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

Joel Robinson

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

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

DVB Projects to launch second Broadbeach apartment tower as demolition commences

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

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

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

Boutique Gordon townhomes now come with a BMW iX3 50

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

Vitale breaks Byron Bay records with EADE sales flurry 

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

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

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

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

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

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

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

Staff Writer

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

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

alisonwarters@gmail.com

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

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

Ellen Walker

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

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

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

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Just three months after Julia Gillard cut the ribbon at the opening of 1 Bligh Street, it’s now been confirmed that the federal government intends to relocate the Commonwealth offices into the newly completed green-star office building.
The move has been confirmed by the Special Minister of State, Gary Gray, who will shortly sign off on the lease for the Bligh Street address.
It will bring an end to the nearby occupancy of the Phillip Street offices, which dates back to the Hawke government occupancy.
Gray said in a statement that the government had outgrown the Phillip Street location.
The Sydney Commonwealth Parliament Offices are currently located at 70 Phillip Street, providing office and meeting facilities for the Prime Minister and Cabinet, office-holders and visiting senators and members of the House of Representatives.
''It has become clear that the existing premises are not capable of serving the needs of senators and members into the future,'' he said.
Over the past 15 months, the Department of Finance and Deregulation has been managing a search for alternative premises and a number of prospective tenancies have been considered. 
It's not a done deal but 1 Bligh Street<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/prime-minister-julia-gillard-seeks-new-sydney-office-digs/2011081751191"> </a>has been selected as the preferred tenancy. 
“The actual term of the lease and costs involved are still being negotiated,” Gray says. 
Subject to due diligence processes, and the obtaining of necessary Public Works Committee approval and the negotiation of appropriate leasing arrangements, the relocation to 1 Bligh St will take place in 2012.
It is expected the Commonwealth offices will be located at 1 Bligh Street for at least similar 25 year plus tenancy to the current location.
Gray says the move would deliver operational savings through the building's six-star green star energy rating.  <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/prime-minister-julia-gillard-seeks-new-sydney-office-digs/2011081751191">Its features</a> include water recycling measures, which reduce mains water usage by up to 90%; building design and features such as the double-skin façade and sun-shading, which reduce air-conditioning energy consumption by up to 50%; and a 42% CO2 reduction when compared with similar sized conventional office towers. 
“The Phillip Street building, even if it were renovated, has inherent negative features in relation to access and egress, security, parking and flexibility. There’s also very little flexibility in floor plans, limited information and communications technology capabilities and it cannot provide live broadcasts directly from the premises,” Gray noted.
The property is <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/office/sydney-s-1-bligh-street-valued-at-%24629-million/2011101051875" target="_blank">currently about half-tenanted</a>, and recently Bank of America Merrill Lynch analyst Simon Garing <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/office/dexus-will-take-four-years-to-lease-1-bligh-street-merrill-lynch-analyst/2011101951988" target="_blank">said it would take developer Dexus four years to fully lease the space</a>.
Dexus shareholders have been advised the newly completed 1 Bligh Street Sydney could be 67% leased by Christmas 2011.
“We expect to execute a lease in respect of three floors prior to Christmas, which will increase the percentage leased on the building to 67%,”  Victor Hoog Antink, Dexus chief executive officer told the annual general meeting.
It is understood to be the government leasing deal.
“We are targeting to be 80% leased by June 2012,” he anticipated. 
It was Dexus’ seventh annual general meeting since stapling in 2004.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Government aims to move into Dexus' ultra-green 1 Bligh Street

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One Towers Road, Toorak, owned by former JPMorgan Australia chairman Brian Watson, has been listed with record-setting expectations.
Set on more than 3,200 square metres, the six-bedroom house was once owned by businessman John Elliott.
Its Kay and Burton listing agent Michael Gibson expects the house to attract more than $26 million and set a new Victorian record.
The empty-nester Watson family bought the <a target="_blank" href="/news">Toorak</a> property  in 2001 for $11.1 million, a then record-setting price.
The more impressive neighbouring mansion next door at 3 Towers Road went on the market in May but has been withdrawn from sale after no offer matched the owner's $30 million-plus expectations.
''We had $25 million offered [for number three] and the vendor decided not to take it,'' Gibson told The Age.
The sale for about $26 million of Ilyuka at Portsea to Melbourne businessman John Higgins in December 2010 is the record price for Victoria, followed by the reported $25 million sale in 2010 for the former Baillieu family estate on St Georges Road, Toorak when bought by soft-drink magnate Harry Stamoulis.
It was bought from the Inge family, which owns the aged-healthcare and property development company Zig Inge Group. The Inge family had paid $14.8 million for the St Georges Road property in February 2009. The seven-bedroom Federation house had been the home of Diana Baillieu, mother of Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu, until she died aged 93 in 2008.
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Towers Road Toorak property listed with record-setting $26 million plus price hopes

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Moscow commercial real estate has been named the most attractive and desirable in Europe on the 13th LaSalle Investment Management’s European Regional Economic Growth Index.
The Russian capital clinched first place due its size and great growth potential on the list, which contains cities where demand for real estate is likely to be highest in the medium term.
The index includes 326 regions in 33 European countries with previous top-ranking cities, including Paris, Munich and London, dropping down the list.
London takes second, with Munich and Paris stable at 3 and 4, then Istanbul and Luxembourg moving higher.
It was noted the planned expansion of Moscow had inspired investors across Europe.
The economic downturn and rising concerns about government debt in the EU also helped Moscow climb in the rankings.
Jones Lang LaSalle says investment into Russian real estate will reach a record high in 2011, already jumping 80% year on year in the first nine months to $5.25 billion.
The index noted foreign investors contributed 44% of all investment, up from a 14% share a year ago.
It notes the business environment in Moscow still leaves much to be desired.
Moscow made its debut on the LaSalle Investment Management’s European Regional Economic Growth Index in 2009.
After its spectacular entry into the top 10 in 2009, Moscow ranked second in 2010 notwithstanding its challenging business environment.
Claus Thomas, MD LaSalle Investment Management Germany, notes that the annual European Regional Economic Growth Index produced by LiM research, is 60% based on current growth and outlook, 20% on wealth in the local population and 20% on the business environment, including legal aspects, political security and tax considerations.
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Moscow most attractive market in Europe for commercial property: Jones Lang LaSalle

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The catch-cry of the property buyer – “save time, money and stress” – has been used over and over within this specialist industry sector since the first of these agencies appeared in New South Wales in the mid-1990s. Interestingly, this area of the real estate industry remains largely unknown. A quick internet search reveals that that there are a total of around 50 buyers’ agents in NSW, 20 of whom are accredited members of the REBAA (Real Estate Buyers’ Agency Association of Australia). Of the total number only 20 or so appear on a web search, and these tech-savvy businesses appear to have the lion’s share of the market. 
There is something intriguing about buyers’ agents. They appear seemingly out of nowhere at open inspections with clients in tow, and at many auctions nowadays their presence is noted with alarm by prospective bidders who hadn’t thought about bringing one with them. This does seem like a killer tactic if you are determined to buy that ideal property and scare the daylights out of the competition at the same time. 
But the question is: who really needs a buyers’ agent? After all, buyers have been successfully purchasing property for themselves for centuries without needing to engage a professional to do it for them. 
My industry colleagues and I constantly face the same arguments, and to a certain extent they do make sense until you understand our logic. 
Here are some of them from both points of view: 
The buyer: 
<ul>
<li>Why would I engage a property buyer in what is clearly a buyers’ market?</li>
<li>I wouldn’t engage a property buyer because I have purchased before and always got the best price.</li>
<li>I know the market very well and don’t need to pay for someone to advise me on that score. </li>
</ul>
The Agent: 
<ul>
<li>Even in a buyers’ market an experienced buyers’ agent can ensure that 1) you have been provided with extensive market information related to your proposed purchase and are able to make an informed decision on price, and 2) endeavour to buy the property for you at the best possible price (and not the price the vendor or his real estate agent had anticipated). Expectation is one thing; reality is another. </li>
<li>From our viewpoint everyone needs the best advice they can get when investing large amounts of money in purchasing either a home or investment property. It is not enough to rely on the mother-in-law’s advice (with great respect to those lovely ladies). There are a number of critical factors that can affect the successful negotiation of a purchase (at auction or by private treaty), but the best known of these are market knowledge, the emotional cost factor, nerves on the day and negotiation skills. </li>
</ul>
If you had a toothache would you pull the offending thing out yourself just to save money? Would you represent yourself in court, or try to fix your broken boiler at home? As buyers’ agents we believe you should have a professional on your side of the fence. The vendor will have retained a real estate agent, whose only objective is to get the highest possible price he can for your property. What about you? In your own best interest you need representation too. 
Pulitzer Prize-winning humourist Dave Barry said about negotiating: “I strongly advise you to use a broker, for the same reason that I'd advise you to pay somebody else to repair your automobile transmission, namely: no matter how incompetent or overpaid this person is, he or she can't possibly screw things up as badly as you would if you did it yourself.” 
On the more serious side John McGrath of McGrath Agents said: “Often seen as ‘the other side of the coin’, buyers’ agents comprise a very professional industry group. The majority have spent a large part of their careers working as real estate agents before changing roles and have gained invaluable market experience as well as perfecting their negotiating skills.”
Engaging a property buyer may be one of the best decisions you have ever made.
Tim Mansfield is founder and principal of Sydney-based buyers' agency <a href="https://www.primepropertybuyer.com/" target="_blank">Prime Property Buyer</a>.
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tmansfield-Rk8rBecHRA

Engaging a buyers' agent will level the playing field

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Interest rates have moved on the last five Melbourne Cup Days, mostly upwards, once downwards, and AMP Capital chief economist Shane Oliver expects the RBA to cut the official cash rate by 0.25%, taking it to 4.5%, when it meets on Tuesday.
“Of course, a cut is not assured as the RBA may take the view that the moves in Europe have reduced the risks to the global outlook, so as such we attach a 60% probability to a cut occurring,” Oliver notes.
“However, the case to cut is very strong.
“Despite the European debt rescue plan, the global growth outlook is still much weaker than when interest rates were raised a year ago to 4.75%.
“Likewise domestic demand has been weaker than expected, with unemployment now drifting higher.
“And the much-anticipated September quarter inflation figures have confirmed that the inflation outlook is far more benign than the RBA was assuming a few months ago,” Oliver says.
“Current settings for interest rates – which assumed much stronger global and Australian growth and a worsening profile for underlying inflation – are too high.
“So if it’s not on Tuesday we would anticipate a cut in December,” Oliver suggests.
 
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="154" valign="top">
Effective Date
</td>
<td width="154" valign="top">
Change in cash rate Percentage points
</td>
<td width="154" valign="top">
New cash rate target Per cent
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="154" valign="top">
Nov 3, 2010
</td>
<td width="154" valign="top">
+0.25
</td>
<td width="154" valign="top">
4.75
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="154" valign="top">
Nov 4, 2009
</td>
<td width="154" valign="top">
+0.25
</td>
<td width="154" valign="top">
3.50
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="154" valign="top">
Nov 5, 2008
</td>
<td width="154" valign="top">
-0.75
</td>
<td width="154" valign="top">
5.25
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="154" valign="top">
Nov 7, 2007
</td>
<td width="154" valign="top">
+0.25
</td>
<td width="154" valign="top">
6.75
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="154" valign="top">
Nov 8, 2006
</td>
<td width="154" valign="top">
+0.25
</td>
<td width="154" valign="top">
6.25
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
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Five in a row precedent for Cup Day interest rate movement: AMP's Shane Oliver 

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History tells us that the RBA tends to prefer to hold steady for long periods, rather than fine-tune, so at least one leading economist thinks that history will repeat and that RBA will choose to sit still next week.
It’s the rate prediction of former RBA insider and now HSBC Bank Australia economist Paul Bloxham.
“It’s a close call – a case could be made for either sitting still or cutting rates next week, depending on the RBA’s forecasts and how they view the balance of risks,” he says.
Suggesting fine-tuning is not RBA style, Bloxham says: “Up by the stairs, down by the elevator! That’s the way monetary policy is set in Australia.
“This asymmetric approach to setting rates partly reflects the way the economy evolves.
“In an upswing the RBA is seeking to gradually lean against rising demand to keep it growing in line with supply, thereby keeping inflation contained.
“A downturn tends to be a much more sudden event. A negative shock – often from abroad – convinces the RBA that its rate setting is too high and it cuts sharply to support the economy.
“A downward tweak to rates of 25bps next Tuesday – as markets are pricing and 12 of 20 economists are currently calling for – is somewhat anachronistic,” Bloxham says.
“In our view, past behaviour suggests they are more likely to sit still than cut.
“History would suggest that they would wait until they are certain that they need to cut and then go more aggressively than 25bps.
“As yet, we do not think the evidence stacks up for a downswing in the cycle,” he says.
“We think their forecasts will still show underlying inflation rising from here (albeit now within the target band) reflecting the massive mining boom and weak productivity growth.
“With policy likely to be set on this central forecast, we expect them to hold next week.
“But policy could be set on the balance of risks, as there are clear downside risks to the global outlook,” Bloxham says.
“As the deputy governor reminded us this week, the IMF has suggested the world economy has ‘entered a dangerous new phase’.
“But as he also pointed out: it may still be too early to tell what this means for Australia.
“We think so too,” he notes.
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History suggests RBA will sit still next week: HSBC's Paul Bloxham

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There are about 600 Sydney houses and apartments listed for auction this weekend. And the following weekend too.
But those volumes are down by about 8% on last year, according to Australian Property Monitors head of research Yvonne Chan.
There is one fewer auction than initially tallied however, as the Channel 7 Morning Show co-host Larry Emdur and his wife, Sylvie, have withdrawn their redundant Dover Heights residence from Saturday auction.
It remains listed for sale through private treaty negotiations.
Its listing followed their<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/larry-edmur-says-good-morning-to-breathtaking-cliff-top-property/2011090251402"> recent $6.8 million upgrading to a nearby mansion with dramatic oceanfront cliff-top views</a> over the Pacific Ocean. The Emdurs have owned at Dover Heights since 1994, when they spent $770,000.
They then rebuilt what its McGrath listing agent Bethwyn Richards describes as a contemporary house remaining true to its classic P and O-style heritage. It is set on 417 square metres, whereas the Emdurs’ new home is on 1,062 square metres of cliff-top land.
Based on their nearby purchase price, it had been estimated more than $5 million could be reasonably expected.
But the residence they've just bought was bought from the Moss family who had paid $7.1 million in February 2007, showing the market’s weakness.
Melbourne’s auction tally is lower than last weekend due to the distraction of the Melbourne Cup racing carnival.
This weekend the Real Estate Institute of Victoria has 445 auctions. The same weekend last year had 410 auctions and in 2009 there were 338 auctions.
The number of auctions will increase again with 600 expected next weekend and 850 the weekend after, according to Real Estate Institute of Victoria chief executive Enzo Raimondo.
Melbourne’s year to date clearance rate is now 57% from 22,940 auctions. At this stage last year the clearance rate was 74% from 25,380 auctions and in 2009 there has been 16,555 auctions with an 81% clearance rate.
Last weekend there were 823 auctions with a revised clearance rate of 53% in Melbourne.</body></html>

Larry Emdur withdraws redundant Dover Heights holding from weekend auction

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<img src="/images/stories/coastwoes.gif">
<div>- Stuart Gan from PRDnationwide on the NSW Central Coast.</div>
<div></div>
<div>
This month he sold a <a href="https://www.prdettalong.com/index.cfm?pagecall=property&amp;propertyID=1362671&amp;propertyStatus=SoldRented" target="_blank">four-bedroom house for $3.3 million at Daleys Point</a>, which he suggests would have sold for $4 million in a good market. Gan told the AFR the lack of overseas money was keeping things flat.
“It’s the high Australian dollar and the absence of the expat dollars. Most of the big deals I do in Pearl Beach are related to expat Australians working in foreign postings,” he says.
Syd Triggs at Herron Todd White valuers Gosford says $3 million-plus Central Coast sales have been few and far between. There have been five this year, which was more than 50% down on the past three years.
</div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
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Quote of the week: Central Coast NSW prestige woes

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The total number of active Melbourne apartment projects has fallen below 300 for the second successive quarter in September, a decline of just over 4% from the previous quarter, according to research by Oliver Hume.
The number of active projects is the lowest since the June quarter 2010.
If fully developed – and the majority are expected to be – the 284 projects will deliver about 41,400 apartments over the coming years, compared with about 293 projects and 33,450 apartments in the corresponding quarter 12 months ago.
Oliver Hume defines a “project” as those that are pre-selling off the plan, under construction or completed with available stock
Of the 41,400 apartments, just under 23,000 are in buildings already under construction or completed, with about 12,600 apartments released over the last year.
Five municipalities contain 60% of all metropolitan Melbourne apartment projects. The most active apartment market is still the City of Melbourne with 17,400 apartments, followed by Stonnington and Yarra. Boroondara and Port Phillip round out the top five.
<img src="/images/stories/melbapartments.gif">
The research reveals that developers are building bigger apartment complexes, with the average number of apartments per project now at 157, up 10% from 143 in the previous quarter and from 123 in the corresponding quarter 2010.
The median entry price for one- and two-bedroom apartments is $369,000 and $520,000 respectively, with the price differential between the one- and the two-bedroom units $151,000, up from about $115,000 when records commenced in 2008.
Since 2008, the entry-level price of a one-bedroom apartment in metropolitan Melbourne has risen at an average rate of 3.3% a year, from $335,000 to $369,000.
The entry-level price of a two-bedroom apartment has risen by 5% a year, from $450,000 to $520,000.
Despite the quarterly drop in apartment projects Melbourne remains the “Manhattan” of Australian cities, with the Victorian capital accounting for a record 44% of all Australian multi-unit approvals in 2010-11.
In 2010-11, multi-unit approvals fell just short of 23,800, according to Metropolitan Melbourne According to an apartment market report compiled by Oliver Hume this was almost a third more than the 16,400 approvals granted last year and three times the 6,600 approved in 2005-06.
The rise in apartment approvals in Melbourne is even more noteworthy when set against declining national multi-unit activity, which dropped 11% in the June 2011 quarter compared with the March quarter of 2011 and is now 5% lower than a year ago.
For advice on buying off the plan download our free e-book.
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lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Melbourne apartment offerings contract from 2010 exuberance

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Lachlan Murdoch, the Channel Ten boss, has not yet confirmed the 2012 return of The Renovators series after its ratings failure. 
He has noted some of the sponsors of the $25 million series were keen for its return, “with reset expectations”.
“If we bring it back it will be in a different format and with different expectations,” Murdoch says.
Ratings for Channel Ten's The Renovators did not come close to the similar Channel 9 show The Block.
The ratings of The Renovators finale topped 1.26 million across the five cities, its best result since its 1.25 million August debut.
Some 56% of the $725,000 average nightly audience over the past three months were women.
The series was created by the television production house Shine Australia. The Renovators finale was October 12.
For expert commentary and analysis on lessons to be learnt from property reality TV, <a target="_blank" href="https://register.propertyobserver.com.au/lights-camera-auction/">download our e-book Lights, Camera, Auction!</a>
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The apartment feature many buyers don't think about, until their first missed delivery

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