<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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The total land price of the 2,587 properties in Gundagai in July 2011 decreased 3% from 2008, while rural land prices dropped 12% in a year, according to NSW Valuer-General Philip Western.
Western found the total land price was $505 million, down from $515 million 2010.
Residential land values decreased slightly over the three years, although large residential lots on the western fringe of Gundagai fronting Punch Street experienced a strong increase.
From 2010 to 2011, the median residential land price increased 1% from $40,000.
Gundagai ‘s commercial strip fronting Sheridan Street had a moderate increase in value over the three years including a 4% increase from 2010 to 2011.
<img src="/images/stories/gundagaimap.gif">
Broad acre farming and grazing property land prices the shire generally remained stable while forest land values and forest lease had a moderate decrease.
Western found rural residential and hobby farm land prices remained steady or had a slight increase, while the value of land in the villages of Coolac, Muttama and Nangus experienced a slight to moderate decrease due to the limited demand for these more remote villages.
From 2010 to 2011 rural land prices fell 12%.
Landowners and rate-paying-lessees received a notice of valuation this month.
The valuations are used to determine rates and land taxes on investment properties.
Typical residential land values were:
<ul>
<li>974 square metres at Hanley Lane, Gundagai valued at $32,800</li>
<li>2,023 square metres at Luke Street, Gundagai valued at $48,700</li>
</ul>
Typical commercial land value was:
<ul>
<li>1,132 square metres at Sheridan Street, Gundagai valued at $34,300</li>
</ul>
Typical rural land values were:
<ul>
<li>282 hectares at Bethungra Road, Nangus valued at $486,000 </li>
<li>125 hectares at Bethungra Road, Nangus valued at $384,000 </li>
<li>154 hectares at Tarrabandra Road, South Gundagai valued at $550,000</li>
</ul>
Typical rural residential land values were:
<ul>
<li>1,315 square metres at Adelong Road, Tumblong valued at $12,700 </li>
<li>4.1 hectares at Burra Road, Gundagai valued at $88,400.</li>
</ul>
Typical hobby farm land value was:
<ul>
<li>21.7 hectares at Nangus Road, Nangus valued at $128,000</li>
</ul>
Typical village land values were:
<ul>
<li>4,097 square metres at Mount Street, Coolac valued at $14,400 </li>
<li>5,562 square metres at Nea Street, Muttama valued at $11,200 </li>
<li>2,428 square metres at Nangus Road, Nangus valued at $16,500</li>
</ul>
 
 
 
 
 
<ul></ul>
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Land values fell 3% in NSW region of Gundagai in three years, led by sharp decrease in rural land prices

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It was the revamped Domain property section in Saturday’s SMH that was the weekend’s major talking point, especially as auctions were in their holding pattern – 56% in Sydney and 58% in Melbourne.
T<a href=""></a>he Sydney Morning Herald Domain relaunch was acceding to the power of the developer dollar.
Previously houses had their own distinct section, as did apartments – an unusual arrangement that had some merit.
The paper didn’t explain to its readers any rationale, although agency franchise bosses were advised that Fairfax thinks home buyers are increasingly ambivalent about whether they want to buy a house or apartment these days.
So the A-Z by suburb, separated into antiquated regions, will henceforth include houses and apartment alongside each other, which also has merit.
B<a href=""></a>ut in between there will seemingly be towers of developer ads.
It was clear from Saturday’s edition the change was to the detriment of the section's editorial coverage and at the expense of their mum-and-dad house advertising. There were seven whole-page developer ads in the first 21 pages of the Domain section.
No enticing editorial until page four, with the dominance of developer advertising pushing editorial further back – and the vital auction results were well hidden at the rear of the 80-page supplement.
 The Age Domain had 112 pages, with its editorial starting on page two, and no whole-page developer ads at all. 
The SMH's editorial over-emphasis on new apartments kicked off on the front cover with a Bondi block that won’t be officially for sale for another three to four months.
The Title Deeds column appeared on page eight – the furthest back in its 24-year history, having been on the front cover during its heyday.
Veteran industry leaders like Max Raine often credited the Title Deeds column as being the conduit for bringing extra readers to Domain who weren’t necessarily intent on perusing the property ads.
These readers stayed and grazed on the property ads and became accidental buyers. These are the same potential buyers who casually flick through their midweek glossy property pages and then turn up at Saturday opens.
The biggest losers of the revamp were the mums and dads whose vendor advertising faced being overwhelmed by pages of huge developer ads.
It won’t upset the individual apartment vendor, as they had almost all migrated from Saturday Domain to online, and the locals, so the merger will more potentially more likely hinder the house seller in finding buyers.
“The mums and dads vendors of homes will all get lost in the wash,” one agent suggests.
The biggest losers are the Mosman sellers, who were pushed from page 12 last week to page 32 this week, well behind Avalon which came forward under the revamp.
So watch Murdoch’s Mosman Daily seek to lure the vendor advertising away from Fairfax.
“Saturday Domain is increasinly irrelevant now as a sales forum,” another agent says, noting more and more advertising is migrating to online and or the mid-week local papers.
He suggests eventually like car sales there won’t be many individual sellers with Saturday print ads.
Just developers and possibly a return to the old days of big estate agency franchise whole-page ads, which makes Fairfax’s uncompromising response to request for Saturday position rotations among the big franchises all the more surprising.
Fairfax is also still stuck with an antiquated regional carve-up that doesn't acknowledge there's a burgeoning Hills district. It still treat the region like it's the sticks.
Of course under Fairfax’s belt tightening it recently ceased publishing Domain in regional editions for much of the NSW.
It followed the earlier removal of Domain from airlifted interstate delivery.
Fairfax advised its country readers to go to the Domain app on their smartphones and iPads.
The shift to digital has certainly seen an increased emphasis on video.
On Saturday its property video even outrated the Kony video on the smh.com.au website, proving property content when done well is lapped up by the Sydney audience.
The video talent of interior designer Thomas Hamel enhanced the peek inside John and Patti David’s $9 million Observatory Tower penthouse.
The SMH video is, however, hit and miss, as the previous week’s was a little-watched $600,000 Stanmore flat.
Apparently its writing staff have been encouraged to take acting classes to improve their appearances.  
 
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Fairfax accedes to the power of the developer dollar in SMH Domain revamp

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Ruan Burger from Home Loans Etc has been named mortgage broker of the year at the 2012 Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) Excellence Awards held in Sydney over the weekend. 
Burger also picked up the MFAA Excellence Award of Distinction, chosen from all the individual award winners. 
Home Loans Etc operates from offices in the mining boom town of Gladstone as well as in Brisbane. 
Speaking to Property Observer, Burger says the firm only set up in Gladstone in 2007 but has already become a household name in what is a “great market”. 
“Gladstone is not the biggest of places and with the kind of rental yields on offer here you can’t go too far wrong,” he says. 
Despite the high yields, Burger says a lot of the loans his team writes are for owner-occupiers. 
“There are a lot of people moving here. The town has a lot to offer. People are saying, ‘Why not bring the whole family’,” he says. 
Burger says he believes he won the award because the business returned good numbers as well as because of its involvement in community projects. 
“We don’t just write loans,” says Burger, who originally hails from Windhoek, Namibia. 
Listed mortgage broking franchise Mortgage Choice picked up two MFAA awards. 
It was named retail aggregator/originator of the year of the year for the sixth time in eight years, defeating other finalists John Symond’s Aussie Home Loans and Smartline, while Glenelg loan consultant Keith added to the company’s success by winning the individual achievement award. 
AFG was named retail and wholesale aggregator/originator of the year, ANZ was named best major bank lender, while Bankwest picked up the prize for best tier two lender. 
MFAA chief executive officer Phil Naylor says the awards recognise mortgage and finance professionals who “display a high degree of professionalism, commitment to service, integrity, ethical conduct and innovation. 
“Winners have also demonstrated a contribution to their local community,” he says. 
The full list of 2012 MFAA Excellence Award winners is: 
The MFAA Excellence Award of Distinction 2012 
<ul>
<li>Ruan Burger, Home Loans Etc, Gladstone  QLD </li>
</ul>
Individual Awards: 
<ul>
<li>
Achievement Award: Keith Caine, Mortgage Choice, Glenelg East, SA 
</li>
<li>
Mortgage Broker Of The Year: Ruan Burger, Home Loans Etc, Gladstone, QLD</li>
<li>
Finance Broker of The Year: Daniel Zadnik, Hawthorn Finance, Burwood, VIC.</li>
<li>
Business Development Manager of the Year: Fiona Brown, Connective OSN, Sydney, NSW</li>
</ul>
 
Business Awards:
 
<ul>
<li>
Lender of the Year (Tier 1): ANZ Bank</li>
<li>
Lender of the Year (Tier 2):Bankwest </li>
<li>
Finance Broking Business: Horizon Financial, Cairns QLD </li>
<li>
Retail &amp; Wholesale Aggregator/Originator: AFG, West Perth, WA </li>
<li>
Mortgage Broking Business: 2-5 loan writers: Great Aussie Dream, Glenmore Park, NSW</li>
<li>
Mortgage Broking Business: 6+ loan writers: Bernie Lewis, Mile End, SA</li>
<li>
Mortgage Manager of the Year &lt;30 employees: State Custodians Mortgage Company, Toronto, NSW</li>
<li>
Mortgage Manager of the Year 30+ employees: Homeloans Ltd, Perth, WA</li>
<li>
Retail Aggregator/Originator: Mortgage Choice, Sydney, NSW</li>
<li>
Support Services: Stargate Group, Richmond, VIC</li>
<li>
Wholesale Aggregator/Originator: Vow Financial, Sydney, NSW</li>
</ul>
 
 
 
 
 
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Gladstone mortgage broker wins top gong at MFAA awards

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News that the Baillieu government is planning to encourage the building of high-rise towers in regional centres of Victoria has sparked concern from mayor of Ballarat as well as the state opposition.
Victorian Planning Minister Matthew Guy has revealed plans for future high-rise towers and residential hubs, including a proposal for a Docklands-like development in Geelong.
The state government’s planning department has already drawn up proposed maps of where high-density developments could be allowed, with the regional centres of Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong earmarked for development.
Guy told the Herald Sun on Saturday such urban development would turn the CBDs of Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo into “terrific residential hubs where there are more restaurants, where there is more activity and less necessity to drive to work”.
However, the idea of Manhattan-style living in regional Victoria has not been welcomed by Ballarat mayor Mark Harris, who says such plans would not receive any enthusiasm from the Ballarat City Council.
Harris says he has spoken to Guy, who has assured him that Ballarat City Council would have control over its own destiny.
“The minister phoned me on Saturday to reassure that this zoning concept won’t be mandatory for Ballarat or Bendigo,” Harris told The Ballarat Courier.
“While there may be elements of it that we may choose to look at more closely, there is no enthusiasm in this council to look at that sort of zoning as appropriate for Ballarat at all.”
The proposal has also been slammed by opposition spokesman for planning and sustainable growth Brian Tee, who says the Ballarat community should be “very afraid of what is at stake”.
Guy has previously said he would like to increase the size of the Melbourne CBD by five times its current size.
 
 
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Ballarat mayor down on Matthew Guy's regional Victoria high-rise living proposal

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Celebrity interior designer Tina Chalabian from Channel Ten show The Renovators has sold her Willoughby home pre-auction for a record price. It was on the market for about three weeks and sold to a family from Mosman, who were among the 160 inspectees. There were 72 inspectees on its first Saturday open.
“While we can’t disclose the exact price, we can say it certainly eclipsed the previous suburb record of $2.855 million for a house in Chiltern Avenue,” selling agent Mark O’Brien from Richardson &amp; Wrench Castlecrag.
“But it wasn’t beyond expectations, as we were quoting high $2 millions to low $3 millions.”
Title Tattle gathers about $2,955,000 was secured for the Remuera Street house.
The five-bedroom, four-bathroom house was just a few years old with a huge, level yard and European-style swimming pool. Built by Meadowbank to a <a href="https://www.tinac.com.au/">Tina C design</a>, it sits on a 911-square-metre block, which cost $1.18 million in 2006.
The Chalabians, the 34-year-old interior designer and mother of three who appeared on The Renovators television series and her lawyer husband Sevag, are moving to Northbridge, where they will renovate their $2.2 million acquisition. Since Tina bought her first house 11 years ago, she has renovated five houses and says each sold for a profit. The one in Castlecrag sold for $2,525,000 in 2006 with the block costing $899,000 in 2002. The Killarney Heights property was a closer call having cost $525,000 in 2001 and sold for $610,000 in 2002.
 
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The Renovators’ celebrity interior designer Tina Chalabian secures record price for Willoughby home: Title Tattle

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Westpac has appointed George Frazis to lead its NSW subsidiary St George Bank. 
Frazis, the current head of Westpac New Zealand, will replace Rob Chapman, who is leaving the group having been CEO of St George since 2010. Before that he was managing director of another Westpac subsidiary, BankSA. 
Peter Clare, chief operating officer of Westpac’s Australian financial services business, will take over from Frazis as chief executive officer of Westpac New Zealand.
 
Both appointments were announced by Westpac CEO Gail Kelly, who says Westpac recognises “the strong talent pool within the existing executive team”. 
“George has done an excellent job over the past three-and-a half years in improving the performance of the New Zealand business, and I am pleased with the results he is delivering,” she says.
Kelly says Clare is one of the group’s most seasoned executives, having held senior leadership positions at St George Banking Group, Westpac and formerly the Commonwealth Bank. 
“With strong personal ties to New Zealand, Peter will bring great enthusiasm and energy to his new role. His blend of strategic and operational experience will ensure Westpac New Zealand continues to put in place a customer relationship-focused business strategy,” says Kelly. 
Kelly thanked Chapman for his significant contribution in leading St George Banking Group and BankSA. 
The appointments will be effective from April 2, 2012. 
Clare’s appointment is subject to appropriate regulatory approval.
 
 
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George Frazis named CEO of St George Bank

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<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;">The latest Forbes billionaires' rich list trumpeted Gina Rinehart as Australia's richest person, ranked the 29th richest in the world with a $US18 billion ($A17.1 billion) wealth. But sitting without attention in 157th place with an estimated $US6.2 billion wealth was the Scone farmer Blair Parry-Okeden. Despite her American citizenship she’s still buying property Down Under – her most recent acquisition was a $575,000 cottage in Burradoo in the NSW Southern Highlands. The purchase comes up on official LTO records, which trace back to its auction through Century 21 Mittagong. Like the Rineharts, who have a Mosman holding, Parry-Okeden also keeps a Mosman bolthole, which cost $750,000 in 1991.
In the billionaire stakes she actually ranks ahead of James Packer, Andrew Forrest and Frank Lowy, although the newcomer to list Ivan Glasenberg sits higher in 125th place. Since the death of her mother, Barbara Cox Anthony, Parry-Okeden and her brother, James Cox Kennedy, shared an inheritance derived from media conglomerate Cox Enterprises, which owns dozens of daily newspapers, radio stations and television stations across the United States.
Since the early 1970s Anthony amassed an impressive portfolio of pastoral land holdings in NSW. Title Tattle seems to recall that Winderadeen was her first Australian purchase in 1971 for $110,000. It is now a quarterhorse stud just north of Canberra at Collector. In 1994 she doubled the size of her Wagga Wagga district holdings with a $4.6 million 4,500-hectare Borambola Park purchase. One of her last acquisitions was Oura station, bought in 1997 for the loose change sum of $2.5 million, next to her Eringoarrah property. There is a $2 million private bridge built across the Murrumbidgee that links the farms on both sides.
Parry-Okeden married one of the sons of the rural establishment, Simon Parry-Okeden, but they are now divorced. Unlike Australia's media heirs James Packer and Lachlan Murdoch, their two sons Andrew, 32, and Henry, 30, who both have agricultural science degrees, successfully steer clear of the public gaze. Parry-Okeden’s been inactive in buying up rural land in recent times, although last year she spent $10,136 on a disused Scone road neighbouring her Scone farm, Rockview. She bought the road from the NSW government.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/march9rose]}
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 5px;">
Rose Porteous has listed her redundant Toorak abode (pictured above and below). The Perth socialite’s inviting offers on the Irving Road house she bought for $4.75 million in 2007.
<img src="/images/stories/porteous2.jpg">
It was briefly listed in 2010 through Greg Herman, then of RT Edgar, who had the three-bedroom house with $6 million hopes. The house with double-height entrance hall has been listed with Phillip French at RT Edgar who puts it to  March 31 auction. Its sale will draw the curtain on Porteous's plentiful Toorak property plays which have filled the city's society columns for much of the past decade. 
 
<img src="/images/stories/kentrd.jpg">
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;">Prominent horse owner and breeder Frank Tagg, who made his money from McDonald's franchises, has listed his Rose Bay residence, Lynton. The Edwardian-era Kent Road Bay residence (pictured above) was last traded at $8 million when sold by the Tasmanian-bound property developer Piers Dawson-Damer and his wife, Kim. Tagg, the former western suburbs first-grade footballer who made his big name from his part-ownership of the stallion prospect Haradasun, bought the 1912 house on 1,296 square metres with his wife, Sally in 2007. It’s listed with Alison Coopes, who’s taking offers until March 27. Title Tattle recalls the Taggs had been looking for something better suited for their children than their CBD penthouse, which still remains unsold. Back in 2003 it was expected to bring more than $11 million, then in 2007 more than $8 million was tipped and about the same on its 2009 listing. Sitting high above the Myer retail development, in Tower Apartments, the 35th-floor 640-square-metre Market Street penthouse was bought in 2000 for $4.5 million.
<img src="/images/stories/macleaystreet2.jpg">
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;">Retired car dealer Ray Harris and his wife, Robyn, an interior designer, have sold their whole-floor Villard, Potts Point, apartment for about $6,625,000. The three-bedroom Macleay Street apartment – with about 350 square metres, including indoor-outdoor balcony space – has been relisted in February through Jason Boon and Geoff Cox from Richardson and Wrench Elizabeth Bay. It last traded in 2006 when bought for $7.38 million, with offers above $8 million initially sought in 2010, but this was amended to $6.5 million since the penthouse was sold recently to Lizanne Knights, the wife of the director of local private-equity group Ironbridge and Sydney Dance Company chairman Julian Knights for $6.17 million.  The Knightses’ whole-floor unit had previously traded for $7.4 million in 2008. It’s a five-bedroom, sixth-floor unit, with 280 square metres of internal space plus 50-square-metre terrace, and was a combination of two units. The Harrises sold given their purchase of the 1870 Elizabeth Bay mansion Ashton for $10.75 million.
<img src="/images/stories/glenelg1.jpg">
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;">Glenelg (pictured above), the Mittagong retreat of Point Piper's Wertheimer family, has been listed for March 29 auction through Richardson and Wrench Bowral agent Michael Maloney. Architects Engelen Moore designed the three-bedroom farmhouse and entertainment barn space about eight years ago for the 18-hectare property on Range Road. It was listed with $5.5 million plus hopes back in 2010, but now with reduced expectations. Glenelg comes with original dairy bales, tennis court and pavilion, croquet lawn, spa and soccer pitch. There are also Harry Seidler plans for its main residence.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/march9minkara]}
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;">Former freight tycoon Gregory Poche and Kay van Norton have relisted the lavishly imposing Bayview residence La Joie de Vivre (pictured above and below). The five-bedroom, seven-bathroom house sits on a 4,091-square-metre Minkara Road hillside holding with Pittwater views. The residence was built for Beirut industrialist Agob Dellalian, replete with fine finishes such as 24-carat gold filigree balustrades. Billed as the ultimate entertainment venue for glamorous gala occasions, its entrance is via the semicircular drive and grand foyer. It has a commercial-grade kitchen and, on its sandstone terrace, a commercial-style wet bar.
The grounds come with a heated pool and spa, sauna, gymnasium and tennis court with pavilion. It last sold for $10 million in 2003 and when listed in 2010 Title Tattle recalls it came with suggestions it was likely to fall short of a double-digit sale price. But maybe a Texan who can’t find what he wants in Manly might offer over the odds this time. Poche and van Norton spent $11 million in 2009 buying a vacant Manly harbourfront site on which they are building their own dream home. The philanthropic Poche, whose net worth was put at $800 million in the BRW Rich List in May, sold his freight logistics company, Star Track Express, to Qantas for $750 million in 2003. Poche left school at 14 and, after various jobs, joined TNT as the company's national marketing manager in 1970.
<img src="/images/stories/clivest2.jpg">
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;">It was five years ago when Barry Suckling, managing director of the National Builders Group, put his English-style 1940s Brighton home on the market as Suckling and wife Jo-anne looked to downsize. They secured $2.7 million and eventually bought something bigger, Otley (pictured above), a landmark Italianate Victorian residence with the grandest of three-storey towers set on a Clive Street 1,658-square-metre block with botanic gardens and pool. Otley has been listed for March 31 auction through James Redfern and Kate Strickland at Marshall White with plans to move closer to the city. More than $2.5 million is tipped.
<img src="/images/stories/albertst.jpg">
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;">Ear, nose and throat surgeon Glen Croxson and wife Trish have listed their Mosman merchant mansion, Lairdwell (pictured above), through Gotch Real Estate. It was last traded in 1995 when bought from McIntosh stockbroker Peter Meurer for $1,275,000.  With four bedrooms plus study, the Federation home sits on an 894-square-metre Prince Albert Street block. The street name came from the Scottish emigrant James King, who took up the largest single land grant in Mosman, 150 acres (61 hectares), which was initially subdivided in 1853.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/march9curlcurl]}
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;">Jason Johnson, managing partner of head hunter firm Johnson Executive, and his wife, Kirsten, are selling their four-bedroom, four-bathroom North Curl Curl, Sydney house (pictured above). The four-level Ian Avenue residence comes with a 12-metre saltwater solar heated pool, cabana and steam room. Peter Mosedale of Raine and Horne Dee Why has the $5.95 million listing, with the couple looking for their next property project. They paid $2.1 million for the 907-square-metre block in 2005 and then had Will Fung and Tina Engelen undertake its architectural design.
<img src="/images/stories/yarrambat.jpg">
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;">Melbourne football legend Robert Flower and wife, Sheree, have sold their Balwyn abode (pictured above) with its price undisclosed, having had it listed with $2.2 million-plus hopes through RT Edgar agent Phillip French. After making his debut in 1973, Flower played 272 games at the club and captained the team from 1981 to 1987. Flower is a director if Sports Education and Development Australia, which was established in 2006 as a provider of senior secondary education and training in partnership with schools.
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;">Radio personality Barry Bissell, who hosted Take 40 Australia for 20 years, sold his ground-floor Prahran apartment. The voice of FOX FM for 20 years hasn’t revealed the sale price of the 1928 two-bedroom gracious apartment. But Kay and Burton’s Scott Patterson and Chris Alcock had expectations for an $800,000-plus sale. It cost $365,000 in 1998.
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;">Title Tattle aims to tell readers first - if not before its happened – so the word from Woollahra is that onetime record holder, the 1870s Etham, has been sold on the quiet. The Victorian Regency-style house with tennis court on its 1,520-square-metre holding was last sold in 2006 at $9 million, having been renovated after selling at $5.15 million in 2004. The latest sale was apparently secured through McGrath agent Ben Collier, although he's not included it in his publicly available list of sales. So no idea on its resale price - but it was never going to match its last sale price or the Woollahra record - when sold in recent weeks by the Roulstone family.
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;">And don't say that Title Tattle told you but David Hickie, the former Sydney Morning Herald editor in chief, has sold his Mosman house for $2.8 million, having paid $3.2 million in 2009. His Gadfly publishing business hit hard times during the interim. The Cross Street, Mosman, house had represented a trade down from his $4.5 million Cremorne abode, which got sold in 2009. The Bertha Road Cremorne house had been bought in 1993 for $1.1 million shortly after his surprise appointment as the editor in chief of the SMH.  
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Billionaire Blair Parry-Okeden buys a Burradoo cottage, and adds a $10,136 disused road to her Scone farm: Title Tattle

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Suburbs close to beaches and the harbour feature prominently in John McGrath’s list of top 10 capital growth hotspots for 2012.
Most notably, Coogee in Sydney’s eastern suburbs is the only location included as a hotspot for houses and units.
Coogee is eight kilometres from the Sydney CBD and according to RP Data has a median house price of $1.69 million and a median unit price of $655,000.
The suburb includes many Art Deco and period-style homes and apartment blocks as well as a vibrant café-lined shopping strip along Coogee Bay Road and Arden Street.
It has also proved popular among rugby league players, with bad boy Todd Carney owning property in Coogee and Rabbitohs star Greg Inglis recently purchasing a semi-detached house in February.
Coogee is also home to one of the eastern beaches’ most well-known and notorious watering holes, the Coogee Bay Hotel , which currently ranks in the top 20 of most violent pub in Australia.
A $150 million multi-storey redevelopment of the hotel was approved by the previous Labor government under Part 3A planning rules that allowed the minister for planning to determine planning applications without consulting local councils.
The O’Farrell government scrapped Part 3A planning rules when it came into power last year and returned the hotel redevelopment application to the council, much to the relief of nearby residents.
Last year McGrath Real Estate set up a new Coogee office to expand the group’s presence in the eastern beaches and south-east suburbs of Sydney.
According to McGrath, eastern beach suburbs like Coogee contain some of the most valuable real estate in Sydney mixed with a high number of 1960s and ’70s apartments.
“The desirability of living close to the beach and city means that houses and units are being sought by a new wave of buyers,” McGrath says.
The other 10 capital growth suburbs picked by McGrath included houses in Hunters Hill, the suburb on a small peninsula that separates the Lane Cove River and Parramatta River, apartments in Cammeray on the lower north shore.
Seven out of the 10 suburbs are within 10 kilometres of the Sydney CBD.
“Buying residential real estate within 10 kilometres of the CBD in Sydney is an excellent choice, with outer-suburban areas not doing as well as city hubs and the coastal belt,” says McGrath.
The only suburb McGrath picks that is a long haul from the CBD is Palm Beach, most famous as the exterior shot for Summer Bay in Home and Away, which is a 41-kilometre drive from the centre of Sydney.
All the housing suburbs have medians under $2 million while the apartments are priced under $700,000.
“The under-$1 million market is still the strongest segment, but there’s new interest up to $2 million and even beyond in Sydney and Melbourne where higher-end buyers weren’t around as much in 2011,” he says.
John McGrath’s Top Sydney Metro Picks – Best Buys for Future Growth (Houses)
<table style="width: 470px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
 
</td>
<td width="76" valign="top">
Location
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
Distance from CBD
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
Median price
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
Median weekly rent
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
Yield
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
Balmain East
</td>
<td width="76" valign="top">
Inner West
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
5 kms
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
$1.73 m
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$1,350
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
4.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
Coogee
</td>
<td width="76" valign="top">
Eastern Suburbs
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
8 kms
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
$1.69 m
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$800
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
2.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
Hunters Hill
</td>
<td width="76" valign="top">
North West
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
9 kms
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
$1.55 m
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$1,000
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
3.4%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
Killara
</td>
<td width="76" valign="top">
North Shore
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
14 kms
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
$1.45 m
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$1,000
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
3.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
Palm Beach
</td>
<td width="76" valign="top">
Northern Beach
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
41 kms
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
$1.55 m
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$895
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
3%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
All data sourced from RP Data
John McGrath’s Top Sydney Metro Picks – Best Buys for Future Growth (Units)
<table style="width: 470px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
 
</td>
<td width="76" valign="top">
Location
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
Distance from CBD
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
Median price
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
Median rent
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
Yield
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
Cammeray
</td>
<td width="76" valign="top">
Lower North Shore
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
5 kms
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$608,000
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$550
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
4.7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
Coogee
</td>
<td width="76" valign="top">
Eastern Suburbs
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
8 kms
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$655,000
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$585
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
4.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
Monterey
</td>
<td width="76" valign="top">
Southern Beaches
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
15 kms
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$470,000
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$410
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
4.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
Ryde
</td>
<td width="76" valign="top">
Northern Suburbs
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
15 kms
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$450,000
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$380
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
4.4%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="111" valign="top">
Sydney CBD
</td>
<td width="76" valign="top">
 
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
 
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$535,000
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
$650
</td>
<td width="88" valign="top">
6.3%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
All data sourced from RP Data.
Photograph of Coogee Surf Lifesaving Club by Sacha Fernandez<a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/sacharules/"></a>, courtesy of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.flickr.com/">Flickr</a>.
 
</body></html>

Coogee a hotspot, and not just for reformed bad boys of rugby

<html><body>
Jellis Craig presents the change in house and unit prices in the inner-Melbourne municipality of Richmond during 2011.
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/richmondmap.jpg"><img src="/images/stories/richmondmapthumb.jpg"></a>
Source: <a href="https://www.jelliscraig.com.au/" target="_blank">Jellis Craig</a> Annual Property Review
Numbers in brackets indicate a decrease
 
</body></html>

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Annual median dwelling price changes in Richmond: Jellis Craig

<html><body>
The overall Melbourne market declined 6.1% in December, according to RP Data, but the median house price in Richmond increased 4% during the year, according to Jellis Craig's Annual Property Review.
"From December 2010 quarter to December 2011 quarter median property prices in Richmond increased from $816,000 to $852,000, showing a modest growth at odds with the softening of the market nationally and showing that local variations distinguish the current market," says report author and Jellis Craig Richmond director Clayton Smith, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/landlords/block-richmond-properties-hit-the-rental-market-with-yields-of-up-to-6.3/2011092851717">who also auctioned one of the properties for sale on the Channel 9 series The Block</a>.
Smith says, however, that it took longer to sell property during 2011, and that sales volumes were down.
"While we saw some bounce back in values, the volume of properties transacted was significantly  down in 2011, with 103 fewer than in the preceding 12-month period; particularly in the $1 million plus price bracket. The number of average days on market increased slightly from 28 to 34 compared with the previous year."
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/richcomment1.jpg"><img src="/images/stories/richcomment1thumb.jpg"></a>
Source: <a href="https://www.jelliscraig.com.au/" target="_blank">Jellis Craig</a> Annual Property Review
"The two interest rate reductions by December 2011 produced an immediate response from buyers, with more vigorous bidding competition at our auctions and producing some exciting results well beyond expectations.
"Although new home lending has been down, lending for existing properties has been trending upwards, and evidence suggests that borrowers remain more than able to service loan repayments and that many potential buyers have access to a house deposit."
Smith is optimistic for the Richmond market in 2012.
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/richcomment2.jpg"><img src="/images/stories/richcomment2thumb.jpg"></a>
Source: <a href="https://www.jelliscraig.com.au/" target="_blank">Jellis Craig</a> Annual Property Review
"The current market balance could be tilted by any additional reductions as buyers tired of waiting for what might be considered ‘the right moment’ enter the market. This could potentially tip the scales slightly in favour of sellers when friendlier interest rates meet pent-up demand," he says.
"The year has begun on a positive note with both buyers and potential sellers making contact with the office early in January, signalling their intention to transact this year."
 
 
</body></html>

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