Builder-developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/graya">Graya</a> has secured a prime Newstead site from fellow developer Fraser, subsequently lodging plans for The Silo, a major mixed-use residential project in Newstead designed around a new public laneway linking the James Street precinct with the wider Gasworks and Newstead neighbourhood.

Proposed for the corner of Chester and Morse streets, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bureauproberts">Bureau^Proberts</a>-designed project places its strongest emphasis at ground level, where retail, landscaping and a new cobblestone pedestrian connection would open the site to the surrounding neighbourhood. The design team describes The Silo as “more than a residential building”, positioning the development as an extension of Newstead’s public realm rather than a standalone apartment tower.

“A new cobblestone laneway and landscaped connection between James Street and Gasworks unlock a missing pedestrian link, improving walkability and stitching together two of Brisbane’s significant urban destinations,” Bureau Proberts said in its Urban Design Report.

<img alt="First look: Graya plans The Silo as new pedestrian link between James Street and Gasworks" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0ea1b06a-75f5-40a5-b2c5-33c97bc86052" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/silo%20bldg.png?VersionId=KmjsAtNePu57_B31EM_DJ5T6KPJHtcmo" />

The Silo is planned as a mixed-use development incorporating apartments alongside a bar and centre activities including food and drink outlets, indoor sport and recreation, office and retail uses.

Architecturally, Bureau Proberts has conceived the building as a collection of vertically expressed, stepping forms rather than a single uniform tower. The composition rises from an articulated podium before being broken by a triple-height landscaped recreation level, with the upper section becoming more compact before terminating in a landscaped rooftop garden.

The project's name and architectural language draw directly from Newstead's industrial history. Patterned off-form concrete is proposed as the principal façade material, complemented by slender metal rod balustrades and extensive planting. The cylindrical and vertically ribbed elements give the building its silo-like expression, while curved balconies and planted edges introduce a softer subtropical layer.

“The Silo reinterprets its robust forms, scale and materiality through a contemporary subtropical architectural expression, creating a building that acknowledges its industrial legacy, while responding to the way the precinct is occupied today,” Bureau^Proberts said.

The recreation level is one of the defining breaks in the tower. Plans include a lap pool, mature subtropical planting and shared resident facilities within an elevated communal garden. Landscaping continues through the podium and onto the rooftop, where a further garden forms what the architects describe as a “subtropical crown” to the building.

<img alt="First look: Graya plans The Silo as new pedestrian link between James Street and Gasworks" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f8451036-35a4-49a9-8d88-2ef4438eba3d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Silo%20Lane.png?VersionId=h8N31_rYmCEqoNrpt4kbYVQhJGZn60LH" />

At street level, the development has been designed to establish a more permeable block. Retail and hospitality tenancies address the public realm, while landscaped pedestrian spaces lead into the new laneway connection. Renders in the design report show the proposed “Silo Lane” as a substantial opening through the podium, framed by cylindrical concrete forms with cascading planting above.

The Silo continues Graya's move into larger apartment developments after building its reputation across high-end residential projects in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Joel Robinson

Graya buys Frasers Newstead site, plans The Silo between James Street and Gasworks precincts

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/wickton">Wickton</a>’s completed Linacre Rise development in Hampton is giving Bayside downsizers the opportunity to move into a spacious apartment near the beach, with the developer covering stamp duty for a limited time.

The 27-residence development has been designed for buyers who want to simplify their living arrangements without giving up the space, warmth and quality associated with a long-term family home. Most apartments have already been secured by Bayside locals, leaving a select collection of two and three-bedroom residences and penthouses available.

Two-bedroom apartments are priced from $1.275 million, three-bedroom residences from $2.25 million and penthouses from $3.375 million, with the completed homes available to inspect and move into now.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95289 project_image_fid=366760]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/linacre-rise-hampton-8-10-linacre-road-hampton-vic-3188">Linacre Rise</a> occupies an elevated position on one of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/hampton-vic-3188">Hampton</a>’s quiet, tree-lined streets, around 250 metres from the bay and 500 metres from Hampton’s village centre. Its setting gives residents access to the beach, local cafés, shops and Hampton Train Station while retaining the feel of an established residential neighbourhood.

Architecture and interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a> draw on the warmth and permanence of traditional brickwork, with the building integrated into terraced landscaping by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/john-patrick-landscape-architects">John Patrick</a>. Ground-floor apartments are elevated above the street and include private garden courtyards, while several upper-level residences have generous balconies and outlooks toward the bay.

Inside, the residences favour natural materials and generous proportions. Herringbone-pattern European oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, premium joinery and Swiss V-ZUG appliances are among the key inclusions, while integrated storage has been incorporated across kitchens, bathrooms, studies and living areas.

The kitchens have been planned as practical spaces for both everyday use and entertaining, with substantial island benches, detailed cabinetry and adjoining dining and living zones. Full-height wardrobes, plush bedroom carpeting and carefully considered lighting reinforce the residential character Wickton sought to retain for buyers moving from larger homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95289 project_image_fid=366769]

A Linacre Rise purchaser said the completed apartment had delivered the space, outlook and construction quality they had been seeking.

“The unit is very light, has views to die for over the bay, all construction materials and fittings are premium quality, we have secure parking for three cars, EV charging at very competitive rates, the neighbours are friendly and there is just a lovely ambiance about the place,” the purchaser said.

Environmental features include solar panels, shared electric vehicle charging stations, rainwater harvesting for toilet flushing and landscape irrigation, double-glazed windows and water-efficient fixtures and appliances.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95289 project_image_fid=366762]

The development was built by Balmain &amp; Co, with Wickton managing the broader development process through its in-house team.

For downsizers, the project’s completed status removes much of the uncertainty associated with buying off the plan. Purchasers can inspect the finished apartments, understand their outlook and proportions, and move in without waiting for construction to conclude.

The remaining selection includes north-oriented balconies, corner configurations and penthouses with elevated bay views. The developer-paid stamp duty initiative is available for a limited time, with potential savings of up to $200,000 depending on the residence purchased.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=95289]

Limited-time stamp duty offer at completed Linacre Rise apartments in Hampton

Luxury apartment buyers have long prioritised design, space and finishes, but increasingly they're placing equal importance on something less tangible: how easily they can live without relying on a car.

At <a>Richmond Square</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis">Fortis</a> believes that convenience begins beyond the apartment itself, with the mixed-use precinct earning a near-perfect Walk Score of 99.

The development has been planned around the idea that some of the most valuable amenities aren't contained within a building, they're the restaurants, cafés, parks, transport connections and daily conveniences that can all be reached on foot.

Located just behind Swan Street and Church Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/richmond-square-1-wiltshire-street-richmond-vic-3121">Richmond Square</a> places residents within one of Melbo​u​rne's most established lifestyle precincts while offering a quieter residential setting removed from the busiest thoroughfares. East Richmond Station is moments away, trams run along both Swan and Church Streets, and the MCG, Melb​​ourne Park, Yarra River trails and the CBD are all within walking distance. At the same time, the precinct itself will introduce a curated mix of dining, retail, hospitality and wellness offerings, creating a destination that extends well beyond its residential buildings.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13181 project_image_fid=348530]

For Fortis, that combination of location and scale was what made the site unique.

"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/richmond-vic-3121">Richmond</a> is one of Melb​o​urne's most established and distinctive inner-city neighbourhoods, with a rare combination of dining, culture, recreation, public transport and proximity to the CBD," the developer said.

"The opportunity at Wiltshire Street was particularly compelling because the site sits slightly removed from the activity of Swan and Church Streets while remaining only moments from everything that makes the area desirable."

Rather than developing a standalone apartment building, Fortis consolidated 15 individual properties to create one of the larger development parcels assembled on Mel​b​ourne's city fringe in recent years. That allowed the team to deliver a genuine mixed-use precinct comprising 107 residences across Wiltshire House and Carmine House, premium office space, hospitality venues, retail, wellness offerings and a future 57-room hotel.

"The scale of the site allowed Fortis to think beyond a standalone apartment building," the developer said.

"Richmond Square could be planned as a complete lifestyle precinct, bringing homes, workplaces, dining, retail, hospitality and wellness together around a series of activated public spaces. The aim was to create a destination that feels connected to Richmond rather than separate from it."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13181 project_image_fid=348533]

The emphasis on walkability has also resonated with buyers.

Interest has been strongest from established owner-occupiers, particularly downsizers from Richmond and Melb​ourne's inner east who want to remain close to familiar restaurants, workplaces, family and social networks while moving into a more secure, lower-maintenance home. The project is also attracting Mornington Peninsula and interstate buyers seeking a Melb​ourne residence they can lock up and leave between visits.

Many are looking for generous living spaces, room to entertain, quality finishes and confidence in the project team, but location remains one of the biggest deciding factors.

"For many buyers, Richmond Square provides a way to simplify the practical side of home ownership without reducing the quality of their lifestyle," the sales team said.

"Location is also a major driver of interest. Buyers can remain connected to the CBD, major sporting events, the arts centres, local restaurants, cafes and bars and their family while living in a private and secure residence that is easy to lock up and leave for weekends or longer periods away."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13181 project_image_fid=348549]

The residences themselves have been designed with that buyer in mind. Award-winning architecture practice SJB and interior designers Hecker Guthrie have created spacious two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses that prioritise generous living areas, natural light, bespoke joinery and private terraces. Above, a rooftop sanctuary by Acre includes landscaped lawns, bookable dining rooms, barbecue facilities, wellness spaces and panoramic views across the CBD, the MCG and Port Phillip Bay.

Fortis believes Richmond Square reflects a broader evolution in apartment living, where the surrounding neighbourhood becomes just as important as the residence itself.

"Richmond Square introduces a different proposition: generously proportioned residences within a genuinely mixed-use, hospitality-led destination," the developer said.

"The project's location and Walk Score of 99 further support a lifestyle where residents can complete many everyday journeys without relying on a car."

Fortis has assembled an experienced team that includes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/hecker-guthrie">Hecker Guthrie</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/acre">Acre</a> and builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hacer-group">Hacer Group</a>, reflecting the developer's commitment to creating projects with enduring design quality and meaningful connections to the communities in which they sit.&nbsp;

Richmond Square is an expression of that philosophy, bringing together homes, workplaces, hospitality and wellness within one of Me​lb​ourne's most walkable neighbourhoods.&nbsp;

Construction is now almost complete, providing purchasers with growing confidence ahead of its expected September 2026 completion.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=13181]

Walk Score of 99 places Richmond Square at the heart of Melbourne's most connected lifestyle

<h3 data-end="19" data-section-id="1dvgwoe" data-start="0">Summary</h3>

<ul data-end="634" data-start="21">
	<li data-end="170" data-section-id="1o77v31" data-start="21">Walker Corporation has lodged plans for a second major residential development in the Maroochydore City Centre, a 29-storey tower known as Celeste.</li>
	<li data-end="327" data-section-id="1lb0y6t" data-start="171">The Plus Studio-designed proposal at Lot 30 Sunshine Coast Parade would deliver 208 apartments, including four four-bedroom sub-penthouses and penthouses.</li>
	<li data-end="487" data-section-id="za720" data-start="328">The application comes as Walker doubles down on Maroochydore following the strong sales campaign at SOL by Walker, where the first tower is nearing sell-out.</li>
	<li data-end="634" data-section-id="5sovec" data-start="488">Walker is a key partner in the transformation of the Maroochydore City Centre, which is expected to ultimately deliver at least 4,000 new homes.</li>
</ul>

Walker Corporation is doubling down on Maroochydore following the successful sales campaign at its first residential project in the emerging CBD.

The national developer has filed plans for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/celeste-30-sunshine-coast-parade-maroochydore-qld-4558">Celeste</a>, a new 29-storey apartment tower at Lot 30 Sunshine Coast Parade, just metres from its under-construction SOL by Walker development.

The plans, prepared by Plus Studio, would see 208 apartments delivered across a 100-metre tower on the 2,376 sqm site, which fronts Sunshine Coast Parade, First Avenue and Future Way within the Maroochydore Priority Development Area.

<img alt="Walker" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="17038209-6fea-4ed2-855d-fd4df65b3d02" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-10%20at%2010.24.16%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=iZD.oVXcQn.aLpUytDAW.CWjxP4puWMy" />

The proposed apartment mix comprises 36 one-bedroom apartments, 48 two-bedroom apartments, 72 two-bedroom apartments with an additional multipurpose space, and 48 three-bedroom apartments.

The upper levels would be capped by two four-bedroom sub-penthouses and two four-bedroom penthouses, taking the total apartment count to 208. The preliminary yield study also provides 262 car spaces, 114 resident bicycle spaces and storage for each apartment.

It represents Walker's next major residential move in the new Maroochydore CBD after the success of SOL by Walker, its $220 million two-tower project nearby.

SOL launched to market in early 2025 and has since seen strong demand, particularly from local owner-occupiers. By February this year, Walker said the first SOL tower was nearing sell-out, with a strong waitlist also emerging for its recently released penthouse collection.

Construction is already underway on SOL, with the first tower expected to be completed in late 2027 and the second to follow in early 2028.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147777 project_image_fid=319846]

<h2 data-end="2518" data-section-id="1b2dyo5" data-start="2459">Celeste to rise 100 metres over Maroochydore City Centre</h2>

Celeste would take a different form to the twin 19-storey buildings at SOL.

Plus Studio has designed a single 100-metre tower above an activated podium, with the architecture responding to the site's prominent position and three street frontages.

The podium would incorporate commercial tenancies and public art, with sweeping façade elements wrapping the street edges. The scalloped concrete podium has been inspired by the patterns created in sand at low tide, while extensive landscaping would continue vertically through the tower.

The ground level plans show three commercial tenancies addressing Sunshine Coast Parade alongside the residential lobby and landscaped public realm. The podium would then accommodate several levels of car parking before the residential tower rises above.

<img alt="Celeste" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="121f77b1-71c5-46d7-9b36-0a7d474211ca" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-10%20at%2010.24.47%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=MGrg9Hb7HgzLN0Lelq_xrXNAruVl77ia" />

Plus Studio said the tower had been designed to maximise views from each apartment, taking in the Maroochy River, Sunshine Coast hinterland, Cotton Tree and Maroochydore Beach and ocean.

Those views have also shaped one of the project's key features, with Walker proposing to put the primary resident amenity on Level 29 rather than lower within the building.

The rooftop would feature a 284.9 sqm pool area with an infinity edge, along with a cold pool, spa, sauna, 93.2 sqm gym, sunset lounge, BBQ and dining areas, pool deck and private dining space. Cabanas and day beds are also shown across the recreation level.

The two penthouses would extend across the upper levels and each feature private terraces and plunge pools.

<h2 data-end="4202" data-section-id="v5f4ix" data-start="4160">Walker's growing Maroochydore footprint</h2>

Celeste further reinforces Walker's commitment to the transformation of Maroochydore City Centre.

Walker is one of the key partners delivering the new CBD alongside Sunshine Coast Council and SunCentral Maroochydore, with the broader 62-hectare Priority Development Area occupying the former Horton Park Golf Course and surrounding land.

The precinct is ultimately expected to accommodate at least 4,000 new homes as Maroochydore evolves into the Sunshine Coast's principal commercial and residential centre.

When SOL secured approval in February 2025, Walker Managing Director and CEO David Gallant described it as the "first of many residential projects" the company planned for the Maroochydore City Centre.

Celeste now provides the clearest indication yet of what comes next.

The site sits immediately within the new CBD, with the design report identifying Sunshine Plaza and surrounding parkland within walking distance and Maroochydore Beach around a five-minute drive away.

For Walker, the timing of the application comes as its first residential bet on the new CBD appears to have been vindicated.

SOL has progressed from planning approval to construction while its first release has approached sell-out, giving Walker confidence to push ahead with another 208 apartments and take its residential pipeline in the Maroochydore City Centre to around 450 dwellings across the two projects.

Celeste remains subject to planning approval, with the architectural material describing the scheme as a preliminary yield study that may change through the assessment process.

Walker doubles down on Maroochydore with 29-storey Celeste apartment tower

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

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?

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Right now, values, pricing and results should be a little inconclusive to all. Anyone telling you she knows for sure what the market is going to do up until Christmas is a lot smarter than we are, Gunga Din.
The current mid-winter 2012 market is best characterised as being historically low in terms of exciting new stock. Another key characteristic is that it is a significantly falling market in terms of expectations for B- and C-graders (or properties that have some faults in terms of floorplan, presentation and location), and a gently falling market in terms of expectations for A-graders (or well-presented properties with sensible layouts in prime positions, the most sought-after class of the property market). See our graphical representation below:
<a href="https://marketnews.com.au/2012/08/price-catching-a-falling-star/the-worm-2012-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-26953"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-26953" src="https://marketnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/The-Worm-20121-597x326.jpg" title="The Worm 2012" width="470" height="257"></a>
In some of our pricing recommendations, we are using 2007 to 2009 comparables to support where we feel market sentiment may be for any particular home right now.
In 2008 everything was negative. In 2012, there are buyers out there, but we haven’t been seeing them because they are not interested in the poor-quality stock currently being offered in the $1 million to $2.5 million range. This winter the transacting market above the $2.5 million price point is so small that commentary, in our opinion, is supported by best guesses rather than factual evidence. Bidders in big numbers are generally only acting when a good home appears, and then they are aggressive on price in two ways:
<ul>
<li>
Up – if there is proven competition and there is a reasonable reserve (although competition is not as strong as it was in 2007 or 2010).</li>
<li>
Down – if there is no proven competition or if the reserve is courageous.</li>
</ul>
There are five key property buyer questions:
<ol><ol>
<li>
How long will this lack of quality stock continue? Buyers are wondering whether they should buy now and take second best, because they really don’t want to be looking for another year. Another sub-thought is: if stock is going to be so weak for a long time, we might as well buy a B- or C-grader now rather than wait another year and then still only have B- or C-graders to choose from.</li>
</ol></ol>
 
<ol><ol>
<li>Falling prices mean – How do I, as a buyer, catch a falling star (price)? How do buyers get an A-grader against some competition while minimising the burn marks on their hands if prices continue their re-entry from the once seemingly unstoppable surge into the stratosphere that was  inner Melbourne early 2010?</li>
</ol></ol>
 
<ol><ol>
<li>
How do I assess risk to me and my family going forward? The first decade of this millennium was all about playing market offence and looking for homes that would grow most strongly in value. Remember the words capital growth? This second decade looks to be all about playing market defence. As in, how do buyers look to best protect their family interests in a flat or falling market?</li>
</ol></ol>
 
<ol><ol>
<li>
How do I deal with bank and sworn valuations that are historic pieces of information? In many cases these values are no longer reflective of the sudden and significant change in the market. How do I deal with an official valuation in a future that may well be different from my purchase price now?</li>
</ol></ol>
 
<ol>
<li>
How do I buy a home when I am the lone ranger (the only bidder) on the property? How do I hang my hat on a value when all I can see is an agent quote that seems lacking in substance and supporting current data? How do I take comfort and keep my sanity when I can’t get surety and vindication through seeing competitive transparent auctions?</li>
</ol>
This fifth question is really a compilation of the above four. If you are informed, you can get it right and you can make good decisions and you can sleep OK going forward.
Mal Jamesis principal of<a href="https://www.jamesbuyeradvocates.com.au/" target="_blank" title="James Buyer Advocates"> James Buyer Advocates</a>, which advocates on behalf of buyers of property over $1 million. Mal writes weekly auction reports, advice and in-depth market analysis on James' website.
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The five key questions spring property buyers must ask: Mal James 

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With the 2012 Olympic descending on London, Property Observer looks back on what happens after the athletes and crowds left town after the 2000 Sydney closing ceremony.

For the 2000 Olympic Games, Sydney built one of the biggest athlete villages ever constructed at the time.

In 1997, the Sydney Olympic Park Authority signed a $590 million contract with the Mirvac Lend Lease Village Consortium comprising of Mirvac, Lend Lease, Civil &amp; Civic, ANZ and Westpac. The village was part of $3 billion of construction and capital works for the games.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7317]

The contract was to plan, design, finance and construct the Olympic village, which would provide housing for 15,300 competitors and team officials as well as accommodation for 7,500 competitors and officials for the Paralympic Games.

The consortium would also carry out the reinstatement work on the Olympic village after the Paralympics; market and sell the reconfigured Olympic village properties; and share the net proceeds between the consortium and government.

As well as the multiple sporting venues, other projects included the Olympic Park railway station and rail loop, development at the former Lidcombe Hospital site for 6,000 media representatives and a 318-room Ibis/Novotel hotel.

The athlete village was built in Newington, two kilometres east of the Homebush Bay sporting complex. The sporting complex is now the suburb called Sydney Olympic Park.

The consortium built nearly 900 townhouses and 700 apartments over 90 hectares, as well as nearly 300 modular homes.

Environmental sustainability was heavily pushed by the Olympic committee, and every home came with solar panels and water recycling facilities, features that still exist. When it was built, the suburb was the largest solar-powered suburb in the world.

Waste water is treated and redirected to the neighbouring wetland which was restored as part of the project.

After the Paralympic Games Newington was sold into private ownership and its transformation into a residential suburb began.

More houses were built and according to the 2011 census, there are now 2,074 dwellings housing 5,320 people. The census found 6% of the homes are currently unoccupied. There are 940 houses and 815 units in the suburb. Three- and two-bedroom homes dominate the mix.  Despite a strong push by the Olympic organisers to discourage car ownership in the area, just 3% of homes are without a car while 55% of homes have two or more cars.

According to RP Data <a href="/news">the current median house price</a> in the suburb is $770,000 up 2% over the last year and 20.7% over the last five years. Units have a median price of $487,000, down 3.6% over the year but up 19.2% over the last five years. The annual rise in median price over the last 10 years is 4.8%.

One recent sale in the area was 20 Lewis Way, a three-bedroom, three-bathroom house. The Olympic Co-Ordination Authority sold the property for $430,000 in 2001 and it most recently traded for $760,000 in May. In December 2011 the home was advertised for rent at $650 per week.

29 Evans Street (pictured below) recently sold for $732,000 from Ajay Valanju at Location Property Group. It originally traded for $503,000 in 2002.

<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/evans.jpg">

A two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit, 7/3 Heidelberg Avenue originally traded for $345,00 in 2001 sold for $513,000 in May 2012.

Unit 23 at 19 Pearce Avenue, a two-bedroom unit, recently sold for $430,00 after originally selling for $350,000 in 2001.

Mirvac’s NSW development director for master-planned communities says the suburb turned out better than they ever imagined.

“The amazing thing is that it's one of the few Olympic Games villages in the world that's been successful post-Olympics,” he told Fairfax.

''The project involved risk, but I think the quality of the build, the town planning, the parks and green space, and the mix of homes all contributed to its success.”

Local agent Chuck Ow Lee of Newington Village Real Estate told Fairfax the area is in strong demand.

''Homes here are very tightly held,'' he says. ''People are constantly surprised and impressed by the infrastructure and facilities and being surrounded by parks, and prices are cheaper than nearby.”

One home up for sale is <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/18-beaurepaire-ave-newington/Property-Details-buy-residential-4040137" target="_blank">18 Beaurepaire Avenue</a>, which is being sold by Norman So and Andrew Zhang from Strathfield Partners for $760,000.

 

<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 

Mirvac Design worked with a number of architectural practices to produce a variety of dwelling types with work from<cite> </cite>Eeles Trelease, Vote Associates, Tanner and Associates, Gordon and Valich, Virginia Kerridge Architects, Grose Bradley Associates, Order Architects, Tonkin Zulhaika, PTW, and Hassell.

<img src="/images/stories/at213.jpg">

Meanwhile, in the neighbouring Sydney Olympic Park, within the remaining sporting hub, the newest residential development, called <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/developments/olympic-park-australia-towers-launches-stage-two-after-stage-one-sells-fast-out-of-the-starting-blocks/2012040354146" target="_blank">Australia Towers</a>, is being built by Ecove. It will bring more than 800 apartments to the area. The first tower in the three-tower development (pictured below) is currently home to more 600 residents.

<img src="/images/stories/at27.jpg">

The are is expected to experience boom growth with 1.4 million square metres of new construction planned and it is expected by 2030 some 14,000 people will live in the area. The area is currently made up of parkland, sporting facilities, offices, restuarants and retail precincts.

The success of Sydney’s Olympic athlete village comes in stark contrast to cities like Vancouver.

In 2011, a year after the winter Games, fewer than half of the 737 condos had been sold, almost of those as preconstruction sales in 2007. Vancouver’s taxpayers owed about CAN$750 million for the project, which was never intended to be a public sector development. To sell the apartments, the city then slashed prices by 30%.

Other failures include the 2004 Athens Olympic athlete village, which was the largest single property development at the time. Hundreds of thousands of Greek families entered a lottery for the chance to buy in the complex but by 2011, just half of the apartments were filled. Commercial developments in the area shut down, schools were turning away students and the buildings now have damp and sewage problems. Many Athenians saw the Games as a major contributor to Greece’s current financial woes; some estimates say the Games cost Greece €27 billion, five times the €5.5 billion budget.

Lend Lease has developed the 3,300-apartment complex for the 2012 London Olympic Games. After the games the site is due to converted into a neighbourhood with 2,818 homes, including 1,000 family homes with three or four bedrooms. The site was sold to  Qatari ruling family's property company, Qatari Diar, for £557 million.

The committee had already sold 1,379 of the homes in the 11 blocks to Triathlon Homes for £268 million in 2009. Those are due to be converted into affordable homes.
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Sydney's Newington Olympic village 12 years after the closing ceremony

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<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/17point1m.jpg">
How much the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) has paid for a Hume Highway site at Craigieburn on which it will construct a $109 million training facility. The property, which previously operated as the Apollo Caravan Park at 284-290 Hume Highway, is about 30 kilometres north of Melbourne CBD and comprises 18.6 hectares of relatively flat land, making it ideal for the MFB’s purposes. Savills Australia’s industrial director Michael Green was retained by MFB to find a suitable site and says the proposed new facility willcomplement the MFB’s existing complex at Burnley. He says construction is due to start soon with the facility operational in 2014.
 
<hr>
 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/1point12m.jpg">
The price paid for a 290-square-metre refurbished office facility in the Townsville CBD. The sale of the property at 569 Flinders Street, Townsville, was negotiated by Michael Hooper of Ray White Commercial Townsville. Hooper says the property was sold to a local investor. Hooper says there was solid interest in this fully refurbished office with 10 secure rear car parks over a 1,0120-square-metre allotment.
 
<hr>
 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/15m.gif">
The value of rural property in north Queensland that has changed hands after a prime portfolio of farming ex-forest plantation land was offered for sale by public tender earlier this year. The portfolio, which consisted of 44 rural properties totalling nearly 4,000 hectares of land located from Innisfail through Tully to Ingham, was taken to the market by global asset manager GMO Renewable Resources. Rawdon Briggs, Colliers International rural and agribusiness executive, has so far brokered deals for 32 of the farms, which saw both corporates and local families purchase this original wet tropics cane land and convert it to sugar cane production once more. The remaining properties in the portfolio range in size from 35 hectares to 339 hectares and are in the Tully and Ingham region.
 
<hr>
 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/2point95m.gif">
The price paid by an overseas investor for two prime industrial sites in Airport West on Melbourne’s outer suburban area. Colliers International Tim Homes and Marco Sandrin negotiated the sale of 36 and 35 – 47 Hood Street in Airport West following a campaign which generated strong demand from owner-occupiers, due to its access to the Tullamarine and Calder Freeways. The sites are about 13km north of the Melbourne CBD with convenient access to the Tullamarine and Calder Freeways, Metropolitan Ring Road and Tullamarine and Essendon Airports. The total land area of the property was approximately 5,293 square metres, including 2,145 square metres of office and warehouse space.
 
<hr>
 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/1point265m.gif">
The price a private investors has paid for a warehouse/office building at Northgate on Brisbane’s north side that has motoring giant Ford Australia as an anchor tenant. The property at 24 Allworth Street, Northgate, was sold by Steve Black of Ray White Commercial Pine Rivers in conjunction with Cameron Heim of Wright Property. The two-storey building, consists of two units of approximately 290 square metres and 270 square metres each. The property is situated in close proximity to Brisbane Airport.
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Commercial hammer prices

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The appeal of fixed-rate mortgages declined for the third straight month in June to represent the lowest proportion of the owner-occupier market since September last year, according to ABS housing finance data.
Fixed loans of two years' duration or more accounted for just 10.2% of all owner-occupier lending in June, well down from 12.3% of loans in May.
Fixed-rate mortgages reached a recent peak of 14.6% of owner-occupier loans in March, according to the ABS, and were also high at 14% in April, but have declined since in line with the RBA cutting the cash rates in May and June with expectations of at least one more rate cut this year.
The average size of a fixed-rate loan was $289,500, according to ABS figures.
According to July figures from mortgage broker AFG (one month ahead of the ABS), fixed-rate loans held steady 16% of all loans processed, as most new borrowers opted to stick with variable rates.
July figures released by Mortgage Choice show a marked drop in demand for fixed-rate loans from 18% to 15% as demand for variable-rate home loans reached an 11- month high due to speculation of another rate cut in coming months.
Click here for the current (as of August 7) fixed and variable rate offerings in the market.
{module What do you intend to do given the current interest rate fluctuations?}
For information on refinancing, watch our free webinar Refinancing and the Interest Rates Riddle
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Fixed-rate loans losing their appeal: ABS data

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The Commissioner of Taxation has warned small businesses that have received grants or payments relating to floods or other natural disasters that it is cracking down on any income that is not declared.
Speaking at the <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/tax/051003-talk-to-us-early-tax-commissioner-michael-d-ascenzo-delivers-plea-to-struggling-companies">NAB National Business Summit</a> Commissioner Michael D'Ascenzo told the audience the Australian Taxation Office was investigating $40 million in claims using data matching.
"There is a level of non-compliance there," D'Ascenzo said.
"An area where we are expanding our use of information matching is in relation to the receipt of taxable government grants and payments.
"This includes grants made direct to individuals and businesses, as well as contractor payments to individual and business entities from all three levels of government.
"In relation to these types of payments, we matched records from more than 10,800 taxpayers in 2011-12 and identified businesses not reporting correctly through undeclared income or overdue returns, raising more than $40 million in liabilities."
"Following<a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/politics/20110128-flood-levy-what-it-will-cost-you-and-what-s-been-cut"> severe flooding in Queensland </a>and natural disasters elsewhere in Australia, the public have been very clear that they have no tolerance for misuse of funds intended to rebuild communities affected by natural disasters."
A spokesperson for the ATO told SmartCompany the commissioner's reference to $40 million relates to data matching across all government grants, not just the flood areas.
"It's not necessarily fraud, it could be people just did not realise they had to declare that income," the spokesperson said.
"The flood regions were a focus because there were some dodgy operators up there on the rebuild."
D'Ascenzo said by working with other agencies such as the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, the ATO was able to identify a government grant, of $200,000 that was not declared.
"Further information from the Department of Human Services highlighted the same taxpayer had also received a disability support pension, at the same time," he said.
A spokesperson for the ATO says the office is using data-matching to identify and follow up businesses that are not correctly reporting taxable grants and other payments from federal, state and local levels of government.
"This includes grants that are awarded to micro businesses and contractor payments made to micro businesses across the three levels of government," she says.
In 2011-12 the ATO matched records from more than 10,800 taxpayers, and identified businesses not reporting correctly through undeclared income or overdue returns raising more than $40 million in liabilities.
Deepti Paton, tax counsel at the Tax Institute, told SmartCompany that taxpayers who had made honest mistakes in relation to government grants were on the radar of the ATO as well as deliberate fraudsters.
"The law in this area is not easy and it is something that people in that situation need to take professional tax advice on," she says.
"The ATO is very wise to ensure compliance with the rules because these payments are intended to benefit people who need them and should be treated a certain way under the tax laws.
"It's in everyone's interest that everyone complies with these laws, which is not to say that non-compliance is intentional, as it is easy to get it wrong."
Paton says problems arise as this is an area that most taxpayers are not used to dealing with.
"Obviously we have had a lot of natural disasters recently, so a lot of the taxpayers... may be in this situation for the first time," she says.
This article originally appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/index.php">SmartCompany</a>.
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Tax office warns about $40 million in tax rorts following Queensland floods

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First-home buyers as a proportion of total owner-occupier housing finance commitments rose to their highest level in five months in June, according to ABS housing finance data.
In original terms, the number of first-home buyer commitments as a percentage of total owner-occupied housing finance commitments rose to 18.3% in June 2012, from 17.8% in May 2012.
It was the third successive month that first-home buyer commitments as a percentage of total owner-occupied housing finance commitments have risen.
Loans to first-home buyers were up a strong 4.3% for the month, noted Westpac, to be up 11.8% in the June quarter as a whole.
"This likely reflects the buyer incentives expiring in Victoria and to a lesser extent NSW and SA although lower interest rates also played a role," says Westpac.
"The upgrader market remains essentially flat with loans up 1.2% for he month only partially reversing a 1.5% fall in May. Loans to this segment are unchanged from a year ago".
The proportion of first-home buyers in the market was 16.8% in April, 16.4% in March and 17.2% in February.
However, first-home buyers made up 20.3% of the market at the start of the year.
Between June 2012 and May 2012, the average loan size for first home buyers rose $3,600 to $289,400.
The average loan size for all owner-occupied housing commitments rose $1,900 to $295,500 for the same period.
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First-home buyers at highest level in five months: ABS

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The number of owner-occupier home loans approved in June rose 1.3% to 46,859 on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the latest ABS housing finance data.

This was up from a slightly upwardly revised figure of 46,280 home loans in May (the unrevised figure was 46,120 loans).

However, the June rise was below economists' forecasts (as polled by Bloomberg) of a 2% rise in housing finance commitments in June following the successive rate cuts in May (50 basis points) and June (25 basis points).
By state, outcomes for May were mixed. Excluding refinancing loans were up 4.4% in Victoria, 2.3% in NSW and 1.8% in SA but about flat in WA (+0.2%) and down 3.6% in Queensland.
Loans for the purchase of new dwellings rose 9.7% to 2,210 while construction loans rose 4.9% to 5,410.

Business Spectator columnist Stephen Koukoulas called this an “encouraging result” in a tweet this morning.

The June mortgage figures also show that banks had 88% of the market over the month.

The total value of mortgages lifted 2.4% on a seasonally adjusted basis to $20.724 billion. This was in line with expectations.
Between June 2012 and May 2012, the average loan size for first-home buyers rose $3,600 to $289,400.
The average loan size for all owner-occupied housing commitments rose $1,900 to $295,500 for the same period.
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Mortgage approval numbers lift 1.3% in June, below expectations, but some encouragement for new housing: ABS

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Stockland’s Highlands residential community in Craigieburn in Melbourne's outer north – its number-one selling residential project for the 2012 financial year – will become the “blueprint” for all future projects, says Stockland managing director Matthew Quinn.
Set against the backdrop of the surrounding Craigieburn hillside and with views of the CBD skyline, the $1.4 billion project achieved 550 sales over the year, well ahead of Stockland's next best performing community – North Lakes, 25 kilometres from Brisbane, which achieved sales of 360 lots over the year.
About 3,000 families are now living in the Highlands community, with 46% of the 7,058 lots sold as of June 30.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/stocklandaug6.gif">
In addition to the residential component, Highlands also features retirement living and schools, together with retail and commercial amenities.
Sales in this project as well as other Victorian projects were boosted and brought forward by government stimulus – the $13,000 first-home buyer boost ended on June 30, but Quinn highlighted a number of other factors in its success.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/stockland2.jpg">
“It’s a great community offering an affordable product, which now also has a retail centre in place," he says.
“It has all the amenities people are looking for and is the textbook project of how all communities should be developed.
“It will be the blueprint for future communities,” says Quinn.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/highlands3.jpg">
A four-bedroom house in Highlands is priced around $344,000, which is less than the median house price in the area and part of Stockland’s strategy of providing affordable housing targeted at families and first-home buyers.
 The community has an entry price of $311,000, compared with a local median price of $350,000.
Lots are priced from $130,000 to $262,000.
The community features a 7,100-square-metre Stockland Highlands Shopping Centre  with a Woolworth’s supermarket as the anchor tenant along with speciality stores and piazza-style town square.
A local Craigieburn bus service – route 533 – operates from 6.30am to 9.30am linking the shopping centre to the train station.
The bus services runs every 30 minutes and takes about 20 minutes.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/highlands4.jpg">
The community also features 150 hectares of planned open space, with a park within walking distance of every home, the Highlands lake, wetlands, walking trails and Waterside Café.
Highlands is also close to a number of primary and secondary schools, a childcare centre and the $16.7 million Hume Global Learning Centre.
Other nearby projects to open soon a $6.3 million Craigieburn Child &amp; Family Centre and the Highlands Hotel &amp; Entertainment Complex, due to open soon.
The Highlands display centre offers 47 different home types to choose from with builders Carlisle Homes, Burbank, Boutique, Homebuyer's Centre, Simonds, Urban Edge, Eight Homes, Orbit, Porter Davis, Henley, Metricon, Bentley, Dennis Famil, JG King, Allied and Zuccala.
Stockland’s next biggest Victorian residential community project, Mernda Villages, also in the outer North of Melbourne, notched up 280 lot sale over the year.
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Stockland’s Highlands residential community in Craigieburn to be 'blueprint' for all future projects

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Australia’s biggest residential developer, Stockland, has reported a 35% drop in statutory profit to $487 million for the 2012 financial year to June 30.
Despite achieving record number of residential lot settlements for the year Stockland, suggests cautious buyers have not responded as they have in previous rate-cutting cycles.
The developer’s residential development arm settled a record 5,388 lots but still reported a 15% drop in full-year profits of $198 million, compared with $233 million in 2011, principally due to a fall in profit margins.
Stockland reported that profit margins had come under pressure due to the changing project mix and lower superlot settlements.
Stockland managing director Matthew Quinn, presenting his last full-year results before retiring next February, said rate cuts were not encouraging borrowing or stimulating the housing market.
Quinn described the housing market as the toughest since the late 1980s, when he joined the group.
He called the full year performance a “reasonable result in what continues to be a very challenging operating environment”.
Quinn noted that pre-GFC, a 2% interest rate cut had resulted in a 10% increase in housing credit growth but that post-GFC, the same interest rate cut had resulted in only 3% housing credit growth.
Furthermore, he said that in previous cycles  dwelling approvals picked up within three months of rate cuts, but in this cycle dwelling approvals had declined.
However, he said the overall housing market fundamentals remained strong, with strong population growth and an undersupplied housing market.
He noted the growing number of 25- to 34-year-olds – the peak household formation age group – and a low unemployment rate low at 5.2%. He also noted housing supply had been lower than underlying demand for some time, with undersupply estimates ranging from 130,000 to 240,000 homes.
Mark Hunter, head of Stockland’s residential business, said the developer was targeting corridors that had outperformed the market – the strongest being NSW.
Hunter expects the 2013 financial year to also be challenging.
Stockland will begin the new financial year with 1,561 deposits, about 700 fewer than last year.
But Hunter says there are signs the market is near the bottom but recovery is likely to be slow as consumers remain very cautious and lack urgency.
“We expect decline in first-home buyers with re-emergence of upgraders.
“WA is showing signs of recovery, but Queensland and Victoria are weak, with NSW improving but with low margins."
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Stockland profits slide 35%, with slower than normal response from cautious residential buyers to rate cuts

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Rules are made to be broken – just ask any teenager.
But while I’m not always a “rules” kind of guy either, experience has taught me a thing or two about following the right ones.
If you dropped into the Sydney Home Buyer &amp; Property Investor Show last month – here’s a scene, below – you’ll already know that I have 10 rules for successful investment buying.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/sydney-home-buyer-show.jpg">
They have evolved over time – almost 30 years in the industry.  With that kind of exposure, and having helped hundreds of new residential projects come to fruition throughout the country, I’ve been able to see firsthand what works and what doesn’t when it comes to buying investment property.
My rules apply to “passive” investors – the “set and forget” types (which is the vast majority of the market – more than 90% of investors, according to recent survey results) and not to the “renovator junkies”, as I like to call them.  And before you shoot off a comment, there’s nothing wrong with getting your hands dirty, heck I have done it many times before; but if you just want to buy and forgot, then these rules apply to you.
Here are my 10 rules to help you buy well.
The property must be:
<ol>
<li>New, or at least recently renovated, to maximise depreciation/tax return and gross rental returns.</li>
<li>In a small or multi-staged development.  Preferably under 50 dwellings.  Large properties should not be ruled out.  They must, however, have substantial points of difference, i.e. well-proportioned and well-appointed apartments; quality facilities and finishes; and good access.</li>
<li>In a strong location – “infill” highly favoured, with high existing amenity; a great “walk-score”; and more importantly, potential for above average mid- to long-term capital growth.</li>
<li>In an area with five or more pillars of economic support, including cumulative demographic/rental demand and high employment/wages growth.</li>
<li>Within five minutes of “hard-core” infrastructure i.e. major work nodes; secondary schools; entertainment precincts and public transport, especially rail.</li>
<li>Delivered by a proven development team.</li>
<li>High quality in terms of design, materials and construction.  It must require minimum maintenance.</li>
<li>End prices under $600,000; better still, less than $500,000; and they must yield more than a 5% gross rental return.</li>
<li>Limited new dwelling supply when compared with underlying demand.</li>
<li>Sold with independent API registered valuation support and within an acceptable range of sales/marketing commission.</li>
</ol>
So, stick to the 10 and you’ll make millions?  Well, short answer – there are no shortcuts and no guarantees.  But by following my 10 rules I believe you can, with a little effort and knowhow, convert a modest deposit into a sizeable next egg.  But (yes, there is always one) don’t do it blind-folded – seek independent investment advice, have at least a 10% deposit, and have a truly spare $100 per week available to afford to buy that investment property.
So that was just the preamble – there’s more!  If you would like to receive our Matusik Insights report <a href="https://www.matusik-sydney.com.au/">What To Buy – 10 Rules For Better Investment Buying</a>, just register for your copy.  And folks – it’s free, just for you.
Michael Matusik is the founder of <a title="blocked::https://www.matusik.com.au/" target="_blank" href="https://www.matusik.com.au/">Matusik Property Insights</a>, which has helped over 550 new residential projects come to fruition.  Read <a title="blocked::https://www.matusikmissive.wordpress.com /" target="_blank" href="https://www.matusikmissive.wordpress.com%20/">Michael's blog</a> or follow him on <a title="blocked::https://www.twitter.com/michaelmatusik" target="_blank" href="https://www.twitter.com/michaelmatusik">Twitter</a> or connect via <a title="blocked::https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelmatusik" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelmatusik">LinkedIn</a>.
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