One of North Sydney's best-known commercial buildings could become hundreds of new homes, with insurance giant Zurich Australia lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) to transform 5 Blue Street into a mixed-use residential development above North Sydney Station.

Rather than demolishing the existing building and starting again, Zurich is proposing an adaptive reuse project that would convert the landmark office building into a 15-level residential development delivering 62 apartments, 86 affordable co-living dwellings, activated retail and significant upgrades to the Blue Street Plaza.

The proposal reflects a growing trend of commercial property owners repositioning ageing office assets into residential housing as Sydney grapples with housing supply shortages and changing workplace demand.

<img alt="Zurich" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0bba7d12-06dc-4375-aad7-238c94b21ac5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%2010.42.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=NJl5oLAEBDGuPmY3RnyliKODjMc8lvRh" />

Located directly above North Sydney Metro and train station, the 3,051 sqm site occupies one of the most strategically positioned parcels of land on Sydney's Lower North Shore.

Designed by fjcstudio, the proposal seeks to retain and adapt much of the existing structure while creating a contemporary residential address that better connects with the public domain surrounding North Sydney Station.

The application proposes two basement levels, ground floor retail, affordable co-living accommodation across the podium levels, and apartments above, while preserving and enhancing the publicly accessible Blue Street Plaza.

Rather than pursuing maximum apartment numbers, Zurich has opted for a housing mix heavily weighted towards larger owner-occupier residences.

The proposal includes 62 build-to-sell apartments comprising 12 one-bedroom, 19 two-bedroom, 29 three-bedroom apartments and two premium penthouses. It also incorporates 86 affordable co-living dwellings, which would be managed in perpetuity by a Community Housing Provider.

That balance between traditional apartments and affordable housing reflects the NSW Government's push to increase housing diversity around major transport infrastructure.

The proposal has been lodged concurrently with a rezoning application, with Zurich arguing the site is ideally positioned to support additional housing given its immediate proximity to public transport, employment and services.

"The proposal aims to respond to the housing challenges facing Sydney through the delivery of diverse housing types in a highly accessible location," the design report by fjcstudio states. It also seeks to improve pedestrian amenity through upgrades to Blue Street Plaza while creating a high-performing residential building that responds to the surrounding context.

<img alt="Zurich" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="36082e15-c636-4481-bb68-5a5f6443fe39" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%2010.41.36%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=5P6VD.fvmqjQfIG3TWWMRXxQWiQBjeFB" />

Rather than replacing the commercial building, fjcstudio has developed a design that works with the existing structural framework above the rail corridor, an approach that significantly reduces demolition while allowing the site to be repositioned as a mixed-use residential precinct.

The existing structural constraints have informed much of the building's design, including its relationship with Blue Street and surrounding public spaces.

The building has been designed as a slender tower rising above a clearly defined podium, with vertically expressed façades intended to reduce the perceived bulk while reinforcing North Sydney's emerging skyline.

According to fjcstudio, the architectural language responds directly to the surrounding commercial towers while maintaining a finer grain expression more closely aligned with the neighbouring Lavender Bay streetscape.

The tower incorporates articulated façade elements, landscaped podium edges and recessed upper levels to soften its appearance and improve pedestrian amenity below.

A significant component of the proposal is the revitalisation of Blue Street Plaza.

The existing public space has long served as one of the primary pedestrian connections between North Sydney Station, Greenwood Plaza and Blue Street, yet its role is expected to become even more important following the opening of Sydney Metro.

Zurich's proposal seeks to strengthen that role by improving landscaping, introducing new retail frontages, enhancing pedestrian permeability and creating more active edges throughout the day and evening.

Ground floor retail would wrap the plaza, while separate residential and co-living entries have been designed to improve wayfinding without reducing street activation.

Landscape design has been integrated throughout the podium and public realm, softening what is currently one of the most heavily urbanised parts of North Sydney.

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fjcstudio has carefully oriented apartments towards Sydney Harbour and the CBD while using privacy blades and articulated façades to minimise overlooking between neighbouring buildings.

Large framed openings along the western elevation maximise harbour outlooks, while the eastern apartments have been angled towards the south-east to improve privacy from neighbouring development.

The project forms part of the continuing transformation of North Sydney from a predominantly commercial CBD into a genuine mixed-use city centre.

Since the completion of Victoria Cross Metro Station, developers have increasingly shifted their attention towards residential projects capable of leveraging the area's unparalleled transport connectivity.

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FiveX recently lodged plans for a 61-storey, 490-apartment tower that would become one of the tallest residential buildings in North Sydney if approved.

Aqualand continues to expand its Lower North Shore presence following the completion of AURA on Walker Street and its recent St Leonards and Roseville proposals.

Developers are also progressing projects throughout Walker Street, Miller Street and the Victoria Cross precinct as demand for well-located owner-occupier apartments continues to strengthen.

Joel Robinson

First look: Zurich targets North Sydney office conversion with 148-unit proposal above Metro station

Busy developer Aqualand Prestige has formally taken the next step in its expansion across Sydney's Lower North Shore, lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for its long-held Archer Street site in Chatswood.

The application covers <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/51-55-archer-street-chatswood-nsw-2067">51-55 Archer Street</a>, a 1,767 sqm amalgamated site on the eastern edge of the Chatswood CBD, where the developer is seeking approval for a 45-level mixed-use tower delivering 114 apartments, including a significant affordable housing component, alongside retail, commercial space and six basement levels of parking.

The SSDA marks the latest milestone for a project Aqualand has been quietly progressing over the past two years. The developer first secured the site for its Aqualand Prestige platform before undertaking an alternative design excellence process with PTW Architects, ultimately avoiding a formal design competition through the Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The proposal has evolved considerably from Aqualand's original concept. The revised scheme has been designed around larger owner-occupier product, with an unusually high proportion of three and four-bedroom apartments, targeting the more affluent buyer profile, and downsizer, emerging across the North Shore.

<img alt="Archer St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0171204c-5811-41b5-9b09-2335d1b7c3d0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%208.52.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=6YTuxfq.puZo7k2wbfgemcO5K3QfXYGQ" />

The 114-apartment mix comprises six studios, 27 one-bedroom apartments, 18 two-bedroom apartments, 50 three-bedroom residences and 13 four-bedroom homes. A quarter of the building will be dedicated to affordable housing, well above the mandated 15 per cent&nbsp;

PTW has structured the building vertically, with affordable housing across levels one to six, premium apartments through levels seven to 31, duplex skyhomes on klevels 32 to 43, a penthouse on level 44, and a rooftop plant level above. Six basement levels will provide resident parking and servicing.

The tower is proposed to reach approximately 154 metres, placing it among a growing collection of residential high-rises transforming Chatswood's skyline.

Rather than competing purely on height, PTW says the design has been driven by creating a slimmer tower capable of delivering significantly larger apartments.

"The primary objective of this project was to create a distinctive building that stands out from the recently approved or built structures in the Chatswood area," the design report states, noting the structural efficiency allows greater investment into apartment quality and resident amenity.

Residents would have access to more than 450 sqm of communal open space including landscaped gardens, swimming pool, rooftop entertaining areas, fitness spaces, community gardens, children's play areas and barbecue facilities.

A major focus of the design has been the public domain.

The ground plane has been opened up through landscaped terraces inspired by Willoughby's sandstone ridges, with native planting, public seating, artwork, retail activation and a series of gathering spaces intended to soften what has traditionally been a hard commercial streetscape.

The landscape strategy references Blue Gum forests once common throughout the area, while incorporating Indigenous storytelling, public art and lighting installations to strengthen the connection to Country.

Chatswood has been one of Sydney's busiest apartment markets over the past 12 months, with a steady pipeline of both new project launches and fresh development applications.

Hyecorp recently launched Celine, a 122-apartment development just along Archer Street, while Changfa and Huirong Group are progressing The Anderson, an 84-apartment project on Anderson Street.

Develotek recently secured approval for a 101-apartment tower on Pacific Highway, while Tian An LFD received the green light for Hammond Greens, its apartment development on the edge of the Chatswood Bowling Club.

Commercial property developer FiveX is also making its move into the residential market. Last month it lodged plans for a 61-storey tower with 490 apartments, which, if approved, would become one of the tallest residential buildings in Chatswood.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-fivex-targets-chatswood-skyline-with-61-storey-tower-after-north-sydney-plans">First look: FiveX targets Chatswood skyline with 61-storey tower after North Sydney plans</a>

Aqualand is also expanding its development pipeline following the launch of its luxury residential brand, Aqualand Prestige. The developer has delivered a string of high-end apartment projects across Sydney's affluent suburbs over the past decade, most recently AURA by Aqualand on Walker Street in North Sydney.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=292863]

It has since quietly assembled its next wave of projects.

Earlier this year Aqualand launched Boronia in Roseville, a boutique 111-apartment development on Larkin Street. The project is one of the first significant apartment developments to launch in the suburb ahead of what is expected to become one of Sydney's most active new housing precincts under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms, which allow greater density around train stations.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152095 project_image_fid=373685]

The developer has also lodged plans for a two-tower, 413-apartment development on Herbert Street in nearby St Leonards, further strengthening its presence across the Lower North Shore.

Beyond that, Aqualand remains behind the final stage of Barangaroo, where plans will deliver a five-hectare mixed-use precinct comprising new homes, retail, hospitality and community facilities, alongside a new Metro entrance and more than two hectares of public open space, completing the Barangaroo precinct.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/central-barangaroo-development-takes-big-step-with-concept-proposal-approval">Central Barangaroo development takes big step with concept proposal approval</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-aqualand-joins-st-leonards-apartment-party">First look: Aqualand joins St Leonards apartment party</a> 
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First look: Aqualand pushes ahead with Chatswood apartment tower as SSDA lodged for Archer Street

Mass timber is becoming an increasingly popular construction material in apartment developments, but Adelaide developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> is taking the approach a step further.

At its new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flowe-bowden-18-gibson-street-bowden-sa-5007">Flowe Bowden</a> development, the exposed cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure isn't just about reducing the building's environmental footprint. It also forms the foundation of a broader wellness strategy, influencing everything from indoor air quality and natural materials to the way residents move through and experience the building.

The 115-apartment mixed-use development, designed by Melbourne-based architecture practice Fieldwork, will occupy a prominent island site opposite Bowden Village Reserve, combining one, two and three-bedroom apartments with retail and a dedicated wellness destination.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375528]

Wellness isn't confined to a gym or shared resident facility at Flowe. Instead, Fieldwork embedded the concept into the building itself.

The development has been split into two residential wings connected by a naturally ventilated central breezeway, replacing traditional enclosed corridors with open-air walkways that improve natural light, encourage cross ventilation and create more opportunities for neighbourly interaction.

"Rather than treating wellness as something that only happens on the ground floor, our response integrates it throughout the building, which led us to ask what it really means to design a healthy building," Fieldwork Director Quino Holland said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375531]

The building's architecture also reflects Bowden's industrial heritage. The lower podium references the area's historic brick and sandstone buildings, while the upper levels transition to exposed CLT, allowing the timber structure to become a defining feature throughout the apartments and shared spaces.

The use of mass timber sits alongside a range of sustainability initiatives, including a fully electric, gas-free design, rooftop solar and a targeted 5 Star Green Star rating.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375524]

Inside the residences, the focus remains on natural, durable materials. Blackbutt engineered timber flooring, exposed CLT ceilings, porcelain surfaces and warm timber joinery create a calming interior palette, while low-VOC finishes and responsibly sourced materials have been selected to improve indoor air quality.

Kitchens have been designed as the centrepiece of each apartment, featuring porcelain island benchtops, timber-look cabinetry and brushed steel tapware, with layouts that maximise natural light and ventilation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375530]

The more traditional interpretation of wellness comes in the form of Level Eleven, a two-storey wellness club spanning the ground floor, mezzanine and first floor.

The facility will include a gym, yoga and reformer Pilates studios, Finnish and infrared saunas, magnesium hot and cold plunge pools, and dedicated recovery spaces. Unlike many residential wellness facilities, Level Eleven will also operate commercially, allowing the broader Bowden community to access the venue while giving residents exclusive membership benefits.

The ground floor has also been designed around everyday living. A café overlooking Bowden Village Reserve will activate the street frontage, while a bike workshop with tool storage, co-working space and dog wash has been incorporated to support daily routines and encourage interaction between residents.

"Flowe brings together my two biggest passions, creating places and creating healthier lives," Otello founder Daniel Harris said.

"We wanted to create something Adelaide hasn't seen before, a genuinely healthy building, where the way you live is lifted without even trying."

Flowe is positioned directly opposite Bowden Village Reserve and within walking distance of Bowden Railway Station and the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, placing future residents just minutes from the Adelaide CBD while remaining connected to one of the city's most established urban renewal precincts.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152022]

Otello launches wellness-focused Flowe Bowden with Adelaide-first mass timber apartment design

Not all apartment amenities are immediately visible.

Swimming pools, gyms, rooftop terraces and residents' lounges have long featured on buyers' wishlists, but as the way Australians live has changed, so too have the features that make apartment living more convenient.

Increasingly, buyers are placing value on the practical aspects of day-to-day life. Fast internet, EV charging, secure bike storage, flexible workspaces and parcel management are becoming just as relevant as lifestyle amenities, reflecting changing habits and expectations.

Online shopping has been one of the biggest drivers of that shift.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally, making parcel deliveries a routine part of everyday life rather than an occasional convenience.

For apartment residents, however, receiving those deliveries isn't always straightforward.

Without someone home to accept a parcel, deliveries can be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in building foyers or common areas, or require building management to temporarily store packages. As apartment living continues to grow across Australia's cities, parcel management has become an increasingly important consideration for both residents and developers.

Australia Post's Parcel Locker network is one response to that shift.

<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/KPZ9j5FRdsQ?si=Qztc1dNP3ZvEIUhb" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than relying on home delivery, eligible parcels can be directed to a nominated Parcel Locker, where they're securely stored until collected. Once a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can retrieve it using a one-time code or QR code at a time that suits them.

The network has expanded to more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with Parcel Lockers positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and, increasingly, within or alongside residential developments.

That growing presence reflects a broader change in how apartment buildings are being planned.

Developers are increasingly considering the operational side of apartment living alongside traditional lifestyle amenities. Just as secure mailrooms, bicycle storage and EV charging have become more common inclusions, parcel management is emerging as another feature that supports everyday convenience.

It also helps preserve the arrival experience within a building. Carefully designed lobbies and communal spaces can quickly become cluttered when deliveries accumulate, while secure parcel solutions reduce the likelihood of missed deliveries or parcels being left unattended.

For buyers comparing apartments, these everyday details are becoming part of the decision-making process.

Location, floorplans and finishes remain fundamental, but the features that simplify daily life are carrying greater weight than they once did. As online shopping continues to shape consumer behaviour, secure parcel delivery is increasingly becoming another amenity worth looking for.

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

Inca Property Group has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for Dawn, a 53-apartment oceanfront development overlooking Mona Vale Beach.

The proposal, at 35-39 Darley Street East, would replace an existing 18-apartment strata building with a new owner-occupier-focused development comprising 53 two and three-bedroom apartments, including nine affordable built-to-rent residences delivered under the State's infill affordable housing scheme.

Positioned on a 2,679 sqm elevated site around 280 metres from Mona Vale Beach, the development has been designed to maximise panoramic ocean views while responding to the site's sloping topography.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/inca-property-group">Inca Property Group</a> Managing Director Josh Thompson said the State Significant pathway provided greater certainty for projects of this scale.

"This State Significant pathway gives the team real certainty to progress <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/dawn-35-39-darley-street-east-mona-vale-nsw-2103">Dawn</a> through to completion," Thompson said.

"It allows us to acquire a one-off site, design it carefully and deliver the right offering for the suburb, assessed by the NSW Government's planning department."

The project is one of the first developments in the area to be assessed under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy, with the site sitting on the edge of the policy's designated inner area.

The proposal includes three basement levels providing 124 car spaces, alongside a range of resident amenities including a swimming pool, gym, sauna, wellness facilities and private plunge pools for selected ground-floor and penthouse apartments.

<img alt="Dawn" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc1a1daf-0ce4-4f12-9076-b1fa553c7a91" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-21%20at%208.42.11%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4GZ9h.gpNkTljbxyAET8Jfhv51XUamDm" />

Thompson said Dawn had been designed specifically for owner-occupiers and downsizers, a buyer profile that has driven demand across Inca's recent Upper North Shore developments.

"The majority of buyers in our recent North Shore projects have been downsizers, and we are learning exactly what this market is looking for. Beyond the location itself, we have included resort-style amenities to deliver a genuine lifestyle offering," Thompson said.

Located within walking distance of Mona Vale Beach, the town centre, Mona Vale Golf Club and the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Dawn represents Inca's first Northern Beaches project following the sell-out of Tara on Park in Waitara and Ellis Residences, currently under construction in St Ives.

Construction will be undertaken by Inca's in-house construction arm, GOP Constructions.

Dawn is the latest major apartment proposal for Mona Vale, with the suburb emerging as one of the key beneficiaries of the NSW Government's new Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy.

New developer One Living, led by industry veteran Joseph Scuderi, recently secured a site on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, where it is planning around 140 apartments.

IPM is also planning its third project in Mona Vale, significantly increasing the scale of its previous developments with an 82-apartment proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/159-167-darley-street-west-mona-vale-nsw-2103">159-167 Darley Street West</a>, opposite Bayview Golf Course and less than 800 metres from Mona Vale town centre.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/one-living-enters-sydneys-new-apartment-market-with-northern-beaches-site-acquisition">One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-ipm-plans-third-mona-vale-project">First look: IPM plans third Mona Vale project</a>

First look: Inca eyes Mona Vale with State Significant DA for Dawn apartments

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>

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First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $750,000 in the southern regions and up to $1 million in the northern regions.

Stamp Duty Concessions: Available for homes valued up to $600,000 for transactions entered into on or after 9 May 2024.

<h2>Australian Capital Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Replaced by the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, offering full stamp duty concessions for eligible buyers.

<h2>South Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Provides up to $15,000 for new homes, including houses, apartments, and townhouses. As of 6 June 2024, there is no property value cap for eligibility.

Stamp Duty Relief: Available for new homes and vacant land purchases.

<h2>Tasmania First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes and off the plan purchases.

Stamp Duty Exemption: Between 18 February 2024 and 30 June 2026, first home buyers of established homes valued up to $750,000 receive a full exemption on property transfer duty.

<h2>Northern Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: The Northern Territory provides a $10,000 grant for new homes only. Additional government grants and concessions are available for first home buyers.

Stamp Duty Exemption: The only stamp duty exemption available to property buyers is the House and Land Package Exemption (HLPE).

Eligibility criteria and application processes differ across states. Prospective buyers should refer to their respective state revenue offices for full details on grant availability, conditions, and additional concessions.

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

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

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

Staff Writer

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

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

alisonwarters@gmail.com

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

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

Ellen Walker

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

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Libbi Gorr, the former Melbourne comedian then television host, has returned to her hometown as an ABC radio broadcaster.
Her three-bedroom North Bondi house in Sydney’s east has been listed at $1,300 a week rental.
Gorr has returned to Melbourne with her partner, freelance film and television producer Stewart Burchmore, and their two children.
“I have to say, we were becoming deliciously shallow,” she told Melbourne Weekly. “We lived near the beach and that whole beautiful lifestyle, which I will miss terribly. But we realised we should come back to Melbourne to get some couture, get some mental culture.”
So when the opportunity came up to move south, Gorr grabbed the chance to host 774 ABC Melbourne’s new Sunday radio morning program. Gorr, who barracks for Collingwood, attended Methodist Ladies’ College in Kew before graduating in law from the University of Melbourne. Her big break came co-starring with Andrew Denton on the ABC’s sports comedy television program Live and Sweaty, where her satirical character Elle McFeast was born in 1991. She blogs on her website, libbigorr.com.au.
“I’d love to say I’ll be running around the Tan, but I think that’s beyond me. I might do the odd skip of joy, though. I’m looking forward to taking the children on Puffing Billy, again and again and again,” she told Melbourne Weekly.
Her Sydney house, available through Belinda Halliday at Ray White Unlimited North Bondi, cost $1,605,000 in 2007.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Melbourne comedian Libbi Gorr returns home and rents out North Bondi: Title Tattle

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The Coogee home of Jennifer Hawkins, the former Miss Universe, television personality and swimwear designer, and her fiance, Jake Wall, has now been listed with a $2.3 million asking price. 
It was passed in at December auction on a $2.5 million vendor bid through McGrath agent Adrian Bo and then listed with a $2.6 million asking price.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/model-jennifer-hawkins-coogee-pad-finally-hits-the-market/2011111452342" target="_blank">The 2003-built Coogee property</a>, with three bedrooms and three bathrooms, cost Hawkins $2.27 million in late 2008.
The main bedroom comes with ensuite, dressing room and terrace. One of its ultra-modern bathrooms has a Japanese agape spoon bath. Its third bedroom could be a home theatre or home office.
There’s a private rooftop terrace with ocean views as well as a cellar – all a stroll to Gordon’s Bay and Coogee and minutes to shops, cafes and transport.
Much of the house, including a feature wall of Florence Broadhurst-style wallpaper, pre-dates Hawkins’ 2008 purchase.
The couple moved out of the Moore Street townhouse several months before the December auction in anticipation of construction of their northern beaches home  in the Windy Dropdown gated estate.
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Jennifer Hawkins cuts profit hopes to slimmest margin: Title Tattle

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Prominent Goldman Sachs Sydney stockbroker Richard Coppleson advised his clients last week he'd  heard stories that Mosman was in a "huge state of distress" as bankers bailed from the prestige property market.
He soundly suggests that many Mosman properties were not advertised for sale. It's true that there are many for sale that don't show up on in the agency windows, websites or brand-enabling print advertising.
But Coppleson then went on to suggest his estimate - that for every 10 properties publicly listed for sale, just one is advertised
Richardson &amp; Wrench Mosman Robert Simeon say Mosman presently has 144 houses on the market using the Domain website as his source.
Noting Mosman had 4,900 houses, Simeon deduces that represents 2.93%.
"If you apply the multiple factor (stated above) that would equate to approximately 1,444 houses being available for sale, which is 29% as against the current precise number of 2.93%."
Simeon suggests that during the GFC and beyond, Mosman posted one of the lowest delinquency rates in Australia – and no houses in Mosman sell for less than $1 million. No one would dispute prices are down, but there's been a significant uptick in prestige sales in the lead-up to Easter.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/feb27mandolong]}
Meanwhile Mandolong House (pictured above), one of Mosman's most coveted estates, has been sold for a bullish $18 million. Its reputed buyer is to Markus Kahlbetzer from the polo playing pastoralist family headed by John Dieter Kahlbetzer.
Despite the lack of significant Middle Harbour views, the Mandolong Road property sale set a suburb record price for a non-waterfront residential property. The previous record was $15.25 million for a Stanley Street residence that sold last year through Raine &amp; Horne Mosman agent Brendan Warner, who secured the latest sale.
Set high on the slopes of Balmoral, Mandolong House sits on 2,909 square metres of grounds that come with a north-south tennis court and pool. The 1885 residence was  transformed four years ago by architect William Smart of Smart Design Studio.
The five-bedroom, six-bathroom mansion features a grand entrance hall, formal reception rooms, a state-of-the-art kitchen and  entertainment areas that open to wide terraces. There's also a self-contained pavilion for guests.
Markus Kahlbetzer's current home is the penthouse in the 1970s Stuart Murray-designed Elizabeth Bay apartment block Deepdene.  Set on the Elizabeth Bay Road loop, Deepdene stands between the waterfront properties of Oceana and historic Tresco. The architecturally iconic apartment complex was constructed by the builders A.F Little as five separate apartments.
Pastoralist John Kahlbetzer acquired the penthouse in 1980, then finished his consolidation in 2006 with the purchase of two units costing $6.6 million from Fay Parker of Parker's Wines. The penthouse outdoor entertainment area was remodelled by landscaper William Dangar with a structure designed by architect Richard Goodwin.
Mandolong House was sold by Barry Roberts-Thomson, deputy chairman of Hutchison Telecommunications, and his wife, Victoria, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/mandalong-house-listing-set-to-test-mosman-market-after-banking-bonuses-dry-up/2012022753564" target="_blank">and had initial $20 million hopes last year</a>. It lasted traded for $3,375,000 in 1989 from the Damon family, who had owned it for about 50 years. The house has had only four owners. Of the five Mosman properties sold for double-digit millions during the past year, Warner's taking credit for three.
The top end market has achieved recent turnover, albeit at subdued levels and pricing. The <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/chinese-buyers-playing-property-pick-a-box-but-record-mosman-price-unlikely/2012030653723" target="_blank">waterfront estate of car dealer Laurie Sutton sold earlier this year</a> to Ying Li for a reputed $20 million short of the property's price tag in 2009 when Sutton listed it with hopes of exceeding Mosman's $22.5 million price record. Sutton has owned the property since the late 1970s when he bought it from Bob and Dolly Dyer, hosts of the long-running television show BP Pick a Box. Measuring 5,154 square metres, the Bay Street property is Mosman's largest waterfront estate with views across Quakers Hat Bay. The four-bedroom, five-bathroom residence is set in gardens with a tennis court, pool and  boating facilities including a shed, slipway, jetty and floating deep-water marina.
Last November there was the $19 million sale of a <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/billioniare-oatley-wine-family-snaps-up-kahala-for-the-best-of-balmoral-s-boating-facilities/2011112852575" target="_blank">Hopetoun Avenue waterfront property to Ros Oatley</a> of the Oatley wine family. The house was now demolished, having sold in boomtime for $22.5 million.
The unsold listings include the stark white Mosman landmark called the George Williamson House but colloquially known as the igloo house has been listed for sale. Following its design by architect Harry Seidler in 1951, the Modernist Parriwi Road property caused traffic mayhem as Sydneysiders sought to get a glimpse. It was saved from demolition in the late 1990s and heritage listed in 2002. It now comes with approved extensions and a new harbourfront wing overseen by the Seidler architectural practice, which was commissioned by the current vendors, Ian and Tanya Oatley. Set on a 1,700 square-metre Chinamans Beach holding with 40 metres of beachfront, it's been listed by Sandie Dunne of Dunne Mosman with $20 million-plus hopes.
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Bankers are supposedly bailing, but Mosman’s Mandolong House reputedly sells for bullish $18 million

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It appears Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have joined the anti-coal mining movement in the NSW Southern Highlands.
The celebrity couple have hung a protest placard on the gates of their $6.5 million Southern Highlands retreat that condemns coal seam gas mining.
The protest sign was bought from a Shoo Cockatoo stall set up at the Moss Vale Farmers Market last month.
<img src="/images/stories/kidman.jpg">
A photo in News Ltd newspapers shows the sign on the gates at the front of the couple's property in Sutton Forest (pictured above).
The sign says "No coal or coal seam gas", similar to the one pictured, which is from elsewhere in the Southern Highlands.
Local landholders who have been  campaigning against plans to expand coal and gas mining operations in the farmlet region for two years <a href="/images/stories/flexicontent/s_coalseam.jpg" target="_blank">have been hoping Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban would join their battle</a>.
Southern Highlands Coal Action Group convener Peter Martin has said that Kidman and Urban had spoken about their concerns regarding the proposed mining activity in the area at the stall last month.
"We sold them the sign for $20 when they visited the Moss Vale Farmers Market one Saturday morning on their last visit here," he says.
Kidman  and Urban, who bought the 1878 Georgian mansion  in Sutton Forest in 2008, have never spoken publicly about their concerns.
They now <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/rural/alan-jones-and-michael-ball-get-behind-southern-highlands-cockatoo-coal-fight-but-still-no-sign-of-nicole-kidman/2011111752419" target="_blank">join radio broadcaster Alan Jones</a>, who also has a farm in the highlands, who has lent his voice to the campaign.
The Southern Highlands Coal Action Group is headed by Peter Martin, a former chief executive for Rothschild Australia Asset Management.
More than 460 properties are located within the area covered by the coal-seam gas and coal mining leases.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/coal-mine-anxiety-for-nicole-kidman-s-sutton-forest-property/2011062150555" target="_blank">Hume Coal, a joint venture between Korean steel-making giant POSCO and Cockatoo Coal</a>, holds a 115-square-metre exploration permit initially granted in 1967 and began the first stage of the exploration process last May.
The NSW state government has imposed tighter controls on mining and coal-seam gas drilling on or near high-value agricultural land, with applications to mine having to first gain the approval of an independent expert panel.
But landholders say the rules do not go far enough and want mining to be banned altogether on high-value land.
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Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban join anti-coal protesters in NSW Southern Highlands

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First-time property investors should look at the outlying areas of Sydney rather than focus on the pricier inner-city suburbs, according to SQM Research managing director Louis Christopher.
Christopher says the best opportunities for Sydney investors lie in the outer suburbs, more than 25 kilometres from the city centre.
He picks the western Sydney suburbs of Campbelltown, Liverpool and Penrith as good places to invest in residential property at a time western Sydney’s reputation as investment hotspot is on the rise.
Smart Property Investment magazine’s most recent list of the 50 suburbs with the greatest capital growth potential included <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/hotspots-from-fibros-to-mcmansions-western-sydney-attracting-investor-attention/2012012953164">four western Sydney suburbs: Blacktown, Liverpool, Penrith and Rosemeadow.</a>
Christopher says rents in Campbelltown, Liverpool and Penrith have been growing at a compound annual growth rate of 7% since 2009 due to an influx of families looking for more affordable housing options.
He does not have a preference for either houses or units and says total returns from both types of properties tend to perform similarly in the long term.
Douglas Driscoll, chief executive of Starr Partners, also says <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/greater-western-sydney-market-to-go-from-strength-to-strength-in-2012/2011122252902">western Sydney suburbs will perform strongly in 2012</a>.
He expects this market to get stronger, with new suburbs and shopping districts appearing, businesses establishing and settling in the area, transport connections improving and large master-planned residential developments appearing.
“No other area in Sydney is seeing that amount of change so quickly,” he says.
For <a target="_blank" href="/news">Six smart steps towards buying your first investment property</a>, sign up for Property Observer’s free webinar with property investment expert Chris Gray on Thursday, March 22 at 12.30pm.
 
 
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lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

First-time Sydney investors should look at outer suburbs: Louis Christopher

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Kerry Jones, the chatelaine of the castellated 56-room Darling Point mansion Swifts, has signalled she won’t succumb to the complaints of neighbours who want her to stop holding commercial and charity parties.
And she’s upped the ante, pointing out the 1.4-hectare grounds could accommodate about “eight high-rise home unit blocks”.
“We have tried to run it as a private home, with private parties occasionally, but it has caused this mass hysteria,” she says.
“It’s not working as a home.”
<img src="/images/stories/swifts1.jpg">
Council staff have recently collected evidence, including noise monitoring readings, photographs and videos of traffic accompanying social events at the Victorian Gothic home.
Lawyers have sought a written undertaking that no further events will be held without development consent, or Jones will face action in the Land and Environment Court.
“There is no doubt in our minds that events had been not of a scale that is not ordinarily associated with the use of a residential property,” Woollahra Council planning director Allan Coker told the Wentworth Courier. The articles was headlined "Jason Priestley party at Swifts the last straw for council."
<img src="/images/stories/swifts2.jpg">
It was 1994 when there was the last serious possibility of the grounds of Swifts being under redevelopment threat.
Its then mortgagee in possession, St George Bank, wanting to maximise its return on its $30 million exposure, considered townhouses being built along the historic estate's perimeter.
Swifts was built in 1880 for the Tooth brewing family, with the motto Perseverantia Palman Obtinebit (Perseverance Yields the Prize) cut into its facade. Its construction highlighted extraordinary self-made wealth. For most Sydney families, a cottage or terrace sufficed, but at Swifts the house took up 1,800 square metres, rivalling Government House in size and stature.
It was 1901 when Swifts was sold to the non-Catholic Resch family, who subsequently willed it to the Catholic Church in 1963 – when it was valued at £235,000 – with a 20-year ownership covenant.
<img src="/images/stories/swifts3.jpg">
Coincidently the Church took possession for use as the Archbishop's residence on the same day Archbishop Daniel Mannix died at Raheen, the stately Melbourne equivalent owned by the Pratt family. Cardinal Gilroy occupied Swifts until his death in 1977.
Periodically the chapel was used for weddings at the Archbishop's discretion – indeed Foreign Minister Bob Carr and wife Helena were married there in 1973. And presumably existing use rights have long lapsed for any conversion now into a wedding venue. 
After the 20-year ownership covenant lapsed, the Catholic Church listed the property for sale in 1986.
To the frustration of others, property investor Carl Spies, who enjoyed low-key links with Catholic charities, bought Swifts for his parents in an off-market deal through the late Richardson and Wrench doyen Ron Pillinger.
<img src="/images/stories/swifts4.jpg">
The 1.4-hectare estate sold in pre-boom 1986 by the Catholic Church for $9 million to Spies, a reclusive property investor who enjoyed a Howard Hughes-like reputation and kept the grounds locked during his ownership.
With Spies holding Swifts as the jewel in his extensive property portfolio – and reputedly knocking back a $38 million offer – his financiers readily increased their financial gearing before the property boom burst in the early 1990s.
<img src="/images/stories/swifts5.jpg">
Swifts remained in Spies' possession until Easter 1992 - and rang Title Tattle on his emotion-wrenched departure - and was dormant until 1997 when Doug and Greta Moran bought the property for about $10 million through estate agents Graeme Hennessey and Ken Jacobs.
The Morans, who ran Moran Health Care, prided themselves with the desire to improve Australia's heritage as well as look after its health. Doug Moran was full of pride when he showed Title Tattle through the house afterb its extensive restoration. 
In April 2011 two of the couple's children, <a href=""></a><a href=""></a>Shane Moran and his family of four children moved into Swifts, taking up residence along with sister, Kerry Jones. Kerry Jones and Shane Moran have equal shares in Swifts, said to be worth more than $60 million on today's market.
Their father, Doug died last November.
 
 
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Swifts mansion chatelaine Kerry Jones raises spectre of high-rise for Darling Point grounds: Title Tattle

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The Goodman Group's hopes for quick approval for its inner-city Sydney residential high-rise development site have been stymied.
It had been among the landowners who’ve nominated their land for special consideration by the NSW Department of Planning, but instead its prior approval for massive intensification has been overturned by the NSW Planning Minister Brad Hazzard.
His decision <a href=""></a>limits the site to nine storeys, down from the 19 storeys granted by the former Labor state government.
“Labor directed the City of Sydney Council in 2010 to increase height limits at the site from nine to 19 storeys and increase allowable residential floor space by nearly 60%,” Hazzard says.
“Last week I toured the site and came to the conclusion that a height limit of 19 storeys at this site is completely out of character with the nearby area.”
Goodman’s specific intentions aren’t fully known or revealed in <a href="https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=jzbGsUV9Qfk%3d&amp;tabid=561&amp;language=en-AU">the landowner-nominated sites on the department’s websites</a> but the decision has effectively halved any project with the difference amounting to 636 extra dwellings.
With each selling at, say, $700,000, about $445 million in potential revenue has been removed from the Goodman balance book. 
Goodman's holding includes a non-descript Erskineville industrial estate set on Mitchell Road between Erskineville Oval and Sydney Park, which has been the site of a long skirmish arising from the draft Sydney Local Environmental Plan.
The site was once headquarters of the Metters factory producing ovens and boilers. Its best-known brand was the 1930s Kooka range of gas cooking appliances.
It had an $81 million book value as at June.
<img src="/images/stories/goodman2.jpg">
Goodman’s <a href="https://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/IROL/16/167466/Goodman_Group_direct_property_portfolio_2011.pdf">other land holdings</a> in South Sydney include its Alexandria industrial estate (pictured above).
The Metters site has long been subject to considerable government argy bargy as under the Keneally government, the NSW Planning Department demanded the City of Sydney double the site's permissible building heights.
Lord mayor Clover Moore and the council unsucessfully fought the push as they viewed it as a threat to Sydney City Council’s inner-city villages policy.
Other landlords viewed Goodman’s application as headlining a strategic battle that will shape future development density of all the industrial estates on the southern corridor from the city to the airport.
A lack of suitable transport infrastructure and seven day a week traffic congestion were factors in the minister's decision this week.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore recently previously said that Ashmore was the City’s second largest industrial area identified for urban renewal and offers a rare opportunity to create a sustainable new neighbourhood.
"We want to create a neighbourhood which includes the right infrastructure and sustainable design to improve the lives of current and future residents."
She said the City had been working with the community on the future redevelopment plans for the Ashmore precinct since 2007.
 "In 2010, the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure directed the City to increase the density of the proposed redevelopment and raise height limits of two towers to 19 storeys.
 “We were very concerned about the Department’s new plans and undertook technical studies which showed the heights and density proposed by the Department of Planning would cause overshadowing of nearby properties and obscure views from Sydney Park,” the Lord Mayor said.
 She said residents thought the development focused on profit rather than sustainable urban design.
 “We will be lobbying the NSW Government to support our proposal, reduce their increases to the density and height limits and increase trains and bus services to better serve the needs of the local community, now and into the future.”
The Metters factory site dates to 1906, when the firm, established on Rundle Street in Adelaide in 1891 by Frederick Metters, moved from its small factory on Alice Street at Newtown. Metters stayed there until the early 1970s, about the time it was taken over by Email.
Greg Goodman is the founder and chief executive of Goodman Group, which ranked as one of the global high-flyers of the real estate sector before the global financial crisis.
Goodman bought the site in 1989 from the NSW State Authorities Superannuation Board for $19.2 million.
At the time it has a net annual rental of $2 million, reflecting an initial yield of about 10%.
Goodman's general manager is former Wallaby Jason Little, who has been with the group since 2003.
The site's tenants include Toll Priority and Ausdoc.
The entire Ashmore precinct has been identified for urban renewal since 1998. It covers 17 hectares.
Much of it still contains large industrial buildings surrounded by terraces from the late 1800s. Recent redevelopment in the precinct includes the Motto, Glo and Star Printery apartment complexes, which are mostly six storeys.
Denis O'Neil's nearby Sydney Park Village complex, built in the late 1990s, is of a similar height.
Moore has previously indicated that over the past seven years the council has put in much time and resources planning for the precinct's redevelopment.
It proposed three tall buildings of nine storeys at the centre of the precinct, with smaller apartment blocks totalling 2240 dwellings and 4,000 people. The department wants 2,876 dwellings with 5,200 people.
Moore says the council's work included technical studies to look at issues such as stormwater management, traffic, and transport, urban design and economic feasibility.
Under the latest state government initiative, sites will be reviewed on the basis of government-endorsed objectives with each site undergoing an initial assessment of adequacy. Councils are expected to be consulted and their views taken into account as part of the evaluation. The appropriate provision of services and infrastructure will form part of the assessment process.
A review committee, chaired by the Director-General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, will make recommendations to the state government.
 
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Setback for Goodman Group hopes for fast-tracked high-rise development in inner Sydney

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Academy Award-nominated actor Toni Collette, the star of the TV series United States of Tara, and her musician husband, David Galafassi, are being sued over their failure to settle on an alleged $6 million Paddington terrace purchase (pictured above).
The initial directions hearing into the matter is scheduled for the NSW Supreme Court next Tuesday.
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="width: 470px;">
<thead><tr>
<td>
Date
</td>
<td>
Jurisdiction
</td>
<td>
Court
</td>
<td>
Presiding Officer
</td>
<td>
Court Room
</td>
<td>
Case 
</td>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
21 Mar
</td>
<td>
Directions (Equity Registrar)
</td>
<td>
Civil
</td>
<td>
Supreme
</td>
<td>
Supreme Court Sydney
</td>
<td>
Susan Kelly v David Anthony Galafassi (Toni Galafassi)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
21 Mar
</td>
<td>
Directions (Equity Registrar)
</td>
<td>
Civil
</td>
<td>
Supreme
</td>
<td>
Supreme Court Sydney
</td>
<td>
Susan Kelly v David Anthony Galafassi (David Anthony Galafassi)
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
 
Last October the couple reputedly signed a contract to buy a double-fronted Paddington terrace from Susie Kelly, the co-founder and owner of Industrie clothing with her husband, Nick.
The Stewart Street house <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/actor-toni-collette-and-muso-david-galafassi-fall-for-the-charms-of-contemporary-inner-city-paddington/2011110752250">was snapped at an undisclosed price </a>– but understood to be slightly more than $6 million quite early in its October marketing campaign by McGrath agent Ben Collier.
Designed by architectAnthony Gill and completed in 2009, the five-bedroom, four-bathroom house on a 360-square-metre block sold for a record for the southern side of Oxford Street, Paddington.
Consisting of two classic Victorian terraces combined into a palatial single residence, the contemporary tri-level family retreat had been reinvented after the merger of two terraces costing $2.15 million in 2003 and $1.865 million in 2005.
The entertainment industry couple's plans went awry after they struggled to find a buyer of their Bronte house.
Their 1885 Bronte weatherboard cottage that cost $4.4 million in mid-2009 had been tipped to sell for around $3.5 million through its McGrath Estate Agents listing agent Bethwyn Richards, but still struggled to find a buyer.
Collette and Galafassi are accused of changing their minds on the Paddington purchase when they instead bought back at Bronte reputedly from the buyer of their own house.
The Kellys bought on Kutti Beach at Vaucluse last March for $15.5 million.
Property lawyers said the Supreme Court could find the contract binding and the entertainment industry couple could be forced to pay any shortfall if the Paddington terrace resold at less than its last sale price.
 
 
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Fickle Toni Collette being sued over property change of heart in Paddington

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The 2,031 properties in the NSW region of Hay had a total land value of $151 million in July 2011, according to NSW Valuer-General Philip Western.
The figure was down 4% from $157 million in 2008.
Residential land values experienced a slight decrease over the three years.
Rural land values also experienced a slight decrease over the three years while year-on-year median prices decreased 3.5% from a median of $64,200 in 2010.
<img src="/images/stories/haymap.gif">
Western found rural residential land in the Hay Irrigation Area and village land in Maude and Booligal had a generally strong decrease in price.
Commercial land also experienced a slight decrease over the three years.
Industrial land values increased slightly from 2008 levels.
Hay landowners and rate-paying lessees received a notice of valuation this month.
The valuations are used by councils to determine rates and taxes for investment property purchases.
Typical residential land values were:
<ul>
<li>2,023 square metres at Lang Street, Hay valued at $29,800 </li>
<li>928 square metres at Meakes Street, Hay valued at $20,600</li>
</ul>
Typical commercial land value was:
<ul>
<li>799 square metres at Lachlan Street, Hay valued at $36,400 </li>
</ul>
Typical industrial land value was:
<ul>
<li>1,447 square metres at Murray Street, Hay valued at $30,000</li>
</ul>
Typical rural land values were:
<ul>
<li>237 hectares at Murrumbidgee River Road, Hay valued at $88,200 </li>
<li>4,079 hectares at Alma Road, Booligal valued at $264,000 </li>
<li>1,621 hectares at Toopuntul Road, Maude valued at $119,000</li>
</ul>
Typical hobby farm land value was:
<ul>
<li>12.8 hectares at University Road, Hay South valued at $68,400</li>
</ul>
Typical village land values were:
<ul>
<li>1,518 square metres at Hay Street, Booligal valued at $2,470 </li>
<li>2,023 square metres at Waratah Street, Maude valued at $3,980</li>
</ul>
 
 
 
<ul></ul>
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Land values drop 4% in NSW region of Hay in three years: Valuer-General

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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>
 
 
 
 
 
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