Family-owned builder and developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/omaya">Omaya</a> is bringing its 27-storey The Maybelle development to market, with the 229-apartment tower rising alongside Ismay Reserve near North Strathfield.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-maybelle-21-parramatta-road-homebush-nsw-2140">The Maybelle</a> will comprise one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with its height providing elevated outlooks towards the Sydney skyline and Harbour Bridge, while other residences will look across neighbouring Ismay Reserve.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/squillace-architects">Squillace Architects</a>, the tower combines its parkside setting with proximity to the established retail, dining and transport amenity around North Strathfield.

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Residences will feature open-plan living spaces and a choice of two interior schemes, while communal amenity is spread across two elevated levels of the building.

Level 8 will be home to the Garden Pavilion, a full-floor resident space incorporating communal entertaining and breakout areas, seating and recreation spaces. Further up the tower, a landscaped Sky Terrace on Level 14 will provide another communal area with panoramic views towards the Harbour Bridge and Sydney skyline.

At ground level, the development sits directly alongside Ismay Reserve, where lawns, walking paths, children's play areas, picnic spaces and recreational facilities extend the green space available immediately around the project.

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The Maybelle is also within walking distance of North Strathfield and the Bakehouse Quarter, which provides a mix of cafés, restaurants, shops and everyday services.

Existing rail and bus services provide connections across Sydney, while the future North Strathfield Metro and access to the M4 will add to the transport options available around the precinct. Walking and cycling routes also extend via Powells Creek towards Sydney Olympic Park and its sporting, entertainment and parkland precincts.

Families are also well positioned for access to a broad selection of established schools and education options across Strathfield and the surrounding Inner West.

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Omaya has operated in Sydney for more than 35 years, managing projects from acquisition and design through to construction and delivery. The family-owned company is both developer and builder of The Maybelle.

Apartments start from $560,000, with the development protected by 10-year Latent Defects Insurance.

Construction is well underway, with completion expected by the end of 2026 and move-in anticipated from Q1 2027.

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Joel Robinson

The Maybelle brings 27-storey parkside tower to market near North Strathfield

Melbourne developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pdg-corporation">PDG</a> has unveiled its vision for the former Water Tank Site in Ivanhoe, which would see it transformed into a thriving residential neighbourhood, complete with a 2000 sqm public park.&nbsp;

Delivered in partnership with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/development-victoria">Development Victoria</a>, the proposal would transform the prominent corner of Bell Street and Upper Heidelberg Road into a connected community comprising two residential buildings, generous public open space and shared amenities.&nbsp;

The vision includes 287 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with a minimum of 10 per cent allocated to affordable housing, alongside a 2,000-square-metre publicly accessible park featuring a children's playground, activity lawn, indigenous planting, timber climbing logs, seating areas and a rock gathering circle.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/dko-architecture">DKO Architecture</a>, the proposal draws on the site's industrial heritage, using a robust architectural language that references the former water tank through expressive structural elements and durable, self-finished materials.&nbsp;

Extensive landscaping has been woven throughout the development, creating a living landscape that strengthens connections to nature while responding sensitively to the surrounding neighbourhood. Two residential buildings ranging from three to 12 storeys are linked by a landscaped forecourt, creating a welcoming arrival experience and improving pedestrian connections through the site.&nbsp;

Residents would also enjoy more than 1,000 square metres of communal open space, including barbecue and dining facilities, vegetable gardens, landscaped seating pavilions and a dedicated coworking space.&nbsp;

PDG Founder and Managing Director Vince Giuliano said the vision reflected an opportunity to transform one of Ivanhoe's most recognisable sites into a place that balanced housing, community and landscape.&nbsp;

"This is an opportunity to reimagine an important site and create a neighbourhood that delivers lasting benefits for Ivanhoe," Giuliano said.&nbsp;

"We're creating much more than new homes. The vision brings together affordable housing, quality architecture, meaningful public open space and shared places that encourage people to connect, while respecting the site's history and its place within the local community."&nbsp;

Development Victoria’s Executive General Manager Precincts, Niall Cunningham, said the application is an important step for the government-owned site.&nbsp;

“This is about delivering more homes in a well-connected location, along with public open space that the Ivanhoe community will benefit from for years to come,” Cunningham said.&nbsp;

PDG was selected as development partner in late 2025 following a competitive tender process.&nbsp;

A planning submission for the project is currently being progressed through the Victorian Government's Development Facilitation Program, with positive early engagement from both Banyule Council and the Department of Transport and Planning.

PDG unveils plans to transform landmark Ivanhoe Water Tank Site

Shane Wilkinson's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pace-development-group">Pace Development Group</a> has lodged plans for a major residential precinct on the former Presentation College site in Windsor, with an eight-building masterplan ultimately rising to 10 storeys.

The proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/167-dandenong-road-windsor-vic-3181">167–187 Dandenong Road</a> spans a substantial 19,027 sqm site and is being progressed across six stages, with the first residential stages comprising 170 homes across four buildings designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a>.

Stage Two will deliver the bulk of the initial housing, with Building A comprising 81 apartments and Building B 49 apartments, both rising to six storeys.

Stage Three will deliver a further 40 homes. The heritage Nagel Building, identified as Building C, will be converted to 12 dwellings, while a new five-storey Building D will comprise 28 apartments at the Hornby Street and Dandenong Road corner.

The 170 homes across Stages Two and Three will include a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, including townhouse-style dwellings.<img alt="First look: Pace plans landscaped housing precinct on former Windsor school site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="83c56e3e-dfb9-4e12-b172-c3f18513ec32" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_9.png?VersionId=xRcRpSZsxX.UX_NDDGcRZktw7HVrzx7u" />

&nbsp;

The longer-term masterplan points to considerably greater density across the site.

Indicative plans show Building E accommodating around 80 dwellings across up to 10 storeys, while Building F is earmarked for around 120 dwellings and also up to 10 storeys. Building G is planned to range between four and 10 storeys, however its apartment yield is yet to be determined. That means the masterplan currently identifies at least 370 dwellings across Buildings A to F before any apartments within Building G are counted.

Across the 1.9-hectare site, that represents an indicative density of at least 194 dwellings per hectare, with the final figure to increase once the yield of Building G is established.

Pace is pursuing the project through the Victorian Government's Development Facilitation Program, with Urbis lodging a combined Section 96A planning scheme amendment and planning application on behalf of the developer, which secured the site earlier this year.

The application seeks detailed approval for Stages One, Two and Three, alongside approval of the broader masterplan framework that will guide the later residential stages. Stage One will see an existing heritage building adaptively reused for a wellness and fitness-related facility, while the broader precinct will retain several significant heritage buildings and established trees as part of the redevelopment.

A minimum 10 per cent affordable housing contribution is proposed across both the initial residential stages and the later masterplan stages, delivered through a discounted rental model.

The project comes immediately after a major change to the site's planning controls.

The site was rezoned to the Housing Choice and Transport Zone through Planning Scheme Amendment GC285, gazetted on July 22, 2026, and now sits within the inner catchment of the Windsor Station precinct under the State Government's Train and Tram Zone Activity Centres Program.

While the new controls identify large sites within the inner catchment for buildings of up to six storeys, Pace's masterplan pushes height to 10 storeys in parts of the site, with the taller buildings concentrated toward the centre and along the Sandringham railway corridor.

Lower-scale built form is proposed toward the site's more sensitive residential and heritage edges, with Buildings A and B generally stepping from three storeys at their interfaces to six storeys at upper levels.

Cera Stribley's masterplan breaks the development into a collection of separate buildings rather than a continuous built form, with landscaped spaces, new pedestrian links and a new publicly accessible road forming part of the precinct.

The planning report says the development will create new pedestrian connections to Elm Place and along the railway corridor, as well as a new publicly accessible road linking Elm Place with Dandenong Road. The proposed buildings will occupy around 54 per cent of the site, leaving a substantial portion available for landscaping, communal areas and permeable surfaces.

Urbis said the scale of the project reflected the site's strategic location close to Windsor Station, tram services and the Chapel Street Activity Centre, with the former school campus identified as a significant opportunity to increase housing supply on an underutilised inner-Melbourne site.

&nbsp;

First look: Pace plans landscaped housing precinct on former Windsor school site

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/jl-place">JL PLACE</a>'s Veil Brighton is approaching its final months of construction, with the nine-townhouse development at 17 Rooding Street expected to complete in December 2026.

The milestone is bringing the boutique project closer to becoming a finished part of the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/brighton-vic-3186">Brighton</a> streetscape, with much of Brighton's everyday amenity within a short walk.

Palace Cinema, Coles Supermarket and North Brighton Station are all around five minutes on foot from <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/veil-brighton-17-rooding-street-brighton-vic-3186">Veil</a>, alongside numerous cafés, restaurants and bars. The station provides a direct rail connection toward Melbourne's CBD, while Bay Street and the wider Brighton retail and dining network add to the range of services accessible without relying on a car for every trip.

"The location was fundamental to the project. Brighton is an established suburb where many buyers already have strong connections to the area and want to remain close to the people, places and amenities that form part of their everyday life," the developer said.

"Veil sits in a highly walkable part of Brighton, with a Walk Score of 90/100."

For buyers looking to right-size within Bayside, that level of walkability adds to the appeal of a more manageable way of living. Everyday shopping, dining, entertainment and public transport can be accessed without relying on the car for every trip, while residents remain connected to the places and routines that make Brighton familiar. It allows buyers to simplify day-to-day life without giving up the convenience, amenity and connections they already value.

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As completion approaches, the architecture, landscaping and material palette are progressively becoming visible on site, giving prospective purchasers a clearer view of the finished development beyond its plans and renders.

Veil comprises nine townhouses, predominantly three-bedroom homes with between 2.5 and 3.5 bathrooms, two car spaces and, depending on the residence, study areas and private outdoor space. Selected homes include a bedroom on the ground floor.

Veil occupies a middle ground between detached housing and apartment living, retaining private gardens, storage and secure parking within a more manageable residential format.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/schmidt-pang-architects">Schmidt &amp; Pang</a> designed the architecture around natural light, ventilation, privacy and practical use of space. From Rooding Street, the façade has been composed to read as a cohesive residential building rather than nine individual townhouses, with landscaping by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/john-patrick-landscape-architects">John Patrick Landscape Architects</a> integrated throughout the site.

Inside, natural stone, oak flooring, integrated joinery and brushed nickel finishes establish a restrained material palette, while kitchens include Miele appliances and substantial storage such as pantries. Walk-in robes and dedicated study spaces have also been incorporated across the collection.

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The project team said the planning of the homes has been informed by how the spaces function for both daily routines and larger gatherings.

"Our new homes owners at Veil have enjoyed the attention to detail in creating efficient layouts that use every space well. Hosting Christmas lunch and large family gatherings is an ease when care is taken to consider how people really live and entertain."

Private landscaped gardens extend the living spaces outdoors, while secure basement parking and bicycle parking are provided below. The homes have also been designed to achieve a 7-star energy rating, supported by double glazing, high-quality insulation, natural ventilation, LED lighting, water tanks and water-efficient fittings. Each residence is backed by a 10-year building guarantee.

Veil is being built by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/jeniton">Jeniton</a>.&nbsp;Limited-time stamp duty savings are also currently available on selected purchases at Veil, adding another consideration as the project moves toward completion.

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Veil Brighton nears completion in one of the suburb's most walkable pockets

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mosaic-property-group">Mosaic Property Group</a> has recorded 134 sales worth just over $400 million in two months of pre-release activity at The Riversdale, as the developer brings its $750 million South Brisbane riverfront project to the broader market.

The sales represent more than 60 per cent of the project's 213 apartments, with Mosaic reporting the majority of purchasers have been local owner-occupiers and downsizers.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-riversdale-by-mosaic-south-brisbane-91-montague-road-south-brisbane-qld-4101">The Riversdale</a> will rise 39 storeys from its north-facing site at 91 Montague Road, delivering a mix of two, three and four-bedroom apartments alongside a collection of Mosaic's premium Masterpiece Series Sky Homes.

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The early buyer response comes ahead of the wider evolution of the northern end of Montague Road, where The Riversdale will be one of the first major residential projects delivered within an emerging riverfront precinct.

Directly adjoining the development is a planned 7.1-hectare mixed-use precinct, set to introduce new residences, parkland and public realm along the river's edge. The Riversdale's position directly on the Brisbane River gives it a relationship with the waterfront that Mosaic says cannot be replicated by future buildings within the precinct.

The site is also the result of a years-long pursuit by Mosaic. The developer first earmarked the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/south-brisbane-qld-4101">South Brisbane</a> property in 2018, reflecting what Founder and Managing Director Brook Monahan has described as a deliberately patient approach to acquiring development sites.

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"We aren't opportunistic," Monahan previously told Apartments.com.au.

"Every site purchase is carefully considered. As seen with Kangaroo Point and South Brisbane, it can take years to eventuate. There are sites we're looking at now that we may not secure for several years."

Designed in collaboration with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bureauproberts">Bureau Proberts</a>, The Riversdale has been shaped around the qualities of the riverfront site, with apartments oriented to capture northern light and uninterrupted Brisbane River views.

Generous floorplans and expansive balconies extend the living spaces towards the river, while natural materials and a restrained interior palette have been selected with longevity in mind.

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Residents will have access to a level of amenity more commonly associated with world-class hotels and private members' clubs, with almost 3,000 sqm dedicated to wellness, connection, recreation and everyday convenience.

At ground level is a business lounge, private meeting rooms and dedicated workspaces. Mid-tower is a wellness sanctuary featuring magnesium hot and cold plunge pools, sauna, steam room, infrared therapy facilities, a Pilates and yoga studio, and a commercial-grade gymnasium.

Crowning The Riversdale is a rooftop featuring a 35-metre swimming pool with lap lane and spa, outdoor dining and seating terraces, firepit lounges and views of the city, river and Mount Coot-tha.

A private members' club-inspired retreat offers private dining rooms, a whisky lounge, media rooms and immersive entertainment experiences. Completing the amenity offering are two hotel-style guest suites and a resident-exclusive electric vehicle fleet and car-share program.

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The Riversdale sits at the northern end of Montague Road between South Bank and West End, around 1.3 kilometres from the Brisbane CBD, providing access to the city's major cultural, dining and recreation precincts.

It becomes Mosaic's largest Brisbane project to date and adds to a pipeline already under construction across the city.

In Brisbane, the developer is currently delivering The Bedford and The Carter at Kangaroo Point, both of which are approaching sell-out, with a further four projects being delivered on the Gold Coast. Mosaic has completed more than $2 billion in projects since 2012 and has a further development pipeline exceeding $2 billion across South East Queensland.

Early works are underway at The Riversdale, which will be delivered by Mosaic's in-house construction division. Completion is anticipated in late 2029, with remaining apartments priced from $1.98 million.

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Mosaic records more than $400m in two months at South Brisbane's The Riversdale

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.

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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.

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Additionally, these developments often have dedicated maintenance teams responsible for the upkeep of common areas, landscaping, and infrastructure. This ensures that the overall appearance and functionality of the development are well-maintained, creating a pleasant living environment for residents.

<h3>Live-work-play balance</h3>

One of the key attractions of mixed-use developments is the ability to achieve a desirable live-work-play balance. The integration of residential and commercial spaces allows residents to live closer to their workplaces, reducing commuting time and improving work-life balance.

The proximity to various amenities and recreational facilities encourages an active and healthy lifestyle. Residents can easily access fitness centres, parks, restaurants, and entertainment options, all within the same development, leading to a more fulfilling and convenient way of life.

alisonwarters@gmail.com

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

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

Ellen Walker

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

For most Australians, buying an apartment is one of the biggest financial decisions they'll ever make

The location, floorplan and price are often the first considerations, but in recent years another question has become increasingly important: who is actually delivering the project?

A series of high-profile builder collapses, construction delays and defect concerns have fundamentally changed how many Victorians approach buying off the plan. The collapse of Porter Davis in 2023, which reportedly left around 1,700 homes unfinished, became one of the most visible examples of the risks that can emerge when a construction company fails. <a href="https://www.equifax.com.au/sites/default/files/lpassets/pdf/Final-Business-Market-Pulse-June-Sector-Deep-Dive-Report-2.pdf">Similar challenges across the broader construction sector</a> have left buyers asking more questions before signing a contract.

As Victoria continues encouraging higher-density housing to address supply shortages, transparency is becoming just as important as location or price.

One tool increasingly entering the conversation is the <a href="https://icirt.com/">Independent Construction Industry Rating Tool (iCIRT)</a>, an independent assessment framework designed to help buyers better understand the developer or builder behind a project. Originally developed by Equifax in consultation with government and industry as part of NSW's Construct NSW reforms, the system has since expanded nationally.

<h2 data-end="1519" data-section-id="7nmx3" data-start="1492">What is an iCIRT rating?</h2>

Most Australians are familiar with independent ratings in everyday life.

We compare ANCAP safety ratings before buying a car. We look at Health Star Ratings in supermarkets. Banks rely on credit assessments when lending money.

Until recently, however, there has been very little independent information available to help apartment buyers assess the business responsible for delivering a residential project.

That gap is what iCIRT was designed to address.

Builders, developers and other construction professionals with an iCIRT rating have demonstrated high-trust characteristics through an independent, evidence-based assessment across six criteria: Character, Capability, Conduct, Capacity, Capital and Counterparties. This involves a rigorous review of financial health, past project track record, and ethical conduct. Crucially, an iCIRT rating could help provide property buyers with confidence that they are working with a professional who has demonstrated the capability, capacity, and willingness to return and rectify issues.

Importantly, iCIRT is not a recommendation to purchase a particular property, nor is it a traditional credit rating. It is an independent assessment framework designed to provide objective information about a construction business using a <a href="https://icirt.com/sites/default/files/2025-08/iCIRT-Methodology-Issue1-May-2021.pdf">published methodology</a>.

The system has been widely adopted in New South Wales, where more than one-third of medium and large residential builders and developers now hold an iCIRT rating, representing over two-thirds of the state's residential building market by value as of 2025/26.

<h2 data-end="3126" data-section-id="h6ohtj" data-start="3084">Why buyers are doing more due diligence</h2>

For many buyers, particularly those purchasing off the plan, the biggest risk isn't whether they'll like the kitchen finishes.

It's whether the project will be delivered on time, to the expected quality, and by a company capable of completing the development.

<a href="https://icirt.com/sites/default/files/2026-07/iCIRT%202025%20Consumer%20Survey%20Report%20v05.pdf">Consumer research commissioned by iCIRT</a> found more than half of respondents believed current protections do not adequately safeguard buyers from builder insolvencies or defective projects. Other research found 88 per cent of prospective buyers would seek independent ratings or due diligence before purchasing, while 90 per cent said trust in construction professionals is essential.

That doesn't mean buyers should rely on a single rating alone.

Independent legal advice, understanding the contract, and seeking financial advice all remain important parts of the due diligence process.

However, an independent assessment can provide another source of information alongside those traditional checks.

<h2 data-end="4138" data-section-id="pquzxc" data-start="4094">Trust is becoming a competitive advantage</h2>

The conversation isn't only changing for buyers.

Developers are also recognising that trust has become an increasingly important part of the sales process.

Five years ago, purchasers typically asked about floorplans, finishes and settlement dates.

Today, sales teams are increasingly being asked about the developer's experience, financial stability, previous projects and construction partners.

For companies with strong governance and established delivery records, an independent iCIRT rating provides another way to demonstrate those credentials before buyers even visit a display suite.

According to Equifax, the assessment can also help businesses drive sales and <a href="https://icirt.com/resources-for-business/icirt-rating-helps-scion-secure-high-value-projects">secure high-value projects</a>, as well as identify operational improvements and <a href="https://icirt.com/resources-for-business/mirvac-reinforces-brand-trust-and-quality-independent-icirt-rating">attract top talent</a>.

<h2 data-end="4962" data-section-id="1j54ng5" data-start="4912">Beyond buyers: lenders are paying attention too</h2>

The influence of independent construction ratings is also extending beyond consumers.

According to Stamford Capital's Real Estate Debt Capital Markets Survey, an increasing number of lenders now incorporate iCIRT ratings into their due diligence processes when assessing residential development finance applications.

The survey found lender adoption has continued to rise, with many respondents saying independent assessments provide additional insight into governance, counterparties and delivery capability beyond traditional financial analysis. Some lenders also reported declining funding applications where businesses had poor or no ratings.

As construction costs remain elevated and access to development finance becomes more selective, demonstrating credibility is becoming increasingly valuable.

<h2 data-end="5801" data-section-id="1qazuxs" data-start="5772">What it means for Victoria</h2>

Victoria's apartment market is entering a new phase.

The state is seeking to accelerate higher-density housing while simultaneously introducing reforms aimed at improving confidence in residential construction.

For buyers, that means there are more tools available than ever before to research the businesses behind a project.

For developers, it signals that transparency is becoming another point of differentiation in an increasingly competitive market.

Buyers are asking more questions than ever before and increasingly expecting independent information, not just marketing material, before making one of the biggest financial commitments of their lives.

Find out how to get iCIRT rated <a href="https://www.icirt.com/sites/default/files/2025-08/iCIRT-Infographic-Assessment-Process-Final.pdf">here</a>.

<hr data-end="6469" data-start="6466" />
The information contained in this article is general in nature and does not constitute personal, financial, legal or tax advice. It does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Therefore, you should consider whether the information is appropriate to your circumstances before acting on it and, where appropriate, seek independent professional advice.

This article contains links to third-party websites. These links are provided for convenience only. Equifax Australia does not control and is not responsible for the content, accuracy or privacy practices of external sites.

Copyright © 2026 Equifax Australia Information Services and Solutions Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.

Buying off-the-plan in Melbourne? How independent iCIRT ratings are set to change Victorian property

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A key benefit of residential property as an investment asset is its stability relative to other asset classes, such as shares.
Sharemarket values are subject to variations in investor sentiment, fuelled by the actual or predicted performance of companies. When investor sentiment is strong, the sharemarket rises. When it’s shaky, the market falls.
The share market is a daily rollercoaster driven by everyone from mum and dads to professional day traders. I am no share market expert but I know it is no place for the inexperienced or faint hearted. Just look at how volatile one day of trading can be:
<img src="/images/stories/2013/05/armstrongmay29two.jpg" width="470" height="291" alt="armstrongmay29two">
Shares only exist on paper, so they can be created and issued quickly when companies need to raise capital. Investors can also sell them quickly when they need cash flow.  
By contrast, residential property is a physical asset, so it can’t be bought and sold easily. It can take weeks or months to sell a property, and even longer to build one because of land supply and planning restrictions. As a result, there are fewer residential property transactions and more stability in the overall residential market.  
However, the fact that the residential property market is more stable than the sharemarket does not mean you can buy a property in any sector of the market and expect it to show the same level of resilience.  
The proportion of debt relative to the number of owners, and the proportion of tenanted property relative to the proportion of owner-occupied homes, can both influence the stability of the market in particular locations. The more stable the market, the better the prospects for property investment.  
First, let’s look at the issue of debt levels, as illustrated by two Melbourne suburbs. According to the Bureau of Statistics, 76.8% of all owners in the relatively new outer south-eastern suburb of Lyndhurst are paying off debt on their properties. Only 7.6% own their properties outright (the remainder of residents are tenants.)  
There is a stark difference in more established suburbs. In Glen Iris for example only 33% of all owners are paying off a mortgage, whilst 38% of owners have no debt on their properties. The remainder of residents are tenants. With fewer Glen Iris owners paying off a mortgage, they are less vulnerable to interest rate movements than their Lyndhurst counterparts.
Glen Iris and suburbs with similar debt levels represent markets with significant equity. They are a more stable and viable market for property investment even though they represent a much higher price point and they continue to drive property market growth.  
As a result we are seeing massive crowds at auctions for houses in Glen Iris as I experienced on the weekend at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-glen+iris-113684891">14 Madeline Street</a>.
<img alt="armstrongmay29one" height="351" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/05/armstrongmay29one.jpg">
The property was quoted to sell for over $900,000 and was declared on the market at $1 million. Five bidders were still in the hunt above this level and the property sold for $1.71 million.  
Off the back of this sale a property around the corner in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-glen+iris-113807399">Pascoe Street, Glen Iris</a> that was due to go to auction in a couple of weeks has been sold prior.  
It was expected to sell in excess of $900,000 but with an offer over $1.2 million the owners are taking the money and bolting! 
In the middle of last year I wrote that these areas were the first to bounce back from the property market slump. We are now seeing competition intensify a taking this market to new highs.  
Mark Armstrong is a director of <a href="https://www.ipropertyplan.com.au/">iProperty Plan</a>, which provides independent analysis and tailored advice to investors and home buyers.  
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Residential property is usually a more stable investment than shares: Mark Armstrong

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Last week, I <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/it-s-a-great-time-to-re-finance-but-consider-the-true-cost-of-doing-so-cameron-mcevoy/2013052361540" target="_blank">mentioned how now is a great time to refinance</a>, and listed some general considerations to costs involved when refinancing and identifying whether it is worth it to switch or stay put.
Today I want to take that one step further and (assuming you have calculated it is worth your while to refinance) present some tactics to consider when refinancing and the kinds of setups you might want to consider. I’ll then illustrate how these tactics can work with an example.
Before I do that though, I must mention up front that I am not a finance expert, nor do I have any qualifications in financial planning whatsoever, so I cannot offer any advice whatsoever regarding finance strategy.
Please do not take my examples and tactical suggestions as financial advice specific to you; instead this is more generalist tactics that I urge to you at least consider in your decision making process. So, whilst I’ll aim to answer questions such as:
-          Do you fix the lost?
-          How much do you fix and how much do you leave as variable?
-          Do you cross collateralise or not?
I can only offer a view on such questions. The truth is, every situation is different, so these are decisions you must make and seek professional advice on. All I can do is share some things that have worked for me on my journey. I am keen to hear from others who have employed successful refinancing strategies within their portfolios, as well as any criticisms of the tactical approach I mention below.
With that said, I would suggest you consider some of following tactical examples. Where possible I try to use fictional examples because it is easier to explain things in that way.
1) Know your short, medium, and long term goals within a property investment context
And I don't mean wishy-washy 'life goals' such as ‘I want to retire at age X’ or ‘I want to have enough money to go on a holiday every year’. These kinds of goals are important for us all, but to realise those big bold ones via tactics like property investment, you need to break that down into specific goals within purely your property investment life. Knowing where you want to be during these timescales will help infer your course of action.
2) Consider the type of loan product split that is right for you
As an investor and not a home owner, you should consider majority-fixed mortgage products due to the great rates on offer and the short-term (say 2-3 years) security that a majority-fixed loan at such a low rate, offers you. This is especially true if you are in an acquisition phase of your property investment life. Having the security of (mostly) fixed repayments for a couple of years means you can know your plan what buckets you allow your income streams to feed into, and enables you to park dollars in other places that you will have saved whilst on this short term phase. This could result in you being enabled to acquire more properties during the coming years more quickly than before.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
3) Think about what happens to the fixed portion of any loan product, when it ends
So you are refinancing to a new 25 or 30 year mortgage, with a great fixed rate on a big portion of that loan. However, the fixed rate expires in only a couple of years (say five years maximum). It is critical to negotiate and agree a good deal for that fixed portion when its term ends. Normally, a fixed portion simply reverts to a variable loan, and gets the rate-of-the-day for that variable portion. You need to be mindful of this and where possible, negotiate a good variable rate incentive (say, a portion of discount on whatever their standard variable loan rate is, at the time), for when the fixed rate portion expires.
4) Consider the 'true benefit' of fixing a majority portion of a loan for that time period
Even though I am not a finance expert, I can tell you that as an investor, no planner will ever recommend you fix 100% of your mortgage(s). That is simply not a smart move. In my view, the strategy that has worked for me during my pre-refinance calculations is this: Only leave as a variable portion, a percentage of the overall loan amount that enables the benefit of an offset account’s maximum value usage. This maximum usage can really only feasibly be an amount either equal to, or slightly greater, than the cash amount you could save up yourself, within that fixed rate period of the overall loan. What on earth does that mean, I hear you think? Let me illustrate with an example where I will attempt to simplify it:
-          Let's say you have one investment property that carries a $300K loan, and you are considering switching to a loan where you can get a great rate fixed for two years
-          As an investor you know the value of having an offset account already, so you know you want one on your new mortgage product with the new lender
-          Let's say your current annual income salary after tax is $45K. Out of that, after deducting living expenses and commitments, as well as all holding costs on the property - including interest repayments, rates, management costs and so on - and allowing for things like holidays and other purchases, you figure you'll have save say $15K of your salary per year
-          This means over that first 2-year period of that fixed rate deal, you'll probably save no more than $30K cash. Assuming you park all of this in your offset account, this means that at month #24 of the new product, you'll have the offset benefit of $30K of 'loan' that you avoid paying interest on. Happy days!
-          The way an offset account works means that there is no point having one, if it is not able to offset at least as much as you would be able to put into it. I.e. if your variable loan portion was only $20K of your $300K mortgage, the offset is only good for up to $20K of value, meaning that if you had $30K of savings, you’d have $10K that would have to sit in your regular savings account, doing sweet-nothing to reduce interest on $10K’s worth of mortgage repayments.
-          So, to help infer how much of your new mortgage you'd want to fix at a great rate and how much you'll leave variable (I.e. up to the 'chance' of variable rates staying low too, over two years!), you should leave as the fixed amount, say 10% more than the maximum you feel you could save during the period, as a neat buffer to work with
-          For this example, the person should really consider a variable loan portion of $33K ($30K maximum savings achievement plus 10% buffer). This makes the ratio of variable product overall, about 11%, meaning that 89% of the remainder of the loan product ($267K) should be fixed - if the fixed rate on offer is super-duper of course!
In my personal circumstance I am actually in the settlement phase of fixing a big portion of my entire portfolio for two years. My personal ratios for this period will be 87% fixed, with 13% variable.
I know that for that variable portion: over two years I'll probably only be able to save about 9-11% of that 13%, meaning I'll maximize my offset benefit whilst still allowing a buffer either side.
I have also ensured that at the end of the two years, that 87% fixed portion can be either renewed for another fixed period (if I feel rates are favourable to this arrangement), or it will revert to a variable rate that has already been pre-discounted for me, for when that day comes.
To conclude this two-part piece, my fundamental recommendation when refinancing your investment property mortgage(s) is really very simple, and involves just two things:
1)      Do your maths and find out if it is worth it to switch
2)      If switching, make sure you get a produce and access to account features that enable you to take advantage of the cheap rates of interest, in order to unlock more wealth to acquire more property.
Cameron McEvoy is a NSW-based property investor and maintains a blog, <a href="https://propertyspectator.blogspot.com.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Property Correspondent.</a>  
 
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Tactics to consider when refinancing your mortgage: Cameron McEvoy

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Mornington Winery Group has collapsed as the wine industry battles against a "double whammy" of high exchange rates and a consolidated retail sector.
John Lindholm and Peter McCluskey of Ferrier Hodgson were appointed as administrators to the boutique winery last week.
Expressions of interest were sought today for the winery, cellar door and restaurant with seating capacity for 110 people.
Mornington Winery Group includes key brands Dromana Estate, Mornington Estate, 'i' Range and David Traeger and has leasehold vineyards of 48.5 hectares with 19.2 hectares currently under vine.
The winery has 500 tonne crushing capacity, 130,000 litres of onsite storage and produces 10,000 cases per annum.
Mornington Winery Group's collapse follows the recent administration of the historic <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/food-and-beverages/053462-historic-winery-collapses-into-administration-2" target="_blank">Buller Wines</a> and <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/food-and-beverages/054408-woolies-looks-to-swallow-collapsed-barossa-valley-winery-2" target="_blank">Barossa Valley Estates</a>.
Paul Evans, chief executive of the Winemakers' Federation of Australia, said it was a tough time for wineries.
"Like most manufacturing sectors with an export orientation we are confronting a double whammy of high exchange rates, which has seen a 30% increase in the price of products against competitors' currencies since 2008," he says.
"Domestically, we are faced with a highly consolidated retail sector and fierce competition amongst producers with the own brands of retailers and increasing numbers of imports."
Evans says many wineries are trying to diversify, as Mornington Winery Group had done, into restaurant operations along with cellar door sales.
"With so much competition domestically, all companies need to find their particular niche and speciality and focus on that," he says.
"The more businesses can drive sales volumes through formats which are high margin, the better off they are, and cellar doors and restaurants are at the top of that risk."
This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
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cwaters-YrtBR88nBe

Wine industry struggling as Mornington Winery Group collapses

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Melbourne Heart chief executive Scott Munn has confirmed the soccer club is in talks with former Victory winger Harry Kewell.
Almost a year after family triggered his departure from the A-League, there are reports Kewell could be set for a return to Melbourne having yet failed to attract offers from English Premier League clubs.
"We are keen to sign him, but no deal has been done," Munn told the Herald Sun.
"I'd be lying if I said (coach) John Aloisi hadn't spoken to him, but he spoke to several players while in Europe.
"We believe he'd be a fantastic addition and we need players with a winner's mentality."
Kewell's most recent three-game short stint was with Qatar club Al-Gharafa.
He won't be returning to his former abode as last September Harry Kewell's Brighton townhouse rental was sold for $2.95 million.
The <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/harry-kewell-reportedly-kicks-off-brighton-rental/2011102452038" target="_blank">Nicholas Day-designed property</a> (pictured below) had a neo-Georgian style house with a mix of the contemporary and classic elegance.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/october24kewell]}
The townhouse was developed by St Kilda Football Club director John Gdanski and former player Fraser Gehrig.
The Collins Street townhouse had initial $3.3 million price hopes before Kewell and his family lived there while Kewell played with Melbourne Victory.
The Kewells lived there for less than a year, leaving suddenly due in part to family circumstances back in the UK in June 2012 a few months before their 12-month lease expired.
The dispute over the $28,000 unpaid rent was reportedly settled with Melbourne Victory, whose name was on the lease, footing the bill.
It had sold through Buxton agent Brian Devlin and Regina Schmidt.
The dearest Brighton rentals at the moment are around $3500 a week.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/rental-properties/1-park-street-brighton/Property-Details-rent-residential-5527963" target="_blank">There's a four-bedroom on Park Street</a>.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/rental-properties/10-kent-avenue-brighton/Property-Details-rent-residential-5521747" target="_blank">There's a James Rigney designed house on Kent Avenue available at $3350 a week</a>.
In October 2011 the soccer champion took occupancy of a $3,250 a week newly built Brighton rental property as his Melbourne base.
The property was briefly marketed by Hocking Stuart as the "finest fusion of style, space and quality."
It reflected an approximate 5.75% yield if the undisclosed, unconfirmed figure was correct.
The Brighton suburb was identified as the preferred location after briefly staying at Crown.
The couple, Kewell and his wife, the soap star Sheree Murphy, had inspected more than a dozen properties in exclusive neighbourhoods starting in Toorak and then in the bayside suburbs.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/rental-properties/2-226a-kooyong-road-toorak/Property-Details-rent-residential-5346121" target="_blank">Toorak rentals are currently quite thin on the ground with the highest rental being $1800 for a Kooyong Road townhouse</a>.
Fox Sports reports Kewell's signing could be on the minimum wage - just $48,000 in 2013-2014.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Back to Brighton? Harry Kewell's rental prospects if he plays for Melbourne Heart

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Non-bank lenders have the highest mortgage arrears rates compared with their deposit-taking banking rivals, Moody's mortgage delinquency figures show.
The graph below represents 30 days plus mortgage delinquency rates for major bank, regional bank, other banks (credit unions, building societies) and non-authorised deposit taking institutions (non-banks) based on securitised lending only.
It shows the wide gap between non-bank lenders and banks, though mortgage arrears rates are rising across all lender types, in line with a small overall rise in mortgage delinquencies in March to 1.66%.
Click to enlarge
<a rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2013/05/moodysmay28one.gif" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/2013/05/moodysmay28onethumb.gif"></a>
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Non-banks have highest mortgage arrears: Moody's

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Following the May RBA rate cut , lenders continue to cut their fixed-rate home loan offerings with Citibank the latest to do so.
The bank has cut its Citibank Mortgage Plus five-year fixed home loan rate to 5.35% per annum, which it claims is the lowest five-year fixed-rate offering in the Australian market.
UBank currently offers a five-year refinancing-only fixed-rate home loan at 5.41%, the next cheapest five-year fixed-rate offering, according to RateCity.com.au.
Five-year fixed-rate home loans are the second most popular fixed-rate term, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/monday-feb-25-feature-the-fix-is-on-for-bank-mortgage-rates-should-you-take-the-deal/2013022159504" target="_blank">according to research by homeloanfinder.com.au</a>, accounting for around 20% off all fixed-rate home loans.
Three-year fixed-rate home loans make up two-thirds of fixed-rate home loan applications in Australia.
Citibank previously cut its two-year fixed home loan rate to <a href="/news">4.89% at the end of April.</a>
“Fixed rates continue to be in high demand by consumers; with over 50%  of our new applications having a fixed rate component," says Vibha Coburn, head of mortgages at Citibank in Australia.
“Since September 2012, Citibank has reduced its five-year fixed rates by 34 basis points, while our two-year fixed rates have dropped 86 basis points.
"We look to provide competitive alternatives for those customers who look for stability in their mortgage repayments," she says.
Citibank is also offering a free 60-day rate lock which allows customers a guaranteed low fixed rate for 60 days after their application has been submitted.
Citibank offers borrowers who wish to take advantage of the new rate conditional approval in under 24 hours if all relevant information is supplied.
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Citibank cuts five-year fixed-rate home loan to 5.35% 

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US private equity giant Blackstone has reportedly pulled out of its takeover bid for listed property trust Australand following GPT Group’s formal withdrawal yesterday.
Blackstone had put in a bid for the entire Australand business at around a 10% discount to the trust’s $3.46 a security net asset backing, The Australian Financial Review’s StreetTalk gossip column reported.
However, it withdrew its bid via email a few hours after the GPT statement was issued yesterday.
<a target="_blank" href="/news">GPT’s $2.8 billion December offer</a> (StreetTalk quotes a $2.95 billion offer) was for only the non-residential businesses of Australand.
Analysts John Kim from CLSA and Jason Weate from Deutsche Bank continue to back Australand despite the withdrawal of GPT and Blackstone after its share price fell 18 cents to $3.35 (a 5.3% fall) in morning trading today.
The option still remains for a block trade of Singapore-based majority shareholder CapitaLand’s $1.2 billion stake, but according to StreetTalk, this would represent a worse outcome for shareholders than the Blackstone offer and would be difficult to accomplish.
In a statement released yesterday, Australand confirmed that it had been unable to reach agreement with GPT on the sale of its investment portfolio and commercial and industrial businesses that would be a “superior outcome than business as usual”.
It also said it was not in receipt of any formal proposals, but that process had not yet concluded.
Clearly Australand was eager to sell to GPT, but the two parties could not agree on a fair price.
StreetTalk reported that a high-ranking CapitaLand executive flew into Sydney on Monday to try and help thrash out a deal with GPT, but could not get the property group to budge on its offer.
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Australand running out of options as Blackstone joins GPT at the exit gates

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Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan has claimed the Coalition’s paid parental leave scheme would cause variable mortgage rates to rise.
Swan quotes new Treasury analysis showing the cost of the 1.5% company tax hike on banks and other mortgage lenders is nearly $4 billion over four years – reaching $1.1 billion in 2016-17.
“Mr Abbott's new tax will send standard variable mortgage rates up by 10 basis points, while business rates could rise by as much as 25 basis points,” says Swan.
“The big banks have put Mr Abbott on notice that they will pass on every dollar of his company tax hike by jacking up interest rates on mortgages and small business loans - everyone with a home loan or business loan will pay for Mr Abbott's PPL scheme.”
Swan labelled the tax “unfair and unaffordable” and said it would be “paid for out of the pockets of hard-working families and small businesses across Australia”.
“It's downright unfair to rip away $2,000 from new families on modest incomes and jack up their mortgage repayments just to put $75,000 straight into the bank accounts of millionaires.
“Under Labor, a family on a $300,000 mortgage is saving around $5,500 a year in repayments compared to the high interest rates the Liberals saddled them with when they left office,” he said.
The paid parental leave scheme is one of the key policies of the Coalition’s election manifesto.
It will pay mothers six months of their normal salary up to $75,000. 
Treasury estimates of cost of 1.5% company tax hike on entities involved in general lending and deposit taking
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width: 470px;"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
2013-14
</td>
<td valign="top">
2014-15
</td>
<td valign="top">
2015-16
</td>
<td valign="top">
2016-17
</td>
<td valign="top">
Total
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
$850m
</td>
<td valign="top">
$970m
</td>
<td valign="top">
$1030m
</td>
<td valign="top">
$1110m
</td>
<td valign="top">
3960
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
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Coalition’s paid parental leave tax to push up mortgage rates: Wayne Swan

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The percentage of home owners a month or more behind on mortgage repayments lifted from 1.44% in December to 1.66% at the end of March, according to Moody’s Investors Services.
This was marginally above the 1.59% of borrowers 30 days or more behind in mortgage repayments in March 2012.
The increase was consistent across all mortgage providers, says Moody's.
The arrears rate for the major banks rose to 1.39% in March from 1.16% in December, while for the regional banks, it rose to 1.87% from 1.65%, and for non-authorized deposit-taking institutions (ADIs), it rose to 3.46% from 3.24%.
Despite the increase, Australian mortgage arrears rates are very low by international standards.
The US 30-plus days mortgage arrears rate was 6.21% in April, according to the First Look report prepared by Lender Processing Services.
The UK arrears rate was 2.5% in April, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders.
Moody's  attributed the rise in the Australian mortgage arrears rate to seasonal factors, that is the fallout from higher discretional spending over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
However, the increase in the arrears rate also lifted despite a cut in interest rates.
In December the RBA cut the cash rate by 25 basis points to 3% with most of this passed on to borrowers.
Moody’s expect the arrears rate to decrease in the second half of the year.
Borrowers will also be assisted by the May 25 basis point rate cut with most lenders passing this on in full.
Arrears rates improved among borrowers with lower credit ratings.
The low-doc arrears rate fell from a record high of 6.24% in January to 5.83% in March.
"Borrowers in low-doc deals provide little or, in the case of no-doc loans, no proof of income. Moody's considers that the higher delinquency rate of these loans can be explained by the cash flow volatility of the borrowers, who are typically self-employed," says Moody's.
"After excluding 100% low-doc deals, the prime 30-days plus arrears rate would have been much lower at 1.60% in March."
The non-conforming 30-days plus arrears rate rose to 7.85% in March from 7.39% in December, and was 85 basis points lower than March 2012 when it was 8.70%.
Moody’s figures are compiled based on the performance of securitised loans, that is loans packaged into residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) and sold to investors.
The worst performing 2004 vintage incurring 36 basis points of losses to date.
"To date, lenders mortgage insurance has covered the majority of these losses, with any residual covered by excess spread or by the lender," says Moody's.
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Small rise in home mortgage arrears rate in March blamed on Christmas holiday spending

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Potential buyers have been given a glimpse of Skye by Crown, a North Sydney development set to begin construction later this year.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/skye-by-crown-set-to-become-north-sydney-icon-skye-crown/2013052361500?utm_source=po&amp;utm_medium=aida&amp;utm_campaign=newsouthwales">The 20-storey residential complex</a> is designed by Japanese Australian architect <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/developments/influential-architect-koichi-takada-transforming-sydney-apartment-scene/2013040258772">Koichi Takada</a> and features a bronze coloured metal veil exterior.
The 232 apartments will feature glass facades, balconies and winter gardens.
{qtube vid:=R57t9K4rkws}
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