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


Joel Robinson

Boutique Gordon townhomes now come with a BMW iX3 50

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


Vitale breaks Byron Bay records with EADE sales flurry 

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


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

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


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

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


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

<p>Sydney’s property market is known for high prices, competitive bidding, and mounting pressure on first home buyers. But change is on the horizon.</p>

<p>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;</p>

<h2>What is the Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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).</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<h2>How do you qualify for the&nbsp;Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

<p>To qualify for the Help to Buy Scheme, applicants must meet the following conditions:</p>

<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>

<p>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.</p>

<p>The scheme is expected to commence in NSW in late 2025, as part of a national rollout.</p>


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

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Below, we provide a breakdown of the First Home Owner Grants available across Australia, outlining the specific details for each state and territory.</p>

<h2>New South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p><strong data-end="252" data-start="225">First Home Owner Grant:</strong> 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.</p>

<p><strong data-end="413" data-start="389">Stamp Duty Benefits:</strong> Provides full stamp duty exemption for homes valued up to $800,000, with concessions available for properties up to $1 million.</p>

<h2>Victoria South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p><strong>First Home Owner Grant:</strong> Provides a $10,000 grant for first-home buyers purchasing or building new homes valued up to $750,000.</p>

<p><strong>Stamp Duty Benefits</strong>: Offers full stamp duty exemption for properties up to $600,000, with concessions available up to $750,000.</p>

<h2>Queensland First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p><strong data-end="920" data-start="893">First Home Owner Grant:</strong> 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.</p>

<p><strong data-end="1162" data-start="1135">Stamp Duty Concessions:</strong> Provides additional concessions for properties valued up to $800,000.</p>

<h2>Western Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>First Home Owner Grant:</strong> 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.</p>

<p><strong>Stamp Duty Concessions:</strong> Available for homes valued up to $600,000 for transactions entered into on or after 9 May 2024.</p>

<h2>Australian Capital Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p><strong data-end="1617" data-start="1590">First Home Owner Grant:</strong> Replaced by the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, offering full stamp duty concessions for eligible buyers.</p>

<h2>South Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p><strong>First Home Owner Grant:</strong> 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.</p>

<p><strong>Stamp Duty Relief:</strong> Available for new homes and vacant land purchases.</p>

<h2>Tasmania First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p><strong>First Home Owner Grant</strong>: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes and off the plan purchases.</p>

<p><strong>Stamp Duty Exemption</strong>: 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.</p>

<h2>Northern Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p><strong>First Home Owner Grant:</strong> The Northern Territory provides a $10,000 grant for new homes only. Additional government grants and concessions are available for first home buyers.</p>

<p><strong>Stamp Duty Exemption</strong>: The only stamp duty exemption available to property buyers is the House and Land Package Exemption (HLPE).</p>

<p><em>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.</em></p>


Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

<p>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.</p>

<p>Australia has multiple building rating systems that evaluate energy efficiency and sustainability in existing and new building designs.</p>

<p>Some systems assess individual building components, while others provide an overall rating for the entire structure.</p>

<p>A rating system ensures that homes are comfortable and energy-efficient, whether you are buying, renovating, or building.</p>

<p>NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme) is a common way for new homes to meet energy efficiency requirements.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<h2>What is NatHERS?</h2>

<p>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;</p>

<p>NatHERS ratings are the most common way new homes meet the National Construction Code's (NCC's) minimum energy efficiency requirements.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NatHERS assessments provide thermal and whole-home ratings for new homes, townhouses, and apartments.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<h2>How NatHERS Ratings Work</h2>

<p>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.</p>

<p>The tools can model complex effects of building mass, insulation, window size, and other elements.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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;</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Anyone can use NatHERS tools, but accredited assessors can provide certified ratings and professional advice.</p>

<h2>Benefits of Higher NatHERS Ratings</h2>

<p><strong>Energy Efficiency:</strong> 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.</p>

<p><strong>Cost Savings:</strong> 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.</p>

<p><strong>Environmental Impact:</strong> 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.</p>

<p><strong>Improved Comfort: </strong>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.</p>

<p><strong>Market Value and Desirability:</strong> 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.</p>

<p><strong>Compliance with Building Codes:</strong> 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.</p>


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?

<p>Mixed-use developments have gained significant popularity across Australia in recent years due to their unique blend of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.</p>

<p>Unlike traditional single-purpose developments, mixed-use projects offer a harmonious integration of various functions within a single locale.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<h3>Convenience and accessibility</h3>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=114215 project_image_fid=204874]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<h3>Vibrant lifestyle and community</h3>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=107714 project_image_fid=214122]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<h3>Potential for higher rental yields and property value appreciation</h3>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=212887]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<h3>Enhanced security and maintenance</h3>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=108019 project_image_fid=212658]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<h3>Live-work-play balance</h3>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>


alisonwarters@gmail.com

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

<p style="line-height: 1.38;">When buying a property, everyone needs to be aware of the additional costs that come as part of the buying process.</p>

<p style="line-height: 1.38;">Often the largest outlay, after the deposit which goes to the bank, is stamp duty.</p>

<h2 style="line-height: 1.38;">What is Stamp Duty?</h2>

<p>Stamp duty is an extra tax to pay the government when you buy land, a property, and other certain assets.</p>

<p>It happens when the legal ownership is transferred. It can also be known as property transfer duty or transfer duty.</p>

<p style="line-height: 1.38;"><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></p>

<h2>Who pays Stamp Duty?</h2>

<p>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.</p>

<h2>How much does Stamp Duty cost?</h2>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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!</p>

<p>Overall, the stamp duty you need to pay will depend on:</p>

<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>

<p style="line-height:1.38">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.</p>


Ellen Walker

Off-the-plan property explained: What is stamp duty?

<p>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.</p>

<p>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;</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Even in the low seasons of May and June, occupancy levels reach around 40 per cent.</p>

<p><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" /></p>

<p>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</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p><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" /></p>

<p>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.<span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><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" /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>​</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p>The apartments will feature modern amenities and contemporary designs with expansive windows capturing sweeping views of The Remarkables mountain range.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Interiors are equipped with modern finishes, premium appliances, and secure electronic key-locked doors, ensuring a comfortable living experience for residents and guests alike.</p>

<p>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;</p>

<p>Queenstown’s sustained demand for visitor accommodation and rental properties is underpinned by a shortage of housing options, attracting both local and international buyers.</p>


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

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<p><span>I recently spent a bit of time charting the death throes of the resources construction boom. </span></p>
<p><span>As you can see below, although the Northern Territory has been offered a temporary reprieve by the massive $34 billion Ichthys LNG project, engineering construction activity has been hit extremely hard almost everywhere else, particularly so in Western Australia (down by 24 per cent over the past year), Queensland (-38 per cent) and South Australia (-25 per cent).</span><span style="line-height: 1.3em; font-weight: bold;"> </span></p>
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<span>Moreover, despite a year-on-year decline of </span>more than 20 per cent<span> the downturn has miles to run yet before construction activity even gets close to its historical norm. The value of work commenced points to an accelerating decline.</span>
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<div><span>Moreover, with the Commodity Price Index having continued to weaken, we could easily overshoot to the downside, which terms-of-trade booms in Australia have historically tended to do.</span></div>
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<div>Given that the construction stage tends to be comfortably the most labour-intensive phase of resources projects, this must inevitably result in sharply declining demand around many regional areas of Australia.<br><br><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Vacancies rising in resources capitals</span></strong><br><br>On a related note <em>SQM Research</em> released its latest July 2015 Vacancy Rates and asking rents data yesterday.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Vacancy rates nationally held steady at <strong>2.4 per cent</strong> but the figures revealed a significant divergence between the resources capital cities and the rest.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>As you can see in the chart below, moving from left to right vacancy rates remain relatively tight in Hobart (1.2 per cent), Sydney (1.8 per cent) and Adelaide (1.9 per cent).<br><br>Hobart's vacancy rates have tightened over the past year from 1.5 per cent to 1.2 per cent despite a near total dearth of population growth - if you think carefully about it, you may come to your own conclusions as to why - while Sydney's vacancy rate of 1.8 per cent is unchanged from one year ago.<br><br>Brisbane city-wide vacancy rate is now recorded as being 2.6 per cent, and in fact in a number of apartment construction hubs vacancy rates are already considerably higher than that. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Shifting across towards the right hand edge of the chart Darwin is now tracking at an elevated 3.5 per cent having spiralled from just 1.4 per cent a year ago.<br><br>Meanwhile vacancy rates in Perth have blown all the way out from 2.5 per cent in July 2014 to 3.8 per cent.</div>
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<div><a href="/images/2015/08/20/SQM.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
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<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Asking rents follow vacancies</span></strong><br><br><span>Also reported in the </span><em>SQM</em> media release<span> was a massive 20.5 per cent fall in asking rents for houses in Darwin, as well as 15.2 per cent decline in asking rents for Darwin units.</span><br><br><span>Over the past year asking rents have also declined in Perth for both houses (-7.4 per cent) and units (-6.3 per cent), according to </span><em>SQM</em><span>'s index.</span><br><br><span>Of course, vacancy rates are expected to rise at this stage in the construction cycle, but it may take Perth and Darwin quite some time to absorb the excess stock.</span>
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<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Mining towns crushed</span></strong><br><br><span>This capital city market action is of course small fry compared to what is playing out in resources regions.</span><br><br><span>Following on in sympathy from an epic property crash in the Pilbara, the </span><em>Australian Financial Review</em><span> </span>reported<span> that investors in the Bowen Basin heartland are being sent broke with dwelling prices continuing to collapse dramatically.</span><br><br><span>Property prices in Moranbah have reportedly crashed by up to 70 per cent over the past three years, while prices in Dysart prices have crashed by closer to 50 per cent over the same period.</span><br><br><span>Instead of linking back to articles which promised untold riches from investing in mining towns, it is worth considering the two golden rules which nearly all of the most successful investors follow religiously:</span><br><br><strong>Rule 1 - Don't lose money.</strong><br><strong><br></strong><strong>Rule 2 - See Rule 1.</strong><br><br><span>When it comes to property investment, there is no easy way back from a 50 per cent drawdown, particularly if leverage is used.</span><br><br><span>Remember that the promise of higher returns often comes with correspondingly higher risks. </span>
</div>
<div><span> </span></div>
<div>
<p><span><em>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>.</em><br></span></p>
<p><em>His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.</em></p>
</div>
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pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

SQM foreshadows mining downturn: Pete Wargent

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<p>A survey by researcher Michael Matusik has confirmed what many in the real estate industry knew or suspected – that developer claims about sales in their unit projects are often a pack of lies.</p>
<p>He surveyed 10 recently-completed projects with a combined 1,500 apartments in the Brisbane inner-city market and found that sales rates were, in most cases, agonizingly slow - quite a contrast to the claims of “selling fast”, “few remain” and “50% sold within the first month of release”.</p>
<p>He says many claims made by developers and marketers are so outrageously false, they should be investigated and prosecuted by the relevant authorities.</p>
<p>His conclusions: “The sales rates promoted in many new apartment advertisements are optimistic at best. In some case, there’s outright lying, which should be challenged by ASIC and the real estate institute.”</p>
<p>Amen to that. Project proponents who falsely claim to have made high levels of off-the-plan sales often goad gullible investors or home-buyers into hasty action, for fear of missing out. These buyers often end up with dud investments, over-priced and falling in value.</p>
<p>I get frequent emails from investors, usually impressionable young people, who are being pressured by accountants, solicitors or financial advisors into buying off-the-plan apartments in the inner-city suburbs of our major cities. </p>
<p>They are bombarded with claims of high sales rates, never-to-be-repeated offers and the prospect of windfall capital gains. They’re under heavy pressure and highly stressed, because they’re afraid of making a decision they’ll regret. Many are unaware of the massive commissions their “advisors” will receive if they buy.</p>
<p>It’s the dirty underbelly of the property industry that regulators seem powerless to eradicate. But a clampdown on false claims about sales rates as a way of enticing buyers would be quite easy for ASIC or the Office of Trade Trading to police.</p>
<p>If Matusik can conduct a revealing survey, surely the authorities with their much greater resources can do the same or better.</p>
<p>His survey found that the true sales rate among the surveyed developments was just three apartments per project per month. The results ranged from one to seven sales per month per project, but the average was three sales per month. It took most of the projects 15 months to sell enough units (i.e. over 60% of the project) to start construction.</p>
<p>“The shortest time period to sell out a project was 21 months, while the average time was just over three years,” Matusik said. “Several projects took over four years to sell out.”</p>
<p>Amazing to consider these results, against frequent claims by project proponents of having sold half the units even before the launch of marketing, or having sold out most of the project in the first weekend of marketing. Often an expression of interest is classified as a sale.</p>
<p>Media reports such claims as gospel, when often they’re shameless fabrications. Journalists don’t challenge anything anymore.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Matusik says: “We need some clear rules. For mine, an off-the-plan sales can only be reported as ‘sold’ if the contract is signed, unconditional as to finance and the stipulated deposit has been paid.”</span></p>
<p>This issue will get worse before it gets better, given the upcoming tsunami of new apartment projects in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth as our major cities head into an era of over-supply.</p>
<p><span>T</span><em>ERRY RYDER is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a>. You can  <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email him</a> or follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter.</a></em></p>
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

Over supply ahead as tsunami of new apartment projects hit Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth: Terry Ryder

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<p>An apartment site opposite Melbourne's Elwood Beach with a pre-approved permit to build a luxury four level 23 unit complex is up for sale with expectations of $6 million plus.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-land+development-vic-elwood-501662765" target="_blank">47 Ormond Esplanade Elwood</a> property is on a 909sqm site and is being sold through expressions of interest closing Wednesday, September 9 at 2pm.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Savills marketing agent Julian Heatherich said the property has uninterrupted bay views, and easy access to Elwood Beach and local recreation trails.</span></p>
<p>"Over 90 enquires in the first 2 days of the campaign is a testament to the truly rare beachfront development opportunity within one of Melbourne’s most popular bayside suburbs,’’ he said.  </p>
<p>"This is an exceptionally well located site, ideal for an apartment development within easy walking distance of Elwood Village retail precinct, with direct proximity to Elwood Park and Elsternwick Park and within easy reach of Elsternwick train station and the Nepean Highway providing direct access to the CBD."</p>
<p><img src="/images/2015/08/19/Screen%20Shot%202015-08-19%20at%203.09.21%20PM.png" alt=""></p>
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mick.cee-iDmgDDAmu8

Elwood Beach apartment block listed with $6 million hopes

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<p>Leasing of the 1,650sqm Lakelands Tavern, inside the Perth's suburban Lakelands Private Estate, has been handed to CBRE Hotels.</p>
<p>The tavern is due for completion in 2017 and is offered on a 20-year lease with expression of interest closing Thursday September 10, 2015. </p>
<p>Peet’s Lakelands Private Estate already has around 1,400 households, with another 1,000 to follow. </p>
<p>CBRE Hotels’ Ryan McGinnity said with limited competition nearby, the Lakelands Tavern will be ideally positioned to take advantage of the growing residential population.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">“This tavern represents an outstanding opportunity to gain a strategic footprint in one of the state’s fastest growing residential localities,” he said. </span></p>
<p>“This new centre will capitalise on the projected growth of the Lakelands area, which is earmarked to have a population of more than 45,000 by 2021."</p>
<p>For more information on Lakelands Private Estate, click <a href="/expert-insights/investing/tavern-slated-for-perths-lakelands-property-development">here</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
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Tavern slated for Perth's Lakelands property development

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<p>A large site in the Western Australian region of Bunbury has gone to market with an officers to purchase plan closing August 21.</p>
<p>The 10,373sqm site on <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-land+development-wa-bunbury-501641381" target="_blank">9 Edward St Bunbury</a> could potentially include a multi-storey residential, commercial and mixed use project. </p>
<p>The site is for sale through CBRE's Ben Younger and Lloyd Jenkins.</p>
<p>Mr Younger said the property offers outstanding views over the Bunbury township, Koombana Bay, Leschenault Inlet and the Indian Ocean.</p>
<p>“The former St John of God Hospital site is a strategic and prominent site within the Bunbury CBD offering huge versatility and potential, including the opportunity to acquire the whole site or a portion of,” Mr Younger said.<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<p>“With development approval already in place, this site presents a wide range of permitted uses and flexible outcomes that is likely to attract the interest of both offshore and local buyers.” </p>
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Offers to purchase open for Bunbury lot 

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<p>I’ve spent almost 2 decades marketing and developing apartment projects of varied kinds, big and small, across lots of price brackets and in many locations, and I’ve been interested to observe how apartment living has evolved. We all know that more of us are now living in apartments, a trend that’s set to continue as we see much more high-density living becoming commonplace.</p>
<p>Over the past few weeks I looked at how important ‘place making’ has become as part of the development cycle as many inner-city areas are completely transformed. But there’s another more personal and communal side, a more everyday intimate side to apartment living that I think anyone associated with the development and marketing of apartments should be mindful of, and that’s the value of good neighbours.</p>
<p>Apartment living involves much closer connections between neighbours, a closer sharing of space and facilities. And while not living in the pockets of our neighbours, good relations and a friendly building in a high density community is always desirable.</p>
<p>While we have various area of legislation to help manage apartment buildings, even if the current rules are out-dated, which they are, just what makes a good neighbour and how people living in an apartment generally view the ups and downs of their lifestyle, gives some valuable insights.</p>
<p>Considering this topic further there are, as might be expected, some die hard and often repeated comments about neighbours and the ‘likes’ and ‘dislikes’ about apartment living.</p>
<p><strong>Community Connections</strong></p>
<p>Here’s a quote I recently came across. “<em>The human body has 7 trillion nerves, and you manage to get on every single one of them.” </em></p>
<p>The point is I guess that it’s more or less human nature that sooner or later someone or something will get on our nerves and when an apartment project is complete, or when a buyer comes into an already established building, there’s a neighbourhood, a vertical community that the buyer connects with.</p>
<p>In an apartment community, living in close proximity there’s some clear ideas on just what makes good (and unfortunately bad) neighbours. Most items on the list come down to some very basic things, some of which are addressed by rules and regulations, but there are some where improved planning and design can and does make a significant difference.</p>
<p><strong>Good Neighbours</strong></p>
<p>From experience and with lots of feedback from past buyers and my sales team, some of the key attributes of good neighbours revolve around predictable areas like parking, the use of common areas, security, noise, pets, rubbish, smells and building management.</p>
<p>It’s also thought-provoking, but I think not unexpected, that when you ask people, or read research about what individuals like and dislike about apartment living that many of the same topics are always on their list. On the downside many lists of ‘dislikes’ focus on smells, pets, noise and poor management. While the up-side the list often features cost (affordability), easy maintenance, security and personal safety and access to amenities, although in some markets cost might now be a more subjective measure.</p>
<p><strong>Common Areas a Common Concern</strong></p>
<p>Medium and high-density apartment living will always involve the use of shared areas, common property and when you look at some of the issues that people refer to here, I find myself thinking that ‘shared’ or ‘co-operative’ property could be a better way to describe such areas.</p>
<p>Well-designed key facilities that make up common property do play a big part in creating appealing projects, and good neighbours do not neglect or abuse common property. The key issues usually comes down to things like blocking parking access, the abuse of visitor parking, or leaving rubbish in common areas. It’s one of the reasons the building management is a common focus.</p>
<p>When it comes to subjects like smells, noise and pets there’s been lots of work done here, and I think that generally all new buildings avoid concerns of smells and noise and the rules around pets are usually very clear cut. I think that having foyer areas open to natural ventilation and the wider use of tiles have made a big difference to how buildings function and are maintained.</p>
<p>Building design does address noise, but it’s also important to have a well-connected community so that a friendly chat can help diffuse concerns over excessive noise.</p>
<p><strong>Building Management and Community</strong></p>
<p>While a review of Strata Legislation in NSW is hopefully soon on its way and has been a long time coming, good neighbours is still something that can not be forced into place by legislation. There’s always room and I think willingness for having good building community, a community of neighbours, where being social and friendly will usually occur naturally. Keeping an eye open on security, understanding that common areas are shared property and a co-operative approach to management will always be a positive.</p>
<p>In many markets a great deal of attention is paid to price movements and the demand for apartments, still I think we need to always remember that community and the value of good neighbours are important to buyers and all residents.</p>
<p>Market conditions are always evolving and I also consider that keeping these everyday issues in mind does help in planning and designing new buildings and also how we structure key marketing. I consider the value of community and good neighbours are part of what demographics aims to measure beyond the published figures we are all familiar with. A friendly and co-operative apartment community, no matter how big will always help sooth a majority of those 7 trillion nerves!</p>
<p><em>Peter Chittenden is managing director for residential of Colliers International. He can be contacted <a href="https://www.projectagenda.com.au/" target="_blank">here</a>.</em></p>
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pchittenden-eLqUUC8TWW

The value of good neighbours in apartment living: Peter Chittenden

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<div>Another data series which doesn't really fit the narrative of tight or stretched household budgets, as trend new car sales moved to their highest ever level in July 2015. </div>
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<div>This follows on from recently compiled Reserve Bank data which shows that mortgage redraw buffers and offset account balances are also at their highest ever level as household enjoy low interest rates and cheaper repayments.</div>
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<div>Of course, it often doesn't feel this way at the individual household level - interviews with the world's wealthiest people have shown that financial stress never entirely goes away whatever the true state of one's personal finances.</div>
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<div><span>The Reserve Bank itself has mused<span>:</span></span></div>
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<div><em>"The continued concern about living cost pressures might arise because the standard of living that can be sustainably afforded by households’ incomes remains lower than many would like."</em></div>
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<div>Certainly although wages growth is soft at +2.3 per cent, this has to date at least remained well in excess of the increase in the cost of living for employee households.</div>
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<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Record new motor sales </span></strong></div>
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<div>In any event it was another monster month for new motor vehicle sales at a seasonaly adjusted 96,388 which saw trend sales reach an all-time record high in July 2015, having increased by 3.7 per cent over the past year. </div>
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<div>The result was all the remarkable given the weak data evident in the resources states, a slowing rate of population growth, as well as the fact that the Aussie dollar has depreciated sharply in recent times. </div>
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<div><span>Looking at the "original" data on a rolling annual basis we can see that more than 1.13 million new vehicle sales have been recorded over the past year, while the 588,619 units sold over the past six months is a record for any half year period in Australia's history.</span></div>
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<div><span>It was another prodigious month for Sports Utitlity (SUV) sales at more than 34,000 seasonally adjusted from fewer than 30,000 one year ago (a +14 per cent year-on-yearincrease), the annualised number of SUV sales climbing inexorably to beyond 380,000.</span></div>
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<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">State versus state</span></strong></div>
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<div>New South Wales has been recording a number of king-sized seasonally adjusted results in recent months, firing total new motor vehicle sales to their highest ever level in the Premier State. </div>
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<div>On a rolling annual basis new motor vehicle sales are rising in Queensland too, but are now looking somewhat peaky in Victoria after a fine run. </div>
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<div>Sales have declined moderately in South Australia over the past year, and fairly sharply in Western Australia as the mining construction boom comes undone. </div>
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<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">State trends</span></strong></div>
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<div>The trend year-on-year increase in sales was particular strong in each of the most populous states, those being New South Wales (+8.1 per cent), Victoria (+3.4 per cent) and Queensland (+6.6 per cent).</div>
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<div>While somewhat immaterial at the national level, the surprise package is Tasmania with a trend +13 per cent year-on-year increase in units sold. </div>
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<div>The strength of the data in the three most largest states has more than offset the weakness in South Australia (-4.2 per cent) and the resources-impacted Western Australia (-11 per cent) and Northern Territory (-1.4 per cent).</div>
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<p><span><em>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>.</em><br></span></p>
<p><em>His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.</em></p>
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Stretched household budgets or not? Pete Wargent

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<p>Entrepreneur Leo Pegoli is opening an organic cafe within the grid retail centre at 567 Collins St Melbourne.</p>
<p>The cafe, named Pressed Lab, will take up 120sqm on a five year lease. </p>
<p>It was negotiated by Colliers International’s Ben Tremellen and Georgie Cichy.</p>
<p>The grid is a retail outlet on the forecourt at 567 Collins Street and with 13 retail tenancies ranging from 33sqm to 121sqm. </p>
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Pressed Juices owner joins 567 Collins St

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<p><span>A 12-level Perth CBD office building near the Elizabeth Quay foreshore development is up for sale through an expressions of interest closing on 17 September.</span></p>
<p>The property, <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-offices-wa-perth-501670729" target="_blank">12-14 The Esplanade</a>, is being offered through Savills Perth agents Chas Moore and Paul Craig, has above ground parking for 138 vehicles, a ground floor tenancy and seven levels of offices - a total lettable area of 7,957sqm.<br><br></p>
<p><img src="/images/2015/08/19/Screen%20Shot%202015-08-19%20at%2010.49.54%20AM.png" alt=""></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">The building is 93% leased to blue-chip corporate tenants with a Weighted Average Lease Expiry (WALE) of 2.32 years (based on finalisation of a new direct lease to DBP) and boasts a 4.5 Star NABERS rating.</span></p>
<p><span>Savills marketing agent Chas Moore said t</span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">his is one of only a handful of established properties on the doorstep of Elizabeth Quay.</span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
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CBD office up for grabs on Perth's Elizabeth Quay

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<p>Technology-related businesses and start-ups are driving the current demand for office space nationally in the sub-500sqm category, with average lease enquiries under 1,000sqm growing as a percentage of total leases as well.</p>
<p>According to the Second Half 2015 Research and Forecast Report from Colliers an influx of part-floor tenants are ready to come into the market as the sub-500sqm leases expire,with owners changing both leasing and development strategies as a result.</p>
<p>Nerida Conisbee, Colliers International national director of research said t<span style="line-height: 1.3em;">his is more a cyclical element given the long leases that large corporations typically take, h</span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">owever there are a number of structural issues also occurring. </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">"The first is that there has been significant growth in small-to-medium size enterprises looking for space," she said.</span></p>
<p>“Average lease enquiry levels in the sub-1,000sqm category have grown as a percentage of total leases. In 2009, it amounted to 71% of total deals. This has grown consistently to currently account for 83%.</p>
<p>“We expect to see a wave of part-floor users enter the market over the next two years as a large number of these leases expire. The number is expected to be much higher than single floor and multi floor users over the next two years. <span style="line-height: 1.3em;">We therefore expect that it will not just be new tenants entering the market that are after smaller tenancies, but also existing users looking for new space.”</span></p>
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<p><span>Simon Hunt, Colliers International managing director of office leasing, said Investa recently leased a whole floor at 120 Collins Street and are looking into splitting a further floor.</span></p>
<p><span>“Our latest Colliers International Demand Index found 55% of the companies wanting office space in Sydney alone this year have sought less than 500sqm, and this is being experienced across the board for premium, A and B Grade tenancies,” he said.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">"Tenants were continuing to place a greater focus on location. In both the Sydney and Melbourne CBDs there is a current centralisation of tenants taking place.</span></p>
<p>“In Sydney CBD, the differential is not as significant however we are seeing even greater movement of tenants from metro markets… h<span style="line-height: 1.3em;">istorically, Melbourne CBD has not had much movement of tenants between CBD and metro locations with most tenants preferring to stay in either location. This has changed over the past 12 months, where the cost of being based in the Melbourne CBD has dropped significantly compared to metropolitan markets.”</span></p>
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