<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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<img style="margin: 5px; float: left;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">
<a href="https://grantdenyer.com.au/gallery/70/Photo_Gallery?start=210">Grant Denyer, the Sunrise Channel 7 weatherman</a>, has spent $1.95 million on his new Sutherland Shire abode. It’s a four bedroom 1980s home at Grays Point. It marks a return to shire property ownership for the celebrity as Denyer, and his then partner Belinda Morters ,were early victims of the GFC property downturn when their Jannali house, bought for $557,000 in 2003 sold in 2008 for $500,000. Not sure where Grant, his wife, Cheryl and their one-year-old baby daughter, Sailor were on the 2011 Census night, but there were 75,000 occupied dwellings plus 5,000 unoccupied in the shire. As the local paper recently noted in the shire, families typically have 1.9 children, live in a three-bedroom house and only speak English at home. The 2011 census of population and housing released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics noted 80% of Sutherland Shire residents were born in Australia, followed then by those born in the UK, NZ, Italy and South Africa. The percentage of residents claiming Australian ancestry is among the highest in Sydney among its population of about 219,000.
There are 40 suburbs, the decent residents of which are all cowering in horror at their depiction last Monday in the new Channel 10 scripted reality television series The Shire. RP Data suggests the three cheapest suburbs when it comes to property prices this year have been Jannali, Heathcote and Sutherland, all with median dwelling price around $400,000. The shire has had a $590,000 median dwelling price of $590,000 so far this year. The dearest three suburbs have been Burraneer, Yowie Bay and Lilli Pilli, with medians at $1 million or more.
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Soumershell (pictured above), the ultra-contemporary house on the shores of Gunnamatta Bay, has been the shire's highest sale this year. It was sold by longtime Cisco operative Frank Maly and wife Monica, who initially wanted $10 million on its 2007 listing. <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/after-five-years-super-saturday-s-%244.95-million-sale-represents-a-half-price-haircut/2012040154109">Soumershell sold for $4.95 million</a>. The tri-level house set on 1,184 square metres with 20-metre heated lap and plunge pools, level lawns, slip rail with cradle and pontoon with poles. Inside there’s triple lock-up garage, heated limestone floors, gym and home theatre.
<img style="margin: 5px; float: left;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">The shire's priciest house sale ever was $10.85 million in 2005, but it was highly intriguing. Waterview, the vast Kangaroo Point riverfront house, was sold by the macadamia pioneer Lance O'Connor to a Stargate Securities director, Allan Botros, who secured some vendor finance. Only in the shire could a former bankrupt buy the priciest Georges River pile. Just eight years earlier Botros had only $200 in his Bankstown ANZ account. The then Picnic Point-based finance broker, aka Ashraf Botros or Kiriakos Botros, blamed his dire late 1990s circumstances on a commodity transaction involving a US company that left him shortchanged by $US650,000. His bankruptcy trustee, Max Prentice, then sold his Picnic Point house for $835,000. Waterview, set on 2,680 square metres facing Bald Face Point, came with a three-level house, with a sandstone boatshed, and had held the suburb's record when previously traded in 1992 for $2.35 million.
Kangaroo Point, with just 180 houses, had recorded a $2.2 million average house price in 2004, so it is at the pointy end of prices for the shire. Title Tattle recalls by late 2007 Botros was facing bankruptcy again, this time from his other house purchase financiers, the Commonwealth Bank, and the place sold for $6 million to the founders of the cleaning company, the Glad Group's Natajle "Nick" Iloski and his wife, Ljubica or "Lucy." The Iloskis’ subsequent plans to extend their two-storey house into a three-storey house with 900-square-metre floor space was knocked back in the NSW Land &amp; Environment Court last year.
<img src="/images/stories/noll1.jpg">
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="margin: 5px; float: left;">About 170 of the 1,800 shire swelling sales this year have been above $1 million. Singer Shannon Noll and his wife, Rochelle, were one of the sellers securing $1.26 million for their five-bedroom Lilli Pilli home (pictured above) for $1.26 million. Their two-storey, American homestead-style abode had cost $1,285,000 in 2005 after Noll’s Australian Idol stardom. The former champion swimmer Ian Thorpe sold his Sutherland Shire waterfront home (pictured below) to another sporting legend, the NSW State of Origin coach Ricky Stuart, for $2.65 million earlier this year. But <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/thorpie-underwater-in-sale-to-ricky-stuart-title-tattle/2012040354132">its sale</a> reflects the shire’s tough selling conditions, as it sold at $250,000 less than the $2.9 million paid in 2003 for the Port Hacking waterfront.
<img src="/images/stories/thorpe2.jpg">
Retired fast bowler cricketing champion Glenn McGrath couldn’t find a buyer at his desired $6 million over the past year or two, so he’s still there and the property withdrawn from sale. Ditto the Australian Cricket captain Michael Clarke, who similarly tried too to sell a few years back, while living in Bondi with Lara Bingle, another Channel 10 so-called reality show. But Clarke's moved back home to the shire with his wife, Kylie. Clarke has owned the Lilli Pilli house since 2006 when he paid $2.87 million. The former Australian Cricket captain Ricky Ponting bought his house in the shire for $3.8 million in 2004, and in 2010 the glamour couple Shane Watson and Lee Furlong joined the wave of cricketing royalty owning in the shire when they paid $3.99 million for a waterfront property at Burraneer Bay.


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<img src="/images/stories/2012/07/carringbah.jpg">
<img style="margin: 5px; float: left;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">Just upgrading has been Paul Gallen, the Cronulla Sharks and State of Origin captain and his wife, Anne. They recently paid $1,325,000 for a Burraneer six-bedroom house overlooking Gunnamatta Bay through David Highland of Highland Property Agents. It followed the birth of their second child last year when the Gallens’ baby son Kody was born. They sold their four-bedroom Caringbah South house (pictured above) in May for $820,000 through agent Ivan Lampret, having paid $712,000 in 2007.
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="margin: 5px; float: left;">It’s not just sporty types who reside in the shire – as Title Tattle is aware of two studious economists. Craig James from CommSec has lived at Dolans Bay since paying $855,000 in 2001, which was an upgrade from his $645,000 Dolans Bay house with wife, Karen. He's not to be confused with Craig James the commercial painter at Taren Point. And of course the governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, Glenn Stevens, resides off the waterfront at the canal estate Sylvania Waters. The Waters is best remembered for the Donaher family, who sold out in 2003 for $2.1 million from their MacIntyre Crescent house. It took a dozen or so years locals say to get over the bitter memories of the 1992 British reality show Sylvania Waters which starred the abrasive blonde Noeline Donaher and her family. Local real estate agents suggested the suburb became more famous for its vulgarity than its views. "Noeline Donaher put people off the suburb," said one agent. "She spiced up the stereotype that it was the poor man's waterfront and it carries a stigma anyway as it was once swamp land," he suggested a few years ago.
<img style="margin: 5px; float: left;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">The shire's history does pre-date reality television. Indeed Fernleigh remains an 1820s house overlooking Burraneer Bay at Caringbah. The home is believed to be the first constructed in the Sutherland area and has been an envied point of interest for almost 200 years. It was listed in 2005 through estate agent Natalie Vials, finally selling in 2006 at $1.85 million, the first time in six decades. It’s a seven-bedroom sandstone home, on 3,224 square metres with waterfront access, built for Captain Thomas Laycock, of the 98th Regiment, using convict labour to provide the hand-hewn, 50-centimetre sandstone blocks. It has "1821" carved on the stone lintel above the front door, suggesting it ranks as the oldest continuously occupied residence in the Sutherland Shire.
Its ballroom was added in 1920, and an Art Deco bathroom in the 1930s. The Alcott family, who were the most recent vendors, had bought it from Harry Peel at first sight, on a walk-in, walk-out basis, for £8,000 in 1946 after spotting it from the water. The Three Pines Boatshed, part of the original holding and now Burraneer Bay Marina, was subdivided off in the 1970s. Title Tattle seems to recall the launch of Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport, the quintessential Australian folk song of Alcott family friend Rolf Harris, was held on the front lawn.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/07/lyons.jpg" width="470">
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="margin: 5px; float: left;">There's even the only example of noted architect Robin Boyd's work in Sydney at Dolans Bay. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cityofsound.com/blog/2008/08/lyons-house-syd">Designed by the Melbourne architect Boyd in 1966</a>, it's still inhabited by the original owners the Lyons family. Thankfully it was heritage listed on the shire's local environment plan in 2003, but only after the Lyons family had to fight a four-day Land &amp; Environment Court hearing in 2000 to prevent unsympathetic building works next door. Boyd who died young, aged only 52 in 1971, is best remembered as being the artistic architectural conscience of the country in part  because of his commissions, but also from his influential writing critics, including The Australian Ugliness. That still exists in new forms.
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Weatherman Grant Denyer spends $1.95 million as Title Tattle puts Sutherland Shire property under the spotlight

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Milne House, the single-colour Robin Boyd-designed Toorak house, has been listed for August 11 auction.
Set on the corner of Toorak and Glenbervie Roads, it’s a four bedroom courtyard home last traded unrenovated in early 2006 for $1.63 million.
The Bennison Mackinnon agents Hugh Hardy and Andrew Macmillan have it listed with $2.5 million-plus hopes, marketing it as a Boyd masterpiece. As it is bold and unique, and environmentally sustainable, Title Tattle is surprised The Weekly Review's property columnist Neil Clerehan hasn't yet published a review, as it’s right up his architectural alley.
The agents are marketing the house crediting Boyd as designing the house in 1971, <a href="https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/pictoria/gid/slv-pic-aab52309" target="_blank">although State Library of Victoria photographs by Peter Wille</a> suggest it was possibly in the late 1960s. The Malvern Heritage Study puts its date at 1970.
Either way, it is acknowledged as one of Boyd’s last homes by heritage authorities, since he died aged 52 in 1971. Milne House - commissioned by IJ Milne - comes with steep skilling roof forms in opposing combinations, bagged brick walls, separate wings, simple features and a near windowless front facade on its 640 sq m block.
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Robin Boyd-designed Toorak home Milne House listed with $2.5 million-plus hopes

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<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/record-seeking-brighton-offering-kinane-to-lose-half-its-tennis-court-as-825-square-metre-block-shaved-off-for-separate-sale/2012071555582"><img src="/images/stories/2012/07/4m.gif"></a>
The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/record-seeking-brighton-offering-kinane-to-lose-half-its-tennis-court-as-825-square-metre-block-shaved-off-for-separate-sale/2012071555582">price hopes for an 825-square-metre parcel of land </a>that businessman Russell Small has shaved off of his record-seeking Brighton mansion Kinane to sell separately. The Kinane estate will lose its outdoor pool and half its tennis court. The entire estate had $20 million hopes on its August listing.
 
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<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/palm-beach-trophy-home-kaluas-record-setting-price-revealed-at-%2422-million/2012071655601"><img src="/images/stories/2012/07/22m.gif"></a>
The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/palm-beach-trophy-home-kaluas-record-setting-price-revealed-at-%2422-million/2012071655601">sale price of Kalua</a>, the Joye family’s plantation-style Palm Beach trophy home, which sold to retired Sydney car dealer Laurie Sutton. Sutton and his wife will be the 1920s beach bungalow’s third owner. It was last sold by the Hordern retailing family to the more entrepreneurial Joye family, the current vendors, for $330,000 in 1978.
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<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/upwardly-mobile-waterloo-sydney-shows-impact-of-urban-regeneration/2012071655602"><img src="/images/stories/2012/07/167percent.gif"></a>
The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/upwardly-mobile-waterloo-sydney-shows-impact-of-urban-regeneration/2012071655602">amount that weekly household income rose</a> between 2001 and 2011 in the Sydney suburb of Waterloo. The suburb has shaken off a reputation for crime and its low socio-economic profile to become a sought-after location for inner-city apartment living. 
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<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/australias-purported-housing-shortage-of-85000-dwellings-is-complete-fiction-philip-soos/2012071655590"><img src="/images/stories/2012/07/85k.gif"></a>
The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/australias-purported-housing-shortage-of-85000-dwellings-is-complete-fiction-philip-soos/2012071655590">deficit of dwellings in Australia</a>, according to a 2009 National Housing Supply Council report. Academic Philip Soos from Deakin University has rubished this figure, saying "the purported shortage of 85,000 dwellings was complete fiction". 
 
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<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/office/investor-pays-%243686-per-square-metre-for-whole-floor-in-fender-katsalidis-melbourne-office-block/2012071855629"><img src="/images/stories/2012/07/3686.gif"></a>
The price per square metre an investor has paid for a 434-square-metre whole office floor in a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/office/investor-pays-%243686-per-square-metre-for-whole-floor-in-fender-katsalidis-melbourne-office-block/2012071855629">Fender Katsalidis-designed 14-level office building</a> on La Trobe Street in Melbourne's CBD. 
 
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<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/simone-callahan-sells-arthurs-seat-home-for-%2415-million/2012071755623" target="_blank"><img src="/images/stories/2012/07/1point5m.gif"></a>
The <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/simone-callahan-sells-arthurs-seat-home-for-%2415-million/2012071755623" target="_blank">sale price for Simone Callahan's four-bedroom Arthurs Seat home </a>with a tennis court and swimming pool, and guest quarters. Shane Warne's ex-wife had first put it on the market in March 2010 with a $2 million price tag. 
 
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<img src="/images/stories/2012/07/70.gif">
The number of storeys in Brookfield Residential's approved Sydney residential tower proposal for its Sydney Water Board site. It will also be the tallest residential tower in the Sydney skyline at 240 metres, beating off Meriton's 230-metre tall World Tower, which dates back to 2004.
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The 7 must-know numbers of the week, starting with price hopes for piece of Brighton estate Kinane

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Sydney readers can score free tickets to the Sydney Home Buyer and Property Investor Show, which will run Friday, July 20 to Sunday, July 22. 
<a target="_parent" href="https://www.homebuyershow.com.au/special-offers/propertyobserver-com-au-free-ticket-offer/">Click here for your free tickets.</a>
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po-LsXgBTHBmX

Sydney Home Buyer and Property Investor Show free ticket giveaway

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<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/abcmarkscott/status/225742123734011904"><img src="/images/stories/2012/07/markscott.jpg" width="470" height="268" alt="markscott"></a>
Mark Scott, managing director of the ABC, discusses Griffith University’s Gold Coast development, which has been in the works since 2002.
Works currently in progress include a new library, a new international building, a new commercial building and plaza, a health centre and more.
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awalsh-7Ub9EypybQ

ABC's Mark Scott impressed with Griffith University's Gold Coast campus: Tweet of the day

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Small businesses that dispose of property, foreign owners of Australian property, individual tax payer with property investments and property developers will all face increased scrutiny from the Australian Tax Office (ATO) in the forthcoming financial year.
Details of a crackdown on how property transactions are reported for tax purposes have been revealed in the ATO’s Compliance program for 2012-13, which highlights “particular issues” that will attract the attention of the taxman with a warning that it will “deal firmly with those who intentionally seek to obtain advantage over their competitors through the inappropriate use of the tax and superannuation systems”.
“The annual compliance program outlines the actions we are taking to deter, detect and deal with those who do not meet their tax and superannuation responsibilities,” says Bruce Quigley second commissioner of compliance at the ATO.
Individual taxpayers
Along with the standard focus on incorrect or fraudulent refunds, those with property holdings should take note that ATO’s forthcoming compliance program will focus on those who omit “income, including dividends and interest, capital gains and foreign source income”.
In addition, the ATO will continue to match third-party information with tax returns to identify the omission or understatement of capital gains on real property and share transactions.
“We will conduct reviews where we suspect taxpayers may have incorrectly reported capital gains or losses.”
Small business owners (SMEs):
The ATO warns that it will “continue to monitor and investigate taxpayers who dispose of real property and fail to report the transaction on their activity statement or misclassify the transaction for GST purposes”
“We will match information from third party sources (such as sales data from state and territory revenue offices) with information reported on activity statements,” says the ATO.
As part of its compliance program the ATO plans to conduct around 700 reviews and audits to “address GST risks associated with the sale, transfer and acquisition of real property, particularly in relation to the reporting of property sales and the incorrect application of the margin scheme provisions to reduce the GST payable on property sales”.
Foreign investors
The ATO will also look closely at transactions involving taxable Australian property by foreign residents, who must report and are subject to capital gains tax on any such transactions.
It says it will focus on “valuation outcomes designed to fail the principal asset test in relation to the disposal of indirect interests in Australian real property, as well as arrangements that seek to circumvent the non-portfolio interest test – including the use of non-share equity as part consideration for foreign resident acquisitions”.
The ATO says it increasingly receives information from overseas, “such as details of employment-related foreign source income”.
“We also see a continuing compliance risk arising from the sale of taxable Australian property by foreign residents and the claiming of exemptions,” says the ATO.
Property developers
In relation to GST and property transactions, the ATO says it will increase its focus on property developers with a history of non-compliance.
“By engaging with taxpayers at registration and throughout the property lifecycle, we will encourage them to correctly assess and report their liabilities and, where necessary, require them to provide security bonds against projected future tax liabilities,” says the ATO.
The ATO highlights that it has a strong relationship with the states and territories in developing and supporting its complementary compliance programs.
As an example it says it received a referral from the Northern Territory Revenue Office that initiated a series of audits on property developers “disengaging from the tax system and thus evading payment of income tax and GST on property sales”.
This information resulted in revenue of around $5 million being collected with potential compliance impacts for these developers in relation to state stamp duty and land tax.
Other ATO property compliance activities
<ul>
<li>expanding and improving the use of third party information to identify unreported sales, particularly in the case of one-off property transactions </li>
<li>working with taxpayers and their tax agents to alert them to discrepancies before audit action </li>
<li>identifying incorrect application of the margin scheme provisions to reduce the GST payable on property sales</li>
<li>undertaking approximately 1,000 reviews and audits </li>
<li>providing greater certainty for taxpayers on the treatment of transactions associated with commercial residential premises through the publication of the final commercial residential ruling in August 2012.</li>
</ul>
A copy of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ato.gov.au/content/00326650.htm?headline=compprogram&amp;segment=home">full compliance program </a>can be downloaded on the ATO website.
<ul></ul>
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Property transactions to face increased ATO scrutiny in 2012-13

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Provident Capital’s handling of investor funds was called into question by the NSW's federal court judge who ordered that the mortgage fund manager and non-bank lender be placed in the hands of receivers, newly released court document show.
Justice Steven Rares said there was "considerable doubt over Provident Capital's integrity to obtain, manage or hold money from the public" as part of his June 29 judgement,where he appointed PPB Advisory as receivers.
He also said he was “not impressed by [Provident boss Michael] O’Sullivan’s evidence generally where it conflicted with other evidence”.
Rares said it was  “not accidental” that O’Sullivan did not disclose in his affidavit evidence Provident’s withdrawal of its application to ASIC for the new PDS (public disclosure statement) in respect of the monthly income fund and an Australian Financial Services licence application made on May 2.
The details of the licence application under the name of Provident Funds Management Australia Ltd – to be controlled by O’Sullivan – was only made known to Australian Executor Trustees Ltd, representing Provident debenture holders, on June 28 in court statements.
Rares said O’Sullivan  engaged in "a pre-emptive strategy to avoid the consequences of any receivership" by seeking an authority for an Australian Financial Services Licence for a related company on May 2 that was to take over as the responsible entity for Provident's main funds.
“I do not consider that he had been candid with the court in relation to the withdrawal of the PDS for the monthly income fund or with respect to his failure to reveal the application for the licence.
“The failure of Provident to disclose to the court the withdrawal of the PDS and the application by its related company for the licence casts considerable doubt over Provident’s integrity to obtain, manage or hold money from the public.
“Those matters were obviously relevant to the present application," Rares said.
The documents also reveal that on May 9 ASIC had issued notices to Provident expressing concern about the accuracy of  Provident ’s assertions of its “proud track record of consistently meeting our investment objective, providing a monthly income in the top 25% of all Australian retail mortgage funds based on returns for one year and continually meeting this objective since August 2010".
More than 3,000 investors in debentures are owed $125 million. All mortgage funds operated by Provident have been frozen.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/industry-news/provident-debenture-holders-meeting-set-for-second-week-in-august/2012071655586"> A meeting of debenture holders is due to be hold in the second week of August.</a> 
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'Considerable doubt' raised over Provident Capital’s handling of investor funds: Court documents

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One of North Parramatta’s oldest buildings, an 1851-built Victorian Georgian-style home, has been listed for sale.
Endrim, on the corner of Sorrell and Harold streets, is a seven-bedroom home built for the Reverend William Gore of the nearby All Saints Church.
The heritage-listed sandstone property, on 3,700 square metres of land, was designed by James Houison and Nathaniel Payten.
Houison was a renowned Parramatta architect who built St. John's Church and All Saints church in Parramatta, the Scots Church in Byrne's Mill, the original portion of Parramatta Gaol, the old Parramatta courthouse and many other buildings.
Well separated from the road by a mature garden and a high timber fence, the two-storey residence is a symmetrical three-bay house with a Tuscan porch and a cantilevered first-floor balcony.
The property includes a classical portico entrance, a glass conservatory, Tuscan sandstone columns and pilasters and a coach house and stables.
Endrim is listed with the National Trust of Australia, has a permanent conservation order by the NSW Conservation Commission, and is protected by a heritage order by Parramatta City Council.
In the 1950s, the mansion was home to the family of H.V. Horwood, the mayor of Parramatta from 1954 to 1955.
In 1984 the Horwood family sold the property to David Lewarne for $415,000 and it became the offices of legal firm Lewarne &amp; Goldsmith.
Lewarne died two years ago, and the property has just come to market. He had been living upstairs and operating the business on the ground floor.
Agent George Khoury from Khoury &amp; Partners is expecting the property to sell for $2.5 million plus.
He has had significant interest from home buyers, groups interested in office space, solicitors and even funeral homes.
Endrim is being sold as vacant possession, with the legal firm expecting to move next door by the end of the month.
Khoury says investors have tended to be drawn to the inner-Parramatta CBD properties, of which there are many heritage listed, where yields are higher.
Expressions of interest for Endrim close August 2.
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Parramatta 1851 Georgian mansion Endrim listed as legal eagles nest next door

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The Gold Coast home of Mike Dodd, one of the Consolidated Properties men who developed the Casuarina Beach community on the Tweed Coast, has been listed for sale.
The Surfers Paradise house was built in the 1990s by Tony Bawden, one of the founders of housing company Villa World.
It last traded in 2005 for $4,925,000 from another developer, Tom Ray, who had paid $4,478,000 just a few months earlier.
Set on a 1,658-square-metre Cannes Avenue block on prime Main River land, the house has four bedrooms and office.
With 42-metre frontage it has two pontoons. It's marketed as having future high-rise development potential.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2012/07/july19broadbeach]}
Property developer Grant Hutchings has bought elsewhere so his Broadbeach Waters mansion (pictured above) has been listed for sale.  
The four-bedroom Monaco Street house is set on a 1,496-square-metre holding. The house, which totals about 70 squares (about 650 square metres) comes with tennis court and pool.
It's only two doors from Main River, having a full 27 metres of white sand beach below a barbecue terrace with pavilion amid rainforest greenery.
It's listed through Ray White Surfers Paradise Prestige agent Sherry Smith.
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Monaco and Cannes addresses in Gold Coast offerings with a Riviera flavour 

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Estate agents are becoming more reliant on their rent rolls, with property management income rising from 36% to 42% of total income in the past year, according to the 2012 Macquarie Residential Real Estate Benchmarking Report.
The results are based on a survey of 416 real estate firms across the five mainland states conducted in February this year.
When Macquarie carried out the same survey in 2007, estate agents reported that property management accounted for just 29% of income.
The survey respondents expect property management to rise to 43% of estate agents income in the future.
Click to enlarge
<a rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2012/07/estimate800.gif" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/2012/07/estimate470.gif"></a>
Macquarie said the tough sales environment contributed to the the increase in property management income, but was not the sole reason.
“We believe there has also been a deliberate shift as agencies across an increasingly broad scope adopt and resource growth strategies (either organically or via acquisition) within their property management business,” says the investment bank.
“The outlook from agencies completing the survey suggests this trend will continue in the future."
“The recurring, contracted nature of property management income has proved itself somewhat resilient to tight economic periods and subsequently makes it an increasingly attractive source of revenue in the tough sales environment."
“With only 30% of agencies anticipating growth of any nature in the residential housing market within the next 12 months, it would follow that agencies target rent roll growth as a means to increase revenue.”
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