Melbourne developer Spacious Group has completed Voyage Altona, one of the closest new apartment developments to Altona Beach.

Off the plan purchasers have started moving into the 49-apartment project on Pier Street, with the remaining move-in-ready one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments starting from just over $500,000.

Display apartments have now been fitted out, allowing prospective buyers to inspect the completed residences by appointment.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112195 project_image_fid=372638]

The completed apartments feature open-plan living and dining areas which extend onto private balconies and terraces, while full-height glazing maximises natural light throughout the interiors.&nbsp;

Hybrid timber-look flooring, stone benchtops, Miele appliances, porcelain-tiled bathrooms and generous storage feature throughout the building which also features landscaped communal areas, expansive shared terraces, lift access and secure on-grade parking.

Drawing inspiration from its bayside setting, Voyage adopts a restrained palette of warm neutral tones and textured finishes. Many of the apartments take advantage of views across Port Phillip Bay, while the indoor-outdoor living spaces have been designed to make the most of the coastal outlook.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112195 project_image_fid=3286]

Voyage was developed to address what Spacious Group identified as an undersupply of higher-quality apartment product in Altona, with a focus on owner-occupiers looking to remain within the bayside community.

"Voyage responds to very strong local buyer demand for quality, owner-occupier-focused product," says Barry Plant Projects Director Jarrod Farey, who has handled sales since the project's launch.

"The project delivers an elevated lifestyle proposition, with its design and quality of finish far exceeding anything previously produced in the area, as well as its proximity to Pier Street Village and the beach."

The majority of purchasers have been local downsizers and owner-occupiers looking to stay within the Altona community but who previously had limited opportunities to buy a brand-new apartment.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112195]

Joel Robinson

Spacious Group completes Voyage Altona in Altona's beachside precinct

Homecorp has secured approval for a $360 million apartment development at Budds Beach, paving the way for one of the Gold Coast's most amenity-rich residential projects to launch later this year.

Gold Coast City Council has approved Lýon Residences, a 32-level tower that will deliver 178 two and three-bedroom apartments across a prominent corner site at 8-10 Acacia Avenue and 25-27 Oak Avenue.

The approval comes as developers continue to invest in premium lifestyle-driven apartment projects on the Gold Coast, where owner occupiers are increasingly prioritising amenity as much as apartment size and location.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/l-on-residences-25-27-oak-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Lýon Residences</a> has been designed around a resort-style wellness offering, headlined by a Moroccan-inspired spa precinct featuring treatment rooms, a Nordic sauna and steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, a soaking pool and a residents-only juice bar.

The rooftop will include a heated infinity pool and spa, residents' lounge with private kitchen and bar, gymnasium, yoga and Pilates studio, outdoor entertaining areas and barbecue facilities overlooking the Surfers Paradise skyline.

<img alt="Lyon" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2d3e29af-8793-486e-a684-52cef862241f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-15%20at%204.32.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ayG2zpLf3SS6Zy8XmKDcQods4kVWb0gm" />

Homecorp Founder and CEO Ron Bakir said Budds Beach provided the ideal location for the company's latest luxury apartment project.

"Budds Beach represents one of the most unique and sought-after pockets of the Gold Coast, and Lýon Residences has been designed to reflect that sense of rarity and refinement," Bakir said.

The project arrives as wellness continues to become a defining feature of new residential developments both in Australia and internationally.

The latest Global Wellness Institute figures show wellness real estate remains the fastest-growing segment of the global wellness economy and is forecast to exceed $1.8 trillion by 2030. Australia continues to rank among the world's 15 largest wellness real estate markets, with developers increasingly integrating health, recreation and community facilities into apartment projects.

Queensland is also experiencing strong population growth, with the Gold Coast continuing to outperform many other Australian cities as demand for new housing remains elevated ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Bakir said the project had been designed to respond to that shift in buyer expectations.

"Strong population growth and sustained demand across the Gold Coast continue to highlight the need for well-designed new housing supply. Lýon Residences responds directly to this demand while setting a new benchmark for residential living," he said.

Each apartment has been designed to maximise views across the coastline, the Nerang River and the Gold Coast hinterland.

Located just minutes from Surfers Paradise beach and the Broadwater, the development also offers easy access to the light rail network, Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads.

Early site works are underway, with construction expected to commence later this year.

Homecorp approved for Budds Beach apartment tower, Lýon Residences

New apartment developments with uninterrupted, north-facing views over Perth's Swan River are exceptionally rare.

Recognising just how limited those opportunities are, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/edge-visionary-living">Edge Visionary Living</a>, one of Perth's most respected builder-developers, targeted <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/applecross-wa-6153">Applecross</a>, assembling an unrepeatable 6,342 sqm riverfront site on the corner of Moreau Mews and Canning Beach Road to create one of Perth's only new north-facing apartment developments directly overlooking the Swan River.

Today, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/riviere-residences-applecross-59-canning-beach-road-applecross-wa-6153">Rivière Residences</a> offers buyers a unique opportunity to choose between completed residences ready to move into now and off-the-plan homes in the final stage, Rivière West.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=28384 project_image_fid=3823]

Across the completed East and Central buildings, residents are already enjoying the development's luxury amenity, while two of the precinct's hospitality venues are now open.

The completed component of the development gives buyers the advantage of experiencing the finished product firsthand, including its uninterrupted river views, while still having the opportunity to secure a residence in the final stage.

"People are wowed by the view and the quality of the apartments,"&nbsp;Edge Visionary Living Sales Executive, Holly McSweeney, says.

"They're looking for the convenience of lock-and-leave living, but they're not looking to downsize on quality."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=28384 project_image_fid=3826]

The rarity of the development hasn't been lost on prospective buyers, McSweeney says.

For McSweeney, it all comes back to a location that is becoming increasingly difficult to replicate.

"Location, location, location," she says. "We are nestled right on the front of the Swan River. You can never get built out, so wherever you are in Rivière Residences, you've got views of the river forever."

The unique waterfront position has resonated particularly strongly with local downsizers. McSweeney says many buyers are long-time Applecross residents looking to transition from large family homes into a luxury apartment without sacrificing space, quality or the lifestyle they've enjoyed for decades.

<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/N_FowNW0wu8?si=vb25XFq1wZ-iufAW" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

A major focus for Edge in recent years has been resident amenity. Across its apartment portfolio, from beachfront developments in Scarborough to luxury towers in South Perth, the developer has increasingly invested in the spaces beyond the apartment itself.

The strategy has largely been shaped by downsizer demand. Many buyers are moving from large family homes with swimming pools and established gardens. While they're looking to leave the maintenance behind, they don't want to compromise on lifestyle.

At Rivière, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hillam-architects">Hillam Architects</a> designed the resident facilities as an extension of each apartment. A 25-metre heated swimming pool takes advantage of the north-facing river outlook, complemented by a large gym, sauna and steam rooms, private dining spaces, residents' lounges, a cinema, games room, and dedicated wine and whisky rooms.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=28384 project_image_fid=372542]

The waterfront location has also proved to be a major drawcard. Residents are within walking distance of the Raffles Hotel, South of Perth Yacht Club, the Heathcote Cultural Precinct and the cafés, restaurants and boutiques along Ardross Street.

Beyond the location and amenity, McSweeney says many buyers take confidence from Edge's fully integrated development model.

Having delivered apartments across Perth for decades, Edge now designs, develops and constructs its projects in-house, giving the company greater control over quality, delivery and the finished product.

"What I love is when people walk through their apartment for the first time and say, 'This is better than what we imagined,'" McSweeney says. "We hear that all the time."

Completed apartments in the East and Central buildings are now available to inspect by appointment, while Rivière West, the final stage of the precinct, is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=28384]

North-facing Swan River views drive demand at Rivière Residences in Applecross

Nearly 60 per cent of apartments at McNab Group's $220 million The Tannery development in Brisbane's West End have sold ahead of the project's public launch, including a suburb-record $2.57 million sale for a two-bedroom apartment.

The early sales campaign has secured buyers for 50 of the project's 87 apartments, highlighting continued demand for larger owner-occupier apartments that combine generous floorplans with premium lifestyle amenities in one of Brisbane's most tightly held inner-city suburbs.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143337 project_image_fid=374768]

McNab Group Executive Chairman Michael McNab said selling more than half the project before launch reflected changing buyer expectations.

"Selling more than half the project before public sales open tells us buyers are actively seeking apartments that offer something genuinely different," McNab said.

"Today's buyers are looking beyond four walls. They want homes that genuinely enhance the way they live, with spaces that support health, connection and everyday wellbeing."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143337 project_image_fid=374767]

A key point of difference for the project is the adaptive reuse of the heritage-listed Dixon's Tannery building, which will become The Retreat, a residents-only wellness precinct rather than being redeveloped into additional apartments.

The Retreat will feature a sauna and steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, a commercial-grade gym, Pilates studio, cinema, library, co-working spaces and private dining room. Rooftop amenities will include a swimming pool, landscaped gardens, outdoor entertaining areas and dog-friendly spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143337 project_image_fid=374760]

Designed by Cottee Parker Architects with interiors by Tom Mark Henry and landscape architecture by Aspect Studios, The Tannery comprises 87 two, three and four-bedroom apartments across 11 levels overlooking the Brisbane River.

Cottee Parker principal Dee Passenger said preserving the original tannery building had been central to the project's design.

"The easy option would have been to maximise the site's development potential with additional apartments. Instead, McNab has chosen to preserve the original tannery as a shared wellness retreat, ensuring this important piece of Brisbane's history remains at the heart of the community."

Passenger said sustainability also played a key role in the design, with materials from the original industrial site salvaged and repurposed throughout the development.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143337 project_image_fid=374761]

Motiv CEO Carly Cottam said buyers had responded strongly to the combination of larger apartments, wellness facilities and the West End lifestyle.

"We are seeing more buyers looking for homes in the sky that provide the space and functionality of a traditional home, while benefiting from the convenience and lifestyle that apartment living brings," Cottam said.

She said purchasers included both owner occupiers and investors, with demand coming from local buyers as well as interstate purchasers.

Coinciding with the public launch, McNab also announced a partnership with Queensland Ballet, whose neighbouring Thomas Dixon Centre shares historical ties with the original Dixon family.

Located on a 4,465 sqm site at 439 Montague Road, The Tannery overlooks the Brisbane River and is around 10 minutes from the CBD.

Construction is underway, with completion expected in the second half of 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=143337]

More than half of residences sold before public sales as McNab announces significant partnership with Queensland Ballet

McNab's The Tannery nears 60 per cent sold before public release, sets two-bedroom West End record

Iwan Sunito's vision for a landmark mixed-use precinct in Sydney's Inner West has taken a major step forward, with approval granted for the $1.9 billion Five Dock development first unveiled earlier this year.

The approved scheme by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/one-global-capital">One Global Capital</a> will deliver an 80,500 sqm mixed-use precinct comprising 840 apartments, integrated hotel accommodation, commercial and retail space, alongside publicly accessible open space designed to create a new destination for the growing suburb.

"This is a significant milestone for One Global Capital and for the future of housing delivery in Sydney," Sunito said.

"The Housing Delivery Authority was established to identify major housing projects capable of delivering meaningful supply more efficiently, and we are delighted that Spencer Street has been recognised as one of those projects.”

He said the declaration reflected the rapid progress achieved since acquiring control of the site.

"In less than seven months we have progressed from taking control of the site to securing entry into one of the NSW Government's most important planning pathways. It reflects the experience of our team, the strength of our consultant group led by Urbis, and our long-term commitment to delivering transformational projects that contribute to Sydney's future."

When the project was revealed earlier this year, Sunito described the opportunity as one of the strongest development sites he had worked on.

"I probably hadn't appreciated the uniqueness of the site until more recently when putting together the concept plans," Sunito said.

"The proximity to the water, and the golf course opposite, is unlike any other part of Parramatta Road. We have a unique position and view corridors over the water that makes this one of the best sites I've worked on."

The development has evolved since its initial announcement, with the approved plans increasing the residential component from the originally proposed 750 apartments to 840 homes while retaining the project's focus on creating an integrated neighbourhood rather than a standalone residential development.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/a-city-within-a-city-iwan-sunito-flags-1-5-billion-mixed-use-precinct-in-five-dock">"A city within a city": Iwan Sunito flags $1.5 billion mixed-use precinct in Five Dock</a>

The precinct will combine apartments with hotel accommodation, commercial workplaces, retail offerings and public spaces, creating a mixed-use environment intended to serve both residents and the broader Five Dock community. The proposal also continues the collaboration between One Global Capital and internationally recognised architect <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/koichi-takada-architects">Koichi Takada</a>, whose previous work with Sunito includes Infinity, Arc and Skye North Sydney.

Takada previously said the design was driven by a philosophy of integrating nature into the built environment.

"The concept for this development is born from our design approach to naturalising architecture," Takada said.

"The public realm benefits from biophilic design that integrates generous landscaping, and the development is optimised for natural daylight, airflow and water views to foster wellbeing, sustainability and spaces that foster community interaction."

Sunito has consistently described the project as a "city within a city", with a strong emphasis on creating a destination that extends beyond housing.

"We want to create a development that's not only to be seen, but to be experienced by the whole local community," he said.

The approval comes as Five Dock continues its transformation ahead of the opening of the Sydney Metro West line, with the new Five Dock station set to significantly improve connections between the Inner West, Parramatta and the Sydney CBD.&nbsp;

The precinct will also benefit from its proximity to the Parramatta Road corridor, nearby waterfront parklands and established retail and dining offerings that have made Five Dock one of Sydney's most tightly held Inner West suburbs.

Iwan Sunito secures approval for $1.9 billion Five Dock mixed-use precinct

Sydney’s property market is known for high prices, competitive bidding, and mounting pressure on first home buyers. But change is on the horizon.

From late 2025, eligible first home buyers in New South Wales will have access to a new federal government initiative aimed at addressing affordability: the Help to Buy Scheme.&nbsp;

<h2>What is the Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

The program introduces a shared equity model intended to reduce the upfront cost of entering the property market, particularly in high-demand urban areas such as Sydney.

The scheme operates under a shared ownership structure in which the federal government takes an equity stake of up to 40 per cent for new homes, or 30 per cent for existing dwellings. This arrangement allows eligible buyers to significantly reduce their loan size and avoid the added cost of Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

Under this model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required. The government’s contribution is not a loan but a co-ownership stake in the property. As such, there is no interest or rent charged on its portion.

Because the government’s equity combined with the buyer’s deposit typically meets or exceeds the 20 per cent threshold, LMI does not apply. The remaining balance, generally between 60 and 70 per cent of the property’s value, is financed through a standard home loan with a participating lender.

The government's equity in the property remains in place until the buyer chooses to repay it voluntarily or until the property is sold. Buyers can buy back the government’s share over time, in increments of at least five per cent, depending on their financial situation.

There is no fixed repayment timeline, but the amount to be repaid will be based on the property's market value at the time of repayment, not the original purchase price.

<h2>How do you qualify for the&nbsp;Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

To qualify for the Help to Buy Scheme, applicants must meet the following conditions:

<ul>
	<li>Be an Australian citizen at least 18 years of age.</li>
	<li>Be a first-home buyer who does not currently own property.</li>
	<li>Intend to live in the property as their primary residence.</li>
	<li>Earn less than $100,000 per year for individuals, or $160,000 for couples.</li>
	<li>Purchase a property within the regional price caps, currently $950,000 in Sydney, though this is expected to rise to approximately $1.3 million ahead of the program’s launch.</li>
</ul>

While the Help to Buy Scheme does not solve affordability challenges across the board, it does offer a more accessible pathway for a defined segment of the market, particularly younger buyers with moderate incomes who have been priced out of traditional lending routes.

The scheme is expected to commence in NSW in late 2025, as part of a national rollout.

Under the new model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required

Help to Buy Scheme: What first home buyers in NSW need to know

The First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) is a government initiative designed to help eligible first-time home buyers by offering financial assistance towards the purchase or construction of a new home.

While the FHOG is a nationwide program, it is administered separately by each state and territory, meaning the eligibility criteria, grant amounts, and property requirements can vary depending on your location. This means that the amount available and the conditions attached to the grant will differ, so it is important to check the specific guidelines for your state or territory.

It’s important to note that the FHOG is just one of several incentives available to first home buyers. In most states and territories, the grant is not linked to stamp duty exemptions or concessions, with the exception of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The FHOG is typically a one-off payment, reducing the overall cost of purchasing or building a new home before any stamp duty concessions are applied.

Below, we provide a breakdown of the First Home Owner Grants available across Australia, outlining the specific details for each state and territory.

<h2>New South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $600,000. For land purchases and owner-builders, the threshold extends to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Benefits: Provides full stamp duty exemption for homes valued up to $800,000, with concessions available for properties up to $1 million.

<h2>Victoria South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Provides a $10,000 grant for first-home buyers purchasing or building new homes valued up to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Benefits: Offers full stamp duty exemption for properties up to $600,000, with concessions available up to $750,000.

<h2>Queensland First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers $30,000 for contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2025. The FHOG applies to new homes valued up to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Concessions: Provides additional concessions for properties valued up to $800,000.

<h2>Western Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

&nbsp;

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $750,000 in the southern regions and up to $1 million in the northern regions.

Stamp Duty Concessions: Available for homes valued up to $600,000 for transactions entered into on or after 9 May 2024.

<h2>Australian Capital Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Replaced by the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, offering full stamp duty concessions for eligible buyers.

<h2>South Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Provides up to $15,000 for new homes, including houses, apartments, and townhouses. As of 6 June 2024, there is no property value cap for eligibility.

Stamp Duty Relief: Available for new homes and vacant land purchases.

<h2>Tasmania First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes and off the plan purchases.

Stamp Duty Exemption: Between 18 February 2024 and 30 June 2026, first home buyers of established homes valued up to $750,000 receive a full exemption on property transfer duty.

<h2>Northern Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: The Northern Territory provides a $10,000 grant for new homes only. Additional government grants and concessions are available for first home buyers.

Stamp Duty Exemption: The only stamp duty exemption available to property buyers is the House and Land Package Exemption (HLPE).

Eligibility criteria and application processes differ across states. Prospective buyers should refer to their respective state revenue offices for full details on grant availability, conditions, and additional concessions.

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

In the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable architecture and environmentally conscious design, systems and ratings in place can help determine the energy efficiency of residential buildings in Australia.

Australia has multiple building rating systems that evaluate energy efficiency and sustainability in existing and new building designs.

Some systems assess individual building components, while others provide an overall rating for the entire structure.

A rating system ensures that homes are comfortable and energy-efficient, whether you are buying, renovating, or building.

NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme) is a common way for new homes to meet energy efficiency requirements.

As new developments continue to shape the urban environment, understanding NatHERS ratings becomes essential for developers and homeowners. This article delves into the concept of NatHERS ratings, their significance, and how they contribute to creating energy-efficient homes.

<h2>What is NatHERS?</h2>

NatHERS is a national initiative implemented by the Australian government to promote energy efficiency in residential buildings. The scheme aims to provide a standardised method for assessing the thermal performance of homes, considering factors such as insulation, orientation, ventilation, and building materials.&nbsp;

NatHERS ratings are the most common way new homes meet the National Construction Code's (NCC's) minimum energy efficiency requirements.&nbsp;

NatHERS assessments provide thermal and whole-home ratings for new homes, townhouses, and apartments.

The rating helps evaluate the energy performance of buildings, guides homeowners and developers to make informed decisions about the energy efficiency of their properties, and encourages the construction of more sustainable, comfortable, and cost-effective homes.

<h2>How NatHERS Ratings Work</h2>

NatHERS ratings are determined through four accredited software tools (AccuRate, BERS Pro, FirstRate5, HERO) using a calculation engine CSIRO developed to predict building temperature based on various factors.

The tools can model complex effects of building mass, insulation, window size, and other elements.

The outcome is a star rating that reflects the building's overall thermal efficiency, indicating how well it can maintain a comfortable indoor temperature without excessive reliance on heating or cooling systems.

The star rating scale ranges from 0 to 10, with a 6-star rating being the minimum requirement for compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC).&nbsp;

Achieving a higher star rating demonstrates a commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability, as the building is better equipped to minimise its environmental impact and reduce long-term energy costs.

Anyone can use NatHERS tools, but accredited assessors can provide certified ratings and professional advice.

<h2>Benefits of Higher NatHERS Ratings</h2>

Energy Efficiency: Buildings with higher NatHERS ratings are more energy-efficient, requiring less heating and cooling energy. This reduces the structure's carbon footprint and lowers occupants' energy bills.

Cost Savings: Homes with higher NatHERS ratings are generally more energy-efficient, resulting in reduced energy consumption for heating and cooling. This translates to lower energy bills for homeowners, making sustainable living environmentally friendly and economically viable in the long run.

Environmental Impact: Lower energy consumption directly translates to a reduced environmental impact. Buildings with higher NatHERS ratings contribute to the overall goal of mitigating climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with heating and cooling systems.

Improved Comfort: Buildings with high NatHERS ratings offer better thermal comfort to occupants. Proper insulation, well-designed ventilation, and optimal orientation maintain a consistent and comfortable indoor temperature, providing occupants with a more enjoyable and healthier space.

Market Value and Desirability: Higher NatHERS ratings can enhance the market value of a property. As energy efficiency becomes a more significant consideration for homebuyers, a well-rated building may attract a premium price and stand out in the real estate market.

Compliance with Building Codes: NatHERS ratings are a vital component of the National Construction Code (NCC), and compliance with these ratings is often a mandatory requirement for new developments. Local councils and planning authorities may set minimum energy efficiency standards that must be met to obtain development approval.

The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) is a crucial initiative shaping the future of energy-efficient, resilient, and cost-effective homes. With its recent upgrades, NatHERS has evolved into a world-leading tool for the building sector, supporting the global commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Staff Writer

What is a NatHERS rating in new off the plan apartment developments?

Mixed-use developments have gained significant popularity across Australia in recent years due to their unique blend of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.

Unlike traditional single-purpose developments, mixed-use projects offer a harmonious integration of various functions within a single locale.

Residential units seamlessly coexist with commercial establishments, retail outlets, dining venues, entertainment hubs, and recreational facilities, with the combination not only enhances convenience but also fosters a vibrant lifestyle and a sense of community.

<h3>Convenience and accessibility</h3>

Mixed-use developments are designed with convenience in mind. They often integrate residential units with commercial spaces, retail outlets, restaurants, and recreational facilities, creating a self-contained community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114215 project_image_fid=204874]

The proximity allows residents to enjoy the convenience of having essential amenities and services within walking distance. Whether it's grabbing a cup of coffee, going grocery shopping, or accessing healthcare services, everything is conveniently located, saving residents time and effort.

<h3>Vibrant lifestyle and community</h3>

One of the major advantages of mixed-use developments is the vibrant lifestyle they offer. With a diverse range of amenities and communal spaces, residents have ample opportunities to interact, socialise, and build a sense of community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107714 project_image_fid=214122]

The presence of parks, community centres, and shared spaces fosters a lively atmosphere, encouraging residents to engage in various activities and events. The vibrant lifestyle within these developments creates a unique sense of belonging and camaraderie among the residents.

<h3>Potential for higher rental yields and property value appreciation</h3>

Mixed-use developments tend to attract a broad range of tenants and buyers due to their versatile nature. This high demand can result in higher rental yields for investors and potentially lead to property value appreciation over time.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=212887]

The integration of commercial and retail spaces attracts businesses, which can provide a stable rental income stream. Additionally, the popularity of mixed-use developments often drives up property values, making them a potentially lucrative investment in the long term.

<h3>Enhanced security and maintenance</h3>

Mixed-use developments typically have comprehensive security measures in place. With controlled access points, CCTV surveillance, and professional security staff, residents can enjoy enhanced safety and peace of mind.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108019 project_image_fid=212658]

Additionally, these developments often have dedicated maintenance teams responsible for the upkeep of common areas, landscaping, and infrastructure. This ensures that the overall appearance and functionality of the development are well-maintained, creating a pleasant living environment for residents.

<h3>Live-work-play balance</h3>

One of the key attractions of mixed-use developments is the ability to achieve a desirable live-work-play balance. The integration of residential and commercial spaces allows residents to live closer to their workplaces, reducing commuting time and improving work-life balance.

The proximity to various amenities and recreational facilities encourages an active and healthy lifestyle. Residents can easily access fitness centres, parks, restaurants, and entertainment options, all within the same development, leading to a more fulfilling and convenient way of life.

alisonwarters@gmail.com

The top five reasons to buy in a mixed-use development

When buying a property, everyone needs to be aware of the additional costs that come as part of the buying process.

Often the largest outlay, after the deposit which goes to the bank, is stamp duty.

<h2 style="line-height: 1.38;">What is Stamp Duty?</h2>

Stamp duty is an extra tax to pay the government when you buy land, a property, and other certain assets.

It happens when the legal ownership is transferred. It can also be known as property transfer duty or transfer duty.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C32BWkB5--c" title="YouTube video player" width="660"></iframe>

<h2>Who pays Stamp Duty?</h2>

In some circumstances, you may get an exemption. For some states, you won’t have to pay for stamp duty if you are a first home buyer or a pensioner for houses under a particular price. There are also stamp duty concessions, where you may be entitled to a discount.

<h2>How much does Stamp Duty cost?</h2>

Each state has different rules which affect how much you need to pay. These rules can affect the rate you pay, and the timeframe you will need to pay in. Before you buy land or a property, make sure you check the up-to-date information for your state’s stamp duty.

You can use a free stamp duty calculator online to see approximately how much you’ll need to pay. Find out if you’re eligible for an exemption by enquiring on a project via Urban!

Overall, the stamp duty you need to pay will depend on:

<ul>
	<li aria-level="1">How much your land/property is worth</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Where your land/property is located</li>
	<li aria-level="1">What type of land/property it is</li>
</ul>

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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 entire ground floor retail component of the new Silk development in Ascot has been sold to one of the Coffee Club founders, Emmanual Drivas for $6 million.
Silk at <a href="https://ecomms.raywhite.com/collect/click.aspx?u=OWFpWUxRYW1kY2dqaUE0aEpRNVRVTjRCS2drZkZzdHEvVUg2UmFFUGNOeWdTazRUYUlkckhaT3dYWTRReFltc1B0WE00TDd5Zk9kd2k0bVJqUERIWnRYN3Z6QmxqVTY4TnlNcVhhcjN5a3I2YXZvWmhFYUluZUNLbjJibGNUUDJDaUYvaDlSdlZBRWgvNG1OYU9TRjlLaEJwajN3RkNxdw==&amp;rh=ff0068e2421fea6fb8e87e3a7e4681e1bc9132ca" target="_blank">118 Racecourse Road</a> is the latest prestige creation of Brisbane’s Geocal Group and Loucas Zahos Architects.
Silk comprises 11 large residential apartments over the two top levels, two levels of car parking, almost 700sq m of first level commercial space and 600sq m of prime ground floor retail space.
The ground floor retail component was sold by Ray White Commercial QLD father and son duo Stephen and Elliot Kidd.
The duo have now completed the sales of the entire commercial floor with all seven assets now under contract or settled.
Mr Stephen Kidd said the Silk development was breathing life back into one of Brisbane’s most prestigious addresses.
“The building is certainly a stand-out landmark for the street, with the sophisticated architecture by local award-winning firm, Loucas Zahos,” Mr Stephen Kidd said.
“One of the real attractions to the building was the opportunity for local businesses to own their own tenancy vs rent, which has led to strong demand for the commercial space. Of the seven tenancies under contract or settled, all of them have been purchased by owner operators.
“The ground floor retail space will comprise a well-known and enhanced local café/restaurant, skin clinic (already trading), and a mix of food and services.”
“The project was officially completed in July and represents a vote of confidence in one of Brisbane’s wealthiest postcodes,” Mr Elliot Kidd said.
Mr Kidd said it showed that developers were still finding ways to create special projects that left a lasting impression and he was looking forward to seeing people at Silk soon.
 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Coffee Club founder pays $6m for ground floor of Ascot's ‘Silk'

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EXPERT OBSERVER
Consumer confidence continues to improve in September. Sentiment has lifted in four of the past five weeks.
Importantly, households are showing increased appetite for making a major household purchase.
In fact, the ANZ-Roy Morgan sub-index measure of whether it was a ‘good time to buy a major household item’ rose by 5.3 per cent to 1.8 points last week – the highest level since late June.
‘Stay-at-home’ Aussies have shown a strong desire to upgrade their homes during the pandemic. CBA credit and debit card spending on household furnishings and equipment over the week to September 11 is up 28 per cent on a year ago. And annual spending is above 30 per cent across all states and territories except Victoria (up 6.1 per cent).
Post-lockdown retail spending has been boosted by greater mobility, government payments and superannuation withdrawals. And household savings and potential tax cuts – along with closed international borders – could see pent up demand from consumers even as stimulus is tapered into year-end.
What do the reports and figures show?
Consumer sentiment – Week ended September 13
The weekly ANZ-Roy Morgan consumer confidence rating rose by 1.4 per cent to 92.4 (long-run average since 1990 is 112.6). Confidence has lifted in four of the past five weeks. Sentiment is up by 41.5 per cent since hitting record lows of 65.3 on March 29 (lowest since 1973).
Four out of five of the major components of the index rose last week:
The Commonwealth Bank (CBA) credit card data – Week ended September 11
According to Commonwealth Bank (CBA), card spending in the week to September 11 was up 4.7 per cent on a year ago, compared to a 5.2 per cent lift for the week ended September 4. Online spending rose 17.4 per cent on a year ago (previous week: +21.9 per cent), but in-store spending was down 0.6 per cent (previous week: -2.1 per cent). Victorian card spending fell by 11.3 per cent on a year ago (previous week: ‑10.3 per cent), but Tasmanian spending was up 16.4 per cent (previous week: +18.2 per cent) compared to a year ago.
CBA noted, “Annual spending growth in all jurisdictions broadly tracked sideways over the past week. Spending on eating and drinking out has firmed over the week. In‑store spending is edging higher nationally and in Victoria it looks to have passed the trough.”
The Commonwealth Bank (CBA) Household Spending Intentions Series (HSI): August
According to the CBA, “The impact of the stage 4 lockdowns in greater Melbourne throughout August are clearly evident in the CBA Household Spending Intentions series for the month. The improvement seen during July in Home Buying, Retail, Travel, Entertainment and Education spending intentions all stalled in August. Health and Fitness spending intentions picked up in August, while Motor vehicle spending intentions continued to edge higher.”
On home buying intentions: “Home buying spending intentions for August retreated from their July highs. While there was a further increase in home loan applications, Google searches related to home buying declined slightly on the month.”
On retail spending intentions: “Retail spending intentions pulled‑back in August, consistent with our high‑frequency CBA credit/debit card spending data.”
On travel spending intentions: “The recovery in Travel spending intentions stalled in August, impacted by the restrictions imposed in Victoria.”
On health &amp; fitness spending intentions: “Health &amp; fitness spending intentions picked up in August. While actual spending was a little lower on the month, Google searches related to health saw an increase.”
On entertainment spending intentions: “Entertainment spending intentions pulled‑back a little in August, led lower by declines in food (eating out) and alcohol spending on licenced premises.”
On education spending intentions: “Education spending intentions were little changed in August, with some softness in spending and in Google searches for the education sector.”
On motor vehicle purchase intentions: “Motor vehicle spending intentions picked up in August and are back in positive territory for the first time since the start of the Covid‑19 pandemic.”
Kepler index of retail sales activity – Week ended September 13
The Kepler index of retail sales reported that aggregate sales fell by 13.2 per cent last week (September 13) to be down 26.9 per cent on the year. Average transaction value rose 0.1 per cent last week to be up 22.6 per cent on a year ago. Passer-by traffic fell 1.9 per cent last week to be down 52.6 per cent on the year. The weekly store shut down rate rose to 29 per cent (prior week: 27 per cent) with Victoria’s rate at 87 per cent.
OpenTable restaurant reservations – Week ended September 13
Australian restaurant reservations were down 9 per cent on September 13 from a year earlier, firmer than the 40.7 per cent drop recorded on September 6, according to OpenTable. Sit down diners fell by 99.7 per cent in Victoria (previous: -99.9 per cent), but were up by 61.6 per cent in Queensland (previous: up 146 per cent) and up 35.2 per cent in NSW (previous: +127 per cent).
Moovit change in public transport demand – Week ended September 13
Demand for public transportation – as measured by the urban trip planning app Moovit – was mixed over the week to September 13 (compared with the pre-pandemic level of January 15) from a week earlier in most of Australia’s biggest cities:
<ul>
<li>Sydney &amp; NSW: -43.7 per cent (previous week: -43.3 per cent)</li>
<li>Perth: -32.7 per cent (previous week: -36.5 per cent)</li>
<li>Brisbane &amp; South-East Queensland: -41.5 per cent (previous week: -41.1 per cent)</li>
<li>Melbourne &amp; Victoria: -83.1 per cent (previous week: -83 per cent).</li>
</ul>
What are the implications for investors?
Consumer confidence continues to improve due to increasing mobility in virus ‘free’ states and territories. Outside of Sydney and Melbourne, Aussies are more confident about going about their daily activities with the virus all but supressed. The notable weakening in sentiment last week in the two biggest cities and virus ‘hotspots’ – Melbourne (down more than 5 per cent) and Sydney (down over 3 per cent) – suggests that consumer caution remains elevated, weighing on the broader economic recovery.
Next week’s standout data release will be much-anticipated preliminary retail trade figures for August. The CBA Household Spending Intentions survey released today suggests that retail spending intentions pulled back in August. High frequency weekly CBA card spending and the Kepler Analytics retail gauge also imply a decline in spending during the month. Of course, Melbourne entered stage 4 lockdown restrictions in August with Victorian retail spending adversely impacted by social distancing measures and temporary retail store closures. But greater mobility in the ‘virus free’ states and territories are supportive of consumption and could yet offset the decline in Victorian spending.
RYAN FELSMAN is a Senior Economis at CommSec
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Consumer spending intentions hit 11-week high: CommSec's Ryan Felsman

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Struggling airline Qantas are set to sub-lease half of its Mascot HQ in an attempt to continue to cut costs.
They're trying to get $9 million for the two standalone Bourke Road spaces, offered at $450 per sqm for the 20,000 sqm of space.
Qantas will be retaining the head lease for another 12 years, from the building owners Cromwell Property Group.
The two buildings, part of four which house Qantas staff, have just undergone a full fitout.
One building has 14,690 sqm of office space across six levels, which if leased separately at $450 per sqm would equate to $6.61 million.
There is the option to lease each floor separately.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/9/15/Qantas%201%20copy.jpg" alt="">
There's just over 5,000 sqm of space in the other two level building next door, will be leased in one line. That would be $2.26 million per annum.
Colliers International agents Michael Crombie and Neil Murray are marketing the sub-lease.
“These are two of the best buildings in Mascot, occupied and recently refurbished to a very high standard for one of Australia’s leading companies, and are now being offered at highly competitive rates of around $450 per sqm gross effective rent,” Mr Crombie said.
“We are seeing an increasing number of Sydney CBD and fringe tenants looking at South Sydney as a great alternative, we still have incredible access to rail and amenities, yet the rent will be the major selling point, especially when occupiers see the quality of this fit out. 
Colliers have also listed for sub-lease 2,000 sqm of space in Melbourne's 333 Collins Street, as well as 1,500 sqm at the Qantas Premium Contact Centre in Hobart.
 
 
 
 
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Qantas sub-leasing Mascot HQ office space

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EXPERT OBSERVER
Capital city property prices fell -1.8 per cent in Q2 as the economy was locked down, but remained 6.2 per cent higher than a year earlier.
<div id="post-body-3176455207556079318" class="post-body entry-content">
<div class="separator"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wt_bnMoxINA/X2EfhwjIJiI/AAAAAAAA4PI/AIayQsg6q6U7klZAewxh6aCnj9s2DBAUACNcBGAsYHQ/s1394/A1.jpg"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wt_bnMoxINA/X2EfhwjIJiI/AAAAAAAA4PI/AIayQsg6q6U7klZAewxh6aCnj9s2DBAUACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h374/A1.jpg" width="640" height="374" data-original-height="814" data-original-width="1394"></a></div>
<div> </div>
<div>The decline was driven, according to the ABS, thus:</div>
<div> </div>
<div>"The falls in residential property prices were led by the Sydney (-2.2 per cent) and Melbourne (-2.3 per cent) property markets. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>House prices fell 2.6 per cent in Sydney and 2.8 per cent in Melbourne, while attached dwelling prices fell 1.4 per cent in Sydney and 1.0 per cent in Melbourne."</div>
 <div class="separator"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GVOjUcN-Z3w/X2Efh_eb1zI/AAAAAAAA4PE/o3KD9pl1Ed4ULLuM86avp4GK29IBZ6tIQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1433/A2.jpg"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GVOjUcN-Z3w/X2Efh_eb1zI/AAAAAAAA4PE/o3KD9pl1Ed4ULLuM86avp4GK29IBZ6tIQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h364/A2.jpg" width="640" height="364" data-original-height="814" data-original-width="1433"></a></div>
<div> </div>
<div>The mean dwelling prices by state and territory followed the same pattern. </div>
 <div class="separator"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ioBluOFeDT8/X2EfhxY0ajI/AAAAAAAA4PA/_Q6G9nFJoGAUyVNO0DbR_BlxwQueh81dgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1415/A3.jpg"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ioBluOFeDT8/X2EfhxY0ajI/AAAAAAAA4PA/_Q6G9nFJoGAUyVNO0DbR_BlxwQueh81dgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h374/A3.jpg" width="640" height="374" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1415"></a></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Transaction levels were very low, but as far as could be estimated the value of the dwelling stock of 10.52 million dwellings declined in value by about $100 billion to $7.14 trillion.</div>
 <div class="separator"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1r6Ovttu7Ss/X2Efis2Nc-I/AAAAAAAA4PM/RvGOxtIynywaXSnDvFk9VhS7hQCymefRgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1421/A4.jpg"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1r6Ovttu7Ss/X2Efis2Nc-I/AAAAAAAA4PM/RvGOxtIynywaXSnDvFk9VhS7hQCymefRgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h366/A4.jpg" width="640" height="366" data-original-height="811" data-original-width="1421"></a></div>
<div> </div>
<div>More timely data from CoreLogic suggests that prices have essentially now stopped declining, except in Melbourne where falls have continued due to the ongoing lockdown.</div>
</div>
PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of AllenWargent property buyers and a best-selling author and blogger 
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pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

Property prices dip 1.8% in Q2: Pete Wargent

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EXPERT OBSERVER
One definition suggests an economist is someone who can explain to you tomorrow why what they predicted yesterday didn’t come true today.
This very apt description of the behaviour of economists is being seen daily in major media, on a wide range of subjects including residential real estate.
The chattering economists – who collectively comprise the most over-rated and thoroughly unnecessary profession in the world of business – have been very noisy in their attempts to exploit the pandemic for publicity.
But they’re constantly wrong and regularly re-frame their forecasts. It’s common for high-profile economists, like the ones who work for banks and other big institutions, to make a loud forecast about interest rates or GDP or property prices – and journalists will breathlessly report their views. 
Then two months later the same talking heads will announce new forecasts which contradict the ones they made 60 days earlier. They get away with it because journalists appear to believe that credibility is not important – the moniker “economist” is all you need.
But if you were a major company which based an important business decision on a forecast by Bill Evans or Shane Oliver – and then discovered a couple of months later that they had changed their forecast, you would be justifiably annoyed.
So, back in February-March when the pandemic first struck, economists were lining up to forecast that real estate prices would collapse. Predictions ranged from 20% to 30% - and, in some extreme cases, from the usual suspects, 40% in terms of the slump in house prices. 
According to most of them, the collapse was going to be immediate and dramatic, as we had already seen with share-markets.
So in early April, when the price data for March came out and showed prices rising in most cities, the economists and journalists quickly rationalised that away – as in: “Yes, but it’s early days, wait until next month …”
So in early May new price data was published and it again showed no evidence of anything other than enduring strength in real estate markets. The economist/media response was pretty much the same: “Yes, but we’ve haven’t seen the full impact yet, wait until we see the data in June …”
But the June figures showed further sturdiness and the response was the same. And again in July and again in August.
So here we are in September. The CoreLogic figures show that only two of the eight capital cities recorded decreases in house prices during August. In annual terms most cities and most state regional jurisdictions still have house pricing levels significantly higher than a year ago.
So we’ve been immersed in this pandemic shemozzle for six months and there’s been a huge economic and social impact, but still no evidence of real estate buckling under the weight of it all.
And still economists are refusing to admit their palpable incompetence, despite the fact that some of them have revised their forecasts to be less extreme than before.
The new rationalisation is: property prices haven’t fallen because of support measures by the Federal Government and the major banks – and when that’s wound back, prices will collapse.
But they’re wrong again. Once again, economists have failed to understand real estate dynamics or to admit that housing markets don’t fit neatly into their economic theories about how they should behave.
Most of Australia is not dramatically impacted by the pandemic – or certainly not in a negative way. For those important bits of Australia that exists outside of Sydney and Melbourne, which is where two-thirds of us live, there are no lockdowns or crippling restrictions – and people are just getting on with it.
They see market after market – in the smaller capital cities and in most regional areas – where …
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li1">buyers are active, 
</li>
<li class="li1">there’s not much for sale,</li>
<li class="li1">vacancies are ultra low,</li>
<li class="li1">rents are rising,</li>
<li class="li1">prices are solid or rising.</li>
</ul>
I’m having conversations every day with real estate professionals and consumers around the nation and I have yet to speak to anyone who is struggling. Even Melbourne businesses are finding ways to function amid Daniel Andrews’ spectacular mismanagement and are busy servicing their clients.
Certainly, my business has never been busier or more prosperous.
There a huge disconnect between media rhetoric and the reality for most Australians – the ones who don’t live in the two biggest cities where most of the chattering economists lurk.
FOOTNOTE: Here’s a clue on how to identify a charlatan – someone who pretends to be a real estate expert when they’re not. If they speak of Australian real estate as a single market, they’re a fraud so you can safely disregard them. That eliminates most of the high-profile economists in the land.
Terry Ryder is the founder of hotspotting.com.au
<a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au">ryder@hotspotting.com.au</a>
twitter.com/hotspotting
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

No evidence of real estate buckling under COVID-19 weight: Hotspotting's Terry Ryder

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EXPERT OBSERVER
The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has welcomed the Victorian Government’s expanded financial support package for Small to Medium Size Businesses (SMBs) but cautioned it won’t be sufficient to prevent an avalanche of permanent retail closures due to protracted lockdown restrictions.
The immediate grants and tax relief would offer important survival funding for small retailers, but won’t address the fallout of jobs and store closures for medium or larger size retailers which employ the majority of Victorian retail staff.
We are pleased that smaller retailers with payroll of less than ten million dollars can access cash grants and deferred payroll tax. The CBD focus announced today is also critically important, with those retailers more affected than most due to the collapse of all forms of viable visitor numbers since early this year.
However, grants of $10,000 to $20,000 only represent a tiny percentage of the losses retailers are now carrying. Whilst the increased threshold for retailers with larger payrolls is valuable, this remains a very low bar for retail and means there is no support for many of the retailers that represent the household names Victorians know and love. Many of these retailers are unable to access JobKeeper and have no support to offset their considerable losses.
We are also concerned that deferred payroll tax creates yet more mounting debt for retailers already carrying significant deferred leasing costs.
Retailers are committed to the safety of Victorians, but the sector remains extremely concerned about the catastrophic impact of the proposed approach to retail reopening contained in the Roadmap. 
In its current form, we predict the Roadmap measures will mean the permanent loss of up to 50 per cent of Victorian small retail operations that might otherwise survive, leaving many thousands of people unemployed. Some areas of retail, such as CBD retail, will take up to a decade to recover.
The Roadmap means retailers will have been in lockdown for or many months ongoing, in addition to the previous round of lockdowns. And some have been in continuous lockdown since March, which is globally unprecedented and untenable on many levels.
Alternate Covid-safe measures
Covid-19 transmissions within retail remain extremely low, with an ARA members survey last week indicating that 93.4 percent of retailers have had no cases of Covid-19 transmissions in their stores or distribution centres.
We would like to see a much earlier reopening and believe an approach to reopening which is better aligned with successfully working examples, such as NSW, is reasonable to consider.
In addition to the existing Covid-safe measures, retailers would support broader measures, such as:
<ul>
<li>The restriction of people movement to one person per household in the same way we have for essential services and supermarkets in recent weeks. </li>
<li>Mandatory mask wearing by both customers and staff to help protect and mitigate any risk of transmission. </li>
<li>The introduction of Covid marshalls, consistent with the South Australian approach, would be another area our larger retailers would support.</li>
<li>Other Covid-safe measures identified by the Victorian Government which avoid strict lockdowns. </li>
</ul>
 Retailers are also actively undertaking the Government subsidised (accredited) infection control training, which the ARA provides, in the lead up to re-opening. 
Retailers will be relying on Christmas earnings to help offset their significant 2020 financial losses. With this financial outcome now also in jeopardy, many retailers will be considering permanent store closures.
Accruing leasing deferrals payments will push more businesses to bankruptcy. Whilst we applaud the extension of the national leasing code protections, the legislation requires 50 per cent of rent to be deferred and repaid later, in a protracted lockdown environment this is now a burden that may bankrupt many small businesses in Victoria and weigh heavily on their mental health,"he said. 
The ARA is pleased to see the easing of lockdown timings for beauty businesses, with those businesses now able to open a month earlier on 26 October, in line with hairdressers. This is a point ARA and our sister organisation Health and Beauty Industry Association (HBIA) have advocated for and also provides an important win for a sector which employs and services thousands of women.
ARA Recommended Retail Roadmap
Key recommendations provided to the Victorian Premier last week include the following measures:
<ol>
<li>Immediate increase in warehouse and distribution centre staffing.</li>
</ol>
A further six weeks of lockdown ahead for most retailers will place an untenable strain on supply chains not only in Victoria, but around the country. Distribution centres can not only provide an online offset against physical closures, but they take some of the strain off physical stores particularly as we get closer to the Christmas period. The flow on effect of this constraint is that it will mean unsafe levels of pent-up demand are in place by the time retail does reopen.
The ARA requests that warehouse teams, including those in retail distribution centres, and ‘dark stores’ are allowed to increase their staff numbers to full capacity. This can be achieved in two shifts to allow a safe workforce bubble to be maintained. 
These centres have been safely operating at a two thirds arrangement during the recent lockdowns to support online retailing. ‘Dark stores’ are important to include in this provision, as many retailers do not operate warehouse locations and they also help spread the distribution load safely allowing better distancing and workforce bubbles.
<ol start="2">
<li>Reassessment of case loads</li>
</ol>
The ARA is concerned that the target case-loads of less than five daily cases is unrealistic and inconsistent with the approach of other jurisdictions. New South Wales has been operating at case-loads in the double digits (generally between 8 - 18) for much of August and remained open successfully and without significant infection spikes. 
We believe that when Victoria reaches NSW levels of containment, retailers should be able to safely open. The ARA supports a nationally consistent approach in line with the <a href="https://email.retail.org.au/e2t/tc/VVFb0z1jBD0GW3WdX0Z5SZF3fW3S9mTt4fZc05N3ypqDr5nxG7V3Zsc37CgzZCW2hj3JY8t4Z6DW51nR1l7kfxkBW2123NY7Mnrf4W3HB5zG7mDSqgVRW9Vd2k1KSLW86TsSz5YWt2CW45gfPq8B--5tW8RKzwj1h0FSfN2MDhQYvd3JpW1slz-B6qQvLyN1-v0m0gZ666W4c4xYG2QgC8PVx9rQh8DXT_QW9gbdWP19kX-HW2gMn1V23M86bW2VsnNj9kp886W7Zsw4p2wYpG3W5XnCmF4PxBpVW972SBQ2WFBL3VJ-z1L2GvfZCW1fhW5b3Fjr3kW28SMPX5hZCjzW7cWt5r4g1Qd3W331dTm6KjjjmW8XsL7V55vC9zW1f4GQ58FpcS7W7c4WTt4wGZDSW72T2hS5v-lPcW7pXlf-6yB6B8W39VXkm232NDDN96XSbHsHWtNW4DCDsc49JMks3mj_1" target="_blank">nationally agreed trigger for hotspots</a> of a rolling three-day average of ten locally acquired cases per day – 30 over three consecutive days, in line with medical advice.
<ol start="3">
<li>Bring retail reopening dates forward for low-risk retailers</li>
</ol>
In light of all of the above considerations, we propose a progressive reopening, bringing the retail reopening dates forward by a number of weeks to allow a more even spread of retail activity prior to Christmas.  
<ol start="4">
<li>A gradual extension of trading hours</li>
</ol>
To help reduce the intensity of peak shopping, which will be based on pent up demand and the delayed start to Christmas shopping, we propose relaxed retail trading hours to allow for improved social distancing.
Retail is a broad church - from hairdressers to hardware, fashion to food. A one-size-fits-all model does not appropriately reflect the true safety considerations across the sector. We support prioritisation of opening for: the full staffing of distribution centres (as noted above), regional locations, large retail stores, stand alone and high street locations, and shopping centres, using a hot-spot approach.
 The retail industry is keen to work with the Victorian Government to support a safe and sensible retail reopening plan. We are asking the Victorian Government to consider a holistic view of health and safety considerations.
The stress created by lockdowns and complete financial collapse of the majority of small and medium retailers will have a health flow-on effect that is not currently being addressed or measured.
Many retailers may not only lose their life’s work, but face a legacy of permanent unemployment including many young people and women, with retail as a largely female workforce. 
With Victoria as Australia’s capital of freight and distribution, the lockdowns have also financially impacted retail operations around the country.
Paul Zahra is the CEO of The Australian Retailers Association.
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ARA welcome Victorian Government's expanded financial support package for retailers

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EXPERT OBSERVER
The reopening of cafes has been one of the highlights of relaxed COVID-19 restrictions for many Australians. During lockdowns, <a href="https://www.escape.com.au/destinations/australia/victoria/during-coronavirus-aussies-turn-to-takeaway-coffee-for-comfort/news-story/dd84dc1b513ac6f5748f011fab01efa3" target="_blank">long queues for takeaway coffee</a> were testimony to caffeine’s relevance to our lives.
Yet the <a href="https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-puts-casual-workers-at-risk-of-homelessness-unless-they-get-more-support-133782" target="_blank">precarious employment</a> of so many hospitality workers meant hundreds of thousands of casual café workers and café owners <a href="https://www.hospitalitymagazine.com.au/accommodation-food-services-hardest-hit-by-job-losses/" target="_blank">lost work</a>. Rents and mortgages were suspended or lost, upturning countless lives. At the other end of the coffee supply chain, many coffee farmers in poorer countries, who were already struggling to make a living, are doing it even tougher.
The pandemic has exposed the widening wealth gap in our global economy, and nowhere is this better illustrated than by our daily coffee fix. The multi-billion-dollar global coffee industry relies on vulnerable workers at both ends of the supply chain: the café worker serving your coffee and the struggling farmer who grew your coffee beans.
It’s an industry <a href="https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/first/p/pendergrast-grounds" target="_blank">steeped in its colonial past</a>, whose massive profits were <a href="https://perfectdailygrind.com/2019/03/slavery-specialty-discussing-coffees-black-history/" target="_blank">built on the back of African slave labour</a>.
<h2>An unequal business</h2>
Coffee is big business, mostly for coffee merchants in affluent countries. It’s among the world’s most-traded commodities and we consume nearly <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/292595/global-coffee-consumption/" target="_blank">10 million tons of coffee a year</a>. That’s about <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/the-world-s-top-coffee-consuming-nations-and-how-they-take-their-cup" target="_blank">2.25 billion cups a day</a> worldwide. Since 2000 global consumption has <a href="https://icocoffeeorg.tumblr.com/post/83000404043/global-coffee-consumption-has-increased-by-25" target="_blank">increased by 38%</a>.
Over 80% of the world’s coffee comes from <a href="https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/Farmers-and-Workers/Coffee/" target="_blank">25 million small-scale farmers</a> and <a href="https://carto.com/blog/enveritas-coffee-poverty-visualization/" target="_blank">60% is produced by farmers on less than 5 hectares</a>. Many of them struggle to make a decent living.
Coffee’s production and consumption echo its <a href="https://books.google.com.au/books/about/Uncommon_Grounds?id=TUo981rkwkoC&amp;redir_esc=y" target="_blank">18th-century origins as a global industry</a>. It’s mostly consumed by people in affluent countries and produced by agricultural workers in the poorer global south.
The coffee industry’s business model is based on a type of neo-colonialism, dominated by a handful of transnational coffee merchants whose profits are bountiful. Plantation economies in developing countries were established by colonial empires whose use of slavery spearheaded the rapid growth of the industry.
The Spanish introduced the use of slaves from Africa in the Caribbean and Latin America. They were quickly followed by the Portuguese in Brazil, then British and French colonialists in the West Indies. African slaves were considered “<a href="https://books.google.com.au/books?id=Z7-zAAAAIAAJ&amp;newbks=1&amp;newbks_redir=0&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;dq=%E2%80%9Crobust,+disease+resistant+and+productive%22&amp;q=%E2%80%9Crobust,+disease+resistant+and+productive%22&amp;hl=en&amp;redir_esc=y" target="_blank">robust, disease resistant and productive</a>” – physically superior to the local indigenous populations of the Americas, many of whom died from diseases such as cholera and smallpox.
<h2>Producers live with poverty and hunger</h2>
While the type of slavery that launched the coffee industry no longer exists, other inequities remain. Coffee producers are among the most vulnerable members of the supply chain. When we buy our coffee, most of us are unaware of the bean’s provenance and the arduous labour of workers in small-scale plantations.
It’s estimated almost half of the world’s smallholder coffee producers live in poverty. <a href="https://carto.com/blog/enveritas-coffee-poverty-visualization/" target="_blank">Most of them are in East Africa</a>, but others are in Latin America and Asia.
Many coffee farmers suffer chronic seasonal hunger. Unlike famine, this occurs between harvest seasons, when the previous year’s food stocks have dwindled, food prices are high and income is scarce.
The COVID-19 pandemic has <a href="https://perfectdailygrind.com/2020/06/why-food-security-is-a-coffee-industry-issue/" target="_blank">increased the scarcity of food supplies</a> that were already sporadic. The closure of national borders has further reduced access.
<h2>Trying to make the coffee trade fairer</h2>
In response to the industry’s inequities, many initiatives are seeking fairer and sustainable outcomes for coffee farmers and for the environment. Some have been in place for decades. Of the programs established by NGOs, governments, multinational companies and other organisations, <a href="https://fairtradeanz.org/for-consumers/what-is-fairtrade" target="_blank">Fair Trade</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_trade" target="_blank">Direct Trade</a> are among the better-known ones.
More recently, the 2007 <a href="http://www.ico.org/ica2007.asp#:%7E:text=The%20International%20Coffee%20Agreement%202007,definitive%20ly%20on%202%20February%202011" target="_blank">International Coffee Agreement</a> is designed to promote a more equitable coffee trade to support smallholder farmers throughout the world. To overcome problems such as very low wages, poor housing and gender inequality, to name a few, these schemes are by necessity site-specific. Despite some success stories, the complexity of the industry and the wide variety of contexts presents barriers to consistent equitable outcomes and <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9276/6/2/17/htm" target="_blank">results are mixed</a>.
 
Another approach in the growing speciality coffee sector – independent cafes serving high-quality coffee – is upending traditional business models. An increasing number of entrepreneurs in affluent countries are forming direct partnerships with coffee farmers. The aim here is both ethical and business-focused: to ensure consistent bean quality and provide a fairer income for coffee producers through direct trade.
The supply chain of coffee and cafes is a complex network of producers, distributors and services. Like all industries affected by the pandemic, some operators will survive and others will go to the wall.
While the pandemic’s impact is an unfolding story, it has brought into sharper focus inequalities in a thriving industry. Fault lines are evident across both producing and consuming nations, with many of those who work in the plantations and in our cafes on the wrong side of the divide.
It might give us something to think about as we enjoy our next coffee from our local café.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/143274/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;">
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emma-felton-143029" target="_blank">Emma Felton</a>, Honorary Senior Lecturer, Creative Industries Faculty, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847" target="_blank">Queensland University of Technology</a>
This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-dark-brew-coffee-covid-and-colonialism-have-left-millions-struggling-to-make-a-living-143274" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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A dark brew: coffee, COVID and colonialism have left millions struggling to make a living

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Following the release of Myer’s annual report, publicly-listed investment company Premier has called for the immediate resignation of the Myer board.
The renewed call what Premier calls “disastrous” and “shameful” results as Myer reveals to shareholders that EBITDA is down 41.6 per cent.
“Two years into John King’s tenure – it’s clear the Myer turnaround is in tatters. It’s now time for the CEO to follow the Board through the exit”, the company said.
Premier is headed by chairman Solomon Lew, a former Coles Myer director and former board member of the RBA.
Its board also includes former David Jones CEO Mark McInnes, and former state treasurer of Tasmania David Crean.
Shares in Myer fell over 15 per cent after the release of results, dropping to 22 cents per share.
At the previous close, Myers shares were worth 26 cents per share.
Premier, a long-term investor and supplier in the retail group, said they were “perplexed” by John King’s leadership.
King, who has headed Myer as chief executive for two years, was hired as Myer’s turnaround hope following his successful turnaround of the UK department store chain House of Fraser from 2006 to 2015.
Myer delivered the second biggest loss in its history, a statutory net loss after tax of $172.4 million.
However, Premier was quick to point out that, while shareholders have been taken for a ride, King pocketed $1.59 million.
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Premier Investments call for the resignation of the Myer board

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The premium South Australian wine business Rolf Binder is on the market for the first time in its 65 year history.
Owned by brother and sister Rolf Binder and Christa Deans, whose parents established the business in 1955, the sale includes more than 100 hectares of vineyards across five sites, a 1000-tonne capacity winery, cellar door and brands including JJ Hahn and Magpie Estate.
Binder said the time was right to sell after 65 years of commitment to the Barossa.
“This is an exciting opportunity for a buyer to take a significant stake in Australia’s premier wine region,” Rolf said.
“Our vineyard blocks are in the heart of the Barossa, including one directly adjacent to the key vineyards used to supply Penfolds Grange Hermitage.
“The time is now right to hand over the baton and watch the business fulfil its potential.”
The present 1000-tonne winery site on the corner of Seppeltsfield and Stelzer roads at Stonewell was initially built in 1998, ready for the 1999 vintage.
It is co-located with the cellar door and 25ha Chri-Ro Vineyard, which is predominantly planted with Shiraz.
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-317638" src="https://indaily.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Rolf-Binder-Wines_20160822_High-Res-26-768x513-1.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="668">
The other four vineyards are dotted around the Barossa and all feature Shiraz with other varieties including Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon, Mataro and Malbec.
Rolf Binder produces about 40,000 dozen a year, much of which is exported to the UK and Europe.
The sibling winemakers have worked together in the business since 1994.
Binder said he and Deans were looking for an outright sale or a partnership arrangement and were both prepared to stay on in the short to medium term as winemakers to assist with the business transition.
<div class="author-info">
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/9/10/Binder%202.jpg" alt="">
He said the Australian wine industry was evolving and providing excellent investment opportunities, particularly at the premium end of the market.
“Wine Australia data shows domestic wine sales increased 6.1 per cent in the past year, despite COVID-19. Internationally we’ve seen 3 per cent sales growth while average prices have jumped 16 per cent,” he said.
“We feel the business is well-positioned to capitalise on existing trends and emerging opportunities, with a secure and major fruit source in one of the world’s most renowned wine regions combined with good water allocations, an established distribution network, growing direct-to-consumer sales and an established, motivated and highly qualified team.”
The property and assets will be sold in an EOI process, which will have a closing date in October, in the hope that the transaction can be completed ahead of the 2021 vintage.
However, the sale comes at an uncertain time for the Australian wine industry with the coronavirus pandemic seriously impacting sales to restaurants and bars and threats from China, Australia’s largest export market, of potential sanctions on Australian wine imports.
</div>
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South Australia's Rolf Binder wine business hits the market

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EXPERT OBSERVER
The Westpac-Melbourne Institute Index of Consumer Sentiment surged by 18% from 79.5 in August to 93.8 in September.
We suspected last month’s 9.5% collapse in the Index was an over-reaction but this month’s 18% rebound is a pleasant surprise nonetheless. It comes despite official confirmation in the survey week that Australia had experienced its first recession since 1992. Clearly this was ‘old news’ with respondents more focussed on the future.
The rebound means the Index is now just 1.6% below the average over the six months prior to the emergence of COVID-19 in March.
Recall that the sharp fall in August was in reaction to the deteriorating virus situation in Victoria which had seen the state government announce hard lockdown measures at the start of the month including ‘Stage 4’ restrictions for Melbourne. But the more concerning message in August was the weakness in other states – in particular, the 15.5% slump in confidence in NSW.
The state had seen persistent clusters of virus cases and combined with Victoria’s problems, sparked concerns of a wider ‘second wave’ outbreak. To a lesser extent these fears were also apparent in Queensland where confidence tumbled 8.1%.
However, Victoria’s new cases slowed markedly once lockdown measures were in place and we saw no evidence of second waves in either NSW or Queensland.
It should be noted that the September survey was completed before the announcement by Victorian State Premier Andrews on September 6 of a slower than generally expected move towards reopening. The disappointment with that announcement could have been expected to dampen the 14.9% surge in confidence in Victoria, although frustration at the extended lockdown measures would likely still be more than outweighed by the clear success they have had in containing the virus.
We do not expect the Premier’s announcement would have had any impact on the positive results in other states.
BILL EVANS is the Chief Economist at Westpac
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