National diversified developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/goldfields-group">Goldfields</a> has launched its latest Brisbane apartment project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/quartet-milton-33-manning-street-milton-qld-4064">Quartet Milton</a>, marking its entry into the sought-after inner-city suburb just two kilometres from the CBD.

The circa $100 million development will rise 18 storeys and deliver 131 apartments, offering a mix of one, two-, and three-bedroom residences.

Ideally located on Manning Street, Quartet residents will be within 300 metres of Milton Station, 500 metres from the Milton Ferry Wharf, and a short walk to Milton Markets, the iconic Park Road, as well as a range of breweries and cafés.

&nbsp;

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Designed by architecture firm <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and brought to life by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a>, the building features a simple, gridded façade paired with generous glazing to enhance views, maximise aspect, and capture both sunrises and sunsets from within the apartments and their generously sized balconies.

Residents will have access to a 1,000 sqm rooftop, curated to balance wellness and entertaining, in response to increasing demand for wellness-focused shared spaces.

"We've approached Quartet Milton as a complete lifestyle offering, not just apartments, but a place where the design, amenities, and location all work together in a meaningful way," says Goldfields Managing Director Lachlan Thompson.

"Buyers are looking for that sense of confidence, knowing the vision has been carefully thought through not just by us as developers, but by all our consultants appointed to bring this together, and that it will be delivered to the standard they expect."

&nbsp;

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Cera Stribley Co-Founder and Managing Principal Domenic Cerantonio said the rooftop is designed to feel like a place "you'd genuinely use every day."

"A 25-metre pool framed by city and mountain views, wellness areas, and private dining spaces for evenings with friends create a setting designed for year-round comfort and effortless Brisbane living."

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In addition to the 25-metre pool, the rooftop will include a sauna, cold plunge, fully equipped gym, and zen gardens, all complemented by panoramic views of the city and river.

While the building is expected to appeal predominantly to owner-occupiers, Goldfields anticipates interest from investors seeking strong rental returns, driven by the project's design, location, and the city's projected capital growth in the lead-up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

&nbsp;

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<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/milton-qld-4064">Milton</a>, widely regarded as one of Brisbane's most desirable inner-ring suburbs due to its lifestyle offering and proximity to the CBD, has experienced a shortage of new apartment supply in recent years.

Goldfields is already active in the Brisbane residential market through its Ripley Valley masterplanned community, Hayfield. The 109-hectare neighbourhood is already home to more than 300 families and features a large community park.

Plans for the precinct include a 4 km running track, future schools, and retail and commercial amenities, all within a 35-minute drive of the Brisbane CBD.

Goldfields also plans to deliver a new mixed-use tower at 88 Robertson Street in Fortitude Valley, within the James Street precinct. The project will include 16,000 sqm of boutique commercial space, two levels of wellness facilities, and a rooftop restaurant and event space, akin to Goldfields House in South Yarra, its flagship mixed-use development on Chapel Street, which is crowned by the Beverly Rooftop bar—one of Melbourne’s best-known venues.

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Joel Robinson

Goldfields sets the stage as Quartet Milton launches

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/stockland">Stockland</a> and Homes NSW have taken the next major step in the transformation of Waterloo Estate, lodging a Concept State Significant Development Application and concurrent rezoning proposal for the renewal of Waterloo South.

The proposal, now on public exhibition, outlines plans for around 3,300 new homes across the 12.3-hectare precinct. A minimum 30 per cent of residential gross floor area will be delivered as social housing, approximately 20 per cent as affordable housing, and a maximum 50 per cent as market housing. The redevelopment would more than quadruple the number of homes currently on the site and more than double the existing supply of social and affordable housing.

The renewal of Waterloo South forms the first stage of the broader Waterloo Estate transformation and is set to unfold over the next 10 to 15 years. The estate currently contains 750 social housing dwellings and 120 private homes.

<img alt="First look: Stockland and Homes NSW unveil plans for 3,300-home Waterloo South renewal" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ba2da34b-171b-4ff1-b0c7-4baf0bce97f2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Waterloo%20public.png?VersionId=S5apPKOqjPHJhk_SzCvdVPxsEBYs300o" />

The proposal, prepared by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a> and Beam Planning, spans 10 street blocks bounded by Cope, Raglan, George, Wellington, Gibson, Kellick, Pitt and McEvoy Streets, directly adjoining the Waterloo Metro Station precinct and within walking distance of Redfern and Green Square stations.

Under the masterplan, building heights would range from two to 33 storeys, delivering approximately 282,485 sqm of residential floor space alongside at least 10,000 sqm of non-residential uses and a minimum 5,000 sqm of community space. The planning framework has been specifically structured to support the mixed-tenure outcome, with the residential gross floor area capped at a maximum 50 per cent market housing allocation.&nbsp;

The Urban Design Report describes the vision as creating “a unique and vibrant mixed-tenure housing precinct that supports the needs of the community and delivers much needed housing in response to National and State Government priorities.”&nbsp;

<img alt="First look: Stockland and Homes NSW unveil plans for 3,300-home Waterloo South renewal" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6e1a6d8b-0626-4fa7-94fc-aa91c0af86dc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/waterloo%20per.png?VersionId=duyiJTFOeezTNdM22leI3SoHuqnW6ZaY" />

A major focus of the revised proposal has been increasing the social and affordable housing component. The Minns Government increased the affordable and public housing allocation from 35 per cent to 50 per cent after coming to office in 2023.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said the changes were critical to maintaining Waterloo’s social diversity.

“When we came to government, we immediately reviewed the plans for the Waterloo renewal and boosted the number of public and affordable homes from 35 to 50 per cent,” Jackson said.

“This was a crucial step to ensure Waterloo remains a welcoming place for people from all walks of life to call home now and into the future.”&nbsp;

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the project would reshape the precinct for generations.

“This concept DA brings thousands of new public, affordable and market homes on the doorstep of the Waterloo Metro station another step closer to reality,” Scully said.

“Importantly, alongside the new homes the plan also proposes new open space where residents and the broader community can gather, relax and play.”&nbsp;

<img alt="First look: Stockland and Homes NSW unveil plans for 3,300-home Waterloo South renewal" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="867520cb-6e07-4204-885e-53793ac88066" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Waterloo%20public%20a.png?VersionId=lgSI85Q23xBLYLC9NcWKuWZY2HfP4zQ3" />

Stockland Managing Director and CEO Tarun Gupta said the project had been shaped around long-term liveability and community infrastructure.

“As delivery partner, Stockland is proud to be working with the NSW Government on the renewal of Waterloo South – a significant project with community at its heart,” Gupta said.&nbsp;

The planning documents place strong emphasis on “Designing with Country,” recognising the site’s location on Gadigal land. The masterplan incorporates new east-west pedestrian links, activated streetscapes, rooftop communal spaces, retail frontages, and landscaped public areas intended to improve permeability and community connection throughout the estate.&nbsp;

The proposal also seeks to establish a more flexible planning framework for future detailed SSDAs, including updated provisions for educational uses, creative industries, rooftop communal areas, and active frontages. A minimum seven per cent of residential floor space will be delivered as affordable housing managed in perpetuity by community housing provider City West Housing.&nbsp;

The Social Impact Assessment prepared by Urbis describes the renewal as one of Australia’s most significant public housing transformations, identifying substantial long-term positive impacts associated with housing supply, accessibility, public domain improvements, and community infrastructure.&nbsp;

Stockland and Homes NSW have already commenced the first stage of resident relocations, with some tenants moved into newly completed homes at Waterloo Metro Quarter and the Boronia development nearby.

First look: Stockland, NSW Gov, unveils plans for 3,300-home Waterloo South renewal

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/smith-by-valli-collingwood-224-228-smith-street-collingwood-vic-3066">Smith Collingwood</a> is a new boutique apartment development bringing a refined, design-led approach to one of Melbourne’s most established inner-city neighbourhoods.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/pandolfini-architects">Pandolfini Architects</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/lisa-buxton-interiors">Lisa Buxton</a>, Smith by Valli sits on iconic Smith Street and comprises just 22 residences tailored toward owner-occupiers seeking a more considered style of apartment living.

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The design of Smith focuses on a north-facing orientation across all residences, a relatively uncommon feature in dense inner-Melbourne settings. Each apartment has been planned to maximise natural light and outlook, alongside a material palette defined by warm tones, custom joinery, and a full suite of Gaggenau appliances.

The development comprises a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, with pricing currently ranging from just under $1 million to around $4.85 million for the premium penthouse-level residences, reflecting growing demand for luxury owner-occupier product in Melbourne’s inner urban market.

Residents will also have access to a private rooftop garden designed as an elevated retreat above the city, &nbsp;featuring curated landscaping, veggie boxes, intimate seating areas and spaces for relaxed gatherings. Sustainability has also been integrated into the project through a 7-star energy rating and two secure bicycle facilities for every residence.

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Smith by Valli sits in the heart of one of Melbourne’s most established retail and hospitality strips, within walking distance of venues such as Falco Bakery, Carnation Canteen and Alimentari, alongside parks and everyday services. With a Walk Score of 99, the location reinforces the project’s positioning toward buyers prioritising walkability and access over car dependency.

With only a limited number of residences, Smith reflects growing demand for smaller, highly curated apartment developments that prioritise design quality, liveability, and connection to neighbourhood character.

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Smith by Valli delivers design-led apartments to Melbourne’s inner north

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/far-east-consortium">Far East Consortium</a>’s 640 Bourke Street stands as a testament to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">Melbourne</a>’s ability to bridge its storied past with a bold vision for the future.&nbsp;

Rising above the heritage-listed Eliza Tinsley building, the development reflects a broader shift toward adaptive reuse in the city, where historical assets are retained and reinterpreted as part of new residential development.

Designed by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/640-bourke-street-melbourne-640-bourke-street-melbourne-vic-3000">640 Bourke Street</a> incorporates the Eliza Tinsley building as its foundation, housing a grand gallery and lobby space that serve as both a functional and symbolic centrepiece. The heritage façade informs the tower’s design, creating a connection between Melbourne’s past and its contemporary skyline.

"It's a significant asset and wants to be celebrated and experienced by all residents every single time they go in and out of the building," Rothelowman Principal Stuart Marsland said.

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Above this historic base, the 68-storey tower will deliver just over 600 residences, a notable reduction from earlier schemes, reflecting a deliberate move toward larger-format apartments and a stronger owner-occupier focus.

Unlike traditional CBD developments that prioritised investor stock, 640 Bourke Street has been repositioned to respond to changing buyer expectations.

"The discussion was all around making 640 Bourke Street the best residence to live in, to be much more focused on the people in the building rather than people looking at the building," Marsland explained.&nbsp;

This shift is evident in the development’s interiors, which emphasise practical luxury with spacious layouts, high ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows framing sweeping views of Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay.&nbsp;

“What it's meant for 640 Bourke is we've actually reduced the number of apartments. We've increased the overall size of the apartments. We don't have any studios in here, and what that does for a project is it elevates it," Lauren Sheldon, Far East Consortium’s Director of Sales and Marketing, said.&nbsp;

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Rothelowman Associate Jun Chang added, "We were given the opportunity to be more generous. The apartments became bigger and squarer than any other apartments which had been designed in the CBD before that."&nbsp;

Amenities spanning more than 3,000 sqm across multiple levels further reinforce this focus on resident experience. These include a pool, gym, co-working areas, and a range of hospitality-inspired spaces such as a whisky lounge, library, and private dining rooms, many drawing reference from traditional bathhouses and Melbourne’s laneway culture.

"We wanted to make both the pool and the gym area to be absolutely destinational, and when you traverse across to these spaces, there is a gentle familiarity to the beautiful notions of the hammams and the Roman baths, a gentle nod to history," Chang noted.

At street level, the project contributes to the ongoing transformation of the western CBD, with upgrades to Langs Lane and the introduction of retail, hospitality, and gallery spaces designed to activate the precinct and strengthen its connection to the surrounding city fabric.

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The location places residents within walking distance of Southern Cross Station, Flagstaff Gardens, Queen Victoria Market, and the Docklands waterfront, positioning the development within a rapidly evolving inner-city neighbourhood.

"We believe it's the best site left in the city of Melbourne," Craig Williams, Executive Director at Far East Consortium, said.&nbsp;

640 Bourke Street is Far East Consortium’s 14th building in Melbourne’s western CBD.

"A very elegant designed building. It's going to be a Melbourne statement for many, many years to come."

One-bedroom apartments are priced from around $640,000, with 640 Bourke Street targeting completion in 2029.

Renders shown are Artist's Impressions correct as of May 2026.

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Heritage-led design anchors Far East Consortium’s 640 Bourke St, Melbourne

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD Group</a> has set a new residential price record in Queensland with the $30 million sale of the penthouse at its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/one-burleigh-88-the-esplanade-burleigh-heads-qld-4220">ONE Burleigh</a> development in Burleigh Heads.

The sale equates to around $37,500 per sqm.

The two-level, 800 sqm penthouse, featuring five bedrooms, five bathrooms, five car spaces, and a private infinity pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean, was acquired by a Gold Coast-based entrepreneur, highlighting continued demand for ultra-premium beachfront product.

Selling agent Freddie Tehle of PRD Burleigh Heads said the result reflects tightening supply of high-quality, large-format apartments in Burleigh.

“There’s very limited opportunity to secure this level of scale and absolute beachfront position in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/burleigh-heads-qld-4220">Burleigh Heads</a>,” Tehle said.

“Buyers are increasingly seeking apartments that genuinely replace a standalone home, and this penthouse delivers that with its size, privacy, and direct ocean frontage.”

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The sale comes as construction progresses on ONE Burleigh, a boutique development of 17 full-floor residences at 88 The Esplanade, scheduled for completion in early 2027.

Developed by MAYD Group and designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/mas-architecture-studio">MAS Architecture</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/sici-design">Sici Design</a>, the project has been positioned as a collection of house-sized beachfront apartments, each occupying an entire floor with around 381 sqm of internal and external living space.

When construction commenced, MAYD director Todd Mould pointed to the long-term resilience of premium coastal real estate as a key driver behind the project.

“Real estate, particularly at the premium end, remains one of the most resilient and proven long-term investment avenues,” Mould said.

“Our ambition is that anyone who buys a MAYD-built product can genuinely feel the care, craftsmanship and commitment we bring to every detail.”

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Each residence has been configured with four bedrooms, multiple living zones, a private office, and expansive ocean-facing terraces. Interiors draw on a restrained material palette, including travertine stone, timber joinery, and integrated premium appliances.

Interior designer Sici Design said the approach was to reflect the project’s coastal setting through both materiality and spatial planning.

“ONE Burleigh is our vision of luxury living, designed to bring the essence of Burleigh Heads' vibrant coastal beauty into an unparalleled residential experience.”

Residents will have access to a suite of wellness-focused amenities, including pools, sauna facilities, and dedicated relaxation spaces, reflecting a broader shift toward lifestyle-driven apartment design on the Gold Coast.

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The project occupies a southern Esplanade site with uninterrupted beachfront frontage, an increasingly rare offering in Burleigh Heads, free from the Norfolk Pines that line much of the coastline and often limit direct ocean outlook.

Mould said the design intent was to balance that outlook with a sense of retreat.

“Living at ONE Burleigh is about how your day naturally unfolds, morning light across the ocean, coffee on the balcony, and being in Burleigh but elevated above the noise.”

The result further reinforces Burleigh Heads’ emergence as one of the Gold Coast’s most tightly held and supply-constrained beachfront markets, where boutique, owner-occupier-focused developments are increasingly setting new price benchmarks.

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MAYD Group sets Queensland record with $30 million penthouse sale at ONE Burleigh in Burleigh Heads

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

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

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

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

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

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

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

Staff Writer

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

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

alisonwarters@gmail.com

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

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

Ellen Walker

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

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The total land price of the 2,587 properties in Gundagai in July 2011 decreased 3% from 2008, while rural land prices dropped 12% in a year, according to NSW Valuer-General Philip Western.
Western found the total land price was $505 million, down from $515 million 2010.
Residential land values decreased slightly over the three years, although large residential lots on the western fringe of Gundagai fronting Punch Street experienced a strong increase.
From 2010 to 2011, the median residential land price increased 1% from $40,000.
Gundagai ‘s commercial strip fronting Sheridan Street had a moderate increase in value over the three years including a 4% increase from 2010 to 2011.
<img src="/images/stories/gundagaimap.gif">
Broad acre farming and grazing property land prices the shire generally remained stable while forest land values and forest lease had a moderate decrease.
Western found rural residential and hobby farm land prices remained steady or had a slight increase, while the value of land in the villages of Coolac, Muttama and Nangus experienced a slight to moderate decrease due to the limited demand for these more remote villages.
From 2010 to 2011 rural land prices fell 12%.
Landowners and rate-paying-lessees received a notice of valuation this month.
The valuations are used to determine rates and land taxes on investment properties.
Typical residential land values were:
<ul>
<li>974 square metres at Hanley Lane, Gundagai valued at $32,800</li>
<li>2,023 square metres at Luke Street, Gundagai valued at $48,700</li>
</ul>
Typical commercial land value was:
<ul>
<li>1,132 square metres at Sheridan Street, Gundagai valued at $34,300</li>
</ul>
Typical rural land values were:
<ul>
<li>282 hectares at Bethungra Road, Nangus valued at $486,000 </li>
<li>125 hectares at Bethungra Road, Nangus valued at $384,000 </li>
<li>154 hectares at Tarrabandra Road, South Gundagai valued at $550,000</li>
</ul>
Typical rural residential land values were:
<ul>
<li>1,315 square metres at Adelong Road, Tumblong valued at $12,700 </li>
<li>4.1 hectares at Burra Road, Gundagai valued at $88,400.</li>
</ul>
Typical hobby farm land value was:
<ul>
<li>21.7 hectares at Nangus Road, Nangus valued at $128,000</li>
</ul>
Typical village land values were:
<ul>
<li>4,097 square metres at Mount Street, Coolac valued at $14,400 </li>
<li>5,562 square metres at Nea Street, Muttama valued at $11,200 </li>
<li>2,428 square metres at Nangus Road, Nangus valued at $16,500</li>
</ul>
 
 
 
 
 
<ul></ul>
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awalsh-7Ub9EypybQ

Land values fell 3% in NSW region of Gundagai in three years, led by sharp decrease in rural land prices

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Celebrity interior designer Tina Chalabian from Channel Ten show The Renovators has sold her Willoughby home pre-auction for a record price. It was on the market for about three weeks and sold to a family from Mosman, who were among the 160 inspectees. There were 72 inspectees on its first Saturday open.
“While we can’t disclose the exact price, we can say it certainly eclipsed the previous suburb record of $2.855 million for a house in Chiltern Avenue,” selling agent Mark O’Brien from Richardson &amp; Wrench Castlecrag.
“But it wasn’t beyond expectations, as we were quoting high $2 millions to low $3 millions.”
Title Tattle gathers about $2,955,000 was secured for the Remuera Street house.
The five-bedroom, four-bathroom house was just a few years old with a huge, level yard and European-style swimming pool. Built by Meadowbank to a <a href="https://www.tinac.com.au/">Tina C design</a>, it sits on a 911-square-metre block, which cost $1.18 million in 2006.
The Chalabians, the 34-year-old interior designer and mother of three who appeared on The Renovators television series and her lawyer husband Sevag, are moving to Northbridge, where they will renovate their $2.2 million acquisition. Since Tina bought her first house 11 years ago, she has renovated five houses and says each sold for a profit. The one in Castlecrag sold for $2,525,000 in 2006 with the block costing $899,000 in 2002. The Killarney Heights property was a closer call having cost $525,000 in 2001 and sold for $610,000 in 2002.
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

The Renovators’ celebrity interior designer Tina Chalabian secures record price for Willoughby home: Title Tattle

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Suburbs close to beaches and the harbour feature prominently in John McGrath’s list of top 10 capital growth hotspots for 2012.
Most notably, Coogee in Sydney’s eastern suburbs is the only location included as a hotspot for houses and units.
Coogee is eight kilometres from the Sydney CBD and according to RP Data has a median house price of $1.69 million and a median unit price of $655,000.
The suburb includes many Art Deco and period-style homes and apartment blocks as well as a vibrant café-lined shopping strip along Coogee Bay Road and Arden Street.
It has also proved popular among rugby league players, with bad boy Todd Carney owning property in Coogee and Rabbitohs star Greg Inglis recently purchasing a semi-detached house in February.
Coogee is also home to one of the eastern beaches’ most well-known and notorious watering holes, the Coogee Bay Hotel , which currently ranks in the top 20 of most violent pub in Australia.
A $150 million multi-storey redevelopment of the hotel was approved by the previous Labor government under Part 3A planning rules that allowed the minister for planning to determine planning applications without consulting local councils.
The O’Farrell government scrapped Part 3A planning rules when it came into power last year and returned the hotel redevelopment application to the council, much to the relief of nearby residents.
Last year McGrath Real Estate set up a new Coogee office to expand the group’s presence in the eastern beaches and south-east suburbs of Sydney.
According to McGrath, eastern beach suburbs like Coogee contain some of the most valuable real estate in Sydney mixed with a high number of 1960s and ’70s apartments.
“The desirability of living close to the beach and city means that houses and units are being sought by a new wave of buyers,” McGrath says.
The other 10 capital growth suburbs picked by McGrath included houses in Hunters Hill, the suburb on a small peninsula that separates the Lane Cove River and Parramatta River, apartments in Cammeray on the lower north shore.
Seven out of the 10 suburbs are within 10 kilometres of the Sydney CBD.
“Buying residential real estate within 10 kilometres of the CBD in Sydney is an excellent choice, with outer-suburban areas not doing as well as city hubs and the coastal belt,” says McGrath.
The only suburb McGrath picks that is a long haul from the CBD is Palm Beach, most famous as the exterior shot for Summer Bay in Home and Away, which is a 41-kilometre drive from the centre of Sydney.
All the housing suburbs have medians under $2 million while the apartments are priced under $700,000.
“The under-$1 million market is still the strongest segment, but there’s new interest up to $2 million and even beyond in Sydney and Melbourne where higher-end buyers weren’t around as much in 2011,” he says.
John McGrath’s Top Sydney Metro Picks – Best Buys for Future Growth (Houses)
<table style="width: 470px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
 
</td>
<td width="76" valign="top">
Location
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
Distance from CBD
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
Median price
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
Median weekly rent
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
Yield
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
Balmain East
</td>
<td width="76" valign="top">
Inner West
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
5 kms
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
$1.73 m
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$1,350
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
4.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
Coogee
</td>
<td width="76" valign="top">
Eastern Suburbs
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
8 kms
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
$1.69 m
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$800
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
2.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
Hunters Hill
</td>
<td width="76" valign="top">
North West
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
9 kms
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
$1.55 m
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$1,000
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
3.4%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
Killara
</td>
<td width="76" valign="top">
North Shore
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
14 kms
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
$1.45 m
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$1,000
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
3.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
Palm Beach
</td>
<td width="76" valign="top">
Northern Beach
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
41 kms
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
$1.55 m
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$895
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
3%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
All data sourced from RP Data
John McGrath’s Top Sydney Metro Picks – Best Buys for Future Growth (Units)
<table style="width: 470px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
 
</td>
<td width="76" valign="top">
Location
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
Distance from CBD
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
Median price
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
Median rent
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
Yield
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
Cammeray
</td>
<td width="76" valign="top">
Lower North Shore
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
5 kms
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$608,000
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$550
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
4.7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
Coogee
</td>
<td width="76" valign="top">
Eastern Suburbs
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
8 kms
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$655,000
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$585
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
4.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
Monterey
</td>
<td width="76" valign="top">
Southern Beaches
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
15 kms
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$470,000
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$410
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
4.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
Ryde
</td>
<td width="76" valign="top">
Northern Suburbs
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
15 kms
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$450,000
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$380
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
4.4%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
Sydney CBD
</td>
<td width="76" valign="top">
 
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
 
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$535,000
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$650
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
6.3%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
All data sourced from RP Data.
Photograph of Coogee Surf Lifesaving Club by Sacha Fernandez<a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/sacharules/"></a>, courtesy of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.flickr.com/">Flickr</a>.
 
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lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Coogee a hotspot, and not just for reformed bad boys of rugby

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Surfer artist Mitchell English and his wife, Helen, a Paddington-based bridal wear designer, have listed their Sydney northern beaches cottage. It’s a very popular Palm Beach holiday letting returning more than $100,000 annually.
Offers on the smartly adapted fisherman’s cottage listing are due March 15 to Domain Residential Group agent Michael King.
Located at the northern end of pricey Iluka Road, it’s been rebuilt with design input from Tim Allison, Sean Dean and Mitchell.
The property, with vaulted ceilings and recycled Oregon beams, is in close proximity to Snappermans Beach reserve.
<img src="/images/stories/iluka1.jpg">
It has been featured in many photo shoots including Inside Out magazine (pictured above and below).
<img src="/images/stories/iluka2.jpg">
The Englishes feel confident of a price in the high $2 million range based on the recent sale by Michael King also along Iluka Road for the designer Anna Cayzer-Lysaght to Simon Horauf of Play Communication for $2,825,000.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sheahangalleries.com.au/mitchell-english">Mitchell English's art features quintessential Australian beach scenes</a>.
 
 
 
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Surfer Mitchell English lists Sydney northern beaches cottage

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Retired car dealer Laurie Sutton has sold his Mosman harbourfront residence, but the prestige suburb is unlikely to have a new record holder.
Sutton hoped to secure $20 million for it – somewhat revised expectations given its initial listing in 2009 had hopes of beating Mosman's $22.5 million house price record.
It was 35 years ago since Sutton bought it from the Pick a Box presenters Bob and Dolly Dyer, who pocketed $376,960 when they headed to Queensland.
It’s understood a $1 million deposit– which possibly reflected a 5% deposit – was recently paid by its buyer, Ying Li. The official selling price has not yet been revealed. The purchase highlights a small, but emerging, trend of buyers of Chinese origin buying luxury homes around Mosman. There have been eight acquisitions over $5 million among the 150 sales over the past five years topped until the latest sale by a $12.6 million sale on Morella Road to Hong Gai and Yuping Chen in 2010 and an $8.8 million sale last year on Carrington Avenue to Ying Chen. 
It is not known if the acquistions are by foreign buyers requiring FIRB approval or are actually new migrants, expats or even long-time citizens, although Ying Li gives his address for official purposes as a solicitor's office at Colin Biggers &amp; Paisley.
<img src="/images/stories/sutton1.jpg">
The Bay Street tropical holding is like Hawaii meets Hamilton Island on Middle Harbour.
Despite renovations over the past three decades, there are still traces of the Dyers' day, including the imposing sandstone fireplace in its living room, which overlooks Quakers Hat Bay.
<img src="/images/stories/sutton6.jpg">
But the teeth and jawbone of the couple's world-record 1062-kilogram great white shark catch that hung above the fireplace has long gone.
As have the Dyers' cruisers, Tennessee I, II and III, from Mosman's largest waterfront estate at 5,154 square metres.
Dyer, who was a hillbilly Tennessee vaudeville singer on his arrival in Australia in 1937, had paid £15,068 for the property in 1950, after upgrading from a house on the Balmoral side of Mosman.
<img src="/images/stories/sutton2.jpg">
Dyer had just signed a $33,000-a-year contract for his radio show on 2AD, which the newspapers reported was 11 times the salary of the then NSW premier, James McGirr.
<img src="/images/stories/sutton7.jpg">
Dyer went on to host the television show BP Pick a Box between 1957 and his retirement in 1971.
Dyer, with his raucous "Howdy, customers" greeting, presided over contestants who faced a sudden-death decision of choosing between "the money or the box" with the secret prize.
<img src="/images/stories/bobdyer.jpg" width="150" style="float: left; margin: 5px;">
He died in 1984. His widow – who, as Dolly Mack, had been a Sydney Tivoli showgirl in her teens – lived for another 20 years.
The listing in 2009 <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/mosmanites-playing-property-pick-a-box-with-caution/2011081251139">had expectations of beating Mosman's $22.5 million house price record</a>.
<img src="/images/stories/sutton3.jpg">
Property developer Albert Bertini and his former wife, Heather, hold the record for a Mosman purchase, paying $22.5 million for Karawa on the Balmoral cliffs in 2007, but it has been recently resold for $19 million, reflecting the downturn in the top end prices across Sydney.
Karawa's sale beat the previous record for a Mosman house by more than $7 million, which was set next door to Karawa at $15.5 million in 2001 by Richardson &amp; Wrench Mosman agent Robert Simeon.
<img src="/images/stories/sutton4.jpg">
The Sutton property comes with approved plans for a replacement three-storey residence.
The vendors raised their family there and now entertain their grandchildren.
“It’s an estate for a young family to enjoy and make full use of all the gardens and facilities,” said Laurie Sutton when it was listed late last year through estate agent Sandie Dunne at Dunne Mosman.
“My children played cricket on the lawn and had many parties on the flood-lit tennis court and pool.
“It was the place where all the family’s friends would hang out, which is the way I liked it.
“It is a very private place” Sutton noted.
“Once inside the gates, you are away from the rest of the world, whilst the grounds are enormous they are fully fenced and secured and very dog friendly.”
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Chinese buyers playing property pick a box, but record Mosman price unlikely

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Buyers seeking $22,490 NSW stamp duty savings need to monitor construction progress at their desired new residential complex.
Savvy property buyers will know that under the NSW government’s home builders’ bonus you pay no stamp duty on properties priced under $600,000 that are not yet under construction.
<img src="/images/stories/centralpark1.jpg">
Construction is deemed as having started once the building gets to the first residential floor.
The whole government scheme runs until June 30, but there are critical deadlines at major apartment projects falling between now and then.
<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial;" src="/images/stories/parklane.jpg">
The deadline is fast approaching for Park Lane (pictured above), designed by Johnson Pilton Walker at the Central Park project near Broadway in Sydney.
It comprises two buildings linked by a leafy laneway.
<img src="/images/stories/centralpark2.jpg">
Buyers must take advantage of full stamp duty concessions in Park Lane’s low-rise park-front building by March 13.
There’s a little longer –March 22 – for Park Lane’s 18-storey tower building.
The full 100% stamp duty concession remains in effect only until concrete is poured to create the first residential slab at a new development; after this time, the saving on stamp duty reduces to a 25% saving for properties up to the $600,000 mark.
<img src="/images/stories/centralpark3.jpg">
“There’s apartments priced under $600,000 to choose from at Park Lane, including one-bedroom suites of 42 square metres  priced from $585,000 with a stamp duty saving of $21,815, to one-bedroom apartments of 52 square metres priced from $590,000 with a stamp duty saving of $22,040,” Frasers Property Australia group sales manager Adam Sparkes says.
Park Lane has 393 apartments and SOHO terraces with completion expected between April and December 2013.
<img src="/images/stories/centralpark4.jpg">
Central Park is being developed in joint venture between Frasers Property Australia Pty Ltd (Frasers) and Sekisui House Australia Holdings Pty Limited (Sekisui House).
Two display apartments at Park Lane are open at the Central Park Display Pavilion, 80 Broadway Chippendale.
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Time running out for stamp duty-free purchases at Sydney’s Central Park

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The Potts Point investment apartment of actor Russell Crowe has been snappily sold on <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/title-tattle/russell-crowe-re-lists-his-potts-point-investment-apartmenttitle-tattle" target="_blank">its recent relisting. </a>
Around $2 million was tipped for the top-floor apartment through Brad Pillinger at Pillinger Property. The sale price hasn’t been revealed on the apartment, which Crowe bought for $1.5 million in 2001 from the theatre director Jim Sharman.
Its understood to be a tad under $2 million given what prospective buyers were being told shortly before the sold sticker was posted.
More than $2 million was being sought <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/russell-crowe-lists-%242-million-sydney-investment-apartment/2011101851987" target="_blank">on its initial listing last October</a>. The two level Victoria Street apartment which was made available to South Sydney footballer recruits is at the northern end of the plane tree-lined Parisian-style strip. Sharman had bought the apartment set in a charming terrace row in 1984 for $310,000.
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Russell Crowe secures sale second time around for Potts Point investment: Title Tattle

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Neerim House, the opulent estate in Castle Cove, looks like it's found a potential buyer.
It last sold in 2005 for $9,008,000, and the internet ads for the eight-bedroom mansion on 9,400 square metres of waterfront reserve overlooking Middle Harbour now say "under offer”.
It’s been listed by Chris Osborne at Raine &amp; Horne Neutral Bay, with RP Data showing it's been available for sale since early February. Its asking price has not been officially disclosed, but local agents say it had been expected to sell for around $11 million.
The mansion was built in 1990 by Rob Christie, who bought the one-hectare block for $900,000 from cleaning contractor John Schaeffer in 1987. The Lims family, who paid $4.1 million for the property in 1993, extended and renovated the residence to include a 15-seat home cinema, teppanyaki room and herb-infusion steamroom before its 2005 sale to the current vendors.
Other features include a sunken lounge room built around a central courtyard, billiards room, library, glass-enclosed pool, spa, change rooms, gym, tennis court, cabana, six-car garage, separate guest quarters and landscaped gardens.
 
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Castle Cove's Neerim House attracts buyer attention

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One of Professor Leslie Wilkinson’s most prized Point Piper houses has been listed for sale by the retired shirt maker-cum-property developer Charles Scarf and his wife, Maria.
<img src="/images/stories/leswilkinson4.jpg">
The 1959 Wentworth Street property was the second-last of Wilkinson’s house designs.
<img src="/images/stories/leswilkinson.jpg">
The house (pictured above) was said to be loosely modelled on the Erechtheion, an Athens temple.
<img src="/images/stories/leswilkinson3.jpg">
It last traded when bought from the then low-profile expatriate businessman Richard Wiesener for $8.25 million – which was 1992's highest sale. The neighbouring property had been bought for $6.5 million for its tennis court in 1989, and it took the estate to 2,717 square metres. The original house reportedly cost $350,000 in the 1970s.
<img src="/images/stories/leswilkinson1.jpg">
The house itself has 677 square metres of internal space. It has been quietly on and off the market over several years, including during the boom years., and not advertised until this week’s Domain East spread by Ray White Double Bay Prestige agent Elliott Placks and Dan White from the newly formed White Private Investment &amp; Advisory.
<img src="/images/stories/pointpiper.jpg">
Offers exceeding $30 million and even reputedly closer to $40 million have been previously made for the large estate with tennis court. The last known offer came late last year from a client of Bill Bridges and Alison Coopes at around $30 million.
<img src="/images/stories/leswilkinson2.jpg">
It’s been modernised by architect Michael Suttor. Its home office in the former garage offers harbour views through to the Manly pensinsula.
<img src="/images/stories/wolesleyrd.jpg">
Point Piper’s other significant hillside offering is <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/artists-patricia-piccinini-and-peter-hennessey-get-sweet-deal-selling-in-fitzroy-title-tattle/2011112552545" target="_blank">Villa del Mare, the home of recruitment queen Julia Ross</a>. The Wolseley Road offering (pictured above) was discreetly put on the market late last year, but now is having a big campaign. The trophy residence has $40 million-plus hopes through Ken Jacobs of Christie's Great Estates and LJ Hooker Double Bay's Bill Malouf. The limestone palazzo sits on a 1,508-square-metre block. The house was designed by architect Chris Tsioulos when built in the late 1990s by the developer Nati Stoliar. It’s almost certain to sell to Chinese buyers.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/point-piper-on-the-chinese-tourist-route-for-insight-into-the-privileged-lives-of-communist-party-princelings/2011112852568" target="_blank">Another Leslie Wikinson is under threat of demolition</a>.
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Point Piper’s most prized Leslie Wilkinson home listed

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The merchant bankers’ Mosman merry-go-round is still somewhat in motion despite the global financial crisis aftershocks.
Nigel Smyth, an executive director at Macquarie, and his wife, Diane, have upgraded from Clifton Gardens to Balmoral’s golden mile and its premium Sydney Head views, but pocketed $1.7 million in the process.
They have spent $4.8 million on a five-bedroom, three-bathroom Hopetoun Avenue house initially listed with $6 million hopes in early 2011 and more recently at $5.2 million through LJ Hooker Mosman agent Geoff Smith. The contemporary-style house built in 1994 comes with pool, four-car garaging and a 1,500-bottle temperature-controlled cellar.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/august22kardinia]}
The Smyths sold at Clifton Gardens in Mosman for $6.5 million. The five-bedroom Kardinia Road property (pictured above), which sold through Richardson &amp; Wrench Mosman agent Richard Simeon, sits on an 823-square-metre block. It had views across the harbour to Rose Bay and Point Piper.
It was bought for $5.12 million in 2005.
Trading up in the 2088 postcode has been <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/mandalong-house-listing-set-to-test-mosman-market-after-banking-bonuses-dry-up/2012022753564">less frequent in recent years following the global financial crisis.</a>
The suburb’s latest <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/former-st-george-boss-lists-alex-popov-designed-mosman-house/2012022753586">listing by the former boss of St George Bank</a> comes with $10 million hopes.
 
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