<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/broadbeach-qld-4218">Broadbeach</a> offers plenty of reasons to live vertically, but moving from a substantial family home into an apartment can expose the compromises of high-density living. Privacy, room for guests and usable living space tend to matter more when an apartment is intended as a permanent home rather than an occasional coastal base.

A typical residential floor at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-eveleigh-broadbeach-7-9-surf-parade-broadbeach-qld-4218">The Eveleigh</a>, on Surf Parade,&nbsp;contains just four apartments. The 94-residence development by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hirsch-faigen">Hirsch &amp; Faigen</a> is predominantly made up of expansive three-bedroom homes, with a limited collection of half-floor penthouses above.

Across the apartment floors, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> has used the relatively limited number of residences to give each home greater access to natural light and outlook. Living spaces extend towards full-height glazing, while a series of bay windows frame selected views across the Pacific Ocean, city and hinterland rather than treating the building edge as a continuous wall of glass.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360965]

“The apartment floors deliver a collection of homes that embrace controlled outlook via a series of bay windows deliberately framing moments of view,” Rothelowman Director Kim Lowman said.

From outside, those projecting forms contribute to the tower’s faceted profile. Strong horizontal and vertical elements establish its proportions, while the changing position of the sun alters the light, shadow and reflection across the façade throughout the day.

The same attention moves inside the apartments, where the material palette combines warm timber, natural stone, metallic detailing and softer curved forms. Kitchens sit within the main living zone, with stone island benches, integrated joinery and European appliances, before the living areas extend towards the glazing and the outlook.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360981]

Three genuine bedrooms provide room to accommodate family and guests, while two secure car spaces and storage address some of the practical considerations that can become more noticeable when moving from a larger home. Feedback from the display suite has centred on the warmth and restraint of the interiors, with buyers commenting that the residences feel like homes rather than conventional coastal apartments.

A limited collection of half-floor penthouses occupies the upper levels, increasing the scale of the living spaces and adding private balconies and elevated finishes. From this position, the outlook extends between the ocean and hinterland.

Outside the private residences, The Eveleigh separates its shared spaces between the podium and rooftop. The podium is centred on wellness, with subtropical landscaping surrounding a swimming pool and pool terrace, yoga garden, private gymnasium, sauna and hot and cold plunge facilities. Landscaped retreats and pavilions provide additional places to sit away from the main recreation areas.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360966]

Higher in the building, a rooftop pavilion and private dining suite sit alongside resident lounge, barbecue and outdoor dining areas, opening towards panoramic views across the ocean, city and hinterland.

“Buyers are no longer just looking for an apartment, but a lifestyle where they can relax, reset, and enjoy a balanced way of living,” Hirsch &amp; Faigen Director of Sales Matt George said.

Interest to date has come from established owner-occupiers and interstate lifestyle purchasers, including buyers planning a future move to the Gold Coast. Many are coming from larger homes and want to reduce ongoing maintenance without giving up space for family and guests, privacy, two car spaces or the ability to entertain at home.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360969]

Much of that daily life can also take place beyond the building without requiring a drive. Kurrawa Beach and Pratten Park are an easy walk from Surf Parade, while Pacific Fair, Oracle Boulevard, The Oasis, restaurants, cafés, entertainment and public transport are also within walking distance.

The Eveleigh is Hirsch &amp; Faigen's fourth Gold Coast development since entering the market in 2021, following The Hemingway at Palm Beach, The Emerson at Kirra and Yves at Mermaid Beach. Each of the preceding projects sold out before completion.

“Broadbeach had been on our radar throughout our time operating on the Gold Coast,” the developer said. “Following our projects in Palm Beach, Kirra and Mermaid Beach, Broadbeach represented the natural next step for the business.”

The Surf Parade site brought together proximity to the beach, protected coastal outlooks and walkability to dining, shopping and recreation. Hirsch &amp; Faigen also identified the street as an emerging premium residential address, with enough separation from Broadbeach's busier destinations to retain a quieter environment at home.

The Eveleigh is now under construction by Maxcon, with completion forecast for mid-2028. Three-bedroom residences are currently available from $2.87 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149670]

Joel Robinson

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

A long-stalled Campbelltown development site is back in play, with new plans for 139 apartments set to supersede a mixed-use scheme approved almost a decade ago but never built.

The new proposal for 28 Cordeaux Street would deliver 116 market and 23 affordable apartments in a part 14-storey building, bringing a substantial new project into a Campbelltown market where new apartment supply remains limited.

Plans have been filed over the 3,092 sqm corner site at Moore-Oxley Street, around 600 metres from Campbelltown Railway Station and the city-centre retail core.

The site already carries a mixed-use residential approval dating to 2016. Doroch Architects has now been engaged on a larger replacement scheme, which is progressing as a State Significant Development Application following a Housing Delivery Authority determination in August 2025.

The apartment mix comprises 39 one-bedroom, 72 two-bedroom and 28 three-bedroom residences. Two-bedroom apartments make up just over half of the project, while three-bedroom homes account for 20 per cent.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="136dd5b9-3791-4da6-9e31-76f533f5b4de" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da2.png?VersionId=LgOSy9nwf5u.MGswBBwaGGxuX8QpHSl_" />

Of the 139 apartments, 23 will be delivered as affordable housing under the in-fill affordable housing provisions of the Housing SEPP. The affordable component represents 15 per cent of the residential gross floor area and will be managed by a registered Community Housing Provider.

Doroch has sought to break the scale of the building into two distinct elements, with a masonry podium of around four storeys establishing the street edge before the residential tower steps back above.

The corner position has shaped that approach. Cordeaux Street faces toward the commercial and civic centre, while Moore-Oxley Street leads into the lower-scale residential neighbourhood to the south, and the design verification report describes the site as "bridging the commercial core to the north and established residential areas to the south."

The podium will be expressed predominantly in face brick, while the upper levels shift to brushed and grooved concrete cladding with darker metal detailing. Recessed sections, deep balcony edges and landscaping break down the upper form, with an approximately 11.8-metre setback to the northern boundary addressing the adjoining St Peters Anglican School.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c8b3d2d3-c561-4bfc-a5d9-a68c0c10dac1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da1.png?VersionId=AeAEyJU02Gk2k5noUj2StziCvdQ7fW4B" />

Campbelltown has been starved of new residential developments in the last decade.

The only other notable development set to come to market this year is ALAND's Queen Square, a mixed-use precinct on over two hectares that will comprise apartments above a vibrant ground-level retail and hospitality dining precinct.

First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site

First Look: Sherlock Construction pitches apartments for low-rise Deception Bay

Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

<main data-perf-region="main">
Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]

Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152737]

<h3 data-end="3697" data-section-id="q3n5ak" data-start="3672">&nbsp;</h3>
</main>

Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

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

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

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

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

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

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

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

Staff Writer

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

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

alisonwarters@gmail.com

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

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

Ellen Walker

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

<html><body>
The Belrose Hotel on Sydney's northern beaches has sold to the Redcape Property Fund for about $23 million through Ray White Hotels.
The pub was bought from the Bayfield family who gave it a $10 million facelift in 2009.
The facelift involved turning the Belrose Hotel – formerly The President - into a modern pub with bar, bistro, café, gaming area and multiple restaurant areas.
The hotel was last listed for sale in 2006 and sold for $14 million.
The Redcape Property Group is run by the former Foster's chief executive Trevor O'Hoy.
The selling agent, Ray White Hotels managing director Andrew Jolliffe, said the hotel was "a near perfect example of a future-proofed large format suburban hotel freehold, enjoying multiple revenue streams, ample parking and high barriers to entry for proximate competition."</body></html>

ntrotman-Et3xWpamVh

Belrose Hotel sells for about $23 million

<html><body>
For many years Toorak has been considered Melbourne’s most highly valued suburb, but it lost its stranglehold on that title in 2012.  This year Toorak only managed one of the top five sales in Melbourne, with the balance been spread out across other blue-chip locations.
It's only a preliminary list, with some sales yet to make it onto official records.
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="285"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="200" nowrap valign="top">
Top 5 - 2012
</td>
<td width="84" nowrap valign="top"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="200" nowrap valign="top"></td>
<td width="84" nowrap valign="top"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="200" nowrap valign="top">
21 Kooyongkoot Rd Hawthorn
</td>
<td width="84" nowrap valign="top">
$12,588,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="200" nowrap valign="top">
26 Albany Rd Toorak
</td>
<td width="84" nowrap valign="top">
$12,000,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="200" nowrap valign="top">
35 Hampden Rd Armadale
</td>
<td width="84" nowrap valign="top">
$9,500,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="200" nowrap valign="top">
78 Esplanade Brighton
</td>
<td width="84" nowrap valign="top">
$8,700,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="200" nowrap valign="top">
43 Seacombe Grv Brighton
</td>
<td width="84" nowrap valign="top">
$7,770,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="200" nowrap valign="top"></td>
<td width="84" nowrap valign="top"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="200" nowrap valign="top">
Total value
</td>
<td width="84" nowrap valign="top">
$50,558,000
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 This result is in stark contrast to the 2011 year when four out of the five most prestigious and valuable properties were located in the leafy <a target="_blank" href="/news">Toorak</a> streets.
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="341"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="200" nowrap valign="top">
Top 5 - 2011
</td>
<td width="141" nowrap valign="top"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="200" nowrap valign="top"></td>
<td width="141" nowrap valign="top"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="200" nowrap valign="top">
2 Linlithgow Rd Toorak
</td>
<td width="141" nowrap valign="top">
$16,500,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="200" nowrap valign="top">
20 St Georges Rd Toorak
</td>
<td width="141" nowrap valign="top">
$14,500,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="200" nowrap valign="top">
16 Kenley Crt Toorak
</td>
<td width="141" nowrap valign="top">
$12,610,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="200" nowrap valign="top">
33 Chatsworth Ave Brighton
</td>
<td width="141" nowrap valign="top">
$12,000,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="200" nowrap valign="top">
12 Albany Rd Toorak
</td>
<td width="141" nowrap valign="top">
$11,500,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="200" nowrap valign="top"></td>
<td width="141" nowrap valign="top"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="200" nowrap valign="top">
Total value
</td>
<td width="141" nowrap valign="top">
$67,110,000
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 If you were looking to buy Melbourne’s most expensive property this year located at 21 Kooyongkoot Road, <a target="_blank" href="/news">Hawthorn</a> (pictured below), you would have needed to have just over $12.5 million  up your sleeve.
<img alt="kooy" height="247" width="420" src="/images/stories/2012/12/kooy.png">
Kooyongkoot is an Aboriginal word meaning ‘the haunt of the wild fowl’, and although the wild fowl are no where to be seen, for this price you could have snapped up almost three-quarters of an acre on top of the highly sort after Scotch Hill. The property was sold to an overseas buyer in March and consists of a renovated Victorian mansion with tennis court and swimming pool.
While this sale was impressive it still falls a long way short of the 2009 record sale of Avon Court (pictured below), located at 18-20 Shakespear Grove, Hawthorn, which was sold to Autobarn boss Garry Dumbrell for a tad over $20 million.
<img alt="avon" height="313" width="470" src="/images/stories/2012/12/avon.png">
From where I sat 2012 was a more consistent year across the broader market, with lower interest rates resulting in a small lift in buyer confidence, which is expected to continue into 2013.
However, this confidence was not as strong at the top end of the market. In 2011 the top five the top five sales accounted for over $67 million of real estate, compared with a touch over $50 million this year. Also the highest price sale of last year was $16.5 million, when 2 Linlithgow Road, Toorak (pictured below), was traded off market. In addition to the ivy-covered walls surrounding the 3,363-square-metre block of land, this property also comes with the standard mansion, swimming pool and tennis court.
<img alt="lithgow" height="708" width="470" src="/images/stories/2012/12/lithgow.jpg">
Image from Google Maps
For those of us who had tighter cashflow pressures this year it may have been better to opted for the bottom end of the top five sales this year.  For $7.7 million you could have snared 1,251-square-metre block of prime beachfront land at 43 Seacombe Grove, <a href="/news">Brighton</a> (pictured below). Although it does comes with a spectacular view of the beach, there is no tennis court or swimming pool, so you would need to dip further into your pocket get these.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/12/seacombe.jpg" width="440" height="293" alt="seacombe">
For anyone who is looking to secure the highest-priced Melbourne home for 2013, here are some sobering figures for you. The average sale price of this year’s top five was just over $10 million. So to start with you need to get your hands on the $1 million deposit, which is not far off double the current median house price.
From there if you are looking to finance 80% of the property value you need to find close to half a million dollars of after-tax income a year just to keep pace with interest payments.
Something to think about as 2012 winds down and we start to make plans for 2013.
I hope you all have a great Christmas break.
Mark Armstrong is a director of <a href="https://www.ipropertyplan.com.au/" target="_blank">iProperty Plan</a>, which provides independent analysis and tailored advice to investors and home buyers.
</body></html>

marmstrong-sd3emVLPPb

Toorak loses its stranglehold on Melbourne's top-end property market in 2012

<html><body>
Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens has played down concerns of house prices crashing but has indicated the RBA would act if prices started rising by 10% to 20% per year alongside rising household debt levels.
He urged Australians to be more comfortable with more modest increases in house prices, describing double-digit house price growth as both “puzzling and “troubling”.
He also suggested the RBA would be comfortable with the cash rate falling below 3%, adding that there was no “particularly clear evidence” that monetary policy is failing to work, as part of an interview with the Australian Financial Review.
“We’ve seen some pick-up in housing prices, as you’d expect with interest rates coming down, but I don’t think we’re seeing at the moment a dangerous leveraging up there by households,” he said.
Stevens said his position was that house prices in Australia were high, but when comparing to a range of other countries, not just the US, it was “actually a lot harder to make the case that they’re grossly overpriced and due for a crash”.
“After all, we’ve been around this level of house prices/income for 10 years – [it’s] taking a long time to burst if it is a bubble.
“So I’m not so much concerned about a crash, but as I have said also before, it’s seems to me we would be flirting with danger were we to see a very big run-up from these present levels,” he said.
Stevens said the RBA was comfortable with “gentle reversal” of the 10 or 15% decline that has already occurred” noting that there had been “some gain in house prices over the past year”.
But he said it would “troubling” if there were a return to “very strong 10 to 20% per year persistent rates of growth of housing prices, especially if that was accompanied by a return of rising leverage”.
“I think that would be a very dangerous thing to do, and we would be imprudent in the extreme to preside over that,” he said.
He tempered these remarks by saying that he did not expect such a scenario to unfold.
In the interview he also acknowledged that the drop in house prices had impact on the residential construction sector, dampening the confidence of builders and their lenders because “nobody wants to build an asset whose price is going down as you build it”.
He said the seeming end of the downturn in prices would be helpful in getting some more construction going, but added that being comfortable with modest house price growth was also important in a recovery for this sector.
He also noted that he had expected the housing construction sector to pick up earlier than expected, but said “there are some signs of that looking like it’s about to go up now”.
On the issue of interest rates, Stevens said that a cash rate of 3% was not an emergency setting as was the case four years ago, but that the low rate had been “calibrated” for the current circumstances.
He said there was no “particular totemic significance” to be attached to the cash rate going below 3% per cent “if it needed to do that”.
Economists are tipping a cash rate below 3% in 2013, with ANZ expecting four more rate cuts to an unprecedented rate of 2%.
Stevens acknowledged that interest rate futures markets were pricing in further cuts but said the RBA would “have a look in the New Year and see how things look”.
“But I think we have to recognise that we are in a very unusual world internationally. It is a very important conditioning factor that the rate of interest out of the global money centres is nil.
“A 3% rate for us, which is very low by historical standards, is, by global standards, pretty attractive for others.”
He added that it needed to be accepted that the international situation has impacted on where the RBA sets its cash rate.
“But whether or not we need to go lower, we’ll see how that turns out in the new year.”
 
</body></html>

lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

No housing price crash, but if prices increase further Australia ‘flirting with danger’: RBA's Glenn Stevens

Alastair Taylor

Submission to the Rowville Rail Study

<html><body>
The artist David Bromley and his partner, Yuge Yu, have certainly embraced the NSW north coast lifestyle.

Bromley, one of Australia's most prolific artists, and Yu, a fashion designer, have opened a Jonson Street, Byron Bay, shop that's part gallery and part boutique.
The couple's home and studio is just down the road, but now on the market, with the couple planning to move to semi-rural acreage just outside Byron Bay.
It's a 1,012-square-metre Jonson Street property, a five-minute walk from the beach, designed for indoor/outdoor living, with shaded timber decking, a courtyard and leafy gardens.
The original three-bedroom cottage comes with outbuildings that allow for, all up, five bedrooms.
It's been listed by Jamie Marshall and Mary O'Connor of Bangalow Real Estate, who has noted Bromley has painted murals in the courtyard, on the side of the house, in two bedrooms and in the living area.
And when Bromley goes, the art stay put.
In its backyard, there’s a vintage AirStream caravan with a deck and Japanese hot tub, and a Studebaker ute decked out with tropical plants. They stay too, Title Tattle gathers.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.bangalowrealestate.com.au/property/details/445" target="_blank">It’s priced at $1.55 million</a>.
The property was bought by Bromley's former partner of 17 years,  Tori Dixon-Whittle, who paid $1.15 million in 2007. Dixon-Whittle and their three children now live in Vietnam.
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

David Bromley's Byron studio abode listed with a few paintings in situ

<html><body>
It’s hard to separate Ron Walker from Melbourne, politics, big business and money. Walker was lord mayor of Melbourne (1974-1976), federal Liberal Party Treasurer (1988-2003), Fairfax Media chairman (2005-2009), and he’s still a successful company executive.
Since starting his business career as a backyard chemical maker more than 50 years ago, Walker has amassed a personal fortune of $800 million, according toBRW magazine’s Rich List.
“Are you worth $800 million?” I ask in this interview.
Walker: “I’m not prepared to discuss my own personal finances with anybody. Why should I? It’s my private business.”
Does he dispute the BRW Rich List figure?
Walker: “I don’t really care what BRW says [I’m worth]. When the magazine comes out, I don’t say anything. I don’t even read it. But I think BRW do a lot of research as to what business people are doing or not doing.”
Walker also counters persistent speculation that a syndicate led by him wants to wants buy The Age newspaper.
“I don’t want it now; I’m getting too old to own The Age,” the 73-year-old says, despite the continuing rumors. “Time has passed me by. And they [the Fairfax Media board] would want too much money for it. You would have to join it with 3AW (already owned by Fairfax) to make it work in this digital age.”
Walker says he and his then partners Lloyd Williams and Sir Rod Carnegie, as part of property development group Hudson Conway, offered to buy The Age more than two decades when Fairfax was in receivership. “But the receiver wanted too much money for it so we walked away,” he says.
Today, Walker says the Fairfax Media “rivers of gold” aren’t there anymore to tempt him.
“I don’t have the years left to turn it around and make it profitable,” he says. “But I’m sure there’s plenty of other people capable of regaining revenue in terms of advertising.
“I have other interests,” he says, referring mostly to property development. In a wide-ranging discussion with LeadingCompany, Walker reveals the secrets to his success.
Along with partner Ashley Williams (no relation to Lloyd Williams), Walker owns Evolve Development, a Melbourne-based company with about 8000 blocks of land and a $1 billion book of apartment construction.
Walker says a secret to his business success has been forming good partnerships. He describes Lloyd Williams as a brilliant strategist, who brought built-in experience and “rat cunning” to a partnership that lasted more than two decades until 1999.
Today’s partner Ashley Williams, a civil engineer prior to founding Evolve in 2003, had been involved in a string of major projects, including Melbourne City Link and the $1 billion New Quay precinct at Melbourne Docklands.
“Ashley came to me about 10 years ago with a vision to become a dominant builder and landowner and I backed him all the way,” Walker says. “Ashley has 14 young men and women upstairs (at the Albert Road offices) that are all trained and qualified.
“The secret of our business is to keep our young people invigorated. All their views are taken into consideration – it’s just not lip service. We actually listen to what people have to say. I think it’s terribly important to promote the young person of the future.”
Walker says Evolve focuses on building apartments for a sale price of between $300,000 and $500,000. An apartment block includes community gymnasiums and other recreational facilities.
“We don’t want to be in the $1 million-to-$3 million price bracket – that’s a different market,” he says. “We want to cater for the young, transient population.
“We do a lot of research as to what people want and it’s one, two and three bedroom apartments that have all the electronic gadgetry, a kitchen, a laundry and a lift to bring up the bike. They also want car parking.
“I think when people are maturing and finding their way in life, they want to be near the action. So we make sure our developments are close to public transport and recreational facilities that people can walk to, such as the MCG.
“I don’t think young people want to spend time mowing lawns, and a lot don’t want backyards. They will eventually get married and move to a property with a backyard.” Walker says Evolve sells about 80% of apartments off the plan – “before the first brick goes into the ground”.
“We are terribly risk averse and we don’t want the market to dictate the fortunes of our company,” he says. “I’ve been around for decades and I understand the frailty of the property market and how quickly it can turn.”
Property developers, perhaps by the very nature of the industry, are renowned for going broke. Walker says property developers invariably fail because they are greedy, borrow too much and can’t read the market.
“In business and property development, you need to take a modicum of risk, but you don’t need to make a large bet,” Walker says.
“It’s not worth it. We don’t want to be the biggest in town, or the smallest in town, but we want to stay alive. Businesses go broke because the managers lack the entrepreneurial flair and marketing skills to enable it to survive.”
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
Walker says the banks are “just as guilty as the borrower” when making loans to meet their short-term budgets, but “know inside” some can’t be repaid.
It was in property development that Walker made his fortune. The formerly ASX-listed Hudson Conway is probably best known for building Crown Casino in the 1990s before the Packer family’s Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd (PBL) took over the casino in 1999. Walker would later sell shares he held in PBL at close to the top of the market for a reputed $80 million, a figure he won’t confirm.
In the 1980s, Hudson Conway was contracted to build a sprawling new head office at Tooronga for the then ASX-listed Coles Myer company.
But bigger and better was to follow when Hudson Conway became the second biggest property owner in England after buying 5500 Courage pubs in partnership with Elders IXL for about £2.3 billion.
To reduce risk, all the English hotels were underpinned by tenants, providing income for business costs.
“A lot of people in the property industry don’t bother about risk – that’s not the way we operated then or now,” Walker says.
Evolve will lodge a submission to build a superstructure over the Jolimont rail yards when the Victorian Government calls for tenders. Evolve will partner industry superannuation fund Cbus and will tender to build a deck over the rail yards, accompanied by an entertainment precinct.
Walker expects the successful bidder for the $1 billion-plus project will be announced next year. He says it’s time to “develop the dream” that has been espoused by every Victorian Premier dating back to Sir Henry Bolte (1955-1972). Walker’s dream includes a hotel, offices, apartments and an art gallery.
“I envisage our building will be a minimum of 70 floors, but that will be a lot less than other superstructures,” he says.
Walker wanted to build the project during John Cain’s reign (from 1982 to 1990), but the former Premier couldn’t deliver the rail yards because of ownership complications; now an opportunity exists for a rail yards development.
“We’re confident it will happen, whether it be Evolve, Lend Lease, Leighton Holdings – somebody will do it this time,” he says.
But Walker is far less confident that Evolve will be the successful bidder. “No, I’m not confident about anything because it’s a tender process,” he says. “Each design will be different.”
Leaders must be willing to make mistakes
 Top leaders share their ideas and aspirations with key staff, Walker says. They have the courage to make a decision and stick to it, but it’s also the quality of the decision. They must have weighed up the likely consequences, but they can deal with the unexpected out of left field. Good leaders guard against complacency.
“A lot of leaders won’t make a decision because they’re afraid to be seen making a mistake,” he says. “And, therefore, they shouldn’t be in a leadership position – rather they should be a follower. Invariably good leaders inspire others to follow.”
He says leaders shouldn’t get carried away with their own success. If they let their guard down, competitors will take advantage.
“Napoleon was a great leader for a number of years, but because of his success, he lost his way,” he says.
Walker considers engineer turned executive and board director Sir Arvi Parbo and G.J. Coles, the founder of what would become supermarket Coles, as among Australia’s best-ever leaders. Sir Arvi because, “as an immigrant, he came to Australia with nothing, got his hands dirty (in mining) and went on to become chairman of BHP”.
“And G.J. Coles was just a standout in developing a retail empire,” he says.
Walker says successful leaders grow businesses through astute investing and a careful watch on the finances. They study trends, such as consumer spending, and financially track what’s happening around the world.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
Walker on Fairfax and the media
On December 17, Fairfax Media announced it would sell its remaining 51% stake in TradeMe for a reported $616 million.
As a former Fairfax Media chairman, Walker keeps a close eye on the rapidly changing media landscape. He says downsizing Fairfax mastheads, The Age andSydney Morning Herald, from broadsheet to tabloid next year won’t take readership from the Herald Sun because they are aimed at a different market.
Walker says the Internet won’t kill newspapers, but printed editions of Fairfax papers may be reduced from seven days to two, three or four days, perhaps Thursday-to-Sunday, to cut costs. The Fairfax board will continue to assess print performance after the pay-for-content model is introduced next year.
“I think there will always be some form of newspaper that people can shuffle around on a Saturday morning,” he says. “But I also think Fairfax Media will eventually be broken up, so shareholders get more value than a price languishing at 45 cents.” Fairfax shares closed at 45.5 cents on December 10.
Walker says his strategy at Fairfax was to broaden the revenue base through online offerings, such as the recently sold TradeMe, dating site RSVP and a “host of other internet services”. He says News Corporation founder Rupert Murdoch’s strategy to diversify out of newspapers years ago and establish cable television opened the company’s to multiple revenue and profit streams.
“Seventy-five per cent of Murdoch’s profits come from assets outside the newspaper business,” he says. “Even though I was no longer chairman, I screamed when Fairfax Media recently sold down Trade Me (to 51 per cent) to pay staff redundancies, or reduce debt (Walker was speaking before Saturday’s sale of the remainder of Trade Me).
“It was one of their key profitable assets.”
He believes mining magnate Gina Rinehart, as a substantial Fairfax Media shareholder, is entitled to board representation without having to sign up to a charter of editorial independence.
“I didn’t sign up and I never interfered with editorial control,” he says. “I think if she pledges her support for the journalists, the same as I did, then there’s no difference between her and me.”
Why the loss-making grand prix is great for Melbourne
Walker says 2013 will mark the 60th year since grand prix motor racing was first held at Albert Park. “And that’s a cause for celebration,” he says as chairman of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation.
He is also the public defender of an event that loses more than $50 million a year. But he argues the Formula 1 Grand Prix generates more than $140 million for the Victorian economy and provides a rare opportunity to advertise Melbourne to the rest of the world.
Walker says the Grand Prix attracts 25,000 overseas visitors, who along with interstate guests fill 80,000 hotel rooms, shop at exclusive boutiques and eat at fancy restaurants.
“More particularly, it’s the only free-to-air sports event in Australia that broadcasts direct to more than 400 million people across the globe,” he says. Walker says $28 million, of the $54 million State Government subsidy, is spent on setting up and removing the infrastructure around Albert Park.
“Now if the race was held at Bob Jane’s Calder Park, you wouldn’t have the infrastructure costs,” he says. “But there’s no point in doing that because you wouldn’t be advertising the city, you would be advertising tree tops and that’s not what we do it for.”
He loves Melbourne and has done since starting a business making dishwashing detergents in “my backyard in Collingwood with a couple of 44-gallon drums and a paddle”.
“I love the enthusiasm of Melbourne people to get things done,” he says. “I love their energy, drive, focus and determination.
“I love the spirit of the people, who have a great passion for what they believe in, such as the arts, restaurants, more importantly their sport and their culture.”
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 Walker on Walker
 
Q: What is your favourite source of leadership inspiration and ideas?
A: I’m a great disciple of Robert Menzies and Winston Churchill because of their decision-making skills in the face of adversity. I like to see people prepared to make a decision in life and stick to it. That inspires me more than anything else.
Q: What two elements are critical to achieving change?
A: Listening to others. Making sure change is for the better and not for change’s sake.
Q: What important qualities do you look for in your direct reports?
A: Accuracy from the person writing it. A report should not be about pleasing the reader. It has to be accurate in explaining the facts, so it can be relied upon impeccably for honesty and integrity in the future.
Q: What makes a workforce productive or more productive?
A: An individual’s energy and drive. The ability to lead others in the pursuit of excellence.
Q: What is the one thing a leader should never do or say?
A: That’s up to the individual and how they operate. There’s no blueprint for that answer.
This article originally appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.leadingcompany.com.au/">LeadingCompany</a>
Anthony Black is a long-standing finance journalist who worked in newspapers for 23 years. He was Sunday Herald Sun finance editor for about eight years and his reports were syndicated in News Limited papers across Australia. Since 2008, he has been a freelance finance writer and a public relations consultant. 
</body></html>

It's all about the sub-$500,000 sales: Evolve and Ron Walker's off-the-plan development strategy

<html><body>
The last vacant residential beachfront land disposal on Sapphire Beach in Coffs Harbour has prices ranging from $269,000 hillside to $1.2 million beachfront. 
<img height="353" width="470" src="/images/stories/2012/12/sapphire.jpg" alt="sapphire">
Sapphire Beach is rife with big names, including mining magnate <a target="_blank" href="/news">Nathan Tinkler</a>, who purchased Noorinya on a headland for $11.5 million.
<img height="353" width="470" src="/images/stories/2012/12/sapphire3.jpg" alt="sapphire">
Stockland’s David Pitman and ABN AMRO’s Simon Perrott purchased oceanfront properties on the next headland just along from the new estate.
The 14 beachfront lots and 25 hillside lots – released in June 2011 – range from 472 square metres to 904 square metres.
<img height="353" width="470" src="/images/stories/2012/12/sapphire4.jpg" alt="sapphire">
Sapphire Beach Estate is located on oceanfront drive at 740 Pacific Highway – eight minutes north of the city of Coffs Harbour.
Many of the lots boast panoramic island and ocean views.
<img height="353" width="470" src="/images/stories/2012/12/sapphire4.jpg" alt="sapphire">
“The topography, vegetation and stunning ocean and beach outlook are the perfect canvas for a distinctive and contemporary coastal community,” says director of architectural firm Cox Richardson Philip Graus.
<img height="353" width="470" src="/images/stories/2012/12/sapphire5.jpg" alt="sapphire">
“A aspect of this estate comes from the work the developers have done to meet planning legislation for coastal development.”
“All lots are north- or north-east facing and are protected from strong winds. The southerlies go straight over the top because of the headland,” says agent from Real Estate of Distinction Peter Stone.
<img height="353" width="470" src="/images/stories/2012/12/sapphire6.jpg" alt="sapphire">
“I would expect these lots to double in value in five years,” Stone says.
“I have had an unprecedented amount of interest from Queensland in particular over the past couple of months,” says Jason Burnett from The Edge Coffs Harbour.
“Obviously we are hoping to see some sales from these enquiries over the school holiday period,” says Burnett who's hoping for the first sale over the summer break.
</body></html>

Sapphire Beach hopes to secure summer holiday makers with cheque books

<html><body>
After some modest declines and stagnation during the month of October, vacancy rates rose 0.1% on a national level during the month of November.
But significantly Victoria tipped the 3% equilibrium, according to SQM Research.
On a national level, vacancy levels rose from 1.8% to 1.9%, with a total of 54,067 vacancies.
Melbourne had a 3.2% vacancy rate, an increase of 0.4% from the October figure of 2.8%.
Melbourne has a total of 13,411 vacancies and is up year-to-year by 0.2%. SQM Research considers 3% to be “equilibrium” in rental markets, ie a balance between landlord and renter interests. 
Darwin also experienced a modest increase of 0.4%, from 0.7% to 1.1%, totally 256 vacancies. This could spell some relief for Darwin, which has been recording a vacancy rate of less than 1% for quite some time now.
Sydney is up by 0.2% to 1.8%, with a total vacancy rate of 10,048. The figure accords with the recent Real Estate of NSW data.
Adelaide rose 0.1% to 1.5% with a total vacancy rate of 2,429 during the month of November.
Canberra went from 1.0% in October to 1.3% in November, an increase to 684 vacancies.
Hobart had a gradual increase of 0.1% to 2.1% with 571 vacancies.
Perth is still a tight market, increasing 0.1% to 0.7% with a total vacancy of 1,302. Year-on-year, Perth has been unchanged.
“The rise in vacancy rates this month is the result of a seasonal effect which occurs normally at this time of year. We expect December to also record a rise as well, due to seasonality,” says managing director of SQM Research Louis Christopher.
</body></html>

Melbourne tips the 3% vacancy rate equilibrium: SQM Research

<html><body>
Listed entities Yellow Brick Road and RUN Property have formed a reciprocal alliance to offer financial products and property services to each other’s clients.
Yellow Brick, founded by Mark Bouris and which last month secured a home loan funding arrangement with <a href="/news">Macquarie Bank</a>, will benefit from having its financial products and services offered to over 40,000 RUN clients through dedicated referral servicing hubs across the Eastern seaboard.
In turn Yellow Brick Road will offer RUN’s property management service across its network of branches and licensees.
RUN provides property management and real estate sales services across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
The referral program has been trialing in Brisbane and Sydney and will be rolled out across the eastern states in the first quarter of 2013.
RUN CEO Rob Farmer says the alliance with Yellow Brick Road will build on its strategy of being an “all-encompassing financial management solution for investors”.
"In Yellow Brick Road, we have found a partner with a nationally recognised and trusted brand, strong systems and processes and motivated local licensees who like RUN share a passion for their client’s futures. We see this as a strong, strategic alliance and one that will build real value for our investors,” he adds.
Yellow Brick Road executive chairman Mark Bouris says property investors need a strategic plan that will see them through the duration of their investment, “an end-to-end solution that starts at the pre-approval process and goes right through the management of the property once it is tenanted”.
“The partnership between Yellow Brick Road and RUN will enable us to put investors in the best possible loan for their situation, find the right insurances to protect them and their investment, and make sure that their plan achieves the best possible return,” he says.
RUN Property is currently in the process of being acquired by property management group Rental Express, subject to a number of conditions being fulfilled.
Yellow Brick Road was formed by Bouris in 2007 and has around 140 branches nationally offering mortgages, financial planning, family trusts, super, tax &amp; accounting and term deposits through franchised stores.
 
</body></html>

Yellow Brick Road and RUN Property form property and financial services referral alliance

Anstey Station - a few short years ago I would have required a map and compass to find it, yet now the surrounding area could be considered the crux of all that is good and bad with higher density development in <a href="/new-apartments/melbourne-vic">Melbourne</a>. By way of Anstey Square (completed 2010) and subsequent apartment developments, I&#39;ve wandered through with camera many times over to discover there was far more to this area than meets the eye.

&nbsp;

Anstey carries a certain character and urban grit that&nbsp;cannot be easily replicated elsewhere in Melbourne. Granted i&#39;ve focused primarily on the local street art through the slide show below, but the area offers much more on a basic level. The bustle of <a href="/new-apartments/brunswick-vic-3056">Brunswick</a> market, local coffee roasting houses, a multitude of Middle Eastern bakeries and stalwarts such the the Royal Nut Company provide a feast for the senses. The people are no less interesting; ageing inhabitants of European or Middle Eastern descent mixed with the contemporary Brunswick hipster type and all that lies between. Streets and laneways adorned with a variety of art also adds to the eclectic feel of the area.

&nbsp;

<a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/Img_5320.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Img_5320.jpg?itok=J-lSjKiO" typeof="Image" /></a>

&nbsp;

Yet it&#39;s quite conceivable that all this could be lost soon enough as the area falls under the ever expanding gaze of apartment developers. I would be the first to argue that a light industrial inner city area such as this is ripe for higher density apartment living. Sandwiched between Sydney Road and the Upfield rail line in an already highly desirable area to live, Anstey is dominated by single level factories and presents a golden opportunity to implement a sustainable higher density outcome while still being sympathetic to the areas urban character.

&nbsp;

And therein lies the problem. Enjoy the images below as many will seemingly be lost soon enough. In next weeks sequel to Anstey in colour, Apartments.com.au will look at the new developments sweeping through the area and the resultant change in urban character (generally for the worse), plus what could be implemented to achieve a greater urban outcome.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Latest Property News

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

Guides

Editor's Picks

Guides

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Latest Property News

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

Guides

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Guides

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News