<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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As an urban planner of more than 30 years’ experience, can I say to you that I am deeply troubled by growing disparities in the choices available to Melburnians by the fact of where they live. The amenity enjoyed by a resident of an established suburb like <a target="_blank" href="/news">Hawthorn</a>, six kilometres east of the CBD, or <a target="_blank" href="/news">Clayton</a>, some 19 kilometres southeast of the CBD, is quite different from that of a Melburnian putting up stumps in areas like <a target="_blank" href="/news">Craigieburn</a>, 26 kilometres north of the CBD, or <a target="_blank" href="/news">Melton</a>, 35 kilometres west of the CBD, or <a target="_blank" href="/news">Cranbourne</a>, 43 kilometres to the south-east.
If you can forgive a little nostalgia, let me wind back to my own childhood in a comfortable home in <a target="_blank" href="/news">East Ivanhoe</a> in the 1950s. I lived in a part of Melbourne that was green, suburban and safe. From the age of seven, I was encouraged by my parents to walk to the local state primary school with my brother and sister. The walk was over a kilometre; we passed churches, a kindergarten and a shopping centre. We had to negotiate a couple of crossings along the way. I developed a real sense of place and independence from an early age due to these trips, mirrored by other children in the neighbourhood. Later, when I went to secondary school in <a target="_blank" href="/news">North Balwyn</a>, it was a much longer journey involving a walk, a bus and tram – but again I was lucky; good public transport connections were available where I lived.
So, what might travelling to school be like for a child growing up today in a new suburb like Craigieburn – situated at the end of a train line, where public buses venture on the half hour of a weekday morning and where there is no prospect of a tram on the horizon? Unless she lived close to school, she's more likely to be dropped off and picked up by car. If she walked, she would negotiate unfinished footpaths, greenfield sites and barbed wire situated near finished housing. There would be boards promising yet-to-be-built shops and signage boasting housing with “unbelievable prices”.
In contrast, a child living in East Ivanhoe, even accounting for 21st-century parental anxiety about walking to school, is still likely to have my freer experience of walking or catching public transport in a suburb full of amenities.
An increasing geographical divide in the mode of travel to school, to work, to local shops and community facilities between suburbs also extends to educational options, ranging from childcare and preschool to primary, secondary and tertiary education. You can even see a gulf in the different flavour of lifestyles offered by real estate advertisements – be it so-called “downtown” city living or suburban living.
Disparities of place are also reflected in availability of jobs within a reasonable travel distance from homes located between suburbs and even the type of dwellings offered to match different needs and budgets. Long travel times from home to work are hurting productivity levels, the city’s environmental health and disrupting work and life balance.
There is less time to spend with children, family and friends and long commutes – overwhelmingly by car in the urban growth-corridor suburbs – are contributing to problems of mortgage stress. There is disconnection in our city between where jobs are located and where many people on the lower economic rungs can (sometimes barely) afford to live. The inevitability of rising petrol prices and the rising cost of living in comparison to salaries for paid work are all factors that have a knock-on effect on our social connectedness and economic future.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
Meanwhile, projections over the next 40 years for metropolitan Melbourne inform us that we will be living and working in a geographically larger metropolis – with approximately 6.4 million people forecast by the year 2050, compared with nearly 4.2 million today. The future is already on our doorstep: greater Melbourne grew by 60,000 between June 2010 to June 2011 – that's the equivalent of twice the population of <a target="_blank" href="/news">Preston </a>in one year.
The challenges faced by governments responsible for managing the growth and development in our capital cities are multi-dimensional. An ageing population means we will have fewer people in the workforce. There is also a more competitive and innovative global marketplace in which to do business. They signal that we cannot afford to plan cities on “business as usual” terms.
For too long, governments of all political colours have relied on a legacy of past planning policies, programs and city shaping investment to “cope” with growth rather than “manage” growth. We continue to rely on ageing transport infrastructure to move people and goods around our metropolis rather than redirecting our energies to providing public transport that enhances accessibility to a wide range of jobs and services. We have failed to address issues such as affordable housing by expanding the sea of suburbia on Melbourne’s outskirts and cementing the car culture even more into the city's psyche.
To date, we have also promised so much for the people living in the growth areas and delivered so little in terms of public transport, jobs, childcare and maternal health, schools and medical facilities.
I believe the future of metropolitan Melbourne is at a watershed in its 177-year history. The complexity and seriousness of problems associated with urban growth are becoming matters of state, national and possibly international consequence. The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Reform Council acknowledged as much in 2011, stating:
‘The way we undertake our strategic planning for cities needs to change. Population growth, demographic changes, increasing energy costs and the shift to a knowledge-based economy have changed the assumptions that underpinned planning.’
The discussion paper Melbourne, let’s talk about our future – released last month by the Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) – introduces nine principles and 16 ideas as a conversation starter to help shape the planning strategy for this city. Let’s focus on two: “social and economic participation” and the need for “strong communities”. I believe the two principles are at the heart of building a good life for all Melburnians.
I am not saying we don’t need to focus our attention on building a smarter, more innovative and globally competitive economy, because that is also a key principle in our discussion paper. But as a city, I say we can no longer view social issues as separate to economic issues. Having a job when you want one – including a choice of jobs – and not feeling disenfranchised or isolated are the foundations of quality of life and community success.
Employment brings the ability to meet material needs, social contact and dignity.
Connection to family, friends and neighbours across generations is also important to building strong, healthy and inclusive local communities.
 
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To secure our future workforce and ensure job opportunities, strong foundations must also be built on education, skills retraining and life learning . Presently, we have pockets in our city where the non-completion rate at secondary schools is as high as 27%. Within OECD countries, Australia is 20th for school completion rates. To place this ranking in context, research by the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research states that ‘about six in 10 children from low socio-economic households in Australia currently complete high school ,while 90% of students from more affluent homes  finish secondary studies’.
If we are to realise an ambitious national target of 90% year 12 completion by 2015, then metropolitan Melbourne has a significant challenge ahead to increase the number of  youth completing year 12 as an entry “certificate” to a job. If we are building suburbs without a secondary school within walking or cycling distance or a reasonable public transport trip, then how can we expect our children to want to attend and progress in education?
Clearly, the proposition that releasing more greenfields land on the fringe of Melbourne to assist in addressing housing affordability is also not ringing true. The aptly named VAMPIRE  or Vulnerability Assessment for Mortgage, Petroleum, and Inflation Risks and Expenditure  index shows a growing number of Melburnians facing mortgage stress – many of whom live in the outer suburbs and growth areas. Dwellings being built on the city's fringe are also too often energy-guzzling housing in suburbs lacking essential services and facilities, despite the efforts to build master-planned communities under the mantra of “sustainable communities”.
Quite frankly, there is little that is truly sustainable about these new housing developments. Beyond the odd solar panel on the roof of a house, the water tank in the backyard and the water-sensitive urban-design features which have become a marketing trademark of these projects, the lack of job opportunities, reliable and frequent public transport and basic social infrastructure in these areas sends warning signals that such developments are unsustainable in the short and long term. We are building houses that are too large for small lot, where any potential for trees in the backyard has been replaced by the alfresco dining deck. It is the new version of “suburbia”, but this time round it is just 'more building’ on less land.
Of course, shelter alone does not sustain a good life assuming that you can afford to own or rent the housing that matches your needs. The building blocks of successful cities are strong and cohesive local communities. Local councils are well attuned to gauging community needs – they are at the coalface of community dissent and dissatisfaction.
The councils of Cardinia, Casey, Hume, Melton, Mitchell, Mornington Peninsula, Nillumbik, Whittlesea, Wyndham and Yarra Ranges prepared a submission to a state parliamentary committee inquiry on Growing the Suburbs: Infrastructure and Business Development in Outer Suburban Melbourne in February this year. There are some compelling statements in this submission that I want to share so that we understand the magnitude of the issues we face and ask the question: why haven’t these growth areas got a fairer share of the infrastructure pie over the last decade or more?:
<ul>
<li>From 2001-2010 these municipalities accommodated some 332,660 new residents or 55% of Melbourne’s growth during this period.</li>
<li>However, during this period, investment in infrastructure services and provision of jobs has not kept pace with this growth.</li>
<li>These municipalities have relatively high levels of social economic disadvantage, low educational outcomes, poorer health outcomes, relatively high unemployment levels, significant deficits in local employment opportunities, low provision of higher order services including arts and culture services, and a heavy reliance on private vehicle-based travel.</li>
</ul>
Average wages in these council areas, situated on the outer edge, are 12% lower than in other metropolitan areas, with only 11% of residents holding a bachelor degree or higher education qualification, compared with 24% in inner Melbourne. There are 11 hospital beds per 10,000 residents in these council areas, compared with 30 per 10,000 in inner Melbourne. Only 1.5% of residents use public transport for their daily commute, as opposed to 12.1% in metropolitan areas.
I could go on citing statistics that highlight an inner Melbourne rich in job choices, well endowed with infrastructure and clearly more affluent overall than are residents living in the urban growth areas of our city who lack basic infrastructure and job opportunities upon which to build a good life.
According to the submission, for example, approximately 20 per cent of the bus routes that do operate in the 10 municipalities do not achieve Minimum Service Levels (MSL), defined as a 'minimum of one-hourly service interval between 6am-9pm Monday-Friday, 8am-9pm  Saturday and 9am-9pm Sunday and a stop every 400 metres along the route'.
Indeed, too many of our suburban bus routes are configured on the basis of connecting with major suburban rail stations ‘down the line’. They are usually linear journeys, often along main roads and, while they may connect to the nearest major activity centre, they are not facilitating public transport access to some of the more significant job clusters or employment agglomerations.
A large study conducted by the Centre for Work + Life across 10 Australian outer and growth suburbs from 2006-2009 – including some in Victoria – found that the separation of residential areas from areas of employment meant some residents took lower skilled jobs closer to home in order to meet the family’s caring responsibilities. This had a specific impact on highly educated and skilled women. The study also found that in newer suburbs there is less support available for formal services, extended family and community relationships.
Characterise this divide as ‘two Melbournes’ or ‘the haves and have nots’ – the tag doesn't matter. What matters is that unless government, the private sector and wider community join up to start to address these problems it will have profound and deleterious effects on our city.
My committee's discussion paper is not just about identifying problems; it also canvases solutions. There is a strong emphasis on bringing more jobs near to where people live and more people to where higher job densities prevail now and in the future. This will require some of those jobs being located closer to the outer areas so that they are readily accessible by public transport – of looking at ways of more bums on seats on the almost-empty trains, trams and buses that are going in the reverse direction during the peak travel periods.
It will require encouraging medium and higher-density housing within and close to these job clusters, noting that these jobs are not primarily retail, as is the emphasis in current planning policy. It will also mean that the public transport network, and walking and bicycling networks, will need to be upgraded, even reconfigured to ease connections between home and work.
 
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If we are truly serious about encouraging more people to use alternative transport modes other than the car to link home with education, with jobs, shops and services, then we need to turn to buses, walking and cycling.
Few of us here would deny the public health benefits of walking and cycling – many are part of the ‘grey headed’ walking brigade with some so bold as to don the Lycra and cycle to work or for recreation. Now, the benefits have been quantified in a draft discussion paper by the federal Department of Infrastructure and Transport, Walking Riding and Access to Public Transport.
It unequivocally states the economic benefits of typical walking and cycling infrastructure include traffic decongestion, improved health, reduced vehicle operating costs and other infrastructure and environmental savings. Yet, there are many parts of Melbourne still lacking good quality pedestrian and bicycle networks. We will need to retrofit and re-engineer our land use pattern and transport system as a means of encouraging healthy, sustainable modes of travel to work, home and play.
Among the ideas the committee has also pitched is the notion of the ’20-minute’ city. What range of jobs, services and facilities would you expect to access within a 20-minute walk, a 20-minute bicycle ride or a 20-minute public transport journey from home? Many people have been excited by this idea, but there have also been naysayers ranked among the usual suspects in the ivory towers and media. But note there are already areas within our metropolis that offer the 20-minute city – inner areas such as <a href="/news">Carlton</a>, <a href="/news">Brunswick</a>, <a href="/news">St Kilda</a> and <a href="/news">Prahran</a>. The challenge ahead for us is to determine how to deliver a more widespread 20-minute city land-use pattern at the neighbourhood and suburban levels. It will require different spatial models of delivering jobs and services, as well as different models of delivering housing which is affordable and meets changing needs as we grow old.
Instead of 50% of all new housing being on the urban fringe, for example, why don’t we set ourselves a target of at least 70% of new housing in more established suburbs?
The 20-minute city is also aimed at unlocking the capacity of our established suburbs and, in particular, our middle suburbs. These areas enjoy good-quality infrastructure, much of it funded by previous generations. Perhaps it is time that all Melburnians also assisted in funding of essential urban infrastructure in the urban growth areas by way of a Melbourne metropolitan levy tied to specific projects.
In the past Melburnians paid a levy to fund the Melbourne Underground Loop, and we continue to pay an annual Parks Charge to enhance, manage and maintain our world-class network of major parks, trails, gardens and waterways. A new payment would need to be charged annually to all property owners and the basis of the amount to be paid would need to be carefully determined to ensure fairness and equity. Such a levy would be tied to agreed projects and timelines for delivery of those projects in collaboration with local government and other relevant agencies. It might be a hard sell politically, but again it is about sharing the benefits and the responsibilities of implementing the strategy.
I remain optimistic about the fate of our great city. But if the next metropolitan planning strategy is not underpinned by aspirations and challenging ideas to shape a vision for future planning and development, then it will be ‘business as usual’. If we don’t take action and initiative to support inclusive city growth, if we fail to address not only the current underinvestment in city shaping and community making infrastructure, but the infrastructure to make us a global city in the 21st-century that is liveable, sustainable, productive and equitable, then the real costs of addressing social, economic and environmental problems will escalate.
The legacy then will be even more daunting for our children and our children’s children to take on.
Roz Hansen is founder of Roz Hansen Consulting Pty Ltd and chairperson of the Ministerial Advisory Committee for the Melbourne Metropolitan Strategy. This speech was delivered at A Tale of Two Melbournes? The Disparities of Place and How to Bridge The Divide – Sambell Oration to the <a href="https://www.bsl.org.au/" target="_blank">Brotherhood of St Laurence</a>
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rhansen-EyoQ7HRBUT

Melbourne must plan for its future growth of outer suburbs or social, economic and environmental problems will escalate

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Fewer than 10% of inner-Brisbane apartments are being snapped up by owner-occupiers, with the market the toughest it has been in 25 years, says property developer David Devine.
Devine’s Metro Property Development, which he founded with Ken Woodley in 2010, has been able to build its position of having the top-selling projects in Brisbane by tapping into the investor market, with its Chelsea apartment project in Bowen Hills now completed, five projects under construction and $600 million worth of projects in the pipeline.
“We left Devine three years ago and came out of there with no baggage. We bought all our development sites post-GFC, so there’s nothing hidden in our closet.
“And the banks have backed us to the hilt,” Devine tells Property Observer.
He says a big challenge for other developers is obtaining financing.
Devine says lenders require that 100% of project debt be covered, meaning developers must sell 65% of apartments in a project off the plan to get funding approval.
“Many of the projects that are being marketed off the plan will not achieve the pre-sales requirement demanded by the banks. There is a lot of competition. Very few projects achieve enough sales.”
Metro has just launched its $450 million multi-stage Central Village development in Fortitude Valley, with the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/queensland/cambridge-weekend-sales-by-metro-property-in-fortitude-valley/2012111657909">first stage featuring 163 apartments over 18 storeys </a>managing 73 sales in its first few weeks since launching. 
Another project – Broadway on Ann featuring 200 apartments in Fortitude Valley – is due to come to market next year.
Metro had the top two selling projects over the September quarter, selling 54 apartments in The Plaza in South Brisbane and 44 in in Brooklyn on Brookes in Fortitude Valley – a joint venture between Metro and Indian-based developer Pearls Australasia, according to the most recent Place Advisory report.
Devine says Metro’s ability to offer apartments to investors that qualify for the federal government’s national rental affordability scheme (NRAS) and that appeal to investors acquiring property through their self-managed super funds are key reasons for its success to date.
Metro’s first completed project, the Chelsea in Bowen Hills, had a 20% NRAS allocation while its Madison Heights project has more than 50% of its 308 apartments available as NRAS investments.
“People that have misconceptions about NRAS have not understood it. It is a stimulus package by the federal government where all stakeholders are winners,” he says.
Metro has also tapped into the overseas market, primarily in Asia, with 20% of apartments allocated to this market.
“We’ve done that 20-odd years. Overseas buyers are the most secure of all sales,” he says.
Devine also says Metro’s “broad-based marketing strategies” have helped underwrite sales in a difficult market.
Devine says he has engaged with people who have helped successfully market his developments at Devine Limited and over a career spanning nearly three decades, including more than $1 billion worth of inner-city apartments completed.
“A lot of people who have worked with us over the years, we have engage to sell our property interstate and overseas.
In other words, says, marketing director Ken Woodley: “We’re a marketing company that develops property, not developer that markets properties.”
 
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Metro has a 10-point checklist for each of it developments, which include that development is situated in a location where people will want to live, that it is close to services and transport.
Metro also chooses locations that embrace Brisbane’s café society and theatre-lifestyle.
Metro's major projects
<table style="width: 470px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="150" valign="bottom">
Project
</td>
<td width="152" valign="bottom">
Location
</td>
<td width="105" valign="bottom">
Yield
</td>
<td width="84" valign="bottom">
End Value
</td>
<td width="123" valign="bottom">
Status
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="150">
The Chelsea Bowen Hills
</td>
<td width="152">
Hamilton Place, Bowen Hills
</td>
<td width="105">
195 apartments
</td>
<td width="84">
$85 million
</td>
<td width="123">
COMPLETED
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="150">
Madison Heights
</td>
<td width="152">
Mayne Street, Bowen Hills
</td>
<td width="105">
308 apartments
</td>
<td width="84">
$130 million
</td>
<td width="123">
272 sales completed, under construction
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="150">
Brooklyn on Brookes
</td>
<td width="152">
Cnr Cnr Brookes &amp; Ann Streets, Fortitude Valley
</td>
<td width="105">
216 apartments
</td>
<td width="84">
$90 million
</td>
<td width="123">
178 sales completed, under construction
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="150">
Orchard Grove
</td>
<td width="152">
Orchard Rd, Doreen (Melbourne)
</td>
<td width="105">
175-lots
</td>
<td width="84">
$40 million
</td>
<td width="123">
Under construction
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="150">
Woodlands Edge
</td>
<td width="152">
Wallan (Melbourne)
</td>
<td width="105">
575-lots
</td>
<td width="84">
$200 million
</td>
<td width="123">
Under construction
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="150">
The Plaza
</td>
<td width="152">
Cnr Russell &amp; Manning Sts, South Brisbane
</td>
<td width="105">
168-apartments
</td>
<td width="84">
$75 million
</td>
<td width="123">
138 sales, under construction
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="150">
Central Village
</td>
<td width="152">
Cnr Water &amp; Brunswick Sts, Fortitude Valley
</td>
<td width="105">
~1,000 apartments + retail and commercial
</td>
<td width="84">
$450 million
</td>
<td width="123">
Launched November 2012
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="150">
Broadway on Ann
</td>
<td width="152">
Commercial Rd and 977 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
</td>
<td width="105">
~200 apartments
</td>
<td width="84">
$105 million
</td>
<td width="123">
Due to be launched 2013
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
According to Ken Woodley, the percentage of local buyers – owner-occupiers and investors – has fallen from around 60% to less than 10%, with the fall-off beginning when the RBA lifted the cash rate by 25 basis points on Melbourne Cup Day 2010 followed by further rate rises which “killed” consumer confidence.
Woodley says another three rate cuts are required to bring variable mortgage rates to around 5.9% to reverse this trend.
“We sold 62% of the 439 apartments in Hamilton Harbour [a Devine Limited project] to local buyers. Now it’s down to 8% or 9% are local buyers.”
Metro currently has $600 million worth of committed projects in the pipeline and is the dominant player in the inner-city market.
But Devine says its aim is not market domination but to deliver an attractive proposition to investors.
He says in current market conditions, Metro can deliver around 600 units a year in Brisbane and a bit more in a booming market.
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lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

NRAS and SMSF investors helping keep inner-Brisbane off-the-plan market afloat: David Devine and Ken Woodley

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Continued professional development (CPD) should be mandatory for all real estate professionals.
Under COAG’s proposed national licensing model, CPD would no longer be guaranteed for real estate agents. Currently half the states and territories have mandatory CPD.
Agents need to know the various conduct laws for different jurisdictions, specific laws that are relevant to selling or managing a property and appropriate national legislation.
Continuing education ensures up-skilling and development of individuals. Abolishing mandatory CPD would leave the consumer at risk.
The proof is in the pudding. Since Western Australia introduced mandatory CPD in 2007, written complaints across all categories of real estate activity have dropped by around two-thirds.
The National Occupational Licensing Authority (NOLA) is proposing to abolish mandatory CPD but hase the power to require it be irregularly done at times of major changes to real estate laws.
REIA rejected the proposal put forward by NOLA at the Occupational Licensing Advisory Committee (OLAC) meeting.
The proposal shows a lack of knowledge of the profession and creates a bottleneck of centralised decision making. There are many more issues that an agent needs to be aware of.
Agents need to be across a great number of constantly changing laws regarding issues such as smoke detectors, swimming pools, GST implications, environmental protection guidelines, equal opportunity legislation, OH&amp;S, privacy and many more.
Pamela Bennett is president of the <a href="https://www.reia.com.au/" target="_blank">Real Estate Institute of Australia.</a>
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pbennett-Zvm5u8EFas

Continued professional development should be mandatory for all real estate agents: REIA

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Mirvac has confirmed its refunding off the plan deposits for Brisbane and Townsville residential projects.
Construction was scheduled to commence on two key apartment projects this financial year, but given the limited sales and concerns on the off the plan market's immediate future looked, Mirvac's John Carfi confirmed to The Courier Mail that contracts had been cancelled and deposits refunded.
The first stage of Foreshore Hamilton was to be a 23-storey building with 263 apartments. Only three of the apartments had been sold, the paper noted. Prices of one bedroom apartments started from $345,000.
The final stage of Mariners Peninsula, The Point, Townsville was to be a 15-storey building with 71 apartments. Some 27 had been reportedly sold.
It was possible within about 18 months that Mirvac would reconsider a fresh start on both projects.
Mr Carfi said despite there being strong economic fundamentals evident in Queensland, confidence was at an all-time low.
"With the Queensland market, it is difficult to see what the catalyst is going to be (to improve confidence),'' he said. 
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Mirvac refunding all off the plan deposits for postponed Brisbane and Townsville residential projects

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The manufacturing pain continues. Poolrite, a manufacturer and supplier of pool equipment and supplies has slipped into administration.
The collapse comes just days after a manufacturer of healthcare equipment also went into administration, and also follows news that the Australian manufacturing industry has endured <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/economy/052684-house-price-recovery-stalls-in-october-rp-data-figures-show-midday-roundup">several consecutive months of contraction</a>.
The company, which turned over $20 million in 2012, is now in the hands of SV Partners. The administrators were contacted this morning, but they were unavailable to speak.
The company was contacted this morning, but phone lines appeared to be disconnected.
Poolrite was founded by Peter Wolpert in the western suburbs of Sydney in 1978, and now claims to be one of the country's biggest manufacturers of pool and spa equipment.
The company has experienced some ownership changes in its 34 years – in 1999, the business was purchased by the Palmer Group and subsequently relocated its manufacturing base to Brisbane.
The business claims to have developed some of the industry's leading equipment, including pumps and cleaning equipment. The business developed MagnaPool, which is a patented mineral water system used as an alternative to salt and chlorine systems.
SV Partners is calling for expressions of interest for the business, saying it holds numerous patents and trademarks.
The collapse is yet another sign of the troubled manufacturing industry in Australia, which continues to suffer from the high Australian dollar.
More recently, businesses in the automotive sector have been under pressure, with a few major collapses having already occurred. Furniture companies have also been <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/manufacturing/052707-car-parts-maker-closes-its-doors-with-400-jobs-at-risk-the-five-problems-crushing-the-industry">under a significant amount of stress</a>.
The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/manufacturing/051275-small-business-applauds-government-manufacturing-report-focus-on-smes">federal government recently released a report</a> into the manufacturing industry, although hasn't specified any measures that will be implemented in practice.
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pmcstafford-pr9eMARWoN

Pool equipment manufacturer Poolrite collapses

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Yet another business in the construction industry has collapsed, in further confirmation the sector is struggling to get back on its feet even after a slew of positive data.
Building and finance approvals have been improving over the last several weeks, along with auction clearance rates, which have maintained consistent results above 60%.
Trade Fusion, a builder of modular homes based in Griffith, New South Wales, has collapsed into administration. Bruce Gleeson of Jones Partners has been appointed administrator to the company – he was unavailable to comment before publication.
The business itself was also contacted, but its phone line appeared to be disconnected.
Trade Fusion was founded in 2004 based on what the business thought was a need to combine manufacturing and trade components. The business specialises in the construction of modular homes.
In a description of the business available online, Trade Fusion says it has a staff of 20 including apprentices, and that it combines a traditional construction company alongside a factory that produces roof trusses and wall frames, along with glass and aluminium projects.
While there is no information available regarding the background of the collapse, being exposed to two troubled industries would no doubt introduce significant challenges. SmartCompany has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/construction-and-engineering/053080-construction-business-collapses-after-legal-brawl-with-aldi-supermarket-chain">reported extensively</a> on the pressures facing the manufacturing and construction industries – including several collapses.
Jones Partners is seeking expressions of interest for the company, with assets to be sold including intellectual property, land and buildings.
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NSW builder Trade Fusion in administration

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Toorak residents recorded the highest average income in Australia in 2009-10, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) with an average $132,252 income.
Then followed Double Bay-Bellevue Hill residents which recorded the highest average income in NSW in 2009-10. It comes from data from the Australian Taxation Office which breakdowns information such as personal income by wage and salary, investment, superannuation and annuities. The top four earning regions in NSW were the Sydney regions of Double Bay - Bellevue Hill, coming in top with an average total income of $129,116, then Mosman on $126,956, Hunters Hill - Woolwich on $123,956 and Woollahra on $123,869.
After Toorak, Victoria’s top five earning regions was made up of Brighton on $101,776, East Melbourne on $95,349, Albert Park on $91,871 and Armadale on $89,534 per annum.
Overall, the average total income for the state of NSW is $50,328 which is higher than the national average of $48,530.
The average total income for the state of Victoria is $47,623.
The top five earning regions in Queensland all fall in the greater Brisbane region with Ascot the highest with an average of $90,945, followed by Hamilton on $90,900, Bulimba on $74,206, Hawthorne on $73,928 and Bardon on $73,579.
South Australia’s top five earning regions all fall in the Greater Adelaide region with North Adelaide the highest with an average of $75,574, followed by Walkerville on $74,296, Glenside - Beaumont on $68,892, Unley - Parkside on $66,466 and Toorak Gardens on $65,999.
Cottesloe residents recorded the highest average income in Western Australia in 2009-10, at  $113,892, with the beach-side suburb being the only region outside of New South Wales and Victoria to have an average total income exceeding $110,000. The next highest income earners in Perth were Nedlands - Dalkeith - Crawley on $106,981, City Beach $102,971 and Mosman Park - Peppermint Grove on $99,609.
Tasmania’s top five earning regions were the greater Hobart suburbs/regions of Sandy Bay with an average total income of $59,002, followed by Mount Nelson - Dynnyrne on $54,660, Taroona - Bonnet Hill on $51,476 and South Hobart - Fern Tree on $51,129.
“From a state and territory perspective, the Australian Capital Territory recorded the highest average total income of $58,034 this was followed by Western Australia on $53,397. New South Wales was ranked fourth”, said <a target="_blank" href="https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/6524.0.55.002Main%20Features12009-10?opendocument&amp;tabname=Summary&amp;prodno=6524.0.55.002&amp;issue=2009-10&amp;num=&amp;view=">ABS Director of the Rural and Regional National Statistics Centre, Lisa Conolly</a>.
 
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Australia's highest income suburbs revealed: Toorak tops the list followed by Double Bay-Bellevue Hill

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A landmark Victorian/Edwardian red brick residence in Ivanhoe East has been listed for sale with $6 million-plus expectations.
Located at <a href="https://www.kayburton.com.au/property/39-york-avenue-ivanhoe-east" target="_blank">39 York Avenue</a>, Rangeworthy was built in 1910.
The five-bedroom, two-bathroom <a target="_blank" href="/news">Ivanhoe East</a> home was built in the Rangeworthy Estate, an area subdivided in 1901 into 107 allotments by councillor and timber merchant William J. Brewer of Fairfield Park.
The allotments were sold for 25-40 shillings per foot.
According to the <a href="https://vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/vhd/heritagevic/?timeout=yes#detail_places;31478" target="_blank">Victorian Heritage Database</a>, the 107 large allotments were created for a "fashionable suburb".
The house takes its name from a property that was formerly across York Avenue from heritage-listed <a href="https://www.onmydoorstep.com.au/heritage-listing/601/ravenswood" target="_self">Ravenswood</a> and to the north-east of the house.
Thomas James was the first owner (1910-20), followed by Wilfred Bromby (c.1925-35).
The house comprises of a formal dining room, an upstairs rumpus room, and a chef’s kitchen with a double oven, remote-control gates and a four-car garage.
The property is now owned by Rob Edgley, a former investment banker and now company director of EVZ Limited and Praemium Limited.
Scott Patterson and Nicole Gleeson from Kay &amp; Burton Hawthorn have listed Rangeworthy, with offers closing December 10.
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Ivanhoe East 1910 home Rangeworthy listed with $6 million-plus hopes

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Just a year after its $25.7 million after its consolidation, the Blundy family have decided the Vaucluse compound is not for them.
The waterfront portion with a frontage to Kutti Beach has been listed with $20 million hopes through <a href="https://doublebay.ljhooker.com.au/KESF93" target="_blank">Bill Malouf at LJ Hooker Double Bay</a>. It's up for an expressions of interest campaign closing February 2013.
The Wharf Road property cost $17.75 million when the family also bought next door on The Crescent for $7.95 million.
The <a href="/news">Vaucluse </a>acquisition totalled over 2,000 square metres by retail entrepreneur Brett Blundy, the founder and owner of BB Retail Capital (including the Diva and Bras N Things chains), and his wife, Vanessa.
Title Tattle is unaware of any purchase by the family, but there is talk the family are off to Singapore. 
The family also sold their penthouse atop 7 Macquarie Street at Circular Quay, mid-year for $12 million to the Manassen family from <a href="/news">Mosman</a>.  The Blundys had bought the two-level penthouse for $12 million in mid-2007 from the businessman Warren Johns and his wife, Joan.
The five-bedroom, five-bathroom mid-1990s Vaucluse home was constructed for the television entrepreneur Michael Willesee, who sold for $10.3 million in 2000. The residence was designed by Ancher Mortlock and Woolley architect Ken Woolley with championship-sized tennis court and heated swimming pool occuping its elevated 1,597-square-metre block.
A September development application to Woollahra Council to reinstate the orginal lot boundaries after a consolidation of titles gave the clue to the short-lived harbourfront compound.
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Singapore looms as Blundy family list best bit of their $25 million Vaucluse compound

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A grain shed in the rural village of Corobimilla in the NSW Riverina region has been listed for sale at $180,000 and may appeal to rural investors or farmers looking for additional storage space.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/grainshed.jpg">
The grain shed has a 2,500-tonne capacity and stands at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/67-newell-highway-corobimilla/Property-Details-buy-commercial-4735537">67 Newell Highway</a>, 20 kilometres from <a target="_blank" href="/news">Narrandera </a>and 10 kilometres from <a target="_parent" href="/news">Morundah</a>.
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Corobimilla</a> is in the central east part of the Riverina close to the NSW/Victoria border, with the name derived from the aboriginal word meaning "tree struck by lightning".
The grain shed listing is through by Jeremy Bell of Rodwells &amp; Co Laverton.
Corobimilla lies within the state suburb of Gillenbah, which had a population of 405 on census night 2011.</body></html>

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