Developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/bottega-property-group">Bottega House</a> has secured council approval for its first Brisbane project - a $270 million luxury residential development on an absolute riverfront site in leafy St Lucia.&nbsp;

The 15-storey project, known as <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/st-lucia-by-bottega-house-180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">St Lucia by Bottega House</a> , will occupy a prime north-facing site at 178-180 Macquarie Street, directly fronting the Brisbane River in the established inner-west suburb known for its rowing clubs, golf courses and sprawling University of Queensland campus.&nbsp;

St Lucia by Bottega House will feature a suite of amenities including dedicated wellness spaces, a mineral pool and cold plunge. The project has been positioned to attract affluent owner-occupiers seeking high-quality, house-sized apartments.&nbsp;

Bottega House has been set up by co-directors Nick Malloch, Louis Mennes and Craig Marsh.

Malloch said the project drew inspiration from its Brisbane River setting and leafy inner-west surrounds, while responding to the demands of discerning locals looking to transition from freestanding homes into apartment living.&nbsp;

"With an expansive river frontage and lush green surrounds, we knew we had to create something special that reflects the natural beauty of the location while offering residents masterfully crafted homes," said Malloch.&nbsp;

"Our intent was to complement the project's quiet, private setting by introducing residences that offer a calm retreat and sanctuary from the everyday. The result is a harmonious blend of architecture, interiors and amenity that emphasises wellbeing, comfort and beauty without excess."&nbsp;

Malloch added that project consultants had been carefully selected in alignment with Bottega House's commitment to care, quality and attention to detail. The design team includes architects <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a>, interiors practice <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and landscaping by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/urbis">Urbis</a>.&nbsp;

Three-bedroom apartments are expected to start around $5 millio. Selling agents Keenan &amp; Byrne said the pricing strategy for the project was anticipated to achieve upwards of $25,500 per square metre.&nbsp;

The project's development approval this week follows the success of Bottega House's inaugural Queensland project - a 22-storey collection of full-floor sky homes at Broadbeach on the Gold Coast which included the sale of a two-storey penthouse at a record price for a beachside residence.&nbsp;

St Lucia by Bottega House is expected to launch to market in November, with construction anticipated to be completed mid 2029.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151826]

Joel Robinson

Bottega House to make Brisbane debut with St Lucia riverfront apartment development

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Property Group</a> is advancing its affordable apartment model into Brisbane with the acquisition of another site at Cordelia Street in South Brisbane for $27 million.

Sherpa, which has a $1.7 billion pipeline across Southeast Queensland, intends to bring a cohort of apartments exclusively for first homebuyers into its proposed 186-apartment project to be built at 2 Cordelia Street.

The Sherpa model has already been incredibly well received from their Gold Coast projects, where Sherpa Group set aside a number of apartments exclusively for first homebuyers.

The new $320 million project marks Sherpa Group's second development in Brisbane, following its $255 million Symphony project, also on Cordelia Street, which is currently under construction.

Symphony will deliver 146 apartments across 28 levels, offering a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments. With 114 already sold, construction by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/lps-group">LPS Group</a> is scheduled for completion in 2028.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7574 project_image_fid=351654]

Sherpa Founder, Christie Leet, said the company was excited to be venturing into Brisbane for its second residential project.

“We’re big believers in the future of Brisbane as we lead into the 2032 Olympics and beyond,” Leet said.

“The success of Symphony has guided us into what will be our second project and we look forward to submitting our plans with council soon so we can deliver yet another quality project to the inner city residential market.

“Our Flourish model has been very well received both in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and we’re excited to be able to offer some of these apartments again exclusively to first homebuyers to help get them into the property market.

“The model has been extraordinarily well received in our previous projects and it is something we are committed to moving forward.”

2 Cordelia Street will be designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hal-architects">HAL Architects</a> &amp; Finegrain and will include Sherpa’s signature residential amenities including pool, gym, recreation, wellness and work from home spaces.

The project will feature ground-floor commercial space, creating a vibrant amenity for residents and the surrounding community.

A development application will be lodged with Brisbane City Council in August on the code compliant site and will be launched to the market early 2027.

Sherpa acquires new site for second Brisbane apartment tower

One of North Sydney's best-known commercial buildings could become hundreds of new homes, with insurance giant Zurich Australia lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) to transform 5 Blue Street into a mixed-use residential development above North Sydney Station.

Rather than demolishing the existing building and starting again, Zurich is proposing an adaptive reuse project that would convert the landmark office building into a 15-level residential development delivering 62 apartments, 86 affordable co-living dwellings, activated retail and significant upgrades to the Blue Street Plaza.

The proposal reflects a growing trend of commercial property owners repositioning ageing office assets into residential housing as Sydney grapples with housing supply shortages and changing workplace demand.

<img alt="Zurich" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0bba7d12-06dc-4375-aad7-238c94b21ac5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%2010.42.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=NJl5oLAEBDGuPmY3RnyliKODjMc8lvRh" />

Located directly above North Sydney Metro and train station, the 3,051 sqm site occupies one of the most strategically positioned parcels of land on Sydney's Lower North Shore.

Designed by fjcstudio, the proposal seeks to retain and adapt much of the existing structure while creating a contemporary residential address that better connects with the public domain surrounding North Sydney Station.

The application proposes two basement levels, ground floor retail, affordable co-living accommodation across the podium levels, and apartments above, while preserving and enhancing the publicly accessible Blue Street Plaza.

Rather than pursuing maximum apartment numbers, Zurich has opted for a housing mix heavily weighted towards larger owner-occupier residences.

The proposal includes 62 build-to-sell apartments comprising 12 one-bedroom, 19 two-bedroom, 29 three-bedroom apartments and two premium penthouses. It also incorporates 86 affordable co-living dwellings, which would be managed in perpetuity by a Community Housing Provider.

That balance between traditional apartments and affordable housing reflects the NSW Government's push to increase housing diversity around major transport infrastructure.

The proposal has been lodged concurrently with a rezoning application, with Zurich arguing the site is ideally positioned to support additional housing given its immediate proximity to public transport, employment and services.

"The proposal aims to respond to the housing challenges facing Sydney through the delivery of diverse housing types in a highly accessible location," the design report by fjcstudio states. It also seeks to improve pedestrian amenity through upgrades to Blue Street Plaza while creating a high-performing residential building that responds to the surrounding context.

<img alt="Zurich" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="36082e15-c636-4481-bb68-5a5f6443fe39" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%2010.41.36%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=5P6VD.fvmqjQfIG3TWWMRXxQWiQBjeFB" />

Rather than replacing the commercial building, fjcstudio has developed a design that works with the existing structural framework above the rail corridor, an approach that significantly reduces demolition while allowing the site to be repositioned as a mixed-use residential precinct.

The existing structural constraints have informed much of the building's design, including its relationship with Blue Street and surrounding public spaces.

The building has been designed as a slender tower rising above a clearly defined podium, with vertically expressed façades intended to reduce the perceived bulk while reinforcing North Sydney's emerging skyline.

According to fjcstudio, the architectural language responds directly to the surrounding commercial towers while maintaining a finer grain expression more closely aligned with the neighbouring Lavender Bay streetscape.

The tower incorporates articulated façade elements, landscaped podium edges and recessed upper levels to soften its appearance and improve pedestrian amenity below.

A significant component of the proposal is the revitalisation of Blue Street Plaza.

The existing public space has long served as one of the primary pedestrian connections between North Sydney Station, Greenwood Plaza and Blue Street, yet its role is expected to become even more important following the opening of Sydney Metro.

Zurich's proposal seeks to strengthen that role by improving landscaping, introducing new retail frontages, enhancing pedestrian permeability and creating more active edges throughout the day and evening.

Ground floor retail would wrap the plaza, while separate residential and co-living entries have been designed to improve wayfinding without reducing street activation.

Landscape design has been integrated throughout the podium and public realm, softening what is currently one of the most heavily urbanised parts of North Sydney.

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fjcstudio has carefully oriented apartments towards Sydney Harbour and the CBD while using privacy blades and articulated façades to minimise overlooking between neighbouring buildings.

Large framed openings along the western elevation maximise harbour outlooks, while the eastern apartments have been angled towards the south-east to improve privacy from neighbouring development.

The project forms part of the continuing transformation of North Sydney from a predominantly commercial CBD into a genuine mixed-use city centre.

Since the completion of Victoria Cross Metro Station, developers have increasingly shifted their attention towards residential projects capable of leveraging the area's unparalleled transport connectivity.

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FiveX recently lodged plans for a 61-storey, 490-apartment tower that would become one of the tallest residential buildings in North Sydney if approved.

Aqualand continues to expand its Lower North Shore presence following the completion of AURA on Walker Street and its recent St Leonards and Roseville proposals.

Developers are also progressing projects throughout Walker Street, Miller Street and the Victoria Cross precinct as demand for well-located owner-occupier apartments continues to strengthen.

First look: Zurich targets North Sydney office conversion with 148-unit proposal above Metro station

Busy developer Aqualand Prestige has formally taken the next step in its expansion across Sydney's Lower North Shore, lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for its long-held Archer Street site in Chatswood.

The application covers <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/51-55-archer-street-chatswood-nsw-2067">51-55 Archer Street</a>, a 1,767 sqm amalgamated site on the eastern edge of the Chatswood CBD, where the developer is seeking approval for a 45-level mixed-use tower delivering 114 apartments, including a significant affordable housing component, alongside retail, commercial space and six basement levels of parking.

The SSDA marks the latest milestone for a project Aqualand has been quietly progressing over the past two years. The developer first secured the site for its Aqualand Prestige platform before undertaking an alternative design excellence process with PTW Architects, ultimately avoiding a formal design competition through the Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The proposal has evolved considerably from Aqualand's original concept. The revised scheme has been designed around larger owner-occupier product, with an unusually high proportion of three and four-bedroom apartments, targeting the more affluent buyer profile, and downsizer, emerging across the North Shore.

<img alt="Archer St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0171204c-5811-41b5-9b09-2335d1b7c3d0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%208.52.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=6YTuxfq.puZo7k2wbfgemcO5K3QfXYGQ" />

The 114-apartment mix comprises six studios, 27 one-bedroom apartments, 18 two-bedroom apartments, 50 three-bedroom residences and 13 four-bedroom homes. A quarter of the building will be dedicated to affordable housing, well above the mandated 15 per cent&nbsp;

PTW has structured the building vertically, with affordable housing across levels one to six, premium apartments through levels seven to 31, duplex skyhomes on klevels 32 to 43, a penthouse on level 44, and a rooftop plant level above. Six basement levels will provide resident parking and servicing.

The tower is proposed to reach approximately 154 metres, placing it among a growing collection of residential high-rises transforming Chatswood's skyline.

Rather than competing purely on height, PTW says the design has been driven by creating a slimmer tower capable of delivering significantly larger apartments.

"The primary objective of this project was to create a distinctive building that stands out from the recently approved or built structures in the Chatswood area," the design report states, noting the structural efficiency allows greater investment into apartment quality and resident amenity.

Residents would have access to more than 450 sqm of communal open space including landscaped gardens, swimming pool, rooftop entertaining areas, fitness spaces, community gardens, children's play areas and barbecue facilities.

A major focus of the design has been the public domain.

The ground plane has been opened up through landscaped terraces inspired by Willoughby's sandstone ridges, with native planting, public seating, artwork, retail activation and a series of gathering spaces intended to soften what has traditionally been a hard commercial streetscape.

The landscape strategy references Blue Gum forests once common throughout the area, while incorporating Indigenous storytelling, public art and lighting installations to strengthen the connection to Country.

Chatswood has been one of Sydney's busiest apartment markets over the past 12 months, with a steady pipeline of both new project launches and fresh development applications.

Hyecorp recently launched Celine, a 122-apartment development just along Archer Street, while Changfa and Huirong Group are progressing The Anderson, an 84-apartment project on Anderson Street.

Develotek recently secured approval for a 101-apartment tower on Pacific Highway, while Tian An LFD received the green light for Hammond Greens, its apartment development on the edge of the Chatswood Bowling Club.

Commercial property developer FiveX is also making its move into the residential market. Last month it lodged plans for a 61-storey tower with 490 apartments, which, if approved, would become one of the tallest residential buildings in Chatswood.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-fivex-targets-chatswood-skyline-with-61-storey-tower-after-north-sydney-plans">First look: FiveX targets Chatswood skyline with 61-storey tower after North Sydney plans</a>

Aqualand is also expanding its development pipeline following the launch of its luxury residential brand, Aqualand Prestige. The developer has delivered a string of high-end apartment projects across Sydney's affluent suburbs over the past decade, most recently AURA by Aqualand on Walker Street in North Sydney.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=292863]

It has since quietly assembled its next wave of projects.

Earlier this year Aqualand launched Boronia in Roseville, a boutique 111-apartment development on Larkin Street. The project is one of the first significant apartment developments to launch in the suburb ahead of what is expected to become one of Sydney's most active new housing precincts under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms, which allow greater density around train stations.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152095 project_image_fid=373685]

The developer has also lodged plans for a two-tower, 413-apartment development on Herbert Street in nearby St Leonards, further strengthening its presence across the Lower North Shore.

Beyond that, Aqualand remains behind the final stage of Barangaroo, where plans will deliver a five-hectare mixed-use precinct comprising new homes, retail, hospitality and community facilities, alongside a new Metro entrance and more than two hectares of public open space, completing the Barangaroo precinct.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/central-barangaroo-development-takes-big-step-with-concept-proposal-approval">Central Barangaroo development takes big step with concept proposal approval</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-aqualand-joins-st-leonards-apartment-party">First look: Aqualand joins St Leonards apartment party</a> 
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First look: Aqualand pushes ahead with Chatswood apartment tower as SSDA lodged for Archer Street

Mass timber is becoming an increasingly popular construction material in apartment developments, but Adelaide developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> is taking the approach a step further.

At its new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flowe-bowden-18-gibson-street-bowden-sa-5007">Flowe Bowden</a> development, the exposed cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure isn't just about reducing the building's environmental footprint. It also forms the foundation of a broader wellness strategy, influencing everything from indoor air quality and natural materials to the way residents move through and experience the building.

The 115-apartment mixed-use development, designed by Melbourne-based architecture practice Fieldwork, will occupy a prominent island site opposite Bowden Village Reserve, combining one, two and three-bedroom apartments with retail and a dedicated wellness destination.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375528]

Wellness isn't confined to a gym or shared resident facility at Flowe. Instead, Fieldwork embedded the concept into the building itself.

The development has been split into two residential wings connected by a naturally ventilated central breezeway, replacing traditional enclosed corridors with open-air walkways that improve natural light, encourage cross ventilation and create more opportunities for neighbourly interaction.

"Rather than treating wellness as something that only happens on the ground floor, our response integrates it throughout the building, which led us to ask what it really means to design a healthy building," Fieldwork Director Quino Holland said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375531]

The building's architecture also reflects Bowden's industrial heritage. The lower podium references the area's historic brick and sandstone buildings, while the upper levels transition to exposed CLT, allowing the timber structure to become a defining feature throughout the apartments and shared spaces.

The use of mass timber sits alongside a range of sustainability initiatives, including a fully electric, gas-free design, rooftop solar and a targeted 5 Star Green Star rating.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375524]

Inside the residences, the focus remains on natural, durable materials. Blackbutt engineered timber flooring, exposed CLT ceilings, porcelain surfaces and warm timber joinery create a calming interior palette, while low-VOC finishes and responsibly sourced materials have been selected to improve indoor air quality.

Kitchens have been designed as the centrepiece of each apartment, featuring porcelain island benchtops, timber-look cabinetry and brushed steel tapware, with layouts that maximise natural light and ventilation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375530]

The more traditional interpretation of wellness comes in the form of Level Eleven, a two-storey wellness club spanning the ground floor, mezzanine and first floor.

The facility will include a gym, yoga and reformer Pilates studios, Finnish and infrared saunas, magnesium hot and cold plunge pools, and dedicated recovery spaces. Unlike many residential wellness facilities, Level Eleven will also operate commercially, allowing the broader Bowden community to access the venue while giving residents exclusive membership benefits.

The ground floor has also been designed around everyday living. A café overlooking Bowden Village Reserve will activate the street frontage, while a bike workshop with tool storage, co-working space and dog wash has been incorporated to support daily routines and encourage interaction between residents.

"Flowe brings together my two biggest passions, creating places and creating healthier lives," Otello founder Daniel Harris said.

"We wanted to create something Adelaide hasn't seen before, a genuinely healthy building, where the way you live is lifted without even trying."

Flowe is positioned directly opposite Bowden Village Reserve and within walking distance of Bowden Railway Station and the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, placing future residents just minutes from the Adelaide CBD while remaining connected to one of the city's most established urban renewal precincts.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152022]

Otello launches wellness-focused Flowe Bowden with Adelaide-first mass timber apartment design

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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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/82307/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
GUEST OBSERVER
There was genuine positivity at this year’s Australian Booksellers’ Association Conference in Melbourne in June.
The mood was one of camaraderie and optimism at the sharing of good news. And it only brightened with the news that our National Bookshop Day was to be rebranded this year as Love Your Bookshop Day. Why not?
Saturday is that day. Expect to see your local bookshop buntinged, postered, streamered and perhaps offering special bargains. Assuming, of course, you have a local bookshop. 
Store numbers have steadied in recent years and, as was reported at the conference, both independent and chain or franchise booksellers are expanding. Children’s book sales in particular are performing well. (“The bookshop is dead. Long live the bookshop,” reads a plaque at Embiggen Books in Melbourne’s CBD.) 
But over the past couple of decades the sector has wrestled with the challenges of superstores, GST, the GFC, one-sided international post deals, ebooks and online-only undercutters.
Now the greatest of these online stores, certainly in terms of market share, will soon be competing with Australian bookstores from a new base here. Amazon has secured a massive distribution centre site near Dandenong in outer-eastern Melbourne. Dire predictions for parts of the Australian retail sector have already been made. 
Local booksellers too will need to adjust to this new environment, in which Amazon will likely reduce its delivery time and charges significantly. This will place downward pressure on book prices, and thus booksellers’ margins and capacity to survive.
Amazon has itself experimented with physical bookstores in recent times, to underwhelming reviews, but its primary focus has, of course, been on being able to offer “everything” at the “everyday low prices” of its American precursors (and sometime role models), Walmart and Costco.
Today’s booksellers must choose what to put on their shelves from around 7,000 new releases each month. As all of these will be on the “shelves” of Amazon, local booksellers will need to maintain an intimate knowledge of what will appeal to their customer base.
This curatorial role, which has always been part of what good booksellers do, takes on extra importance in the digital age. Curating, one might say, is the opposite approach to that of Amazon, which instead expertly removes barriers to purchasing, encouraging impulse buying. The extra services local booksellers provide, in addition to low prices and the range of stock, will likely need beefing up also. Community building will be the order of the day.
The current shrinkage of review pages of broadsheet newspapers will also hurt many bookshops, as they depend on a degree of consensus as to what is important and valuable to read.
Price instability may well grow in Australia with the arrival of Amazon. Publishers have argued over the decades that this instability also discourages consumer confidence.
The Productivity Commission doesn’t accept arguments in favour of maintaining price levels for some products in order to keep the costs of others down. But regulatory bodies have special challenges when confronted with large, diverse conglomerates, such as Amazon. It has the capacity to drop prices for products in one category (such as books) to maximise competitiveness, while the overall bottom line is propped up by more profitable parts of the business (such as Amazon Web Services).
In the face of aggressive price cutting from firms like … well, Amazon … regulatory bodies concerned with fair prices for consumers are yet to find an effective means of properly accounting for the fact that its success has been partly based on exploiting publicly developed (and funded) technology and infrastructure, determined strategies of tax minimisation, aggressive use of IP and patent law, and sustained intransigence towards its workforce’s self-organisation and unionisation.
On Tuesday morning this past week, a crowd of parents and kids waited in the cold out the front of our local suburban bookshop till, at 9 o’clock, they could rush in and buy the latest Treehouse book, by Andy Griffiths. The bookseller handed out free copies of a quality cookbook to parents. Community spirit, human connectedness and customer loyalty all bloomed nicely.
As the legendary Collins bookseller, Michael Zifcack, recalled in his memoirs, “I realised early on that customer service was the secret of successful bookselling.”
I’ll be heading to that local shop on Saturday, but can also, of course, appreciate the access to more or less every available product that online shopping provides. No doubt there is room for both retail models within our society.
What remains most important, when thinking about the health of the book industry here, is that no matter how cheap we make these products, there won’t be effective demand for them unless people have the time and desire to read. 
This desire, in turn, rests most powerfully on the belief that what one knows and says matters; that democracy, its public sphere, and reason, evidence and logic are the driving forces of one’s society. For all of us, that challenge is ongoing and, broadly speaking, we will get the books and bookshops we deserve.
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nathan-hollier-13619" target="_blank">Nathan Hollier</a> is Director, Monash University Publishing, Monash University and author for <a href="https://theconversation.com/au" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Love of bookshops in a time of Amazon and populism

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A tenanted showroom and warehouse facility in Melbourne’s Box Hill has been sold to a developer for $3.5 million in an off-market transaction. 
The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property/482a-station-st-box-hill-vic-3128" target="_blank">480-482A Station Street</a> site was held by a private vendor for more than 40 years.
With a land area of 1,020 sqm, the yield works out to be a little less than 3% yield. 
Cushman &amp; Wakefield’s Robert Colaneri and Andrew O’Connell brokered the deal on behalf of the vendor. 
The property comprises a single level showroom and warehouse facility.
It was sold with an existing long-term tenant in place, Abbeys Auctions. 
The site is close to Box Hill Train Station and Box Hill Shopping centre and within close proximity of Box Hill’s ‘Major Development Precinct’, a retail and commercial precinct that has experienced a substantial uplift in development activity, including the Whitehorse Towers and Sky One buildings currently under construction, according to Colliers.
The site is zoned industrial 3.
“Box Hill has emerged as one of Melbourne’s hottest development and investment markets and the price per square metre (approximately $3,500 per sqm), as well as yield secured for the Station Street property is amongst the highest of any Melbourne industrial transaction,”  said Colaneri.
“Investment into Box Hill has risen dramatically with a number of sites along Whitehorse Road and Prospect Street recently transacted.” 
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Box Hill showroom sells for $3.5 million to developer 

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A development site in Melbourne’s eastern suburb of Camberwell has been snapped up by a Chinese developer for $5.5 million before its auction by Savills.
The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-camberwell-125961234" target="_blank">1059-1061 Toorak Road</a> site was set for auction on August 18.
The two adjoining residential properties are zoned General Residential 5 and have the potential for the development of a luxury residential project, according to Savills. 
The buyer has plans for a luxury apartment project.
The deal reflects a rise in demand for apartments in Melbourne’s leafy inner east suburbs. In May, a development site with permit for residential units in Camberwell sold for $2.3 million through Savills.
The deal was brokered by Savills’ Nick Peden, Jesse Radisich, Julian Heatherich and Benson Zhou. 
The sale represented a 16% percent premium ($389,000 per block) on the auction price of nearby 1065 Toorak Road just a few weeks back and showed the strength of the market, Savills said.
The land area is 1,700 sqm.
“The sale ($2.75 million per block) represents a 16% premium on the single house block sale of 1065 Toorak Road in June 2017 for $2.361 million at auction by a local residential agent,” said Nick Peden.
The population of Camberwell is expected to grow by 31% over the next 25 years, which reflects the popularity of the suburb and hence its development prospects.
The site is close to retail amenities such as Hartwell Retail Village, Camberwell Junction and also public transport.
Camberwell and surrounds are also home to some of Melbourne’s elite schools and education facilities.
Camberwell has a high median house price of $2,295,500, said Savills.
Meanwhile, another Camberwell development has sold for $5.01 million, making it Melbourne’s most expensive weekend auction sale.
Located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-camberwell-125960974" target="_blank">5-7 Braeside Avenue</a>, the 1552 sqm has been approved for development.
Designed by Alta Architecture the property is approved for eight town homes with a north rear orientation.
<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/2017/08/13/5-7%20Braeside%20Avenue-2.jpg" alt="">
The property is minutes to the Monash freeway, Toorak Road tram and walking distance to shops and Lynden Park.
The median price of a house in Camberwell is $2,117,500, which is an increase of $97,500 compared to last year’s median price.
The property was offered through Marshall White agents Nick Ptak and Zali Reynolds.
 
 
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Development site in Melbourne's Camberwell sells for $5.5 million before auction: Savills

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Balmain Corporation has completed the purchase of D’ALBORA Marinas from Ardent Leisure.
The deal was valued at $126 million when it was announced last year.
Goldman Sachs and Sydney‐based commercial property lender and fund manager Balmain Corporation formed a joint syndicate to buy the portfolio from Ardent Leisure.
D’ALBORA Marinas comprises seven marinas at Rushcutters Bay, The Spit and Cabarita Point in Sydney, two marinas adjacent to the Melbourne CBD and two at Nelson Bay and Akuna Bay, north of Sydney.
The marinas currently offer boat users 1,700 berths alongside more than 200 retail outlets, providing a various amenities.
The acquisition bolsters Balmain’s current maritime portfolio which includes Martha Cove, Horizon Shores and Port of Airlie. 
The combined group will have 3,000 berths spanning the eastern seaboard of Australia.
“Our strategy is to change the way marinas operate in Australia by significantly deepening the customer service offering,“ said Andrew Griffin, CEO of Balmain Corporation. 
“Marina customers should be entitled to be treated like hotel guests and the breadth of our holdings will allow us to start this journey for D’ALBORA customers. 
He added that Balmain Corporation will set up concierge/valet services, food and beverage and upgrade amenities at its marinas.
Building upon their maritime expertise over the past decade, Balmain anticipates a smooth transition for D’ALBORA’s staff, customers, tenants and suppliers.
Brett Bolton will remain as CEO of D’ALBORA.
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Balmain Corporation completes acquisition of d'Albora Marinas 

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Affordability nationwide improved in the five years between 2011 and 2016 – that’s one of the more interesting facts to emerge from the 2016 Census data. 
An analysis by population analysts profile.id finds that the median mortgage payment in 2011 was $1,800 per month, but in 2016 it was $1,755. Over the same period the median household income increased from $5,330 to $6,205 per month. 
Of course, these are national average figures and they conceal myriad differences among the various states and cities. The biggest improvements in affordability, in terms of the reduction in mortgage payments, occurred in Queensland and the ACT. 
But there was even a small improvement in New South Wales, notwithstanding the big price rises in Sydney. 
Unsurprisingly, the biggest single factor in the reduction in mortgage payments was the decrease in interest rates. In 2011, the official cash rate was 4.5 percent and by 2016 it was 1.5 percent. Glenn “the Census expert” at profile.id says: “While the banks have passed on less and less of these cuts, it’s certainly the case that mortgage interest rates being paid by home owners in the past five years have reduced.” 
Perhaps the most startling fact is that the median mortgage payment for the Greater Sydney area was the same in 2016 as it was in 2011. And in Melbourne the median mortgage payment reduced slightly. 
The analysis examined mortgage payments for people aged between 18 and 34 who have a mortgage and don’t live at home with their parents – i.e. looking at the profile most likely to include first-time buyers. This is where the improvement in affordability was actually the highest, in terms of the reduction in median mortgage payments between 2011 and 2016. 
In the ACT, for example, median monthly payments dropped from $2,460 to $2,140, while in Queensland they fell from $2,165 to $1,958. Even in NSW, the median mortgage payment for this demographic dropped from $2,182 to $2,129. 
As Glenn points out: “There are very large falls in mortgages in the ACT ($320/month) and Queensland ($207/month). But even in Sydney and Melbourne, which have seen rapid escalation of housing prices, there have been modest declines in what 18-34 year olds are actually paying on their mortgages when they have them. 
“So in fact, a larger part of the decline (in mortgage payments) is in this key group. Probably because they have the larger mortgages and are more affected by changes in interest rates. So, while we have seen that children are delaying leaving home longer (though not much longer), once they do leave home they are actually paying less to buy a house.” 
These figures put another perspective on the general issue of housing affordability. 
But here’s the thing: every day the Hotspotting team scours media sources for information on residential real estate and, to date, we haven’t found any coverage of this very thorough and professional analysis of the affordability situation. 
No newspaper or other media outlet has run this story. Why not? Because it doesn’t suit the pre-conceived storyline, the much-beloved theme of everyone being priced out of the market. 
Another reflection of media bias on this subject came earlier in the year when one of the major affordability indexes published the latest findings. There were two scenarios: in annual terms, affordability had improved in most states and territories, but comparing the latest quarter to the previous quarter, affordability had declined in most states and territories. 
Every media outlet which ran an article in this report focused on the quarter-to-quarter deterioration and totally ignored the annual improvement. 
Media has created a “crisis” by selectively using data to support the favoured theme which says no one can afford to buy any more. It’s obviously rubbish but that’s what they keep telling us – and so when someone runs a survey on the issue, a majority of citizens say they believe young people are priced out of the market everywhere. 
It’s sad how dishonest our media is and also sad how easily people are deluded by it. 
Terry Ryder is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a>. You can <a href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy38821%20=%20'ryder'%20+%20'@';%20addy38821%20=%20addy38821%20+%20'hotspotting'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'au';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'/''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy38821%20+%20'/'%3E');%20document.write(addy38821);%20document.write('%3C//a%3E');%20//--%3E/n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'" target="_blank">email him</a> or follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter.</a>
 
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

Affordability actually improving in terms of mortgage payments: Terry Ryder

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A Victorian warehouse is soon to go under the hammer through Colliers International.
The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property/79-83-abercrombie-st-chippendale-nsw-2008" target="_blank">79-83 Abercrombie Street</a> property in Chippendale is a three-story warehouse. 
The inner-city suburb of Chippendale is witnessing a growing trend with its industrial buildings being brought back to life. Old warehouses are being converted for creative commercial use, student accommodation and residential, leveraging off the increased expenditure from institutions such as UTS, Sydney University and Notre Dame, noted Colliers.
The listing agents are Miron Solomons and Matt Pontey of Colliers International.
The Abercrombie Street property has a colourful history, previously housing  J.C. Goodwin &amp; Co, glass importers, bevellers and silverers who were first established in the area in 1875. 
“The firm started at 79-83 Abercrombie Street and by the 1930’s had expanded to four factories in Myrtle Street. The building to this day, retains its local significance with the facade emblazoned with the company’s name,” said Miron Solomons.
The property was recently restored and sits on 393 sqm of land on the corner of Abercrombie Street and Myrtle Street. 
Boasting high ceilings and exposed timbers, the building is a throwback to Chippendale’s past.
The influx of new mixed use project in the nearby Central Park development has seen an increasing push in the surrounding area for Chippendale’s industrial warehouse past to be transformed to alternate uses.
“Chippendale is now at the forefront of being Sydney’s SOHO, south of the Sydney CBD this suburb is on the path to being one of Sydney’s most hotly contested locations,” said Matt Pontey.
“79-83 Abercrombie Street exudes New York loft style with exposed timber beams and an enviable ceiling height, abundant parking and loading dock, the building is a special piece of history that should not be overlooked.”
He said Colliers was witnessing a huge demand in the city fringe for creative office space conversions, as emphasized by the recent purchase of a Chippendale warehouse at 14-16 Buckland Street for $11.25m to UTS.
The property sold in 2001 for $2,120,000, according to CoreLogic data. 
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Period warehouse in Sydney's Chippendale up for auction 

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Sydney's beachfront Collaroy Hotel has sold to the Hemmes-owned Merivale group in an off-market sale.
The Collaroy Hotel was bought by Mitchell Waugh and others in 2010 and underwent wholesale renovations in October 2014 and was sold by Andrew Jolliffe, Asia Pacific Director of Ray White Hotels.
According to reports in The Australian, Justin Hemmes, chief executive of Merivale, said The Collaroy was in a “truly spectacular” location, with sweeping views of the ocean and sand literally at its door step.
“This is a really exciting addition to the group, and one that will beautifully complement what we’re creating at The Newport,” The Australian reported.
I love the northern beaches; it is a magnificent area and we are incredibly proud to be part of it."
The nearby Newport Arms Hotel was sold to Merivale in March 2015. The beachside watering hole also joins Merivale’s other northern beaches local, Papi Chulo in Manly.
Prior to these purchases the group concentrated on the inner Sydney market.
The deal saw Mitchell Waugh’s Public House Management Group (PHMG) sell the hotel and although none of the parties involved have revealed the figure Merivale has paid, many media outlets are putting the deal at around $21 million.
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Sydney's beachfront Collaroy Hotel sold to Hemmes-owned Merivale 

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Chair
Members of the Committee
It is a pleasure to be here in Melbourne to explain our thinking on the Australian economy.
My colleagues and I view this as an important part of the accountability process for the Reserve Bank.
As usual, we look forward to answering your questions.
Since we last met in February, the global economy has strengthened.
As a result, in most advanced economies, economic growth has been sufficient to push unemployment rates down further.
A number of countries now have unemployment rates that are close to, or below, conventional estimates of full employment.
Conditions have also improved in many emerging market economies, partly due to an increase in global trade.
Commodity prices have mostly risen over recent months.
In China, growth has surprised on the upside a little of late.
The main challenge there continues to be containing the risks from the build-up of debt, while at the same time keeping growth on a steady path.
This remains a work in progress.
Economic growth has also picked up in the euro area, with conditions the best they have been since the euro area crisis in 2012.
On the other side of the ledger, though, in the United States the earlier optimism that the new administration's fiscal policies would spur stronger growth has dissipated.
Since we last met, the Federal Reserve has increased interest rates twice and the policy rate in the United States now stands at 1¼ per cent.
Despite this, the US dollar has depreciated in global markets, which has surprised many observers.
The Bank of Canada has also increased its interest rate, reversing some of the policy insurance it took out earlier when the outlook was less positive.
Elsewhere, there is no longer an expectation that central banks will announce yet further monetary stimulus and some central banks have indicated that they may scale back some of the current stimulus if conditions continue to improve.
This is a positive development.
As well as this change in the outlook for global monetary policy, another prominent theme in discussions of the global economy of late has been the slow growth in wages.
Despite the success that a number of countries have had in generating jobs, wage growth remains low.
This is contributing to a continuation of inflation rates that are below target in most advanced economies, although in headline terms they are mostly higher than a year ago.
The reasons for the low growth in wages are complex.
The fact that it is a common experience across countries suggests some global factors are at work.
One possibility is that workers feel a heightened sense of potential competition; either from advances in technology or from international competition.
More competition means less opportunity to put your price up. In the case of workers, it means slower rates of increase in wages.
At the same time, many workers feel an increased sense of uncertainty and they feel less secure.
This too is contributing to slow aggregate wage growth.
The slow growth in wages is underpinning the low inflation outcomes in much of the world.
It is possible that these effects will pass and that the normal relationship between tighter labour markets and higher wages will reappear.
It is also possible that the current environment turns out to be quite persistent.
How things turn out on this front is likely to have a significant bearing on the next stage in the global economic cycle.
I would now like to turn to the Australian economy.
The most recent GDP data are quite dated now and are for the March quarter.
They showed growth weaker than we had earlier expected.
This, however, partly reflected temporary factors, including weather-related disruptions to production and quarter-to-quarter volatility in resource exports.
Since then, the recent run of data has been consistent with a pick-up in growth.
There has been an improvement in survey-based measures of business conditions and capacity utilisation has increased.
Employment growth has also picked up and retail spending has been a bit stronger of late.
Financial conditions remain favourable, with interest rates remaining low and banks willing to lend.
The Reserve Bank released its latest forecasts for the economy last Friday.
In summary, our central scenario is for GDP to grow at an average of around 3 per cent over the next couple of years.
This would be better than we have seen for some time.
The transition to lower levels of mining investment following the mining investment boom is now almost complete.
This means that falling levels of mining investment will not be a drag on the economy for much longer.
Instead, with some large LNG projects reaching completion soon, GDP growth is expected to be boosted by a lift in LNG exports.
For some time we have been looking for a strong pick-up in private business investment outside the resources sector.
This is taking longer to occur than expected.
While we do see positive signs in parts of the economy, many firms still show some reluctance to commit to significant investment, often citing a range of uncertainties.
It is possible that this reluctance will continue for a while yet.
But it is also possible that the improvement in business conditions that we have seen will give firms the confidence to invest more, after a period of under-investment.
We have incorporated a middle path into our own forecasts.
On the investment front a positive development has been an increase in spending on public infrastructure, particularly transport.
This is directly supporting aggregate demand and is having some positive spin-offs elsewhere in the economy.
It is also addressing earlier under-investment and should improve the supply side of the economy.
Another factor that has a bearing on the outlook is the behaviour of households.
There is an adjustment going on, with many people getting used to lower growth in their real wages.
Many now see this as more than just a temporary development, with wage increases of 2 point something per cent now the norm.
In my view, the underlying drivers of the slower wage growth in Australia are much the same as we are seeing overseas.
At the same time, the household sector is also dealing with higher levels of debt relative to income.
Higher electricity prices are also affecting household budgets.
This all means that consumer spending behaviour is something we continue to watch carefully.
One positive development in this area over recent times has been a pick-up in employment growth, which should boost incomes.
A little while ago, employment growth was on the weak side and the unemployment rate had ticked up.
In contrast, in recent months employment growth has been noticeably stronger and more people have entered the labour force.
Encouragingly, the gain in jobs is evident in all states, including in Western Australia and Queensland, which have been adjusting to lower levels of mining investment.
Our central scenario is for the national unemployment rate to move gradually lower, although it is likely to be some time before we reach what could be considered full employment in Australia.
Another area that we continue to watch closely is the housing market. Conditions continue to vary significantly across the country.
The Melbourne and Sydney markets have been much stronger than elsewhere.
There are some signs of slowing in these two markets, although these signs are not yet definitive.
In some markets, a large increase in the supply of new dwellings is expected over the next year as new buildings are completed.
This increase in supply is expected to have an effect on prices.
In terms of inflation, when we last met I suggested that inflation was at a trough and was expected to increase gradually.
Recent outcomes have been consistent with this.
Both headline and underlying inflation have risen and are currently running a little under 2 per cent.
Inflation is likely to continue to move higher gradually, with the headline measure boosted by higher prices for tobacco, electricity and gas.
A consideration working in the other direction is increased competition in the retail sector, particularly from new entrants.
This is likely to continue for a while yet.
The low wage increases are also contributing to the subdued inflation outcomes.
One factor that is influencing the outlook for both economic growth and inflation is the exchange rate.
The recent appreciation means lower prices for imported goods and it is weighing on the outlook for domestic output and employment.
Further appreciation, all else constant, would cause a slower pick-up in inflation and slower progress in reducing unemployment.
Since August last year, the Reserve Bank Board has held the cash rate steady at 1.5 per cent.
This setting of monetary policy is supporting employment growth and a return of inflation to around its average rate of the past couple of decades.
The Board is seeking to do this in a way that does not add to the medium-term balance-sheet risks facing the economy.
It has been conscious that a balance needs to be struck between the benefits of monetary stimulus and the medium-term risks associated with rising levels of debt relative to our incomes.
As a result, the Board has been prepared to be patient.
The fact that the unemployment rate has been broadly steady has allowed us this patience.
We have preferred a prudent approach, which is most likely to promote both macroeconomic and financial stability consistent with the medium-term inflation target.
The Reserve Bank has continued to work closely with APRA through the Council of Financial Regulators to address financial risks.
Our assessment is that the various supervisory measures – including a focus on lending standards and placing limits on investor and interest-only lending – will work to strengthen household balance sheets over time.
Financial institutions have adjusted to the new requirements and these requirements are contributing to the resilience of the system as a whole.
I would now like to briefly mention three matters related to the Bank's other functions that may be of interest to the Committee.
The first is that the banking industry is in the final stretch of developing the New Payments Platform (NPP).
As we have spoken about previously, this new payments infrastructure will provide Australians with the ability to make real-time, information-rich payments on a 24/7 basis.
It will also make addressing of payments much simpler, using email addresses and mobile phone numbers, rather than BSB and account numbers.
It has been a complex project and the Reserve Bank has played an important role, both in policy terms and as a provider of a key part of the infrastructure.
As the government's bank, the Reserve Bank will also make the new payment capabilities available to its government banking customers.
The new system is expected to commence processing payments later this year.
It is likely to start off small and gradually ramp up next year as financial institutions gain experience with a new way of operating 24/7.
The second matter is that when we met in February, I said that I had commissioned an external review of the efficiency of the Bank's operations.
That review has now been completed. It concluded that our support areas were functioning well and assisted the achievement of the Bank's important public policy objectives.
At the same time, it suggested some areas for us to focus on.
One was the development of a shared internal services centre to drive continuous improvement.
Another was further evolution in our approach to IT as some of our major IT-related projects come to an end.
These projects are in the banking and payments areas and have been undertaken in the national interest.
As these projects wind down we are looking to make sure that the size and structure of our IT function remains appropriate.
More broadly, as some of these projects finish this year, the Bank's overall staff numbers will decline.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to announce that we will be releasing the new $10 banknote next month, on 20 September.
Printing of the new notes has been completed at our printing works in outer Melbourne.
The new notes contain the same world-leading security features as the new $5 note that we issued last September, including the clear top-to-bottom window, and the tactile feature so that it can be recognised by vision-impaired members of the community.
Construction has also recently been completed on our new banknote storage and processing facility at Craigieburn, which will soon commence operations.
Thank you. My colleagues and I are here to answer your questions.
The speech was delivered to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics.
For more information click <a href="https://www.rba.gov.au" target="_blank">here</a>.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

RBA on electricity and property price watch: RBA Governor Philip Lowe

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Following last month’s announcement, wealth management group Fat Prophets has released the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for the launch of a new fund that seeks to raise up to $220 million.
The Fat Prophets Global Property Fund will raise the sum through an IPO and intends to list on the ASX in mid-September.
It will focus on capital growth plus pay a regular half yearly distribution of 100% of the income the Fund receives on its investments.
The group, which has offices in Sydney, London and Auckland, has been operating for 17 years and managing money for investors for 12 years.
Fat Prophets calls its research and investment style a combination of Deep Value Identification with contrarian investing (going against the trend). 
The new fund will invest in listed Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) owning international real estate assets such as the Empire State Building in New York, while being underpinned by a core 30% investment to Australian REITs, according to its website.
The new fund will to invest in a portfolio of 70-90 globally listed real estate equities, typically REITs.  
REITs are listed Trusts which own real estate assets and pay the majority of rental income out as distributions.
According to Fat Prophets, REITs are well known for:
<ul>
<li>Having a different cycle to equities, therefore diversifying risk</li>
<li>Providing consistent and high yield</li>
<li>Being underpinned by tangible assets (the property they own)</li>
<li>Having lower risk and volatility than equities</li>
</ul>
“Our new fund structure will reflect the lower risk nature of REITs – we will not use derivatives, debt or shorting.  Our strategy is simply to invest into listed real estate opportunities where there is clear value,” according to Fat Prophets. 
The fund will pass through all distributions received from its investments to investors with an anticipated gross pre-tax annual yield of 5.2% p.a. 
According to Fat Prophets, diversifying into international property markets makes sense as most are significantly cheaper than Australian real estate.
 
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Fat Prophets to raise $220 million global REIT-focussed fund

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GUEST OBSERVER
Investing in Sydney’s real estate market has been a tough call in recent years, with ever-increasing prices putting the squeeze on returns and meaning that investors need to do their due diligence more than ever before. 
According to CoreLogic, the median apartment price in Sydney has increased by a massive 106.2% since 2008 and is now at $750,000. 
With prices at this level, investors need to be savvy and on the look-out for ways to increase capital gains by identifying upcoming ‘hot spots’. There is huge potential in some pockets of metropolitan Sydney, set to benefit from significant future development and infrastructure projects. 
Sydney’s burgeoning North West in particular should be high on an investor’s radar. 
Nestled within the Hills Shire, Castle Hill is a suburb where future growth has been forecast. Key early indicators of growth lie within the current and future plans for commercial and residential developments within the region. 
In accordance with The Implementation Plan proposed by the New South Wales Government, some 33,000 new homes are to be developed in North West Sydney. Estimates by the Hills Shire Council predict the population in Castle Hill will grow by 49.53% by 2036. 
It is undeniable that Castle Hill is an area set for long-term growth and ticks all the boxes for investors. 
To cater for the growth in population infrastructure developments are also currently underway including the $900 million upgrade of Castle Towers and the $8.3 billion North West Rail link. 
Upon completion the Castle Towers redevelopment is set to generate 2,373 jobs and create an enhanced community hub. The North West Rail link is expected for completion in 2019 and will also increase the efficiency of transport connecting residents from Castle Hill Station to Martin Place Station in around 30 minutes. 
To combat rising property prices in Sydney investors are strongly encouraged to continue to seek out growth areas and identify “hot spots” to realise the future potential, rather than to try to buy into markets that have already hit their peak. 
Residential real estate remains the investment of choice with solid medium and long-term returns and those who are waiting in anticipation for market conditions to change may miss out on solid investment opportunities.
Ian Bennett is Director, Colliers International  
 
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