<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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Queensland Valuer-General Neil Bray says the Gold Coast City Council area’s land values have fallen by 8% overall since the last valuation in 2011.
Residential values continued to fall in most localities within the local government area, Bray says.
“Generally land values in the central coastal areas of Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach have declined in value by almost 50% since the 2008 peak,” he says.
Decisions on future planned construction projects along with weakening retail, industrial and tourism markets have had negative flow-on effects in spending and growth within the wider community, Bray notes.
Of the 73 localities in the Gold Coast City region, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/queensland/the-43-worst-performing-gold-coast-localities-in-2011/2012032954070">43 went down in value</a>, 28 had no change in value and <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/queensland/the-only-two-gold-coast-suburbs-where-values-have-gone-up-in-2011/2012032954069">two increased in value</a>.
The area had an overall decrease in median values of 5.1%, from $247,500 to $235,000.
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width: 470px;"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Residential localities
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
Previous median value as at 1/10/2010 ($)
</td>
<td valign="top" width="139">
New median value as at 1/10/2011 ($)
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
Change in median value (%)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Advancetown
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
188,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="139">
188,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Bonogin
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
242,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="139">
242,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Broadbeach
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
590,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="139">
590,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Burleigh Waters
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
285,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="139">
285,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Coombabah
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
205,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="139">
205,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Coomera
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
215,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="139">
215,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Gaven
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
195,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="139">
195,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Gilston
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
195,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="139">
195,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Highland Park
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
212,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="139">
212,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Hope Island
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
265,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="139">
265,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Kingsholme
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
64,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="139">
64,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Maudsland
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
185,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="139">
185,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Mermaid Beach
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
680,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="139">
680,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Mermaid Waters
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
330,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="139">
330,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Merrimac
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
197,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="139">
197,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Mudgeeraba
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
230,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="139">
230,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Nerang
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
197,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="139">
197,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Oxenford
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
205,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="139">
205,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Pacific Pines
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
197,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="139">
197,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Pimpama
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
187,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="139">
187,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Reedy Creek
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
242,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="139">
242,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="111">
South Stradbroke
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
405,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="139">
405,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Tallai
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
237,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="139">
237,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Upper Coomera
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
185,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="139">
185,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Varsity Lakes
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
212,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="139">
212,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Willow Vale
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
395,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="139">
395,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Wongawallan
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
103,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="139">
103,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Worongary
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
195,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="139">
195,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
0
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
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awalsh-7Ub9EypybQ

Twenty-eight localities on the Gold Coast with values going nowhere

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<div><img src="/images/stories/aman.jpg"></div>
The proposed sale of the former Palm Beach home of Tony Morris, the ex-principal of GP Noble currently on trial in the UK over fraud allegations, and his soon-to be-ex-wife, Vanessa Morris-Jackson, has stalled.
There was an application to the Australian Federal Magistrates Court by his bankruptcy trustee Andrew Wily to sell it - for reputedly about $4.6 million. But Magistrate Rolf Driver ruled yesterday against Wily’s application to delete the requirement for Vanessa’s consent to any sale of the northern beaches clifftop house. It had been passed in on a $5 million vendor bid at its March Raine &amp; Horne auction.
<div><img src="/images/stories/tonyvanessa2.jpg"></div>
<div>The couple were married at nearby Jonahs in 2008 in a Moroccan-themed wedding party – she was in a dress by Monique Lhuillier.</div>
<div><img src="/images/stories/tonyvanessa.jpg"></div>
<div>Tony Morris, who was extradited from Sydney last April to face charges of defrauding the fund, had paid $7.45 million, with Vanessa as joint tenant, in 2006 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/bankruptcy-trustee-lists-ex-gp-noble-boss-tony-morris-former-palm-beach-home-as-morris-faces-fraud-charges/2012021553393">for the clifftop property he named Aman</a>.</div>
<div><img src="/images/stories/tonyvanessa3.jpg"></div>
Peter Gosnell’s <a href="https://sydneyinsolvencynews.blogspot.com.au/2011_10_01_archive">Sydney Insolvency News</a> reported last October that the mortgage was running at about $25,000 a month, with the National Australia Bank owed more than $5 million and accumulating penalty interest as Vanessa, was unable to meet them. During the course of Wily's application last Friday Gosnell reported the court heard that the unserviced mortgage was now accumulating at around $30,000 per month with its secured lender NAB owed $5.187 million. Gosnell reported Vanessa, who was initially bankrupted along with her husband, managed to have the order overturned, restoring her right to 50% of the north-facing home.
Valuations for the property mentioned in the court last October ranged from $6.2 million to $6.5 million, hence the hesitation to accept the current highest offer which doesn't cover the bank debt.
The court was told this week that the offer came from a Dr Gregory.
Wily had been appointed trustee in bankruptcy to the estate of Tony Morris after Morris failed to pay $50,000 in legal fees owed to this lawyers, HWL Ebsworth.
Tony Morris now of the rural village, Chiltern Polden, Somerset, denies conspiring to defraud, two counts of theft and two counts of aiding and abetting fraud.
<img src="/images/stories/tonyvanessa4.jpg"><div></div>
This week's UK trial at Southwark Crown Court heard allegations that Mr Morris raided nine retirement schemes, managed by GP Noble, to fund a lavish lifestyle is currently underway in the United Kingdom. Morris was alleged to pocketed the cash to invest in Thai luxury resorts, online bookmakers and pay off his first ex-wife, it was claimed by the prosecutor David Farrar QC.
Farrar told the jury he believed that Morris had orchestrated the alleged disinvestment of the funds held by Nottingham-based firm GP Noble in tranches of £30 million and £22 million between April 2007 and July 2008.
It was alleged the cash was siphoned out of the UK through British Virgin Islands-registered company Fareston and another offshore company associated with Mr Morris, called Multiple Unilateral Financial Futures.
The court heard Morris had been chief executive of TMP until 2005. In 2007, he moved to Australia, with his former business partner Richard Craven telling jurors he had given Morris £14.9 million after he left.
Farrar added: "Mr Morris intended to use part of the funds for his own substantial personal needs, such as settling his wife's substantial claim in their divorce proceedings."
In a 2010 interview with Channel Seven at his clifftop home Morris said he was innocent and would return to England to speak to police to clear his name.
"I've got a lot to lose, a lot to lose. I'm confident I won't be charged, but that's what terrifies me," he said.
David Egan of Raine &amp; Horne is marketing the property.
The wedding photography was by Blumenthal Photography with a story by Sheriden Rhodes on the <a href="https://www.weddinglistco.com.au">www.weddinglistco.com.au</a> website.
 
 
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Mrs Morris stops Palm Beach clifftop sale of ex-GP Noble boss Tony Morris’ former Australian home

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The largest privately owned property management company in Queensland, Rental Express Group, is set to buy RUN Property and Agent Plus for $65.4 million, according to an ASX release.
RUN Property manages around $10 billion in properties in Queensland, NSW and Victoria with administration and accounting software Agent Plus as a fully owned subsidiary.
The new entity would manage 20,000 properties in NSW, Victoria, Queenland and WA if the conditional deal proceeds.
Part of the proceeds of the sale will be used to pay off RUN’s $20.4 million bank debt, which was refinanced from NAB to Macquarie Bank earlier this year.
The deal would require Rental Express to obtain finance and RUN Property shareholders passing a resolution authorising the sale.
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Rental Express Group set to buy RUN Property for $65.4 million

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<img width="470" src="/images/stories/domain1.jpg">
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 5px;">No sale this week of an $18 million Vaucluse harbourfront. The SMH's Domain.com.au report of the purported sale on Sydney Harbour proved inaccurate as the Mayo family has yet to sell Green Gables, its Coolong Road residence, for $18 million. Today's report thereby also wrongly identified hotelier Bob Berger as its buyer. Rumours aplenty yes, but emphatic denials. No doubt there will be a fascinating backstory as to what did and didn't transpire in the negotiations over the property on Thursday, let alone the hasty attempts to remove all cached versions of the premature publication from the Fairfax websites this morning. Title Tattle recalls Green Gables was last in the headlines in somewhat greater controversy when in the 1980 its then owner, Frank Nugan, shot himself shortly before his merchant bank Nugan Hand went into receivership and was involved in the odd Royal Commission or two. The Mayo family paid $1.15 million in 1981 for the Vaucluse waterfront, which Nugan bought in 1976 for $450,000.
<img width="470" src="/images/stories/elizst.jpg">
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 5px;">
Actors' agent Ann Churchill-Brown has listed her nine-metre-wide Paddington residence (pictured above). It’s being marketed by McGrath agent Ben Collier as having immaculately retained period details and sophisticated contemporary design. Occupying a prime corner position on Elizabeth Street, the three-bedroom property with three levels has been scheduled for June 2 auction. It comes with a private entertainers’ courtyard garden. It last traded at $3.2 million in 2007, so its ought fetch a little more given its renovation.
<img width="470" src="/images/stories/colindia.jpg">
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 5px;">
Alastair Provan, the long-time Bell Potter Securities executive, and his wife, Jan, have listed their 1920s Neutral Bay residence (pictured above) for May 31 LJ Hooker auction. It has five bedrooms, three bathrooms, a study and several living rooms. It’s set in 1,184 square metres of parklike gardens. It comes with city skyline and Harbour Bridge views from both levels. Title Tattle seems to recollect it was briefly listed through Ray White late last year with $5 million hopes. They paid around $1 million in 1993. The Provans have spent $8.8 million on their high-rise apartment in newly completed complex The Residence overlooking Hyde Park. The one-time headquarters for the NSW Police has been gutted and refurbished by architectural firm Scottcarver to accommodate 87 upmarket apartments. The College Street complex was marketed by CBRE with the initial sales through Laing Real Estate, Pagdens, and Christies Great Estates.
<img width="470" src="/images/stories/woles.jpg">
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 5px;">At Point Piper the media advertising buying agency veteran Jill Waddy has listed the family’s long-held four-bedroom apartment (pictured above). It’s been owned by the Waddy family since the early 1970s. Offers of more than $3 million are expected by May 24 through D'Leanne Lewis of Laing+Simmons Double Bay. The apartment occupies a floor in a Wolseley Road triplex with big rooms and views across the harbour to the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.
<img width="470" src="/images/stories/cammeray.jpg">
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 5px;">Alcatel’s former South Asia Pacific president Ron Spithill, and his wife, Patricia, have sold their north-facing Cammeray waterfront house (pictured above) before this weekend’s scheduled auction. The modern Cowdroy Avenue house sits on a 472-square-metre block with jetty and deep-water marina berth. The house cost $2.4 million when newly completed in 1999. Ron has an extensive background in the telecommunications industry and is a former president of the Telecommunications Industry Association of Australia. He joined Alcatel in 1962, when it was called ITT and was with the company until his 2005 retirement. The couple spend much of their time in Europe with regular trips to New Zealand, where he’s on the board of Telecom NZ. It sold through McGrath agents Piers van Hamburg and Priscilla Ouvrier who secured a tad higher than their $3.9 million plus hopes.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/november15osborne]}
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 5px;">The former Parramatta Eels chief executive Paul Osborne offloaded his Byron Bay property investment (pictured above) for $1.14 million at auction last weekend. Highlighting the perils of quick sale turnarounds in already negative markets, the price reflected a 40% decline in 16 months. His foray into the northern NSW town cost $1.9 million in January 2011, with the property having previously sold at $1,475,000 in 2007. It failed to sell at its December 2011 auction, when Osborne had $1,499,000 hopes, and was subsequently listed at $1.395 million. It was last October when Osborne's stressed financial situation was made public by SMH investigative reporter Kate McClymont after leaks that the Kenthurst-based Osborne had borrowed money from the Parramatta chairman Roy Spagnolo. The then chief executive was on a salary rumoured to be $270,000. The Massinger Street, Byron Bay property sold through Ray White Byron Bay agent Brett Connable who had advised his extensive email list that the offering would be definitely sold at the weekend auction. Set opposite the Top Shop Cafe in Massinger Street, it comes with ocean views to the north over Byron Bay. It has three upstairs bedrooms plus downstairs is a one-bedroom guest quarter.
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 5px;">Don’t say that Title Tattle told you, but the aged care nursing home operator Keith Mathies is likely to emerge as the buyer of South Yarra's Saint Cloud, the Kensington Road house that sits on a large estate. The property has apparently been sold through Andrew Baines at Kay &amp; Burton for about $10 million. When initially listed in 2005 it was described as 5,437 square metres of land, 100 squares (930 square metres)of living, six bedrooms with ensuite, north-south championship tennis court and botanical gardens. The prominent semi-circle late 1980s home was sold by Peter Clark, who co-founded management consultant Clark Hummerston Group, and when Title Tattle last enquired a few years ago, was splitting his time between homes in Lorne, Mount Macedon, the Mornington Peninsula and the United Kingdom.
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 5px;">And the whisper is that the prestige sales doyen Gerald Delany has resumed the mantle as Kay &amp; Burton's chairman. He sold his equity last year and briefly cut his ties with the prominent Melbourne estate agency and went on a well-earned vacation. But after eight months away, last Saturday he had the auctioneer's gavel in hand selling the week's highest price property.
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Publican doesn't spend $18 million on the still unsold Green Gables: Title Tattle

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Investors are expected to invest $800 million in office assets in Melbourne this year, with activity focused outside the CBD, according to the latest report by CBRE.
The Melbourne Office MarketView report found St Kilda Road has been the site of a series of sales in the six months leading to March 2012.
“With a shortage of assets available in the CBD there has been a progressive shift towards properties previously overlooked by investors and this has resulted in a number of transactions outside the CBD/Docklands precinct,” CBRE senior director of institutional investment properties Mark Coster says.
“We expect interest in the St Kilda Road precinct to continue to strengthen, given its relative affordability compared to other markets and increasing momentum on the leasing side.
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/cbremay11.gif"><img src="/images/stories/cbremay11thumb.gif"></a>
Major transactions in the six months leading to March include 601 St Kilda Road, which sold for $30 million to Shakespeare Investments; 484 St Kilda Road, which was purchased for $68 million by Abacus and Heitman LLC; 441 St Kilda Road, which sold for $58 million to Centuria Property; and 607 St Kilda Road, which sold for $28.5 million to private Chinese investor Casino Investments.
Offshore investors are expected to be the main drivers, closely followed by domestic groups with private investors and syndicators focussing on the lower price bracket. Assets above $50 million have attracted offshore investors while private investors and syndicators have been seeking assets backed by government tenants with long weighted average lease expiries.
“At a global level, Australian office assets continue to appear attractively priced based on conventional pricing models,” says CBRE senior research analyst Erin Obliubek.
“This, coupled with the resilience of the Australian economy, high liquidity, attractive investment yields and market transparency, is driving investor interest in key CBD markets such as Melbourne.”
Melbourne recorded $1.1 billion in sales in 2011 accounting for 15% of the national office sales volume.
Significant transactions in 2012 include the $53 million sale of 565 Bourke Street, $67 million sale of 477 Collins Street and the sales of 50% interests in 242 Exhibition Street and 120 Collins Street.
There has been an ongoing compression in investment yields in both the CBD and suburban markets, according to the report.
“In the CBD, implied yields have recovered by 60 basis points since the market trough in Q3, 2009 to be circa 7%.”
The report says premium yields were considered to be in the 6.5% to 7% range.
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St Kilda Road to lead Melbourne office sales: CBRE

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<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/ron-medich-seeks-%2440-million-plus-for-harbourfront-point-piper-home/2012050754580" target="_blank"><img src="/images/stories/40mpluys.gif"></a>
The price hopes <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/ron-medich-seeks-%2440-million-plus-for-harbourfront-point-piper-home/2012050754580" target="_blank">Ron Medich has for his Point Piper harbourfront home</a>, which has now been officially listed for sale. The harbourfront property had previously been quietly listed for sale, having never been publicly marketed in print or internet.
<hr>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/ofarrell-government-backtracks-on-50-of-sydneys-future-housing-growth-in-urban-fringe/2012050454557"> <img src="/images/stories/70percent.gif"></a>
The percentage of new homes built in Sydney over the next four years<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/ofarrell-government-backtracks-on-50-of-sydneys-future-housing-growth-in-urban-fringe/2012050454557"> that will be in existing areas</a>, according to the NSW government's new Metropolitan Strategy discussion paper.
<hr>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/manly-sea-eagles-co-captain-jamie-lyon-selling-newport-nest-title-tattle/2012050654571"><img src="/images/stories/1point15mplus.gif"></a>
The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/manly-sea-eagles-co-captain-jamie-lyon-selling-newport-nest-title-tattle/2012050654571">price hopes for the Newport home of Manly Sea Eagles co-captain Jamie Lyon</a>. Jamie and wife Ellie are off to Warriewood, where they are building a new home.
 
<hr>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/house-prices-fell-in-all-melbourne-regions-in-past-year-with-essendon-the-worst-performer-residex/2012050754581"><img src="/images/stories/minus8point75.gif"></a>
The house price growth in the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/house-prices-fell-in-all-melbourne-regions-in-past-year-with-essendon-the-worst-performer-residex/2012050754581">Melbourne suburb of Essendon </a>over the 12 months to March 2012, according to the Residex. Every Melbourne region had negative house price growth during the past year, with Essendon prices declining the most.
 
<hr>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/economy/federal-budget2012-tax-breaks-for-green-buildings-dumped/2012050854605"><img src="/images/stories/405m.gif"></a>
The amount of money the federal government will save in the next four years by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/economy/federal-budget2012-tax-breaks-for-green-buildings-dumped/2012050854605">axing green buildings tax breaks </a>in the federal budget. The scheme had never come into effect, being shut down before it began.
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<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/donna-hays-paddington-terrace-off-the-burner-as-buyer-takes-a-%2423-million-bite-title-tattle/2012050854619"><img src="/images/stories/2point3m.gif"></a>
The approximate sale price celebrity cook <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/donna-hays-paddington-terrace-off-the-burner-as-buyer-takes-a-%2423-million-bite-title-tattle/2012050854619">Donna Hay secured</a> for her Paddington investment terrace. It was extensively renovated after being bought as an investment for $1.42 million in 2003.
 
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<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/court-overturns-%241000-sheriff-sale-of-braybrook-home-valued-at-%24630000/2012050954635" target="_blank"><img src="/images/stories/630k.gif"></a>
The estimated value of a <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/court-overturns-%241000-sheriff-sale-of-braybrook-home-valued-at-%24630000/2012050954635" target="_blank">six-bedroom Braybrook home that was sold in a no-reserve sheriff's auction for $1,000</a>. The sale was overturned by Victorian Supreme Court this week.
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The 7 must-know numbers of the week, starting with Ron Medich's price hopes for Point Piper harbourfront

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While industry leaders are <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/finance/federal-budget-2012-doubling-of-tax-on-foreign-investment-in-property-trusts-slammed-by-pca/2012050854614">set to lobby the government to reverse the doubling of the withholding tax in this week’s budget</a>, not all have voiced dire consequences arising from the decision.
International players use management investment trusts to hold their real estate acquisitions, so the twofold increase in the withholding tax from 7.5% to 15% will have an impact, but Simon Garing of Merrill Lynch noted the higher rate will shave half a per cent off the investment return from an asset.
The recent 200 basis point fall in the 10-year Treasury yield is far more significant to offshore players, he notes.
“You can now get 3.6% from a government bond or buy a 10-year lease on property leased to the government with the same credit rating and receive a yield of 8 per cent," Garling says.
CBRE senior managing director Rick Butler told Fairfax Media that some property groups would be affected, depending on how their investments were structured.
He added offshore groups often use shareholder loans to finance their investments but said the change may affect asset values as foreign groups are significant buyers.
Colliers International has found that since the government lowered withholding tax to 7.5% in 2007-08, foreign investment in Australian commercial property markets has increased from $1.2 billion in 2008 to $5.5 billion in 2011.
Colliers International’s national director for capital markets, James Quigley, says Australia is still an attractive market for real estate investing.
"I don’t think that it will leave them ruling out Australia,” he says.
On budget night Property Council chief executive Peter Verwer was the first see the decision in the budget fine print, saying it “shredded Australia’s ambition to become the leading funds management hub for the Asia-Pacific region”.
 
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Australia still attractive to international property investors after federal budget withholding tax increase

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Mosman’s latest auction listing comes with the 2011 HIA Australian Kitchen of the Year.
<img src="/images/stories/kitchen.jpg">
The contemporary Wolseley Road offering is marketed as a luxurious entertainer with an easy-living sun-swept design, which effortlessly fuses internal and external spaces.
Perched on Balmoral Slopes, the four-bedroom house is scheduled for May 24 auction by the Shaw family, who paid $3.4 million in 2008 for the 523-square-metre holding.
Locals are saying they expect about $5 million.
It was in the rental pool last year initially with $10,000 a week hopes, which were revised to $8,500 a week asking price.
The kitchen was designed and manufactured by Art of Kitchens. Its mirrored kicks give the illusion the kitchen is floating according to the designers, who also went with mirrored splashbacks.
The LJ Hooker marketing barely shows the kitchen images, so best pop along to the Saturday afternoon open for inspections. And take a cheque for about $5 million.
 
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HIA Australian Kitchen of the year – with a Mosman house thrown in – up for auction

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Joyce Farmhouse, the colonial bungalow gem in Sydney’s Baulkham Hills, has been listed for June 2 auction through John Russell of Richardson &amp; Wrench Baulkham Hills, who expects more than $900,000.
The property is named after a convict settler, William Joyce, who in 1794 built the house on 12 hectares of land granted following a conditional pardon. William Joyce had been transported on the Albermarle in 1791 after being tried in 1790 and sentenced to 14 years’ transportation.
After a fire in 1804, he repaired and rebuilt the house, now considered as the definitive design of an Australian colonial bungalow.
Joyce Farmhouse has walls of brick bond with mortar containing seashells along with foundations from the local sandstone.
Its gently pitched roof is supported by a row of timber Tuscan columns set on a sandstone-flagged verandah.
It was in 1969 when Parkes Development subdivided Joyce Farm's land for sale and the farmhouse was scheduled for demolition.
But after the farmhouse block was bought by Mavis Baker it was saved from the wrecker's ball.
Subsequently the late philanthropist Caroline Simpson, who displayed a repeated passion for conserving colonial heritage, bought it and restored it with her design team including David Sheedy, Thomas Gillies and Gay Stanton.
Now set on a 2055-square-metre Valerie Avenue block with level lawns and a circular driveway, the house is offered for sale by Simpson's children.
Bungalow architecture was the first topic of the current Sydney lecture series that traces housing styles in Australia hosted by the Historic Houses Trust as part of the Sydney Open program.
It kicked off last week with author, historian and conservation consultant Dr James Broadbent and Scott Robertson, director of Robertson &amp; Hindmarsh Architects, addressing bungalow homes.
The <a href="https://www.hht.net.au/discover/highlights/articles/sydney_open_talks_house_bios">Thursday evening talks</a> run weekly until June 14 held at The Mint on Macquarie Street, Sydney. Architects can claim informal CPD points by their attendance. The series Apartment Thursday, May 3, 6pm - 7.30pm Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon, assistant director, Creative Services, Historic Houses Trust Adam Haddow, Director, SJB Architects Villa Thursday, May 10, 6pm - 7.30pm Scott Carlin, Curator, Historic Houses Trust Philip Goad, professor of architecture at the University of Melbourne Mansion Thursday, May 17, 6pm - 7.30pm Dr Charles Pickett, curator of design and built environment at the Powerhouse Museum Jonathan Chancellor, managing editor, Property Observer Beach shack Thursday, May 24, 6pm - 7.30pm Dr Michael Bogle, design historian Peter Stutchbury, Peter Stutchbury Architects Terrace Thursday, May 31, 6pm - 7.30pm Keri Huxley, social and political scientist and former mayor of Woollahra Council Hannah Tribe, founding principal, Tribe Studio Architects Project home Thursday, June 7, 6pm - 7.30pm Dr Judith O’Callaghan, senior lecturer, The University of New South Wales Tone Wheeler, principal architect, Environa Studio Portable Thursday, June 14, 6pm - 7.30pm Megan Martin, head of collections and access Sean Godsell, Sean Godsell Architects
 
 
 
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Joyce Farmhouse, the bungalow on Sydney's colonial fringe named after pardoned convict, listed for auction

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Will the price be right this time? Channel 7 star Larry Emdur and his wife, Sylvie, are having another attempt to sell their redundant cliff top Dover Heights residence.
It’s a contemporary house remaining true to its classic P and O-style heritage design by architect Andre Baroukh.
<img src="/images/stories/larryemdur.jpg">
It’s been scheduled for May 30 auction by Emdur, who hosts the Channel 7 Morning Show and from this week The Price is Right, which debuted Monday with a bumper 536,000 audience, dipping to 402,000 on its second night, Tuesday.
Based on the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/larry-edmur-says-good-morning-to-breathtaking-cliff-top-property/2011090251402">couple’s nearby upgrade purchase of $6.8 million</a>, it had been estimated more than $5 million could be reasonably expected when it went to auction last spring.
Now new listing agents Daniel Baran and Reece Coleman of BHR Estste Agents are saying $4 million plus.
The couple knew on initial listing that there was weakness in the Dover Heights prestige market as their newly acquired residence had previously traded at $7.1 million in 2007. It was initially listed in 2010 with hopes it would sell for more than $8.5 million, but that asking price wasn't right.
The Emdurs bought at Dover Heights in 1994 when they spent $770,000 for a house set on 417 square metres.
Their new abode with dramatic oceanfront cliff-top views over the Pacific came with an infinity pool on its 1,062-square-metre holding.
 
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