For most new apartment buildings, the Owners Corporation starts life with little more than a bank account and the first quarterly strata levies.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/9-gay-street-castle-hill-9-gay-street-castle-hill-nsw-2154">9 Gay Street</a> in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/castle-hill-nsw-2154">Castle Hill</a>, it starts with around $7 million in reserve.

It's an unusual legacy of what was once one of Sydney's highest-profile apartment remediation projects. When the development, originally known as Skyview and built by disgraced developer Top Place, came under scrutiny by then NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler, an $11 million remediation bond was negotiated to ensure any building defects could be fully rectified.

The building underwent an 18-month remediation program, during which around $4 million of that bond was spent bringing the building up to the standard it should have been in from the outset.

After extensive inspections, all active rectification orders have been lifted. What's more, around $7.2 million remains secured for the Owners Corporation for the next 15 years.

In a twist few would have predicted, what began as a significant concern for purchasers has left the building with something almost unheard of in the apartment market: a multi-million-dollar financial reserve from day one.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359136]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a> Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said the structure offers buyers a level of certainty that is difficult to replicate.

"The $11 million bond established for the Skyview Castle Hill development represents exceptional value, providing genuine financial security for purchasers," Huxley said.

"Unlike a standard insurance policy, this bond consists of real funds held in trust for the Owners Corporation, offering a tangible layer of protection and added peace of mind."

The apartments themselves have been designed with a focus on practical, contemporary living. Interiors feature Smeg appliances, stone benchtops, tiled living areas, carpeted bedrooms, 2.7-metre ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glazing, and ducted heating and cooling throughout.

Residents also have access to a range of shared amenities, including two rooftop barbecue areas, a swimming pool, children's playgrounds, secure building access, storage cages, and visitor parking.

The location continues to be one of the project's strongest drawcards. Castle Hill Metro Station sits virtually on the doorstep, providing direct connections across Sydney's expanding Metro network, while Castle Towers offers extensive retail, dining, entertainment, and service amenities within walking distance.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359127]

The building, now named after its location at 9 Gay Street, comprises a diverse mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments starting from just under $600,000.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett said demand in the Hills District continues to be driven by buyers seeking convenience and connectivity.

"Interest from both owner-occupiers and investors in Castle Hill remains exceptionally strong, with buyers consistently prioritising developments in close proximity to the Metro station and Castle Towers Shopping Centre," Hamblett said.

"There is a clear trend in the market, with purchasers seeking convenient access to transport and lifestyle amenities that support a seamless, low-maintenance way of living."

On top of the long-term protection afforded by the remaining $7.2 million bond, Equitifund is offering a limited-time stamp duty rebate on selected apartments.

Eligible purchasers can also secure finance options, including a 3.99 per cent two-year variable rate, loan-to-value ratios of up to 90 per cent, and interest-only lending options through EquitiCredit.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=147685]

Joel Robinson

Why this Castle Hill apartment building starts with a $7 million advantage

For much of the past few years, conversations about Australia's property market have centred on the rapid growth seen in Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Perth. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3004">Melbourne</a> has followed a different trajectory.

That relative underperformance is now encouraging some buyers to reassess the city, particularly those willing to look beyond short-term market movements and focus on quality property in established locations, along with the long-term growth prospects of a city expected to overtake Sydney as Australia’s most populous.

John Bekiaris, Research &amp; Market Insights at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Projects by Equitifund</a>, said Melbourne's current position is attracting increasingly sophisticated purchasers.

"Melbourne continues to present one of Australia's strongest long-term investment stories," Bekiaris says.

"While other capital cities have experienced stronger recent growth, that relative underperformance is exactly what's attracting sophisticated counter-cyclical investors."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363268]

Equitifund isn't just commenting on Melbourne's property market, it's investing in it.

The Sydney-headquartered capital partner has taken over the remaining apartments at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/victoriana-melbourne-20-queens-road-melbourne-vic-3004">Victoriana</a>, the recently completed glass-encased development opposite Albert Park Lake in Melbourne's tightly held St Kilda Road precinct.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and built by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hickory">Hickory</a>, Victoriana places residents between one of Melbourne's most recognised parklands and the CBD, offering oversized two and three-bedroom apartments aimed at owner-occupiers seeking a genuine alternative to a traditional family home.

The development comprises 232 completed residences alongside a suite of resident amenities, including a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, landscaped entertaining areas, resident lounges, EV charging, secure basement parking and a concierge-style arrival experience.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363229]

The apartments have been designed with owner-occupiers firmly in mind.&nbsp;Open-plan living and dining areas flow onto generous balconies framing views across Albert Park Lake, Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Melbourne skyline.

Kitchens feature Gaggenau appliances, stone benchtops and generous preparation space. Bedrooms include built-in robes, while bathrooms feature full-height textured tiling. Hardwood flooring and ducted air conditioning complete residences designed for long-term living.

Rothelowman's architecture takes its cues from the landscape opposite the site. Sweeping horizontal glazing references the movement of Albert Park Lake, while generous balconies and expansive glazing strengthen the connection between the apartments and the surrounding parklands. The result is a building designed to deliver the scale and amenity expected of luxury apartment living, while offering the larger floorplans increasingly sought by owner-occupiers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363284]

The location is one of Victoriana's defining characteristics. Positioned on Queens Road, residents are directly opposite Albert Park Lake and within easy reach of Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens, South Melbourne, St Kilda Road and the CBD. With few comparable development opportunities remaining in the precinct, buyers are increasingly placing value on outlooks that are unlikely to be interrupted by future construction.

Greg Huxley, Founder of Equitifund, believes those qualities become even more valuable over time.

"Premium real estate has always rewarded buyers who take a long-term view," Huxley said.

"Victoriana represents the kind of asset that's increasingly difficult to recreate today, particularly in an established location like Queens Road."

He said rising construction costs are also changing the way buyers assess completed developments.

"When you combine an irreplaceable location with thoughtful architecture and premium finishes, you create something that becomes increasingly difficult to reproduce as construction costs continue to rise."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363228]

According to National Sales Director Ben Hamblett, enquiry has been driven largely by Melbourne downsizers and buyers upgrading from smaller apartments.

"Interest in Victoriana continues to build, with strong buyer focus on the larger owner-occupier residences within the development," Hamblett says.

"Enquiry is increasingly driven by local buyers who recognise the rarity of what's on offer: park-facing apartments in an established neighbourhood where new development opportunities are becoming increasingly scarce. At Victoriana, the view is not just a feature; it's an appreciating asset in its own right."

He said interstate enquiry has also strengthened as buyers reassess Melbourne's position within the national property cycle.

"Melbourne currently stands as the most compelling entry point of any major Australian capital, and discerning buyers are beginning to recognise what those who move early always understand: the best opportunities are taken before the price rise confirms them."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=1979]

Why now is the time to buy in Melbourne's premium apartment market

Developers and apartment buyers have a narrowing window of opportunity before Brisbane's Olympic infrastructure pipeline begins competing directly with residential construction, pushing up costs, tightening labour supply and making new projects increasingly difficult to deliver.

While Brisbane's apartment market continues to benefit from strong population growth and limited housing supply, industry research suggests the years leading up to 2027 could prove to be the most important period for developers looking to secure builders and buyers hoping to purchase before the next wave of price increases.

A new Colliers report, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Creating Solutions, highlights the scale of the challenge. While thousands of new homes are planned across South East Queensland, the Brisbane Olympic Athletes Village alone will deliver more than 10,500 beds during the Games before being converted into around 1,750 to 2,000 apartments. Equivalent to almost two years of typical inner-city apartment supply, the project will also absorb a significant share of the construction workforce and building materials.

The broader construction pipeline paints an even clearer picture.

Construction Skills Queensland's Horizon 2032 report forecasts Queensland's annual construction pipeline will average $69 billion over the coming years before peaking at $75 billion in 2027-28. Demand for construction workers is expected to increase by 17 per cent to almost 150,000 people, with the industry facing an annual shortfall of around 19,000 workers that could blow out to as many as 35,000 during the peak construction period.

The Olympic venues, athletes village and supporting infrastructure will account for billions of dollars worth of work across South East Queensland through to 2032, creating intense competition for labour at a time when Australia's residential construction sector is already under pressure.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=373834]

Colliers Queensland Residential Director Andrew Scriven said the convergence of these projects is creating a clear window of opportunity for both developers and buyers.

"From 2027 onwards, the market will shift dramatically," Scriven said.

"Labour will increasingly be locked into government-led infrastructure and Olympic projects, which means private residential developments will face higher costs and tighter margins. The developers who move now are the ones most likely to get projects off the ground."

Scriven said the same dynamic would also affect buyers, with fewer apartment projects expected to launch once construction capacity tightens.

"If you're looking to change your lifestyle over the next five years, now is your window of opportunity to buy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150713 project_image_fid=373827]

Developers are already positioning themselves ahead of that window.

Following the success of Monarch at Toowong, Consolidated Properties is preparing to launch two new Brisbane apartment projects in the second half of 2026. They include <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gloriette-30-bedivere-street-yeerongpilly-qld-4105">Gloriette</a> at Yeerongpilly Green, a 25-storey tower within one of Brisbane's key Olympic precincts, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, a recently approved 25-storey riverfront development at 47 Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

Hutchinson Builders will deliver both projects, with early works already underway at Yeerongpilly and Newstead expected to commence later this year.

The timing comes as Brisbane's fundamentals continue to strengthen, with strong interstate migration, population growth and vacancy rates remaining below 1.5 per cent.

Colliers Queensland researcher Pragya Sharma said Greater Brisbane is forecast to require around 40,000 new apartments between 2021 and 2031.

"There's a real mismatch emerging between when housing is needed and when it will be feasible to build," Sharma said.

"As a result, the period leading up to 2027 presents a key window of opportunity for developers to secure approvals, funding and construction capacity, while buyers will have greater choice before supply constraints intensify."

Colliers research outlines a critical pre-2027 window to start residential projects before labour squeeze: now is the time to buy

Developers, buyers on watch in South East Queensland ahead of construction crunch: Colliers

It's taken less than nine months for developer Sherpa Property Group to sell out all 51 apartments in its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-oasis-palm-beach-7-9-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Oasis</a> development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a>, over a year before its anticipated completion.

&nbsp;

Located at 7-9 Sixth Avenue, the $67 million development has resonated strongly with both local owner-occupiers and downsizers seeking high-quality apartments within walking distance of the beach, dining precincts and everyday amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357458]

Christie Leet, Founder of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Group</a>, said the sell-out reflected both the strength of the Palm Beach market and the success of Sherpa's community-first approach to development.

"The sell-out of Oasis is a fantastic outcome and reinforces the strong demand we're seeing for thoughtfully designed apartments in lifestyle locations," Leet said.

"From the outset, our vision was to create a development that genuinely enhanced the Palm Beach community while providing residents with exceptional homes and wellness-focused amenities.

"We've been incredibly encouraged by the level of local support throughout the campaign, 72.5 per cent of buyers are locals, with a significant proportion of purchasers choosing Oasis as their future home rather than an investment."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357463]

Construction is now progressing following development approval, with trusted builder LPS Group delivering the project and completion anticipated in Q3 2027.

Oasis forms part of Sherpa Group's successful Flourish collection, which has become recognised for its focus on wellness, community and elevated coastal living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357469]

Residents will have private access to a rooftop amenity space featuring a pool, gym, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, spa and barbecue facilities.

"The success of Oasis demonstrates that buyers continue to prioritise quality, location and lifestyle," Leet said.

"We are proud to have delivered a project that has resonated so strongly with the market and look forward to bringing Oasis to life for our future residents."

Sherpa recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a>, its third instalment of the Flourish brand in Palm Beach following Flourish Oasis and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151449]

Sherpa sells out Flourish Oasis in booming Palm Beach

Urban Property Group's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-vera-macquarie-park-94-talavera-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">La Vera</a> is leading the next phase of Macquarie Park's residential evolution, with the new apartment development set to become the first of several new apartment projects in the precinct to complete.

The 169-apartment building has now topped out ahead of its scheduled completion in the third quarter of 2026, as new residential investment continues to reshape one of Sydney's largest employment hubs into a true mixed-use precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=368645]

Cox Architecture has designed La Vera to capture the best of its unique positioning on Talavera Road, orienting the building towards Lane Cove National Park.&nbsp;The building features a sculpted northern façade with flowing curves inspired by the surrounding landscape, while its city-facing elevation adopts a more structured architectural expression to maximise skyline views.

"The vision for the project was to conceive a building that adopted an organic and curvilinear form to the northern portion that faces the Lane Cove National Park," <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> Director Felipe Miranda said.

"The residents that reside in the northern portion of the building benefit by having beautifully crafted curved balconies that speak to the natural context and heighten the relationship of their internal living spaces to the external balconies."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=358802]

La Vera offers a diverse mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom configurations, with prices currently starting from $740,000. Buyers so far have been a mix of Sydney-based investors,&nbsp;metro commuters, owner-occupiers and downsizers from surrounding North Shore suburbs.

Both investors and owner-occupiers have been drawn to La Vera's proximity to Macquarie University, Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie Centre and the Sydney Metro, infrastructure that supports both strong rental demand and a convenient lifestyle for residents.

The apartments feature full-height glazing, timber flooring throughout living areas, stone kitchen benchtops, SMEG appliances, floor-to-ceiling bathroom tiling and ducted air conditioning.

Residents will have access to a rooftop recreation level featuring a swimming pool, sauna, barbecue facilities and landscaped relaxation areas, complemented by additional communal space at ground level. Many apartments enjoy uninterrupted views across Lane Cove National Park, reinforcing the project's connection to its natural setting.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=364551]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>, a family-owned developer and builder with nearly four decades of experience, holds a 4.5-star iCIRT rating and was Australia's first developer to introduce 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI). La Vera is the first apartment development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a> approved to offer the additional insurance protection, alongside a five-year warranty on SMEG appliances.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said the additional protection reflects changing buyer expectations in the off the plan market.

"Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been. Having LDI is a tool to portray the confidence that we have in our product, and a confidence we want buyers to share," Elias said.

Following completion of the building later this year, buyers will move into their apartments well before Christmas.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134951]

La Vera closes in on completion as Macquarie Park continues residential transformation

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

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

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

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

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

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

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

Staff Writer

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

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

alisonwarters@gmail.com

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

When buying a property, everyone needs to be aware of the additional costs that come as part of the buying process.

Often the largest outlay, after the deposit which goes to the bank, is stamp duty.

<h2 style="line-height: 1.38;">What is Stamp Duty?</h2>

Stamp duty is an extra tax to pay the government when you buy land, a property, and other certain assets.

It happens when the legal ownership is transferred. It can also be known as property transfer duty or transfer duty.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C32BWkB5--c" title="YouTube video player" width="660"></iframe>

<h2>Who pays Stamp Duty?</h2>

In some circumstances, you may get an exemption. For some states, you won’t have to pay for stamp duty if you are a first home buyer or a pensioner for houses under a particular price. There are also stamp duty concessions, where you may be entitled to a discount.

<h2>How much does Stamp Duty cost?</h2>

Each state has different rules which affect how much you need to pay. These rules can affect the rate you pay, and the timeframe you will need to pay in. Before you buy land or a property, make sure you check the up-to-date information for your state’s stamp duty.

You can use a free stamp duty calculator online to see approximately how much you’ll need to pay. Find out if you’re eligible for an exemption by enquiring on a project via Urban!

Overall, the stamp duty you need to pay will depend on:

<ul>
	<li aria-level="1">How much your land/property is worth</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Where your land/property is located</li>
	<li aria-level="1">What type of land/property it is</li>
</ul>

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?

For the first time in a long time, Australia's inflation story is starting to look more like a landing than a fight.

The latest Consumer Price Index figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed annual inflation eased to four per cent in May, down from 4.2 per cent in April. On the surface, that might not seem like a major move. Inflation remains above the Reserve Bank's target range and some categories continue to record stubborn price growth.

But the significance of this result lies less in where inflation sits today and more in what it means for where interest rates are likely heading next.

The biggest takeaway is that inflation continues to move in the right direction.

Markets had been bracing for another sticky result after a period where progress appeared to stall. Instead, headline inflation came in softer than expected, helped by falling fuel prices and easing transport costs. Annual transport inflation halved from 6.6 per cent in April to 3.3 per cent in May, while automotive fuel prices fell 11.9 per cent during the month following lower oil prices and the impact of reduced fuel excise measures.

While petrol prices don't solve Australia's affordability challenges, they are one of the most visible and immediate costs for consumers. Falling fuel costs feed through the economy quickly, helping ease pressure on household budgets and business operating expenses.

The ABS data also showed headline inflation is now sitting at its lowest annual level in several months, reinforcing the broader trend that price growth is gradually moderating.

That trend is important because it aligns with what many economists and lenders have been saying for the last month.

Prior to this week's inflation data, ANZ, NAB and Commonwealth Bank had all shifted their forecasts, now believing the Reserve Bank had likely reached the peak of the interest rate cycle. Following the May inflation release, ANZ reaffirmed that view.

In its latest economic update, ANZ said it expects quarterly trimmed mean inflation to come in at 3.7 per cent for the June quarter, slightly below the Reserve Bank's forecast of 3.8 per cent. Importantly, the bank said that outcome, when combined with slowing economic activity, "supports our view that the cash rate has peaked".

The Reserve Bank has spent the better part of three years attempting to bring inflation under control through higher interest rates. If Australia's major banks are correct and rates have now peaked, the conversation shifts from how much higher rates could go to when they might begin coming down.

Westpac's caution comes from underlying inflation. The trimmed mean, the measure most closely watched by the Reserve Bank, increased from 3.4 per cent to 3.6 per cent annually. Housing inflation remains elevated at 6.5 per cent, reflecting ongoing increases in rents, electricity costs and new dwelling construction.

Electricity prices remain particularly problematic, rising 21.1 per cent over the past year following the removal of government rebates.

Housing construction costs are also showing signs of renewed pressure. ANZ noted new dwelling costs rose 0.9 per cent in May and are now running at an annualised pace of 8.6 per cent over the past three months. Builders continue to face higher labour, fuel and material costs, a reminder that inflationary pressures have not completely disappeared.

Housing affordability has deteriorated largely because of higher interest rates rather than higher property prices alone. Even modest reductions in mortgage rates would improve borrowing capacity, increase buyer confidence and reduce repayment pressure on existing homeowners.

While August is far from a certainty, the latest inflation result has strengthened the view that the next move in rates is more likely to be down than up. For borrowers, buyers and the development sector, that alone represents a significant shift from the conversation that dominated much of the past two years.

The inflation result the property market was waiting for

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Another solid preliminary auction clearance rate of 79.5 percent for Sydney this weekend.
There were some big numbers posted in the eastern suburbs, and Bondi and Paddington in particular.
Around the traps the suburbs of Mosman and Strathfield accounted for most of the big ticket sales. 
The median auction price was $1,221,500. 
This was some way down from the record preliminary result of $1,337,000 seen a fortnight ago, but then this was expected given that there were more than 750 homes going under the hammer this weekend.
<a href="/images/2016/11/21/SYD1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
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 <div>The median auction price is a crude and volatile measure at the best of times.</div>
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<div>However, smoothing the figures on a monthly basis reveals a more consistent picture, with prices tracking fairly consistently at about 10 to 12 per cent higher than a year ago. </div>
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<div><a href="/images/2016/11/21/SYD2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
 <div class="separator"><img src="/images/2016/11/21/SYD2.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Next weekend will provide a stuff test for the Sydney market as the spring auction Super Saturday arrives before silly season and the big wind down to Christmas.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>And that will soon be another year gone! Hectic.</div>
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<div class="post-footer">
<div class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-1">
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>. 
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>.
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pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

Sydney auctions solid ahead of Super Saturday

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The recent Savills Prime Full Floor Availability Report indicates the state of the leasing market and is used to assess office stock vacancy in a different manner to most vacancy surveys.
The report graphically shows each Premium and A grade building, as well as top B grade buildings in the CBD on a floor-by-floor basis.
The report highlights which floors are available for lease in each building, now and in the near future, including those under construction and refurbishment.
The September 2016 Adelaide Prime Full Floor Availability Report results are detailed below.
<a href="/images/2016/10/25/Adelaide%20full%20floor.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/10/25/Adelaide%20full%20floor.jpg" alt="">
Compared to September 2015, the number of full floors available has increased from 47 to 65 in September 2016.
Of the 65 prime floors, all are available for occupation within the next six months. All of this space is available for occupation as either direct or sub-lease vacancies.
Further options exist for tenants seeking B grade buildings, with 38 full floors currently available to the market.
The chart below tracks available space within prime office buildings as a percentage of the total prime office space in the CBD.
On a quarterly basis, the number of prime full floors available has increased from 57 in June 2016 to 65 in September 2016, representing 13.1 percent availability rate.
<a href="/images/2016/10/25/Adelaide%20office%20full%20floors.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/10/25/Adelaide%20office%20full%20floors.jpg" alt="">
According to the Property Council of Australia (PCA), the Adelaide CBD office market vacancy rate increased in the 12 months to June 2016, reaching 15.8 percent, up from 13.5 percent in June 2015.
This is the highest vacancy rate since 1999, however not significantly higher than the five year average of 13.0 percent.
A similar trend has occurred in the Fringe office market. The headline vacancy rate in the Fringe increased from 8.0 percent in June 2015 to 10.2 percent in July 2016, according to the PCA.
There is an increasing gap between prime and secondary grade space, with A- Grade buildings recording a decline in the vacancy rate for the first time in two years.
<a href="/images/2016/10/25/Adelaide%20CBD%20vacancy%20rates.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/10/25/Adelaide%20CBD%20vacancy%20rates.jpg" alt="">
The majority of the increase in the overall CBD vacancy rate at the tail-end of 2015 can be attributed to an increase in the availability of sub-lease space in A and B Grade buildings, however sublease vacancy now declined marginally during the first half of 2016.
Around 10,000 square metres of sublease space has been leased, while direct vacancy has increased. A and B Grade buildings are mostly responsible, with vacancy in both of these grades showing the largest movement in available space in the six months to July.
The return of refurbished space in 81-95 Waymouth Street recently, along with 50 Flinders Street and the partial return of 1 King William Street earlier this year, added almost 40,000 square metres of A Grade stock to the market.
While some of this has been absorbed through the relocation of PCCU and the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, subsequent backfill and rationalisation of other space has placed some pressure on supply levels and thus the amount available vacant space in the market.
<a href="/images/2016/10/25/Adelaide%20office%20vacancy%20rate.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/10/25/Adelaide%20office%20vacancy%20rate.jpg" alt="">
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Number of full floors available in Adelaide has increased compared to last year: Savills

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Clarence Property's Epiq Lennox Head develop will open its community sporting field early 2017 to the public.
The development includes an AFL ground, two rugby fields, two soccer fields and two synthetic cricket pitches.
A clubhouse that features a canteen, meeting room, public amenities and change rooms will start construction mid 2017.
Construction of a neighbourhood shopping precinct including a supermarket, specialty shops, a childcare centre and a medical centre is slated to commence in the second half of 2017.
Paul Rippon, general manager Clarence Property said the next stage of land is expected to be released in early 2017.
"We are planning to release stage three early next year, and we will follow the same ballot style sales process we had in place for stage two. All buyers will have the opportunity to register their interest ahead of an exclusive sales event, where the names of registered buyers are drawn and those purchasers are then invited to secure their preferred homesite," he said.
"We implemented the ballot system because there is such incredible demand for land at Epiq Lennox Head that we had multiple people vying for the same homesite before the lots were officially released.
"I expect to see the same level of demand for stage three, especially now the first homes in stage one are under construction and the community is starting to take shape.
"Prices in stage two ranged from $250,000 to $365,000 which is very affordable when you consider the community's location just minutes from the beach and within easy reach of employment hubs like Ballina, Lismore, Tweed City and the Gold Coast."
For more information, please visit <a href="https://www.epiqlennox.com.au" target="_blank">www.epiqlennox.com.au</a> or <a href="https://www.clarenceproperty.com.au" target="_blank">www.clarenceproperty.com.au</a>
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Epiq start to 2017 Lennox Head community

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The $650 million Serenity Cove waterfront development in Queensland's Hope Island is slated for release following some $25 million spent on civil works development.
The 465-dwelling community set around an 18ha lake on a 75ha parcel of land is a joint-venture partnership between Malaysia-based multinationals Sime Darby and Brunsfield International Group.
Serenity Cove will comprise a mix of apartments, townhomes and freestanding homes, a mini-marina and a 3800sqm retail and dining precinct on Lake Serenity.
<img src="/images/2016/11/10/Serenity%2012751-44%208k%20RT-Hero.jpg" alt="">
Project manager Mark Mehr said Serenity Cove is the last development of its kind at Hope Island.
“It’s the ideal time to introduce this project to the market given that pent-up demand but also because it will deliver a mix of dwelling types to suit a wide range of lifestyles in an exceptionally beautiful setting,” he said.
"More than a third of the site (27ha) has been preserved as nature reserve while a further 10ha will become parkland, and just 19ha will be developed."
Colliers International national director, projects Tony Hymus said the development presented an opportunity at Hope Island that could not be replicated.
“This is the last piece of land at Hope Island that can accommodate a master planned community,” Mr Hymus said.
“Residential land opportunities at Hope Island are starting to dry up given that many of the long-term projects in the area are coming to their conclusion.
"Serenity Cove will offer buyers the chance to secure a waterfront residence within a spectacular community in one of the most prestigious residential areas of the Gold Coast.”
<img src="/images/2016/11/10/Render%201.jpeg" alt="">
Serenity Cove will come to the market as plans for the Hope Island Town Centre progress, providing the area with its long-awaited retail and business heart.
For more information <a href="https://serenitycove.com.au" target="_blank">click here</a>.
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Serenity Cove waterfront development at Hope Island ready to be launched

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Broken Hill's council-owned film studios, the disused Central Power Station, gifted by mining company Perilya in 2010 has been sold for $680,000 to a married couple.
Selina LaRovere-Nagas and Fisk Nagas purchased the 2.5-hectare site.
The council and state government sunk $2 million into the project for use in the George Miller movie Mad Max Fury Road, however rain forced production to move to Namibia.
Broken Hill mayor Wincen Cuy told ABC News said offloading the film studio was more important for council's financial health than getting a high offer.
"Would I do anything different? No, but it's time to move on and see where we can go from here," he said.
"I think there's probably something like $260,000 worth of depreciation per annum on that.
"If we can get rid of that, that comes off our books immediately and then we start trading a little bit closer to a break-even situation."
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Broken Hill film studios sold off

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NSW’s Broken Hill has the highest mortgage arrears in the country followed by Queensland’s Armstrong Beach, followed by South Australia’s Currency Creek and Butler in Western Australia, according to S&amp;P.
“Mortgage delinquencies in regional areas traditionally have outpaced metropolitan areas,” the latest report said.
“This often has been the case because regional centres are more vulnerable to a downturn.”
Erin Kitson, an analyst for S&amp;P, says that mining and manufacturing regions, especially those in Queensland and Victoria, are struggling due to job losses.
The Australian also noted that Geelong was experiencing a sharp increase in mortgage arrears rate due to job losses.
<table style="height: 150px; width: 496px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="38">
State
</td>
<td valign="top" width="96">
Suburb
</td>
<td valign="top" width="113">
Loans in arrears (%)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="38">
NSW
</td>
<td valign="top" width="96">
Broken Hill
</td>
<td valign="top" width="113">
                           8
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="38">
QLD
</td>
<td valign="top" width="96">
Armstrong Beach
</td>
<td valign="top" width="113">
                           7
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="38">
SA
</td>
<td valign="top" width="96">
Currency Creek
</td>
<td valign="top" width="113">
                           5
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="38">
WA
</td>
<td valign="top" width="96">
Butler
</td>
<td valign="top" width="113">
                           5
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="38">
QLD
</td>
<td valign="top" width="96">
Bucasia
</td>
<td valign="top" width="113">
                           4
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="38">
QLD
</td>
<td valign="top" width="96">
Blenheim
</td>
<td valign="top" width="113">
                           4
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="38">
WA
</td>
<td valign="top" width="96">
Maddington
</td>
<td valign="top" width="113">
                           4
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="38">
QLD
</td>
<td valign="top" width="96">
Emerald
</td>
<td valign="top" width="113">
                           4
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="38">
TAS
</td>
<td valign="top" width="96">
Dowsing Point
</td>
<td valign="top" width="113">
                           4
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="38">
QLD
</td>
<td valign="top" width="96">
Alexandra
</td>
<td valign="top" width="113">
                           4
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
“The non-metropolitan regions of Australia tend to have economies which are less diverse compared to metropolitan areas, which means if you lose your job in Wide Bay there are going to be less opportunities than if you lost your job in Sydney or Melbourne.”
The number of regional homeowners in arrears has increased by 18% in the past year compared with only 2 percent for metropolitan mortgagees.
The percentages of loans in arrears in the most affected postcodes are 8.27 percent in Broken Hill, 7.42 percent in Armstrong Beach, 5.44 percent in Currency Creek, and 5.43 percent in Butler.
 
 
 
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Broken Hill has country's highest arrears in property mortgages

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A retail property, comprising a McDonald’s and 7-Eleven service station, that fronts directly onto the Gold Coast Highway at Palm Beach on the Gold Coast, has been sold for $8.525 million.
Set on a 3,011sq m corner site, the property is located at the intersection of 19th Avenue, the major east-west intersection at Palm Beach.
The property was sold by Jon Tyson and Michael Harcourt of Savills to a local private investor following a marketing campaign that generated over 250 enquiries and eight offers.
The sale reflects a sharp yield of 5.46 percent.
Jon Tyson said the Palm Beach property presented an extremely rare retail offering, 100% leased to dual national anchor tenants and with exposure to more than 34,000 passing vehicles daily.
<img src="/images/2016/11/18/Palm%20Beach%207-11%20McDonalds%201.jpg" alt="">
He said both McDonald’s and 7-Eleven have both occupied the site since it was developed in 2001.
They are secured on long-term net leases with fixed annual rental increases.
The sale represents the first time the property has been offered to the market.
Palm Beach is located on the southern Gold Coast, approximately 14km south of Surfer Paradise and just 10km north of Coolangatta Airport.
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Savills sell Palm Beach McDonalds for $8.525 million

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Listings in Melbourne are similar to last week but with a late spring market surge expected before the end of the year according to Domain Group’s chief economist Andrew Wilson.
He said in Sydney, Blacktown is the most popular suburb for listings this weekend, with similar auction levels expected this week compared to last.
"The Melbourne market is set to host its biggest spring weekend for auctions next week and the second biggest day of the year when nearly 1400 homes are likely to go under the hammer," he said.
"The inner south will again provide the most auctions this weekend in Melbourne with 183, closely followed also again by the west with 169, the outer east 144, the north-east 131, the inner city 128, the inner-east 116, the north 98 and the south-east 59.
<div>
<div class="infogram-embed" data-id="_/u5MBgODFMacs7muxoCS8" data-title="Copy: Copy: Copy: Copy: Copy: Copy: Copy: Copy: Copy: Copy: Copy: Copy: Copy: Copy: Copy: Copy: Copy: Copy: Copy: Melbourne scheduled auctions queen's birthday" data-type="interactive">"Glen Waverley is Melbourne’s most popular auction suburb this weekend with 22, followed by Reservoir with 17, Craigieburn and Hawthorn each with 14, East Malvern and Coburg each with 13 and Brighton with 12 auctions scheduled on Saturday.</div>
</div>
"Nearly 1100 homes are again scheduled to go under the hammer this Saturday, which will be comparable to the 1106 auctioned last weekend but again well below the 1235 auctioned over the same weekend last year. 
"In Sydney, more than 750 homes will go under the hammer, similar to the 760 auctioned last weekend. Although auction activity is typically rising through the late-spring market, numbers remain below last year’s offerings but the gap is narrowing. Last year in the same weekend, 863 auctions were listed and next weekend Sydney is set for its biggest spring day of the year with more than 900 auctions scheduled.
"The city and east will host the highest number of auctions of all the Sydney suburban regions this weekend with 105, followed by the inner west with 101, the south 99, the upper north 93, the lower north 71, the west 59, the northern beaches 55, the south-west 54, the north-west 43, Canterbury-Bankstown 31, the central coast 28 and the Blue Mountains with one auction scheduled for Saturday.
"Blacktown is the most popular auction suburb in Sydney this weekend with 10 followed by Mosman, Lane Cove and Carlingford each with nine and several suburbs with eight auctions listed including Epping, Castle Hill, Maroubra, Beecroft and Paddington."
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Same same for Melbourne, Sydney weekend auction markets

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Tasmania is a fine example of the adage that it’s easy to get a bad reputation but very hard to lose it. 
The days of Tasmania being the basket case economy of Australia are gone, as are the days when investors steered clear of Hobart as a place offering no growth.
I’ve been advocating the merits of investing in Hobart for the past 18 months or so, based on the marked improvement in the state economy and the status of Hobart as the capital city with the lowest prices, tightest vacancies and highest rental yields.
Hotspotting’s regular research into sales activity has noted the rise in sales volumes in Hobart (and also in Launceston and Devonport) this year.
I’ve felt a bit like a voice in the wilderness, given that Hobart and Tasmania is a pretty hard sell. It’s very hard to shift entrenched attitudes, particularly as your average punter isn’t terribly well informed.
So how refreshing to see the latest research-based report from Simon Pressley of Propertyology. 
He says: “Hobart is Propertyology’s tip to be Australia’s best-performed capital city property market in 2017."
“An under-rated economy, limited properties for sale, the tightest vacancy rates in Australia, a more controlled housing supply pipeline than mainland cities, and increased buyer activity are expected to drive property prices and rents higher.
“We have been actively investing in Hobart for a while and our buyer’s agents have observed first-hand price growth of 8 to 10 per cent over the past 12 months. We can only see buyer activity further intensifying and forcing stronger growth over the next couple of years.”
And Pressley makes this forecast for next year: “On an all-things-being-equal basis, double-digit price growth is well and truly on the cards for Hobart in 2017.”
He says the significant retraction in properties listed for sale has made it increasingly difficult for our buyer’s agents to find suitable properties for investors. “Properties are generally selling within a week of listing and often going for prices well above our own appraisal range. The market is red hot.”
All this is happening on the back of improving economic performance. There is now a long list of reports from name brands which have noted the improvement in the underlying fundamentals.
The latest to confirm that view is CommSec’s State of the States report, which notes Tasmania’s population growth is the fastest in five years and the state no longer ranks last overall. 
“Tasmania has improved from 8th to 7th on the rankings,” it says. “Tasmania is 4th ranked on two indicators and 5th on three indicators. Annual growth on home lending is the strongest in the nation at 10.3%. Both home loans and home prices are lifting.”
State Treasurer Peter Gutwein says the report card is the best in five years. “But there is still a long way to go,” he says. He’s right, but a significant turnaround has been achieved already.
Another positive indicator for Tasmania is the level of infrastructure and construction work. The Deloitte Access Economics Investment Monitor report says: “The value of Tasmanian engineering projects under way has stayed well above $1 billion and there’s just under $1 billion worth of planned projects in the pipeline.”
The biggest under way is the $535 million Midland Hwy update. Work worth $239 million is ongoing on the freight rail revitalisation statewide and there is a $40 million extension of the Hobart Airport runway. The report says commercial building is also “coming along well,” with $1.5 billion worth of projects under way and a similar pipeline of planned work.
“The $689 million Royal Hobart Hospital project is still the largest project,” it says. “Planned work has been boosted, with University of Tasmania plans to move its science-technology-engineering building to Hobart’s CBD, at a cost of $400 million.”
The value of projects under way is up 27 percent to $2.9 billion. Adding planned projects, the total is $4.98 billion.
Tourism is big for Tasmania, with strong results for 2015-16. For the first time Tasmania had over one million interstate visitors, who spent $2 billion. Airline capacity rose by 173,658 new seats between the state’s two main airports and Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. TT-Line ran 33 extra day sailings over peak season, with visitors arriving on Spirit of Tasmania growing 17 percent.
In the 2015-16 summer, there were 59 cruise ship port calls in Tasmania — delivering 163,328 passengers and crew. Big growth in cruise ship visits is forecast for the next two seasons. The tourism industry supports 36,700 jobs or 15.3 percent of total jobs, and contributes $2.55 billion to the economy (10 percent of gross state product).
All of that provides a solid foundation on which real estate can continue to grow in Hobart, Launceston and Devonport.
Terry 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>
 
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

Solid foundations for real estate growth in Hobart, Launceston and Devonport

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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/68326/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
GUEST OBSERVER
Large transport infrastructure projects, which can cost billions of dollars, are major drivers of the economy, and political flagships.
They have significant impacts on health and wellbeing. Yet our research finds these impacts are not as well considered in the project assessment phase as they should be.
A recent Lancet series is the culmination of knowledge linking transport and health. For example, it recommends reducing reliance on private cars and enhancing opportunities for walking, cycling and public transport use. It argues this will improve health both by reducing air and noise pollution, and by promoting physical activity, community connectedness and better access to goods and services, particularly for the socio-economically disadvantaged.
Each transport project’s environmental assessment thus presents a crucial opportunity within the mandated planning process to consider health. This is also when the wider community can engage with the design of projects. The main output of this process, the environmental impact statement (EIS), is available for public scrutiny and comment prior to final project approval. 
<h2>A health check on assessments</h2>
We recently compared the inclusion of health issues in four major transport project assessments. Three involved motorways (WestConnex M4 East and NorthConnex in New South Wales and the 2010 Darlington Upgrade in South Australia) and the fourth the Sydney CBD and South East Light Rail. We did this by first applying a “health audit” to each EIS, then interviewing a range of stakeholders. 
The road assessments emphasised risks from air quality and noise, concluding these were minimal. Indeed, each project was predicted to improve air quality and, by extension, health. 
When health was assessed, human health risk assessment was the method used, which we judged to be of good quality. The 2010 Darlington upgrade was the only road project not to include health data explicitly in its calculations. 
The light rail EIS referred mainly to the connection of the project to health facilities, with some reference to noise and dust in construction. This statement’s chapter on social impacts, in which health featured strongly, reflects the tone of the recent Lancet report, albeit with less detail. It considered wider health benefits of the project, including better access to health facilities and employment opportunities, improved road safety, opportunities for walking and cycling, better air quality and enhanced social interaction. 
Of the four environmental impact statements, WestConnex M4 East had the most detailed coverage of mental health issues, mostly related to property acquisition. Despite this, there was limited detail in the health chapter when compared to other issues like air and noise risks. Mitigation measures were limited to the provision of phone counselling services. 
The EIS for each of the other projects lacked assessment of mental health impacts due to construction and operation. 
As outlined above, evidence that links transport and health advocates for access to a mix of transport options, giving people opportunities to walk, cycle and use public transport. The importance of this mix was excluded from the project and parameters set for the two NSW motorway projects. 
While the EIS for each of NorthConnex and WestConnex acknowledged the need for multi-modal transport options, their provision was described as being outside the project’s parameters. It wasn’t clear how or when this was being done elsewhere, only that it was not the proponent’s responsibility and not within the scope of the EIS.
This mix of options was minimal in the 2010 Darlington report we analysed. However, the most recent 2016 iteration of this project design appears to emphasise walking and cycling facilities, with a recent announcement of a rail link adjacent to the motorway.
<h2>Why were health impacts neglected?</h2>
Stakeholder interviews were held with project co-ordinators, consultants, the health department and affected community members for the NSW-based projects. We were unable to conduct interviews for the Darlington case due to changing and uncertain project parameters at the time of the research. 
Informants stressed the importance of the requirements issued to proponents by the state Department of Planning and Infrastructure. Health featured in these requirements, largely on the advice of the state Ministry of Health. 
These requirements focused on environmental health risks, particularly concerning air quality. This corresponded to historical community concerns about motorway impacts. 
Despite an overall consensus that health was an important issue, there was little appetite for comprehensive consideration of broader health impacts, such as those advocated by evidence-based research. Crucially, as reported in the environmental impact statements and confirmed through stakeholder interviews, the design of each project reflects prior financial and strategic decisions. The purpose of the EIS is focused on minimising these risks within those existing design parameters. 
Supporting the considerations behind the light rail, there was reference to the cost savings from the health benefits associated with public transport use. This suggests that health was part of that project’s preceding business case. For the motorway projects, however, our research suggests these early decision points failed to comprehensively consider health impacts. 
If health is to be comprehensively included in the environmental impact statement, it is clear that it needs to be considered much earlier on when the decisions are made on the parameters of the project. Our findings suggest the design of these projects – from business case to assessment – lags well behind the evidence surrounding transport and health. 
The community can be confident that these assessment processes were conducted thoroughly within their set purpose. But the bar for considering the full range of health impacts needs to be raised. This will ensure communities are aware of the long-term impacts of infrastructure provision, and that opportunities to promote and protect health through transport are maximised.
Patrick Harris is senior research fellow, University of Sydney and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/patrick-harris-102775" target="_blank">here</a>.
Emily Riley is research assistant , University of Sydney and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emily-riley-315794" target="_blank">here</a>.
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jennifer-kent-13822" rel="author">Jennifer Kent</a> is research fellow, University of Sydney and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jennifer-kent-13822" target="_blank">here</a>.
All are authors for The Conversation.
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