Apartment buyers in New South Wales are set to gain a decade of insurance-backed protection against major building defects, after the NSW Parliament passed the Fair Trading and Building Legislation Amendment Bill 2026.&nbsp;

The Bill establishes decennial defect insurance, known in the market as Latent Defects Insurance (LDI), as an alternative to the existing two-year strata building bond. It cleared the Legislative Council with amendments on Tuesday evening (August 4, 2026), with the Legislative Assembly agreeing to those amendments shortly after.

Under the reform, eligible developers can satisfy their statutory bond obligation by taking out an approved decennial-style policy that gives owners 10 years of cover for major structural defects from completion, claimable directly, without first having to pursue developers or builders through costly legal action.&nbsp;

The change forms the final tranche of amendments arising from the 2021 statutory review of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 and related legislation.

Resilience Insurance, which originated the cover in Australia and has delivered it in NSW since 2022, welcomed the passage and credited the NSW Government for delivering it.

“This is protection apartment buyers have needed for a long time, and the credit for delivering it belongs to the NSW Government,”&nbsp;said Corey Nugent, CEO of Resilience Insurance.

“Minister Chanthivong and his team have shown real leadership in replacing an outdated two-year bond with cover that matches the lifespan of the buildings people are buying into. Reform like this is what good, evidence-based regulation looks like.”

Resilience has delivered LDI in NSW since 2022, protecting thousands of apartments, giving the State, and now the country, real-world evidence of how decade-long, no-fault protection works in practice.

The reform also places NSW within a wider national shift.

NSW is the third jurisdiction to put decennial cover into law. The ACT legislated for it in 2024, with the scheme taking effect in late 2025, and Victoria passed its own framework on 17 June. Between them, the three cover the majority of Australia's apartment market.

The reform commences once the legislation is proclaimed, which is expected in the coming weeks. From that point, developers of Class 2 residential apartment buildings can meet their statutory obligation with an approved decennial policy in place of the bond.

Buyers who purchased into projects that took out the cover early are among the first in the country to take keys to apartments carrying decade-long structural protection.

“With the legislation passed, the focus now turns to making it work for buyers,”&nbsp;Nugent said.

“There are already thousands of apartments in NSW covered by this insurance, bought by developers who moved early. The question every buyer should be asking in a display suite is a simple one: does this building come with 10-year defect cover, and who stands behind it?&nbsp;

“We look forward to working with the Government and the Building Commission in coming weeks as the framework moves to implementation, and to sharing what we have learned over the past four years so the protection reaches owners as smoothly and quickly as possible.”

Other states are working through their own reform programs. Western Australia has indicated that decennial cover is within consideration a later stage of its reform sequence, and Queensland has been examining the settings as it looks at the development pipeline ahead of the 2032 Olympics.

Resilience Insurance acknowledges the NSW Government’s continued focus on strengthening consumer protection while supporting housing delivery across the State.

Fast Facts: What the reform means

<ul style="color:#222222; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:small; font-style:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-weight:400; text-align:start; white-space:normal; background-color:#ffffff; text-decoration-thickness:initial; text-decoration-style:initial; text-decoration-color:initial">
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Proven at scale:&nbsp;Decennial cover has operated in NSW since 2022, protecting thousand of apartments.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">10 years of cover:&nbsp;Protection for major structural defects runs for a decade from completion, claimable directly and with no legal action required.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">An alternative to the bond:&nbsp;Eligible developers can meet their statutory obligation with an approved decennial-style policy in place of the 2% strata building bond.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Part of a national shift:&nbsp;The ACT has had decennial provisions in force since 2025 and Victoria passed its framework in June. NSW now joins them.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">No-fault, first resort:&nbsp;Owners corporations claim directly from the insurer without first having to establish who is liable for the defect.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Cost-competitive:&nbsp;At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the 2% bond while offering broader, longer protection.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Market position:&nbsp;Resilience originated LDI in Australia and has delivered it in NSW since 2022.</li>
</ul>

Fast Facts: What is Resilience LDI?

<ul style="color:#222222; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:small; font-style:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-weight:400; text-align:start; white-space:normal; background-color:#ffffff; text-decoration-thickness:initial; text-decoration-style:initial; text-decoration-color:initial">
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Resilience Latent Defects Insurance (LDI):&nbsp;Covers major structural defects for 10 years from completion.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Consumer-first:&nbsp;Direct claim access, no need for lengthy legal action.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Cost advantage:&nbsp;At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the traditional 2% Strata Bond while offering broader protection.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Market leader:&nbsp;&nbsp;Resilience Insurance originated LDI in Australia and is the national market leader.</li>
</ul>

Joel Robinson

NSW parliament passes 10-year defect insurance laws for new apartment buyers

Builder-developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mcnab-developments">McNab</a> has wasted little time reshaping one of South Brisbane's most significant undeveloped apartment sites after acquiring the property earlier this year.&nbsp;

McNab has lodged plans to scrap an existing approval for two 30-storey towers and instead deliver a single 28-storey residential building, preserving part of the site for a future development opportunity.

The proposal, lodged over <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-peel-street-south-brisbane-qld-4101">64 Peel Street and 9 Cordelia Street</a>, is for a residential-led mixed-use development comprising 124 apartments above a landscaped podium, alongside a boundary realignment that preserves part of the land for a future residential project.

<img alt="First look: McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="743bf564-3f8f-45fc-b8d3-bbf18f5b628f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/mcnab%20Peel%20st%20podium.png?VersionId=EhCxGrVn_VFH3qTbKnI4WppGwaMnOn0t" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hayball">Hayball</a>, the development will deliver 119 two-bedroom and five three-bedroom apartments across 23 residential levels. A five-level podium will accommodate 135 car spaces, while the ground floor will include a 66 sqm commercial tenancy, an activated residential lobby with work-from-home spaces, and a publicly accessible landscaped plaza linking Cordelia and Peel streets.&nbsp;

Communal amenities will span Level 6 and the rooftop, including indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, a swimming pool, barbecue facilities, kitchen and dining areas, lawn space, sauna, steam room and yoga facilities.

The application also proposes a boundary realignment to create a standalone 1,290 sqm development lot while retaining an adjacent parcel for future redevelopment, allowing the balance of the site to contribute additional housing over time.

Hayball said the architecture has been shaped by the site's elevated corner position at the intersection of Peel and Cordelia streets and Brisbane's subtropical climate.

The design incorporates generous landscaped setbacks, a masonry podium wrapped with planting, large north-facing balconies, and a slender tower profile intended to maximise natural light, cross ventilation and long-range views. The rooftop has been conceived as a wellness-focused retreat overlooking Brisbane, with amenities positioned to capture views towards Mount Coot-tha and the CBD.

<img alt="First look: McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c5f99e84-6ad8-4a87-82d1-869685b754d2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/mcnab%20tower%20perspective.png?VersionId=Gw0IuJaSAlk.tvGBxInhZOcQAdIB..2b" />

The planning submission positions the proposal as a response to both changing market conditions and Brisbane's Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct planning reforms.

McNab acquired the site after the previous approval was granted, with the existing scheme no longer reflecting current residential market demands, economic conditions, construction challenges, construction efficiencies or the quality of development outcome now being pursued, the planning report noted.

McNab continues to expand its residential development pipeline across Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The developer recently launched The Tannery in West End, securing more than 60 per cent of apartments before the project's public release. It is also delivering Elements Budds Beach in Surfers Paradise and Lucia Highgate Hill, an eight-apartment boutique development overlooking the Brisbane River.

McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower

A steeply sloping Bellevue Hill site is set to accommodate a new mid-rise apartment development, with plans lodged for 20 homes that respond to the site's dramatic topography.

The proposal for the consolidated land at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/138a-140-bellevue-road-bellevue-hill-nsw-2023">138A-140 Bellevue Road</a> has been designed by Sydney architecture practice Common Office, which has used the site’s substantial fall to distribute the building’s scale and unlock 20 apartments without presenting the full height to the street.&nbsp;

“The unique design strategy leverages the site’s substantial topographical fall to facilitate increased density, presenting a seven-storey profile to Bellevue Road while rising to 10 storeys at the rear,” Common Office said in its architectural design report.

The apartment mix spans one, two, three- and four-bedroom residences. Four two-bedroom apartments are designated as affordable housing, while the plans also include two adaptable dwellings. The mix is majority three-beds, with the typical three-bed apartment offering around 144 sqm internally, with balconies of around 15 sqm.

The affordable housing component represents 15 per cent of the residential floor area and allows the project to access additional height and floor space under the NSW Government’s in-fill affordable housing provisions. The site also falls within the inner area of the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy because it is within 400 metres walking distance of Double Bay Town Centre.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1230d0f-3bfa-4a11-abaf-0928c66ef345" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20da.png?VersionId=dZeMK3P.OutGjN8ycjsxm8uNsj_QFWQv" />

Common Office has arranged the building around a masonry podium and a lighter upper volume, drawing on two recurring elements of Bellevue Hill’s established architecture: sandstone bases and the vertical proportions of local Inter-war Art Deco apartment buildings.

“The proposal is governed by a holistic design language that reconciles the solid horizontal masonry of the neighbourhood’s podiums with the elegant verticality of its Art Deco heritage,” the architect said.

“The building maintains a consistent rhythmic logic utilising deep recesses and a sophisticated material transition to break down the 10-storey scale into a series of articulated, human-scale volumes.”

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0147f503-1af1-4d51-97fb-c2f1cba63a9d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20bldg.png?VersionId=GoW7q3NlK67OpnePXhk7zvklrlKb72Qc" />

Large-format sandstone tiles will define the lower levels, establishing a robust base that negotiates the change in elevation from Bellevue Road. Above, red-tinted precast concrete frames, recessed balconies, anodised aluminium screens and expanded metal details will create a more vertically expressed façade. Integrated planter beds will introduce greenery across balcony edges and recessed sections of the building.

The elongated northern façade has been divided into three recessed vertical masses to reduce its perceived length. Triangular window elements and metal privacy screens reference the geometry of nearby Art Deco buildings while controlling overlooking toward surrounding homes. The southern elevation will incorporate further privacy screening, landscaped edges and deep balconies to maintain light and ventilation.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e8679cf1-18bc-4447-8a0f-0052b94ab83c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20da%20rooftop.png?VersionId=5SQqQqRFf76rvE2p1TbxJSweMN70AIbc" />

Private and communal landscaping is distributed throughout the development. A landscaped garden apartment is positioned within the lower portion of the site, while a communal terrace on Level 5 will include a central timber deck, barbecue facilities, resident planting plots and areas for outdoor dining and informal gatherings.

Common Office described the terrace as an elevated sanctuary designed to capture district views and sunlight. Its planting strategy incorporates endemic species associated with the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub, extending the landscape vertically through the building and providing habitat for local flora and fauna.

A second communal outdoor area is proposed at roof level, with built-in seating, paved gathering areas and perimeter planting.

Bellevue Hill is enjoying renewed momentum in the new apartment market, with several boutique developments recently launched and currently under construction. Positive Investment Enterprise is delivering the 16-apartment Kew Palm House on Birriga Road, while Chanine Developments is also under construction at Florian, a 36-apartment project on Banksia Road.

&nbsp;

Bellevue Hill is enjoying renewed momentum in the new apartment market, with several boutique developments recently launched and currently under construction.

First Look: Apartment development pitched for Bellevue Hill, Double Bay fringe

South Brisbane's apartment pipeline continues to build momentum, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/trk-property-group">TRK Property Group</a> lodging plans for a 161-apartment tower on Montague Road as developers accelerate investment across the Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct.

The proposal for 176–186 Montague Road would replace an existing office building with a 20-storey residential tower designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, adding to a growing pipeline of high-density projects reshaping one of Brisbane's fastest-evolving inner-city precincts.

The project has been conceived as a "living building", featuring a flowing tower form, extensive vertical landscaping, and generous communal spaces that respond to the evolving Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct.

TRK Property Group Development Director Matt Kan said the project reflected the confidence developers have in South Brisbane's long-term future.

"South Brisbane is entering an incredibly exciting period, and we see Montague Road sitting right at the heart of that evolution," Kan said.

"With the former Visy site directly opposite us and significant investment planned throughout the broader Kurilpa precinct, there is a real sense of momentum around this part of the city and what it will become over the coming years.

"For TRK, this is an opportunity to be part of that next chapter and deliver a project that responds to where the precinct is heading, while contributing to the continued evolution of Brisbane's river edge."

<img alt="First look: TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="590fe1ad-f892-4446-a679-80e33a16d029" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/TRK%20tower%20facade.png?VersionId=uOJStrcKpyHFcPE1w6_9SMAFzVMCcZll" />

The scheme includes a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, incorporating multi-purpose rooms in selected residences to provide additional flexibility for home offices or expanded living areas. The proposed mix comprises 15 one-bedroom, 13 one-bedroom plus MPR, 73 two-bedroom, 26 two-bedroom plus MPR, 30 three-bedroom, and four four-bedroom apartments.

Rather than adopting a conventional rectilinear tower, COX Architecture has developed a sculpted form inspired by the movement of the Brisbane River.

"The proposal has been designed by COX Architecture as a 'living building' that responds to the site's riverine setting, floodplain history and evolving urban context within the Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct," the planning report states.

"The architectural form draws from the fluid nature of the Brisbane River, with a curved and undulating tower form that creates a varied architectural edge and avoids a conventional rectilinear tower expression."

The podium has also been designed as an architectural feature rather than a conventional parking structure, with cascading planting, screening and natural-toned materials softening its appearance. Resident parking is elevated above ground level to address the site's flood constraints, while habitable apartments sit above flood planning levels. Upper-level communal facilities are designed to accommodate shelter-in-place arrangements during major flood events.

<img alt="First look: TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="01fa15d0-90df-46c7-9555-7941fc45373c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/TRK%20podium.png?VersionId=mHyua.w1pHGBt9qEdWzrlsv.leztUCwO" />

Communal amenity is a major focus of the proposal. Around 1,815 sqm of shared resident space is proposed across the ground floor, level 19 and the rooftop, including co-working areas, indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, wellness facilities, dining and gathering areas, lawn spaces, a rooftop pool and spa, and extensive landscaping. At street level, a landscaped forecourt and approximately 345 sqm of publicly accessible open space along Montague Road are intended to improve the pedestrian experience while activating the building's frontage.

The development will provide 163 car spaces, including 152 resident bays and 11 visitor spaces, together with 144 bicycle spaces incorporating resident storage, visitor parking, bicycle maintenance facilities and e-mobility charging infrastructure.

The site sits within one of Brisbane's fastest-changing inner-city precincts, less than two kilometres from the CBD and within easy reach of South Bank, West End, the Queensland Cultural Centre and extensive public transport connections. The Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct planning framework is encouraging higher-density residential development to help meet Brisbane's housing supply targets while supporting walkable, transit-oriented neighbourhoods.

TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans

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

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

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

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

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

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

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

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

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

Staff Writer

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

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

alisonwarters@gmail.com

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

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

Ellen Walker

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

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

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

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Viking apartments, the $80 million, 10-storey, 108-apartment block at Green Square, is now being completed by Iwan Sunito’s Crown Group.
Construction is anticipated to begin on the new landmark building to be known as Viking by Crown in June, with completion expected in 18 months. Located at 30-36 O’Dea Avenue, the final 24 apartments have now been released for sale.
The prices range from $490,000 to $575,000 for one-bedroom units and from between $740,000 and $900,000 for the two-bedroom offerings. Its three-bedroom units range between $997,000 and $1.3 million. The penthouses start at $1.23 million and hit $1.75 million.
Viking by Crown has been designed by MPRDG architects – headed by Brian Meyerson – to give all apartments floor-to-ceiling glass, a wide loggia and views to the CBD and adjoining parklands.
Its coloured panel louvres are expected to create an ever-changing hue on its façade.
Inspiration for the design was drawn from the work of internationally renowned Israeli artist Yaacov Agam, founder of the post-war kinetic art movement and creator of ground-breaking sculpture, paintings and architecture
The building, to be set on a narrow wedge shaped island site, was initially proposed by Simon Skibsted’s Feheni Pty Ltd, which has owned the 5,050-square-metre Waterloo site since 1987.
In late 2010 CBRE Residential secured 77 red-dot sales within six week.
The 2010 prices were 41 one-bedroom apartments, up to 66 square metres with balconies up to 12 square metres, priced from $465,000 and levies from $500 a quarter.
Its 41 two-bedroom apartments, some with studies, up to 108 square metres with balconies up to 40 square metres, 2010 prices from the mid-$600,000s, with levies from $700 a quarter.
The 26 three-bedroom apartments, up to 133 square metres with balconies up to 100 square metres, had 2010 prices from $895,000 and levies from $900 a quarter.
The eight three-bedroom penthouses with internal areas of up to 165 square metres had prices in late 2010 from $1.2 million to $1.695 million and levies from $900 a quarter.
 
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Crown Group to begin construction on Viking apartments at Green Square, Waterloo

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Last Tuesday I predicted ANZ would hike rates by between five basis points and 7.5 basis points, and noted that this could be a bit of a game-changer for the RBA’s May meeting. 
On Friday the bank lifted them by six. While this is bad news for ANZ borrowers, it was a commercially astute decision for the bank and its shareholders for a variety of reasons. 
First, Friday’s hike will improve the bank’s profit margins, which is important for banks in an environment in which revenues are growing slowly and the historical returns on shareholder equity will be difficult to maintain.
Second, it starkly reinforces ANZ’s (superficial) argument that there is a big conceptual disconnect between the lending rates banks set and the cash rate that the RBA targets. 
As I have shown before, this is more fiction than fact and confuses changes in profit margins with the actual level of lending rates. To be sure, changes in funding costs will directly affect profit margins, unless product prices are varied accordingly. The question then turns to what “reasonable” and “competitive market” profit margins should look like. That is a debate I’ve tried to stimulate for years, but it remains largely unresolved. 
In terms of the actual level of borrowing rates, the RBA is, on average, the ultimate arbiter of the price of money in the Australian economy. 
The third factor that makes ANZ’s decision smart is that it amplifies the pressure on the RBA to cut rates in May. To be clear, a rate cut is by no means certain. If we get a high “core” or “underlying” quarterly inflation print on April 24 of 0.8% or more, and the historical inflation data does not revise down (or revises up), then the chances are that the RBA will leave rates unchanged. 
Upping the ante on the RBA to drop rates further in May is important to the banks for two reasons. First, it gives them another bite at the profit expansion cherry: they can choose not to pass on the full 25-basis-point RBA cut and internalise this as margin. 
In 2012 ANZ has taken back about 60% of the RBA’s second, December rate cut. But actual lending rates are still lower than they were at the end of November, and will be lower again should the RBA be convinced that it can justify pulling its trigger finger a third time. 
A second reason why the banks want a rate cut in May is because, all things being equal, banks do better in lower interest rate environments. Credit growth and revenues accelerate, default rates and impairments typically decline, and asset prices and hence collateral values rise. 
A final point to recognise is that wider bank margins will probably help encourage more competition in the long run. It will give nimbler players with lower cost bases (but higher absolute funding charges) a better chance of competing with the major bank oligopoly, which has numerous institutionalised advantages.
Christopher Joye is a leading financial economist and a director of <a href="https://www.ybr.com.au/savings/index.cfm">Yellow Brick Road Funds Management</a> and Rismark. The above article is not investment advice.
 
 
 
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chrisjoye-JYhJsTrNRC

Banks seeking RBA interest rate cut too: Christopher Joye

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Australia's black economy could be worth up to 30% of the nation's gross domestic product, according to research presented yesterday by RMIT.
Researchers have highlighted ''transfer pricing'' – the manipulation of payments and invoices between Australian companies and related companies in tax havens to minimise tax – as a major drain on government revenue.
Sharif As-Saber, deputy head of research and innovation at RMIT University, says the black market was estimated at around 13 to 15% of the economy but that was just taking into account tax evasion.
“If you add illegal transactions like human trafficking and drugs it could be much higher than this,” says As-Saber.
“These kinds of illegal activities are actually rising which is not actually accounted for in the official estimates.”
The researchers found international business crimes today include a wide range of acts which go beyond the traditional corrupt practices such as piracy, bribing and transfer pricing and may include illegal sports betting, illegal ship breaking, high-sea piracy, human trafficking and money laundering.
They can also involve intellectual property theft, counterfeiting and illegal trading of drugs, arms, artefacts, live endangered animals and even human body parts.
As-Saber says the researchers are working towards a new definition of the black economy and what they term “black international business”.
“We would like to come up with a different perspective within international business because at the moment we just look at businesses that are legal and what we have found out is that there are businesses that are not legal entities and they are also involved in some kind of business across borders,” says As-Saber.
As-Saber cautions that all illicit businesses are not illegal, for example he describes the contracts that US companies got after the Iraq war as “all legal but probably illicit”.
As-Saber says it is difficult to point to one industry or sector which is particularly involved in black international business.
“All industries are involved in this kind of activity,” he says.
As-Saber says it is a “difficult question” to determine what should be done to combat the international black economy.
“Any government actions are reactionary in nature and given the sophistication of technology and all sorts of things, the criminals and gangs are advancing very fast,” says As-Saber.
“The response of governments and the international community is not as fast and they are always lagging behind and that is the problem.”
This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/index.php" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
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cwaters-YrtBR88nBe

Australia’s black economy worth up to 30% of nation's gross domestic product: Research

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People opening self-managed superannuation funds need to be aware of their legal obligations and requirements, experts have warned, as new statistics from the Australian Taxation Office show a big jump in the number of workers shifting to SMSFs. 
The figures show that between the years 2007 and 2011, the number of self-managed superannuation funds grew by 31%, and more than 29,500 a year were started on average.
"SMSFs are not for everyone," says Peter Burgess, technical director of the Self Managed Super Fund Professionals' Association. "Obviously, everyone needs to have an understanding of their roles and responsibilities in being a trustee."
"So while you do have some flexibility and control, you need to invest a bit more time in managing everything."
The ATO statistics reveal that in the five year period to June 30, 2010, contributions averaged $34.2 billion ever year. Contributions peaked in 2007, and most member contributions were to SMSFs with assets worth between $500,000 and $5 million.
However, total contributions to SMSFs have fallen over the past five years. In fact, SMSF contributions as a proportion of contributions to all funds fell from over 40% in 2007 to 20% in 2010, which is below the level recorded in 2006.
Some Government intervention, including halving concessional contribution caps, has been associated with the decline. But the ATO notes that after the financial crisis, growth returned to an average level.
Statistics also showed there were 8,792 SMSFs that had to lodge Auditor Contravention Reports in the year ending June 30, 2011. That's up by 8% from the previous year, while the number of contraventions rose by 20%.
Burgess says people opening up SMSFs need to be aware of their obligations as opposed to operating a fund from one of the major institutions.
"There are rules that need to be followed, and so while you do get flexibility, you need to be aware of everything that's going on."
"You need to have your fund audited every year, those statements audited every year, and you need to lodge an annual return and keep up the records of your transactions."
Burgess also says anyone opening an SMSF needs to be on top of all the legislative changes, whether they are in effect or pending, as the Government is keen to crack down on any rorting in the system. The industry has already been involved in disputes with the Government this year over the way certain assets are calculated.
The figures show more and more people are opening SMFS for retirement purposes, with about 30% of SMSFs starting pension payments in 2010 being less than two-years-old.
Burgess says this is a surprising indication that more retirees want a greater feeling of control over their finances when they retire.
"People believe they can do it better themselves by taking control of their investments and setting up more flexible options."
"With a market downturn, that sort of shift makes sense. People are turning to self-managed funds in order to draw a retirement income."
"This suggests they see self-managed funds as delivering a more appropriate retirement product solution."
This article originally appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/index.php">SmartCompany</a>.
 
 
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pmcstafford-pr9eMARWoN

Surge in number of self-managed super funds sparks warning from experts to stay on top of the legal obligations

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For some time now, the RBA has been as assuring us of the flow-on benefits soon to reach the non-mining states of Victoria and New South Wales.
However, these benefits may not be very easy to recognise. Let's attempt to make things a little clearer.
The mining boom has been keeping the Australian dollar high for some time now, due to the record levels reached by our terms of trade.
Accordingly, the prices you and I pay for a whole host of manufactured goods have barely altered from what we paid for them 10 years ago. And in some cases, they have fallen.
Yet household incomes have actually grown by more than 60% over the same period.
Therefore, stable prices for many items, together with increased disposable income, has meant those of us living in Sydney and Melbourne now have more to spend upon services and entertainment.
And that then probably helps to explain the extraordinary explosion in restaurants and cafes over the last few years.
Are there other signs of growth?
The latest ANZ jobs survey showed advertisements rose by 1% during March — and have risen by some 12% for the year.
Click to enlarge
<a href="/images/stories/langapril17.gif" rel="shadowbox" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/langapril17thumb.gif"></a>
If next month's figures show a further increase in job ads, this will provide clear evidence of a return of confidence, within the economy.
Bottom line: <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/commercial/next-year-will-be-good-for-commercial-property-investment/2011112152466" target="_blank">Another recent article </a>touched on the current high level of accumulated household savings.
These are poised ready to re-enter the economy, as soon as this growing confidence is finally confirmed.
And if the RBA trims the cash rate (as is widely predicted to occur in May), be prepared for a sudden surge in investment activity — which will inevitably include commercial property.
 
 
 
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chrislang-EQKojcgJPV

How the mining boom is translating into more cafes in Melbourne and Sydney

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Given the spread of ROI (registration of interest) marketing campaigns, I think it is important to look at the key setting in greater detail. First up, before starting any ROI campaign it is important to have clear goals and expectations to make sure the idea fits the market circumstances.
The key expectations that need to be agreed would always include clear targeting – otherwise the process will lack focus – such as:
<ul>
<li>Launch day sales target by number, percentage and total value</li>
<li>Number of paid expressions of interest (EOI) to convert to sales</li>
<li>Number of required ROI enquiries to convert to EOI requirement</li>
<li>Number of individuals contacted about the project through all the various mediums to reach the ROI target</li>
<li>The marketing mediums identified and what volumes of enquiries they will bring</li>
</ul>
This is not a process of testing the waters, because once you enter the market there needs to be clear intentions to engage the market in a defined sales path.
They key aim will be to build a quality database. This outcome will and can not only rely upon the raw volume of respondents. In today’s market there could well be a hurdle, as securing a strong response is never certain. Quality registrations will only result if the entire process is well managed every step of the way – if a medium is bringing in low-quality leads changes to the marketing message, sales conversation or marketing spend needs to happen and quickly, to ensure the project stays on track to its required numbers.
Access raw numbers with care
Care must be taken in the collection and use of data; simply collecting a great deal of useless information is a waste of time and could well backfire by creating foolish expectations. It is easy for anyone to fill in an email form and these forms can look good on paper but unless there is a qualifying process behind them they may be of little even negative value to the sales process.
Subsequently as the process moves to the point of commitment a poorly qualified database will soon reveal flaws if few sales are converted, or a poorly supported launch takes place. However, if the ROI campaign targets the desired markets then the campaign will secure solid results.
One result of a successful campaign will be the ability to build prices, where prices can be increased, if the demand in these early stages is solid. This is not to suggest that prices can or should be over-heated as a result of early interest, but this is the ideal time to keep prices under review and in line with buyer demand.
A good result from an ROI campaign will assist to leverage higher sales rates early in the development cycle and this solid demand will underpin prices as the project moves forward.
This will also be a positive when dealing with finance from any perspective given how lenders can be in meeting today’s lending criteria.
Against this background of possible results it is easy to see why ROI campaigns are popular. However despite all of the positives, ROI campaigns are not, as has already been suggested, automatically suitable for all developments and they can and have failed. Why this usually happens is because the raw data collected is not sourced from well-targeted activity, thoroughly checked, qualified and managed throughout the entire campaign leading up to launch – you only get one chance.
The qualifying process is essential; it’s the foundation to the entire campaign. The time and resources to do this always needs to be factored into the ROI campaign through an experienced project sales and marketing team who understand the importance of providing detailed and accurate reporting.
Even where existing databases are used do not take for granted that these lists are current, always ask the question. A quality database is built upon constant quality engagement. Otherwise this data, so important to the ROI process, is suspect.
The buyer’s perspective
This brings us to the buyer’s perspective. In any ROI campaign the client’s outcome and involvement must always be a central consideration, so again we are back looking at the quality of data.
Genuine and qualified targets secured during an ROI campaign will naturally have their own expectations and they will have been driven by varied intentions and motivations.
This is not a lottery process and must be well managed. It’s an essential part of one of my re-occurring themes – that is the quality of the buyer’s experience at every stage sales path.
Above all when any consumer registers they must receive a response, immediately (even if automated although this is not ideal) but always within 24 to 36 hours, and that response needs to be of value adding to the level of information the person may already have about the project. Many campaigns still manage to get this simple step wrong or simply rely upon an automated process and leave it there. That’s not good enough!
Consumers who respond to an ROI campaign do so for a reason, and if that is not respected it can damage the project and the developer’s brand. If a consumer goes to the extent of giving over personal information this must be acted upon.
The collection of personal data is an increasingly sensitive area, and even with the backing of privacy legislation there is a need to respect the process.
All of the data collected must be used as constructively as possible. If the data is well structured it also helps qualify and establish valuable demographic information. As a possible starting point even the most basic market profile can be built up, simply by the accurate collection of postcode details as a minimum.
Because of the structure and nature of the marketing, ROI campaigns are frequently most appealing to apartment buyers. This is due mainly to the frequently longer lead times and in some markets very long lead times of one, two or more years before completion.
With such long-term plans, for the developer there is an obvious benefit in securing early sales and many buyers also see these timeframes as an ideal way to manage their aspirations, finances and their varied and changing needs.
The targeted use of ROI campaigns can, when correctly executed, help lock in the benefits for buyers and developers alike.
Timing is an important element
ROI campaigns will almost always be managed over shorter periods of time from six weeks to possibly several months. However beyond two or three months ROI campaigns are usually not that affective because the reasonable expectation of a benefit to the buyer is always diminished by time.
If the campaign is in the market for a protracted time it reduces the urgency. The implied advantages evaporate and the target market will stop seeing the opportunity to register as being of any value to them.
In some markets potential buyers might not only be time driven, they may be happy to register their details and then wait for the product to be on-sale. However the time scales involved and release of information needs to be carefully managed, otherwise consumers will lose interest in the project.
Even when the buyers are not in a hurry, the life of the campaign must still be for a limited time. The advantage of being early into the project will always remain a key attraction to buyers.
Even if some buyers might have been looking around the market before they register, once the ROI campaign is over those who register must be kept up-dated. If a project is being developed over a long period there must be a strategy to keep in touch with anyone who does register on a very regular basis. But this contact needs balance; not too much contact to be harassing and avoiding long periods of no contact.
Given that the main aim of the ROI campaign is, at least in the short-term, to create a qualified and ‘ready-to- buy’ database. Ideally ahead of any formal release or mainstream marketing those who can should be moved to a level of commitment and where possible move to exchange contracts.
ROI campaigns have become very popular and it is important that this step in the project marketing mix be thoroughly managed. The next part of this post will look in detail at the content and planning of ROI campaigns. This will include how the varied steps can be managed and how different creative solutions can be used from private client or whisper campaigns to an open market approach.
Peter Chittenden is managing director for residential of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.colliers.com.au/Colliers%20Corporate/Residential.aspx">Colliers International</a>
 
 
 
 
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pchittenden-eLqUUC8TWW

Before starting a registrations-of-interest campaign, outline clear goals: Peter Chittenden

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Friday’s minor rate movement by ANZ was the rate increase, for both fundamental and tactical reasons, the bank had to make.
In the scheme of things six basis points is neither here nor there, and certainly not something that deserved Wayne Swan’s mock outrage. Swan seems to have forgotten that the last time ANZ lifted it home loan rate, in February, it did so by the same six basis points – and the other major banks (and some not-so-major banks) responded with increase of between nine and 15 basis points.
So, to a degree, ANZ was only playing catch-up on Friday.
There is a fundamental justification for the banks increasing their rates slightly. They do have longer term pre-crisis borrowings continually maturing that have to be re-financed in the current market.
While wholesale borrowing costs are lower than they were at the height of the global financial crisis and have been broadly trending down (apart from a spike in recent weeks as fears about the stability of the eurozone flared again), they are still elevated, which means the banks’ average borrowing costs are still edging up as the longer-term borrowings are re-financed.
The other fundamental reason for raising the cost of lending is that banking is essentially two-dimensional – there is both an asset and liability side to banks.
On the asset side, demand for credit is extremely weak. There is no volume growth in the system to offset the pressure on margins from higher funding costs. On the liability side there is fierce competition for deposits as the banks try to reduce their exposure to the volatile and unreliable wholesale funding markets.
That competition is continuous, given that term deposits have relatively short maturities, and is likely to be a long-term feature of the system because all the banks are targeting even higher proportions of deposit funding over time.
That means there will be continuing upwards pressure on the relative cost of those deposits – the interest rates the banks have to offer to attract and retain them – and therefore pressure to re-balance the pricing of the relationship between borrowers from the banks and lenders to them.
From the perspective of the whole system, adding a marginal disincentive to borrowings and a marginal incentive for savings – slightly re-balancing the relationship between savings and borrowings in favour of savings – is not such a bad thing.
Tactically, the ANZ needed to restore its capacity to compete for deposits without sacrificing margin relative to its peers. It also needs to get its customer base used to frequent small movements in its rate – in both directions – if its bold new rate-setting policy is to be effective.
In December, ANZ announced it would in future set its rates independently of the Reserve Bank’s first-Tuesday-of-the-month board meetings, reviewing them every second Friday of the month. The strategy was to de-link ANZ’s rate movements from the RBA’s to emphasise that bank funding costs aren’t set by the RBA decisions.
The RBA can strongly influence the absolute level of rates in the market, but not the price investors demand from borrowers relative to its cash rate, and the key issue for the banks is not the absolute cost of funds but the spreads they experience over the cash rate relative to those they charge borrowers.
For ANZ’s new approach to rate-setting to work, it really needs to move its borrowing rates regularly, ideally in both directions and by modest amounts, to get its customers used to the notion that funding costs are moving continuously without getting too far out of kilter with its competitors and therefore creating a competitive vulnerability.
Friday provided a major opportunity. Not only was ANZ largely playing catch-up with its peers, which makes it harder to argue it was somehow profiteering at the expense of its customers and therefore has made it a smaller target for the bank-bashing brigade, but the RBA made it clear after holding official rates unchanged earlier this month that if the March quarter inflation numbers don’t contain any nasty surprises when they are disclosed on April 24 it is likely to cut the cash rate.
If that were to happen, and it is probable albeit not certain, a 25-basis-point reduction in the cash rate would more than compensate borrowers for ANZ’s six basis point increase – and also provide another opportunity for all the banks to hang onto some of the reduction. ANZ’s move increases the probability that the RBA will cut official rates.
The RBA has been saying consistently in recent times that the banks have a case when they argue their margins have been eroded by rising funding costs and that it takes that into account in its own rate deliberations. In fact, it has said that official rate would be a full percentage point higher if the banks had simply been passing on official rate movements.
It uses the cash rate to target the actual lending rates within the economy that it believes are appropriate for the state of the economy.
In that sense, in terms of the rates borrowers actually pay, what ANZ or the other big banks do is largely irrelevant – if the RBA thought the banks would retain all of a 25 basis point rate reduction, but wanted the entire reduction to flow through to the economy, it would simply cut official rates by 50 basis points. It makes monetary policy slightly more complicated but not necessarily less effective.
ANZ’s rate-setting policy, while it adds noise to the process – and hopefully a better understanding among borrowers, depositors and politicians about the relationships between official rates and the rates bank customers pay and receive – doesn’t change it because the RBA knows the bank can’t move significantly away from its competitors.
This article originally appeared on<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessspectator.com.au/"> Business Spectator</a>.
 
 
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sbartholomesusz-jWVzVSPmF8

ANZ's rate rise molehill: Stephen Bartholomeusz

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Well, aren’t all those economists just great at getting things right!  Employment rose by 44,000 in March, yet the dismal science predicted a drop in employment, with some economists guessing at job losses as high as 10,000 for March.  Most expected the unemployment rate to increase, and the talk was of a 0.5 percentage point fall in the cash rate next month.
Yet the ABS figures show a healthy mix in new jobs, with part-time jobs rising by 28,000 during March and full-time positions lifting by 16,000.  The jobless rate remained steady at 5.2%.  We even worked more hours in March and also over the last 12 months.
At first glance the latest employment figures are heartening. But the result needs to be put into perspective. The latest March result follows the modest fall in employment in February and a more sizeable fall December. In fact over the past five months employment growth has totalled just 36,400 positions – or around 7,000 jobs a month.  Yet it is still the case that an additional 44,000 workers now have jobs compared with a month ago.
In the current environment people are still more likely to be saving rather than spending. From a business perspective trading conditions will remain difficult, especially given the strength of the Aussie dollar and the mountain of government red (and green) tape. The federal election cannot come fast enough!
The March result suggests that businesses will hold onto current staff rather than adding to their workforce.
The yield curve suggests that the cash rate will drop by 0.25 percentage points in May, giving the banks some cover – i.e. don’t expect mortgage rates to drop much.  For mine – and this isn’t advice – we are at the bottom of the interest rate cycle.  I fixed my investment loans earlier this month for a five-year period.
Oh, and by the way the most jobs over the last 12 months were created in Western Australia (45,000), followed by 23,000 across Queensland.  Close to 23,000 positions were lost across Victoria over the last year.  South Australia lost 2,000 jobs and the was little change in the new jobs created across New South Wales during the 12 months to March 2012.
Three things drive the property cycle – confidence, supply versus demand and full-time job creation.  Perth has a slight oversupply of new stock.  In contrast the Queensland new housing market is <a href="https://www.matusik.com.au/chartsDetail.php?Where-art-thou-supply-15" target="_blank">under-supplied</a>, jobs are being created and the state has a new government, which appears to be making the right moves to restore business and consumer confidence.
Michael Matusik is the director of independent property advisory Matusik Property Insights. Michael is a 25-year veteran in the industry and his firm has helped over 550 new residential developments come to fruition.  Michael has launched a new initiative, called<a href="https://www.matusik.com.au/" target="_blank"> Think Matusik</a>.  Think Matusik brings together expert opinion and select property opportunities.
 
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michaelmatusik-49YzLvdmNv

Employment is up, particularly in Queensland and WA, as economists guess wrong

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There’s an old Jewish proverb, which – as a rough translation – says: “People come to poverty in two ways: accumulating debts and paying them off.” Perhaps our politicians should take note, because it’s clear we’re becoming a society split down the center of “those who have” and “those who have not”. You don’t need the brain of a statistician to work out why the polls are so low.  It’s not just about lowering hospital waiting lists and reducing ever rising electricity bills, which are always on the agenda for any state or federal government in power. Neither is it about handouts to “appease” changes in policy such as the carbon tax, or other “nanny” initiatives.  No – it’s as simple as an effective policy to provide shelter for those unable to commit 50% or more of their wages to accommodate for their needs – let alone that of a growing family.
I admit to being a bit of an ABC junkie, always tuned into one of the various news stations.  I listen to MPs’ voices coming over the airwaves daily, reminding me of Australia’s “sunny” outlook in the light of Europe’s economic woes. I hear our Prime Minister remind me that by 2013 we’ll have a surplus and I read reports of the flood of “economic” migrants flocking to our shores to take advantage of our low unemployment status.  This is all fair enough and on the face of it, not untrue.  However, while there’s no shortage of “those who can” in the divide of the “wealthy” and the “struggling” – there’s an increasing shortage of “those who can’t”.
Most recently I read of an English northerner, a hard-working former paper-mill operator by trade, who refused to go on the dole in the UK to provide for the needs of his family of dependents (all 13 of them).  Frustrated with the lack of opportunity in the UK, he’s taken to the seas and like a pioneer – determined to make a new life for his family – has moved to Queensland.  Staying with relatives, he believes our “positive portfolio” will provide opportunity here, which he’d be unable to furnish elsewhere – and he’s probably right.  However, what he may not have factored in is the cost of housing.  With 12 children among his dependents, finding a house to comfortably accommodate his needs won’t be easy – or cheap. Especially if he wants to be within cooee of transport, schools, and shopping facilities.
But it’s not just about purchasing; the rental market in every capital city is stressed to the max. You may pull me up here and emphasise certain media reports quoting figures “indicating” that Melbourne’s vacancy rate has “softened” under the boom of construction.  If so, it’s worth remembering most of this new construction is in the form of high-rise accommodation, which offers neither affordable rent nor (for those on an average wage) a quality lifestyle.  Investors, looking for good yields, have purchased most of the smaller apartments and you’d be hard pressed to get a studio flat with no parking facilities for less than $300 per week – hardly affordable for those on an average wage. 
While writing this, I have just paused to have a conversation with a young girl about to vacate from her current accommodation due to the current owners wanting to move in.  We spoke briefly about an established two-bedroom apartment that has just been let.  Such was the demand for this relatively small unit, numerous applications had been fielded, offering some $50 per week above the advertised yield (which isn’t by any means an unusual occurrence for apartments in boutique blocks of this type).  It doesn’t just happen in affluent locations, it happens in the poorer areas also. Suburbs in the outer-western Melbourne regions where the market’s arguably more affordable also fall under high demand for an increasing number unable to save for their own homes.
During the conversation we touched on the subject of the current “abundance” of high-rise apartments currently sitting vacant in the CBD (SQM has the vacancy rate sitting at 4.6%); however her comments were along the lines of “small, expensive and anything but appealing”. 
I was then told how she always offers three months rental in advance (not including the bond, which would be an additional cost).  However, even this is often not enough to beat the competition.  For those unable to provide such incentives, it makes you wonder how low-wage recipients and the unemployed cope with finding appropriate shelter. Perth’s vacancy rate has now dropped below 1%, Sydney 1.5%, Adelaide 1.3%, Canberra 0.7%, Darwin 0.7% and Brisbane 1.6% (all figures courtesy of SQM). Possibly the only capital offering a marginally easier terrain is Hobart, with a vacancy rate of 2.4% – however, it’s sparse comfort. 
Tenants who are knocked off the rental ladder (a frighteningly increasing statistic nationwide) confront a truly dire situation.  In 2010 – even after a tightening of the rules of who could, and couldn’t, apply, there were 248,419 people on the waiting list for government-assisted accommodation. The recent McKell institute’s <a href="https://mckellinstitute.org.au/">‘Homes for All’</a> report cited the increased and very real need for public housing.  The latest <a href="https://www.nhsc.org.au/supply">‘State of Supply’</a> report highlighted similar issues.
A recent and damning audit commissioned by the Victorian government <a href="https://bit.ly/HMBtVI">‘Access to Public housing’</a> reads like a company about to go into administration.  Apparently, Victoria has “a $17.8 billion property portfolio, housing 127,357 Victorians”; however, there is a massive 42% gap between income and rental expenses.  Furthermore, the deficit is set to “more than double from $56.4 million in 2011, to $115.1 million in 2015.” Victoria’s apparently “facing a cash crisis with all cash reserves expected to be exhausted during the 2012–13 financial year based on current budget estimates”!  The report can’t even pinpoint where it all became “unsustainable” – “because the division has funded deficits by deferring acquisitions and maintenance and using cash received in advance for long-term programs, along with unspent cash from capital programs.” Recent news confirming the waiting list for public housing in Victoria has fallen by 1,582 is no light on the horizon in the face of such a dire situation, especially considering there are in excess of 38,500 still stuck in “limbo”.
To be fair on the current Victorian government, this is the most detailed report I can find on the subject in the Auditor’s archives.  It’s therefore evident the crisis spanned back well into the previous government’s term and was never adequately addressed or assessed. In light of this, it’s positive that such a review was indeed commissioned, however it’s yet to be seen if the “insurmountable” problem is able to be resolved in the near or long term.
They are all facts and figures that make up part of one of many public reports – reports that have been addressed previously – reports that cost taxpayer money – reports that result in little if any change no matter who’s in power. 
Of most concern is the national review on how housing affordability has been managed.  On the Australian National Audit Office’s <a href="https://bit.ly/IBJrQi">website</a> you can source a damming overview into the administration and implementation of the federal government’s “Housing Affordability Fund (HAF)”.  The objective of this fund was to increase the supply of new homes whilst also reducing their cost, with the key focus being on the “reduction of housing development costs associated with infrastructure projects”.  This is an issue that sorely needs addressing, yet the report is an embarrassment to read. The funding was to be in the form of $500 million over a five-year period from 2008-09 to 2012-13, with a further $12 million allocated for administration costs. Qualification for the funds was assessed on a strict “needs” basis looking at the number constructed, against the projected savings to the home buyer.  In other words, the funds would not be rationed equally across all states. 
All was going OK, until a shortfall in spending to the tune of $12 million was brought to light.  There followed an administration nightmare, with funds allocated to projects that fell clearly outside of the assessment criteria.  Projects that should have been funded weren’t, and those that failed the assessment guidelines and should have been rejected were approved.  Furthermore, it was clear that funded projects did not make evident the amount of savings passed onto the buyer, and neither were the results of those funded fully assessed on completion.  All in all, considering the result to date has only assisted 749 home buyers for an outlay of $12 million in administration costs and a promised $500 million for the projects, it’s clear better strategies could and should have been implemented.
Comparing property markets across the world is difficult due to the way statistics are collated, with some markets substantially less transparent than others.  However, in the <a href="https://www.demographia.com/">International Housing Affordability Annual Survey</a>, the only market that eclipses Australia in terms of income-to-housing cost is Hong Kong.  The survey rates each country by dividing the median house price by the annual median pretax wage.  Australia has a score of 6.7; however, Hong Kong has a score of 12.6.  While there’s plenty of healthy debate over how the figures are calculated, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/sydney-and-melbourne-more-affordable-than-demographia-suggests/2012012953158">showing that it’s not quite as black and white as it seems</a>, there’s no doubt Hong Kong stands out and it’s therefore worth looking how affordability has affected its most needy – especially considering we’re well on our way to a similar level of disparity.
The country is one of the most densely populated in the world – and with such a finite source of land, it’s no wonder the existing real estate holds its price. Hong Kong has no option but to build upwards – high-rise living is therefore widely accepted, and apartments are small by our standards.  However, since 1953 when the first public housing scheme was initiated, the number of people living in government-assisted accommodation has now reached 50% of the total population. The split between those who can and those who can’t purchase has led to a range of initiatives aimed at providing adequate shelter for not only the poorest, but for increasing numbers of low- and even middle-income recipients not qualifying for public housing, but still sandwiched out of ownership. 
Schemes now include public rental housing estates, home ownership scheme estates, tenants purchase scheme, flat-for-sale schemes – the list goes on. None of the above mentioned has been a “cure” for which statistics of “homeless” have now been replaced with those “caged” in high-rise accommodation.  Accommodation where the standard of living is no better than battery farmed chickens in a coop.  However, action has been taken and to date, it seems to far exceed Australia’s efforts. 
Here we are fast losing the battle altogether, however unlike Hong Kong we have one of the least densely populated countries in the world with an abundance of land – land we haven’t properly used! Furthermore there are a growing number who, like those in Hong Kong, are “sandwiched” – unable to qualify for housing assistance (for which application rules have been tightened) and yet can’t afford adequate rental accommodation close to the transport facilities they need for employment.  Yet we’re told daily how prosperous Australia is in comparison to other nations as if everyone is ‘enjoying’ the ride.
Do we really want to end up like Hong Kong with 50% of the population needing government-assisted housing simply because successive governments haven’t gone far enough to action effectively the recommendations of their various multimillion-dollar funded reports?  Planning rules must be relaxed in outer-suburban areas.  There needs to be a fresh look at the requirements to build “green”, which I’ve previously spoken about <a href="https://bit.ly/rrfUxd">here</a>.  Provision of facilities, making regional locations feasible for home buyers working in central towns and cities, need to be timetabled and implemented (another issue I’ve addressed – along with others – on numerous occasions). 
We don’t need an “HAF” that helps fewer than 1,000 recipients for an outlay costing hundreds of millions. Nor should we be giving out “nanny” incentives, which place inflationary pressure on existing real estate such as the FHOG (first-home owners’ grant). Instead, we should remove stamp duty on new dwellings and consider a change in policy on negative gearing and other such recommendations cited in the <a href="https://bit.ly/HMDOjA">Henry Tax review</a>. 
We may be rolling along on a mining boom, which looks great on paper.  Nevertheless, like the “unsinkable” Titanic on calm waters, no one seems to be flagging the great iceberg ahead. 
Catherine Cashmore is a market analyst with extensive experience in all aspects relating to property acquisition. She is Channel Ten’s property expert on <a href="https://ten.com.au/the-circle.htm">The Circle</a> and a senior consultant for <a href="https://www.nationalpropertybuyers.com.au/">National Property Buyers</a> servicing the needs – Australia wide – for home buyers and investors.
Iceberg photograph courtesy of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.flickr.com/">Flickr</a>.
 
 
 
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catherinecashmore-6LXia3pPQj

Unless we address affordability, Australia's property market will hit an iceberg: Catherine Cashmore

<html><body>
Properties in just one locality in the City of Ipswich have changed in value since last year, according to the Queensland Valuer-General’s annual valuation.
Medium prices in the rural locality of Deebing Heights increased 1.3% from $197,500 in 2010 to $200,000 in 2011, according to Valuer-General Neil Bray.
Bray found medium prices in Ipswich’s 66 other localities stayed the same from October 2010 to October 2011.
Over the whole region prices increased 0.1%, reflecting the static market in the area.
Bray says allowances made in 2010 for flood-affected properties had been carried for into the new valuations.
“Apart from isolated changes to reflect environmental changes or local sales evidence residential valuations are predominantly unchanged,” Bray says.
“Minor changes were recorded in commercial values with some neighbourhood shopping centre values increasing slightly.”
The City of Ipswich recently topped an RBA list of the regions with the highest rates of mortgage arrears.
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="460"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Residential localities
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
Previous median value ($)
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
New median value ($)
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
Change in median value (%)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Deebing Heights
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
197,500
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
200,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
1.3
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Amberley
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
86,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
86,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Ashwell
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
97,500
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
97,500
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Augustine Heights
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
207,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
 
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Barellan Point
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
202,500
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
202,500
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Basin Pocket
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
131,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
131,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Bellbird Park
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
148,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
148,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Blackstone
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
140,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
140,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Booval
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
132,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
132,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Brassall
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
152,500
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
152,500
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Bundamba
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
128,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
128,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Calvert
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
67,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
67,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Camira
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
182,500
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
182,500
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Churchill
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
136,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
136,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Chuwar
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
165,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
165,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Coalfalls
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
144,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
144,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Collingwood Park
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
127,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
127,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Dinmore
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
115,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
115,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
East Ipswich
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
126,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
126,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Eastern Heights
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
149,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
149,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Ebbw Vale
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
123,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
123,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Ebenezer
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
93,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
93,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Flinders View
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
155,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
155,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Gailes
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
115,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
115,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Goodna
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
124,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
124,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Grandchester
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
68,500
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
68,500
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Haigslea
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
130 750
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
130 750
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Ipswich
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
150,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
150,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Ironbark
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
108,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
108,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Karalee
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
172,500
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
172,500
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Karrabin
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
124,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
124,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Lanefield
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
93,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
93,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Leichhardt
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
125,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
125,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Lower Mount Walker
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
100,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
100,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Marburg
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
94,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
94,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Moores Pocket
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
107,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
107,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Mount Forbes
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
70,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
70,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Mount Marrow
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
156,250
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
156,250
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Muirlea
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
141,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
141,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Newtown
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
150,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
150,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
North Booval
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
120,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
120,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
North Ipswich
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
125,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
125,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
North Tivoli
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
87,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
87,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
One Mile
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
125,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
125,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Peak Crossing
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
93,500
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
93,500
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Pine Mountain
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
183,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
183,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Purga
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
132,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
132,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Raceview
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
138,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
138,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Redbank
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
130,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
130,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Redbank Plains
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
142,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
142,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Ripley
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
136,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
136,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Riverview
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
110,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
110,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Rosewood
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
119,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
119,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Sadliers Crossing
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
155,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
155,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Silkstone
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
134,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
134,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
South Ripley
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
80,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
80,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Springfield
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
165,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
165,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Springfield Lakes
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
160,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
160,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Tallegalla
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
117,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
117,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Thagoona
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
108,500
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
108,500
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Tivoli
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
107,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
107,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Walloon
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
150,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
150,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
West Ipswich
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
120,500
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
120,500
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Willowbank
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
134,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
134,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Woodend
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
142,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
142,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Wulkuraka
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
139,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
139,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
Yamanto
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
157,500
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
157,500
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91" valign="top">
All residential localities
</td>
<td width="133" valign="top">
139,000
</td>
<td width="120" valign="top">
139,000
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
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