<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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Trade Travel founding directors Grant and Kay McGlashan have listed Weycoola, their Noosa residence for October 5 auction.

It's being marketed as one of the most coveted waterfront land holdings in Noosa.
The 1.38-hectare resort-style retreat comes with its own nine-tee golf course and private lake frontage.
It's located within a 10-minute drive to Hastings Street overlooking Lake Weyba.
Extensive use of timbers and natural stone dominate the five-bedroom residence, with cantilevered walkways linking its various pavilions.
It was bought from the boutique resort manager Gregory Coventry in 2009.
It's been listed by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.rwnoosa.com.au/230978/">Shane McCauley at Richardson &amp; Wrench Noosa.</a>
It was after beginning in the tour industry in 1988 in Mildura that business partners Grant McGlashan and Gerard McManus together with their partners Kay and Tania established their tour company.
Trade Travel has office locations in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria and local representation in seven areas throughout Australia.
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Weycoola, the Noosa resort-style retreat with private lake frontage, listed

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Mining tycoon Nathan Tinkler has failed to pay the property development company Mirvac about $17 million to settle a Newcastle industrial property.
Tinkler's private companies agreed to buy an industrial site at Newcastle from Mirvac in July last year but declined to settle after the NSW government rejected his plans for a fifth coal export terminal at Mayfield.
The NSW government cited environmental issues and community concerns as why it would not allow the project to proceed.
Tinkler subsequently attempted to withdraw from the agreement to purchase the Newcastle land parcel.
Mirvac sued, and on August 1 the Supreme Court of NSW ordered Tinkler's Ocean Street Holdings and another of his companies, the Buildev Group, to complete the purchase by 5pm yesterday.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports a Mirvac representative confirming yesterday that despite the court order, the ''settlement did not take place''.
''Mirvac intends to pursue its rights in relation to this matter to ensure … the contract for the sale is completed," the spokesperson said.
The official sale price has yet to be formally revealed with estimates between $14 and $20 million.
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Nathan Tinkler lets Mirvac $17 million property settlement deadline pass

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The 372-hectare Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital site in the Blue Mountains has been relisted for sale.
The former Edwardian hospital at Wentworth Falls – once a major facility for the treatment of tuberculosis – will go to September 20 auction through <a href="https://www.mmj.com.au/buying/NSW/Central-Tablelands/Wentworth-Falls/Development/2P1118" target="_blank">MMJ Real Estate agents Chris Johnson and Bob Houston</a>.
It was closed in 1999 then sold in 2000 for $2 million to Longevity Management Systems, which proposed a retirement village before receivers took possession.
The Tableland Road property then sold again for $2 million to interests associated with coalmining tycoon Max Dunbier. Dunbier is a former MLA in New South Wales State Parliament and former managing director of Heggies Bulkhaul Limited and Helensburgh Coal Pty Limited. He is currently the founder and managing director of Sada Pty Limited.
Buddy Wakim, of the Sydney entrepreneurial Wakim Group, who had the property under option since 2006, didn't succeed with its 2008 listing and has let the option lapse.
Set on the Kings Tableland Plateau, the heritage-listed property is four kilometres south of the Great Western Highway.
An 1890 country cottage built by Sir Kelso King became the nucleus of the tuberculosis sanatorium in 1903, which was run by Dr Malcolm Sinclair.
The climate of the Blue Mountains was deemed highly suitable for recuperation.
King had offloaded the property in 1901 after the death of his first wife.
The hospital complex was designed by George Sydney Jones. After 1911, the Queen Victoria Homes became a state-funded hospital.
It remained a chest hospital until 1958, when it was converted to a hospital for the aged.
After World War II the hospital garden was partly re-designed by the gardener Paul Sorensen, who introduced more lawn and shrubs.
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Queen Victoria Sanatorium Wentworth Falls site listed

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Dhaka in Bangladesh is the least liveable city in the world, according to The Economist. It’s not quite as unstable as some of the others in the list, but it’s dragged down by its astonishingly low healthcare and infrastructure rankings.
Property Observer has looked at the cities ranked <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/international/what-property-investors-can-buy-in-the-least-livable-cities-in-the-world-six-to-10/2012082756216">six through 10</a>, plus number  <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/international/chinese-investment-and-mining-driving-property-prices-but-port-moresby-papua-new-guinea-world-s-second-least-liveable-city/2012090256363">two, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea</a>, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/international/property-in-lagos-nigeria-could-be-boosted-by-an-oil-boom-but-threat-of-violence-is-high/2012083056316" target="_blank">three, Lagos, Nigeria</a>, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/international/harare-has-poor-healthcare-and-political-violence-but-property-is-relatively-inexpensive/2012082956292" target="_blank">four, Harare, Zimbabwe</a> and five, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/international/what-property-investment-is-like-in-algiers-one-of-the-world-s-least-liveable-cities/2012082856272">Algiers, Algeria.</a>
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" href="/images/stories/2012/08/liveable.gif" rel="shadowbox"><img src="/images/stories/2012/08/liveablethumb.gif"></a>
The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Liveability Survey assesses the locations around the world that provide the best or the worst living conditions.
The survey doesn’t include the absolute worst of the worst, just cities or business centres that people might feasibly want to live in or visit. So it does not include cities like Kabul in Afghanistan or Baghdad in Iraq, both in the grip of conflict.
Conflict is generally found to be the primary reason for the position of the bottom ranked cities.
“Threat of armed conflict will not just cause disruption in its own right, it will also damage infrastructure, overburden hospitals, and undermine the availability of goods, services and  recreational activities,” the report says.
Africa and Asia are home to all 13 cities in the bottom tier, with violence from crime, civil insurgency, terrorism or war playing a strong role in keeping them at the bottom of the pack.
The Dhaka metropolitan area had a population of nearly 13 million people in 2008 and is the ninth largest city in the world. With increasing amounts of foreign investments in the city and a greater volume of commerce and trade, the city is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world.
The report finds the various threats to stability are either "uncomfortable" or "undesirable", though the threat of military conflict is "tolerable". The various healthcare indicators are either "intolerable" or "undesirable", though there is a "tolerable" level of private healthcare. The climate is "uncomfortable", as are the levels of cultural hardship and availability of consumer goods. The Economist even finds the food and drink to be "uncomfortable".
Private education is "tolerable", but the road and public transport networks are "intolerable". Utilities are "tolerable" at best. And tellingly, the availability of good-quality housing is undesirable. So what does that mean on the ground?
A <a href="https://www.rehab-bd.org/new_Comprehensive_Study_On_The_Real_Estate_Sector_Of_Bangladesh.pdf" target="_blank">July study</a> by the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh found house and land prices in Dhaka have been rapidly rising since 2000.
For apartments the cheapest place to buy is in Mohammadpur, with a 2010 median price of $832 per square metre. The most expensive is in Baridhara at $3,700 per square metre. For land, Badda is the cheapest area, at $772 per square metre, while Baridhara is again the most expensive at $10,292 per square metre in 2010.
The figures don’t take into account black-market purchases.
“A good amount of undocumented money has been utilised in acquiring land, apartments, buildings, shops etc. in past few years,” the report says.
On one Bangladeshi property listing site, a three-bedroom, 247-square-metre apartment in Baridhara is being sold for approximately $558,400.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/dhaka1.jpg">
Nearby a three-bedroom, 278-square-metre apartment is being sold for approximately $977,852.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/dhaka2.jpg">
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Buying property in Dhaka, Bangladesh, the least liveable city in the world

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Yamala, the imposing six-bedroom 1870s English manor on a hillside 5,619-square-metre holding at Frankston South, has been sold for $2.9 million.
Its seventh owners intend to use it as their private residence. 
The house was best known as the country retreat of Sir John Madden, Melbourne barrister, chief justice and lieutenant-governor of Victoria until his death in 1918. Yamala had been originally established by William Woolley after he acquired 104 acres (42 hectares) of land in 1854. Woolley sold not long after he built the smaller four room house to Sir John Madden, whose city house was Cloyne in St Kilda.
The Maddens, who extensively extended the Woolley house, sold the 32-acre property to restaurateur A.J Lucas for £16,100 after Sir John's death.
It's complete with many fireplaces, chandeliers, ornate ceilings and a billiard room with original leather finish wall paper and polished wooden ceilings.
The pillars to the entrance of the front doors were undertaken by the famous architect Walter Burley Griffin in a 1929 makeover.
Its bar room was copied in the 1930s from the Savoy Hotel in London.
Its Olivers Hill grounds have pool house and botanical-like gardens with fountains, ornamental shrubs and pathways.
The home has direct beach access – only a short stroll along the sand to the Davey's Bay Yacht Club.
Its first sale in 34 years was through Quentin McEwing through <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/yamala-drive-frankston-south/Property-Details-sold-residential-4009119" target="_blank">McEwing Partners</a>. It was sold by the Cooper family, who initially listed Yamala in 2009. Mr William Cooper is a retired optometrist bought it in 1978 from the Kauffman carpet manufacturing family. The Kauffman's  had bought from the Hunt family who were in the wool business.
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Yamala, the baronial 1870s English manor at Frankston South, sells

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A gracious freestanding villa in South Yarra has been bought back by the family who had held it for more than 110 years.
Descendants of Mary Harding, the widow who originally built the property in 1891, paid $2.15 million on the weekend bringing it back into the family fold.
The Cromwell Road house on its 753-square-metre holding was last sold in 2003.
Saturday's vendors had bought it at the 2003 executor's auction paying $1.16 million.
It sold through Marshall White agent John Manton, who called <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/24-cromwell-road-south-yarra/Property-Details-sold-residential-4296633">the property </a> on the market at $2.11 million.
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An 1890s South Yarra villa bought back by its original family after nine-year absence

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Listed real estate developer Metroland Australia appointed an administrator last Friday, just days after delivering a disastrous financial report in which its full-year loss multiplied by nearly 900%.
The business warned its retail property values had been declining and that it was continuing to negotiate with financiers. It has been heavily exposed to the retail space, where poor performances among small and medium-sized businesses have led to declining values.
It is yet another sign of strain in the construction and property sectors, which have been suffering under falling values since the financial crisis. Earlier this year, Metroland offloaded a 25% stake in the Greenway SupaCentre in Sydney's west for just $5 million, after buying it for $18 million in 2003.
The company announced David Levi of Levi Consulting had been appointed as an administrator with the administration applying only to the company, and not any of its subsidiaries.
David Levi was also contacted this morning but unable to reply prior to publication.
The company's most recent financial results show a troubling situation.
Metroland's loss skyrocketed <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20120831/pdf/428fdw5qsmc13b.pdf" target="_blank">897% to $10.6 million</a>. At the time, it said the property market – especially in the retail sector – had continued to deteriorate, resulting in lower asset values.
The company's liabilities exceed its assets by $2.6 million, it said. During the previous year it incurred a $6.4 million impairment from investment properties, partly due to the SupaCentre investment and a $3.8 million charge relating to a property in Campbelltown Square.
"The ongoing operation of the consolidated entity is dependent upon the continued support by the financier and the ability of the directors to raise further capital," it said.
This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/index.php" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
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Property developer Metroland in administration

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The Smile Solutions dentist Kia Pajouhesh placed a $7 million vendor bid when his 1930s Toorak mansion went to weekend auction through Kay &amp; Burton agent Andrew Baines.
It was last traded at $6.8 million in April 2010, and has since undergone more than a cosmetic restoration. The family say it took four months.
<a href="https://www.james.net.au/rating/779-Orrong-Road-TOORAK" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">It now comes without its turning circle portico.</a>
Property Observer reported in April that <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/smiles-as-dentist-secures-royal-domain-tower-whole-floor-sub-penthouse/2012042354373" target="_blank">Pajouhesh intended to traded up to an $8 million-plus penthouse apartment in the Royal Domain Towers on St Kilda Road.</a>
The four-bedroom, three-bathroom Georgian-style Orrong Road property, near Towers Road, features a pool and tennis court on its 1,765-square-metre holding.
Smile Solutions is Melbourne’s largest dental practice in one location anywhere in Australia, occupying three floors within the Manchester Unity Building on Collins Street.
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No smiles in Toorak as restored mansion passed in on weekend vendor bid

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<img style="float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/snowtown1.jpg">The infamous Snowtown bank has been sold.
Hale Real Estate director Nigel Christie says the Snowtown property fetched a little under its $200,000 price guide.
Its reportedly sold at around $185,000 to interstate buyers who will be owner-occupiers.
It has been <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-sa-snowtown-109650811">on the market </a> since February this year.
Christie says the buyers plan to renovate the attached house and run a business from the bank.
The property is located about 150 kilometres north of Adelaide.
The disused bank at Snowtown became infamous after police discovered eight mutilated bodies in barrels inside the vault of the bank in 1999.
The bank sold the premises for $43,000 in 1995. It first sold after the gruesome discovery in 2000 at $34,560.
It sold again at $130,000 in 2005.
<img width="470" src="/images/stories/2012/08/snowtown.jpg">
It last traded at $142,000 in 2006.
The property originally built as the bank manager’s residence consists of four good-sized bedrooms and the old bank building.
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Infamous Snowtown bank sells

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Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea is the second least liveable city in the world, according to The Economist magazine. The magazine says stability is very low, healthcare poor and infrastructure lacking, though its education levels aren’t atrocious nor is its culture and environment rating the lowest.
It ranks 139th out of the magazine's list of the world's 140 most liveable cities (<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/international/melbourne-surpasses-vancouver-as-worlds-most-liveable-city-as-sydney-drops-to-seventh/2012081456033">Melbourne is ranked first, with Sydney seventh</a>).
Property Observer has looked at the cities ranked <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/international/what-property-investors-can-buy-in-the-least-livable-cities-in-the-world-six-to-10/2012082756216" target="_blank">six through 10</a>, plus number <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/international/buying-property-in-dhaka-bangladesh-the-least-liveable-city-in-the-world/2012090356226" target="_blank">one, Dhaka, Bangladesh</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/international/property-in-lagos-nigeria-could-be-boosted-by-an-oil-boom-but-threat-of-violence-is-high/2012083056316">three, Lagos, Nigeria</a>, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/international/harare-has-poor-healthcare-and-political-violence-but-property-is-relatively-inexpensive/2012082956292" target="_blank">four, Harare, Zimbabwe, </a>and <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/international/what-property-investment-is-like-in-algiers-one-of-the-world-s-least-liveable-cities/2012082856272" target="_blank">five, Algiers, Algeria</a>.
Strong growth in the mining sector in Papua New Guinea has led to an influx in foreign investment in the country, especially from Chinese interests.
Click to enlarge
<a rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2012/08/liveable.gif" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/2012/08/liveablethumb.gif"></a>
The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Liveability Survey assesses the locations around the world that provide the best or the worst living conditions.
The survey doesn’t include the absolute worst of the worst, just cities or business centres that people might feasibly want to live in or visit. So it does not include cities like Kabul in Afghanistan or Baghdad in Iraq, both in the grip of conflict.
Conflict is generally found to be the primary reason for the position of the bottom ranked cities.
“Threat of armed conflict will not just cause disruption in its own right, it will also damage infrastructure, overburden hospitals, and undermine the availability of goods, services and  recreational activities,” the report says.
Australia’s Smart Traveller website, published by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, advises that Papua New Guinea is in the grip of civil unrest and political tension, especially following the release of election results, which it says could fuel potentially violent, armed confrontations.
The site warns that ethnic disputes continue to flare up around the country and can quickly escalate into violent clashes.
“The clashes not only create danger within the immediate area but also promote a general atmosphere of lawlessness, with an associated increase in opportunistic crime,” the site says.
“Car-jacking is an ever-present threat, particularly in Port Moresby and Lae. Car doors should be locked with windows up at all times, and caution should be taken when travelling after dark. In the evening or at night, we recommend you travel in a convoy.”
Travellers are also warned about potential kidnappings and a heightened risk of robbery and attack even at well attended shopping centres in Port Moresby.
So what happens if you get posted to a gold mine in Papua and you end up having to buy a property?
Perhaps because it’s a former Australian territory there seems to be a number of Australian-based real estate agents in the city.
The recently approved liquefied natural gas project has sent property prices soaring, according to 2011 reports, and local agent Andrew Henry from Century 21 agrees.
“The market has changed since 2011, there’s a lot of new buildings, new houses new apartments, all this has happened in the last couple of years.”
He says the median price for houses is around $670,000 and for apartments it’s around $200,000.
He says the security situation in the country is much better than it has been in the past.
“In security terms it’s good, not nearly as bad as before. Before it was a bit scary and it was hard to move around. But at this stage there’s more freedom of movement, you can go wherever you want to go.”
Henry says there’s an increasing number of foreigners buying in Port Moresby as more and more projects are improved and expects the price to go up.
In Korobosea, in the inner-north of Port Moresby, Century 21 is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.century21.com.pg/brochures/C21%20S6352.pdf">selling a three-bedroom colonial-style home for $1.1 million</a> (pictured below). It comes with a large backyard and a Hills hoist to remind you of home.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/portmoresby.jpg">
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