<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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Headingley House, the Woollahra home of John Spender QC, is set for sale.

It was his diplomat father, Sir Percy Spender, who bought it from the Kater pastoralist family in 1949 for £11,676.

About two years ago Russell Crowe and Danielle Spencer were allowed through Headingley House when Spender first thought he might get something like $18 million.

Its latest listing is through Ben Collier at McGrath.

The dapper Queens Counsel, who now does commercial arbitration, moved into the stunning Georgian-style Wellington Street residence in 1985. While he was the Member of the House of Representatives for the seat of North Sydney he would occasionally take the trip from his eastern suburbs home to the lower North Shore electorate in his late father's white Rolls Royce.

His politician father, an eminent jurist, had left his bar practice in 1949 and entered the Federal political arena when the Liberals took office and Sir Percy Spender became minister for external affairs, during which he negotiated the ANZUS Treaty. He then was posted to Washington in 1951 as Australian ambassador and in 1958 was appointed Australia's first judge of the International Court of Justice and in 1964 became its president.

Woollahra has had six sales above $10 million since 2007.

The record is a Rush Street compound for $16 million in 2008 which McGrath agents James Dack and Ben Collier secured for the Pagent family. It was a three-terrace Rush Street amalgamation spread over 588 sq m. The $16 million compound was bought by Rosanne Williams, partner of John Grill, from the oil and gas engineering firm Worley Parsons. During the Pagent family ownership, it had been extensively renovated by architect Alexander Tzannes, having traded in 1999 for $2.75 million

Last year's highest sale was $10.6 million.

The Kater pastoral dynasty headed by Sir Norman was centred around the 1900 Federation Cudal property Nyrang. Sir Norman, who was trained as a doctor, then took over the Egelabra Stud at Warren in 1910.

He died in 1965.

<h2>Latest listings on Urban:</h2>

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[smartcode_project:default project_id=3783]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27406]
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John Spender's Woollahra Headingley House set for sale

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Kalaurgan, the renovated, heritage-listed, gothic revival-style Moss Vale property, remains for sale but with reduced price expectations. Shena Jackson, the former sports industry executive, will now take $995,000 for the Southern Highlands property.
Some $1.4 million was sought in 2009, then $1,275,000 in 2010 and $1.15 million in February 2011.
It’s the residence that Mary MacKillop occupied in the 1880s, according to the marketing campaign, which hasn’t worked miracles.
The 3,768-square-metre Browley Street property, which last traded at $860,000 in 2008, has been listed through Victoria Morish and Susannah Anderson at Di Jones in conjunction with John Renouf at Highlands Property.
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No miracles for Mary MacKillop's former Moss Vale property: Most Discounted Trophy Home of the Week

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/feb3lynwood]}
<img style="float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">Lynwood Farm (pictured above), the charming three-storey timber house with widow’s walk set on 5.8 hectares at Robertson, has been listed for sale by Peter and Janie Marshall. For more than 100 years, the NSW Southern Highlands property was a dairy farm set among stands of remnant rainforest. It comes with a terraced garden of drystone walls, an apple walk and peony garden, spring water, bore, three tanks, citrus orchard, Hornbeam hedge and a paddock for stock. The grounds also have an original one-bedroom cottage plus separate guest accommodation above the double garage.
The interiors include wide oak floor boards from England and a Chinese Chippendale timber staircase, all overseen by Janie Marshall, who for a long time until she eased herself to her Highlands lifestyle, was the  favoured decorator of well-heeled hecticly demanding Sydneysiders who wanted their soft, rather 1950s English glamour interiors, given she trained at the Inchbald school in London. Title Tattle seems to recall she did Altona’s interiors along with Thomas Hamel for the Handburys. Given the climate in the Southern Highlands, Lynwood comes with double glazed windows, hydronic central heating and open and gas fires. Its listing agents Michael Maloney at Richardson and Wrench Bowral and Drew Lindsay of Drew Lindsay Real Estate are seeking $5.3 million. 
For buyers seeking to run a bigger farm, Richardson &amp; Wrench agent Philip Dwyer <a href="https://www.randw.com.au/43037/" target="_blank">has an adjoining 40 hectares on Vandenberg Road for sale </a>with another vendor at $1.69 million.
<img src="/images/stories/benacre.jpg">
<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">Benacre, a 1870s bluestone Adelaide mansion (pictured above), has been listed by wine industry entrepreneur Rory O’Neill and his wife, Cathryn. O’Neill is director of the wine label Australian Domaine Wines. It was built for Henry Scott, the Adelaide mayor and his wife, Emily Gooch, who named it after her ancestral home in Suffolk. After its last major subdivision in the early 1970s, the two-storey house sits on a 6,600-square-metre block at Glen Osmond. The five-bedroom, four-bathroom heritage-listed Victorian Italianate mansion has grand formal rooms with marble details, parquetry floors and hand-painted friezes. There’s a modern extension plus gourmet kitchen that opens to the saltwater pool. The Toop and Toop listing agent Lew Toop has been advising buyers that they were hoping for close to $6 million.
<img src="/images/stories/thebeachhouse.jpg">
<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">Ian Duffell, the former Virgin Entertainment executive, has spent $2.7 million to buy into Investec’s The Beach House development on Campbell Parade Bondi. Ranging from 65 square metres to 250 square metres, the initial mid-2009 off-the-plan sales in The Beach House (pictured above) started at $740,000 for one-bedders. The project was overseen by architect Brian Meyerson, with interiors by Burley Katon Halliday, after the specialist banking group secured the site from publican Cyril Maloney for $41 million in 2007. The Beach House is a four- to five-level, 40-apartment building next to Hotel Bondi, with a retail and cafe precinct that's been recently finished. The nearby Swiss-Grand Hotel is soon to begin the marketing that accompanies its much-anticipated $100 million conversion into 95 apartments, along with hotel rooms and retail by developers Allen Linz and Eduard Litver.
<img src="/images/stories/cammaray.jpg">
<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">Alcatel’s former South Asia Pacific president Ron Spithill, and his wife, Patricia, have listed their north-facing Cammeray waterfront house (pictured above). The modern Cowdroy Avenue house sits on a 472-square-metre block with jetty and deep-water marina berth. The house cost $2.4 million when newly completed in 1999. It’s listed through John Conroy at Century 21 Resnekov for March 8 auction. Ron has an extensive background in the telecommunications industry and is a former president of the Telecommunications Industry Association of Australia. He joined Alcatel in 1962 when it was called ITT and was with the company until his 2005 retirement. The couple spend much of their time in Europe with regular trips to New Zealand, where he’s on the board of Telecom NZ.
<img src="/images/stories/wyuna2.jpg">
<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">Former Hawthorn premiership player, the Toyota car dealer Bruce Stevenson and his wife, Julia, are selling their Portsea property (pictured above). The Tasmania-based couple are seeking $2.8 million plus through Kay and Burton agent Linda Boulter.  The four-bedroom Wyuna Court house has a tennis court, a pool and a gym. The outdoor entertaining area includes a wood-fired pizza oven. The Portsea property was bought from Michael and Deborah Cook in 2005 for $1.37 million. Offers are due February 24. Stevenson was in the 1971 Hawthorn team that beat St Kilda by seven points.
<img src="/images/stories/moncur.jpg">
<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">The Paspaley family, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/title-tattle-sussan-ceo-naomi-milgrom-spends-%246.2-million-to-buy-her-byron-bay-neighbour/2011070150674" target="_blank">who bought in Bellevue last year for $9.4 million</a>, have listed their redundant sandstone Woollahra cottage (pictured above and below). It last traded for a bullish $3.87 million in 2005. Di Jones agent Kim Jones has the Georgian sandstone Moncur Street listing for February 21 auction.
<img src="/images/stories/moncur2.jpg">
Of course it’s her former family home, given Kim’s parents, the prominent late 1980s estate agents Bill and Di, owned it between 1990 and 1999. They paid $595,000 and sold for $2.3 million. Title Tattle gathers Bill and Di have secured new digs themselves, buying in The Residence, the College Street residential tower overlooking Hyde Park. Their $3.9 million apartment purchase was actually among the first off-the-plan purchases, in the block according to RP Data.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
<img src="/images/stories/stanwellpark1.jpg">
<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">The award-winning photographer Sean Izzard and his wife, architect Amanda, have listed their contemporary Stanwell Park residence (pictured above) for March 3 auction. It’s listed through Amanda Moore and Vanessa Denison-Pender at McGrath Thirroul with $1.3 million-plus hopes. It takes in views of the ocean and Bald Hill escarpment. The architecturally designed home is set in landscaped tropical gardens on a 550-square-metre block, which cost $425,000 in 2001. The Izzards' house was built about six years ago to a design by Amanda. Closer to the ocean, businessman Peter Holmes a Court's clifftop home reputedly sold to Phil Staub, the executive chairman of General Pants, a retail group which owns Surf, Dive and Ski, Jetty Surf and Billabong, just days before Christmas for $1.9 million.
<img src="/images/stories/sanctcove.jpg">
<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">The sales were small beer, rather than champagne cork popping, at the Gold Coast auctions during January. At Sanctuary Cove, the four-bedroom house of Ted Kunkel (pictured above), the former Fosters boss turned Billabong chairman, sold before last weekend's big Ray White auction for an undisclosed figure. Set on Bay Hill Terrace, the expansive house was built after the 804-square-metre lakefront reserve block had cost $500,000 in 2002 when bought from Mulpha. It comes with a Florida room with conservatory-style pool overlooking the sixth, seventh and eighth holes of the Palms Golf Course.
<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">The boss of Freemantle Media Ian Hogg has spent $5.7 million in Mosman. It was previously the abode of the chairman of the Commonwealth Bank, David Turner, and his wife, Julia, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/commbank-boss-david-turner-upgrades-in-mosman-without-a-mortgage-title-tattle/2012020153209" target="_blank">who have upgraded Mosman abodes, without the bother of finding finance for the new home</a>. The Turners then spent exactly $10 million on their unencumbered beachfront reserve house. It was bought from the Royal Bank of Scotland's head of Australian equities operations, Randolf Clinton.
<img src="/images/stories/seedstraem.jpg">
<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">Seadream47 (pictured above), the double-storey Mt Martha residence with 180-degree coastal views from Red Hill to Portsea, is under offer. Expected to fetch more than $3 million, it features five bedrooms, four bathrooms, formal and informal spilt-level living areas, plus home office, gym, spa and infinity pool. It been home of the structural engineer Harry Lambis since he designed it about six years. It was listed by Kay and Burton agents Rob Curtain and John Couper.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/feb17spender]}
<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">Title Tattle aims to tell you first – often before it happens – so stand by for the listing of Headingley House (pictured above), the Woollahra home of John Spender. It was his diplomat father, Sir Percy Spender, who bought it from the Kater pastoralist family in 1949 for £11,676. Little wonder John Spender has been most ponderous in whether to let go of the house. Of course two years ago Russell Crowe and Danielle Spencer were allowed through Headingley House when Spender first thought he might get something like $18 million.
<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">And don't say that Title Tattle told you, but the Sydney accountant to the stars Anthony Bell has been quietly seeking out buyer feedback on the two Bondi Beach penthouses he's keen to sell. Bell, and his wife, television presenter Kelly Landry, are keen to buy a luxury eastern suburbs house – more so since the birth of their baby daughter, Charlize, five months ago.
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Former Virgin exec Ian Duffell buys into Bondi development: Title Tattle

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Christopher Kent will replace Philip Lowe as assistant governor (economic) of the Reserve Bank, the central bank has announced.
In his new position Kent will be the chief economic adviser to RBA governor Glen Stevens and the RBA board.
Kent will take up the role when Lowe becomes deputy governor on February 14.
Kent is currently head of payments policy department at the RBA.
He holds a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an honours degree in economics from the Australian National University.
“In his current position he has overseen the bank's work on the Australian payments system and was previously head of economic research department,” says the RBA.
“He has had extensive experience in high-level policy advice and has authored numerous articles on the Australian economy and macroeconomic policy.”
Following Kent's appointment, Tony Richards, currently head of economic analysis, will move to become head of payments policy.
Jonathan Kearns, head of economic research, will move to become head of economic analysis.
The position of head of economic research will be advertised in the near future.
 
 
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Christopher Kent to replace Philip Lowe as RBA assistant governor

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Merrendee Station, the Mudgee farm of the late Douglass Baglin, the revered photographer, has been listed for sale at $3.25 million.
With a carrying capacity of 350 to 400 cows and 2,000 sheep, the property has been listed at $2,238 per hectare through Geoff Bartlett at O’Brien Bartlett First National Real Estate Mudgee.
Baglin, who was at the forefront of heritage property preservation starting in Hunters Hill in the 1960s, died in late 2010 aged 84 at Redleaf Manor, Concord.
He left one of Australia’s most extensive image libraries. Many of his photos were donated to the State Library, including more than 7,000 Hunters Hill negatives and transparencies.
He had been part of the vanguard of the Australian conservation movement, having lived in one of the oldest homes in the area, Villa Floridiana, from 1956-88. More than 80 books feature his photos, including Sandstone Sydney and Dinky-di Dunnies. He was Australia’s official photographer for The America’s Cup Challenge in 1967. One of his first commissions was as part of Sir Edward Hallstrom’s 1959 expedition, where he filmed the first European contact with New Guinea’s pygmies in Jimmi River Valley.
Douglass and his late wife, Elaine Baglin, bought the property in 1987.
He is buried next to his wife at Merrendee Station.
The first owner of Merrendee was Sarah Lowe, who came to the Mudgee region following the 1832 death of her husband, who had been the chief magistrate of Camden and Campbelltown.
After the 1857 gold discovery, a town soon sprung up on the banks of Meroo River, with the township of Merrendee hitting about 6,000 people. About one-third of those were Chinese.
The Lowe family ownership ceased in the early 1900s, when Sydney Webb purchased the property and commissioned the architectural firm Hudson and Carmichel to design a stone home in 1918. The manager’s residence was built in 1993.
NSW Valuer-General Philip Western today released fresh valuations for the 12,824 properties in the Mid-Western Regional local government area, which had rural land values generally remaining steady over the past three year, with larger rural holdings showing a slight increase in value.
He noted the value of rural residential land had generally shown a moderate increase in value due to continued local demand.
Hobby farms south of Mudgee, around Rylstone and Bylong, however, had experienced a slight fall in value.
Village land values had generally remained steady over the three-year period, with the exception of land in Ulan, which showed a slight increase in value, mainly due to demand from the Ulan coal mine.
Typical rural land values were:
•             296 hectares at Dolomite Road, Mount Knowles valued at $246,000
•             215 hectares at Glen Alice Road, Dabee valued at $363,000
 
Typical rural residential land values were:
•             10.2 hectares at Castlereagh Highway, Galambine valued at $200,000
•             10.2 hectares at Adelong Road, Tallawang valued at $86,500.
 
Typical hobby farm land values were:
•             106 hectares at Kyewong Road, Windeyer valued at $86,000
•             64.8 hectares at Coxs Creek Road, Coxs Creek valued at $85,000
•             41.6 hectares at Razorback Road, Running Stream valued at $107,000
•             64.8 hectares at Cliffdale Road, Turill valued at $101,000
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Photographer Douglass Baglin’s former Mudgee farm up for sale: Title Tattle

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Craig-Lea, which sits on a 561-square-metre holding in Glebe’s Toxteth estate, has been listed for sale.
It has undergone a major recent sympathetic renovation, which has triggered its $3.8 million-plus hopes.
The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/house-glebe-nsw-2037/136357/?searchID=13369623">six-bedroom Mansfield Street residence</a>, which comes with three Travertine bathrooms, has a distinctive "barnfloor" Dulux paint colouring exterior.
It’s been listed for February 25 auction through Michael Glynn at McGrath Estate Agents.
It last sold at mortgagee sale by Westpac in 1996 at $625,000. It’s a late Victorian, probably late 1880s, which sat neglected for a considerable time. For the greater part of the last century it was a boarding house.
The McGrath website gives two Glebe comparables – a $4.2 million <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/house-glebe-nsw-2037/93966/?searchID=13369459">six-bedroom 1886 Toxteth Road  house</a> on 607 square metres sold in April last year.
There was also a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/house-glebe-nsw-2037/137132/?searchID=13369582">five-bedroom Arcadia Road house</a> on about 450 square metres that sold before its December auction at an undisclosed price but is understood to be about $3.8 million.
The median sale price for houses in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Glebe </a>is $975,000, according to RP Data.
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Glebe's Craig-Lea listed with $3.8 million-plus hopes after much-needed reno

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<img src="/images/stories/omrmelb1.gif">
<img src="/images/stories/omrmelb2.gif">
Click to enlarge
<a href="/images/stories/omrmelb3.gif" rel="shadowbox" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/omrmelb3thumb.gif"></a>
Source: Property Council of Australia
 
 
 
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Melbourne commercial office market outlook 1990-2015: PCA

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The National Market
This year is set to be a year of recovery and consolidation for most Australia property markets, but Sydney is predicted to be a better performer of the capital cities.  Some areas will enjoy solid growth driven by latent demand or resource drivers while other areas will languish.  Last year’s market was dominated by natural disasters, mixed economic signals and fragile consumer sentiment.  Australian Property Monitors noted that national median house prices were down by 4.2% but are predicted to rise by 3% to 5% in 2012.  Sydney’s median house price only declined -0.9% last year compared with -3.1% in Brisbane, -1.2% in Melbourne, -2.2% in Perth, -1.4% in Adelaide and -3.5% in Darwin. 
The national economy is set to grow strongly on the back of mining and resources sector.  Treasury estimates are for around 3% to 4% growth in GDP (much to the envy of the developed world). Immigration is likely to increase as the demand for skilled workers intensifies from economic growth.  This will flow onto increased housing demand. Affordability will continue to be an issue for households on average incomes.  However, interest rates are likely to decline in the first quarter of this year, which will improve market confidence and turnover. I’m tipping around a 0.5 percentage point reduction in rates this year. 
The traditional spring selling season in 2011 did not eventuate. It was more of a fizzle and pop with lacklustre results. Auction rates hovered around 50% to 60% during 2011. Year on year results from October showed Sydney’s median house price fell 2.3% as reported by Australian Property Monitors. In contrast, Rismark International house price model recorded a 0.5% decline in median house prices over the year to the end of November. Sydney was one of the most resilient property markets of all capital cities over 2011. Brisbane and Melbourne recorded 7% and 5.6% decreases over the same period. Rismark International recorded a very small 0.1% increase in national house prices in November, which is signaling a projected rebound in property prices. 
The Sydney market
The <place><city>Sydney</city></place> market for 2012 looks more positive. Sydney has several reasons to smile compared with other states:
<ul>
<li>NSW and Sydney is still the most fundamentally undersupplied market (we need approximately 60,000 extra dwellings but we are currently only building half that).</li>
<li>Interest rates are set to fall at least another 0.5 percentage points.</li>
<li>Unemployment remains low at 5.2% so job security is helping mortgage holders pay down more debt and increase their equity buffer. However, with uncertain global financial markets unemployment may nudge upward to 5.5%. </li>
<li>The NSW government is getting on with the job of rebuilding transport infrastructure (and not just re-announcing it in press releases). The north-west rail link is first major infrastructure project to get the go-ahead. This will benefit the north-west area around Castle Hill significantly. </li>
<li>The Barangaroo project has commenced to revitalise the commercial dock areas on the west side of the city.</li>
<li>Commercial property values are also predicted to rise on the back of previous inactivity. </li>
<li>Sydney’s climate, lifestyle and natural attractions continue to place the city as one of the best places to live in the world – it’s hard to beat the early morning swim or surf on the way to work!</li>
<li>
<city><place>Sydney</place></city> is poised for more growth on the back of latent demand from upgraders and downsizers that have been sitting on the sidelines. </li>
<li>Rents have been rising strongly due to low vacancy rates around 1.3% on average. </li>
<li>Overall, 2012 is set to be a year of recovery for the property market. </li>
</ul>
I’m tipping that Sydney’s median price will rise by around 5% in 2012 given falling interest rates (and barring any other catastrophic economic event). This growth will largely come from the lower to middle segments of the market. 
The prestige market will continue languish – providing excellent opportunities for upper-end buyers. With a subdued share market, the level of executive bonuses is limited and buyers are cherry picking the stock that is available at the top end of the market. 
The potential impact of fallout from the European debt crisis continues to plague consumer confidence. If credit markets are affected, then property price growth will be subdued in <country-region><place>Australia</place></country-region> because the cost of bank funding will be higher.  If credit flows more easily then property prices have more ability to rise. 
Where to buy…
The east is likely to have a subdued year ahead, making it an opportune time to enter this market if you want to buy with less competition. The inner west of Sydney will continue to perform strongly due to price differential with the eastern suburbs. It contains a host of suburbs ripe for renovation and its proximity to the city is favourable to commuters looking for a shorter journey to work. 
Pockets on the northern beaches and north shore with median prices under $1 million will also do well, as “affordability” is one of the key factors driving demand for dwelling types.
Sydney’s western suburbs are likely to outperform the middle- and inner-ring suburbs on a percentage basis as they are coming off a low base. We are finding and creating excellent positive cashflow opportunities for savvy property investors in these areas with yields up to 10%. 
Good quality apartments close to the CBD will continue be in high demand as downsizers, professionals and first-home buyers compete for limited stock of established properties.
Rich Harvey is founder and managing director of Sydney buyers' agency <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertybuyer.com.au/">PropertyBuyer</a>
For more expert predictions on what lies in store for Australia's property markets in 2012, download our free eBook <a target="_blank" href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/ebooks/free-ebook-property-forecasts-for-2012">Property Forecasts for 2012</a>.
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Outlook good for Sydney's property market in 2012

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With $1.05 million unaccounted, NSW Fair Trading is investigating Warilla real estate agency Dougmal Harcourts after appointing Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu as an independent manager to the Illawarra region agency.
Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe says Fair Trading was notified of a significant deficiency in trust accounts by the licensee-in-charge last month.
The real estate agency side of the business is now closed.
The large real estate agency and strata management scheme operates across the southern Illawarra region managing 236 strata schemes, involving approximately 1,800 properties.
Stowe said says $200,000 is unaccounted for in the agency’s trust account, affecting seven groups of consumers in the process of buying a property.
“Approximately $850,000 out of a total strata sinking fund pool of $4.3 million administered by the agency is unaccounted for,” the Commissioner says.
“There should be no immediate impact on the day to day operations of the 236 schemes, however the loss of nearly 20% of the sinking fund pool will be addressed in the course of the investigation and by the manager.”
Stowe says claims to the Property Services Compensation Fund must be made in writing to the Fair Trading Commissioner within 12 months of a person becoming aware of the failure to account, or within two years of the date the failure to account took place, whichever period ends first.
“Fair Trading is contacting these consumers to advise them of the situation and how they may make a claim on the Property Services Compensation Fund,” he says.
 
 
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Missing $1 million trust funds prompts Fair Trading investigation into Warilla agency Dougmal Harcourts 

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The chairman of the Commonwealth Bank, David Turner, and his wife, Julia have upgraded Mosman abodes, without the bother of finding finance for the new home. They pocketed $5.7 million and spent exactly $10 million on their unencumbered beachfront reserve house.
It was bought from the Royal Bank of Scotland's head of Australian equities operations, Randolf Clinton. Turner was appointed to the Commonwealth Bank board in 2006 and has been chairman since February 2010. His extensive experience in finance, international business and governance has included Cobham Plc, Brambles Limited and Mobil Oil.
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