<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 embattled ASX-listed Cheviot Kirribilly Vineyard Property Group has found a potential buyer for its Tullymore Vineyard in the Clare Valley.
In a statement made to the ASX, Cheviot said it had “granted an exclusive option to a third party to acquire the Tullymore Vineyard”.
The option to buy the 200-hectare vineyard expires in 45 days.
The financial terms and the name of the potential buyer remain confidential.
Should the buyer take up the option it will leave another Clare Valley vineyard, the 251-hectare Kirribilly 1, as the last remaining vineyard in the group still up for sale.
Tullymore and Kirribilly 1 are being marketed by Colliers agents Tim Altschwager and Nick Dean, with the group hoping to sell both by April.
In January, Cheviot completed the sale of its two Angas Creek Vineyards in Gumeracha, in the Adelaide Hills (78 and 65 hectares) for $3.1 million.
In December Cheviot completed the sale of its two Langhorne Creek vineyards in South Australia –Birchmores Vineyard (293 hectares) and Woodstock Road Vineyard (67 hectares) – for $5.7 million.
The group also announced that it had come to an agreement with its financier to continue to proceed with the 2012 vintage of Kirribilly and Tullymore.
Current estimates are for a vintage of 1,900 tonnes, more than one-third higher than the 2011 yield but 10% lower than the long-term average.
Following the sales of the five vineyards, Tidewater Funds Management, the responsible entity of Cheviot Kirribilly Vineyard Property Trust, will begin the process of winding up the trust this month, with the view to completing the process by May.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/rural/sa-vineyards-up-for-sale-as-downturn-puts-the-squeeze-on-wineries/2011071850831">Cheviot Kirribilly was forced to put its 953-hectare vineyard portfolio up for sale by its financiers</a> last year due to an oversupply of grapes, changes in retail conditions, overseas competition and the strong Australian dollar.
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lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Cheviot finds potential buyer for Clare Valley Tullymore Vineyard

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The dispute between billionaire iron-ore tycoon Gina Rinehart and her daughter Hope Rinehart Welker has spilt over into real property.
Hope Rinehart Welker has lost her directorship of the company 150 Investments Pty Ltd, the family entity that owns the Sydney residential home of Hope and her husband, Ryan Welker.
The contemporary non-waterfront residence in Mosman with city skyline views <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/mosman-home-potentially-caught-in-gina-rinehart-dispute/2011090951485">was bought in 2007 for $5.4 million</a>.
Rinehart Welker became a co-director of the family company in September 2007, her first directorship within the Rinehart family companies, which run Hancock Prospecting.
It’s been reported that Rinehart Welker vacated her four-bedroom, four-bathroom Bradleys Head Road house after the dispute commenced between the Rinehart siblings and their mother. The Welkers are believed to have gone overseas in October 2011.
The Clarksville, American-born, London-educated mining executive Ryan Welker, who celebrated his 30th birthday last month, has yet to officially notify any change of address on ASIC documents regarding his private directorship.
Gina Rinehart remains a director of 150 Investment with her daughter Ginia appointed as the replacement director for Hope and sister Bianca, who both lost their directorships, according to paperwork lodged with the ASIC on January 27. The change of company directorship officially took place October 31.
The Australian speculates that daughter Ginia may take up residence in the Mosman house.
In September, three siblings, Bianca, Hope and John Hancock, launched proceedings against their mother in the New South Wales Supreme Court to remove her as head of the family trust, the Hope Margaret Hancock Trust.
The trust at the centre of the legal battle was set up by Lang Hancock for his four grandchildren.
It was nine years ago that Rinehart had a falling out with her son, John, who changed his name by deed poll to John Hancock. John was forced to vacate the family-owned apartment in Perth when  his mother put it on the market in 2003. He took legal action in an attempt to claim a share of the Hancock family trust, describing in a court affidavit his mother as "a very powerful and controlling person".
Rinehart’s total fortune estimated at $10.3 billion, and according to BRW’s valuation in May, is now put at closer to $20 billion.
Her <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/title-tattle-australian-columnist-janet-albrechtsen-downsizes-to-%245-million-bronte-semi/2011072250883">family’s most recent purchase was a neighbouring $7.85 million riverfront Dalkieth property</a>, which was bought in June through 156 Investments Pty Ltd.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Rinehart dispute triggers Mosman mansion movement 

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The Australian Agricultural Company (AACo) has posted a $10.5 million net profit after tax – a 1,000% jump – but the company’s internal cashflow isn’t strong enough for any dividend payment.
The bumper seasonal cropping operations assisted revenue growth of 52% and a 40% lift in its earnings before interest tax, depreciation and amortisation to $58.1 million for 2011.
The company bounced back from last year's Queensland floods and the ban on live cattle exports to Indonesia.
Established in 1824, AACo is the oldest continuously operating company in Australia. It currently operates 19 cattle stations, two feedlots and three farms totalling 7.2 million hectares, about 1.1% of Australia’s land mass.
It became a publicly listed company in 2001.
Managing director David Farley says the 2011 result demonstrates the company's turnaround strategy is gaining momentum.
The current seasonal conditions indicate a six to eight month grass-load across AACo properties, mitigating short-term risk in case of a return to drought conditions, Farley says.
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Australian Agricultural Company posts 10-fold jump in profits

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Estate agent John McGrath has sold his redundant Walsh Bay apartment on Sydney Harbour for $5.5 million, falling slightly short of his purchase price and $6.45 million listing hopes.
The 243-square-metre Hickson Road apartment – renovated after its 2009 purchase – comes with a 17.5-metre boat berth.
It last traded at $5.5 million for the apartment and $450,000 for the boat berth in late 2009 when bought from Michael Hagerty. It represented a mild 7.5% drop on last sale price.
McGrath recently took the opportunity of subdued pricing at the prestige end of the property market to upgrade to a pricier $6.95 million apartment, his third upgrade within the landmark complex.
The $5.5 million sale was through McGrath agent Richard Shalhoub, whose prior Walsh Bay sales efforts had warranted McGrath to post a testimonial for the agent on the company’s website.
It’s still there, saying: “I have a company with what I think are the best sales agents in the country, but I chose Richard to sell my home because he sells Walsh Bay better than any other agent in Sydney.
“He loves Walsh Bay and focuses there exclusively which are two key factors, and his success rate at attracting and selling buyers from other areas into Walsh Bay is second to none.”
The apartment, with 50-square-metre terrace, first traded for $3.7 million off the plan in 2000 and the berth initially sold at $190,000. The new owners took occupancy in 2003 after the conversion by the Mirvac-Transfield syndicate.
There had only been seven apartment sales – including two off the plan – at more than $5.5 million before the latest sale.
They included the record when mortgage industry entrepreneur John Symond secured $16 million in 2006, having knocked two three-bedroom apartments into a super-pad. His Walsh Bay apartment had 520 square metres of living space plus a 140-square-metre balcony and two boat berths.
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John McGrath finds Walsh Bay prices have been watered down: Title Tattle

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The house at 50 Marchant Avenue in Hyannis Port – the backdrop of many famous Kennedy family moments captured on film and photographs – has been gifted to a political education institute.
The ownership of part of the famed compound has been transferred out of family ownership to the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate.
It brings the family’s 84-year ownership of the 21-room waterfront house to an end.
<img src="/images/stories/kennedy4.jpg">
The transfer fulfils a promise made by Senator Ted Kennedy, who died at the house in 2009, to his mother, Rose, that the home be preserved for charitable use. It has been given to the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate.
The house was where in 1956, John F. Kennedy, in consultation with his family, decided that he would seek the US Presidency and where the family celebrated on election night 1960.
"This world-famous house is a national treasure, the setting in which this great American political family made history, year after year, for nearly a century,” presidential historian Michael Beschloss says.
“Like Hyde Park for the Roosevelts or Quincy for the Adamses, if you want to really understand Joseph and Rose Kennedy, President Kennedy and his brothers and sisters, and their families, you will have to go to Hyannis Port," Beschloss says.
"The gift of the house to the EMK Institute is an exceptional act of generosity by the Kennedy family, which will have an impact on generations of visitors."
<img src="/images/stories/kennedy1.jpg">
The late senator left it to his widow, Vicki, but with the wish that it would someday be used as a centre where scholars and public figures could gather to ponder policy issues. 
The <a href="https://emkinstitute.org/" target="_blank">Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate website</a> says the EMK is “dedicated to educating the public about government, invigorating public discourse, encouraging participatory democracy, and inspiring the next generation of citizens and leaders to engage in the public square.”
Her friends and associates said the house evoked too many sad memories of her husband and she never wanted to use it much.
“This house was my family’s epicentre, where my grandparents, father, uncles and aunts would retreat to connect with one another through heated political debates in the dining room and rousing games on the front lawn,” Ted Kennedy Jr. said today.
“Over the generations, we have returned to Hyannis Port in times of both happiness and pain,” he said. “We have come to celebrate baptisms and marriages, await election results, and grieve the passing of our relatives.”
“Even though my family still considers Hyannis Port to be our home, we recognise that this house is a unique and historic place that should be preserved so that future students of history and politics will better understand how this house helped to develop, define and sustain my family,” the late senator’s eldest son told the Boston Globe.
<img src="/images/stories/kennedy2.jpg"> 
The $5.5 million property is the centrepiece of the compound, where some of the nation’s most dramatic modern political history took place.
The compound includes other Kennedy homes, including former President John F. Kennedy’s house, which will remain in the family.
The institute also said the Kennedy family would have “limited usage of the property”.
“There are long-standing easements on the property granting beach access to Kennedy family members who own adjacent properties, which will remain in effect as part of the deed transfer,” the statement said.
<img src="/images/stories/kennedy3.jpg">
Joseph P. Kennedy and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy purchased the property in 1928. The home was originally a 15-room white clapboard house on about a hectare, with a lawn running down to Nantucket Sound. The home today sits on 0.78 hectares acres and is 841 square metres. The history of the house dates back to 1904 built for Beulah A.B. Malcom. The Kennedys rented the house for the summer for several years before purchasing it themselves. At time of the purchase the house, the family included seven of the Kennedys' eventual nine children. Over the next two decades the house was remodeled and expanded to accommodate the growing family.
<img src="/images/stories/kennedymap.jpg">
John F. Kennedy purchased a nearby home in 1956, and shortly thereafter his brother Robert also purchased a neighbouring house. For a time Jean Kennedy Smith and her husband Stephen E. Smith owned a home in the neighbourhood as well. This cluster of family residences became known as "The Kennedy Compound". Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Sargent Shriver owned a home nearby as well.
The Kennedy family became an integral part of the local community.
Photos courtesy of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate.
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Kennedy home in Hyannis Point, Massachusetts, gifted by the family to political education institute 

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Asian investment in Australian real estate is set to expand in the mining sector with Indian government-owned mining company NMDC Limited undertaking due diligence of two Australian mining properties, one in Western Australia and the other in the Northern Territory.
NMDC is looking to acquire Atlas Mining’s 2 billion-tonne Ridley magnetite iron ore project in the Pilbara region of Western Australia (75 kilometres east of Port Hedland) and Minemakers Ltd’s Wonarah phosphate reserve, about 260 kilometres east of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/hefty-residential-rentals-in-the-booming-pilbara-matching-the-east-coast-s-wealthy-suburbs/2011120752707">Port Hedland property prices have soared</a> in the wake of the mining boom, with RP Data reporting a median sales price of $1.1 million and median rents of $2,200.
Tennant Creek house prices are up 34.4%, with a median sales price of $215,000. Hotspotting.com.au’s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/hotspots/mining-towns-could-be-2012-property-hotspots-terry-ryder/2012011153008">Terry Ryder picked Tennant Creek</a> as the best-performing Northern Territory market of 2011.
The Indian mining giant is believed to be in advanced discussions for a $200 million line-of-credit loan to fund the acquisitions and other mine development programmes, reported Indian website Zeebiz.com.
It has also been reported the NMDC is seeking to invest in Queensland coal projects.
NMDC is expected complete negotiations and due diligence processes for the two mines by March.
Indian interest in Australian mines follows increasing Asian investment in Australian mines including South Korea steelmaker Posco recently expanding its holdings in the Roy Hill iron ore mine in the Pilbara from 3.75% to 15%.
In 2010 Posco acquired a 70% stake in Anglo's Sutton Forest coalmine, on the NSW south coast, for $50 million.
Thailand coal group Banpu acquired 80% of Centennial Coal in July 2010 for $2 billion.
NMDC investment in Wonarah will help fund the building of a railway link to Tennant Creek, which could cost as much as $620 million.
Wonarah is one of the largest under-developed phosphate reserves in Australia, with an estimated resource of 1.26 billion tonnes. Wonarah's phosphate rock is one of the key inputs of the global fertiliser market.
Reports that NMDC is carrying out due diligence of the Wonarah mine follows it entering into a memorandum of understanding with Minemakers in July last year to acquire a 50% interest in the project.
<img src="/images/stories/ridley.jpg">
Last year, NMDC, which has a market capitalisation of around $20 billion, acquired a majority holding (50%) of Perth-based Australian exploration company Legacy Iron Ore for $18.9 million.
NMDC is India's largest iron ore producer and exporter, presently producing about 30 million tons of iron ore from three mines in India.
To find out more about Asian investment in Australian real estate download our free eBook: <a href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/ebooks/free-ebook-foreign-investment-in-australian-property-markets">Foreign Investment in Australian Property Markets</a>.
 
 
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Indian mining group set to buy two Australian mines

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Robert Morgan, chairman of Clemenger Communications, and his wife, Vanessa, have sold their four-bedroom Woollahra residence, Attunga Lodge.
It was listed in February 2011 with $6 million-plus hopes through Michael Pallier from Raine &amp; Horne Double Bay, but more recently at around $5.5 million.
The house has been refurbished since it was bought for $5.06 million in 2007 from Mark Chiba from Asia-Pacific advisory outfit, the Longreach Group. The five-bedroom 1868 home on an 1,100-square-metre block in Attunga Street, was given a major renovation in the late 1980s by developer Bill Shipton, putting a two-storey addition around the original 19th-century home, which he bought from investment banker Paul Espie for $800,000 in 1988.
Morgan moved up from Clemenger's Melbourne office after Greg Daniel stepped down in the late 1990s. The Morgans’ earlier Sydney bolthole was a Paddington terrace, bought for $2,175,000 in 2003 and sold in 2007 at $2.81 million.
Morgan, whose career was made marketing Campbell’s soup, has most recently spent $8 million to buy on Sydney Harbour according to the Land Titles Office official transfer document.
The Point Piper acquisition was bought from Pierce Cody, the entrepreneurial adman who went onto establish and sell Macro Wholefoods, and his wife, Toni. With views across the Royal Motor Yacht Club, it had last traded in 1997 for $3,262,500. It sold through Alain Waitsman and Bill Malouf.
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Clemenger Communications boss Robert Morgan sells in Woollahra: Title Tattle

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Chris Scott, the former holiday letting management rights entrepreneur, has relisted his Gold Coast hinterland house.
The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/acreage-rural-tallai-qld-4213/141241/?fromHome=1">five-bedroom Tallai house</a> has a grand entrance with marble floors. The house, with 2,325 square metres of living space, is on a 6,878-square-metre block.
It was bought in 2003 for $3 million from car auction executive Colin Crewe and it was listed with $5.5 million hopes in 2007. By late 2009 the asking price was around $3.95 million.
It’s now being quoted through McGrath agent Patricia Box at $2.9 million plus.
After gaining an honours degree in economics Scott spent two decades operating road and sea freight operations in Singapore and the US until he returned to Australia with his family in 1998.
In 2006 he secured $210 million, his share of the $700 million overly ambitious MFS takeover of the S8 travel group he founded.
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Former holiday lettings entrepreneur Chris Scott relists Gold Coast hinterland mansion

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Despite having unfashionable reputations due to swathes of unattractive McMansions and fibro cottages, western Sydney suburbs like Liverpool, Blacktown and Penrith are making appearances on hotspot lists primarily because of investments in infrastructure, job creation initiatives, new residential developments and more affordable properties. The most recent list of the 50 suburbs with the greatest capital growth potential featured in Smart Property Investment magazine included four western Sydney suburbs. Rental yields of between 5% and 6% are also encouraging investors to consider these outlying parts of greater Sydney.
Location: 
Western Sydney comprises 14 local government areas extending from Auburn (19 kilometres west of Sydney) all the way to the Blue Mountains (50 kilometres away). Prominent residential suburbs include Blacktown, Liverpool, Bankstown, Parramatta, Campbelltown and Penrith.
Key demographics:
Western Sydney is one of Australia’s largest urban areas and home to just over one in 11 Australians. It has a population of about 2 million people and is growing at a rate of about 36,000 people per year (1.8%), slightly higher than the average growth rate of 1.7% for the Sydney metropolitan region.  Western Sydney’s population is forecast to reach 2.9 million by 2036.
It is an extremely diverse, migrant-rich part of Australia, with half of the world’s nations represented among its residents. In the Fairfield municipality alone, more than 70 different languages are spoken, while Auburn is home to people from more than 100 nations.
It is popular with young families and has a younger population than Sydney. More a third of residents (37.3%) in western Sydney are 24 or younger.
Western Sydney spans the social spectrum and includes areas of prosperity, enterprise and innovation and some areas of disadvantage.
Infrastructure, jobs and residential developments:
The NSW government aims to improve already strong transport links between western Sydney and the Sydney CBD. In its 2011-12 budget it allocated $314 million to develop the train line between Epping and Rouse Hill, while the south-west rail link is already under construction and due for completion by 2016. It will provide train services operating to Liverpool, the Sydney CBD, and Parramatta.
Two areas within western Sydney (the north west and the south west) have been earmarked as major residential growth centres over the next 25 to 30 years with plans for 181,000 dwellings. The north-west growth centre is approximately 10,000 hectares and includes the suburbs of Baulkham Hills, Blacktown and Hawkesbury with plans for 70,000 new dwellings at Rouse Hill.
The south-west growth centre is within the boundaries of Liverpool, Camden and Campbelltown and is made up of about 17,000 hectares with capacity for about 110,000 new dwellings.
As part of its Sydney Metropolitan Plan, the NSW government is looking to increase employment in western Sydney with the development of the Western Sydney Employment Area located near the intersection of the M4 and M7 motorways. The zone is expected to eventually accommodate approximately 40,000 workers and is located close to western Sydney’s north-west and south-west growth centres.
The property numbers you need to know:
<table style="width: 470px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="124" valign="top">
 
</td>
<td width="105" valign="top">
Population
</td>
<td width="95" valign="top">
Median house price
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
Gross rental yield
</td>
<td width="104" valign="top">
Median unit price/yield
</td>
<td width="31" valign="top">
Gross rental yield
</td>
<td width="86" valign="top">
Distance from Sydney
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="124" valign="top">
Blacktown
</td>
<td width="105" valign="top">
39,000
</td>
<td width="95" valign="top">
$376,000
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
5%
</td>
<td width="104" valign="top">
$285,000
</td>
<td width="31" valign="top">
6%
</td>
<td width="86" valign="top">
34 kms
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="124" valign="top">
Liverpool
</td>
<td width="105" valign="top">
21,000
</td>
<td width="95" valign="top">
$400,000
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
5%
</td>
<td width="104" valign="top">
$250,000
</td>
<td width="31" valign="top">
6%
</td>
<td width="86" valign="top">
32 kms
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="124" valign="top">
Penrith
</td>
<td width="105" valign="top">
11,300
</td>
<td width="95" valign="top">
$335,000
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
5%
</td>
<td width="104" valign="top">
$247,000
</td>
<td width="31" valign="top">
6%
</td>
<td width="86" valign="top">
50 kms
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="124" valign="top">
Rosemeadow
</td>
<td width="105" valign="top">
7,400
</td>
<td width="95" valign="top">
$312,000
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
6%
</td>
<td width="104" valign="top">
n/a
</td>
<td width="31" valign="top">
n/a
</td>
<td width="86" valign="top">
56 kms
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="124" valign="top">
Sydney
</td>
<td width="105" valign="top">
4.5 million
</td>
<td width="95" valign="top">
$550,000
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
4.5%
</td>
<td width="104" valign="top">
$453,000
</td>
<td width="31" valign="top">
5.2%
</td>
<td width="86" valign="top">
 
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 
Current state of the market
SQM Research director Louis Christopher describes Blacktown as having a good ratio of income to house prices with income growth rising quickly due to changes in demographics. Vacancy rates are just 1.1%. Furthermore Blacktown has good transport connections to Sydney via rail and motorways.
Similarly, the vacancy rate in Liverpool is just 1.4%, with prices of houses and units still affordable compared to Sydney and the ratio of income to house prices is good. Liverpool is on four Sydney railway lines.
Vacancy rates in Penrith are just 0.6%, the suburb has very good income-to-house price ratios and has excellent rail and motorway links to Sydney. Christopher describes Penrith as “a good safe option for investors”.
Douglas Driscoll, CEO of Starr Partners, expects the western Sydney market to get stronger with new suburbs and shopping districts appearing, businesses establishing and settling in the area, transport connections improving and large master-planned residential developments are appearing. “No other area in Sydney is seeing that amount of change so quickly,” he says.
A further indication of the strong appeal of western Sydney, the regional hub of Liverpool recorded the highest number of buyers applying for stamp duty exemptions during December 2011, ahead of the NSW government limiting concessions to those buying newly constructed houses and units. Second on the list was Blacktown, followed by Westmead, Campbelltown and Parramatta.
Reasons to consider buying/investing:
<ul>
<li>Growing population, new residential developments and businesses coming into the area</li>
<li>Popular with middle-income earners and young families</li>
<li>Multiple rail and motorway connections to Sydney CBD and being expanded.</li>
<li>More affordable houses than in Sydney</li>
<li>Rental yields of between 5% and 6% generally higher returns than available in Sydney  
</li>
</ul>
Reasons to consider not buying or investing:
<ul>
<li>Not fashionable suburbs</li>
<li>Still fairly significant commuting distances from Sydney</li>
<li>More vulnerable to declines in the economy and rises in unemployment – it maintains its reputation as Australia’s mortgage repossession belt with a higher proportion of lender repossessions in Western Sydney compared to rest of NSW</li>
<li>Crime is still an issue in some parts highlighted by a recent spate of drive-by shootings in Parramatta, Holroyd, Auburn and Bankstown areas</li>
<li>Still overrun with McMansions</li>
</ul>
What property analysts are saying about Western Sydney:
Louis Christopher: ''The western suburbs will likely outperform the rest of Sydney and Sydney out perform all capital cities [in 2012].''
''Increasingly investors are seeing that Sydney's west might offer just as much capital growth as Sydney's inner ring but at the same time they're going to get higher yields and fairly high rental growth as well,''
Douglas Driscoll: “There will continue to be infrastructure growth, new developments and rental yields of 5% to 6% in greater western Sydney. Investors will continue to head west, lured by affordable property with high returns and higher stock levels.”
Hotspotting.com.au director Terry Ryder: “The Blacktown area grew in popularity throughout 2009 and 2010, with lower-end buyers targeting it as an affordable area with good transport links, making it Sydney's most popular area for home sales. The upgrade to parking infrastructure at several train stations in the Blacktown area adds to its appeal.”
Two potential investment properties up for sale:
Homeland Real Estate Liverpool is selling <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-liverpool-106561070">this 385-square-metre, four-bedroom townhouse on Memorial Avenue</a> close to the Liverpool CBD with an asking price of $469,000. The townhouse is currently returning weekly rent, of $485 equating to a yield of around 5.4%
<img src="/images/stories/auburnhouse.jpg">
Roy Halabi from Guardian Property Specialists is selling <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-auburn-108598416">a four-bedroom penthouse apartment across from Auburn train station</a> with distant city views (pictured below) with an asking price of $450,000. Halabi says the property has the potential to charge weekly rent of $550, equating to a yield of about 6.4%
<img src="/images/stories/westernsydney2.jpg">
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Hotspots: From fibros to McMansions, western Sydney attracting investor attention

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Former NSW Liberal leader John Brogden has been appointed chairman of Landcom, the NSW government's property development arm.
Brogden is chief executive of the Financial Services Council and will remain in the role.
The appointment, announced by Planning Minister Brad Hazzard, comes as the O'Farrell government is undertaking a review of the Planning Act.
Premier Barry O'Farrell served as Brogden's deputy before Brogden quit politics in 2005.
Brogden replaces William Kirkby-Jones.
The last annual report indicated the government had committed Landcom to delivering the dwellings equivalent of 10,000 new home sites during the next four years in western Sydney.
"This is an increase of around 25% on our usual production rate, but the accelerated program is already well underway through land acquisitions, advancing development applications, streamlining design and engineering contracts and mobilising the additional capital that will be needed to fund these works," Kirby-Jones indicated.
With a net profit after tax of $54.3 million, Landcom was able to return to the government $59.6 million by way of dividends and income tax equivalents in its last financial year.
 
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