<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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Rowardennan, the 1913 Warrawee residence originally known as Maiala, has been listed for sale with $4.5 million-plus hopes.
Positioned at the end of a gravel driveway, the home was designed by architect BJ Waterhouse on 2,313 square metres of parklike gardens on Warrawee Avenue.
Its listing agent, Chana Scotcher at Chana Scotcher Realty, has sold the heritage listed house twice – firstly in 1996 when publisher Herbert Hillary sold and then again in 2000 when it was bought by the Mary Kay Pacific cosmetics boss, KK Chua. He then sold it on to the present vendors.
It was built along the principles of a French chateau for Joseph Beresford Grant. Beresford Grant is credited as being responsible for Warrawee being shop-free, as he bought the land earmarked for retail construction but preferred to keep it residential.
Designed in 1913, Rowardennan was initially set on 1.6 hectare. It came with rolling lawns, a vast garden that extended to Bangalla Avenue, and even a pony paddock. When the property was sold in 1936 Grant and his wife moved to the house they'd built on neighbouring land, and took the Maiala name with them to the Professor Leslie Wilkinson-designed residence.
 
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Warrawee 1913 residence Rowardennan listed with $4.5 million-plus hopes: Title Tattle

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Claremont, the 16-hectare Bellingen property with a Keith Cottier-designed house, has been sold for $2.2 million through Peter Stone at Real Estate of Distinction at Coffs Harbour.
With views over green fields and the Bellingen River towards the Dorrigo Mountains, the four-bedroom house won the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) NSW Blacket Award for a country building of outstanding merit in 1986. It was built for the Berry family.
The international-style residence has interior living area of 100 square metres. The property comes with a timber guest house next to the pool. The house makes expansive use of glass and stone, along with high cathedral ceilings. The master bedroom faces east, separated from the living areas by a study and dressing room. All rooms in the house have been designed to take advantage of cross-ventilation from the cooling north-east breeze and warming winter sun.
Stone says the success of the architect’s design lay in “its marriage of traditional form, intelligent planning, effective environmental performance and careful siting within its landscape”.
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Award-winning Bellingen property Claremont with Keith Cottier-designed house sells for $2.2 million

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Real estate agents selling and leasing properties in Dysart, a small town in Queensland’s Isaac region, expect some reduction in house prices and rents following BHP Billiton’s decision last week to shut down the nearby Norwich Park coal mine indefinitely. 
The mine is about 15 kilometres south of Dysart and according to BHP has been losing money for “several months”. 
The closure of the mine will directly affect 490 mine employees and up to 1,000 people when including contractors. 
However the mining company has said that it will aim redeploy as many employees to the Saraji Mine, about 26 kilometres north of Dysart “to enable, where possible, those employees and families to remain living in Dysart”. 
The town has a population of about 3,100 people, according to the Isaac Regional Council. 
Julie Williamson from Julie Williamson Real Estate told Property Observer she expects a “huge impact on the market” as a result of the mine closure.
“It will free up a lot of rentals, which will bring the rental market down, which in turn will bring house prices down.
“I believe this will last for a few months, but we know there is still a lot of future employment throughout the other mines.  Hopefully, in the not-so-distant future the market will start to rise again,” she says.
Another local agent pointed out that no miners had lost their jobs and that the mine was relocating people to the Saraji Mine.
“It’s not as bad as the media are beating it up. It’s business as usual. The shops are full – there are no vacant shops,” the agent says.
“People like Lawsie (John Laws) are talking about people losing their job, when no one has lost their jobs yet,” says the agent.
However, she accepts that rents and prices are likely to fall back a little.
“They’ll only crash if people start panicking.”
“The market has been strong up until now… It will only plateau out.”
Hotspotting.com.au director Terry Ryder says it is as yet unclear whether BHP is serious about closing the mine, “or merely using the threat as a negotiating weapon with the unions, who have been making life difficult there for the past 18 months”.
“They are doing the same with rents in Moranbah, refusing to sign up for any more house tenancies until landlords drop their rents.
“But it all emphasises the high risks involving in investing in mining towns – the growth rates and rental returns can be enticing, but the risks are high in markets based on a single industry and often a single powerful employer, like BHP,” says Ryder.
Rents in Dysart start from around $800 per week for a three-bedroom house to as much as $1,800 per week for four-bedroom houses providing double-digit rental yields for investors.
Figures compiled by RP Data show that nine houses in Dysart have been sold since the start of the year, with prices ranging from $374,000 to $695,000.
Among the nine properties to sell this year was this five-bedroom house at 44 Beardmore Crescent (pictured below), which was sold for $695,000 to a Sydney investor from Mona Vale in January.
<img src="/images/stories/dysart1.jpg" width="470">
The property was listed for rent by Vision Real Estate Consultants Mackay asking $2,500 per week. 
It was rented out last week at a slighter reduced rent of $2,400 – equating to a yield of almost 18%. 
A five-bedroom house on Brock Crescent (pictured below) which sold to a local Dysart buyer for $579,000 is currently available for rent at $1,600 per week (a yield of 14%), with the listing also held by Vision Real Estate Consultants Mackay.
<img src="/images/stories/dysart2.jpg" width="470">
According to RP Data, Dysart house prices rose 13.6% in 2011 following strong gains in 2008 and 2009. 
RP Data puts the Dysart median house price at $680,000, compared with $437,000 in March 2011 with growth of 13.6% recorded. 
Facilities in the town include a $5 million sports complex including an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a shopping mall, a nine-hole golf course and bowls club, and a Community Civic Centre owned and maintained by Isaac Regional Council.
 
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Mine closure expected to bring down rents and prices in Dysart, Queensland: Agents

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Founder(s): Shane Thatcher, Liz Aitken, Nick Barr  Revenue: $372,000 Started: 2010 Head Office: Victoria Employees: 3 Industry: Other Website: <a href="https://www.startupsmart.com.au/weblink?cid=5819&amp;fid=36&amp;ord=1" title="www.illuminationsolar.com">www.illuminationsolar.com</a>
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<img src="/images/stories/shanethatcher.gif" style="float: left; margin: 5px;">
<div>The solar industry has taken a beating these past few years, but that hasn’t stopped Shane Thatcher (pictured left) from starting Illumination Solar with a clear vision: “To eliminate the burning of kerosene as a fuel source in the developing world.”
Illumination isn’t focusing on the Australian market, but is instead turning to the developing world in order to make a change, being able to provide lights at such a low price due to carbon credits.
Thatcher’s goal is as much as philanthropic as it is commercial and he says the business has already been able to “change the lives of over two hundred thousand people and managed to feed ourselves in the process.”
There are significant problems in bringing solar to the developing world, however.
“Our markets and customers are geographically and culturally diverse,” he says.
“They often lack basic commercial infrastructure and it took some time to locate and develop reliable and trustworthy distribution partners.”
But he says by using a simple customer-focused design, the business has been able to produce a target price point that “makes an enormous difference to our customers’ lives.
“The market potential is absolutely enormous,” Thatcher says.
This article originally appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.startupsmart.com.au/">StartupSmart</a>.
 
 
 
 
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StartupSmart Awards 2012: Illumination Solar

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The pace of Hobart house price falls picked up in the second half of 2011 at the same time as the proportion of mainland investors, who have traditionally helped support the Tasmanian market, dwindled.
Mainland buyers constituted 13% of sales in Tasmania during the December quarter, according to the Real Estate Institute of Tasmania property report – this figure has been as high as 25% in past years.
<img src="/images/stories/clockhobart.jpg">
According to the REIT, prices vary widely across the different Hobart markets – while inner Hobart had a median price of $471,310, middle Hobart had a median price of $320,000, and outer Hobart had a median price of $345,000 in February.
There was some good news for the Hobart market, with affordability improving by 3.1% in the final quarter of 2011, according to the HIA-Commonwealth Bank Housing Affordability index.
However the REIT reports just a handful of sales in some of Hobart’s most expensive suburbs in December, indicating a property market in virtual hibernation.
For example there were just five sales in Tranmere, middle Hobart in the December quarter. Tranmere has a median price of $665,000.
Population: 215,000
Median house price: $340,000
Median unit price: $260,000
House price growth in February 2012: 2.1%
Unit price growth in February 2012: 3.4%
Annual dwelling price growth to December 2011: -5.9%
Annual dwelling price growth to July 2011: -4.4%
Rental yield: 5.3% (houses), 5% (units)
 
To find out where your capital city's house or unit market is on the property clock, <a href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/ebooks/free-ebook-australias-autumn-2012-property-clock" target="_blank">download our free eBook.</a>
 
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Hobart housing market at three o'clock and in virtual hibernation: Experts

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Lights, camera, action. Property is back on television. Not the overly earnest The Renovators, which has been dropped from the Channel 10 schedule, but the perennial favourite, The Block on Channel 9.
It’s on the air for the fifth time since 2003.
Monday night’s 1.4 million debut ratings wasn’t quite matched Tuesday when a still very attuned 1.3 million tuned in for the preliminary knockout shows, which have eight couples become the final four who take viewers through the remaining 10 or so weeks. Interestingly it was the Melbourne viewers who strayed away on the second night dropping from 508,000 to 466,000. The Sydneysiders tuned in in roughly equal numbers - 404,000 on debut and 390,000 on Tuesday night.
The Block’s 2011 airing – which was ramped up to a remarkable six nights a week footage – <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/the-block-auction-a-dose-of-reality-which-sydney-finally-loved/2011082251240">ended with a dose of reality at its auction finale</a>.
Three of the four houses in the Cameron Street, Richmond offering failed to sell under the bright lights of the auctioneer’s hammer.
There’s little doubt the producers of The Block 2011 paid above-market rates to get four houses in a row, given they are a rarity.
It could again face the same challenges of getting overly enthusiastic buyers to match the outlays incurred in The Block 2012, with the four South Melbourne cottages in the current series costing $3.8 million last June, plus subsequent ambitious renovation costs.
Not that there’s any stopping the production company, which <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/renovating/its-back-to-bondi-for-the-block-home-renovation-realty-series-after-they-sell-south-melbourne/2012033054098">has already spent about $4.4 million on four semis in Bondi for the next season</a>.
Of course, the criteria for success is the ratings, not necessarily the sale price return.
And the fact that so much effort by the zealous contestants can go unrewarded no doubt appeals to some viewers.
The Block could of course set artificially low reserves for the auction price hurdle, but there’s been no indication of a change of heart from the producers, Watercress Productions.
Last year’s Channel Ten series of The Renovators sold all six of its Sydney offerings on the night, but half of them lost money when you factor in stamp duty and renovation costs.
The prices paid by the producers of The Renovators 2011 series were not excessive, but they went awry in their allowances.
They took the purchase price and then the stamp duty costs into their calculations before adding the 20% renovation outlay.
The rule of thumb is to keep the reno spend to less than 10% of the purchase price of a home. So spending 20% of the expanded purchase costs was always going to be a hard ask to match.
And too much a challenge for such overcapitalised properties hitting a soft Sydney market in quick time.
Melbourne’s market is particularly to read, and when the South Melbourne auctions come winter, who’s to say how chilly the sale conditions will be.
I’ve yet to see the interiors, but two questions immediately spring to mind from a drive-by perusal.
Are the third-floor extensions a little over the top for the Dorcas Street locale? What buyer spending limit arises from the absence of car parking?
Of course there are other factors in determining buyer interest. Like energy usage saving initiatives. And no doubt investors will be seeking the depreciation reports for the four homes. They were a goldmine for investors seeking to maximise returns on last year’s Richmond offerings.
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The Block 2012 is a high-rating drama success already, but needs to entice property punters

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One of East Melbourne’s most elegant terraces houses dating back to the early 1860s has been listed for May 17 auction through Rob Vickers-Willis at Abercromby's Real Estate.
The terrace’s first owner was Thomas Greenwood, a partner in Oddy and Greenwood, fellmongers of Yarra Bank Road.
But the Gipps Street terrace, currently home to Delwyn Freestone’s  <a target="_blank" href="https://chrysalis.com.au/">Chrysalis Gallery</a>, comes with a striking all-white Classical Italianate Revival façade, the work of renovations in the 1880s by architects Terry and Oakden.
During its 150 years, it’s been the home to the Ormiston Girls School, Australia's first woman medical practitioner Constance Stokes, and to historian Winston Burchett.
In the 1870s it was home to Robert Ramsay, the chief secretary who authorised the trainload of police who went to Glenrowan in 1880 after Ned Kelly.
Ramsay died in 1882, but his widow, Isabelle, secured from the Lord Bishop of Melbourne the adjacent space on its western boundary from the Deanery Reservation, which gave a side entrance and space for a courtyard garden.
It was a rooming house in the 1930s Depression years under the name of Sujama Flats, with its restoration beginning in the 1950s, according to the <a target="_blank" href="https://emhs.org.au/history/buildings/east_melbourne_gipps_street_179">East Melbourne Historical Society records</a>.
It sold at $920,000 in 1999. Currently $4.5 million plus is expected. 
Chrysalis Gallery will continue to open during the sale of 179 Gipps Street. The gallery will relocate at a date to be confirmed.
The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/ned-kelly-hanging-witness-and-beechworth-gaol-governor-john-castieau-s-1864-home-on-the-market-for-first-time/2012041753947">Beechworth home of John Buckley Castieau</a>, the government representative at Ned Kelly's hanging, is also on the market. 
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Elegant 1800s East Melbourne art gallery terrace with rich history and Ned Kelly connection listed

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Neighbours veteran Ryan "Toadie" Moloney has sold his Malvern East house. Its sale price has not been revealed, but it was listed with $1.2 million hopes. 

It's been the home of Moloney and his wife, Alison, since early 2008. <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/neighbours-veteran-ryan-toadie-maloney-lists-in-malvern-east-title-tattle/2012031453833" target="_blank">The four-bedroom house</a> sits on a 664-square-metre block that comes with jet pool, studio/workshop and space for four cars. 

It sold through Bennison Mackinnon agent Andrew Luke and Will Trenchard. 

Moloney became a regular on the show in 1996. The house was bought at late 2007 auction for $1.09 million.
 
 
 


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Actor Ryan ‘Toadie’ Moloney says goodbye to Malvern East neighbours as home sells: Title Tattle

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The Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) says it is concerned that standards governing the conduct of real estate agents and other property professionals will be compromised in an effort to implement a national licensing scheme by 2013.
The REIA will ask the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) to agree to a national licensing system that requires real estate agents to achieve a diploma level qualification and undertake compulsory continuing professional development (CPD). The scheme would also require licensing for commercial property agents.
Under <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/real-estate-institutes-fear-mooted-licensing-scheme-will-lower-standards/2011070150676">previous COAG licensing proposals</a> the education requirement was expected to be a certificate IV course, which can be completed in two days rather than the longer-form diploma currently required in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Tasmania and South Australia.
“The key to providing a low risk professional service to home buyers is through a high level of initial qualification and through compulsory ongoing professional development to maintain these standards and to keep abreast of the changing regulatory environment that agents operate in,” says REIA president Pamela Bennett.
Her comments follow the latest communiqué from the April COAG meeting, which said it had agreed on the need for a “best-practice approach” to regulating property occupations (as well as those involved in electrical; plumbing and gasfitting; refrigeration and air-conditioning occupations).
A consultation document will be released in the first half of 2012 with the framing legislation expected to be agreed to by the end of the year.
“Given the complexity of the reform, it will now commence from 2013. In the lead-up to the commencement of the reform, COAG will consult stakeholders on the options contained in the RIS [regulation impact statement] and raise awareness of the reform,” says COAG.
Plans for a national licensing system for real estate agents bringing together the disparate licensing regimes in each state and territory have been mooted since the July 2008 COAG meeting, when it was announced that there would be a new national system with a “national approach to the licensing of a range of economically important trades” including “property agents” and those with “building occupations”.
Bennett welcomed the announcement but warned against settling for a lowest common denominator outcome.
“The REIA has supported national licensing and recognises the benefits this will bring to both the industry and to consumers through improved mobility between jurisdictions and a uniform approach across <country-region><place>Australia</place></country-region>.
“However, it is imperative that standards are not lowered for the sake of expediency”, she says.
“The need for a high level of training and professionalism is across the spectrum of real estate transactions. With more and more individuals having an exposure to commercial real estate, either directly or through their superannuation fund, it is equally important that buyers and sellers are receiving sound support by having the sale of commercial property undertaken by licensed professionals,” Bennett told Real Estate Business.
The institute is currently working with the Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council (CPSISC) to review the units of competency under a proposed national licensing scheme.
 
 
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Real Estate Institute fears 2013 national licensing scheme could reduce agents' qualifications

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The Beechworth Gaol governor's house, built in 1864 and first inhabited by John Buckley Castieau, most famous as the government representative at the hanging of Ned Kelly, is up for sale
The house was built using prison labour and granite from the onsite quarry behind the Beechworth Gaol. Castieau lived at the 1,374-square-metre property until 1869, when he left Beechworth to become governor of Pentridge Prison in Melbourne. Interestingly, Ned Kelly spent two months in Beechworth Gaol in 1869 on remand on a charge of being an accomplice of Harry Power.
Kelly spent two more stints in Beechworth Gaol in the three years following, a few months in 1870 for assault and lewd behaviour, and an 18-month term beginning in 1871 for receiving a stolen mare. The 18 months was part of a three-year sentence, and Kelly was transferred to Pentridge, then under the governorship of Castieau, for the remainder. 
During Castieau's tenure between 1856 and 1869, Beechworth Gaol was known as “Castieau’s Castle”. He met his wife, Polly, in 1858 at a church bazaar, and the couple lived in the Beechworth property with the first of their 10 children once it was built.
Castieau was the goverment representative at Kelly's hanging on November 11, 1880 as he was governor of Old Melbourne Gaol by then.
Subsequent governors lived in the property before a home was built inside the gaol itself. Beechworth Gaol was closed in 2004, and the property has been vacant since the gaol's closure. 
In the 1940s the property was divided into three separate homes, and they can be bought together or separately. It is being marketed by LJ Hooker agent Dean Lupson in conjunction with Hodges Real Estate agent Andrew Boyce, who have $747,500 hopes for the property as a whole, or between $235,000 and $285,000 for each house individually.
The elegant <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/elegant-1800s-east-melbourne-art-gallery-terrace-with-rich-history-and-ned-kelly-connection-listed/2012041854335">East Melbourne terrace that was home to Robert Ramsay</a>, the chief secretary who authorised the trainload of police who went to Glenrowan in 1880 after Ned Kelly, is also on the market. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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