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

Joel Robinson

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

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

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

Staff Writer

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

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

alisonwarters@gmail.com

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

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

Ellen Walker

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

<html><body>
United States home prices ended the first quarter at their lowest point since the US housing crisis began, according to the Standard &amp; Poor's/Case-Shiller index.
The index is 35% off its early 2006 peak before the housing bubble burst.
The decline is "disappointing," the chairman of S&amp;P's index committee, David Blitzer, says.
The only consolation was the pace of the slump was the slowest since December 2010.
Home prices in 20 major cities fell 2.6% in March compared with the same month a year earlier.
In February the 20-city composite dropped 3.5%.
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2012/05/spmay30.jpg"><img src="/images/stories/2012/05/spmay30thumb.jpg"></a>
“While there has been improvement in some regions, housing prices have not turned,” says Blitzer.
A separate national home price index released quarterly by S&amp;P covering the entire US – not just major metropolitan areas – had the fall at 1.9% in the first quarter compared with the same period in 2011.
"The housing situation in the United States, while certainly not booming, is seeing some stability and possibly some gains," Blitzer said in a conference call with reporters, reported by the LA Times.
Home values in 13 cities dipped year-over-year, including a 4.8% slide in Los Angeles and nearly 3% in San Francisco.
Atlanta suffered an 18% plunge, reaching new lows along with Chicago, Las Vegas, New York and Portland, Oregon.
 
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

US house prices slump to lowest point since housing crisis began: S&P/Case-Shiller 

<html><body>
Sanctuary Cove has a new record-setter mansion.
The Anchorage Terrace mansion, which came with adjusted $13.75 million price hopes on its April listing through Ray White Sovereign Islands agent Ali Mian, has reputedly been sold for around $12 million.
It’s 1,000-square-metre mansion with a 43-metre river frontage.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/queensland/sanctuary-cove-stunner-listed-with-%2413.75-million-price-tag/2012041154214">The house has symmetrical designer interiors</a>, from its grand double-wing staircase entrance to its heated pool. It has hallways reflecting the strong black-and-white palette of the French fashion house Chanel, the latest home technology system, plus tepanyaki bar, home cinema and Swarovski crystal chandeliers.
The land was consolidated by tourism entrepreneur Chris Scott, who bought two neighbouring houses, and finished off by UK-based businessman John Baines and his wife, Elizabeth.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/anchoragead.jpg">
They paid $4.3 million in 2009 for the shell of a home on its 2,836-square-metre holding, which then had a Greg Reid-designed house built by Thomas Hughes Construction.
The Baines have previously sought $17.5 million for the property on earlier listings.
The prior Sanctuary Cove record was $7.22 million on Bayview Terrace.
The sale notification, with an undisclosed price, appeared on websites late last week.
Ray White agent Ali Mian has declined to comment.
But his boss, Brian White, has cited the sale as a sign of property price improvement on Queensland's Gold Coast.
"No one would have thought that sort of sale would be remotely possible on the Gold Coast," he told News Ltd.
</body></html>

Sanctuary Cove mansion sale sets new reputed $12 million record

<html><body>
The fall in the Australian dollar in the last few months is currently not great enough to encourage expat Australians to invest back in the local residential property market, according to Greville Pabst, chief executive of property valuers and consultants WBP Property Group. 
Pabst says a falling Aussie dollar is positive news for expatriates, with the improved conversion rate giving them “greater buying power”. 
However, he says the fall in the dollar has been minimal to date and “insufficient to spur a dramatic surge of expatriate investment in the local market”. 
“Should the Australian dollar deteriorate to or below 90 cents against the US dollar we expect to see an influx of expatriate buyers,” he says. 
“A fall of 10¢ in the dollar (AUD) equates to a saving of $53,500 for expats based on the purchase of a property at Melbourne’s current median house price of $535,000. This is a great incentive in anyone’s eyes. 
Expats sometimes buy residential property in Australia as an investment while they live abroad, but often choose to move into the property once they return to Australia. 
Yesterday, Property Observer reported that the fall in the dollar would strengthen <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/commercial/falling-dollar-encouraging-even-more-offshore-investment-in-australian-commercial-property/2012052754857">already strong demand for commercial property from offshore investors</a>. 
Pabst says falls in the Australian dollar will also lead to improved affordability in the local education sector for international students, “which will have a positive impact on activity in the property sector”. 
A fall in the dollar would be particularly beneficial to Chinese property investors and Chinese international students, with the yuan pegged to the US dollar. 
LJ Hooker executive chairman Janusz Hooker says the real estate group is already seeing interest from expats due to the falling dollar and lower house prices. 
“On Sydney's north shore last weekend LJ Hooker had an expat fly over from Miami as well as a couple from London looking at local residential property,” he tells Property Observer. 
“LJ Hooker has seen a number of expats looking at residential property.   Expats are looking at it as a 'now' opportunity. 
“A number of experts are split if the dollar will stay below parity, so Australians living overseas with plans to come home, combined with a soft real market over the past 12 months, are very interested,” he says.
The Australian dollar is currently trading at just above 98 US¢.
Since April this year it has declined from around $1.04 against the US dollar to below 98¢, with a more gradual decline commencing from the $1.09 level in February.
Australian dollar versus US dollar since July 2010
<img src="/images/stories/dollarchart1.gif">
Source: XE.com
It reached parity with the US dollar in November 2010 and rose to a 29-year high of $1.108 on July 27 2011 before retreating.

Currently economists are tipping the dollar to fall as low as 95 US¢ due to concerns over Greece exiting the euro, Spanish banks falling in trouble and data showing the Chinese economy is slowing, potentially reducing demand for Australian raw material.

AMP Capital Investors chief economist Shane Oliver says the current fall in the dollar “looks and feels like the pull-back last year when the Aussie dollar went from a high of about $US1.10 in the middle of last year to fall to 94¢.

However, he believes that the currency should trade back to parity or stronger than the US dollar by the end of the year.

A further drop in interest rates could also cause the Australian dollar to fall – Australia’s high interest rates relative to other markets has made the country appealing to global investors who have bought Australian dollars and kept the currency buoyant.

 
 
 
 
 
</body></html>

lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Australian dollar needs to fall below 90 US¢ to bring back expat residential property buyers: WBP

<html><body>
Orthopaedic surgeon Malcolm Glase has sold his redundant Woolwich riverfront residence, which was initially listed last November.
Its most recent asking price was $4.5 million plus through Matthew Ward of Ward Partners, who’d had $5 million original expectations. No final sale price has been revealed.
Located at the tip of The Point Road, the four-bedroom house comes complete with boat shed and ramp. There is also approval for a pool on the 607-square-metre block.
It last traded for $3.75 million in 2001. Glase is upgrading to a nearby Angelo Street trophy mansion, which he snapped up for $9.2 million after it was listed for mortgagee-in-possession sale.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/record-setting-woolwich-mansion-sold-for-loss-as-saga-winds-down/2011092551674">It was the home sought by the prominent Obeid family in an off-market deal from mobile phone seller Mick Hakim</a>, who’d paid $11,005,000 in 2007.
The Obeid family's purchase hopes were dashed as one of Hakim's creditors deemed the mooted $8.5 million sale as below the market value and threatened proccedings against National Australia Bank, the first mortgagee.
The Glase's Italianate residence acquistion sits on a 2,037 square metre Lane Cove riverfront block with a prized north-easterly aspect.
It had been on the market at $13.5 million sometime before the Obeid deal that never was consumated.
 
 
 
</body></html>

Orthopaedic surgeon upgrades Woolwich waterfronts: Title Tattle

<html><body>
Property investors looking for good income streams should consider investing in regional NSW towns like Tamworth, Dubbo and <city><place>Orange</place></city>, according to research by PRDnationwide. 
“Our research reveals high yields for residential property in regional areas. While it has been common knowledge that higher yields can be achieved in regional cities, the fall in house and unit prices in some areas have pushed yields even higher,” says Oded Reuveni-Etzioni, research analyst at PRDnationwide. 
The property group has selected the three regional towns that are defying the overall subdued conditions in regional NSW due to their diverse economies and strong investment by the mining sector. 
Reuveni-Etzioni says these conditions are providing strong yields in the short term, with a potential for capital growth in the medium and long term. 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/dubortam.jpg">
He provides the following guide with examples for investors. 
<a target="_blank" href="/news"><place>Tamworth</place> </a>
This large and stable economy led by retail, healthcare, manufacturing and  education is also complemented by robust tourism and equine industries. The city experienced one the strongest growth in population in NSW, equating to an average increase of 1.5% per annum in the five years to June 2011. 
The indicative median rental yield in March 2012 was 6.3% for a three-bedroom house and 6.3% for a two-bedroom unit. 
Examples for some properties achieving higher yields include: 
<ul>
<li>
<street><address>Campbell Street, South</address></street><place>Tamworth</place> (three-bedroom house) –  Sold for $210,000 and rented out for $270/week = 6.7% return. 
</li>
<li>
<street><address>Cohen Lane, North</address></street><place>Tamworth</place> (two-bedroom house) – Sold $169,000 and previously rented out for $225/week = 6.9% return. 
</li>
<li>
<street><address>Napier Street, East</address></street><place>Tamworth</place> (three-bedroom house) – Sold for $260,000 and rented out for $345/week = 6.9% return. </li>
</ul>
 
 
 
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Dubbo</a> 
The Dubbo area is known for its rare earth resources, with several mining companies currently moving into the production stage, while others are investing in infrastructure to support their operations. The mining activity supports strong retail and agricultural sectors, creating a diverse economy that in turn maintains pressure on the retail, industrial and residential property markets. According to the local council the largest employers in the town are retail trade, healthcare and education. Manufacturing is also an important employment sector. 
The indicative median rental yield in March 2012 was 5.8% for a three-bedroom house (low unit activity made the yield for this type of dwelling not reliable). Examples for some properties achieving higher yields include:
<ul>
<li>
<street><address>Sheraton Road</address></street>, Dubbo (three-bedroom house) – Sold in March for $290,000 and rents for $350/week = 6.3% return. 
</li>
<li>Opal Street, Dubbo (three-bedroom house) – Sold in March for $230,000 and rents for $320/week = 7.2% return. 
</li>
<li>Wheelers Lane, Dubbo (four-bedroom house) – Sold in March for $181,000 and advertised for rent at $300/week = 8.6% return.</li>
</ul>
<city><place><a target="_blank" href="/news">Orange</a></place></city> 
A low unemployment rate of 4.5% is an indication for the strength of the local economy. Information obtained from the Orange City Council identified government health services and Newcrest Mining as the largest employers in the region. The city experienced the strongest growth in population in the state, equating to 2% in the 12 months to June 2011 and an average of 1.5% per annum in the five years to June 2011. 
The indicative median rental yield in March 2012 was 6.3% for a three-bedroom house and 6.1% for a two-bedroom unit. Examples for some properties achieving high yields include:
<ul>
<li>
<address>
<street>Anson Street</street>, <city>Orange</city>
</address> (three-bedroom house) – Sold in February 2012 for $290,000 and rents for $340/week = 6.1% return. 
</li>
<li>
<address>
<street>Courallie Drive</street>, <city>Orange</city>
</address> (three-bedroom house) – Sold in February 2012 for $290,000 and rents for $350/week = 6.3% return. 
</li>
<li>Spring Street, <city><place>Orange</place></city> (two-bedroom unit) – Sold in February 2012 for $240,000 and rents for $320/week = 6.9% return. 
</li>
<li>
<address>
<street>Burrendong Way</street>, <city>Orange</city>
</address> (two-bedroom unit) – Sold in February 2012 for $213,000 and advertised for rent at $285/week = 7% return.</li>
</ul>
 
 
 
 
<ul></ul>
</body></html>

High rental yields on offer in regional NSW towns Tamworth, Orange and Dubbo: PRDnationwide

<html><body>
The $600,000 sale of a Drummoyne apartment has concluded a 22-year saga of unknown and/or reluctant entitlement.

The vendor, a Boston, US-based beneficiary, will pocket the proceeds, plus about $150,000 from 22 years unallocated back rent.
The property last traded at $102,000 in 1986 when bought by a mother who died suddenly in January 1990 leaving a baby daughter and a scribbled note indicating her wishes.
The two-bedroom apartment remained on the rent roll of a Drummoyne agency, which has been directed by Ray White principal Chris Wilkins for about 10 years. The Wrights Road apartment remained on his rental book – with the proceeds banked into the trust account and awaiting the discovery of the beneficiary.
She was initially hesitant on hearing of her windfall, thinking in part it ought to go to her father, and she disappeared again from contact for some years. The sole beneficiary was more recently tracked down in Boston, according to the Inner West Courier journalist Victoria Craw, after Wilkins collaborated with Tim Eakin of law firm Eakin McCaffery Cox, administrator of the deceased estate, to hire a private investigator in the US.
Marketed by Ray White agent Aladdin Hassen following its recent redecoration, auctioneer Peter Matthews tweeted afterwards it was "a great story."
It was initially listed with a $625,000 asking price in January and then $550,000-plus hopes in the lead up to the auction. "It was a competitive auction," Wilkins said, saying it was sold to a young bidder buying her first home.
 
 
</body></html>

A $600,000 Drummoyne unit sale plus $150,000 back rent windfall for long-lost Boston beneficiary 

<html><body>
The entrepreneur Donald Trump has told an Australian estate agent audience that owners struggling to sell their prestige homes shouldn’t fire their listing agent, just “fire them up” with the prospect of higher sales commission.
The billionaire property developer and host of The Apprentice advised his devoted audience via satellite that he regularly pays his agents 2% or 3% higher than the regular sales commission rate.
"Over the years, I have done every conceivable thing to agents, including a time when I decided to cut the agents out on a beautiful building I was marketing to try and save on the commissions,'' Trump told the audience of estate agents at the Australasian Real Estate Agents (AREC) conference on the weekend at the Gold Coast.
"But did I learn the hard way that was a bad idea. The sales I had started to dry up. I found out the agents were telling people the building was no good. They weren't stupid.
"Now I pay 7 or 8% commission and go [to] the other extreme because it means people bring buyers to me because I pay a better commission. It works.''
Trump, who praised estate agents as strong, smart and resilient, cautioned the 2,500 agent audience not to let the economic environment make them too aggressive.
"If you are too aggressive to the point where you become obnoxious, you are not a good agent,'' he said.
"When I'm looking for an agent, I look at their past success and their reputation. I want to see their record: are they honourable people, are they well liked and what is their success rate like? And if I like what I hear, I make a deal.''
Negotiation skills were also important, he added, saying his tip to prospective vendors in choosing the right real estate agent was to “look at their past success,” News Ltd papers reported.
 
 
 
</body></html>

Donald Trump tells under-incentivised Australian estate agents not to be obnoxious

<html><body>
Discounted sales of low-rise apartment by receivers have helped drive a 49% increase in Gold Coast sales over the March quarter, the first quarterly sales increase in 12 months. 
There were 113 unconditional sales on the Gold Coast and adjoining Tweed Coast, with the low-rise sector accounting for 46 of these. 
Despite this increase, quarterly sales remain at very low post-GFC levels – in March 2008 there were more than 500 quarterly sales. 
In doing so it overtook the high-rise sector sales rate for the first time in six years.
During the whole of 2011, there were only 103 low-rise apartment sales. 
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/colliersmay291.gif"><img src="/images/stories/colliersmay291thumb.gif"></a>
“Several low-rise projects are in the hands of receivers resulting in price reductions and renewed marketing campaigns which has created the higher sales rate, and this is expected to continue,” commented Colliers in the March quarter update. 
Ilanah Aqua and Azzura Greens at Hope Island were the strongest performing low-rise projects across the Gold and Tweed Coasts, with 17 and 16 sales respectively for the quarter, driven by receivership sell-downs. 
According to Colliers, there are 10 low-rise projects on the Gold Coast containing 144 apartments available for sale. 
Based on the current increased sales rate, this stock could be exhausted within 9.4 months unless new projects are released to the market. 
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/colliersmay292.gif"><img src="/images/stories/colliersmay292thumb.gif"></a>
Only four of the seven precincts covered in this report have low rise apartment stock and all have very low levels, with the exception of the north shore precinct. 
The north shore precinct was the best-performing low-rise precinct on the Gold Coast in terms of sales volumes, with 36 sales across three projects, while Surfers Paradise was the weakest. 
Surfers Paradise recorded only one project sale during the March quarter – XXV Breaker Street at Main Beach where two sales were recorded at $1 million each.
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/colliersmay293.gif"><img src="/images/stories/colliersmay293thumb.gif"></a>
More on page 2
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
 
With the north shore experiencing a higher-than-average sales rate, this stock level will be taken up quickly, leaving very low supply levels across the Gold Coast in the low-rise sector.
Across the region, the average sale price of a new apartment was approximately $640,848.
The report notes that the number of apartment projects have almost halved in the past three years, with just 47 projects being marketed currently compared with 80 in 2009 – the lowest level since 2004.
There were 1,245 apartments available for sale at the end of March 2012, equating to 33.1 months (2.75 years) of supply based on the current quarterly sales rate.
Only one new project was added to during the March quarter: Sykes Apartments in Southport, with one- and two-bedroom units being marketed from $285,000 to $385,000.
Three projects sold out at Coolongatta: Ciel, Elysee and Reflection Tower Two; two at Robina: Sidewalk on Scottsdale and St Kilda; and one at Broadbeach: Sierra Grand.
Tony Holland, Colliers International director of residential project market, says the increase in sales on the Gold Coast could signal a turnaround for the market.
“Confidence is clearly on the improve – the economic outlook for Queensland is good, recent changes in government at both a state and council level have created a more positive sentiment, and this month’s interest rate reduction of 50 basis points will also work to improve confidence,” he says.
“With no new stock entering the market in the short term, availability continues to fall, which will lead to supply shortages in some areas, particularly in the low-rise sector. Our research has found that for the first time in six years the low-rise sector recorded a higher sales rate than the high-rise sector, with 46 sales,” he says.
“Potential future supply of new apartments across the Gold and Tweed Coasts stands at around 12,500, 64%t of which are located between Hope Island and Surfers Paradise, but there is no certainty as to whether and when these will actually be built,” says Lynda Campbell, Colliers International Gold Coast research manager.
“The second half of 2011 saw the north shore precinct reporting sales volumes at their lowest levels since the end of 2008 but this has turned around to now be the best performing precinct on the Gold Coast, with a total of 42 sales reported for the quarter.
“The increased sales rate in the north shore precinct has resulted in a sharp decline in availability, particularly in the one-bedroom and one-plus-study sector, leaving almost no stock remaining,” says Campbell.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
</body></html>

Low-rise receiver sales help drive 49% increase in Gold Coast apartment sales over March quarter: Colliers

<html><body>
Villa Belza, the NSW north coast beach house designed by the French architect Franck Burgard at Angourie, has been listed for sale at $1.35 million.
With tropical privacy screen, views of Yaraguir National Park, Clarence Peak, Lake Wooloweyah and Angourie Back Beach, it comes with multiple balconies, roof deck plus lookout tower.
Villa Bliza is currently set up as a $430 a night peak season holiday rental by its vendor, the Davies family, who have owned the property since 1991.
Elders agents Mike Harvey and Sarah Harvey have the listing of the four-bedroom house currently adorned with antique French antiques.
The Pacific Street house, a three-minutes nature walk from the Spooky Beach, was initially listed in 2009 with higher price hopes.
Burgard’s office is in the Paris neighbourhood Belleville-Ménilmontant. Burgard also designs catamarans.
 
</body></html>

Angourie beach house Villa Belza, designed by surfing French architect, on the market for $1.35 million

<html><body>
Choosing a business name may be a mundane experience that provides a perfunctory label for your product or service, or it can be an inspired piece of branding that will help fast-track your business into consumers’ minds. 
Whatever the merits of your business name, from May 28 the process of registering it in Australia has undergone a significant change. 
The new <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.asic.gov.au/asic/asic.nsf/byheadline/Business+names?openDocument" target="_blank">Business Name Register</a>, administered by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, sweeps away the need to document your brand in each state when you launch. 
So what does this change mean for you? 
<h3>What’s happening exactly? </h3>
As part of the Business Names Registration Act 2011, ASIC has become responsible for registering all Australian business names in a national, rather than state-by-state, basis. 
Until now, each state and territory has had its own business name system. This has meant plenty of administrative – and cost - headaches if you want to extend your brand beyond state borders. 
For example, if you’re starting up in Brisbane, you previously had to register with Queensland Office of Fair Trading. If you plan to operate this business under the same name in, say, Sydney, you also had to register it with NSW Office of Fair Trading. 
The new National Business Name Register does away with this state-based system. Your business will now be listed on an Australian-wide database. 
<h3>My God. So I need to contact ASIC as soon as possible to keep my name then? </h3>
Whoa, hold your horses. Your business name hasn’t vanished from the records in a puff of smoke. 
As ASIC points out on its website: “If your business name was registered in a state or territory before May 28, 2012, you do not need to do anything until it is time to renew your business name.” 
“Your business name will be automatically transferred to the national register, provided it is not subject to an appeal or other outstanding matter.” 
So far, ASIC has transferred a mind-boggling 80 million business name records from the states and territories to the national register. This includes 1.6 million existing business names and 17 million address records. 
This list is rather more inclusive than some of the state and territory regimes, some of which didn’t allow certain ventures to hold a business name. 
In contrast, the ASIC database will include unincorporated entities that are entitled to hold an ABN, including partnerships, trusts and joint ventures. 
ASIC will let you know a couple of months in advance of your business name expiry, when you’ll deal exclusively with them, rather than lots of different state bodies. 
If you haven’t registered or even decided upon a name for your start-up yet, you can search for business name availability and <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.asic.gov.au/asic/ASIC.NSF/byHeadline/Registering%20a%20business%20name">apply online here</a>. 
<h3>What if there are multiple names on the register? </h3>
Good question. 
There’s a decent chance that you’ve registered your business’ name in several different states. In this case, each one has been transferred to the ASIC database. 
You may wish to renew and keep all of these identical names or, more likely, cancel all of them except one.
You can do this without incurring a fee. The best first step is to check that your details have transferred correctly to the ASIC database <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.asic.gov.au/asic/ASIC.NSF/byHeadline/Checking%20your%20business%20name%20on%20the%20register">by going here</a>.
More on pages 2 and 3
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
 
<h3>No, no, no – I’m more worried about another business in another state having the same name as mine. Will they steal my amazing moniker from under my nose? </h3>
Well, they won’t steal your name, but identical names of different businesses will be transferred across to the new national register. 
If your name clashes with another business, you won’t have to change it, but you will have to live happily on the register next to them. 
If you’ve operated across state lines until now, then it doesn’t really make any difference to the branding challenge you have in luring customers. 
The only change is to the register itself. Helpfully, ASIC says that it will place extra information on the register to distinguish each same-named business. 
So your location, for example, may be added to your business name to separate it from another entity. 
<h3>Thievery! </h3>
Well, no, not really. 
ASIC says this extra added information doesn’t actually form part of your business name, it is merely to distinguish it from others. Just relax, will you? 
<h3>What if I haven’t registered my business name anywhere yet? </h3>
Then it’s best if you use the <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.asic.gov.au/asic/asic.nsf/byheadline/Business+name+availability?openDocument">ASIC business name availability tool</a> to see if another business has your moniker. 
The new national register obviously increases the chances of a clash, but ASIC is open to appeals and human interaction on the issue. 
Plus, you have the opportunity to reserve a business name for $42 if you’re not quite ready to go to market with your start-up. 
<h3>Great. I’m going to call my business the Non-Sh-t Anzac Don Bradman Corporation – I’ve checked and no one else has it. The public will love it. </h3>
Okay. So the reason no one else has this wonderful title is that it breaks multiple rules on the words you can use in your business name. 
Your business’ name can’t be identical to another entity, it can’t be offensive, it can’t contain restricted words and it may be barred if an identical name is under consideration by ASIC bigwigs. 
<h3>What are restricted words? </h3>
There’s a whole list of them, ranging from fire brigade and ambulance to GST and RSL. The aim, obviously, is to prevent the public being misled or confused. 
A full list <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.asic.gov.au/asic/asic.nsf/byheadline/Business+name+availability?openDocument">can be found here</a>. 
You also cannot claim that a person or organisation endorses your business by using them in the name, unless they explicitly agree. So your Don Bradman Anzac idea is pretty much a non-starter.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
<h3>Fine. Whatever. What will this all cost me? </h3>
New business name registrations and subsequent renewals cost the same – $30 for one year and $70 for three years. 
That is a big improvement upon the current near-$1,000 cost, plus all the associated bureaucracy, of registering in each state. 
<h3>Indeed. So does this mean I don’t have to worry about trademarks anymore? </h3>
No, not quite. Let’s turn to the lawyer on this one. 
“All (a business name register) does is comply with state-based legislation, which requires a disclosure of who is operating under a business name,” says James Omond, founder of commercial law firm Omond &amp; Co. 
“The only way to secure a ‘proprietary interest’ in a name that you are using [i.e. an ownership interest] is to register it as a trademark.” 
“This not only means that other people cannot stop you from using that name, it also allows you to assert your ownership rights in the name against someone else.” 
<h3>But it’s my business name! I’m the first one to have it and by using it surely I’m protected? </h3>
Omond again: “Using a business name will give you ‘common law’ rights to that name, but if you want to sue someone else for using the same or a similar name, you can only succeed if you can prove that you have built a reputation in the name, and suffered actual damage as a result of the other person using it.” 
“This can be a very difficult and expensive exercise in court. These requirements do not have to be fulfilled if you have a trademark registration. 
“So let me bang the drum again – you need to register your business name as a trademark if you want to truly own it, and be able to protect it.” 
<h3>Do you really think a mere 22 million people in Australia will be interested in my business? I’m after brand recognition from a global market here. What do I need to do? </h3>
The internet has effectively bashed down the doors of international trademarks, making the application of territorial trademarks more complicated than before. 
However, you still need to be covered if you hope to take your business name beyond Australian shores. 
Omond explains: “There is an international treaty involving 80 or so countries, called the Madrid Protocol, which allows you to file a single application from your home country (i.e. Australia) that nominates all of the different participating countries where you want to register your trademark.” 
“As well as benefits such as the ability to file one notice to update a change of address across all countries, and one payment to renew all your overseas registrations in one go, you are also able to make all your payments in Australian dollars.” 
“The basic filing cost is about $800 and you then pay a different fee for each country where you want your trademark registered.” 
“For some countries (e.g. France and Germany) this is as low as $100. Other countries (e.g. the UK and the USA) charge from $300 to $400.” 
“You can also nominate the whole of the EU, for example, for just $1,400. If you use a trademark attorney to do all of this for you (which is advisable), you will also have to pay their fees. (My charge for doing this, for example, is $395 + GST.)”
This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.startupsmart.com.au/" target="_blank">StartupSmart</a>.
 
 
 
 
</body></html>

Latest Property News

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

Guides

Editor's Picks

Guides

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Latest Property News

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

Guides

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Guides

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News