean for a building to be 'green'?

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>

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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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Australian property group Dexus has leased more than 500,000 square metres of warehouse rooftop space in California for use in the provision of solar power, the biggest project of its kind in the US.



The 513,588-square-metre deal has been struck with electricity provider Southern California Edison and will run for 20 years.



SCE will install a solar power system encompassing approximately 36,000 solar panels. At peak generating capacity, the rooftop solar station will generate up to 10 megawatts (DC), enough power to serve approximately 5,200 homes in southern California. 



The new solar station will be part of a network of solar plants SCE is building through southern and central California. 



Electricity generated by these installations will be transferred directly into the neighbouring SCE energy grid through more than a dozen groups of inverters and transformers built alongside the building. 



Victor Hoog Antink, CEO of Dexus Property Group, says the project underscores the group’s commitment to corporate responsibility and sustainability. 



“The new lease will unlock further value with the Dexus distribution centre to now host two tenants: SCE on the rooftop and Whirlpool within the building it has occupied since 2008,” he says.



Tom Catania, vice president of Government Relations for Whirlpool Corporation, says he expects the warehouse to “soon include the next generation of sustainable appliances, namely ‘smart’ appliances that can receive and respond to a smarter and greener electricity grid”.



Construction on the solar panel station is planned to commence in late 2011 and the station is expected to be online and serving SCE customers in 2012. 



The California state government requires that a third of electricity come from renewable sources by 202o.
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lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

California solar panel leasing deal sets bright warehouse leasing record

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Investors are being sought to buy half of the Caroline Chisholm Centre in the ACT, the five-storey national headquarters of the Department of Human Services.
The half share is expected to fetch between $90 and $100 million, with the sales process being handled by Jim Shonk and John Marasco from Colliers International. 
Shonk and Marasco are acting under the instruction of receivers at KordaMentha. 
The half share listed for sale was owned by failed property trust and Allco subsidiary Record Realty, which was placed in receivership in September last year. 
 
At the height of the last equity and property booms Record Realty was worth more than $2 billion. 
Shonk told Property Observer he expected the half share to find a market from either local institutional investors or offshore institutional investors in Asia or Europe. 
It has a passing gross rental of $17,092,023 for the 100% interest, with over $1 million coming from car parking fees.
The building is situated in Greenway, ACT, within the Tuggeranong Town Centre on the Corner of Athllon Drive and Soward Way. 
It is a premium-grade five-storey office building with more than 40,000 square metres of office space on a 5.35-hectare site, all occupied by the department.
It was purpose-built in 2007 as the department’s national headquarters. The government is also the anchor tenant of the Tuggeranong Town Centre, 25 kilometres south of the Canberra CBD.
The complex includes around 1,100 car spaces, conference facilities, auditorium, amphitheatre/TV studio, gymnasium and café with commercial kitchen. 
The federal government has signed an 18-year lease expiring July 4, 2025, plus two further option periods of five years each. 
The property is “unexpired residue of a Crown Lease for a period of 99 years.
from 26 June 2002”, effectively a lease in perpetuity, with a statutory right to take up successive further 99 year terms, at no cost other than an application fee, currently about $2,500. 
The other half is held by Singapore-based Frasers, which acquired it in June 2007 for $108 million and forms part of its commercial property trust. 
The building is being sold by expressions of interest closing October 21.
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Another Allco asset on the sale block

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After years and years of the battle, finally we see consumer affairs and the tenant’s union get their own way.
On September 1, 2011, new legislation commenced that has changed the way tenancy databases in Victoria will operate forever. For years now we have seen on media portals such as A Current Affair and Today Tonight all the terrible stories of real estate agents and how they “blacklist” tenants from obtaining another rental property in the future.  When in fact before September 1, 2011, the databases were not “blacklists” – they were actual databases. They contained records of millions of people who have rented over the last 20 years, and the databases allowed a property manager to record one of the following;
<ul>
<li>Current tenants</li>
<li>Previous tenants</li>
<li>Recommended tenants</li>
<li>Judgment / court order</li>
<li>Left owing in excess of the bond</li>
<li>Irregular payments</li>
<li>Broke conditions of lease</li>
<li>Abandonment </li>
<li>Unclaimed monies</li>
</ul>
But now things have changed.
The databases now only allow us to place a listing against a tenant for the following reason:
<ul>
<li>The tenancy has ended AND
</li>
<li>A possession order has been granted OR
</li>
<li>An order of a breach that includes the words “rent arrears” OR
</li>
<li>The person owes the landlord an amount that is more than the bond OR
</li>
<li>An order of a breach that includes the words “damage to premises” or “malicious damage”</li>
</ul>
Furthermore, the listing is only valid for a maximum period of three years.  Previously the listing would remain for seven years.
Like with all new legislation it will be monitored over the next six to 12 months and perhaps reviewed, and in the world of property management we will learn to work with the changes to the legislation accordingly.
I suppose the most disappointing part is for years the media and public have pushed for the removal or banning of these so-called “blacklists”. As property managers we no longer have the opportunity to create a positive listing on a wonderful tenant, or make a listing on someone who made irregular payments throughout their tenancy, or someone broke their lease conditions yet received a full bond refund. This was the whole point of having a tenancy database, yet what has now been created is a database of people who owners and property managers probably won’t want to rent to.
Leah Calnan is the director of <a href="https://www.metropm.com.au/" title="Metro Property Management homepage" target="_blank">Metro Property Management</a> in Victoria and is the chairwoman of the REIV Property Management Chapter.
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leahcalnan-pwE6GD6KY9

New tenancy database laws create real tenant blacklist

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Scrapping stamp duties in favour of a broad-based land tax – as recommended by the Henry Review of tax — could reduce land prices by up to 10%, research by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) suggests.
The findings did however suggest that the proposed land tax’s capitalisation into land value reductions would more likely benefit well-to-do repeat home buyers and those with the financial capacity to invest in the higher-value segments of the market, rather than renters and home buyers in need of affordable housing, who will most likely seek to access housing in municipalities where property prices are lower.
The research shows the abolition of stamp duties and its replacement with a broad-based land tax would put downward pressure on land prices, improving affordability and increasing housing market efficiency by lowering the costs of moving.
It suggested it would encourage development of greyfield sites in inner areas where housing pressures are most acute. The institute suggests the tax reforms alone would not solve all the problems surrounding Australian housing affordability, but described them as an important first step.
But the research found that a land tax based on square metre land values would radically change the spatial incidence of the revenue by concentrating the tax burden in the inner ring of business districts and suburbs.
Almost half of the land tax revenue would be raised from land plots within 10 kilometres of the CBD (in the survey’s case of Melbourne), where land was most expensive.
Less than one-third of stamp duty revenue is currently levied from property transactions within the same 10-kilometre ring.
“On the other hand, the tax burden would be lower on the urban fringe where land is comparative cheaper,” senior AHURI researcher Professor Gavin Wood says.
“For example, within the 30- to 40- and 40- to 50-kilometre bands, only 4% of land tax revenue will be raised, as compared to 15% under stamp duties.”
The report acknowledged that the business sector had not been considered in the survey simulations, but it was clear that any redesign of the land tax could place relatively high land tax liabilities on businesses clustered around the CBD.
“It will therefore encourage some relocation and hence more employment opportunities in urban growth corridors, where some businesses can be expected to move,” the report suggests.
Wood presented the findings at the “Improving housing affordability through tax reform” seminar in Sydney yesterday.
“Downward pressure comes from the fact an annually levied land tax is hard to avoid,” Wood says.
“Land is immobile and fixed in supply. So when a broad-based land tax is introduced, potential buyers reduce how much they are willing to pay by the expected value of the land tax liabilities.
“The price of land is thus reduced to the point where the after-tax return is equal to the return on other investments.
“Whereas stamp duty is only payable when a property is purchased, the land tax would make holding on to unused property an expensive exercise.”
The research modelling used 2006 property valuations and sales data in metropolitan Melbourne, with rates and thresholds set to match the revenue lost from abolishing stamp duty, ensuring the reform would be a cost-neutral exercise for state governments.
It found that the expected decline in land value as a result of the proposed land tax would be greatest in the suburbs in and around the CBD, where land is currently most expensive at over $500,000 on average.
“The 10% reduction in average land value will make housing closest to the CBD, where employment sites are concentrated, more affordable for those seeking to locate closer to employment opportunities in the city,” Wood says.
“However, in suburbs further away from the CBD where property prices are typically more affordable for first homebuyers, it was found that the percentage decline in mean land value will be noticeably lower at 6% or below.”
Dr Ian Winter, AHURI's executive director, suggests the reforms would be one step toward restoring some balance and fairness in Australian housing markets.
“Twenty-two per cent of Australians own 55% of the homes across our capital cities," Winter says, "making us not so much a nation of home owners but rather, a nation of landowners and renters.
“There is a very real danger the great Australian dream of home ownership is beyond the means of the current generation'.
AHURI research (Yates 2009) shows median house prices are outstripping borrowing capacity of average workers by more than $250,0000.
“Our current tax settings have rewarded speculative property investment and provided tax shelters at the expense of home ownership,” Winter says.
Present land tax arrangements
<ul>
<li>Land tax is currently only levied on private rental housing and commercial or industrial use property</li>
<li>Owner occupied housing and primary production are exempt from the land tax</li>
<li>Land tax applies to the cumulative unimproved value of land:</li>
<li>Single property owners typically have a small or more often zero tax liability, while multiple property owners have relatively high tax burdens</li>
<li> This results in a contraction in the supply of rental housing</li>
<li> The current setting place a barrier to the attraction of private finance (superannuation funds, for instance)</li>
<li>Recommended land tax arrangements</li>
<li>Tax applied to all land uses except primary production</li>
<li> Tax levied on a per-square-metre basis</li>
<li> Tax calculated per land holding</li>
</ul>
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Swapping stamp duty for land tax would improve affordability: Institute

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A versatile three-level Darlinghurst building – which could suit retail, office, restaurant, artistic or residential uses – has been listed for sale.
The 900-square-metre Crown Street property with historic façade comes with parking for nine vehicles.
It is being sold with vacant possession, having been most recently tenanted and renovated by the contemporary office design company Zenith Interiors. It was Australian Playboy’s headquarters from 1982 to about 1990. The owner and vendor is Philip Mason, who was the publisher of Australian Playboy for 16 years.
It has been listed for October 11 auction through Cushman &amp; Wakefield agents Tony Anderson and Lindsay Sturrock.
It sits between Liverpool and Stanley Streets.
“The high ceilings and timber beams help shape a creative and flexible warehouse space which also benefits from excellent natural light,” Anderson says.
It is expected to attract strong interest from owner occupiers, residential converters and investors. There is access from Palmer Street.
Cushman &amp; Wakefield was presumably appointed to the listing given the company’s sale last year of the 500-square-metre Luxe Studios property around the corner, at 279-283 Liverpool Street, for $4.93 million.
 As reported by the Sydney Morning Herald magazine industry guru David Dale, it was in 1979 when Kerry Packer, flushed with the success of his new women's monthly Cleo, secured the rights to the US magazine Playboy, which had been founded in the 1950s by Hugh Hefner.
Hefner, who was interested in forming partnerships to produce overseas editions, did a deal with Packer, who had sent his lawyer Malcolm Turnbull to work on the deal in America.
The first issue of Australian Playboy in February 1979 sold nearly 200,000 copies.
Some three years later, Packer gave up the licence to produce Australian Playboy and it was taken over by a small shop called Mason Stewart Publishing, best known until then for the surfing mag Tracks and the rock magazine RAM.
Sales had settled at about 140,000 a month, with rival Penthouse becoming more explicit under American publisher Bob Guccione’s edict.
By 1996, Australian Playboy's circulation had fallen to 36,000 and in 1997 Mason's company was taken over by the British publisher EMAP, with Mason becoming its non-executive chairman of EMAP Australia.
Australian Playboy ceased publication in 2000.
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Philip Mason to discard his Darlo property

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<a target="_blank" title="When Harry met Steve" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/economy/when-harry-met-steve-a-bears-breakfast/2011091551566?source=flicker3">Visiting US economist Harry Dent</a> is the latest in a long line of doomsayers that predict Australia’s housing market is a bubble on the verge of popping, although the fact that the purpose of his visit is to promote his latest book should not be forgotten.
Regardless, natural population increase and net overseas migration continue to place pressure on the undersupplied housing market, and new housing starts are failing to keep pace.
While it is true that buyers are sitting on the sidelines, already the signs that spring could see an increase in transactional activity are emerging. Clearance rates in the past few weeks are encouraging and the number of listings is increasing, indicating vendors are adopting a more realistic approach and have the confidence to proceed with a sale.
Furthermore, investors remain wary of the share market in these volatile times and are therefore again looking at real estate as offering greater security, buoying demand.
Undoubtedly we have seen a flattening in house prices in recent times, but this is a natural and necessary part of the cycle. The fact remains that the level of supply is incapable of meeting demand at the moment, and until government intervention to remove red tape and provide incentives for developers to commence projects occurs, predictions of a housing bubble are quite simply silly.
The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures indicate<a target="_blank" title="Housing starts" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/housing-industry-asks-for-government-intervention-as-housing-starts-slide/2011091551564"> housing starts dropped 7% last financial year</a>. Dwelling starts fell 4.7% in the June 2011 quarter and, according to the Housing Industry Association, the 151,000 homes being started annually is substantially short of demand, which currently stands at about 175,000.
Concurrently, in 2010 Australia’s population grew by 1.5%, with every state and territory experiencing positive population growth, according to the ABS.
When you consider the rate of population growth in Australia, the increasing shortfall in housing supply will continue to insulate prices. It is not a bubble the residential property market needs to be worried about, but rather the lack of new supply and the barriers surrounding affordability.
Still the message is not getting through to some with vested interests elsewhere. An example is Dent’s theory that baby boomers are preparing for retirement en masse, and as such are curbing their spending habits having already purchased their homes, which could lead to an “economic tsunami” across global markets.
The retirement of the baby boomers could in fact have a positive impact on the market, particularly those markets with stock suitable for downsizers and sea-changers.
There is the potential for increased demand for smaller dwellings in newer communities, which could in turn increase availability of larger homes in established suburbs for families looking to upgrade.
The baby boomer generation’s move toward retirement will of course impact the real estate market, but those spruiking a bubble need only consider the fundamentals to realise the underlying strength of Australia’s housing market.
Leanne Pilkington is general manager of<a target="_blank" title="Laing + Simmons" href="https://www.laingsimmons.com.au/"> Laing + Simmons</a>
For more expert commentary about the spring property market and tips for buying and selling in spring, see our spring e-book <a href="https://register.propertyobserver.com.au/16-spring-selling-secrets/" target="_blank">16 spring selling secrets plus 8 tips for buyers</a>
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lpilkington-GWhcD9raad

Housing bubble predictions simply silly, given growing population

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NAB predicts the cash rate will stay on hold until November 2012 following the release of revised, softer inflation figures.
Should the prediction prove true, it would mean 24 months of no change to official rates. The last time rates went up was in November 2010, when the RBA pushed up rates by 25 basis points to the current level of 4.75%
The bank pushed back its May 2012 rate rise prediction after the ABS revised core inflation to a lower figure in the June quarter and in the words of the bank’s economist Alan Oster and Rob Henderson, “fundamentally altered the history of the underlying CPI”.
June quarter CPI is now estimated to have risen by 0.6% (down from the previous estimate of 0.9%), to be 2.5% higher over the year (previously 2.7%).
The September quarter CPI figure will be calculated under the revised methodology after the ABS found an increased number of expenditure classes to be seasonal and this has affected seasonality in the underlying CPI.
According to Oster and Henderson, it appears that about half of the downward revision in the June quarter was attributable to the seasonal adjustment of petrol, hospital and medical services and tobacco, although these are likely to be reversed in other quarters.
Westpac is sticking with its forecast of a December rate cut due to households' growing unemployment expectations, which rose 8.5% in September following on from a 2% gain in August. 
"It is also worth noting that both the level of unemployment expectations and the rate of change in unemployment expectations are now giving a strong signal that households are already under stress and that a rate hike based on domestic fundamentals is not called for. In fact the current survey is now giving a very strong signal that based on household fundamentals; the next more in rates is more likely to be down," says Westpac's economic team. 
"With every passing month, the message coming from household sector is increasingly clear: that interest rates are very contractionary and in fact, the case is building that they should be lowered if the RBA would like to keep a neutral to modestly tight policy setting."
<img src="/images/stories/westpacsept15.gif">
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Interest rates on hold until November 2012: NAB

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Two like-minded economic doomsayers met in Sydney yesterday. So demographics and debt were on the bearish breakfast agenda, with not a Donald in sight.
Property Observer’s cameras were there catching the moment when home-town debt doomsayer Steve Keen met noted American demographic analyst Harry Dent.
Keen says demographics aren’t part of his modelling because they would swamp his debt dynamics, but he reckons they are very much on the same wavelength.
“There are a handful of people around the world whose work I respect because it intelligently addresses facets of our current predicament that I don’t.
“The economic and demographic analyst Harry Dent is one of those people,” Keen says.
“Harry uses empirical data about consumption levels and population growth to accurately predict economic trends.”
Both have similar views on the direction of Australia’s property market. Dent predicts the world will experience a second, deeper downturn, starting in the first half of next year in Europe, and spreading to the United States, China and eventually Australia.
"Australia is probably the best place in the world to survive this, but ... will not escape as well as it did from the last [2008] crisis," Dent says, predicting Australia's house prices would return to late 1990s levels.
And Keen has told Peter Switzer’s Sky Business program to expect Australian real estate to be down about 40% over the next 10 to 15 years, and maybe 15% to 20% over next two to three years.
Both also happen to be spruiking something – Dent’s got his book The Great Crash Ahead - How to Prosper in the Debt Crisis of 2010-2012 and his <a href="https://securethefuture.com.au/" target="_blank">upcoming lecture tour on wealth preservation</a>  in Sydney from October 11to 13, and in Brisbane on October 14 through 16.
And Keen is soon to publish an updated <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Debunking-Economics-Revised-Expanded-Dethroned/dp/1848139926/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1314854361&amp;sr=8-2/">Debunking Economics.</a>
Apparently there are no plans for them to catch up with the ultra-bullish Donald Trump.
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When Harry met Steve: A bears' breakfast

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The luxury Sea Temple Golf and Country Club in Port Douglas as well as the adjoining housing estate has been put by for sale by the Juniper Development Group.
A spokesperson for Juniper declined to give a price estimate for the 6,100-square-metre 71-hole Thomson, Wolveridge and Perrett-designed championship golf course and the remaining 51 home sites, which have an average size of 764 square metres.
The development is being sold via an expressions-of-interest campaign led by Paul Nyholt and Wayne Bunz from CBRE closing on October 13.
The links-style golf course is located on Old Port Road in Port Douglas on the edge of the ocean, framed by tropical rainforest and mountain views.
The golf course is home to a variety of native mammals and birdlife, with some lucky golfers able to tee off under the watchful gaze of a crocodile.
It has existing development approval for an additional 10 fairway lots averaging 1,333 square metres.
It was launched by Juniper in October 2007 as a $38 million house-and-land development with plans for 63 lots to envelope the golf club.
The listing of the Sea Temple golf course, country club and housing estate follows receivers being appointed in July to sell two Queensland golf courses bought in 2002 by a Babcock &amp; Brown investment syndicate.
The Robina Woods golf course has been listed for receivership sale through CB Richard Ellis and McVay Real Estate, along with the nearby The Colonial course.
The listing of the Sea Temple golf course, country club and housing estate follows receivers being appointed in July to sell <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/babcock-and-browns-queensland-golf-course-investment-caught-in-the-rough/2011070750736">two Queensland golf courses bought in 2002 by a Babcock &amp; Brown investment syndicate</a>.

The Robina Woods golf course has been listed for receivership sale through CB Richard Ellis and McVay Real Estate, along with the nearby The Colonial course.
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Sea Temple development seeks golfing devotee developer

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The Housing Industry Association and the Master Builders Association have demanded government action to arrest the slide in new dwelling starts following a third decline in four quarters. 
Dwelling commencements are down 7% for the 2010-11 year after a 4.7% fall in the June quarter to 37,820 following the release of ABS data. 
Detached house commencements fell by 2.2% to 23,106 while commencements of “other dwellings” dropped by 8.8% to 14,406. 
The number of seasonally adjusted dwelling commencements fell in five of eight states and territories in the June 2011 quarter.
Dwelling commencements fell by 20.1% in NSW, 16.3% in Queensland, 1.3% in Western Australia, 14.3% in Tasmania, and 69.4% in the Northern Territory.
Dwelling commencements increased in Victoria (6.8%), South Australia (4.5%), and the Australian Capital Territory (30%).
HIA chief economist Harley Dale says the renewed weakness in dwelling commencements, which began in mid-2010, “reflects a lack of policy reform progress in reducing the high cost base to new housing and a deterioration in household confidence and demand”.
Dale expects commencements to fall considerably further in 2011-12. 
Dale says dwelling commencements are running at an annualised level of just over 151,000 in the June 2011 quarter. 
“The urgent need for stimulus to kick-start new home building is crystal clear as Australia moves further away from the underlying demographic demand for around 175,000 dwellings per annum.”
Peter Jones, chief economist at the MBA, says residential building has failed to kick-on after recovering ground lost in the GFC and is in danger of weakening further unless policy changes.
“Housing faces a potential crisis-in-the-making given past levels of underbuilding, and for a wider economy desperate for a traditional driver to spark activity in parts of Australia caught in the slow lane of the two speed economy.
“At the very least, a long period of interest rate stability from the Reserve Bank is vital to ensure an upswing in the interest-rate-sensitive residential building sector becomes entrenched.”
“Governments at all levels need to address inefficient developer charges and other policies that add an unfair cost premium to new dwellings.”
CBA economist James McIntyre noted the continued weak demand for private sector housing starts, a downward trend that has now run to six consecutive quarters. 
“The ‘fiscal fade’ effect has been significant in this segment of the housing construction sector, as the effects of the removal of the boost to first home buyer grants and higher interest rates work through,” he says. 
“We expect some near term improvement in private housing commencements, on account of improved housing sentiment and the extended pause in the rate hike cycle. 
“However the recent pattern of approvals has been weak, and could be exacerbated by the recent financial market turmoil.  This suggests downside risk to our outlook. 
Whilst we expect a pickup in dwelling commencements in late 2011, we expect any recovery to be short lived.  Our call for a resumption of the rate hike cycle in 2012 will weigh on the sector. 
The bank expects the next rate hike to occur in February 2012.
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Safari Group offers low-touch investment proposition in Queenstown’s popular ski fields district

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

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