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.

Joel Robinson

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]

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Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

A collection of just 25 large-format apartments and penthouses overlooking Goodwin Park is entering the Coolangatta market, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marea-residences-coolangatta-27-27a-dixon-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Maréa Residences</a> combining a low-density, residential-only approach with uninterrupted park and Pacific Ocean outlooks.

Located at 27 Dixon Street, Maréa comprises three and four-bedroom residences alongside a limited number of dual-level penthouses, with the project positioned between Goodwin Park and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/coolangatta-qld-4225">Coolangatta</a>’s coastal precinct.

Construction has commenced, with completion currently estimated for late 2027. Three-bedroom residences are priced from $1.8 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374005]

The project has been designed around its northern outlook across the park, with the building’s architecture, landscaping and material palette intended to establish a connection with the neighbouring green space. The residences have been configured to maximise natural light and views across Goodwin Park towards the ocean.

Inside, the material palette incorporates timber, stone and brushed brass, complemented by curved detailing and ambient lighting. Kitchens and bathrooms carry the same natural material approach, while residences also include basement parking, storage and lift access.

Maréa’s penthouses are arranged over two levels and include private pools, adding another layer to the project’s focus on larger-format apartment living. Across the development, residences are configured with three or four bedrooms rather than the broader mix of smaller apartment types commonly found in larger projects.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374010]

Resident amenity is concentrated at rooftop level, where landscaped entertaining terraces and pools take advantage of elevated views across Coolangatta and the Pacific Ocean.

The project has so far been particularly well received by local owner-occupiers and downsizers, according to Urban Activation Property Sales and Marketing Director Matt George, with the residential-only format, construction quality and northern park outlook among the features resonating with purchasers.

“The uninterrupted northern aspect overlooking Goodwin Park has been a key point of difference, with buyers attracted to the sense of serenity and open space the park provides, while still enjoying easy access to the ocean and being within walking distance of the lifestyle and amenities Coolangatta has to offer,” George said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374002]

“The combination of high-quality construction, a residential-only building, park outlook and proximity to the beach has resonated strongly with the local downsizer market.”

The Dixon Street address is within walking distance of Coolangatta Beach and the broader southern Gold Coast coastline, including the surf breaks at Snapper Rocks and Kirra. Coolangatta’s cafés, restaurants and retail are nearby, while Gold Coast Airport is also within close proximity.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150999]

Maréa Residences brings parkside apartments to Coolangatta

Melbourne developer PDG has secured Victorian Government approval for its $1.5 billion Southbank development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-one-1-queens-bridge-street-southbank-vic-3006">The One</a>, clearing the way for the long-dormant riverfront site opposite Crown to finally be developed.

The Minister for Planning has approved the project at 1-29 Queens Bridge Street, with the Department of Transport and Planning issuing the planning permit following its assessment.

The approval will allow PDG to develop the prominent 5,059 sqm site with a major mixed-use tower comprising premium apartments, including branded residences, a luxury hotel and boutique office space.

PDG acquired the site in late 2024, with its position directly opposite Crown's main entrance and near Melbourne's Arts Precinct making it one of Southbank's most significant remaining development opportunities.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3933013e-6332-4386-b9be-089df05caf17" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.22%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sITIgBqDL0N3VNSMwWEmF5UA.uvcsRyu" />

Designed by COX in collaboration with ODO and PDG, the tower's architecture draws on the movement of the Yarra River, with six vertical pleats running the height of the sculpted facade.

The project will also see the heritage-listed Queens Bridge Hotel restored and incorporated into the development&nbsp;with new hospitality and public uses, including a rooftop venue.

A significant component of The One will be its residential amenity.

More than 5,000 sqm of resident facilities will be delivered across a single level, making it one of the largest consolidated residential amenity offerings proposed in an Australian apartment development.

The planning approval also incorporates a major upgrade of Queensbridge Square, which PDG will deliver in partnership with the City of Melbourne.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="73167fcd-1031-4b6f-a408-a064cfe45ed1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.17%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Pf1AEWxw6SNmBqR0zQW5lyEze.MtxgFp" />

The existing square will be revitalised as a new civic and pedestrian space along the Yarra River, strengthening the connection between the project, Southbank and the riverfront.

PDG Founder and Managing Director Vince Giuliano said the approval represented a major milestone for a site which has remained largely underutilised for more than 15 years.

“This is the most significant Planning Permit approval Melbourne has seen in recent years,” Giuliano said.

“For more than 15 years, this site has remained underutilised. This approval enables us to deliver a project that will contribute meaningfully to the revitalisation of Southbank, restore and reactivate an important heritage building, and create a new civic and hospitality destination for Melbourne.”

The latest approval follows an earlier planning permit issued by the City of Melbourne covering demolition works across part of the site at 9-29 Queens Bridge Street. Those demolition and early works are already underway.

PDG has also started generating early interest in the residential component from owner-occupiers ahead of a planned public launch in early 2027.

PDG secures approval for $1.5bn Southbank apartment development, The One

Local developer Harridan is seeking to turn its Woolloongabba apartment project into the first stage of a broader transformation of Burke Street, using a new 16-storey mixed-use building to establish a greener pedestrian connection toward the rapidly evolving Boggo Road transport and knowledge precinct.

The South East Queensland developer has filed plans for 154 apartments on the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/4-burke-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">southern side of Burke Street</a>, where its proposal has been designed alongside a wider vision by LatStudios for the street.

That vision positions the southern side of Burke Street for buildings of 15 storeys and above, while envisaging lower-rise development of up to five storeys on the northern side to transition into Woolloongabba's existing character housing. It also proposes wider pedestrian verges, deep planting, new street trees and upgrades to the pedestrian approach to Boggo Road Station.

The Harridan development itself has been designed by Brisbane-based Arqus Design and will comprise 154 apartments across 16 storeys. The mix is weighted heavily toward two-bedroom apartments, with 121 proposed alongside 10 one-bedroom and 23 three-bedroom residences. There will typically be around 14 units per floor.

A lower-ground car park and three podium levels will accommodate 156 resident parking spaces, along with visitor and commercial parking. There will also be 154 resident bicycle spaces and 40 visitor bicycle parks.

&nbsp;

Harridan is a family-owned developer and part of the Holmwood Highgate Group, with more than three decades of development activity across South East Queensland. Its portfolio spans residential, commercial and industrial property, with current residential projects including Riverbank on Byron in Bulimba, Esperance Residences in Carina and The Precinct at Kinross Road in Thornlands.

Wooloongabba has been popular for apartment developers, particularly since the announcement of the 2032 Summer Olympics games in Brisbane.

While there have been a lot of development applications, it has failed to materialize into real supply.&nbsp;

Sarazin has been the major player in the area. They are under construction at Murcia Residences, on the fringe of East Brisbane and Woolloongabba. They have just launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-stanley-residences-woolloongabba-8-trafalgar-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">The Stanley Residences</a>, in Woolloongabba on Trafalagar Street. They also have Nuage coming soon on the nearby <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nuage-woolloongabba-14-wellington-road-woolloongabba-qld-4102">Wellington Road</a>.

First look: Harridan plans Burke Street transformation beside Boggo Road transport hub

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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<img src="/images/stories/darlingpoint1.jpg">
More than $20 million is being sought for a prime Darling Point harbourfront home. The modern house with dramatic wet-edge pool is set at the end of the Eastbourne Road cul-de-sac on a 979-square-metre block.
The house comes with 700 square metres of living and entertaining areas with internal lift access to all three levels.
It has five bedrooms with terraces and six bathrooms, including a luxurious master wing with a marble ensuite with a bath and a custom-designed dressing room.
Complete with a bar area and gas fire, the formal entertaining space opens to a covered wraparound terrace for alfresco entertaining.
<img src="/images/stories/darlingpoint2.jpg">
The house comes with a sauna, library area and home theatre, which makes the perfect children’s retreat. Bill Malouf and Emma Prgomelja at L.J. Hooker Double Bay have the listing.
<a target="_blank" title="Title Tattle" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/title-tattle-sir-william-tyree-lists-%2440-million-mansion-in-darling-point/2011081951229">Darling Point’s other significant listing is on the Lindsay Avenue cul-de sac with $40 million plus hopes.</a> Some local press reports suggested the Lindsay Avenue listing ought fetched even more than $50 million.
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Prime Darling Point home on the market for $20 million plus

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Next year is expected to be a watershed year for superannuation funds investing in offshore unlisted property as their overall appetite for bricks and mortar grows. 
According to a new survey of 39 institutional investors – mostly super funds – many institutions are now undertaking “in-depth due diligence trips abroad to understand offshore opportunities”. 
Over the next two years, the proportion of property assets held by institutions is forecast to rise from 9.7% to 10.5%, an 8% increase, with the proportion of offshore assets rising from 2.3% to 3.2%, a 34% increase. 
In monetary terms, super funds are looking to invest up to $40 billion of new capital, more than can be handled by domestic property markets, and will need to look offshore to achieve this growth, according to the July 2011 survey was carried out by Russell Investments in conjunction with the Asian Association for Investors in non-listed Real Estate Vehicles Limited (ANREV) and the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees. 
Collectively, the 39 institutions hold around $360 billion funds under management. Nearly 90% of the institutions surveyed were superannuation funds. 
Interviewees reported that a year ago they were especially cautious about the prospect of investing offshore and were choosing to invest their real estate allocation within the domestic market. This caution stemmed in part from their experiences prior to the GFC, when some Australian investors chose to invest in the new offshore ventures of domestic fund managers, with mixed results. 
However, interviewees said they recognised that offshore investment was the next major evolution in institutional and superannuation fund property portfolios. 
About 72% of institutions surveyed said diversification was the main reason for investing in non-listed real estate funds offshore. 
About half listed inadequate supply of attractive real estate investment opportunities in Australia as a key reason for going offshore, while 43% said they wanted access to high growth markets. 
“While Australian institutional investors have long discussed the need to capture global property opportunities, it seems a definite move is now underway,” says Martin Lamb, director, Asia Pacific Real Estate Investment at Russell Investments. 
“International property will be increasingly on the radar of those funds looking greater diversification,” says AIST chief executive Fiona Reynolds.
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Super funds look offshore to sate growing demand for property

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China’s property and construction barons took top spots on the latest China Rich List survey, but now face the issue of sustaining their wealth given the Chinese government’s recent concerted efforts to cool the economy by clamping down on real estate speculation and cutting back on massive infrastructure projects.
Four of the richest 10 were property developers, up from two last year, and 29 of the top 50 had considerable property businesses.
“China’s relentless construction boom, coupled with a growing domestic retail market, have been the key drivers for the growth in wealth,” Rupert Hoogewerf, Hurun’s chairman and chief researcher, notes.
The report says China can claim at least 271 billionaires in U.S. dollar terms, up from 189 last year, but “you can double the real number of billionaires in China to nearer 600,” he says.
It’s the 13th annual ranking of the richest individuals in China, since Hurun Report founded the China Rich List in 1999. A full list of the 1000 richest individuals will be released next month.
The highest ranking known link to Australia in the top 1,000 entrants is billionaire property and media tycoon Chau Chak Wing, who has been a generous <a target="_blank" title="Chau Chak Wing" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.thepowerindex.com.au/and-the-winner-is/meet-chau-chak-wing-australias-most-prolific-political-donor/20110829337">political supporter of Treasurer Wayne Swan and Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd</a> in recent years. His position in the top 1,000 will be known next month.
Chau, who reportedly lives mainly in China but who gives his address as East Kowloon, Hong Kong, is an Australian citizen whose wife and children have lived largely in Hunters Hill in Sydney. The Hunters Hill house cost $3 million in 1995 in the Pulpit Point development.
His fortune estimated by Hurun at $1.5 billion in the 2010 list was made developing real estate in Guangzhou. He also owns a major Guangzhou newspaper, the New Express Daily, as well as an Australian offshoot.
Despite the continuing global financial crisis, the cut-off to make the Huran top 50 issued yesterday was US$2.7 billion, and the  Hurun 1,000 cut-off shot up to US$310 million.
<img src="/images/stories/chinasept81.gif">
The average wealth on the list hit US$924 million.
Beijing is the home to 111 on the top 1,000 list, followed by Shenzhen and Shanghai.
The rich are also well connected politically, as some 30% of the Hurun Top 50 are delegates to the National Party Council or CPPCC.
Up four places to top spot was Liang Wengen, chairman of heavy equipment manufacturer Sany Group, according to report by the Huran Report, a luxury publishing and events firm.  It valued Liang’s fortune at $11 billion, based in significant part on the appreciation of shares of the parent company’s Sany Heavy Industry Co., which is listed in Shanghai.
Liang succeeded the former No. 1, Hangzhou Wahaha Group Co. Chairman Zong Qinghou, whose $10.7 billion beverage-industry fortune put him at No. 2.
The Robin Li, founder of Internet search provider Baidu Inc., rose two spots to finish third, the report says.
Robin Li Yanhong at 43 years is the youngest of the Hurun Top 10, up to third this year with net worth of US$8.8 billion after Google’s withdrawal from the Chinese market last year has allowed Baidu to build on its leadership in the Chinese-language internet search services.
 <img src="/images/stories/chinasept82.gif">
Wu Yajun,47, takes over the mantle of the richest woman from Zhang Yin, the Paper Queen, and is also now the richest self-made woman in the world.
“China’s rich have defied the global financial crisis with another record year of growth,” Rupert Hoogewerf concludes.
Chau’s Kingold Real Estate company website says it has been part of the soaring growth of China's economy in the past 20 years given the great market demands for real estate in China.
“In order to satisfy market demands, the Kingold Real Estate Division has created one legend after another by building high-end hotels, office and residential buildings.
“When China’s real estate market was stagnant in 1989, Guangdong Foreign Businessmen Club/Hotel, invested by the Kingold Real Estate Division, became the first hotel of its kind to offer high-class services to the foreign businessmen in China.
“Despite the real estate market slump in 1995, Dr. Chau Chak Wing invested RMB1.6 billion yuan to build a large residential estate --- Huiqiao New City with a gross floor area of 1,200,000 square meters, which greatly helped Guangzhou Municipal Government to implement the policies caring for overseas Chinese.
“This residential estate had set several records in the highest sales volume and the highest number of residents actually living in the estate for three consecutive years from 1996 to 1998, becoming the largest overseas Chinese residential area in Guangdong and widely believed to be the first largest upscale precinct in Guangzhou to house more than 100,000 residents to date.
“ The Kingold Real Estate Division never falters in its progress with forward-looking vision focused on the Wushan universities precinct in Guangzhou.
“In 1999, the Kingold Real Estate Division impacted on the real estate industry in China when it unprecedentedly budgeted over RMB 10 million yuan to invite international bidding for the Planning and Design of the Favorview Palace Estate covering a land area of over one million square meters.
“Since entering the market, the Favorview Palace Estate has once recorded an annual sales volume of RMB 2.0 billion yuan, the best sales performance among all the deluxe residential estates in Guangzhou.
“The Favorview Palace Estate was the only high-end residential estate in Guangzhou to be honored China’s Top 10 Deluxe Residential Estates” for 2004 and subsequently for 2005 and 2006,” the website says.
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China's property bubble billionaires getting richer but face government cooling efforts

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Action movie director/producer Michael Bay has listed his Montecito, California mansion with $6.8 million hopes. The 502-square-metre, four-bedroom house has an infinity pool, one-bedroom guest house and lush landscaping. It is being marketed by <a target="_blank" title="Sotheby's" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.sothebyshomes.com/Santa-Barbara-Real-Estate/sales/0113519">Sotheby's </a>agent Suzanne Perkins.
Bay, the director of Hollywood blockbusters such as the Transformers franchise, Pearl Harbour and Armageddon, bought the Jan Hochhauser-designed property in 1997.
Bay's net worth has been estimated at $500 million, thanks almost entirely to explosions, Ben Affleck, Shia Labeouf and pretty girls on motorcycles. 
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Michael Bay looks to transform his portfolio as his Montecito mansion explodes onto the market

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<img src="/images/stories/scottishisland2.jpg">
With a £2.5 million price tag, Ailsa Craig, an island 10 miles off the Ayrshire Coast, sits halfway between Glasgow and Belfast. Its an island lying in the outer Firth of Clyde, and home to the world's best known Curling Stone Quarry. Knight Frank agent Ran Morgan says it comes with one attractive cottage and three former cottages on its 89 hectares.
<img src="/images/stories/scottishisland3.jpg">
Access to Ailsa Craig is possible either by boat or by helicopter.
The name comes from the Gaelic for "fairy rock".The monks of Crossraguel Abbey — a few miles inland — acquired Ailsa Craig in 1404, before it passed to the Kennedy family in the 16th century. They are the current vendors.
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Remote Scottish island for sale

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A former convent property in <a target="_blank" title="Wynnum" href="/news">Wynnum</a> has been sold for $1.6 million – a record residential sale for the bayside Brisbane suburb.
The Brisbane congregation of the Sisters of Mercy sold the 20-room former 1915 hillside convent, which overlooks Moreton Bay.
Mount Carmel Convent, replete with Arts and Crafts-style timber balustrades and joinery, was built at a cost of £8000.
Its selling agent Robert Dunne of Savills Queensland said the property attracted 79 inspections with eight subsequent offers.
It was purchased by Ivan Simon, of production company IJS Logistics, who plans to restore the former convent into a prestige residence.
It already features decorative external design features, including cast iron and timber balustrades and glazed face brick walls with rendered sections.
It interiors have pressed metal ceilings, stained glass and leadlight windows.
It design dates back to the architectural partnership of Hall and Dods, who were highly regarded for their early 20th century ecclesiastical work.
The partnership of Hall and Dods was established in 1896 and continued until 1916. Dods was also architect to the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane and the firm oversaw the construction of St John's Cathedral.
It was heritage listed in 1999.
Robert Dunne said the Wynnum property no longer provided suitable accommodation for the two sisters who were living there.
Established primarily as a teaching order in 1831 in Ireland by Catherine McAuley, the first Sisters of Mercy arrived in Queensland in 1861.
Savills Queensland has sold convents at Paddington and West End for the order.
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Convent sale fetches highest Wynnum price bar nun

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New Zealand’s housing market has some spring in its step.
New listings of houses for sale rose 9% in August from July. They were up 3% on August last year, according to data compiled by www.realestate.co.nz, which accounts for about 95% of all listings by real estate agents in New Zealand.
The 10,120 new listings in August brought the total amount of inventory for sale to an average 36.7 weeks worth of sales, down from the long-term average of 41 weeks. It was 42 weeks in June.
“The property market is now showing all the signs of gearing up for a much stronger spring season than has been seen for a number of years,” says www.realestate.co.nz chief executive Alistair Helm.
Nationwide 12 out of 19 regions now have inventory levels below the long-term average. At the end of August there were 44,689 houses, apartments and lifestyle properties on the market, down from 45,674 in July and down from 50,138 a year ago.
Asking prices are starting to edge higher. The average asking price in August of $415,078 was up 3% on July and up 1% from three months ago. It was $527,979 in Auckland where there’s 24 weeks sales inventory and $422,100 in Wellington with 19 weeks inventory.
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Spring brings new listings to New Zealand property market

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Arts guru Leo Schofield has listed the antique contents of his early colonial Tasmanian sandstone residence, Dysart House, for October sale.
The listing suggests the property itself is nearing exchange, having been marketed since late 2010 through Charlotte Peterswald agent Brian Watchorn. While it is presumed it will remain a private residence, Dysart House has been marketed as suited for adaption to boutique accommodation, restaurant, or even as cooking school, the state’s current big thing.
Its stables could be also be used as an antique centre.
Located about 40 minutes from Hobart, it represents the best of listings in Tasmania.
The 1842 residence comes with a music room, billiard room, commercial kitchen and 10 bedrooms and has been Schofield's base since he departed Bronte House.
Dysart House’s past owners include Sydneysiders Paul and Yvonne Maule, along with actor Reg Livermore.
The former coaching inn stands on six hectares in the historic village of Kempton, where its first occupant, ex-convict embezzler-turned-innkeeper William Ellis, is buried in the nearby cemetery.
Designed in the Greek Revival (Georgian) style, its main facade is breakfront with five bays.
The portico has square and round Tuscan columns, framing the central entrance with four-panel door, fanlight and half sidelights.
Two wings, each with attic spaces, enclose a huge flagged courtyard and caretaker's quarters.
Built in 1842, it was originally named 'The Green Ponds Hotel' and served as an inn, public house and residence until the 1860s.
During the next decade it was used as scholastic establishment for young ladies before reverting to private occupancy.
The grounds come with an 1845 coach house and stables, partially restored.
The contents have been listed for October 23 Mossgreen auction.
Schofield has undertaken an extensive restoration in the past six years.
He has been recently spotted at a heritage listings elsewhere in Tasmania, so appears set to remain on the Apple Isle.
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Leo Schofield lists contents of colonial Tasmanian home

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Rupert Murdoch’s News International is set to sell its Wapping headquarters in London, the scene of the bitter conflicts during Margaret Thatcher’s 1980s industrial relations reform era, when Murdoch broke the printing unions.
News International has not used the famous Wapping printing presses since 2008, when it moved printing operations to Hertfordshire, but it had planned that journalists and other staff working for its titles would return to the east London site after a major refurbishment.
Management has now decided to keep News International staff working in offices elsewhere in the area and to abandon plans to house its UK operations under one roof at the six-hectare site.
The Murdoch-owned Wall Street Journal reported the company had originally planned to redevelop the Wapping site but said that "in light of current market conditions, News International has decided not to proceed with re-modelling the site".
News International took out a 10-year lease on offices at Thomas More Square in 2009, and has taken extra space in the past year.
Wapping will now be put on the market for £150 million. It was almost sold in 2008 just before the property market crashed for £200 million.
Last night, Rupert Murdoch’s son James, who heads News Corporations in the UK, said: “Wapping is not only important as a physical site, but also it is a symbol of how bold individuals, working together, can advance the world of media and thereby contribute to life in Britain.”
Rupert Murdoch, encouraged by Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, built modern printing presses in Wapping before moving all of his operation from Fleet Street in one move in 1986.
Some 5,000 printers in Fleet Street were sacked and replaced by 400 with nightly battles between police and pickets at Wapping who failed to stop lorries distributing newspapers.
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Murdoch set to sell infamous Wapping headquarters

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Despite some increased optimism, New Zealand property investors remain cautious, preferring to focus on consolidation rather than accumulation, according to the latest ANZ Property Investment Survey.
The survey reveals that most investors now intend to hold onto their properties for the longer term, with fewer looking to purchase more property.
Government regulations and tax changes rank as the biggest risks for 26 % of investors, double the 2010 results.
Investors were less concerned about other risks such as tenants defaulting on payments, properties remaining vacant, and property prices falling.
ANZ New Zealand general manager specialist distribution Craig Moffat says NZ property investors are showing realistic expectations in both price increases and anticipating modest rent rises.
"This suggests investors understand that the dynamics of property investing have changed.
“They are wisely managing their portfolio as a business, focusing more on achieving positive cash flow and managing risk, rather than capital gains."
The survey is against the backdrop of data showing the July NZ national median house price fell by 4.2% to $345,000 continuing the trend of hovering between $340,000 and $365,000 each month since June 2009.
The survey of NZ property investors, run in conjunction with the NZ Property Investors' Federation, received 1,800 responses.
Investors are expecting modest increases to property prices – about 2.5% over the next 12 months, and 6% to 10% over the next five years.
It sits as slightly more optimistic than last year, with 71% expecting an increase in 2011, compared with 59% in 2010.
Some 80% of investors were expecting rents to increase over the next 12 months, with an average expectation of up to 5%.
The NZ Property Investors' Federation President Andrew King said the prospect of higher rentals was a natural expectation among many investors.
"Rental prices have not kept pace with general inflation or the price of properties, so when combined with tax changes, rental increases are overdue in many cases."
The survey indicated about 40% of investors had examined their insurance cover as a result of the Canterbury earthquakes.
It indicated most continue to own the majority of their investment properties in the same region that they live.
Last year ANZ senior economist Khoon Goh noted that past NZ house price cycles had seen a downturn last for an average of 16 quarters or four years.
“This current cycle is only eight quarters long,” he advised last March.
“Given that it is coming off the biggest and longest housing boom since the 1970s, lasting 24 quarters and resulting in a 90% rise in real house prices, it would be remarkable that we can embark on a new housing market upswing from here.”
New Zealand house prices hit their peak in 2007, according to the Productivity Commission's investigation into home affordability. House prices rose 180% in real terms relative to 1990 levels through to 2007, with the largest price increases exceeding 200% in real terms and concentrated in major urban centres and holiday locations, and exceeded only by Australia, the commission report noted.
“Since the global financial crisis nominal house prices have fallen around 5%.
“House prices had risen from an average of around two and a half times personal income to five times between 1990 and 2007,” it noted.
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