<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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As the house price growth figures from RP Data show, Brisbane’s housing market continues to fall.

House prices were flat over the final quarter of 2011, according to figures compiled the Real Estate Institute of Queensland, which says that one year on from the floods, the housing market is showing signs of stabilising.

Michael Yardney, Louis Christopher and Charles Tarbey all believe Brisbane has some way to go before it bottoms out.

“House prices in Brisbane have dropped for the last two years. Brisbane buyers are lacking confidence to re-enter the market and are sitting on the sidelines waiting for signs that the market has bottomed before they make a purchase,” says Yardney.

“This may occur later this year as Brisbane prices stabilise. Prices are unlikely to start rising until the second half of this year or 2013.”

<img src="/images/stories/clock-brisbane-houses.jpg">
Time: 5 o'clock
Christopher says the market does not “not look as dark” as it did in mid-2011. “Stock levels have peaked a bit, but there is still a fair amount of stock on market. It’s not as bad as Melbourne, but not as good Sydney.” 

“Brisbane still has an oversupply of properties over this time last year, which continue to linger.  

“Once mortgage repayments reach parity with rental payments, I suspect the market will move quickly to seven or eight o’clock [and into an upswing],” says Tarbey.
Population: 2 million 
Median house price: $435,000 
House price growth in February 2012: -0.4% 
Annual house price growth to December 2011: -6.8% 
Annual house price growth to July 2011: -7% 
Rental yield: 4.7%
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>
Property Observer also tracks <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/queensland/brisbane-unit-market-at-four-o-clock-with-prices-still-falling-experts/2012041154228">Brisbane units on the property clock</a>.
 
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lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Brisbane house market at five o'clock and yet to bottom out: Experts

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<a href="https://Realestate.com.au" target="_blank">Realestate.com.au</a> has the biggest national market share of any real estate website around the world, according to data compiled by its former chief executive, Simon Baker.
Each month, 3.8 million unique users visit the website, which is 17% of Australia’s population.
Baker has published a list of the top real estate portals ranked by the percentage of a nation’s population the websites reached.
Luxembourg’s <a href="https://athome.lu" target="_blank">athome.lu</a> was second at 15.4%, or 100,000 people, followed by Belgium’s <a href="https://immoweb.be" target="_blank">immoweb.be</a>, which reached 14% of Belgium’s population with 1.4 million users.
Countries with much bigger populations congregated at the bottom of the list. Websites like China’s <a href="https://soufun.cn" target="_blank">soufun.cn</a> have 13 million users but only reach 1% of the nation’s huge population.
The list only includes the top real estate website in each country.
The list used numbers from Google Ad Planner’s January 2012 figures. It was published on <a href="https://propertyportalwatch.com" target="_blank">propertyportalwatch.com</a> by Baker.
“Lots of arguments can be made about the efficacy and even accuracy of this analysis. However, I wasn’t aiming for perfection, just in [sic] build a better understanding of the global market place and how everyone is placed,” Baker writes.
Baker was chief executive of REA from 2001 to 2008. The company launched in 1995.
Property Observer notes 3.8 million unique users does not necessarily translate to 3.8 million different people visiting a website. One user could visit a website from several devices, such as a home computer, a work computer, ipad and a smartphone and the REA website would register three different unique users.
 
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="456"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="198" nowrap valign="top">
Portal
</td>
<td width="97" nowrap valign="top">
Country
</td>
<td width="71" nowrap valign="top">
Unique Users (m)
</td>
<td width="90" valign="top">
Percentage of Population
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="198" nowrap valign="top">
<a href="https://realestate.com.au/">https://realestate.com.au</a>
</td>
<td width="97" nowrap valign="top">
Australia
</td>
<td width="71" nowrap valign="top">
3.8
</td>
<td width="90" valign="top">
17.3%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="198" nowrap valign="top">
<a href="https://athome.lu/">https://athome.lu</a>
</td>
<td width="97" nowrap valign="top">
Luxembourg
</td>
<td width="71" nowrap valign="top">
0.1
</td>
<td width="90" valign="top">
15.4%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="198" nowrap valign="top">
<a href="https://immoweb.be/">https://immoweb.be</a>
</td>
<td width="97" nowrap valign="top">
Belgium
</td>
<td width="71" nowrap valign="top">
1.4
</td>
<td width="90" valign="top">
14%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="198" nowrap valign="top">
<a href="https://funda.nl/">https://funda.nl</a>
</td>
<td width="97" nowrap valign="top">
Netherlands
</td>
<td width="71" nowrap valign="top">
2.3
</td>
<td width="90" valign="top">
13.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="198" nowrap valign="top">
<a href="https://daft.ie/">https://daft.ie</a>
</td>
<td width="97" nowrap valign="top">
Ireland
</td>
<td width="71" nowrap valign="top">
0.6
</td>
<td width="90" valign="top">
13.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="198" nowrap valign="top">
<a href="https://rightmove.co.uk/">https://rightmove.co.uk</a>
</td>
<td width="97" nowrap valign="top">
UK
</td>
<td width="71" nowrap valign="top">
6.7
</td>
<td width="90" valign="top">
10.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="198" nowrap valign="top">
<a href="https://immobilienscout24.de/">https://immobilienscout24.de</a>
</td>
<td width="97" nowrap valign="top">
Germany
</td>
<td width="71" nowrap valign="top">
7.4
</td>
<td width="90" valign="top">
9.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="198" nowrap valign="top">
<a href="https://propertyguru.com.sg/">https://propertyguru.com.sg</a>
</td>
<td width="97" nowrap valign="top">
Singapore
</td>
<td width="71" nowrap valign="top">
0.4
</td>
<td width="90" valign="top">
8.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="198" nowrap valign="top">
<a href="https://realtor.ca/">https://realtor.ca</a>
</td>
<td width="97" nowrap valign="top">
Canada
</td>
<td width="71" nowrap valign="top">
2.4
</td>
<td width="90" valign="top">
7.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="198" nowrap valign="top">
<a href="https://idealista.es/">https://idealista.es</a>
</td>
<td width="97" nowrap valign="top">
Spain
</td>
<td width="71" nowrap valign="top">
2.6
</td>
<td width="90" valign="top">
5.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="198" nowrap valign="top">
<a href="https://seloger.fr/">https://seloger.fr</a>
</td>
<td width="97" nowrap valign="top">
France
</td>
<td width="71" nowrap valign="top">
2.9
</td>
<td width="90" valign="top">
4.4%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="198" nowrap valign="top">
<a href="https://realestate.yahoo.com/">https://realestate.yahoo.com</a>
</td>
<td width="97" nowrap valign="top">
USA
</td>
<td width="71" nowrap valign="top">
13
</td>
<td width="90" valign="top">
4.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="198" nowrap valign="top">
<a href="https://casa.it/">https://casa.it</a>
</td>
<td width="97" nowrap valign="top">
Italy
</td>
<td width="71" nowrap valign="top">
2.2
</td>
<td width="90" valign="top">
3.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="198" nowrap valign="top">
<a href="https://casasapo.pt/">https://casasapo.pt</a>
</td>
<td width="97" nowrap valign="top">
Portugal
</td>
<td width="71" nowrap valign="top">
0.3
</td>
<td width="90" valign="top">
2.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="198" nowrap valign="top">
<a href="https://athome.jp/">https://athome.jp</a>
</td>
<td width="97" nowrap valign="top">
Japan
</td>
<td width="71" nowrap valign="top">
2.4
</td>
<td width="90" valign="top">
1.9%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="198" nowrap valign="top">
<a href="https://iproperty.com.my/">https://iproperty.com.my</a>
</td>
<td width="97" nowrap valign="top">
Malaysia
</td>
<td width="71" nowrap valign="top">
0.5
</td>
<td width="90" valign="top">
1.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="198" nowrap valign="top">
<a href="https://soufun.cn/">https://soufun.cn</a>
</td>
<td width="97" nowrap valign="top">
China
</td>
<td width="71" nowrap valign="top">
13
</td>
<td width="90" valign="top">
1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="198" nowrap valign="top">
<a href="https://imovelweb.com.br/">https://imovelweb.com.br</a>
</td>
<td width="97" nowrap valign="top">
Brazil
</td>
<td width="71" nowrap valign="top">
1.2
</td>
<td width="90" valign="top">
0.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="198" nowrap valign="top">
<a href="https://metroscubicos.com.mx/">https://metroscubicos.com.mx</a>
</td>
<td width="97" nowrap valign="top">
Mexico
</td>
<td width="71" nowrap valign="top">
0.3
</td>
<td width="90" valign="top">
0.3%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 
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awalsh-7Ub9EypybQ

Realestate.com.au has highest market share of any real estate website in the world

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<div>
Founder(s): Chris Edmonds, Joscelyn Edmonds Revenue: $1.02 million Started: 2009 Head Office: Tasmania Employees: 2 Website: <a href="https://www.startupsmart.com.au/weblink?cid=5777&amp;fid=36&amp;ord=1" title="www.ezyonlinebathroomsandkitchens.com.au">www.ezyonlinebathroomsandkitchens.com.au</a>
</div>
<div>
The Edmonds own Ezy Online Bathrooms and Kitchens – an online retailer of bathroom, kitchen and laundry items – with a commitment to luxury designer products at competitive prices. 
“There was a definite gap in the market for a retailer that was able to supply competitively priced, designer bath and kitchen products to regional and remote areas,” Joscelyn says. 
“We started with a traditional bricks-and-mortar business, however, believed that in order to survive we could not only rely on the local market. 
“We watched with interest the rise of eCommerce and worked to create an online model of the business. The bricks-and-mortar business was closed down in mid 2010 to focus purely online.” 
According to Joscelyn, the most difficult aspect of starting up the business was the resistance among many suppliers to deal with a pureplay online retailer. 
“Due to the nature of our product, we also had difficulties in the early stages finding reliable transport channels for distribution around Australia,” she says. 
However, Joscelyn says the reluctance of some suppliers forced the business to source alternative suppliers, which, in many cases, proved to be more profitable. 
Meanwhile, the options and quality of service regarding distribution have also improved. 
“We have now partnered with a couple of companies that specialise in transporting goods for eCommerce retailers,” Joscelyn says. 
“We are passionate about what we do and specialise in high-quality products for all your bathroom, kitchen and laundry building or renovation projects, all at factory-direct prices.” 
“The rapid growth of the business has allowed us to reinvest money in website development and advertising.”
This article originally appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.startupsmart.com.au/">StartupSmart</a>.
 
 
 
</div>
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cknowlton-QnEa6ntUYP

StartupSmart Awards 2012: Ezy Online Bathrooms and Kitchens

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Slater &amp; Gordon is investigating launching a class action on behalf of aggrieved borrowers and mortgagors of Bankwest and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
The claims stem from Bankwest’s perceived behaviour following its 2008 takeover by the CBA, with many small property developers alleging their debts were unfairly called in.
Last month, National senator John Williams launched a senate inquiry into the relationship between banks, receivers and valuers, which is likely to touch on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/financial-services-and-insurance/048739-class-action-lawyer-welcomes-senate-inquiry-into-banking-sector">some of the claims in relation to Bankwest</a>.
Slater &amp; Gordon commercial and project litigation lawyer Van Moulis toldSmartCompany the law firm was conducting its due diligence with litigation funder, IMF Australia.
“There is momentum building up now, for instance in the form of the senate inquiry which has been announced along with the involvement of IMF,” says Moulis.
“Our due diligence in relation to the class action is continuing and IMF does its own due diligence, it has lawyers on staff.”
“We are looking at whether some of those people with Bankwest loans were hard done by when Bankwest re-valued their securities and called up their loans in the period after CBA took control of Bankwest.”
“So far we have selected 120 people [for the class action] but we have also had a lot of telephone enquiries both before and after the recentFour Corners program.”
“The types of cases we are looking at are primarily commercial developments and involve property developers and small to medium-sized business owners.”
“We expect the senate inquiry will get underway in two to three months and it is hoped the enquiry will uncover more facts which will be relevant and useful for the class action.”
Moulis says it is difficult to say when the class action is likely to commence but he would like to have seen some of the results of the senate inquiry first, which is expected in the next two to three months.
“I am not just focused on the litigation,” says Moulis, emphasising the possibility of a pre-trial settlement.
“These days we have pre-trial protocols in the Federal Court where parties have to take genuine steps to resolve grievances outside court, so I would be interested in talking to the CBA and I would like a copy of the purchase agreement between the CBA and Bankwest as I believe there is a part which is quite relevant.”
“I am not interested in pursuing a case that has no merit so if they can show me the agreement an aspect of the class action may even be resolved.”
James Middleweek, investment manager at IMF, says the litigation funder had been approached to consider funding the class action and was currently investigating the merits of the claims.
“At the end of the day cases like this need funding and they are expensive, it is unlikely that a class action would proceed if it was not funded by a litigation funder,” says Middleweek.
A spokesperson for Bankwest told SmartCompany the bank strongly denies the allegations.
“Due to the global financial crisis and the broader economic environment property values and property development in general suffered between 2008 and 2011 and Bankwest assisted many customers through this period and continues to do so,” says the spokesperson.
”Bankwest has acted fairly with all its customers since its acquisition by the CBA and honoured all of the existing contractual and credit commitments with customers.”
“The bank does not gain anything financially when receivers are appointed so the suggestion that Bankwest forced customers into receivership is absurd.”
“When our customers do sometimes face financial difficulties, our overriding priority is to work closely with them on an individual basis to try and assist them wherever possible.”
This article originally appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/index.php">SmartCompany</a>.
 
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Bankwest class action gathers steam as 120 business owners and property developers sign on

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Sanctuary Cove’s latest impressive listing is at 5685 Anchorage Terrace, which comes with adjusted $13.75 million price hopes through Ray White Sovereign Islands agent Ali Mian. It’s 1,000 square metres of symmetrical designer interiors from its grand double-wing staircase entrance to its heated pool on its 43-metre river frontage.
In between are power rooms lined with Ralph Lauren wallpaper, hallways reflecting the strong black-and-white palette of the French fashion house Chanel, the latest home technology system, plus tepanyaki bar, home cinema and Swarovski crystal chandeliers.
The land was consolidated by tourism entrepreneur Chris Scott who bought two neighbouring houses.
After demolition and the construction of the subterranean garage and a few walls, the receivers had moved in to take control of the 2,836-square-metre holding.
It’s been finished off by UK-based businessman John Baines and his wife, Elizabeth, who paid $4.3 million in 2009.
They re-engineered the design with architect Greg Reid. The Baines have previously sought $17.5 million for the property on earlier listings.
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Sanctuary Cove stunner listed with $13.75 million price tag

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Hopefully southern holidaymakers don’t rush into buying so-called Gold Coast high-rise property bargains during their current vacations.
At least not before reading the latest report from valuers Herron Todd White.
“This is a very depressed market at present, particularly for new and near new stock,” was the stark conclusion on the Surfers Paradise, Southport and Broadbeach markets.
It notes the Gold Coast historically ranked as one of the most volatile property markets in Australia.
“The extremes between peaks and troughs are far more pronounced and keenly felt than in many other markets around the country.
“When times are good, on the Gold Coast they’re great, but when times are tough, on the Gold Coast they are grim.”
It all makes knowing when and where to strike all the more important.
HTW suggests the Gold Coast market is very hard to predict most of the time, however past experience with “boom and bust” suburbs and cycles gives savvy investors an insight.
The April report spells out that a new, major project can take up to five years to complete from concept to completion.
“The prudent buyer should know that buying off the plan in the midst of a property boom (which is often when most major construction projects are proposed and funded) may have adverse consequences four or five years later at settlement if the market has taken a turn for the worse, as it has at present,” HTW explains.
“Being able to spot trends and changes in the market direction on the Gold Coast is as much as a black art as it is a science.
“There are many factors which influence the property cycle between the Tweed and Logan rivers.”
It notes some factors impact small sectors of the market while others have a much broader impact.
As HTW notes market cycles are an ever-present talking point of those interested in the market; from amateur investors and would-be first-home buyers to professional valuers, developers and real estate agents, to sophisticated investors with multiple property portfolios.
“Everyone would like to get the jump on their competition when the market is on the up and equally be the first to rein in their spending when the market goes into decline.”
Notwithstanding the further into the future you have to look, the more uncertain you will become, HTW proffers that the lesson for buyers is to consider future scenarios, good and bad, for a project at settlement and to not buy only in “the here and now”.
 
The valuation firm’s discussions with other valuers and real estate agents have given indications that there are an increasing number of transactions as “vendors begin to accept that it is currently a buyers’ market”.
But it notes there are still a large number of property owners who are of the belief that their property has increased in value over the last three to five years.
“While this may be the case in other states, i.e. Melbourne and Sydney, there is a clear weight of evidence indicating that in the vast majority of instances, this is not the case on the Gold Coast,” the valuers note.
The report notes the most consistent market segments are the price points of $160,000 to $200,000 for one-bedroom units usually located in Southport, Surfers Paradise and Chevron Island, close to shops and amenities.
In closing, HTW suggests the “Gold Coast market appears to be bumping along the bottom and looks likely to continue to do so for a few years”.
Not quite the same sentiment from the local newspaper headlines, which recently suggested “the Gold Coast property market is coming back on the boil as investors give Melbourne, Sydney and Perth the cold shoulder”.
Even the local property commentator Andrew Winter was giving out advice over Easter to the locals on the possibility of luring out of state buyers.
“And remember, as the Gold Coast is traditionally a holiday destination and there are plenty of tourists about wishing their Easter holidays could turn into a complete lifestyle change, now is actually a pretty good time to sell as people seriously think about turning their dreams into reality,” Winter suggested.
The Ray White group has proffered that buyers who may be nervous after recent events should remember that buying property in a subdued environment is like buying bikinis in winter – less competition, less stress and more room to negotiate a good deal.
But my advice is by all means dream, ogle at the offerings the real estate window displays, and pop into the glamorous off-the-plan display suites, but buy next time, and only after much research.
After all, it’s likely to be long cold winter.
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Southern holidaymakers can dream and ogle on the Gold Coast, but wait and research thoroughly before buying

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South Australia is our most under-rated economy. People still see it as a state that lacks population and economic impetus. Some economists believe it’s a recession state.
Here’s what they’re missing:
South Australia is our third big resources state. Not many realise it, but a quick counts shows $50 billion in mining projects percolating in the background, largely unnoticed – other than BHP Billiton’s expansion of Olympic Dam, which gets most of the media attention.
The $50 billion figure doesn’t include projects that will emerge from the 2011 decision to allow mining in the Woomera Prohibited Area, which contains copper and uranium resources larger than Olympic Dam.
The only reason we’re not agog about the level of mining enterprises in South Australia is that Queensland and Western Australia, which have even larger numbers, are getting all the attention.
Adelaide is the centre of the defence industry in Australia, with the $8 billion Air Warfare Destroyer project well under way. There is also a big expansion of military resources at the Edinburgh facility in Adelaide’s north. And there’s the possibility of the submarine fleet project, likely to cost tens of billions.
Adelaide is a leader in car manufacturing, with an assured future emerging from the announcement that Holden has agreed to inject $1 billion into vehicle manufacturing in Australia and to make two next-generation models at its Adelaide plant, after getting federal government's contribution of $215 million.
Adelaide has more infrastructure development currently happening than Sydney (which is more an indictment of NSW than a tribute to South Australia).
Current major enterprises include the Royal Adelaide Hospital ($1 billion), the Southern Expressway upgrade ($500 million), the South Road upgrade ($800 million), the extension of rail to Seaford ($300 million), the desalination plant ($1.8 billion) and the ongoing electrification of the city’s rail system.
South Australia is the national capital for wind farm developments, which could be a significant industry (from both the economic and environmental viewpoints) if state governments would stop impeding it for dubious political reasons.
So far South Australia has avoided the impulse to inflict the draconian restrictions that have made Victoria and NSW look silly.
As the South Australian resources sector expands with a rapidly growing number of projects, property markets around the state will thrive, including those in the state capital. Often what matters is not where the big projects are located so much as where the key companies are headquartered.
The $30 billion expansion of Olympic Dam is a fine case study. The big holes will be dug at Roxby Downs, but the impacts will spread hundreds of kilometres in various directions.
As we have seen with Perth and Brisbane, we can expect demand for CBD office space to grow, as well as demand for industrial space. The growth in white-collar jobs will fuel demand for dwellings in Adelaide, as will the creation of thousands of fly-in-fly-out positions for people who live in the state capital but work in Roxby Downs.
The state government says the project is worth an average of $8.6 billion a year to the state's economy. Some say they doubt the project will proceed, despite the fact that it has already started.
Adelaide company Ausco is among the first to win work from Olympic Dam. It has been handed a contract to build transportable units which will house some of the first of 10,000 workers for the project. Ausco increased its shopfloor workforce by 50% to 120 during 2011 and is busy recruiting the same number again - a doubling within 18 months.
Adelaide civil engineering firm Exact Mining has recruited 80-90 specifically for this project, in addition to 60 of its existing personnel, because it’s been hired to build haulage roads and level the site alongside the proposed open pit of the copper-gold-uranium mine, so heavy equipment can be brought to Olympic Dam.
Other companies to secure contracts include Roxby Downs-based earthmovers Heading Contractors and Adelaide engineering company Tonkin Consulting.
Our biggest miner will be building new infrastructure at Port Adelaide, which will boost property markets in the area, which already has the AWD project creating jobs.
Regional centres like Port Augusta and Whyalla will also feel the impacts.
Port Augusta will provide the landing stage and assembly point for imported equipment. Its power stations are also likely to be the primary power source for the Olympic Dam expansion.
Whyalla will be the site of the $700 million desalination plant and pipeline that will provide the water BHP Billiton will need. The monster trucks used in the mining operation will be assembled at Whyalla by Cavpower.
The likely impacts of allowing mining in the Woomera Prohibited Area can only be guessed at, given that the announcement was made only last year. But this area, previously off limits to everyone but the military, is the largest untapped minerals resource in Australia and is likely to be worth hundreds of billions of dollars over time.
Coober Pedy, which has some major mining action already happening, is well positioned to grow as a result. So too are Port Augusta and Whyalla, as the WPA minerals will need to be processed and exported – and these are the logical places.
 
Terry Ryder is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a> and can be <a href="https://www.twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">followed on Twitter</a>.
Photograph by <a href="https://www.allshotsimaging.com.au/" target="_blank">Allshots Imaging</a> courtesy of <a href="https://www.flickr.com/" target="_blank">Flickr</a>
 
 
 
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

Adelaide mistakenly overlooked by investors as projects get under way: Terry Ryder

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Rosebery, the Hawthorn house remembered as the long-time home to former deputy prime minister Jim Cairns and his wife, Gwen, has been sold this week for the first time in almost three decades.
With impressive rose bushes on its front turning circle, the four-bedroom house, set on a 1,658-square-metre Wattle Road holding, was being offered for private sale at $3,475,000 through Kay &amp; Burton agent Matt Davis who listed it last October.
The Cairns couple owned it between 1956 and 1981, first as joint owners, according to the land title, then as tenants in common from 1976. It was unencumbered from its purchase through to 1972, and then again between 1976 and its 1981 sale.
It last traded in 1983 for $280,000 with the Cairns sale being $225,000.
Cairns, who had a lead role in organising the 1970 anti-Vietnam War moratorium protests, was treasurer and deputy prime minister in the Whitlam government in the early 1970s.
The 1880s Victorian home was the bustling campaign headquarters throughout the Labor left-winger's career. He was already a member of parliament when he moved from Berkeley Grove, East Brighton to Wattle Road, having beaten the grouper, Stan Keon, for the seat of Yarra in the 1955 election.
"We had as many as 500 people in the back garden of 21 Wattle Road, sitting on the grass, talking away – all day Sunday, once a year," the late Cairns once recounted.
In a late 1980s interview the former member for the western suburbs seat of Lalor, when asked had he ever moved into the electorate, advised: “Oh no. Gwen [his wife] wouldn't move an inch to live in the electorate.”
They married in 1932, after which he moved on from a career in the police force to university academia life to politics.
The couple finally moved after 25 years to Narre Warren East in the early 1980s to a rural acreage.
Jim Cairns was born in Carlton in 1914, and his early years were spent on a dairy farm north of Sunbury.
Gwen died in 2000 and Jim in 2003.
Wattle Road, first known as Weinberg Road, is an early street in Hawthorn and marks the location of a farming settlement established by a group of German immigrants in the 1850s. Rosebery was reportedly constructed by the Vogt family.
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Rosebery, Hawthorn hotbed of radicalism during Dr Jim Cairns' ownership, sells: Title Tattle

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Brothers Thomas and Raymond Kwok, joint chairmen of listed Hong Kong property developer Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited (SKHP), have denied any wrongdoing after their arrest last week in relation to an ongoing bribery investigation. 
The Kwoks were arrested by <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/overseas/hong-kong-property-giant-skhp-to-operate-as-normal-following-arrest-of-joint-chairmen/2012033054093" target="_blank">Hong Kong’s Independent Commission against Corruption (ICAC)</a> on March 29 in connection with an “investigation into suspected offences allegedly committed under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance”.
Flanked by senior SKHP executives and board members at a press conference at outside their Harbour Road headquarters, Raymond Kwok said he had done nothing wrong and was confident that his brother “has also done nothing wrong”. 
“I hope to see my name cleared after this investigation,” Raymond Kwok said, adding that the company would continue to operate as usual. 
Shares in SKHP have fallen 13% since the Kwok brothers were arrested. 
No formal charges have been laid against the Kwoks or former senior government official Rafael Hui, who was also arrested in relation to the investigation. 
All three were released on bail on Friday, March 30. 
On the weekend following the arrests of the Kwok brothers and Hui, Hong Kong chief executive Donald Tsang said his administration would spare no effort in fighting corruption but would not comment on the progress of the investigation.
The arrest of the Kwoks was followed a few days later by the release of ICAC’s annual survey, which found that almost 80% of the 1,500 people surveyed have a zero tolerance against corruption in Hong Kong.
 
 
 
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Kwok brothers deny wrongdoing following arrest by anti-corruption watchdog

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A South Australian estate agent who sold the home of an elderly woman who suffered a mental impairment at “significantly below the fair market price” to a developer friend of his brother will be allowed to keep his real estate licence.
Daniel Christiaan Overduin, who traded as Daniel Christiaan Real Estate in Tennyson, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/industry-news/south-australia-faces-expulsion-after-selling-woman-s-home-to-family-friend-at-a-third-of-value/2012040354135" target="_blank">was reprimanded by the District Court of South Australia and fined $14,000 on March 21</a> for “at the very least  a serious neglect of his duty”.
He has subsequently had his membership of the Real Estate Institute of South Australia (REISA) cancelled.
South Australia’s consumer watchdog, Consumer and Business Services (CBS) had some harsh words for Overduin, but consumer affairs commissioner Paul White agreed with the court judgement that a fine and reprimand were sufficient.
CBS is responsible for the process of registering and renewing the registration of land agents in South Australia.
“This was a case of serious neglect of duty and could have resulted in the cancellation or suspension of Mr Overduin’s licence,” White says.
“The judge took into account Overduin’s previous unblemished record and decided that the public would be sufficiently protected by a fine and reprimand.
“This case sends a strong signal to estate agents they need to maintain proper standards of conduct,” White says.
REISA chief executive officer Greg Troughton says he is disappointed that Overduin’s real estate licence was not cancelled or at the very least suspended.
 
 
 
 
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