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

Joel Robinson

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

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

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

Staff Writer

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

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

alisonwarters@gmail.com

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

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

Ellen Walker

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

<html><body>
Fernhill, the former Georgian-era estate of the now bankrupted property tycoon Warren Anderson at Mulgoa, is reportedly set for a transformation into an equestrian centre following its sale last week to wealthy businessman Simon Tripp and his wife, Brenda.
<img src="/images/stories/andersonhouse.jpg">
The undisclosed price has been put at around $50 million. In September Property Observer noted Simon Tripp had been identified as offering $45 million for Fernhill (pictured above) and shortly after <a href="/news">Jabulisa, his impressive 6.9-hectare Sydney northern beaches acreage</a>, was listed for sale with $20 million hopes.
The 654-hectare property at Fernhill comes with an 1843 homestead on Sydney’s western outskirts.
It's been suggsteded 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.
There are also plans to build around 90 houses on the estate’s western perimeter, as Anderson secured preliminary permission for a subdivision.
The listing followed a matrimonial Anderson family dispute. 
Warren Anderson was ordered to vacate 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.
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.
No confirmation of the Australian Financial Review report has been forthcoming from Colliers International, the listing agency. 
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Fernhill sells to Simon Tripp for equestrian enterprise

<html><body>
The Gold Coast waterfront home of Gary Diamond has been listed for mortgagee auction after his Pets Paradise businesses went into receivership in July.
The Paradise Waters property, with 20 metres of water frontage and its own beach, has reportedly been empty since its completion four years ago.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.michaelwillems.com.au/pol/property/search.asp?f_propertyID=1949432&amp;xsl=2611&amp;f_st=1&amp;f_ct=1,2,3,4&amp;f_ps=2">Ray White Prestige Gold Coast </a>agent Robert Graham and Michael Willems have scheduled the four-bedroom Admiralty Drive mansion for November 29 auction. It had been briefly listed last year and for an extended period in 2009 through the Lucy Cole agency. It had $3.75 million expectations on its initial 2008 listing. 
PPB Advisory's David Leigh and Grant Sparks, the receivers, are selling the house to recoup some of the estimated $11 million owed to Bank of Queensland.
Diamond bought the 733-square-metre block for $2 million in 2006 before commissioning the house, which was finished two years later.
Other properties Diamond owned, mostly warehouses in Victoria used by the Pets Paradise businesses, are also being sold off by PPB Advisory.
It was also reported by Fairfax Media that Diamond's Melbourne home in Harkaway was subject to a high-interest second mortgage taken out by his lawyers.
</body></html>

Gold Coast waterfront home of collapsed Pets Paradise group founder Gary Diamond listed

<html><body>
The Queensland property market recorded its strongest numbers of house sales in nearly two years, according to the latest Real Estate Institute of Queensland data.
The REIQ September quarter median house price report the numbers of house sales increased over the quarter. The numbers of sales were also up 5% compared with the same period last year.
Many buyers had been waiting on the sidelines for economic and buying conditions to improve.
We always expected a sharp increase in activity in the September quarter, as many of our REIQ members had reported that buyers were waiting for interest rates to reduce further and for the return of stamp duty concessions on July 1 this year.
Historically, of course, the September quarter is the spring selling season, so activity is usually higher than during winter, but it is very heartening to see that the numbers of sales is even up on the same period last year.
There was a mix of median price increases and some reductions for major regions over the September quarter, but this can partly be attributed to different compositions of sales occurring over the period. For example, if more affordable properties sell, the median house price will also be lower.
In Brisbane, the median house price increased 1.6% to $508,000. The numbers of house sales was also up more than 35% compared with the June quarter.
Brisbane’s market continues to improve as buyers turn their attention to our affordable capital city property prices, as well as the continued strong demand for rental properties, which is attracting investors.
The mining areas of Queensland appear to have come off the boil a little, perhaps due to sharp property price increases over the past 12 months in Gladstone and <a href="/news">Mackay </a>in particular, however sales in these regions remain strong.
The top performer of all major regions over the quarter was Mackay, which posted a median house price increase of 4.7% to $445,000. Over the year, its median house price increased 4.9%.
Next was Redland City, which recorded a median house price increase of 2.7% to $450,000.
Anton Kardash is CEO of the Real Estate Institute of Queensland. This article first appeared on the <a href="https://reiqblog.com/" target="_blank">REIQ blog.</a>
</body></html>

akardash-AaBSgsziio

Queensland property sales up, but mining towns off the boil

<html><body>
Aussie Home Loans boss John Symond is doing his bit for prostate cancer research and male mental health awareness by growing a moustache (and tweeting photos of its progress) for the now traditional Movember charity campaign.
Along with new moustache, the Aussie founder has jestingly adopted a new name – John "SyMO”.
<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Aussie"><img src="/images/stories/2012/11/aussietweet.jpg"></a>
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/symo.jpg">
Movember was officially started in Melbourne in 2004 and calls on men to grow moustaches over the course of November to raise awareness and donations to tackle prostate cancer and depression.
Others in the industry taking part in the campaign include 27 employees <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://au.movember.com/team/488929" target="_blank">from unlisted property fund manager ISPT</a>, who have to date raised over $15,000 for Movember.
Melbourne-based property valuers and advisers Opteon have raised nearly $4,000, with 25 members of the team growing moustaches.
James Clark, owner of <a href="https://raywhitenundah.com.au/news/movember-at-ray-white-nundah/" target="_blank">Ray White Nundah in Brisbane</a>, is also part of the campaign, as are <a href="https://mobro.co/deanwolfe" target="_blank">Dean Wolfe </a>and <a href="https://mobro.co/chrischapman8" target="_blank">Chris Chapman </a>from Fletcher's Eltham Office.
Potts Point estate agent Simon Polito at Laing Real Estate says he's <a href="https://mobro.co/simonpolito" target="_blank">donating his face </a>to the cause by growing a moustache for the month.
"My Mo sparks conversations, and generates some laughs; all in the name of raising vital awareness and funds for prostate cancer and male mental health.

He says he's passionate about men's health as 1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime; this year 20,000 new cases of the disease will be diagnosed and 1 in 8 men will experience depression in their lifetime.
Despite signs of a softening local economy, NAB’s inaugural Charitable Giving Index has found more Australians are putting their hands in their pockets for charities.
The index found that charitable giving in the seven months to July 2012 increased by 4.7% from the previous year and the average annual donation per donor increased 0.7% to $292.
</body></html>

lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Aussie John “SyMO” joins property industry Movember charity campaign

<html><body>
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="margin: 5px; float: left;">
The fate of historic Bronte House is being resolved by Waverley Council after the tenants, magazine publisher Matt Handbury and his wife, Clare Strang, have decided to relinquish their lease.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/brontehouse.jpg">
Keeping the home in public hands has become a priority for the council, which doesn't wish to oversee any sale.
Bronte House’s story begins in 1836 when William Mortimer Lewis, colonial architect, bought 42 acres of land. He began a house on his land, but the 1843 depression hit so  he was forced to sell the property before its completion.
Robert Lowe, an English barrister and later NSW parliamentarian, bought the property as a country residence for himself and his wife, Georgiana, who finished the house in 1845.
The Ebsworth family, who bought the property in 1882, were the longest private owners of Bronte House, occupying the property over three generations.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/brontehouse1.jpg">
In 1948 the Ebsworths sold the house and its grounds to Waverley Council, which leased it to the Red Cross until 1969. A weekly evening card party was held to raise money for the rent.
Most notable among recent lessees was Leo Schofield, whose love of the gardens is explored in his book The Garden at Bronte. He was in residence from 1994 to 2004.
The <a href="/news">house was built of sandstone with a slate roof</a> in the Gothick picturesque style featuring romantic circular and hexagonal corner turrets, deep bay windows, and pierced wooden tracery. A second story was added to the house in the 1880s.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/brontehouse3.jpg" style="margin: 5px; float: left;">
The future of the 19th-century building was discussed at Waverley Council earlier this month following the decision of tenants Matt Handbury and Clare Strang not to sign a new lease when the current one expires in January.
A report to the council listed several options for consideration, including selling the property for an estimated $5 million or more.
But most councillors, led by mayor Sally Betts, expressed the desire to preserve and protect this type of property, which was listed on the Australian Heritage Commission’s Register of the National Estate in 1978, and made the subject of a permanent conservation order under the Heritage Act in 1981.
Betts told the local paper she disagreed with the report's suggestion that suitable tenants would be hard to find.
"I'm not sure that's a correct statement because we haven't tried. We didn't look for the Handburys, [former tenant] Leo Schofield found them," she said.
The current tenants are required to spend $200,000 per year on the upkeep of Bronte House and its gardens as part of their repairing lease.
The grounds of the house is to be open to the public several times a year.
It will be open for those who want  a sneak peak <a href="https://www.brontehouse.com/opendays/open_days" target="_blank">this weekend</a>, November 24/25.
</body></html>

Bronte House up for grabs as Matt Handbury hands back the lease: Title Tattle

<html><body>
The Mackay property market was regional Queensland's top performer during the September quarter, according to the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) September quarter median house price report.
Next was Redland City, which recorded a median house price increase of 2.7% to $450,000.
But the mining areas of Queensland appeared to have come off the boil a little.
"Its perhaps due to sharp property price increases over the past 12 months in Gladstone and Mackay in particular; however, sales in these regions remain strong," REIQ chief executive officer Anton Kardash says.
<table style="width: 470px;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<colgroup>
<col width="291">
<col width="73">
<col width="73">
<col width="73">
<col width="73" span="2">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="68">
<td height="68" width="291">Region</td>
<td width="73">Median Sale Sep12</td>
<td width="73">Qtrly change</td>
<td width="73">Median Sale 12mths Sep12</td>
<td width="73">1yr change</td>
<td width="73">5yr change</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">BRISBANE CITY (LGA)</td>
<td>$     508,000</td>
<td>1.6%</td>
<td>$     509,999</td>
<td>-1.9%</td>
<td>17.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16" width="291">BRISBANE (SD)</td>
<td>$     430,000</td>
<td>-0.7%</td>
<td>$     430,000</td>
<td>-2.3%</td>
<td>17.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">IPSWICH CITY (LGA)</td>
<td>$     290,000</td>
<td>0.0%</td>
<td>$     296,250</td>
<td>-4.4%</td>
<td>9.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">LOGAN CITY (LGA)</td>
<td>$     337,850</td>
<td>2.4%</td>
<td>$     335,509</td>
<td>-4.1%</td>
<td>12.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">MORETON BAY (LGA)</td>
<td>$     369,000</td>
<td>-2.6%</td>
<td>$     370,000</td>
<td>-3.1%</td>
<td>12.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">REDLAND CITY (LGA)</td>
<td>$     450,000</td>
<td>2.7%</td>
<td>$     435,000</td>
<td>-2.6%</td>
<td>11.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">GOLD COAST CITY (LGA) +</td>
<td>$     460,000</td>
<td>-1.5%</td>
<td>$     462,750</td>
<td>-4.0%</td>
<td>1.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">TOOWOOMBA (LGA)</td>
<td>$     290,000</td>
<td>-3.0%</td>
<td>$     290,000</td>
<td>-1.7%</td>
<td>15.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">SUNSHINE COAST (LGA) +</td>
<td>$     430,000</td>
<td>-0.9%</td>
<td>$     430,000</td>
<td>-4.4%</td>
<td>1.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">MAJOR REGIONS</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">FRASER COAST (LGA)</td>
<td>$     280,000</td>
<td>-0.7%</td>
<td>$     285,000</td>
<td>-1.7%</td>
<td>0.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">BUNDABERG (LGA)</td>
<td>$     290,000</td>
<td>0.9%</td>
<td>$     282,000</td>
<td>0.7%</td>
<td>9.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">GLADSTONE (LGA)</td>
<td>$     455,000</td>
<td>-4.2%</td>
<td>$     475,000</td>
<td>13.1%</td>
<td>40.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">ROCKHAMPTON (LGA)</td>
<td>$     318,000</td>
<td>1.0%</td>
<td>$     317,378</td>
<td>0.0%</td>
<td>6.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">MACKAY (LGA)</td>
<td>$     445,000</td>
<td>4.7%</td>
<td>$     430,000</td>
<td>4.9%</td>
<td>13.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">TOWNSVILLE CITY (LGA)</td>
<td>$     355,000</td>
<td>-5.3%</td>
<td>$     362,000</td>
<td>-2.8%</td>
<td>6.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">CAIRNS (LGA)</td>
<td>$     350,000</td>
<td>1.0%</td>
<td>$     349,250</td>
<td>-3.0%</td>
<td>-0.9%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
 
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Mackay </a>posted a median house price increase of 4.7% to $445,000. Over the year its median house price increased 4.9%.
REIQ Mackay zone chairwoman Sally Richards said there has been increased interest in the higher-priced homes such as the $400,000 to $600,000 price range.
She says there has been a significant amount of increased development and building activity in the region.
Gladstone's market slowed down after the sharp property price increases over the past year.
The median house price decreased 4.2% over the September quarter to $455,000.
REIQ Gladstone zone chairman Mark Spearing described the market as well-balanced over the past quarter.
In Brisbane, the median house price increased 1.6% to $508,000. The numbers of house sales was also up more than 3% compared to the June quarter.
For more on investing in property in mining areas like Gladstone, <a href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/ebooks/free-ebook-gladstone-investment-keys-to-one-of-the-nations-most-talked-about-hotspots" target="_blank">download our free eBook.</a>
</body></html>

Queensland mining region prices come off the boil a little

<html><body>
Selling Houses Australia television host Andrew Winter has downplayed the impact that overseas housing trends and sentiment have on the Australian housing market and says it remains a “relatively safe haven for real estate and for many nationalities”.
Winter says that in the past overseas trends have had a negligible impact on the "mass housing stock" and only really impacted at the very top end of the market – the “elite bunch” buying homes worth over $30 million.
But in a column for News Limited, Winter says global housing trends can influence demand for property in some suburbs that may be popular with a certain type of overseas buyer, for example buyers from the UK or from Asia.
The other impact of global housing trends, he says, is its ability to influence "our perception of our own housing market”, which has made Australians more nervous about being “infected” which can turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Winter says Australians should bear in though that there are many differences between our market and overseas housing markets, including a different banking system, low mortgage default rates and an undersupply of housing.
“So don't let overseas sentiment unnecessarily influence you, but do keep an eye on the demographic mix of your suburb. If it is changing, overseas influence on your local market can be closer than you think,” he says.
 
</body></html>

Don't let overseas sentiment unnecessarily influence how you feel about our housing market: Andrew Winter

<html><body>
The Newman government has approved what it calls Queensland’s “biggest ever” tourism development, the Ella Bay resort.
The $1.4 billion project, adjacent to a World Heritage Area, will now need approval of the Federal Minister for Environment Tony Burke. 
The Queensland Coordinator-General granted approval of the project earlier this week, subject to Satori Resorts Ella Bay Pty Ltd needing to secured further statutory state approvals.
Work to develop the property into a master planned tourism/residential community is scheduled to occur over a 15-year period.
It's expected to have short-term tourist accommodation including resort hotels and holiday villas for 2,000 tourists at full capacity.
There are also plans to have 540 permanent residences, housing 1,400 people.
The Ella Bay development is expected to inject over $256 million per annum in tourism expenditure into the Queensland economy when fully operational.
The development is also expected to generate a peak construction workforce of just over 400 people around year eight of the development schedule.
Once fully operational, just over 800 full-time jobs are expected to be created for the operation of the new resorts, golf course, retail and associated facilities.
The development is also expected to provide other jobs including 240 part time peak season jobs.
The development north east of Innisfail in far north Queensland is on a 470-hectare site with a designated 132 hectare development precinct.
The remainder of the site will consist of 61 hectares of open space, golf course and parkland; 155 hectares of conservation covenant and 62.8 hectares of land to be transferred to National Park.
The federal government has knocked back developments in environmentally sensitive areas including refusal for the Hatsatouris family proposed $950 million development at Hummock Hill Island, south-east of Gladstone which was within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and which had been approved by the previous state Labor government.
The Ella Bay project is controlled by Rod Lamb, a former executive director of the listed Sedgman mining company.
The site was previously owned by construction group John Holland.
</body></html>

Far north Queensland's Ella Bay clears initial long-standing statutory planning hurdle

<html><body>
Brisbane-based firm Resolution Research says it stands by its 2011 census-derived research that households in Dutton Park, just south of the Brisbane CBD, are spending more than half (54%) of their income on repaying their mortgage and is thus has the highest level of mortgage stress in inner Brisbane.
The research used 2011 census data to compare weekly household income with monthly mortgage repayments to determine what percentage was going to paying off the home loan.
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Dutton Park topped the list</a>, followed by <a target="_blank" href="/news">West End </a>(44%) and then <a target="_blank" href="/news">Woolloongabba </a>(41%).
However Michael Matusik, director of property advisory firm Matusik Property Insights, rubbished the research. In a <a target="_blank" href="https://matusikmissive.com.au/2012/10/24/wrong/">lengthy rebuttal article on his website</a> he said that census data revealed that the ratio of mortgage payments to household income in Dutton Park averaged just 17%, meaning very little mortgage stress in the suburb.
“We stand by our analysis, which was correct at the time of the 2011 census,” Diana Howes, managing director of Resolution Research, tells Property Observer.
“We have reviewed the alternative methodology put forward [from Michael Matusik] and state as follows:
“'Our analysis has been thorough and correct at the time of the 2011 census, we have employed a methodology which has demonstrated itself to be accurate.  As with all economic data there are always varying opinions by analysts relative to outcomes.  We support our work and also the views of our peers.”
Howes directed Property Observer to the following page of census data, which shows the median <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/quickstat/305011187?opendocument&amp;navpos=220">weekly household income at $989 and median monthly mortgage repayments of $2,167</a>.
Property Observer notes that on the same census 2011 data page, the data shows that only 3.8% of <a target="_blank" href="/news">Dutton Park</a> household have mortgage payments that are 30% or more of household income – the common definition of mortgage stress.
According to Matusik's calculations the average household income of a mortgage holder in Dutton Park is “$2,920 and not $989 as suggested, meaning that the real mortgage to relevant household income ratio is just 17%”.
“You have to dig deeper than the headline results to find the correct answers,” he said.
“It takes a lot of effort to scroll down from page one to page six of the seven pages of the 2011 Census QuickStats to find out the tenure profile and proportion of rent/mortgage paid by households in each location.
“It does actually take some time to then visit the expanded community profile, and to visit tables X14 to X16 to work out the actual household incomes for those paying a mortgage in each location."


<hr class="system-pagebreak">
He provided Property Observer with the following explanation for how he obtained the $2,920 income figure, referencing the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/communityprofile/305011187">more detailed Dutton Park community profile tables</a>
"Dutton Park, Brisbane
<ul>
<li>584 private occupied dwellings</li>
<li>$989 weekly household income or $51,428 per annum</li>
<li>$2,167 monthly mortgage or $26,004 in annual mortgage payments</li>
<li>Divide $26,000/$51,500 = 51% - this is what Resolution have done</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>BUT 81% of households don’t have a mortgage</li>
<li>336 rent – 58% of households</li>
<li>121 own, but have paid out the mortgage – 21% households</li>
<li>109 pay a mortgage – 19% IT IS THIS 109 HOUSEHOLDS THAT WE ARE INTERESTED IN, I.E WHAT THEIR WEEKLY INCOME IS</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The table below is how one works out income by tenure or household types – it is sourced from tables X14, X15 and X16 as per missive – you have to work out the weighted average incomes yourself.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>By doing so you find that the 109 households that have a mortgage in Dutton Park earn on average about $2,920 per week, or $152,000 per annum.  This equates to about a 17% mortgage to relevant income level."</li>
</ul>
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2012/11/dpark.gif"><img src="/images/stories/2012/11/dparkthumb.gif"></a>
Source: ABS
Matusik claims that just by looking at the existing housing and cars in the driveways in Dutton Park, you can tell that home owners are “earning incomes well into triple figures”.
“But if you never go outside the 2011 census also tells you that 96% of households with a mortgage in Dutton Park pay less than 30% of their income towards a mortgage.”
Matusik has since provide fresh commentary on the Dutton Park research with<a href="https://matusikmissive.com.au/2012/11/21/for-the-record-2/" target="_blank"> this posting on his website</a>, which says that his assertions are not a matter of opinion but "plain fact".
</body></html>

Dutton Park mortgage stress debate continues as Resolution Research stands by figures

<html><body>
American frozen yoghurt chain Tutti Frutti has leased space in the Target Centre at 236 Bourke Street adding to the mini-explosion of frozen yoghurt and ice-cream chains taking up leasing space in the Melbourne CBD and inner suburbs over the past year.
The Tutti Frutti lease is also part of a wider trend of take-away shops, cafés and restaurants claiming a bigger share of the Melbourne CBD retail mix as clothing retailers struggle.
According to Knight Frank, the number of cafés and restaurants in the CBD has risen from 796 to 1,193 over the past 10 years with the trend driven by larger premises being subdivided into smaller spaces better suited to food operators as well as their being greater demand due to their being more residential dwellers in the city.
CBRE estimates that food operators make up more than a quarter (27%) of the CBD tenancy mix with the hotspots being Bourke Street, Swanston Street, the Degraves Street arcade and Melbourne Central shopping centre.
Adding to the growing pie of food operators, Australand recently announced the list of retailers secured for its 357 Collins Street development, which is nearing completion.
Seven out of the eight are food outlets including Italian fresh pasta and pizza chain Vapiano (which will occupy the largest retail tenancy of 800 square metres), trendy hamburger joint huxtaburger, Vietnamese eatery Roll’d: Asian cuisine specialist O’Bento, sandwich retailers Nashi and Basic Bites and Thai takeaway restaurant Rock the Wok.
Tutti Frutti's lease covers a 45 square metre shop at an annual rental of $2,000 per square metre over five years.
The lease was negotiated by the CBRE retail services team of Zelman Ainsworth and Max Cookes. "Our team has been working with a significant number of popular frozen yoghurt retailers that have requirements to open new stores within some of Melbourne’s most popular retail precincts before the summer,” says Ainsworth.
Earlier this year organic frozen yoghurt and café chain Cacao Green leased two new shops at 235 Bourke Street and 835 Burke Road in Camberwell. American ice cream chain Ben and Jerry’s secured its first retail location in Victoria at 166 Chapel Street, Windsor while another American dairy dessert chain Tasti D-Lites securing their first store in Victoria at 450 Chapel Street, South Yarra. Australian-based frozen yoghurt bar Igloo Zoo leasing a new store in the Chadstone shopping centre while another Australian owned and operated frozen yoghurt concept Yo Chi opening its first store at 292 Carlisle Street, Balaclava.  “There are a number of new and existing exciting food concepts that have been expanding over the 24 months which have proven to be resilient despite reports of difficulties in the retail market,” says Cookes.
</body></html>

Latest Property News

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

Guides

Editor's Picks

Guides

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Latest Property News

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

Guides

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Guides

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News