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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The $39 million sale of the former Dalkeith mansion built for the 1980s entrepreneur Alan Bond ranks as WA's second-most expensive house sale.
Mack Hall, of Mack Hall Real Estate, has confirmed the Watkins Road mansion on the Swan River has been bought by mining entrepreneur Steve Wyatt and his wife, Sue.
They initially expressed an interest in the home about a year ago. It was sold by businessman Barry Patterson, who was Sonic Healthcare chairman from 1999 to 2010 and previously held gold mining interests.
It last traded in 1999 for $9.5 million, which was to stand as Perth’s record until 2006.
The seven-bedroom riverfront mansion is set across six titles totalling 6,417 square metres.
Wyatt’s business associate Chris Ellison set the WA real estate record when he paid $57.5 million for iron ore heiress Angela Bennett's riverfront compound in Mosman Park in 2009.
Wyatt and Ellison set up Crushing Services International, which built and operated ore-crushing plants for mining companies.
"It was never on the market, and I mentioned it to the owner [that there was interest], but he did not want to sell it for a couple of years," Hall told The West Australian.
"Some negotiations took place, and the new owners moved in [last week]."
Gold mining magnate Ross Atkins bought the property in 1993 from the Bond family trust company, Armoy Pty Ltd, for $7.3 million, selling it six years later to Patterson after extensive renovation.
The Wyatts paid $9 million in 2006 for their current South Perth abode, which was expanded to 2,500 square metres in 2010 with the purchase of the neighbouring $3.9 million property. It has views of the city skyline from its non-riverfront promenade position.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Mining magnate buys Perth's second-most expensive house

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The main point I'd make about the international debt situation as it affects property is something of a curly one.
I'm going to be a bit of a long-winded academic here, but I think I need to do that because otherwise what I say will sound weird compared with the conventional reactions to the US debt "crisis".
Demand in our economy comes from either incomes or the change in debt.
It then buys either goods and services or existing assets.
So there's a link between change in debt and the level of asset prices.
Change in demand – which drives both change in output and change in asset prices – depends on change in income and (drum roll) the acceleration of debt.
This then drives change in purchases of goods and services and change in demand for existing assets.
There is thus a link between the acceleration of debt and change in asset prices.
The conclusion is that for asset prices to rise (including of course property), private debt levels have to accelerate.
That in fact has been happening for the last 20 years in Australia – and that's when the biggest boom in house prices occurred.
Now that the global economy has private debt levels falling, private debt is decelerating – and that's the primary factor that is causing share and property prices to fall.
In all this, the shenanigans over public debt are a bit of a sideshow.
Public debt is rising not because governments are being irresponsible now, but because the private sector was during the subprime bubble (and its equivalents in Iceland, Ireland, England, Spain, and Australia to name a few).
Now that the private sector has gone from gambling on rising asset prices with borrowed money – which drove asset prices up – to reducing its debt, both sales of goods and services and asset prices are plunging.
That necessarily causes government deficits to rise, tax receipts fall and welfare payments increase.
That's what mainly caused the US public debt to blow out.
Private debt fell from 300% of GDP to 258% in the last two years; public debt increased from 60% to 100%.
The US “debt ceiling” thing too is a bit of nonsense: the US has hit and moved its ceiling more than 100 times since World War II.
It's sometimes involved brinkmanship between the Republicans and the Democrats; this time has been amplified by all the Tea Party types.
I don't believe this crisis can be stopped by government spending, but I do believe that if the government tries to cut its spending while the private sector is also deleveraging, it will make things worse rather than better.
So the austerity measures being imposed around the globe will amplify the impact of private sector deleveraging on reducing property and share prices.
Steve Keen is an associate professor of economics and finance at the University of Western Sydney. He maintains a blog on the economy, <a target="_blank" title="Steve Keen's Debtwatch" href="https://www.debtdeflation.com/blogs/">Steve Keen's Debtwatch.</a>
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stevekeen-hGRrVP8sYD

Falling private debt levels driving down property prices: Steve Keen

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The Reserve Bank of Australia has acknowledged the challenges facing retail property.
“Property values for speciality retail stores in large suburban shopping centres are estimated to have fallen by around 9% over the two years from their peak in late 2007.
“Smaller centres fared worse, with property values having fallen by around 15% from their peak.
“Over this period, vacancy rates increased and growth in gross market rents slowed, with growth in rents slightly firmer in CBDs and larger suburban locations than in smaller neighbourhood centres.
“More recently, gross rents for CBD retail properties were flat over the year to June, although there have been reports of solid growth in rents in certain premium locations.
“Property values in suburban centres have recovered somewhat from their lows, having increased by around 2% over the past year. Overall, the outlook for retail property remains subdued reflecting modest growth in retail spending.”</body></html>

lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Specialty retail property loses value: RBA

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The RBA says finance conditions are improving for developers seeking funding for new office projects.
“The bank’s liaison suggests that lenders’ appetite for funding new office projects has improved a little over the past year, though funding conditions vary considerably across developers,” the RBA writes in its August monetary policy statement. 
It notes that tenant pre-commitment requirements are contributing to funding constraints. 
The RBA’s assertion that lenders appetites for offices is improving follows the Property Council reporting an overall tightening of office vacancy rates nationally over the first six months of the year, with demand for premium office space rising. 
The RBA notes an improvement in financing conditions alongside an overall uptick in conditions for commercial property and a rosier outlook.
“After a period of rising vacancy rates and falling property values and rents, conditions in the commercial property sector have improved somewhat over the past year,” the RBA says.
The RBA notes the drop in office vacancy rates in Perth and Brisbane but says these are still much higher than in 2007 when these markets were “exceptionally tight”.
 
“A further improvement is expected by most observers over the period ahead, with solid demand and only moderate additions to supply over the next few years leading to gradually declining vacancy rates and rising rents.” 
It concludes its review of offices by saying that based on the current pipeline of projects in the early stages of planning, “supply is projected to grow at a faster pace by mid-decade, although the extent and timing will depend on the outcomes of a number of proposed large developments”. 
The Reserve Bank also notes the positive outlook for industrial property uncovered by recent research “reflecting expected solid demand and, in some areas, modest near-term growth in supply”. 
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RBA says finance availability improving for office developments

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The prospect of a rate rise in the next few months has fallen after the RBA revised growth for 2011 downwards in its August monetary policy statement. 
“Growth over 2011 has been revised downwards since the May statement, due to a slower-than expected recovery in coal production and, to a lesser extent, a downward revision to consumer spending as domestic and international concerns have weighed on sentiment,” the statement reads. 
“The medium-term outlook continues to be characterised by the significant pipeline of resources-sector investment – with a number of large projects already underway – and by strong growth in resource exports.” 
The GDP is forecast at 2% for 2011 and at 4.5% in 2012.
The two-speed economy is highlighted as a drag on growth. 
“There is a large divergence between the mining and related sectors and the rest of the economy, with the cautious behaviour of households, the unwinding of the fiscal stimulus and the high exchange rate weighing on a number of industries,” the RBA says. 
“Outside of the mining sector, business surveys suggest that, in aggregate, conditions are around long-run average levels while measures of confidence have recently fallen to below-average levels. 
“However, this masks considerable divergence across industries. Conditions in the retail sector remain very weak due to subdued consumer spending, and parts of the construction industry not exposed to the mining boom are feeling the effects of weak residential and non-residential building as well as the fading of the fiscal stimulus.” 
Mining investment is expected to rise from around 4% of GDP in 2009/10 to more than 6% in 2012/13 while non-mining investment will remain weak in the near term, but gradually pick up later in the forecast period.
Besides the economy slowing down over the remainder of 2011, the RBA also forecasts inflation to begin trending down, though it forecasts “significant volatility in headline CPI inflation over the next few years”. 
It is forecast to fall modestly from 3.6% in the June quarter to 3.5% in December, before easing to 2.5% by June 2012. 
The underlying inflation outlook excluding the carbon tax is for 3.25% in 2011, 3.0% in 2012 and 3.25% in 2013.
“In the near term, several volatile items – fruit, vegetable and fuel prices – are continuing to have a large influence on the headline inflation profile, with year-ended CPI inflation likely to remain above the target band for the remainder of 2011, before falling sharply in early 2012,” the RBA says. 
“There would subsequently be a temporary effect from the introduction of the carbon price.
Despite the revised growth expectations for the remainder of 2011, Westpac said over all growth outlook remained positive and is "still comfortably above trend".
Westpac expects the non-mining sectors of the economy to contribute much less growth and labour demand than indicated in the RBA's forecasts.
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RBA cuts growth forecast

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Kinane, Brighton’s record-setting residence has been listed with price hopes of up to $20 million, which would allow it to regain the suburb’s top-seller crown.
The landmark Max Beck-built residence has been extensively renovated since it last sold for a record $11.2 million in 2006.
It has been listed by businessman Russell Small, who retired last year from the board of the telecom and utilities industry services provider Service Stream, and his partner Belinda Ding.
It has been listed through Kay &amp; Burton Brighton agent Ian Jackson, with offers due by September 7.
Kinane is set on the corner of The Esplanade and Kinane Street, fronted by Canary Island palms.
After its 1988 completion by the then Becton chief, the locals dubbed it the Brighton Town Hall because of its imposing size and prominent position on almost an entire block of the Esplanade.
The six-bedroom house sits on a 3,200-square-metre block in one of Melbourne's finest beachfront reserve locations, with views over Port Phillip Bay.
It comes with bespoke interiors conceived by designer Kalef Alaton.
The four-level house comes with an internal lift and garaging for nine cars.
Upon entering, guests are greeted by a majestic foyer decked in Italian Riviera limestone and white marble flooring. There’s Abadela timber panelling from Africa in adjacent rooms.
There are four living domains, formal and informal dining rooms and a 1,200-bottle cellar.
The grounds have a championship-size tennis court, 25-metre indoor lap pool, gym, gas-heated outdoor pool and spa with resort-style patio, home theatre, steam and sauna rooms.
The Salvo family currently hold the record for a <a target="_blank" href="/news" title="Brighton">Brighton </a>sale when they paid $15.6 million for the Calman family’s waterfront mansion on Glyndon Avenue in the suburb's "Golden Mile".
The five-bedroom mansion has a 59-metre water frontage and includes a tennis court, swimming pool, spa, sauna, gym, and rooftop entertainment area. It had been marketed in 2009 by JP Dixon for the Calmic cleaning chemical magnate Michael Calman and his wife, Mary.
The Calmans amalgamated two blocks in the late 1990s after they bought the extra block for about $5 million from the developer Adrian Campbell, who’d been involved in a tennis court fence scrap with neighbours.
Brighton’s third-place sale was when the St Kilda Football Club president Rod Buttress sold in 2007 for $11 million to Catherine O’Halloran, wife of the solicitor John O’Halloran.
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Brighton's Kinane could be back on top with price hopes of almost $20 million

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A lack of free parking in the Newcastle CBD and weak rental growth in Wollongong is deterring development activity in the two key regional NSW towns, according to the August property market report by valuer Herron Todd White.
The report, based on market observations by local valuers, paints a picture of a struggling or static NSW regional commercial sector, though with some pockets of growth.
In Newcastle, HTW director Kerry McLeish reports that more parking meters recently installed on the popular Darby Street restaurant strip in the CBD have further reduced the amount of free parking available to office workers.
“Many of the workers that call the CBD home for around eight hours a day drive their cars into work and take up valuable free car spaces on the fringes of the CBD,” McLeish says.
“We bring this up, as it is becoming clear that new commercial developments will be required to think seriously about their car parking requirements. We would envisage that in the future a higher ratio of car parking to office space should be required.”
Newcastle is set to run out of CBD parking space in a decade.
In August last year, developer GPT pulled the plug on its proposed $500 million Hunter Street Mall commercial development in Newcastle following three years of planning.
McLeish says commercial rates and yields appear to be holding steady in Newcastle.
Wollongong valuer Jon Butler writes that regional conditions in the Illawarra region have been weak for some time, with the region struggling to compete with the Sydney suburban market.
A definite two-speed office market is in evidence in Wollongong, with vacancy rates for A-grade office space sitting at 0.5%, compared with vacancies between 16% and 18% for B- and C-grade space.
Despite the apparent undersupply of A-grade space, Butler says there has been no real pressure to date on rental rates to make new construction feasible.
“This would suggest the primary driver in the local office market is affordability.
“Current face rents for A-grade space ranges from approximately $320 to $380 per square metre gross with incentives required to attract tenants.
“The economic rate to encourage new development is estimated to lie in the order of $380 to $400 per square metre.”
However, there have been some pockets of activity, with tenants taking up space within Wollongong University’s Innovation Campus.
The first commercial office building on the campus is now fully leased and the recently completed second building is reportedly 80% leased.
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Newcastle and Wollongong office markets weakening: HTW

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Ambitious proposals by the Productivity Commission to relax zoning and planning regulations to make it easier for new retail sites to be developed have been welcomed by the Urban Taskforce and the Australian Retailers Association.
The proposals are contained in the draft report on the Economic Structure and Performance of the Australian Retail Industry.
The draft report declares that Australian retail is suffering because of planning and zoning regulations that are complex and excessively prescriptive.
The six proposals covering planning and zoning reforms are:
<ul>
<li>State and territory governments should broaden zoning within and surrounding activity centres to facilitate new retail formats in existing business zones. 
</li>
<li>Local governments should significantly reduce prescriptive planning requirements to facilitate new retail formats in existing business zones and ensure that competition is not needlessly restricted. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Governments should not consider the viability of existing businesses at any stage of planning, rezoning or development assessment processes. Impacts of possible future retail locations on existing activity centre viability (but not specific businesses) should only be considered during strategic plan preparation or major review. 
</li>
<li>Local governments should facilitate more as-of-right development processes to reduce business uncertainty and remove the scope for gaming by competitors. 
</li>
<li>State and territory governments should ensure third-party appeal processes within planning systems include clear identification of appellants and their grounds for appeal and allow courts to award costs against parties found to be appealing for purposes other than planning concerns. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>State and territory governments should reduce the compliance costs associated with planning systems and development approvals by implementing the leading practices identified in the Commission’s recent benchmarking report on planning, zoning and development assessments. </li>
</ul>
Aaron Gadiel, chief executive of the Urban Taskforce, says retail productivity has suffering for a long time, courtesy of “brutal planning regulations”.
"We're pleased that the commission has unambiguously stated that governments should not consider the viability of existing businesses at any stage of the planning, rezoning or development assessment processes,” Gadiel says. Gadiel says the federal government needs to urgently act on this issue and enlist state governments in a major effort to reform out-dated planning laws.
"This is an urgent wake-up call to every level of government," he says. "The Australian retail industry is in a rut, but government has the power to fix some of its most serious problems."
The Australian Retailers Association agrees with the suggested reforms.
ARA executive director Russell Zimmerman says it welcomes the commission’s acknowledgement that “planning and zoning restrictions are propagating the power imbalance between landlords and retailers at the negotiation table”.
The draft report also found that planning regulations that give businesses in some locations preference over others could be counterproductive.
The commission makes reference to numerous overseas examples to demonstrate that “stringent land use regulations are an important factor in constraining productivity growth in many countries”.
“Countries that generally have more flexible planning systems, such as the United States, have experienced higher rates of productivity growth in the retail sector than other countries with less flexible regulations,” the commission says.
“In short, planning and zoning regulation which restricts the location of retail outlets or store formats has a negative influence on retail productivity growth.”
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Retail industry bodies welcome suggested rezoning 

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/august5hyde]}
The Hyde penthouse overlooking Hyde Park Sydney has been snapped up for $12.5 million.
It had previously been speculated that the luxury penthouse had been sold for about $14 million.
Falling short of its desired initial $20 million expectations, its major selling impediment was not the flexible asking price, but rather its ongoing annual strata fee of $142,000.
It’s been bought by Marie Bolton, whose purchase details were registered earlier this month.
With almost 1000 square metres of space in the sky, the recently completed <a target="_blank" href="https://www.thehydepenthouse.com.au" title="The Hyde Penthouse">penthouse at The Hyde </a>occupies the top two floors of the 35-storey Liverpool Street redevelopment.
The penthouse has 570 square metres of interior space, along with a 15-metre wet-edge lap pool with 400 square metres of rooftop decking. It comes with views across Hyde Park towards the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and the Heads.
There's a gym, steam room, bar, a caterers' scullery and a large lounge area with fireplace.
It was initially marketed off the plan with hopes of $20 million-plus but its developer, Stockland, appreciated the luxury apartment market had tightened considerably since its late 2009 listing.
The market was not helped when the sale of two record-setting off-the-plan penthouses failed to proceed during the global financial crisis.
It was sold through CBRE agent Peter Kerras, who had the listing in conjunction with Christies International.
The Hyde Park precinct now ranks among Sydney's priciest addresses. It also snared the top off-the plan apartment sale of the past year when just short of $14 million was paid for a sub-penthouse in the College Street development The Residence.
Singapore-based architects WOHA designed the exteriors of The Hyde, and the Sydney-based interior architects Archer+Wright designed the penthouse's interiors.
Sydney's priciest apartment sale stands at $16.8 million in 2008 for a 12th-floor unit in the Bennelong block overlooking Circular Quay.
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Sydney's Hyde Park penthouse sells for discount due to $142,000 annual strata levy

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For the first time in over a decade, home ownership in the United States has dropped below 66%.
It is at its lowest level since 1998, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
America’s home ownership peaked at 69.2% in 2004 but is now at 65.9%.
Analysts predict that the declines will continue for the next several years, due in part to stricter mortgage standards in more than a decade disqualifying would-be buyers and to rising volumes of evictions of home owners in foreclosure.
Director of research at John Burns Real Estate Consulting Wayne Yamano predicts homeownership may fall to 62% by 2015.
Not surprisingly, the accompanying home rental vacancy rates are also hitting new lows, with the national vacancy rate down to 9.2%, a 1.4% drop over the same time last year.
Meanwhile the internationally active Canada Pension Plan Investment Board has been investing in United States apartment buildings, a residential real estate sector that has managed to perform better than the broader housing market.
CPPIB has invested about $US300 million to buy stakes in eight U.S. buildings, as they are viewed as relatively safe cash-generating investments because weakness in the housing market drives former home owners to rent.
“We believe that the limited supply of high-quality rental properties and other broad demographic trends such as forecast population growth, declining home ownership and the echo-boom generation reaching peak rental propensity all support continued growth in the U.S. multi-family sector,” Peter Ballon, vice-president and head of real estate investments, told Steve Ladurantaye at The Globe and Mail.
The buildings include Archstone North Point, a 426-unit property in Massachusetts, Palazzo Westwood Village, a 350-unit property located in Los Angeles and a 45% interest in the Cadence multi-0family development project in San Jose, California.
CPPIB recently purchased a 50% joint venture interest in Northland Shopping Centre in Melbourne for a total equity commitment of A$455 million.
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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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