<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

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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>

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Ellen Walker

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

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Fernhill, the Georgian-era showcase estate at Mulgoa, is set to be transformed into an equestrian centre following its formal sale to wealthy businessman Simon Tripp and his wife, Brenda.
The couple will move into the mansion this weekend. They took a caveatable interest as purchaser under a November 30 put and call option deed.
With the sale the couple have secured the mansion outright and entered into a joint venture with the financiers Angas, the Adelaide-based boutique financier, to develop the 100-lot plus housing development on its outer perimeter.
All up the deal is valued at more than $50 million. The sale was the result of extensive negotiations by Teena Dwight (pictured below) at <a target="_blank" href="https://dwightrealestate.com.au/property_details.php?id=152">Dwight Real Estate Windsor </a>in conjunction with Paul Cutcliffe at Cutcliffe Acreage Property. 
The 654-hectare property at Fernhill comes with an 1843 homestead on Sydney’s western outskirts had been the home of the bankrupted property tycoon Warren Anderson. The listing followed a matrimonial Anderson family dispute.
It's been suggested the Tripps intend to revive a disused racecourse on the estate as well as construct a showjumping school, which would be run by their daughter.
<img height="353" width="470" src="/images/stories/2012/12/Fernhill_0003_Layer_1.jpg" alt="Fernhill_0003_Layer_1">
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/warren-anderson-homeless-and-bankrupt/2011112552549">Warren Anderson was ordered to vacate </a>the colonial Greek revival-style mansion last November.
The prized estate last traded when it was bought from the founder of the Darling and Co merchant bank, John Darling, in 1980 for $2.8 million.
It was built for Edward Cox, the sixth and youngest son of pioneer William Cox, in the Greek Revival temple style, possibly designed by architect Mortimer Lewis, with amended plans dropping the second storey due to the 1840s agricultural recession. William Cox oversaw the building of the first road over the Blue Mountains in 1814.
Fernhill remained in the ownership of the Cox family until 1896, when it sold to the Wright family, of Wright, Heaton and Co, who billed their firm as the most extensive carrying firm in the colony.
The stone house and outbuildings were constructed over four years by 20 stonemasons who were brought in from Ireland.
The buildings are now surrounded by gardens modified in the 1970s by landscape architect Paul Sorensen, during which time the swimming pool was added.
Fernhill has 15 lots totalling 653 hectares, of which 404 hectares form part of the historic Fernhill estate that contains the original 1810 Cox family Crown land grant.
Anderson, the property tycoon whose collection of Regency antiques, old master paintings, French Empire clocks and stuffed animals raised $12 million in 2010 after matrimonial disputation, was made bankrupt in June 2011.
The six-bedroom mansion is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the country.
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Fernhill sale sealed as Simon and Brenda Tripp secure the trophy Mulgoa home 

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Collingwood’s Scott Pendlebury is having another shot at selling his Newport cottage.
But his <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Sale/House/VIC/Newport/?adid=2010175683" target="_blank">two-bedroom Douglas Parade property, </a> just a stroll to Williamstown’s cafes, hasn't had much taken off his expectations despite the 13 months since its initial listing.
It was first listed with $780,000 to $840,000 expectations and now comes with $750,000 to $810,000 hopes following its fresh marketing campaign, which kicked off earlier this month.
He's now changed agents to Greg Hocking Elly Partners, using the same photographs as its November 2011 marketing campaign.
Pendlebury paid $567,000 in late 2007.
<img src="/images/stories/pendlesnew.jpg">
Presumably his impressive shoe collection is in situ at his Albert Park purchase (pictured above).
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Scott Pendlebury has another shot at selling his Newport cottage

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Prospects for Melbourne property in 2013 are grim. I expect Melbourne to be the weakest of the capital markets market next year. But fortunately there’s more to Victoria than Melbourne.
Melbourne has two problems: oversupply and a state government that’s lost the plot.
Melbourne already has too many apartments in its inner-city market, but developers are intent on building more, and the state government seems hell-bent on helping them.
It also has too much residential stock for sale in the outer suburbs – and with the same problem of developers and politicians seeking to add to the surplus.
It’s a bad sign for any market when developers offer generous incentives to attract buyers. Rebates, discounts, free holidays, free cars – if developers can’t sell products without bribes, the market’s in trouble.
It’s an even worse sign when developers are running seminars in Asia, with financiers and solicitors in attendance to sign up foreign investors on the spot, to try to flog their product.
Developers like Central Equity, one of the big builders of high-rise units in central Melbourne, are staging events they like to call “Australian property expos” in Asian cities like Singapore.
Why are they up there? Because there is little local demand for their apartments.
The distortions created by incentives and overseas marketing are making its difficult to valuers to determine the true worth of apartments and house-and-land packages. Financiers are becoming increasingly suspicious of contract prices.
Lots of contracts are falling over. One research source suggests a third of residential land purchases in Melbourne’s outer suburbs are failing because valuations are not supporting contract prices.
This is a market in serious trouble.
But it’s likely to get worse. Premier Ted Baillieu and his government are behaving as if they believe there’s a shortage.
Like developers, government representatives are up in Asia courting investors to facilitate more high-rise development in Docklands and the new urban renewal precinct at Fishermans Bend.
Baillieu recently launched a new suburb in <a href="/news">Wyndham City</a> in Melbourne’s south-west, the region with the biggest oversupply problem in the mortgage belt. State government land will be carved up into another 7,000 home sites.
Clearly, Baillieu is listening to the wrong people. It feels like policy is being driven by mates and political donors who happen to be developers.
Thank goodness for the regions. While the Melbourne market is imploding, there are good prospects for investors beyond the capital city.
<a href="/news">Bendigo</a> continues to be the kind of strong, dependable regional city that more investors should consider. Ditto <a href="/news">Ballarat</a>.
To the west, <a href="/news">Warrnambool </a>and <a href="/news">Mildura </a>offer similar qualities: diverse economies, plenty of infrastructure spending and affordable real estate.
East Gippsland is an under-rated market. Towns like <a href="/news">Sale</a>, <a href="/news">Bairnsdale</a> and <a href="/news">Paynesville </a>have prospects, helped by the region’s links to Bass Strait resources development and to the Gippsland Lakes. BHP Billiton and ExxonMobil are spending $1 billion building gas infrastructure at Longford.
<a href="/news">Geelong </a>continues to present a strong and affordable alternative to Melbourne.
So while Melbourne’s short-term future is not bright, investors will find plenty of attractive options in the regions.
Terry Ryder is the founder of <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/">hotspotting.com.au</a> and can be <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.twitter.com/hotspotting">followed on Twitter</a>.
For more, watch Terry's free webinar <a href="/news">Regions vs capital cities: Where to invest in 2013</a>
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Melbourne property market grim in 2013, but there's more to Victoria than Melbourne: Terry Ryder

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The Solitary Islands Beach House on Sapphire Beach, Coffs Harbour, has become highly recommended since completed in March 2010.
The property has been acknowledged in the Top 10 A-list celebrity retreat homes in Australia by Ninemsn Luxury and Spa, as well as finding a spot in the Top 10 best holiday houses in Australia by Ninemsn Australia Travel.
No names of any occupants though.
Situated on Beachfront Close, <a href="/news">Sapphire Beach</a>, the Solitary Islands Beach House can sleep up to eight to 12 guests.
With two tennis courts, a whale watching telescope and an infinity edge pool, you won’t be short of activities.
And keep your eyes peeled, Sapphire Beach also plays host to mining magnate <a href="/news">Nathan Tinkler’s $11.5 million Noorinya residence.</a>
The 523-square metre property is available to rent from January 22 with a minimum five-night stay.
Late January comes with a price tag of $8,400 for a seven-night stay.
If you choose to stay from Sunday to Thursday, you can expect to pay $1,200 a night and $2,400 for a Friday or Saturday night.
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Countdown to summer: Solitary Islands Beach House

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The internet’s done some wonderful things for us. Google is now the brain of the universe – any question can be plugged in and answered (albeit with a hefty disclaimer along the lines of ‘react at your own risk’). However, it’s also fragmented the time we take to digest information that, in a pre-internet age, caused many to devour a newspaper cover to cover on a Sunday afternoon and come out feeling at least partially educated.
Now some of our most important markets are analysed by a myriad voices all desperate to be the first to break the news via a Twitter link or a hastily written column under a flashy headline, which –when coupled with the pressure to publish at breakneck speed and grab the top Google ranking – can be both misleading and conflicting in the information provided.
In addition, the frequency at which data and statistics are produced from a range of different providers evokes microscopic media analysis, which can prevent any sensible overview until there’s enough distance to look back and take stock – a situation that doesn’t usually evolve until the end of either the financial or calendar year.
As a case in point, RP Data’s daily house price index is ideal fodder for trigger-happy attention grabbers, and often has me humming that old classic Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines with the lyrics “Up, down, flying around, looping the loop and defying the ground”  – Because if ever there were a roller coaster of irresistible headline capturing sensationalism, the fuel for it could be found in the “daily house price index” – for which media releases hit my inbox both weekly and monthly.
In any one week, property prices can be up, down, or flat depending on which way you look – north, south-east or west, and in some cases, which day of the week you choose to concentrate on.
As a case in point, early in the year, Melbourne readers had been informed that the market was in a state of permanent demise, with <a target="_blank" href="/news">“values in Melbourne declining fairly quickly”</a>and no hope of recovery on the horizon for the remainder of 2012.
By March, however, the daily house price index had been ‘formally’ released and relief was only moments away.
In any one week, property prices can be up, down, or flat depending on which way you look – north, south-east or west, and in some cases, which day of the week you choose to concentrate on.
As a case in point, early in the year, Melbourne readers had been informed that the market was in a state of permanent demise, with <a href="/news">“values in Melbourne declining fairly quickly”</a>and no hope of recovery on the horizon for the remainder of 2012.
By March, however, the daily house price index had been ‘formally’ released and relief was only moments away.
June’s data showed Melbourne’s housing market was up a whole 1%!  And after a period during which we nourished ourselves on housing collapse headlines, arrayed with pictures of downward pointing arrows and “more bleak times ahead” news reports, RP Data’s figures provided a welcome ray of sunlight compounded with media reports of housing market recovery!
According to RP Data “After reaching a trough on the 11 June” (note: not the 10th OR the 12th for that matter), “Melbourne dwelling values have now recovered by an impressive 1.7%.” All was not lost, and the media reflected as such.
July’s daily house price index informed that rises were “not as broad-based” as the June results.  However, in Melbourne, excitement prevailed when vendors were informed values had risen a booming 1.4% over the four weeks to July 31.  <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/melbourne-leads-housing-market-up-06-in-july-consolidating-june-gains-with-sydney-also-strong-rp-data-rismark/2012080155807">“Melbourne was the strongest-performing capital city housing market over July</a>.” It really seemed too good to be true.
And then came August. August flagged concerns because values had flat lined with only a 0.2% rise for the month.  Could rises be sustained, asked R P Data’s Tim Lawless – we all waited in anticipation as the “daily” results continued to filter through.
But along came September with a reassuring stomp!  A 1.4% increase in September had Melbourne once again rising from the ashes like a glorious phoenix of hope, especially when Lawless informed that values in our most “livable capital” had recorded a 4% surge since the month of May, “which is the largest recovery so far across all the capital cities.”  Hooray!
Any hope of celebrating through to Christmas was put to bed in October, during which the index recorded a relatively huge whack in the form of a 1.1% drop, which was followed in November by a second 1% drop, and Melburnians were informed that their city was the “only capital market” to suffer a slide on the national barometer.
The headlines once again went to town with their downward-pointing arrows, however the data confirmed what most of us in the housing industry knew already (even if we weren’t going to admit it in front of a Saturday afternoon auction crowd) that house prices – in Melbourne at least –really haven’t moved from woe to go.
Despite minuscule changes in the median data, in reality, they’ve been flat as a pancake for the entire year.  Hopefully it won’t come as a shock to any imagining house prices have been changing, that when analysing data to provide a market appraisal of any said listing, my eyes will filter as far back as June if necessary for a comparable sale – despite the somewhat bumpy daily index road of media sensationalism.
Along with the seemingly relative inadequacy of the daily house price index in assessing forthcoming trends, RP Data also released a long list of suburbs earlier in the year for which it was supposedly cheaper to buy than rent.  The inaccuracy of the report was easy to see through – as I pointed out <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/room-for-debate-is-it-really-cheaper-to-buy-than-rent-in-some-suburbs/2012110857623">here</a> – however it didn’t stop the media going to town with little time to assess the reality behind the analysis.
Even without any on-the-ground assessment, if it were really cheaper to buy than rent, we wouldn’t have rising numbers sitting on public housing lists or seeking rental assistance (as all welfare agencies will readily attest,) first-home buyer numbers falling, household sizes increasing, and young people “choosing” to stay in the family home well into their 30s.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
It’s as hard – if not harder – to find affordable accommodation in locations most need to live (close to work hubs and transport) particularly for single income units - and figures from the latest census data stack up as such, with the largest jump in the number of individuals sharing accommodation.
Furthermore, although housing affordability has show some improvement, rising rental prices and erosion to the interest rates for long-term deposit accounts all but cancel out the benefit.
And while Wayne Swan is once again reaching to pat himself on the back for keeping rates “lower than the last government” –Joe Hockey is doing the media rounds to tell us how awful Australia’s economy is performing, obviously hoping the news will help Julia Gillard fall on her sword when the long-promised stimulus fails to eventuate (at least without serious fiddling of the books.)  All I can say is it’s a good job Kate Middleton is pregnant – or from where would our good news come?!
It’s commonly stated that the RBA takes careful note of RP Data’s daily house price index, and from the following media releases, I’d asses the RBA is just as confused as the rest of us as to whether housing prices are improving or not.
Following this year’s first interest rate cut in May, the media release from the RBA read:
“Housing prices have shown some signs of stabilising recently,” which was a verbatim repeat of April’s statement.
In June it was noted:
“Housing prices had shown some signs of stabilising around the turn of the year, but have recently declined again.”
In July it was noted:
“The housing market remains subdued.”
But by August:
“Dwelling prices have firmed a little...”
The same ‘firming’ statement was repeated in September’s media however by October dwelling prices were once again
“Subdued.”
November seemed more positive, as the RPA reported:
“the housing market has strengthened”
And most recently following December’s cut of 0.25 percentage points governor Glenn Stevens noted that:
“there are indications of a prospective improvement in dwelling investment.”
However, throwing forward-thinking terms such as “prospective improvement” and other wishy-washy statements such as those noted above are no reassurance from the experts – with the best and most reliable data at hand – that the market is either “subdued” or “firming.”
In fact the RBA seem no better informed than the rest of us on such matters – jumping on each tiny notion of movement, which may (or may not) hint of a forthcoming ‘trend.’
The pick-up in housing as we approach the end of the year is – in part – a seasonal expectation.  As December nears its end, there is always a last-minute rush of buyers as they try to tie up deals before the real estate world takes its annual Christmas breather.
Post-Christmas most are recovering from too much champagne, turkey and weighty credit card debt to pay the property market much attention, with one exception – investors.
As the latest ABS data attests, the erosion of interest rates on long-term credit accounts is clearly luring this demographic back into what they probably assess to be their best long-term bet among a range of low-performing sectors.
Speculation that growth in the economy will fall to 2.5% during the year ahead – well below the usual trend of 3-3.25% – is why many are assuming a further 25- to 50-basis-point drop in the cash rate is needed if we’re to stimulate the ‘non-mining sectors’ of our economy.
Should this occur, and the banks pay it forward, it will take lending rates low enough to provide a greater incentive for potential property shoppers to make their move.
However, consumer sentiment plays a far stronger hand in dictating future movements in our economy – and this is one area of influence even the best crystal ball readers fail to either predict or dictate.
Catherine Cashmore is a market analyst with extensive experience in all aspects relating to property acquisition.
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Melbourne house prices have been flat as a pancake all year: Catherine Cashmore

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The proposed 300-metre long bridge over Homebush Bay, linking the Sydney suburbs of Rhodes and Wentworth Point, near Sydney Olympic Park, has moved closer to realisation, although the developers are now seeking 1,300 further dwellings on top of the original 7,000-dwelling proposal.
The proposed two-lane bridge would be used by <a target="_blank" href="https://majorprojects.affinitylive.com/public/96599e350f6a1307c313c9850d0941f5/Homebush%20Bay%20Bridge%20-%20Preliminary%20Environmental%20Assessment%20Report.pdf">pedestrians, cyclists, public buses</a>, with no access proposed for private vehicles.
The bridge, which would link Gauthorpe Street at Rhodes with Footbridge Boulevard at <a target="_blank" href="/news">Wentworth Point</a>, has been up for public consideration since late 2010.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/12/homebushbridge.jpg">
The bridge is set to become a focal point of Homebush Bay, peaking at 9.2 metres, and is designed to save Wentworth Point residents the current 12-kilometre round trip to Rhodes to access shops, office employment and the railway station.
The project is proposed by Fairmead Business Proprietary Ltd, a consortium formed by Wentworth Point landowners including Billbergia Group, Sekisui House Australia, City Freeholds and Homebush Bay Holdings, directed by the Nasser brothers.
The New South Wales Department of Planning and Infrastructure last week invited public feedback on the now accompanying proposal for additional housing at Wentworth Point.
The department is seeking feedback on a proposal to increases the densities and heights within the development controls officially known as the Homebush Bay West Development Control Plan (DCP).
The changes seek four towers of 25 storeys to be built, with eight surrounding towers of between 16 and 20 storeys.
The current height limits on the site are limited to eight to nine storeys.
The additional floor space is proposed to fund the bridge between Wentworth Point on the west side of Homebush Bay and the Rhodes peninsula on the east, which would be completed by 2016.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/12/homebushbridge2.jpg">
A total of 68 submissions were received during the public exhibition period for the bridge's environmental assessment, with 55 submissions identified as supporting the proposal.
Consideration for future light rail was sought from Parramatta City Council, which has been developing a light rail concept for Western Sydney including a potential corridor from Parramatta to Concord via Wentworth Point/Rhodes.
 The proponents noted the bridge had suitablity for possible future conversion to light rail.
The bridge agreement will requires the develop syndicate to contribute funds for the anticipated cost of maintaining the bridge after its likely December 2016 completion.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/12/homebush2.jpg">
The amount is to reflect the anticipated operating costs of the bridge for 40 years from the date of completion of the bridge.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/12/homebushbridge3.jpg">
The bridge proposal is the latest in the vast rejuvnation that dates back to 1993, when Sydney was selected as the host city for the 2000 Olympics.
It triggered comprehensive remediation strategies for <a target="_blank" href="/news">Homebush Bay</a>, the suburb, and the neighbouring suburb of <a target="_blank" href="/news">Newington</a>.
Renewal of Homebush Bay has continued in the post-Olympic period marked most recently by the adoption of a 2030 Vision Master Plan for Sydney Olympic Park, continued redevelopment of Newington, continued remediation and redevelopment of Rhodes Peninsula and the urban renewal of Wentworth Point.
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Homebush Bay bridge proposal nears, but developers seek 1,300 more dwellings

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The Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) calls on the Standing Council on Federal Financial Relations to advise the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) to jettison real estate into the second tranche of national licensing reform with the other property professions.
Agents across Australia will be looking to the treasurers to show leadership on this matter.
We want the treasurers to defend the need for high standards in the profession and ignore the COAG Taskforce’s push to dumb down real estate by eliminating the diploma and compulsory professional development, which operates individually or together in six out of eight states and territories.
REIA calls on the treasurers to do the right thing by protecting consumers.
We know that there is $550 million of competition payments on the table with the first tranche of national licensing. These payments need not be jeopardised by putting REIA in the second tranche.
A UMR Research opinion poll conducted in September 2012 shows that the majority of Australians favour a diploma qualification over a certificate, 82% believe that professional development should be required and only 17% support the COAG proposal to remove the current requirement for commercial properties to be sold and leased by licensed agents, with 69% opposing the deregulation of commercial property.
The Australian public knows what is good for them. They are vehemently opposed to any change to the current licensing arrangements, and our leaders must take their views into consideration during their deliberations.
It is unthinkable to imagine Australia turning its back on world’s best practice, which requires compulsory CPD in Singapore, every state of the US, and New Zealand. The government’s rhetoric on the importance of building a skilled Australian workforce will be hollow unless common sense is practised."
We implore the nation’s treasurers to advise COAG to move real estate to the second tranche so that due consideration can be given to the matters raised by the real estate profession. This also provides for a natural fit with the other property professionals.
The UMR Research is attached to REIA’s submission on the draft<a target="_blank" href="https://reia.com.au/userfiles/MEDIARELEASE_1350876017.pdf"> regulatory impact statement and is available here.</a>
Peter Bushby is president of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reia.com.au">Real Estate Institute of Australia.</a>
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Real estate licensing qualifications must not be dumbed down

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House prices in Kalgoorlie/Boulder in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia have risen 10% over the year to September, making it the top-performing market in the state, according to ANZ.
As the graph below shows, regional markets in WA have been both the best performers and the worst performers over the 12-month period, with the largest price decline of 8% recorded in <a href="/news">Pallinup </a>in the Great Southern region.
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" href="/images/stories/2012/12/anzdec17.gif" rel="shadowbox"><img src="/images/stories/2012/12/anzdec17thumb.gif"></a>
In July Property Observer reported that <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/hotspots/broken-hill-and-kalgoorlie-no-longer-as-risky-for-property-investors-but-some-mining-towns-unsustainable-westpac/2012071955639">Kalgoorlie/Boulder</a> had been removed off a Westpac list of mainly mining towns deemed as risky single-industry mining towns, where the bank is reluctant to provide investor loans.
Real Estate Institute of WA president David Airey said that in contrast to “unsustainable” house prices and rents in mining towns like <a target="_blank" href="/news">Karratha</a>, <a target="_blank" href="/news">Port Hedland</a>, <a target="_blank" href="/news">South Hedland</a> and <a target="_blank" href="/news">Newman </a>“the steady growth and more affordable market of Kalgoorlie-Boulder perhaps offers greater confidence to lenders”.
Recent sales in Kalgoorlie include this four-bedroom fully renovated house (below) in Lamington, built in 1925, which sold for $358,000 in October having been listed in June for $399,000. The property sold through Andrew Zafer from Fyson &amp; Associates, having last sold for $290,000 in July 2010.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/12/wardst.jpg" width="470">
A more affordable investment option was this four-bedroom plain-looking bungalow (below) in South Boulder, dating back to 1950. It sold for $161,000 through Nicola Unkovich, also from Fyson &amp; Associates having last sold for $73,000 in 2005. It has been appraised as promising weekly rental returns of around $300 per week, which would equate to an indicative yield of over 9%.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/12/hopkinsst.jpg" width="470">
Notable on the list of top performing regions is Geraldton, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/hotspots/investors-should-look-at-geraldton-as-future-gladstone-style-hotspot-terry-ryder/2012121158400?utm_source=po&amp;utm_medium=aida&amp;utm_campaign=news">picked by Terry Ryder</a> as future potential Gladstone-like hotspot, where house prices increased 4% over the year to September.
For more on Terry Ryder's hotspots selections for 2013 and the three other regional locations that could be the next Gladstone, watch the full free webinar - <a href="/news">Regions versus capital cities - where to invest in 2013?</a> 
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Kalgoorlie/Boulder leads WA house price growth in year to September: ANZ

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No other home has starred on the nightly news over the past six months more than the Toorak home of James Hird.
And the Essendon coach's daily questioning at the address has been easy for the media due to the home's exposed front door and drive way.
Title Tattle recalls  James Hird bought the property in 1998 for $2.4 million, but didn't move in until the mid-2000s.
On his 1998 purchase James Hird gave his address as Regency Towers, 2010/265 Exhbition Street, Melbourne.
In 2005 James Hird transferred the Toorak house  entirely to his wife, Tania, with the nominated price being $4.8 million. 
 
<img src="/images/stories/2013/08/hird-aug-16-one.jpg" alt="hird-aug-16-one" width="470" height="421">
<img src="/images/stories/2013/08/hird-aug-16-two.jpg" alt="hird-aug-16-two" width="155" height="170"><img src="/images/stories/2013/08/hird-aug-16-five.jpg" alt="hird-aug-16-five" width="145" height="169" style="font-size: 0.8em;"><img src="/images/stories/2013/08/hird-aug-16-three.jpg" alt="hird-aug-16-three" width="155" height="170" style="font-size: 0.8em;">
Source: Fairfax Media, News Limited.
 
The Hird's are only the fourth owners of the 1,436 square metre Toorak property.
Behind its imposing facade, it comes with just a 110 square metre floor plate, according to official records, so most of the property is tennis court and lap pool.
It had previously traded in 1987 at $2,105,800 when bought by John Shergold, who owned the brickmaking company Brick and Pipe Industries, and his wife, Michelle.
Normal Carlyon, the horse breeder, owned the property between 1969 and 1987.
It dates back to the merchant Edward Hayne who bought the building block for 2150 pounds in 1933 from John Dixon of the Armadale estate, <a href="https://www.james.net.au/rating/540-Orrong-Road-ARMADALE" target="_blank">Moana</a>. Edward Hayne lived there with his wife, Pamela, nee Crowther, elder daughter of Mr and Mrs O'Dell Crowther of Toorak. The <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/4501045" target="_blank">approaching wedding </a>and their <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/4501662" target="_blank">marriage in 1932 </a>were in the society pages. They had sons born at the house in 1934 and 1940.
Edward Hayne's younger brother, John married into the Syme, Melbourne establishment family in 1934.
His sister <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/page/522397" target="_blank">Helen married into the Manifold pastoralist family in 1933</a>.
James Hayne, the shipping merchant family patriach gave his home as the Caroline Street, South Yarra residence, Shipley House and his business address as 34 Queen Street, Melbourne. James Hayne and then his son Edward ran Gibbs, Brights and Co.
It was in mid-1800s that the trading partnership of Gibbs, Bright and Co established a branch in Melbourne which rapidly became a leading colonial shipping agent and merchant in mining, stevedoring and pastoral interests and exporting wool and timber. In 1981 the group was acquired by the Hong Kong, Shanghai Bank. 
The Hayne family connection to the business went back to<a href="https://books.google.com.au/books?id=Yn_LczbxymUC&amp;pg=PA94&amp;lpg=PA94&amp;dq=hayne+gibbs+bright+%26+company&amp;source=bl&amp;ots=UCvxvzaABr&amp;sig=dvl0kXWmGbFRWYK3UockR5hh4LE&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=mAMPUqXcIrCUiAf8jIDAAg&amp;ved=0CDkQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&amp;q=hayne%20gibbs%20bright%20%26%20company&amp;f=false" target="_blank"> Lima, Peru in the 1820s</a>.  
Before Toorak, the Hird's had previously lived in East Melbourne. The early 1930s terrace house at 26 Berry Street, was sold for $2.45 million in 2006, but not before the actor Susan Sarandon, star of such films as Thelma &amp; Louise and Dead Man Walking, rented the property while she was in Melbourne filming Irresistible. The house with a lap pool and off-street parking for three cars.
The Hird's also rented out their Toorak house before taking up their mid-2000s occupancy. It initially was leased to the Crown Casino boss, Robert Riley, who paid about $11,000 per month, and also spent about $100,000 renovating the house during his 12-month lease.
Then Brian Watson, the director at investment house JP Morgan's equity capital markets group, and his wife, Edwina Le Maistre, rented it for several years at about $14,000 a month.
Watson and Le Maistre were in the news recently when they sold their subsequent Toorak abode, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/trophy-homes/nigel-austin-the-cotton-on-retailer-chain-founder-the-one-towers-road-toorak-buyer/2013061862332" target="_blank">One Towers Road</a>.
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James Hird Toorak mansion the home of 1930s high society 

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Although the official 2012 residential property auction season came to an end over the weekend, now could be the time to negotiate your way into your 2013 dream home.
As we countdown to Christmas and then the new year, the Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA) says opportunities in the property market could actually ripen, with those closing their cheque books too soon potentially missing out on a unique purchasing opportunity.
Last Christmas Eve in NSW there were 100 sales. They ranged from $77,000 at Cowra to $5.5 million in Bronte when Toni Collette and her musician husband, David Galafassi secured their desired Sydney base.
PIPA says the Christmas season can bring greater room for negotiation and price discounts for both investors and homebuyers, as there’s less buyer competition in the market. Finding a solicitor might make things trying during the break, though. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/seven-smart-selling-and-buying-tips-for-christmas-house-hunting-or-early-bird-2013-listing/2012112758054">But the economist Christopher Joye bought his Sydney house on a past Christmas Eve, maintaining it was a good time to crunch the cheaper deal given the vendors had the property still for sale after an unsuccessful early December auction</a>.
At Saturday auctions in Sydney, the auction clearance rate hit 71%, according to Australian Property Monitors from the 44 reported auctions. 
A clearance rate of 65% was recorded in Melbourne from the 148 auctions reported to the REIV.
“Astute property buyers and investors are still active in the property market over the Christmas and New Year break because they know some great buying opportunities can come up,” says chair of PIPA Ben Kingsley.
“Most vendors will want to start the New Year with their property transactions completed which means they are often more motivated to close a deal.”
Kingsley suggests investors and homebuyers should retrace their steps through the property market and review properties that caught their eye earlier in the season.
“Originally, these properties may have been out of your price range, but if they’ve failed to sell, the vendor may well be willing to negotiate,” says Kingsley.
REIV say their busiest month is March, with 11,500 sales in 2011.
Based on the 2011 results, REIV are expecting 6,000 sales in January for Victoria.
Almost half the sales of the busiest month, REIV says a significant reason for this is the near total lack of auctions in January.
Sydney similiarly has few January city auctions, but  Australian Property Monitor's senior economist, Dr Andrew Wilson, suggests this year saw the emergence as a "summer selling season."
"Certainly the trend has been for more (December) summer auctions over the last three years."
He puts this year's highest number of December auctions down to sellers being encouraged by around nine weeks of weekend auction clearance rates above 60%.
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