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

Joel Robinson

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

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

Sherpa acquires new site for second Brisbane apartment tower

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

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

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

Staff Writer

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

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

alisonwarters@gmail.com

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

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

Not all apartment amenities are immediately visible.

Swimming pools, gyms, rooftop terraces and residents' lounges have long featured on buyers' wishlists, but as the way Australians live has changed, so too have the features that make apartment living more convenient.

Increasingly, buyers are placing value on the practical aspects of day-to-day life. Fast internet, EV charging, secure bike storage, flexible workspaces and parcel management are becoming just as relevant as lifestyle amenities, reflecting changing habits and expectations.

Online shopping has been one of the biggest drivers of that shift.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally, making parcel deliveries a routine part of everyday life rather than an occasional convenience.

For apartment residents, however, receiving those deliveries isn't always straightforward.

Without someone home to accept a parcel, deliveries can be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in building foyers or common areas, or require building management to temporarily store packages. As apartment living continues to grow across Australia's cities, parcel management has become an increasingly important consideration for both residents and developers.

Australia Post's Parcel Locker network is one response to that shift.

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Rather than relying on home delivery, eligible parcels can be directed to a nominated Parcel Locker, where they're securely stored until collected. Once a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can retrieve it using a one-time code or QR code at a time that suits them.

The network has expanded to more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with Parcel Lockers positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and, increasingly, within or alongside residential developments.

That growing presence reflects a broader change in how apartment buildings are being planned.

Developers are increasingly considering the operational side of apartment living alongside traditional lifestyle amenities. Just as secure mailrooms, bicycle storage and EV charging have become more common inclusions, parcel management is emerging as another feature that supports everyday convenience.

It also helps preserve the arrival experience within a building. Carefully designed lobbies and communal spaces can quickly become cluttered when deliveries accumulate, while secure parcel solutions reduce the likelihood of missed deliveries or parcels being left unattended.

For buyers comparing apartments, these everyday details are becoming part of the decision-making process.

Location, floorplans and finishes remain fundamental, but the features that simplify daily life are carrying greater weight than they once did. As online shopping continues to shape consumer behaviour, secure parcel delivery is increasingly becoming another amenity worth looking for.

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

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The real estate market in NSW's Mid North Coast is approaching its peak, both for houses and units, according to valuation firm Herron Todd White's April 2016 property clock, a simple broad brush means of indicating where property prices are and where they are headed to.
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In its analysis of affordable living in the outer suburbs, HTW talks about the largest regional town on the Mid North Coast, Port Macquarie, as well as some of the surrounding smaller towns. 
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Port Macquarie’s growth over the past 12 months has been the strongest on the Mid North Coast during the past five years and while the fringe suburbs have shown increases in value over that time, their rate of increase has been behind that of established residential areas within the township. This has created greater choice for buyers. For similar value, buyers can purchase an older dated dwelling close to town or they can move to the outer suburbs and purchase or build a new dwelling.
The town continues to grow and we are seeing rapid growth in these fringe areas as new services are being provided, including a private school, a new university and shopping centres.
At present the outer or western fringes of Port Macquarie comprise the expanding suburbs of Sovereign Hills, Brierley Hill and Ascott Park. These have all seen major growth over the past 12 months in new lot registration and in the approval and construction of new dwellings. Median land prices in these estates are around $195,000 (Sovereign Hills) to $240,000 (Brierley Hill and Ascott Park). 
With the increase in services and popularity of these western localities, we have also noticed an increase in rental returns. Brierley Hill has seen good rental returns due to its local shopping facilities, private school, hospital and current and future student influx for the new Charles Sturt University still partly under construction.
Subdivision growth in the smaller towns includes Wauchope’s Glenview Park and Timbertown Estates, which have also seen good sales over the past 12 months with land prices ranging from $155,000 to $200,000 for larger lots. Located only 20 minutes west of Port Macquarie, the town has seen interest from families looking for a modern estate with moderate pricing yet close to facilities.
To the south, Caterina Estate at Lake Cathie is now under construction. This beachside estate will include a village centre as well as residential lots. Vacant land prices range from $300,000 to $400,000 with over 1,200 lots to be released over three stages. This estate will appeal to the prosperous buyer or retiree who just loves the location.
Sales of new dwellings are higher than previous years, with land values increasing in each new stage. Hasting Port Macquarie Council figures show the last financial year had a 40% increase in residential building approvals from the previous year. This financial year is on track to achieve a similar number of approvals as last year.
Generally, the present outer suburbs are developing rapidly and the increased building activity has helped fuel the local building industry and the area’s economy as a whole. We also note that the slowing of the Sydney market has not affected property prices or sale rates within Port Macquarie and agents are continuing to report a lack of stock and short selling periods. 
As an illustration, Property Observer found this sold property in Brierley Hill on www.realestate.com.au.
A three-bedroom coastal house under construction at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-port+macquarie-119338051" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;">Lot 170 Brierley Avenue Brierley Hill Port Macquarie NSW 2444</a> (above) fetched $470,000.
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prateek24-ezbwHMbNAk

Fringe suburbs of NSW's Port Macquarie showing steady growth in home values: HTW

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Despite the region having passed the peak of the market, Toowoomba’s fringe suburbs gained momentum throughout 2015.
These fringe suburbs are dominated by the owner-occupier sector with less investor activity than in Toowoomba, according to valuation firm Herron Todd White’s analysis of fringe suburbs in their April 2016 property clock.
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For instance, localities such as Highfields and Kleinton to the north and Westbrook, Wyreema and Cambooya to the south-west have all shown considerable capital growth over the past decade, with all areas recording a steady increase in median house price. 
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<img src="/images/2016/04/15/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-15%20at%2012.53.43%20PM.png" alt="">
The median house price for Highfields and Kleinton is $520,000 and $541,000 respectively, which sits considerably above Toowoomba’s affordable median of approximately $369,000 as at the second half of 2015. So, why are these outer suburbs proving so popular? Simply, it is because purchasers are getting more for their money. Although the median price is almost 30% above Toowoomba’s more central suburbs, Highfields and Kleinton provide a high quality, modern or large home option within a mere 14 to 20 kilometre commute to the Toowoomba CBD. 
To the south of the CBD, from 12 to 22 kilometres, Westbrook, Wyreema and Cambooya offer a slightly more affordable fringe dwelling option. The median price in Westbrook is still above Toowoomba’s at $460,000, however Wyreema and Cambooya are below at $310,000 and $320,000. Similar to the northern satellite suburbs, these localities provide predominantly modern dwellings, however on a more moderate scale and with a more basic fit out. 
Overall, Toowoomba’s fringe suburbs have shown that they typically trade off a central location for a superior quality and size dwelling. In terms of investment, all satellite localities have mirrored Toowoomba’s in that median values and volumes peaked in the second half of 2014 to the second half of 2015 and have begun to show signs of flattening. There are large land development projects to come on line in areas such as Highfields and Cotswold Hills, which may stymie some of the recent growth rates as supply increases. 
Property Observer found a few recently sold homes in the fringe suburbs of Highfields and Westbrook around their median prices of houses.
A five-bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-highfields-121581118" target="_blank">23 Flamingo Road Highfields Qld</a> (below) 4352 recently sold for $515,000, according to <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au">www.realestate.com.au</a>.
<img src="/images/2016/05/06/image2-1.jpg" alt="" width="641" height="481">
A four-bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-westbrook-121270970" target="_blank">133 Main Street Westbrook Qld</a> (below) 4350 was snapped up for $472,500 earlier this year.
<img src="/images/2016/05/06/main-3.jpg" alt="" width="501" height="376">
 
 
 
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Owner occupiers dominate the robust fringe market of Queensland’s Toowoomba: HTW

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Melbourne was approaching the peak of market for houses while being at the top for units in valuation firm Herron Todd White's April 2016 property clock, a simple broad brush means of indicating where property prices are and where they are headed to.
<a href="/images/2016/04/15/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-15%20at%2012.53.43%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/04/15/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-15%20at%2012.53.43%20PM.png" alt="">
 
The report also talks about Melbourne's fringes and their affordability compared with the inner city.
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Outer East 
Within the outer-east, fringe suburbs can be considered to be Kilsyth, Boronia, Mooroolbark and Bayswater North. Affordability is certainly one of the main factors driving a movement of purchasers from the inner-eastern suburbs to those on the fringes. 
The average price for property aggregated through Ringwood, Ringwood East, Mitcham and Wantirna for the December 2015 quarter was $858,250.
By comparison, the neighbouring fringe suburbs averaged 43.8% lower at $596,750 (source: REIV). The difference can partially be explained by the availability of good quality schools within the inner- eastern suburbs which has traditionally attracted more families and increased competition, thereby increasing average prices. While the middle eastern suburbs provide convenience in terms of access to the city and amenities, the resulting properties tend to be smaller. On the other hand, properties in the fringe suburbs tend to be on larger lots of land and offer purchasers further opportunities and scope for future development. 
Although the fringe suburbs may appear to offer good value for money, capital growth rates show that these suburbs may not represent a good short term investment. Bayswater and Boronia for example recorded capital growth of only 1.6% and 2.3% respectively in the 12 months to March 2016. By comparison, in the same period, Ringwood grew by 7.6%, while Wantirna South grew by 9.8%. However, from an investment point of view, rental demand for properties in the fringe suburbs has been high which has resulted in respectable yields of over 4%. 
In the long term, it would seem reasonable to expect the price gap between the middle eastern suburbs and the fringe suburbs to narrow as developers consider the abundance of large lots available in the fringe suburbs and therefore attract more potential purchasers who may have previously excluded such suburbs from their search criteria.
Examples of sales in fringe suburbs
<img src="/images/2016/04/29/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-29%20at%205.34.40%20PM.png" alt="">
138 Liverpool Road, Kilsyth – sold for $515,200 on 10 March 2016 (land area 432 square metres, 4-bedrooms, 1-bathroom, 1-carport) 
<img src="/images/2016/04/29/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-29%20at%205.36.50%20PM.png" alt="">
6 Freedman Avenue, Boronia – sold for $570,000 on 3 March 2016 (land area 930 square metres, 3-bedrooms, 1-bathroom, 1-car garage) 
Outer North 
The fringe dwellers of Melbourne’s north are in suburbs such as Greenvale, Craigieburn, Mernda and Doreen. These suburbs are situated within Melbourne’s outer ring. When looking at affordability in the north of Melbourne, middle suburbs such as Northcote, Brunswick, Thornbury and Preston are all having an impact. 
Quarterly median house prices in the inner north: 
<ul>
<li>
Northcote-$1,106,250 • Brunswick-$925,000 • Thornbury-$1,017,000 • Preston-$812,000 
</li>
</ul>
An increasing amount of home buyers are looking for more affordable properties in the north. Compare these median prices in the inner north to that in the outer ring of Melbourne. 
Quarterly median house prices in the outer north: 
• Greenvale:$655,000 • Craigieburn:$420,000 • Mernda:$455,000 • Doreen:$480,000 
Some of these outer north suburbs have experienced good growth in median prices in recent times. Greenvale had a quarterly change of 17.8%, and Mernda showed a change of 9.7%. Home buyers or investors need to be aware however that median prices are not always a true re ection of the growth of a suburb. Greenvale for example has recorded some high priced sales in recent times, which affects the median price. 
<img src="/images/2016/04/29/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-29%20at%205.39.06%20PM.png" alt="">
1 Lamark Court, Greenvale – sold for $1.285 million on 23 October 2015 (land area 4,094 square metres, 4-bedrooms, 3-bathrooms, 4-car garage) 
Weekly rent for three-bedroom houses in Craigieburn is $330, with a yield of 4.8%. Mernda is $333, with a yield of 4.6% and Doreen is $350, with a yield of 4.4%.
With a great amount of new housing development occurring in the outer north of Melbourne, it can be said that the oversupply will keep prices stable or even see them decrease in the short term. 
The outer north is more a long term proposition. The area will become more favourable with an increase in infrastructure such as public transport, schools and town centres. 
Outer West 
The western fringe suburbs of Melbourne have been increasing in popularity as more buyers make the decision to live or invest outside of the inner and middle metropolitan areas. There is an appeal for home owners buying bigger lots and building larger homes for their money. It isn’t just those getting in at the low end but buyers who take the opportunity to have a bigger home often with higher-end finishes and fittings in comparison to what they could buy with the same amount of money in the inner and middle metro suburbs. We are seeing steady and in some cases increasing demand for suburbs such as Tarneit and Wyndham Vale in the outer south-west along with Plumpton, Rockbank and Melton in the outer north-west. 
With the Melbourne population projected to almost double from its current 4.4 million to eight million by 2051, the development of fringe suburbs will need to continue in order to provide sufficient housing for Melbourne residents. 
A number of factors are at play for buyers choosing to enter the market in fringe suburbs, the biggest being affordability. Based on Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) statistics, the metro Melbourne December 2015 quarter median house price was $718,000 and the median unit price was $537,500. In comparison, for the same period Tarneit median house price was $415,000, Wyndham Vale was $365,000 and Melton was $257,000. With median house prices in the outer suburbs being less than the median unit price in metro Melbourne, it is not surprising that so many are purchasing in fringe suburbs. As both owner-occupiers and investors are hunting for affordable options and better capital growth opportunities, looking further away from the city is becoming a common trend. Overall, the outer suburb median house price for the December 2015 quarter increased 2.9% to $559,000 and the median unit price rose to $425,000. 
These outer fringe suburbs are self-sufficient with amenities, schools and transport. While services and infrastructure has been lagging in outer suburbs compared to inner and middle metro areas, the Government has made this a priority due to the increased volumes of people moving to these areas and committed to updating the planning blueprint and allocating funds for community facilities in late 2015 with a focus on co-ordinating the economic and social infrastructure required. 
Those looking to invest are looking to the fringe suburbs in the hopes of finding a bargain that can return strong rental yields. Realestate.com.au advises the median rental return for Melton is $270 a week which equates to a 5.5% yield. Plumpton has a median rental yield of 6.7% and a median weekly rent of $385. Tarneit provides a lower rental yield with a median of $340 per week and 4.4%. 
Although there is demand for existing dwellings in some of the more established suburbs such as Wyndham Vale, Tarneit and Melton there is also strong demand for the new estates throughout the western fringe. With the large volume of englobo land in the west, it is a trend that can continue as long as there is demand. A large majority of these new estates is being planned and developed with various facilities or conveniences to enhance the lifestyle of residents including shops, cafes, schools, day care and sports and recreation amenities. The appeal of the strict design guidelines and presentation of the estates is considered attractive as it helps to create a pleasing and cohesive aesthetic. While some buyers may see it as a detraction to live in a uniform estate, others see it as a positive and prefer the consistency. The appeal of building a new home is continuing to be popular and in part driven by the restrictions on overseas buyers to invest in new dwellings. 
<img src="/images/2016/04/29/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-29%20at%205.40.40%20PM.png" alt="">
Source: rpdata.com 
14 Arawata Parade Melton – sold $221,000 on 8 November 2015 (land area 603 square metres, 3-bedrooms, 2-bathrooms, 1-carport) 
<img src="/images/2016/04/29/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-29%20at%205.41.55%20PM.png" alt="">
Source: rpdata.com 
42 Moorookyle Avenue, Tarneit – sold on 4 December 2015 for $310,000 (land area 365 square metres, 3-bedrooms, 2-bathrooms, 1-car garage)
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Affordability driving buyers to Melbourne fringes: HTW

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<h1 class="page-title">RBA Statement on Monetary Policy May 2016
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Economic conditions in Australia’s major trading partners generally appear to have eased a little of late. 
Growth in China moderated further in the March quarter. Subdued investment growth in the manufacturing sector was partly offset by rising public infrastructure investment and a return to growth in real estate investment. The latter was consistent with a strengthening in the property market in recent months in response to a range of earlier measures to stimulate demand. The moderation of Chinese growth has affected Asian economies and emerging economies in other regions that have strong trade links with China. 
Economic activity remained weak in Japan, while growth eased in the United States but continued at an above-trend rate in the euro area. Meanwhile, there have been further improvements in labour market conditions across all three economies. Despite that, inflation in the major advanced economies remains below central banks’ targets and inflation expectations have declined. This has been an important concern for central banks and contributed to the European Central Bank’s decision to ease monetary policy further in March. Monetary policy settings remain very accommodative in Japan and the United States (where markets expect no further increase in the policy rate before late 2016).
Changes in expectations about the course of the monetary policies of the major central banks have been reflected in exchange rates and financial market prices more generally. Sentiment in global financial markets has improved since late February. 
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The outlook for growth in Australia’s major trading partners in 2016 has been revised a little lower since the February Statement on Monetary Policy to incorporate generally weaker-than-expected growth in the March quarter and a reassessment of growth momentum, particularly in Asia. 
Despite the moderation in Chinese growth in the March quarter, the outlook there is much as it was earlier forecast, based on the expectation of further support being provided by more stimulatory policy settings. The Chinese authorities appear, at present, to be giving greater priority to short-term growth objectives than to the longer-term goals of deleveraging and achieving growth that is less reliant on investment and heavy industry. 
The outlook for the Chinese economy continues to be a key source of uncertainty for the forecasts. One risk is that the pursuit of the authorities’ near-term growth targets is likely to increase already elevated levels of debt and could potentially delay addressing the problem of excess capacity in the manufacturing and resources sectors.
While commodity prices are significantly lower than the peaks of a few years ago, the expectation of more policy stimulus in China has been accompanied by a sizeable increase in commodity prices over recent months. Iron ore and coking coal prices are around 60 per cent and 30 per cent above their low points in late 2015, respectively. This amounts to a rise in Australia’s terms of trade in the near term. However, it is assumed that the prices of bulk commodities are not sustained at current levels.
 Chinese steel demand is still expected to decline over the next couple of years and a substantial amount of new, low-cost iron ore supply is likely to enter the market over that period. Meanwhile, liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices are expected to be higher than previously forecast, which will tend to increase the terms of trade. The net result of these various movements is that the terms of trade are expected to be around recent levels by the end of the forecast period.
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Growth in the Australian economy over 2015 was a bit stronger than earlier anticipated, and a little above estimates of potential growth. 
Growth was moderate in the December quarter, however, and appears to have continued at about this pace into 2016, much as was forecast at the time of the February Statement. Consistent with this, employment growth has slowed from the strong pace of last year and leading indicators of employment have been somewhat mixed of late. Nevertheless, labour market conditions remain much better than a year ago. The unemployment rate has been around 53⁄4 per cent in recent months, having been as high as 61⁄4 per cent last year. 
There has been no material change to the forecast for GDP growth or the unemployment rate. GDP growth is expected to strengthen gradually to an above-trend rate, reflecting the effects o low interest rates and the depreciation of the exchange rate since early 2013. Both have been helping activity to rebalance towards the non- resource sectors of the economy. As before, the unemployment rate is forecast to remain around current levels for the next year or so and then gradually decline as growth in economic activity strengthens. The outlook for the unemployment rate is consistent with spare capacity remaining in the labour market throughout the forecast period.
Growth in household consumption picked up in the second half of last year and is expected to be sustained at around that rate in the period ahead. The pace of growth in retail sales volumes was maintained in early 2016. And while surveys suggest that households’ perceptions of their own finances 
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have eased, they were around long-run average levels in April. Growth in consumption is forecast to be maintained at a pace that is a bit above average, despite only modest growth in wages. This implies a further gradual decline in the household saving ratio over the forecast period. 
The amount of residential construction work still in the pipeline is substantial and has continued to increase. This points to further strong growth in dwelling investment, albeit at a gradually declining rate consistent with the decline in building approvals since last year. In established housing markets, conditions have stabilised over the past six months or so. Housing prices have grown moderately over 2016 to date, following a small decline at the end of 2015. 
Housing credit growth has eased a little over recent months to be around 7 per cent in six-month-ended annualised terms in early 2016. This follows increases in mortgage rates and the strengthening of banks’ non-price lending terms in response to supervisory actions. 
Surveyed conditions in the business sector remain above average and business credit growth has picked up over the past year or so. Nevertheless, indicators of investment intentions suggest that non-mining business investment is likely to remain subdued for a time, although it is expected to gradually pick up later in the forecast period as overall demand strengthens. Mining investment 
is expected to continue to fall as projects are progressively completed, although the magnitude of the falls should diminish over the next couple of years, consistent with the forecasts presented in the February Statement. Project completions will support further growth in resource exports. Net service exports are expected to continue to make a noticeable contribution to growth. 
Inflation was lower than expected in the March quarter. The various measures suggest that underlying inflation declined to a little less than 1⁄4 per cent in the quarter (compared with about 1⁄2 per cent in the December quarter), to be about 11⁄2 per cent over the year. Headline inflation was lower still, partly reflecting some temporary factors. Nonetheless, the CPI data indicate that there has been broad-based weakness in domestic cost pressures. 
This is evident in the further decline in non-tradables inflation in the March quarter. In part, this reflects lower-than-expected growth in labour costs, with unit labour costs being little changed for four or more years now. In addition, there has been heightened retail competition, a moderation in conditions in housing rental and construction markets, and declines in the cost of some business inputs, such as fuel and utilities. A number of these factors are also likely to have mitigated some of the upward pressure on the prices of tradable items arising from increasing import prices following the depreciation of the exchange rate since early 2013.
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The forecast for underlying inflation has been revised lower, reflecting the lower-than-expected outcome for inflation in the March quarter and an expectation that domestic cost pressures, including labour costs, will pick up more gradually than anticipated at the time of the February Statement. 
The outlook for domestic cost pressures is a key source of uncertainty. Despite above-trend growth in economic activity and improvements in labour market conditions over the past year, it is possible that domestic cost pressures may weaken further, and so inflation may not pick up as expected. However, it may be that the strengthening in the labour market embodied in the forecasts is associated with growth of labour costs picking up sooner or by more than is currently forecast. 
The substantial exchange rate depreciation over recent years is expected to continue to place some upward pressure on inflation for a time. While the exchange rate is assumed to remain around current levels over the forecast period, it may respond to a number of influences, including any unanticipated changes to the outlook for growth in China, commodity prices or the monetary policy decisions of the major central banks. It therefore represents a significant source of uncertainty for the forecasts of inflation, as well as for the outlook for growth in activity. 
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For some time, the Reserve Bank Board had noted that the inflation outlook provided scope for a further easing in monetary policy. After taking account of developments over recent months, the Board’s assessment at its May meeting was that the outlook for economic activity and the unemployment rate was little changed, but that the inflation outlook was lower than earlier anticipated. At the same time, the Board took careful account of developments in the housing market, noting the effects of supervisory measures to strengthen lending standards, the recent easing in housing credit growth and the abatement of strong price pressures. 
Taking all of these considerations into account, the Board judged that the prospects for sustainable growth in the economy, with inflation returning to target over time, would be improved by further easing of monetary policy. Accordingly, the cash rate was reduced by 25 basis points. The Board will continue to assess the outlook and adjust policy as needed to foster sustainable growth in demand and inflation outcomes consistent with the inflation target over time. 
To read the full Statement on Monetary Policy, <a href="https://www.rba.gov.au/publications/smp/2016/may/" target="_blank">click here</a>.
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po-LsXgBTHBmX

The latest RBA Statement on Monetary Policy

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The Tenancy Unit within Consumer Affairs provides services to tenants and landlords/agent of residential properties in the Northern Territory. 
The legislative responsibilities of tenants and landlords are outlined in the Residential Tenancies Act.
The landlord/tenant relationship is usually harmonious but difficulties do arise, and sometimes landlords and tenants have different ideas of their respective rights and responsibilities.
Tenancy - Water Charges
Landlords are allowed to pass on the full cost of water consumption provided:
•          the rental premises are individually metered, and
•          the tenancy agreement states the tenant must pay for water consumption.
However, a landlord cannot ask a tenant to pay for charges, levies, rates or taxes, other than a charge payable by the owner or occupier of the premises for electricity, gas or water supplied to the premises.
Applications
From 1 June 2015, applications in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act  are heard by the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NTCAT).  Applications are required to be lodged on a NTCAT form.
This form, as well as advice on NTCAT procedures and processes, can be found on the NTCAT website: <a href="https://www.ntcat.nt.gov.au/" target="_blank">www.ntcat.nt.gov.au</a>
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NT residential tenancy laws

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<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
Dr Philip Lowe, the RBA deputy governor since early 2012, takes over the nation's most important economic job in September when governor Glenn Stevens retires.
Both Mr Stevens and his predecessor have endorsed the appointment.
The former governor Ian Macfarlane told The Australian Financial Review "he is absolutely the right person for the job.
"He is an outstanding economist and a very sensible and pragmatic policy maker," Mr Macfarlane said.
After considering a candidate list drawn up by Treasury, the Treasurer Scott Morrison settled on Lowe in a decision that has wide spread support.
"Dr Lowe is well regarded in the central banking community, financial markets, and the Australian business community, and will reinforce existing confidence in the institution," Mr Morrison said.
The University of NSW undergraduate economics medallist joined the Reserve Bank more than three decades ago and has a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Philip Lowe gets top job at RBA

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SPONSORED POST
A newcomer to Balmain, TOGA’s luxury Harbourfront Balmain development hugs the peninsula waterline and offers buyers a taste of the sophisticated village life.
Stretching out after work, wine glass in hand, observing ferries take commuters home is an archetypically Sydney indulgence, usually the preserve of a waterfront restaurant seating on an evening out.
The sleepy peninsula development Harbourfront Balmain offers this prospect in a prime city-fringe spot. Those balancing full-time work, family commitments or simply life’s wearisome routine will spy much more than the waterfront views. 
<img src="/images/2016/05/06/700_toga1.jpg" alt="">
This neighbourhood development, nestled on 150 metres of waterfrontage on the banks of the Parramatta River, looks out to Sydney Harbour capturing views north to Spectacle Island and west to the Iron Cove Bridge.
Only 29 boutique apartments remain for sale – priced from $850,000 – refreshingly reasonable for a slice of city-fringe waterfront.
Half a kilometre or so east of Harbourfront Balmain, leisurely walking distance, Darling Street offers a plentiful supply of artisanal coffee shops, designer children’s clothing boutiques and cosy bakeries.
The combination of waterfront living, charming village appeal and, peaceful surroundings acts as a magnet for downsizers, young professionals and families moving to snap up a city-lifestyle without the hustle and bustle.
Harbourfront Balmain will comprise 121 residences across eight low-rise buildings between three and five-storeys high including one, two and three-bedroom apartments and nine three-bedroom terraces.
<img src="/images/2016/05/06/700_toga3.jpg" alt="">
Half the buyers at Harbourfront Balmain are a mix of young professionals and families with young children who are moving for inclusive city-centric convenience as well as more space and a suburban feel, notes TOGA General Manager of Sales &amp; Leasing Alex Adams.  
Typically they will trade in an older-style home in the surrounding suburbs - like Rozelle, Drummoyne and Lilyfield - for a terrace home or a two or three-bedroom apartment.
“Buyers are lapping up the waterfront lifestyle with a suburban feel so close to Sydney’s jam-packed CBD,” Mr Adams said.
Designed by Bates Smart, Harbourfront Balmain features luxury amenities including a large private oasis garden, gymnasium, swimming pool and a 150-metre water frontage with impressive views.
“The incredible location, premium amenities and village atmosphere combine to reframe the experiences that shape our everyday lives,” Mr Adams said.  
“When you look at the everyday – living, eating, socialising and rejuvenating – Harbourfront Balmain offers a level of laid-back luxury rare to find so close to the city,” he added.
One, two and three-bedroom apartments include a parking space for each bedroom; a rare extravagance for a city-fringe site.
A homage to bygone factories, Harbourfront Balmain’s unique architecture reimagines the suburb’s industrial roots with aged copper roofscapes and distinctive raked brickwork.
Interiors enhance the waterfront location including reflective materials such as mirrors and tiles to respond to the harbour and maximise light and airy spaces.
<img src="/images/2016/05/06/zumbo.jpg" alt="">
Harbourfront Balmain is expected to complete in early-2017.
An on-site display and sales centre is open Thursday to Sunday 10am to 2pm or by appointment.
For more information or to register your interest visit <a href="https://www.harbourfrontbalmain.com.au/" target="_blank">www.harbourfrontbalmain.com.au</a> or call 1300 212 854.
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

It’s Balmain, darling! This inner west village is luring buyers seeking laid back luxury

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The Lord Mayor of Parramatta Paul Garrard together with Crown Group CEO Iwan Sunito have marked the ‘topping out’ of Parramatta’s highly-anticipated development V by Crown Group. 
Positioned in the heart of Sydney’s second CBD, the landmark 29-storey tower reached its highest level of construction this week.
<img src="/images/2016/05/06/07v.jpg" alt="">
V by Crown will feature Parramatta’s highest bar with sweeping 270 degree views of Sydney.
“We have long believed in the strength and potential of Parramatta,” Crown Group CEO Iwan Sunito said.
“This is one of the fastest growing areas of Australia and key infrastructure and construction projects here will shape the future of the entire of Greater Sydney.
“Parramatta has seen dramatic change since we began construction of V by CrownGroup four years ago, and this project addresses the growing demand for high-quality apartments with resort-style facilities in Sydney’s second CBD,” Mr Sunito added.
Designed by Sydney-based Allen Jack + Cottier and Koichi Takada Architects, this 590-apartment development includes a private pool, gym, sauna, conference facilities, music room, theatrette, library, state-of-the-art archaeological showcase and rooftop sky bar; plus a boutique hotel and ground level retail-and-dining plaza. 
A plaque acknowledging the time capsule will be placed on the ground floor of the 29-storey building.
It is located less than 300m from Parramatta Square; Parramatta City Council’s $2-billion redevelopment precinct; and a short walk from Parramatta train station, Parramatta Heritage Parklands and Westfield Parramatta.
Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Paul Garrard said there was a significant amount of development taking place in Parramatta with $12 billion worth of projects in the pipeline. 
Parramatta’s population is forecast to grow 24 per cent by 2036, from a total of 190,495 to 236,864. 
Three expansive luxury penthouses occupy the two highest levels of V by CrownGroup, some of the most exclusive positions in Western Sydney.
Each penthouse is set over two floors and includes three bedrooms, a study, two bathrooms, a guest powder room, open-plan kitchen, indoor-outdoor living area, two car spaces and a large balcony. 
Set to open in summer 2016/17, the level-26 Sky Bar features an expansive 275sqm internal bar area, direct lift access, double height ceilings and a 90 sqm outdoor terrace with sweeping views of Parramatta’s Heritage parklands, Sydney’s CBD and Sydney Harbour Bridge. 
A stunning glass wall forming a unique backdrop behind the bar service area will take advantage of the bar’s sky high position.
Crown Group Director of Sales and Marketing Roy Marcellus said Parramatta had been missing the more glamorous high-end level of apartments available at V by Crown Group.
Two large V-shaped columns, each standing a striking three storeys tall; highlight the entrance to the development located at 45 Macquarie Street, corner of Macquarie and Marsden streets.
V by Crown Group is scheduled for completion in 2017.
Apartments are priced as follows:
<ul>
<li>Studios – from $556,000 – 565,000</li>
<li>1-bedroom – from $722,000 – 902,000</li>
<li>2-bedroom - from $930,000 – 1,208,000</li>
<li>3-bedroom penthouse – from $2,420,000</li>
</ul>
For more information call 1300 302 186 or visit <a href="https://www.crowngroup.com.au/" target="_blank">www.crowngroup.com.au</a>
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V by Crown reaches the peak at Parramatta

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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/57114/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
GUEST OBSERVER
Australia’s federal government clearly sees its program of annual reductions in the company tax rate as the core element in its plan for “jobs and growth”.
There is now a large – though by no means uncontested – body of evidence to support the contention that reductions in company tax rates can support faster rates of GDP growth and higher wages. It does this by stimulating higher levels of investment and hence higher levels of labour productivity.
But there is very little evidence supporting the favouring of small businesses over large in this regard. The significant preference which both this budget and its predecessor have extended to small businesses appears to owe much more to a desire to bow before small business than to any unambiguous economic rationale.
Small businesses have accounted for only 18% of the increase in employment over the most recent five years for which data are available, while firms with more than 200 employees – which the ABS defines as “large” – have accounted for 52 percent of the increase in total employment over the past five years, despite accounting for less than 32% of total employment. And large businesses are more likely to engage in “innovative activities” than small ones, especially ones with four or fewer employees.
In other words, if the government wanted to cut company taxes in a way that was most likely to result in increased job creation or higher levels of innovation (assuming that cutting company taxes would have that effect), it should have cut company taxes for large companies ahead of small ones. But that would have been exceedingly difficult, politically, in the current climate.
<h2>Mixed messages</h2>
The other key element of the government’s ten year enterprise tax plan is the increase in the tax threshold for the second-top marginal rate from $80,000 to $87,000. The government says this will prevent “average full time wage earners … from moving into the second highest tax bracket”. But when you consider the difference between gross and taxable incomes, and that most people use deductions to reduce their taxable income, $87,000 is far from average.
The budget seems to be saying to people with taxable incomes of less than $80,000 – if you want to pay less tax, get yourself a negatively-geared property investment.
The budget is also arguably saying the same thing to people with taxable incomes of more than $250,000, people who have already contributed $500,000 to superannuation over the course of their lifetimes, or people who already have at least $1.6mn in their superannuation accounts. The message is if you put any more into superannuation, we are going to tax you more, but if you put it into a negatively-geared property investment, we won’t touch you, because (in the words of the Treasurer’s Budget Speech), “that would increase the tax burden on Australians just trying to invest and provide a future for their families”.
I am quite comfortable with the budget’s proposed changes to superannuation arrangements. But I can’t see why people – even wealthy people – who are “just trying to invest” through superannuation should be singled out for less generous tax treatment, while people who are doing exactly the same thing through negatively geared property (or other) investments should remain unscathed.
The Treasurer reportedly toyed with the idea of limiting “excesses and abuses” of negative gearing, with caps on claims. This would have more or less exactly paralleled what the budget seeks to do with regard to superannuation.
The decision not to go down that path was reportedly “a political – and not an economic – move”.
But it has, and will have, economic consequences.
Combined with the Reserve Bank’s latest cut in official interest rates, the budget’s decisions and non-decisions with regard to income tax cuts, superannuation and negative gearing are likely to encourage more Australians to borrow more money in order to invest in the property market. At a time when Australia has one of the developed world’s highest ratios of household debt to GDP or personal income, and amongst the developed world’s most expensive residential real estate.
Saul Eslake is vice-chancellor’s fellow, University of Tasmania, and author for The Conversation. He can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/saul-eslake-665" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Super and personal tax tweaks will drive more people into the property market: Saul Eslake 

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Australia's newest bank, Greater Bank, has announced it will reduce interest rates on all variable homes loans by 0.25 percent.
It has also introduced a new special offer home loan at under four percent.
Greater Bank's CEO Scott Morgan said the cut would hit the companies bottom line but it was putting customers first by passing on the cut and ahead of profits.
He said that unlike the major banks and many other lenders, Greater Bank didn't increase variable owner occupied home loan rates for existing customers late last year.
“This customer first approach is one of the reasons DBM’s latest Consumer Atlas study shows Greater Bank is Australia’s most recommended financial institution,” Mr Morgan said.
The cut will be effective for existing customers from May 16.
The banks Standard Variable Home Loan rate will drop to 4.75 percent, the lower rate of comparable loans offered by the big four.
 
<img src="/images/2016/05/05/Screen%20Shot%202016-05-05%20at%2011.53.05%20am.png" alt="" width="358" height="119">
 
Their special variable owner occupied home loan for new customers borrowing more than $150,000 will have a comparison rate of 3.99 percent.
The cut in rates will save a Greater Bank customer with a $300,000 loan around $44 a month.
Greater Bank is customer-owned and provides home loans and other banking services to around 250,000 in New South Wales and South East Queensland. 
 
 
 
 
 
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