Article summary

<ul data-end="785" data-start="311">
	<li data-end="459" data-section-id="5hbcyr" data-start="311">Pikos Group has released the five-penthouse collection at Skye Kangaroo Point, headlined by a two-storey sky home spanning more than 1,000 sqm.</li>
	<li data-end="561" data-section-id="1p7lq8n" data-start="460">Early buyer interest suggests the residences could set a new Queensland apartment price record.</li>
	<li data-end="667" data-section-id="1y70z0l" data-start="562">The collection includes four move-in ready penthouses and the highly customised Skye One residence.</li>
	<li data-end="785" data-section-id="yvm0y1" data-start="668">The release caps one of Bri​sbane's most ambitious luxury apartment developments overlooking the Brisbane River.</li>
</ul>

<hr data-end="790" data-start="787" />
Pikos Group has released the five-penthouse collection at its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/skye-residences-by-pikos-kangaroo-point-8-river-terrace-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">Skye by Pikos</a> development in Kangaroo Point, with early buyer interest indicating the flagship residences could eclipse every apartment sale previously recorded in Queensland.

The collection crowns the luxury riverfront development with five residences, including four completed penthouses and Skye One, a two-level sky home spanning more than 1,000 sqm that will be tailored to its eventual owner.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374075]

Wanting to offer a fully customisable home, Pikos is offering Skye One as a blank canvas, allowing the buyer to work alongside the developer's design team to customise the home's layout, finishes and internal spaces.

The residence will feature a 247 sqm private rooftop terrace with its own swimming pool, sauna, steam room, outdoor kitchen and multiple entertaining areas overlooking the Brisbane River and CBD skyline.

The remaining four penthouses have been completed and are ready for immediate occupation, each offering four bedrooms, expansive open-plan living areas, soaring ceilings and private lift access.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374059]

One of the defining features throughout the project is its use of Roman Classic Travertine, with more than 20,000 sqm of the natural stone imported from Italy after being personally selected by Pikos Group Founder and Executive Director Pedro Pikos, interior designer Julie Williamson and third-generation stone specialist Mario Caucci.

Pikos said the penthouse collection represented the culmination of the company's long-term vision for Skye.

"True legacy isn't measured by what we build today, but by what endures tomorrow," Pikos said.

"Our ambition is to create places that become more valuable with time, enrich the lives of generations, and stand as timeless landmarks long after we've stepped away."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374060]

Williamson said the interiors were inspired by the natural character of Kangaroo Point and the Brisbane River rather than international design trends.

"Materiality tells the story of a place," Williamson said.

"We looked to the movement of the Brisbane River, the texture of the cliff face and the warmth of the surrounding landscape to create interiors that feel understated, enduring and unmistakably Brisbane."

Positioned above the Kangaroo Point cliffs, Skye places residents within walking distance of Howard Smith Wharves, South Bank and James Street while offering uninterrupted river and city views.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=90059]

Joel Robinson

Brisbane's next apartment price record? Pikos unveils Skye's exclusive penthouse collection

Article summary

<ul data-end="888" data-start="289">
	<li data-end="442" data-section-id="8tsh6o" data-start="289">DVB Projects is preparing to launch its second Gold Coast apartment development, with demolition now underway at 137 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach.</li>
	<li data-end="573" data-section-id="1nyxl3e" data-start="443">The 34-level tower will comprise just 49 ultra-luxury residences, including half-floor, full-floor and penthouse apartments.</li>
	<li data-end="717" data-section-id="oiyimj" data-start="574">The launch follows strong demand at DVB's nearby Sea Glass project, which is more than 50 per cent sold and currently under construction.</li>
	<li data-end="888" data-section-id="epk9o9" data-start="718">The development adds to the transformation of Old Burleigh Road, with premium beachfront apartment projects continuing to reshape the tightly held Broadbeach strip.</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/dvb-projects">DVB Projects</a> is preparing to launch its second Gold Coast apartment development, with demolition now underway on the Broadbeach site as the Sydney developer moves closer to bringing the ultra-luxury project to market.

The 34-level tower at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/137-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">137 Old Burleigh Road</a> will comprise just 49 residences, ranging from half-floor apartments through to full-floor homes and a penthouse. The launch follows the strong sales performance of DVB's nearby Sea Glass development. More than half of the apartments at Sea Glass, on the other side of Broadbeach, have been snapped up, well ahead of its late 2027 completion

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2944b4be-c84e-4b54-8dc1-c712e76704c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E02_Exterior_Street%20Level%20Entrance.jpg?VersionId=YoNig7pRdrE3HCue7sUj78LzJteeQf3H" />

The start of demolition at 137 Old Burleigh Road signals DVB Projects’ underlying confidence in the Gold Coast’s luxury beachside apartment sector.

“We see the Gold Coast as one of the most compelling lifestyle markets in Australia, particularly at the premium end where demand continues to deepen,” said Dean Brown, Managing Director of DVB.&nbsp;

“This project has been carefully designed to respond to that demand - delivering large-format residences with a level of quality, privacy and amenity that is still relatively rare in the apartment market on the beachside."

Brown says the site itself is "exceptional."

"Old Burleigh Road is one of the most tightly held beachfront strips, and opportunities to deliver a project of this scale and calibre in this location are extremely limited.”

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="398f377a-c037-455e-9250-0c5e0d84c35b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/I12_FF%20Balcony.jpg?VersionId=NwOiRWGMubR1c8wthuEfggklcja7al9." />

The project will comprise 40 half-floor residences of approximately 260 sqm, alongside eight full-floor residences spanning around 524 sqm.

A single penthouse will crown the building, featuring a private pool, barbecue area, indoor gym and dedicated entertaining spaces.

Residents will have access to a resort-style suite of amenities, including a 20-metre pool with daybeds, a gymnasium, hot and cold plunge pools, a sauna, and private residents’ lounge and dining facilities.

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1642bb0-9a66-4427-a022-dfc0988c6287" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/A02_Pool%20to%20View.jpg?VersionId=c0IXPyn_Gp_Kn3XCwzMrqIVkAdCEwVXP" />

Sales agent Todd Matheson, of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/pezet-matheson">Pezet Matheson</a>, which is marketing both 137 Old Burleigh Road and Sea Glass, said 137 Old Burleigh Road would address a clear gap in the market for genuine luxury products.

“There are very few opportunities on the Gold Coast where buyers can secure a residence of this size and quality in a new building,” Matheson said.

“What we’re seeing is a growing cohort of downsizers and interstate buyers who still want space - they’re not willing to compromise on living area, entertaining or finishes.

“This project has been designed with that buyer in mind. It offers the scale of a home, combined with the convenience and security of apartment living, in one of the coast’s most desirable positions.”

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="59aae0ca-5639-4320-8aca-d0bf60f48e43" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E01_Exterior%20Hero.jpg?VersionId=DS8Zfy2WtgUEtdfe0TEUuf1W1GfcZq8S" />

Located on a 1,156 sqm site one block from the beachfront, the development will replace an ageing walk-up building and is expected to contribute to the ongoing transformation of the Old Burleigh Road strip into one of the Gold Coast’s most prestigious residential corridors.

With the development moving into the delivery phase, 137 Old Burleigh Road is slated to hit the market later this year.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145141]

DVB Projects to launch second Broadbeach apartment tower as demolition commences

A proposal to redevelop one of North Sydney's ageing commercial buildings has taken another step forward, with plans for a 38-storey mixed-use tower adding momentum to the long-awaited transformation of the Alfred Street precinct.

Now on public exhibition through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority-led State Significant Development pathway, the proposal for 271-273 Alfred Street would replace an underutilised commercial building with 95 apartments, ground-floor retail, commercial space and affordable housing. The proposal was submitted by&nbsp;Tara Shore Pty Ltd, acting for the John Taylor Family Trust.

While the project will deliver much-needed housing on the southern edge of the North Sydney CBD, it also represents another piece of a broader precinct that has spent years in planning limbo.

<img alt="First look: New public domain vision underpins 95-apartment North Sydney tower on Alfred Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7e1ce1b4-38df-48ab-992f-386814d86308" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Alfred%20St%20da%20podium.png?VersionId=sC_h6w.A9VEoB98qsqowPlIoz__sBZBt" />

Despite its proximity to both North Sydney Station and the Victoria Cross Metro, redevelopment of Alfred Street has progressed slowly over the past decade as broader planning controls, zoning and building heights remained unresolved. The introduction of the Housing Delivery Authority pathway has provided a new avenue for projects to progress, allowing rezoning and development assessment to occur concurrently and unlocking sites that have long been earmarked for renewal.

Designed by Office of Cortese &amp; Gilder, the proposal seeks to do more than replace an ageing office building. The architects have positioned the project as the first stage of a wider public domain vision that would improve pedestrian connectivity and create a more cohesive mixed-use precinct as neighbouring sites are redeveloped over time.

The proposal includes a widened Alfred Street setback, new street trees, landscaping and outdoor seating, along with a landscaped through-site pedestrian link connecting Alfred Street with Little Alfred Street. The connection is intended to become the first section of a future east-west pedestrian network extending across the precinct.

<img alt="First look: New public domain vision underpins 95-apartment North Sydney tower on Alfred Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8ea39ac3-46ad-4562-b4a0-b862e91c2dda" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Alfred%20St%20da%20site.png?VersionId=K7umCd21KpetEFuVfsPlnJKhUOsmTTdV" />

The mixed-use tower would comprise retail space at ground level, commercial uses on level two and apartments from level three upwards.

In total, the development would deliver 95 apartments, including nine one-bedroom, 28 two-bedroom, 56 three-bedroom and two four-bedroom residences. Twenty-one apartments, representing 15 per cent of the residential gross floor area, would be secured as affordable housing and managed by a registered community housing provider for at least 15 years.

Nine basement levels would provide 133 resident car spaces, seven motorcycle spaces and 111 bicycle spaces.

According to the Architecture and Urban Design Report, the public domain strategy is designed to transform what is currently an inward-facing commercial edge into a more active and connected pedestrian environment, creating a stronger relationship between the commercial core and surrounding residential neighbourhoods.

Office of Cortese &amp; Gilder has also prepared a broader public domain framework spanning neighbouring properties between 263 and 283 Alfred Street, arguing that a coordinated approach to redevelopment will deliver better public spaces, improved tower separation and a more connected streetscape as the precinct evolves.

The proposal comes at a time where North Sydney is slated for future residential growth. Commercial developer FiveX has residential plans for the neighbouring site at 275 Alfred Street. They've proposed a 39-storey mixed-use tower with 184 apartments, while Freecity was recently approved for nearly 300 apartments across a 51-storey building on Walker Street.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-freecity-gets-green-light-for-mixed-use-apartment-and-hotel-tower-in-north-sydney">First look: Freecity gets green light for mixed-use apartment and hotel tower in North Sydney</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-fivex-plans-39-storey-residential-tower-in-booming-north-sydney">First look: Fivex plans 39-storey residential tower in booming North Sydney</a>

&nbsp;

Alfred Street the latest North Sydney pocket to be transformed by residential development

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

Boutique Gordon townhomes now come with a BMW iX3 50

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

Vitale breaks Byron Bay records with EADE sales flurry 

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?

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

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

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Hi Margaret,
I am a fortunate Aussie expat whom has just reached five years overseas. As expats our land tax exemption in Queensland is only $350,000 per person. 
My wife and I own two properties in Brisbane and are looking to purchase our third and future home.  Our tax planning strongly requires us to increase our current debt levels.
Unit : $200,000 land value, 50/50 ownership,principal place of residence up to end 2009.
Post war 810 square metre splitter: $405,000 land value, one title, 100% my name.
Future home: $800,000 to $1 million, 50/50 ownership.
Do you have any recommendation on how we can eliminate or reduce our land tax exposure after the purchase our new home while remaining oversees?
We are likely to face an $8,000 to 10,000 yearly land tax bill.  We have considered selling our unit as we can still access the capital gains exemption and going forward it is not likely to provide growth to match the cost of land tax.
I look forward to your assistance.
Thanks
Julyan 
Hi Julyan,
It always worries me when the tax accountant’s response to saving tax is to increase your level of borrowing.
While I support borrowing to invest, the amount of debt you ultimately obtain must suit your personal appetite for risk, not some accountant’s attempt to reduce your tax.
It’s all very well to say ‘get more debt’ but to do so without care and extremely careful planning around what you buy might just end up diverting those saved taxes into property losses when you buy the wrong property!
You cannot get the usual principal place of residence (PPOR) exemption on your land tax as you do not reside here – and so the normal thresholds that apply to property other than your own home apply to you, as you have so rightly pointed out. 
Once you make this next property your home, it will come under the exemptions, so maybe you need to consider the length of time it will be just an investment and calculate the total amount of tax you will actually be up for – then assess if this amount is worth getting into the market now. 
It could be that the amount of money you save by buying now, assuming what you buy goes up in value, is more than the tax you have to pay, making the payment worthwhile.
In addition to this you could: 
<ol>
<li>Explore how you can make your PPOR your own home – this may entail coming home for a month to live in the newly acquired property as soon as you settle, then invoking the six year rule to move out of it for up to six years.  While this deals with capital gains tax it may also deal with land tax too – you must check with the QLD office of state revenue for their policy on PPOR exemptions and it’s relation to land tax. 
</li>
<li>Instead of buying a property now to live in, instead look for additional investment properties but choose them in a state other than Queensland.  Land tax is a state based tax and you get a tax free threshold in each state!   Note that the threshold is different in every state, but this could allow you to add to your portfolio with growth assets without further burdening your land tax liability. 
</li>
<li>If you must stay in Queensland, consider buying a commercial property, where land tax is an outgoing recovered from the tenant.</li>
</ol>
Apart from these ideas, land tax is a fact of life and one which has no legal way of avoiding.  As with all tax advice though, be sure to contact an accountant to discuss your needs, and choose one who can demonstrate a sound knowledge of property investing tax matters.
Regards,
Margaret
Have a property question?  <a href="mailto:askmargaret@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">Ask Margaret!</a>
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mlomas-KC9MUPZ6Ca

Ask Margaret: How can I reduce my land tax exposure?

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Two beach homes and one bush estate are among the 10 most expensive sales of the week, according to CoreLogic RP Data.
The top end sales were rather subdued last week, with all clearing just $1.58 million. Towards the end of 2014, CoreLogic's top 10 list regularly <a href="/expert-insights/buying/putney-waterfront-heads-corelogic-rp-datas-top-10-sales-of-the-week">bottomed out at $2.3 million</a> or higher, after<a href="/expert-insights/buying/victorian-prestige-homes-dominate-rp-datas-top-10-sales-of-the-week"> spring's highs</a>. 
Last week saw the sale of two Queensland beach homes, costing $2.35 million and $1.92 million.
A home in the 610 person strong town of Razorback in regional New South Wales sold for $1.95 million.
The top 10 sales of the week ending 18 January:
<a href="https://www.domain.com.au/property/sold/house/nsw/blakehurst/?adid=2011655254" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-one.jpg" alt="">6 Taunton Street Blakehurst, New South Wales</a>
<img src="/images/2015/01/20/1.jpg" alt="">
A six year old <a href="/news">Blakehurst </a>home topped this week's sales. Buyers paid $2.38 million for the house, sold through Ray White Sylvania Waters.
Set on 700 square metres, the house has five bedrooms, a home office, gas fireplaces, and a central courtyard. Set on 697 square metres, it comes with a 17 metre saltwater pool.
The vendors paid $1.8 million for the property in May 2010.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/enterprise-street-sunshine-beach/Property-Details-sold-residential-7065513" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-two.jpg" alt="">28 Enterprise Street, Sunshine Beach, Queensland</a>
<img src="/images/2015/01/20/2.jpg" alt="">
This five bedroom house sold for $2.35 million through Richardson &amp; Wrench Noosa.
The <a href="/news">Sunshine Beach</a> home on a 511 square metre sloping allotment was designed by retired architect Jill Campbell, and has a series of split levels. The house includes a poolside guest suite with a living room, bathroom and stone top bar.
The vendors made a loss on the sale, after paying $2,575,000 in February 2005.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/grandview-grove-seaforth/Property-Details-sold-residential-7818482" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-three.jpg" alt="">25 Grandview Grove, Seaforth, New South Wales</a>
<img src="/images/2015/01/20/3.jpg" alt="">
Buyers paid $2,335,000 for this <a href="/news">Seaforth </a>home, sold through LJ Hooker Seaforth. The house has open plan living areas, with outdoor entertaining areas covered by a Vergola sunroof. The home comes with a customised Sonos and Bose sound system.
The vendors paid $1.27 million for the property in March 2007.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-glen+waverley-118506567" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-four.jpg" alt="">46 Myers Avenue, Glen Waverley, Victoria</a>
<img src="/images/2015/01/20/4.jpg" alt="">
A four bedroom house on a 733 square metre plot sold for $2.1 million through JY Property Surrey Hills.
The listing information noted the home lived in the (much sought-after) <a href="/news">Glen Waverley </a>Secondary College, and is within walking distance of Wesley College.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/2-crawford-creek-place-razorback/Property-Details-buy-residential-7448319" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-five.jpg" alt="">2 Crawford Creek Place, Razorback, New South Wales</a>
<img src="/images/2015/01/20/5.jpg" alt="">
This week's prestige bush offering is located in <a href="/news">Razorback</a>, in the Macarthur region.
The 4,046 square metre holding has a five bedroom house, featuring brush box timber flooring and 10 foot high ceilings. The property includes a pool with a pool house and gymnasium.
The vendors bought the Bazdaric for $690,000 in May 2008, building the current house just five years ago.
Article continues on the next page. Please click below.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-mermaid+beach-118801667" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-six.jpg" alt="">16 Sunbrite Avenue, Mermaid Beach, Queensland</a>
<img src="/images/2015/01/20/6.jpg" alt="">
The second beach offering on last week's top 10 was sold for $1.92 million through Harcourts Coastal.
The four bedroom "warehouse style" <a href="/news">Mermaid Beach</a> house has polished concrete floors on the bottom level and timber wall paneling, with paneled VJ ceilings. North-facing, the house has a covered barbecue deck and pool.
The sellers bought the property with its former house just a year and a half ago, for $775,00.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-croydon-118788215" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-seven.jpg" alt="">30 Murray Street, Croydon, New South Wales</a>
<img src="/images/2015/01/20/7.jpg" alt="">
A Federation home in <a href="/news">Croydon </a>sold for $1.75 million through McGrath Inner West Concord. The four bedroom, on bathroom house is situated on a 570 square metre corner plot. Period features include pressed metal ceilings and original timber floorboards, and a traditional wraparound verandah.
The vendors held the property for 30 years, having purchased it for just $136,000 in December 1984.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-miranda-118421555" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-eight.jpg" alt="">42 Matson Crescent, Miranda, New South Wales</a>
 <img src="/images/2015/01/20/7.jpg" alt="">
Another property held for 30 years, this waterfront house was purchased by the vendors in 1984 for $215,000. Last week, it was sold through McGrath Cronulla for $1.68 million.
The three bedroom <a href="/news">Miranda</a> house comes with a converted boathouse with a deck, and has boating facilities including a slipway, jetty and pontoon.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-hawthorne-118189331" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-nine.jpg" alt="">12 Katoomba Avenue, Hawthorne, Queensland</a>
 <img src="/images/2015/01/20/9.jpg" alt="">
A renovated Queenslander on an 810 square metre block was sold for $1.64 million through McGrath Bulimba.
The <a href="/news">Hawthorne</a> house, described in the listing as being "of historical significance", has four bedrooms and four bathrooms, and overlooks its pool at the rear. A gazebo, a poolside bathroom and a children's playground accompany the pool.
The sellers paid $1,445,000 for the house in August 2009.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-yowie+bay-118562467" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-ten.jpg" alt="">10 Maroopna Road, Yowie Bay, New South Wales</a>
<img src="/images/2015/01/20/10.jpg" alt=""> 
Buyers paid $1.58 million for a full brick waterfront home in <a href="/news">Yowie Bay</a>, sold htorugh Newton Real Estate Caringbah. The three storey house shares a 986 square metre plot with an in-ground pool, jetty and pontoon.
The price of the property has tripled in the 20 years it was owned by the vendors. They paid $525,000 for the home in 1995.
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jrichardson-uRX5hFdKfN

Beach and bush offerings make week’s top 10 sales: CoreLogic

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The 11th annual Demographia survey analysed 378 property markets in nine countries.
The survey found that <a href="/expert-insights/investing/only-hong-kong-and-vancouver-dearer-than-sydneys-severely-unaffordable-housing-11th-demographia-2015-survey">Sydney is the third most unaffordable major property market</a>, falling behind only Hong Kong and Vancouver.
It looked at 51 Australian towns from Adelaide to Wollongong.
The full list of Australian markets surveyed in the <a href="https://www.demographia.com/dhi.pdf" target="_blank">Demographia International Affordability Survey</a>:
<img src="/images/2015/01/20/demographia-jan-20-one.jpg" alt="">
<img src="/images/2015/01/20/demographia-jan-20-two.jpg" alt="">
Source: Demographia
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po-LsXgBTHBmX

The full affordability list from Adelaide to Wollongong: Demographia 2015

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New South Wales and the Northern Territory have the strongest economies in Australia, according to the latest instalment in CommSec’s <a href="https://www.commsec.com.au/content/dam/EN/ResearchNews/MD-State_of_the_States_January_15%20(web).pdf" target="_blank">State of the States report</a>.
Each quarter CommSec <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/growth/economy/32775-act-shoots-forward-in-state-of-the-states-report--but-western-australia-still-first-by-a-mile" target="_blank">measures the performance of the state and territory economies</a> against eight key indicators, including economic growth, retail spending, equipment investment, unemployment, construction work down, population growth, housing finance and dwelling commencements.
Each indicator is compared with decade averages or the ‘normal’ performance of the indicators in that state.
NSW took out the top spot in the quarter, snatching the mantle from Western Australia and retained its number one rank in the last quarter.
According to CommSec economist Craig James, NSW’s top ranking on population growth and retail trade is keeping it at the top of the list, while its second ranking in business investment and dwelling starts is also contributing to its overall economic performance. The state is ranked fourth in terms of housing finance and overall construction work and fifth in terms of economic growth.
But joining NSW at the top of the list is the Northern Territory, which has overtaken WA, thanks to gas projects which are driving growth for the state. The NT tops the rankings when it comes to construction work and equipment investment, as well as job market idicators, but comes in at third place for the retail trade, sixth for housing finance and seventh for population growth
Western Australia now sits at number three on the list, with declines in housing finance, dwelling starts and unemployment all contributing to the slide. However, the west is the country’s second best performing region in terms of economic growth, retail trade and construction work.
Victoria is ranked the fourth best-performing economy, following by Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Tasmania.
Speaking to SmartCompany, James says the results are good news for small and medium businesses, especially housing-related businesses, which can expect another strong 12 months.
“The drivers that tend to be very important for small and medium businesses tend to be from the housing sector,” James says.
“For builders and tradespeople and retail items to do with homes, like curtains and fittings.”
James says CommSec is seeing “a degree of strength in housing across the nation”, including the construction of new housing, and this is particularly the case in NSW and the NT.
“We’re not seeing the same growth in dwellings in South Australia and Tasmania,” he says.
James says strong housing numbers have a flow-on effect to consumer confidence and rising house prices in all regions except for Canberra are also a positive as individuals are buying homes or paying off their mortgages and this means housing value is also on the up.
Click to open in new window: 
<a href="/images/2015/01/20/sta%20jan%2020%20one.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2015/01/20/sta%20jan%2020%20one.jpg" alt=""></a>
This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
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ekeating-PWvazjYE25

NSW and NT boast the strongest economies: Housing sector fueling growth

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Property developer Stockland is set to construct two new residential towns on the Melbourne metropolitan fringe.
Stockland will commence construction in the next few months on its $4.6 billion Cloverton residential development 35 kilometres north of Melbourne, creating 11,000 new homes.
Previously known as the Lockerbie sheep station, the 30 year project has been described as the largest masterplanned residential community development it has ever undertaken in Victoria.
It is on 1,141 hectares at Kalkallo in Melbourne’s northern growth corridor, on the eastern side of the Hume Highway. The site encompasses parts of the Hume, Whittlesea and Mitchell LGAs.
More than 30,000 residents are expected to take up residence in Cloverton. The first land sales will occur shortly with settlements scheduled in the 2016 financial year.
Andrew Whitson, the CEO residential at Stockland, said the project was aligned with the economic opportunities that existed in Victoria, given the state’s 21.4% contribution to national GDP and 24.8% share of the national population.
Whitson hopes Stockland can replicate and expand on the success achieved at the multi-award-winning <a href="/expert-insights/building/stockland-s-highlands-residential-community-in-craigieburn-to-be-blueprint-for-all-future-projects">Highlands residential community at Craigieburn</a> where public-private partnerships facilitated the construction of a regional hospital, childcare facilities, new public and private schools, and a regional tertiary institution, the Hume Global Learning Centre.
Craigieburn's Highgate Reserve features an MCG-sized football oval and hosts regular VFL games. The Richmond Football Club have also used the ground as a second training facility.
The Lockerbie Sheep Station was purchased by Stockland for around $300 million, Australia’s largest ever individual land transaction when announced in 2010. The Burgess family had previously been in exclusive negotiations with developer, Delfin Lend Lease, for development rights, but the deal did not get to requisite signatures.
The furniture making Burgess family had bought the bulk of the property in 1979, paying about $920,000, with the property sold by the daughters.
Stockland has also acquired 65 hectares of residential zoned land at Clyde North in Casey, in the south-east of Melbourne.
The group said it will create a new masterplanned community at the site over a six-year period, with around 800 new homes, at a $128 million development cost.
Stockland said construction on the project in the Clyde Creek Precinct Structure Plan area will begin in 2017, with the first settlements in the 2019 financial year.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Stockland plans house and land city north of Melbourne

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Residential rents around Australia stubbornly refuse to budge. Two sets of figures record the absence of meaningful rental growth in our capital cities in the past year.
One of the property magazines managed to concoct a “Rental growth at record levels” headline out of the figures from Domain Group and CoreLogic, but both sets of data show zero growth or falling rentals in most of the city markets.
The Domain figures for houses record no annual change for Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide and significant declines for Perth, Canberra and Darwin.
Hobart (up 3%) and Sydney (up 4%) are the only city housing markets to achieve minor growth.
Unit rents have been even more pallid. There have been annual decreases in Brisbane, Perth, Canberra and Darwin, growth around 2% in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, and a 3.8% in Hobart as the best effort in capital city Australia.
There are similar results in the CoreLogic research. The combined capital city average is a 1.2% rise for houses and a 2.5% rise for apartments. Nationally, rents rose an average 2.6% for both houses and apartments, which suggests some of the regional cities have done slightly better than the state and territory capitals.
Rental markets are particularly poor in Canberra, Perth and Darwin, which mirror similarly mediocre performances on house prices in those cities in 2014.
CoreLogic suggests house rents in Canberra fell an average 5% in the past year, while unit rents are down 7%.  Perth has dropped 6% for houses and 4% for apartments.
The overall scenario is residential rents going nowhere or backwards in most of Australia’s major markets.
The rental research provides one of four data sets that show that “the chronic housing shortage” fabricated by the developer lobby is real estate’s biggest lie.
The second piece of evidence is the absence of major price growth in our major cities outside of Sydney (six of the eight capitals recorded growth below 5% in 2014), despite all the factors in favour of buyers, such as low interest rates, plentiful finance options and low unemployment.
The third factor is the high level of new home construction over the past two years (approvals recently reached record levels), eliminating any lingering notions that we weren’t building enough homes. And the fourth is vacancy rates in key markets, which suggest over-supply is the core issue, particularly in capital city apartment markets and boom-bust resources centres.
Here’s one illustration of how markets behave when there really is a housing shortage – and then what happens when developers go crazy and create the opposite problem.
Two years ago, when resources-driven demand was still high and accommodation was scarce, the median house price in Port Hedland was a whacky $1.2 million, having averaged above 20% per year growth over the previous decade. The median weekly rent was $2,500 per week and typical yields were above 10%. This is what happens when a shortage is real.
Then the iron ore industry went south, which coincided with an increase in accommodation supply. Developers have many skills, but timing is not among them.
Today the median house price in Port Hedland is $810,000, after decline averaging 7.5% per year for the past three years, including a 19% decrease in the past 12 months. The investor who bought at the average price two years would have lost $400,000 in value.
The median rent is now $1,500, still ridiculously high but down 40% on peak levels, and the median rental yield is 7% - if you can find a tenant at all, given that the vacancy rate has been stuck in the 6% to 8% range for the past two years, according to SQM Research figures.
Last week I had an email from an investor who bought in this market in 2012 and was initially getting $1,750 per week. The property is now empty and advertised at $750 per week.
Such is life in mining centres, where outrageous peaks and troughs are the norm.
Such, too, is the behaviour of markets in reaction to supply-demand factors. When rents are stagnant, or declining, you can be confident that the market is tending more towards surplus than shortage.
TERRY RYDER is the founder of <a href="https://hotspotting.com.au/">hotspotting.com.au</a>. You can <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email him</a> or contact him on <a href="https://twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.
Terry will be participating in a webinar on 'The Best and Worst for 2015: Top 5 Hotspots and 5 Places to Avoid' on 3 February.
Click here to <a href="/news">register now</a>.
{mijopolls 76}
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

Rental data shows "chronic housing shortage" is real estate's biggest lie: Terry Ryder

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Is 2015 the year you put your house up for sale?
Whether it’s time to upsize, downsize or simply find a property to better suit you lifestyle, there are few things you should start doing to help you achieve the best possible price.
<ol>
<li>
Prepare yourself mentally Selling your home can be very emotional for most people – it could be your first home, the home where your kids grew up or where you lived with a loved one who’s passed away. If you are planning on selling your home this year, start thinking of the sale as more of a financial decision than an emotional one. It’s much easier to sell a house than a home. 
</li>
<li>
Do your own research The longer you research the market before you decide to sell, the better understanding you'll have of property values in your area. It's always best to have an idea of your properties value before you engage a real estate agent so that you can work together on setting a realistic price expectation. Keep an eye out for similar properties and their sale prices, what features appear to be popular and start compiling a list of agents that are getting good results and who've impressed you in their approach and follow up. 
</li>
<li>
Find the right agent Finding the right agent can make a huge difference to your selling price and your stress level. Contrary to popular belief, houses don’t sell themselves. You need to find an agent who’ll work hard, communicate well and will achieve the best possible result for you. The best way to do this is to spend a few months going to open for inspections and auctions in your area and seeing how each agent operates. Make notes as to which agents presented well, showed the property when they were supposed to, answered questions about the property honestly, followed up with you and kept you updated throughout the sale process. 
</li>
<li>
Touch ups If your property is looking a little neglected, it could be worth doing some cosmetic touch ups. A coat of paint, patching up any cracks, cleaning cobwebs and replacing any broken tiles will help make a good first impression to potential buyers. There’s no need to completely renovate your property but speak to your agent about any recommendations they may have to help make the best first impression. 
</li>
<li>
Plan your sale campaign If you want to sell your house for the best price, you have to make it as easy as possible for potential purchasers to buy your house. Scheduling inspection and auctions on public holidays, religious holidays or significant sporting events could keep potential purchasers away. Get your calendar out and plan wisely. It might also be worth considering a private sale as opposed to an auction depending on the type of house your selling and the demand for those type of properties at the time. 
</li>
<li>
Style your home The presentation of your home can have a big impact on the final selling price. Many vendors are now choosing to hire interior designers and stylists to prepare their homes for the sale process. Not only will the house look impressive to everyone who inspects the property, a good stylist will help make your property stand out in all the marketing material and online listings. This can be expensive but will usually pay for itself in the final sale price. 
</li>
<li>
Inspections Most agents will only show your house once or twice a week. The good agents will want to show your property as soon as they have an enquiry. Although this may be a bit more of a distraction to your life, being flexible and always prepared to have your home inspected can help attract more potential buyers. It will also give the agent an opportunity to spend more time with buyers if they're avoiding the large weekend crowds.
</li>
</ol>
<a class="name" href="https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=188616414&amp;authType=name&amp;authToken=mvEG&amp;trk=pulse-det-athr_prof-art_hdr" title="Marcel Dybner" rel="author" data-li-uetrk-click="tl">Marcel Dybner</a> is head of property management at the Melbourne-based boutique real estate agency <a href="https://www.besserco.com.au/" target="_blank">Besser &amp; Co</a>.
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MarcelDybner-pMgVVLZngz

Seven steps towards selling your home

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GUEST OBSERVATION
While financial planning is on the pathway to <a href="https://www.gowerpublishing.com/pdf/SamplePages/Conceptions-of-Professionalism-CH1.pdf" target="_blank">professionalism</a>, its education standards continue to be the subject of much discussion – and for good reason.
The current standards set by ASIC mandate a comparatively low level certification program that can be completed in just days. This is clearly inconsistent with the notion of a profession and is certainly not congruent with the complex financial market, product, legal, business and behavioural knowledge and skills a modern planner requires.
Recent key national reviews acknowledge this and have all recommended increasing education standards to bachelor degree level. These include the <a href="https://fsi.gov.au" target="_blank">Financial System Inquiry</a>, The <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Corporations_and_Financial_Services/Financial_Adviser_Qualifications/Report" target="_blank">Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services Inquiry</a> and the Australian Financial Services Licence Industry Working Group.
It is also worth noting that some segments of the industry and some professional associations already have degree level education requirements for membership/employment and ongoing continuing professional development.
So where is ASIC on this and why have the current low standards persisted?
Well, they have tried to raise them. In June 2013 ASIC <a href="https://asic.gov.au/regulatory-resources/find-a-document/consultation-papers/cp-212-licensing-training-of-financial-product-advisers-updates-to-rg-146/" target="_blank">proposed</a> to enhance its guidelines for training of financial advisers in various ways, but this did not progress.
ASIC’s preference is for the introduction of a national exam which it first <a href="https://asic.gov.au/regulatory-resources/find-a-document/consultation-papers/cp-153-licensing-assessment-and-professional-development-framework-for-financial-advisers/" target="_blank">raised</a> in April 2011. The issue was <a href="https://asic.gov.au/regulatory-resources/find-a-document/consultation-papers/cp-212-licensing-training-of-financial-product-advisers-updates-to-rg-146/" target="_blank">raised again</a> last year when ASIC suggested that a national exam “may replace any obligation to do a training course”.
The original model was for the test to take the form of an online three-hour exam both for new advisers and for existing advisers (to be repeated every three years).
More recently, ASIC Chairman Greg Medcraft restated this preference as a fundamental component of <a href="https://www.afr.com/p/opinion/asic_chair_says_set_exams_for_planners_KsJkyswSVengfHmYAmzY6K" target="_blank">his vision</a> for financial advisers where the industry sets the competence levels. This is a departure from ASIC’s earlier proposals, and would see ASIC test competencies by overseeing the exam.
As a result, ASIC is positioning itself to move away from the education/training side of the current regulatory regime, where it has largely failed to deliver an appropriate framework.
This leads to the question of whether requiring advisers to undertake an exam every three years would improve adviser competence and lead to better quality advice.
Simple in theory…
The advantages of a single national exam are drawn from the potential efficiency of it – one instrument that can be completed online, give some indication of adviser competence, and provide a clear pass/fail measure that could be easily benchmarked. It is also a simple measure for consumers to utilise.
But the proposal does also raise a number of concerns.
Financial planning contains a diverse array of knowledge and skill areas (eg economics, investment, tax, legal, retirement, estate, insurance, risk, business, behavioural and client engagement). It is hard to imagine how any reasonable measure of competence could be drawn from one online exam covering all of these.
At the same time, it is difficult to assess “soft” skills in a test or exam, yet they are a key part of effective financial advice.
The licensing regime currently requires planners to be RG146 accredited only in the areas which they provide advice. And exam would therefore need multiple modules or versions to allow for various permutations.
The logistics of implementing the exam for somewhere between 18,000 and 30,000 individuals would be complex and suggests a sophisticated examination regime and significant effort in educational design to ensure the integrity of the instrument and its outcomes.
There are few examples of doing this in related professions (law, accounting, nursing, teaching, medicine) with most professions opting for a continuing professional development model.
The problem with the national exam is therefore simple – who pays?
…Difficult to deliver
To do it well, given the scale and complexity of advice, would come at significant cost. With ASIC’s budget being cut and industry suggesting it is not willing to fund it, it’s unclear how it would be achieved, particularly given concerns about the educational efficacy of it as proposed. So it appears it is unlikely to be implemented as ASIC has suggested.
Rather, the proposal should be seen as part of a broader framework that builds on existing elements such as higher education degrees in financial planning, professional associations and the Professional Standards Councils framework.
Proposals to restrict who can call themselves a financial planner/adviser (including draft legislation) and a compensation scheme add further to the options.
What might seem like an easy fix (just make them all do a test), is likely to be little more use in and of itself as RG146. However, as part of a broader professional framework a national exam may have a role to play. This could be for a more specialised purpose such as verifying currency of knowledge (given the continuous changes to taxation, superannuation and other relevant laws) than what ASIC envisages.
Other elements such as enforceable codes of conduct, complaints systems and compensations schemes would form the broader professional environment and assessment of competency. This would create a level and robust playing field for financial advice and should go some way to building consumer confidence in the sector.
Mark Brimble is discipline head of finance and financial planning at Griffith University.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/36208/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="line-height: 1.3em;">
This article was originally published on <a href="https://theconversation.com" style="line-height: 1.3em;">The Conversation</a>.
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Why we still don’t expect financial planners to sit an exam

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A two-level penthouse on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast has set a new Caloundra apartment price record of $4.25 million.
A local couple secured the 580 square metre apartment through Billie LeKich of ­Billie’s Prestige Selection.
It is in the waterfront building, Anchorage on Maloja Avenue, which is the millionaires’ row of Caloundra.
David Townsend's Shanlodge Pty Ltd completed the $40 million Anchorage on Maloja in partnership with former Brisbane Lord Mayor Dr Clem Jones AO.
The apartment with four bedrooms and three bathrooms bettered the price set for a penthouse in the Aspect building, which Billie LeKich sold in 2008. CoreLogic RP Datas indicates the Lower Gay Terrace block's highest sale was $3.15 million. There was also a $3.25 million sale in 2007 in Anchorage too.
Marketing on the project in 2007 but the global financial crisis prompted a four-year construction delay.
CoreLogic RP Data put the median unit price at <a href="/news">$497,500 at its 2008 peak</a>. It now sits around $354,000.
LeKich suggests the $4.25 million sale, which followed another $2.65 million in the same building last month, reflected a return to confidence in the area’s luxury market.
The remaining offerings (one picture above) are listed with several out of area conjunctional agents.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-qld-caloundra-113086467" target="_blank">There are five of the development’s 12 </a>residences remaining for sale, including another two-level penthouse priced at $4.65 million.
The single storey apartments ranged from ­382-square-metre sub-penthouses to the 650 square metre dual level super-penthouses.
Anchorage has a lap pool, private jetty, lap pool and a 12-metre floating pontoon which is scheduled be completed later this month.
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Caloundra record penthouse sale at $4.25 million

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The latest round of <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/8762.0Main+Features1Sep%202014?OpenDocument" target="_blank">ABS Engineering Construction</a> data for the third quarter of 2014 - a fair proxy for mining and resources project construction - showed another sharp decline.
Let's take a look at what we can learn in three short parts.
<h3>Part one - Engineering activity tanks</h3>
Engineering construction activity dived by 3.7% to $28,394 million in the third quarter in chain volume measures terms to be some 13.3% lower than a year ago.
After an extraordinary run mining construction is set to act as a material drag on the economy over the next few years as activity reverts back towards its long run average. Given recent market action in the commodities sector, the decline could be pretty rapid.
<img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hkV8qHfCdC0/VLssCrnQv9I/AAAAAAAASio/O1zg89pKaiA/s1600/CA4.jpg">
While Western Australia and Queensland are busily ramping up export volumes, at the same time construction activity is dropping off a cliff. In fact only the Northern Territory has seen a mining construction activity spike of late, partly due to some big spend on the Inpex Ichthys LNG project.
<img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_bW4kDt9yT4/VLssBtReQHI/AAAAAAAASiQ/SGn_WQzJWRQ/s1600/CA3.jpg">
It isn't possible to forecast with any level of accuracy what will happen to mining construction in any given reporting period, but the first chart above shows that total activity is likely to have a long way to fall yet.
<a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/5625.0Main%20Features3Sep%202014?opendocument&amp;tabname=Summary&amp;prodno=5625.0&amp;issue=Sep%202014&amp;num=&amp;view=" target="_blank">Capex intention surveys</a> do suggest that there is likely to be an uplift in investment in other industries. However, the engineering construction work commenced figures, which are always necessarily wildly volatile by their very nature, show that work commenced in the third quarter was well down on a rolling annual basis.
<img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WeYUc-2rC_Y/VLs0fMw60VI/AAAAAAAASjY/VizRfpWgYmc/s1600/commenced.jpg">
<h3>Part two - All change in construction sector</h3>
During the past week we already noted that the <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.sg/2015/01/record-high-for-dwelling-commencements" target="_blank">value of building activity</a> for the third quarter came in at an underwhelming $22,287 million, although this did represent a moderate 5% increase over the past year.
The good news was that there were an <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.sg/2015/01/record-high-for-dwelling-commencements" target="_blank">all-time record 52,380 home starts</a> in the September quarter, so there will surely be a marked uplift in residential building to follow in the year ahead.
<img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jXnVtpaKTNw/VLmnPAb7NvI/AAAAAAAASgo/2WIB5hYmkPE/s1600/CA1.jpg"> 
The above chart shows that even if residential construction can ramp up by a couple of billion in 2015, this alone cannot offset the likely decline in mining activity and there will be more lifting to be done elsewhere in the economy.
Piecing this all together, total <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/8782.0.65.001?OpenDocument" target="_blank">construction activity</a> in the ABS data series declined by 2.5% over the quarter and 6% over the past year.
<img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p1tqV4mDoSY/VLs1uvdx5iI/AAAAAAAASjo/znxfueuadTA/s1600/CA2.jpg">
Article continues on the next page. Please click below.
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
<h3>Part three - Macro trends to watch in 2015</h3>
So what can we expect to see as a result of this? Here are three macro trends to watch out for.
<ul>
<li>i) Interest rates to fall to 2%</li>
</ul>
We have had <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.sg/2015/01/bang-bang-finish-to-2014-jobs-growth" target="_blank">two strong employment reports over the past two months</a> - at least, we have on a dubious seasonally adjusted basis - but it would be a brave call at this stage to suggest that interest rates are not heading lower in 2015 given the collapse in engineering construction work in the pipeline.
There are no complete and up-to-date figures available for Western Australia (or the Northern Territory for that matter) but the underlying data available for categories such as roads and highways points towards an ongoing decline.
<img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QiNG8Nz8I6E/VLsuLLJ4weI/AAAAAAAASjE/NhiLjBDiNbQ/s1600/CA6.jpg">
Futures markets are therefore all but pricing in two interest rate cuts by H1 2016 which may well give a few of Australia's floundering property markets a timely boost.
<ul>
<li>(ii) Mass migration back to capital cities </li>
</ul>
<a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.sg/2014/05/rba-on-housing" target="_blank">Recent demographic studies</a> have shown that a migration back towards the capitals is already well underway with both population growth and employment growth increasingly focussed around the centre of our four largest capital cities, and regional population growth in most locations well below the national averages.
The construction phase of the mining boom is the labour-intensive phase - labour required for new mines and LNG projects is typically only a third of that needed through the project construction stage.
This need not all be doom and gloom. For one thing resources export volumes are punching out record highs by the month (albeit with diminished commodity prices) which is, after all, the point of the preceding mining and resources construction boom.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has also <a href="https://www.rba.gov.au/publications/bulletin/2014/dec/pdf/bu-1214-2.pdf" target="_blank">released detailed research</a> to outline its rationale for believing that mining construction employment skills are directly transferrable to residential property construction - and remember 2015 and 2016 will be record years for the building of housing.
The RBA's figures show that the number of construction workers alone in the resources sector leapt from around 15,000 in the mid 2000s to around 90,000 by 2013. We can expect to see an equivalent retrenchment as resources projects are completed, with some 60,000 resources construction positions to be terminated between 2014 and 2018. 
Offsetting this around 20,000 operational positions were created in 2013 and 2014 with another 10,000 to come ove rthe next few years. Totting that up net resources employment is set to decline by about 40,000 between 2014 and 2018.
Residential construction boom
The good news is that the latest residential <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.sg/2015/01/building-approvals-hit-record-high-we" target="_blank">building approvals hit their highest ever level</a> at nearly 200,000 on a rolling annual basis up to November 2014.
The ensuing residential construction boom will be predominantly a capital city affair, with the capital cities approvinga combined record 74,397 houses and 75,320 units over the past year. Thus more than 75% of dwellings constructed will be in the capital cities and more than two thirds of them in only Greater Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
This is important for the respective economies of those four cities since residential construction has such as <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.sg/2014/07/construction-multiplier" target="_blank">healthy economic multiplier effect</a>.
<ul>
<li>(iii) Regional property markets to underperform in aggregate</li>
</ul>
 "Location, location, location" is one of the greatest cliches in real estate, but like many such mantras it has a grain of truth in it.
Over the long-term, well located capital city property will generally outperform regional centres where economic growth and the expansion of household wealth tends to be less robust or diverse. 
For a while it was claimed that regional centres could even record the same average price growth as landlocked capital city suburbs - and indeed, as Australian households went on a one-off debt binge as interest rates fell this was true for a while, although the debt expansion binge ended fairly abruptly around 2007.
There are some exceptions to this rule, of course - Queensland has been home to a number of thriving regional centres, for example. But generally studies have shown that our large capital cities are the <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.sg/2014/07/x" target="_blank">wealth-creating engines of Australia's growing economy</a> and house price growth tends to be stronger close to the centre of cities. 
It is the case that many parts of regional Australia have benefited from a surge in employment during the once-in-a-century mining construction boom - one which lasted much longer than many of us expected.
However that boom has now officially ended and less of the economic value from the export phase of the boom will be captured by the regions as employment levels fall into decline.
Instead as export tonnages ramp up vast sums accrue into state-level royalty offices, while dividend returns frequently leak to overseas shareholders or head office executives back in the capital city ivory towers, wolfishly raking it in from their latest ZEPOs.
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 new book '<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>' is out now.
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