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>

Want to find out more? <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@UrbanAustralia?utm_source=YouTube&amp;utm_medium=Video&amp;utm_campaign=Subscribe&amp;utm_id=Subscribe">Subscribe to our YouTube channel</a> for more property videos.

Ellen Walker

Off-the-plan property explained: What is stamp duty?

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Plans to mine parts of the Western Australia’s beautiful Margaret River prompted outrage among locals, politicians and the rich and famous.
Adventurer Michael Palin released YouTube video asking “who in their right minds” would mine Margaret River, and comedian Ben Elton has ridiculed the planned Vasse underground coal project. Actor Hugh Jackman proclaims the region is his favourite holiday destination in the world.
The coast, which is about 300 kilometres south of Perth, has world-class surf beaches, million-dollar mansions, upscale restaurants and some of the most important vineyards in Australia. From Christmas to Easter the entire south-west region is a low-key millionaire’s playground.
Two action groups, the No COALition, which fights coal projects, and SOS Margaret River, aim to quarantine the region from oil and gas development, quickly formed at the first sniff of interest from the resources industry.
In March mining outfit LD Operations planned for further studies for its proposed Vasse Coal Project, a huge underground mine just 15 kilometres from the town of Margaret River, was given a resounding no by the Environment Protection Authority.  Residents were concerned that groundwater could be contaminated and the area’s prestigious reputation as a holiday hotspot would be diminished.
That combined with powerful and relentless lobby groups and the area’s iconic status prompted resources-loving WA Premier Colin Barnett to declare Margaret River as a mining no-go zone.
Then in May, Barnett was reported to tell a Perth business lunch that he was prepared “to act” to block Vasse Coal Project.
“I don’t know how [LD’s appeal] will pan out, but at the end of the day it is up to the elected governments to make decisions, and it would take a powerful argument to convince me that we should place at risk the standing of the Margaret River,” he told the lunch.
Now the EPA has received close to 800 individual comments across 30 issues relating to the Vasse Coal Project. LD Operation’s appeal is with EPA conveners and a decision is expected within about two months.
LD Operations managing director Peter Ross has concerns about the validity of the EPA’s decision.
“We are currently going through the appeals process against what we believe was a premature decision by the EPA. Part of our concern with that decision was that it prevented a full environmental, social and economic assessment of what the impacts – positive or requiring management – of this project may be,” Ross says.
State opposition spokeswoman on the environment Sally Talbot says a local strategy needs to be developed to protect the unique qualities of the Margaret River.
“We did a similar thing for the Swan Valley some years ago and the same needs to be done in the south-west. Planning Minister Bill Marmion has had the EPA’s report for months and not made a single comment. It is incumbent upon him to state the government’s position on this,” Talbot says.
In New South Wales the same issue hangs over the wine-producing Hunter Valley. Barry O’Farrell’s government promised tough new restrictions to be placed on mining with favour falling to landowners.
Hunter Valley winemaker and activist Andrew Margan says that between a population boom and coal seam gas exploration vineyards have come under serious threat.
“AGL completed its first stage of exploration in Broke, and I am right in the middle of it and lobbying the state government,” Margan says.
He wants the government to give priority to agriculture over other interests.
“Barry O’Farrell says his government will recognise the primacy of agriculture throughout NSW. We are very happy with that, but we are watching closely and want promises to be made into reality,” he says.
In Queensland a year ago the Surat Basin Future Direction Statement was created to maintain a balance between economic benefits and quality of life. The statement polarised landholder rights, the protection of the environment and maintaining a good quality of life in a region under pressure from billion-dollar energy interests.
Meanwhile, in France, where vineyards are proudly protected by law, a group of wine growers in the depressed north are remediating defunct coalmines for viticulture. About 3,000 chardonnay vines have been planted on spoil heaps of Pas-de-Calais overlooking the village of Haillicourt.
Leading the project is engineer Olivier Pucek, who was born "at the foot of a spoil heap" but moved away and now runs his own hobby vineyard in Charentes.
He pulled together a group of winemaking friends to put down €24,000 and with some financial support from Haillicourt, hopes to create a new palatable vin blanc named Carbonnay.</body></html>

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Coal prospects hard for wine regions to swallow

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<img style="float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">BHP Billiton director Carolyn Hewson, recently ranked as Australia’s most influential female board director, has sold her Vaucluse house for $4.5 million. It had been her Sydney abode since she had paid $4.1 million in 2005. Its sale price reflected just 1.65% annual growth.  It has been bought by the Zhang family. 
Hewson was ranked as Australia’s most powerful female director in a recent Australian Financial Review survey given she has board seats on BHP Billiton, Westpac, Stockland and BT Investment Management. It is understood she has decided to rent in the Potts Point precinct.
<img src="/images/stories/monavale.jpg">
<img style="float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">The resort-like Mona Vale beachfront residence of the veteran property developer Max Delmege and his wife, Narelle, has failed to sell on its third mortgagee auction marketing campaign. The house (pictured above) comes with $5 million-plus hopes  having failed to sell in October 2010 with $7 million hopes. The two-level Surfview Road house on an 870-square-metre block was constructed by the former Manly Warringah Sea Eagles powerbroker, who bought the block for $750,000 and rebuilt the house in 2009, after which it secured a $9 million valuation.
<img src="/images/stories/mortscottage.jpg">
<img style="float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">The jeweller Robert Clerc has listed his much-expanded 1830s Double Bay residence (pictured above and below) for August 30 auction. Known as Mort’s Cottage, its expected to sell for about $6 million. It's one of Double Bay's earliest homes and is named after its longtime owner the pioneer pastoralist  entrepreneur Thomas Mort, a former lord mayor of Sydney. The original sandstone Gothic Revival-style house was actually built for tea dealer Samuel Peek, with Mort buying it in 1848.
It has been recently extended with a modern addition of glass and steel designed by Thomas Jacobsen architects. Set on the busy corner of Ocean Avenue and Cross Street, the residence has five bedrooms and three bathrooms. It last traded in 2005 at $3.02 million.
<img src="/images/stories/mortscottage2.jpg">
Title Tattle has been around long enough to remember that Mort’s Cottage was listed in late 1987 just as the stock market crashed, so was auctioned again in March 1988 with $900,000 hopes. It finally sold in 1989 when bought by Greg and Sandy Pearce for $1,225,000.
Clerc this week expressed confidence that he’d find a buyer in quick time. “I think our house is pretty special. It’s probably the oldest house in the eastern suburbs. I really believe it’s the right time to sell it,”  he told the Australian Financial Review. The convict-built house first sold for the equivalent of 53 pounds.
The land was originally bought for 26 pounds, five shillings by the ex-convict John Towell. In the late 1980s Mort’s Cottage was the subject of a book by Jill Buckland looking at Sydney society through the eyes of the men and women who owned the house. She wrote on John Tawell, the Quaker convict who arrived in Sydney as a convict in 1815 and left in 1838 in a blaze of glory with a fortune of 200,000 pounds. Back in England he poisoned an inconvenient mistress and died on the gallows in 1845, having been arrested at Paddington Station as a result of the despatch of a signal by the newly nstalled Electro Magnetic Telegraph.
<img src="/images/stories/howardsacre.jpg">
<img style="float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">The Bellevue Hill home of Howard Sacre, the foreign correspondant with Channel Nine's 60 Minutes, and his wife, Margaret, has been sold pre-auction. The house (pictured above) had been listed with hopes of more than $3 million through Ballard Property agents Clint Ballard and Bill Bridges. Set close to Cooper Park, the Suttie Road property last traded for $1.9 million in 2001.
The Sacres' four-bedroom double-fronted residence has an elegant dining room and a living room with French doors opening to a veranda and large terraced garden with a pool. In 1992, Brisbane-born Sacre joined the Nine Network in Sydney as a producer with Mike Willesee before moving to 60 Minutes in 1994. The Sacres are downsizing.
<img style="float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">The author Helen Cummings has listed her house at The Hill, the Newcastle suburb. Cummings is the mother of US-based actress Sarah Wynter. Her six-year-old High Street house has been listed through Mike Flook of Robinson Property given her plans to move into a nearby apartment she has secured off-the-plan in the Grand Central building. Cummings recently published Blood Vows, the story of her earlier marriage to a violent doctor and the domestic abuse she suffered at his hands.
 
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<img src="/images/stories/gladesville.jpg">
<img style="float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">Avondale, the Illingworth family's waterfront home in Gladesville (pictured above), remains listed for sale. Its had $6.5 million plus hopes through McGrath Hunters Hill agent Tracey Dixon on its initial April listing. Built in 1888, it was renovated in 1993 and 2009. Set on 2,141 square metres, the riverfront property comes with vast lawns that roll down to a private sandy beach with views across Looking Glass Bay.
The grandly proportioned Victorian residence was built by Edwin Sandys Lumsdaine, the husband of Banjo Paterson's sister, Rose Florence Paterson. Edwin, a solicitor, was the son of Reverend William Lumsdaine, the rector of Christ Church, Gladesville. Being religious, Edwin had a small chapel built within the house which is now used as a study.  In full view from this property is an 1830s sandstone cottage, Rockend which was the home of Banjo Paterson's grandmother and as a young man, the iconic bush poet lived there with her. The highest recorded house price in Gladesville was $6.1 million for another Wharf Road house in February 2008.
<img src="/images/stories/peppermintgrove.jpg">
<img style="float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">Title Tattle aims to tell you as soon as its known - and sometimes before - so the word from Perth is that The Cliffe (pictured above), one of the first residential dwellings built in the Perth suburb of Peppermint Grove, is to be sold this spring. The Bindaring Parade bungalow that dates back to the 1890s has been through the heritage hoops for most of the time of its ownership by mining entreprenuer Mark Creasy.
The original owner of The Cliffe was Neil McNeil, who purchased the land in 1892 - only one year after Peppermint Grove was surveyed into building allotments. McNeil was one of the owners of the Jarrahdale Timber Company, which exported timber for the paving of London Streets. In 1995 following a petition from residents the Heritage Council of Western Australia issued a conservation order under Section 59 of the Heritage of Western Australia Act 1990. Just days later it was sold to the Creasy family for $2.7 million. They have contested the listing for nine years.
The Creasys have estimated that the dispute has cost them $225,000 in legal fees and claim that the house is now uninhabitable, estimating it would cost at least $2.8 million to make it liveable and much more to renovate it completely. Offers are due by September 9 with Chris Shellabear at Shellabears.
<img style="float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">And don't say Title Tattle told you, but it was headhunter Julia Ross who last year knocked back a $40 million plus offer for her Point Piper non-waterfront. The matter was alluded to in the local press last weekend with Bill Malouf from LJ Hooker Double Bay spilling only a few details, but not the stay-put vendor's name. Malouf of course was responsible for the $53 million sale just across Wolseley Road when he sold Villa Venuto, a five-storey waterfront mansion.
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BHP Billiton's Carolyn Hewson sells up in Vaucluse: Title Tattle

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The NSW government’s regional relocation grant is encouraging more Sydneysiders to consider relocating to the Southern Highlands and other regional areas.
Almost 10% of the 15,000 people who attended the Country &amp; Regional Living Expo at Rosehill Racecourse last weekend registered an interest in a Southern Highlands property, according to Raine &amp; Horne <a target="_blank" title="Bowral" href="/news">Bowral </a>principal Matthew Anstee.
Anstee says the regional relocation grant is a driving factor.
The <a target="_blank" title="Government grants" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/australian-capital-territory/government-incentives-by-the-numbers/2011080150974">grant</a>, which will operate for four years, until June 30, 2015, provides applicants with a one-off payment of $7,000 to help with the expense of relocating from a metropolitan property to a regional home not exceeding $600,000.
Metropolitan areas include local government areas of <a target="_blank" title="Sydney" href="/news">Sydney</a>, the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, <a target="_blank" title="Gosford" href="/news">Gosford</a>, <a target="_blank" title="Wyong" href="/news">Wyong</a>, Wollondilly, <a target="_blank" title="Wollongong" href="/news">Wollongong </a>and <a target="_blank" title="Newcastle" href="/news">Newcastle</a>.
Anstee says he is surprised by the reaction and interest from Sydneysiders in the regional relocation grant.
Anstee says his team left the expo with “30 very hot leads”.
In addition, the agency secured a deposit from a retired couple from Sydney’s Northern Beaches for a new three-bedroom apartment in the Bowral Apartment complex, at 184 -186 Victoria Street Bowral, valued at $580,000.
Anstee says white- and blue-collar job opportunities in the Southern Highlands are also attracting city-based buyers.
“We have a population of 52,000, which is growing, as well as strong mining and retail sectors that underpin this growth,” he says.
“Yet we have a shortage of lawyers, accountants and administration staff, which is a great opportunity for city-based professionals considering a lifestyle shift to this region, which is just 90 minutes from Sydney.”
Stephen Millard from Raine &amp; Horne <a target="_blank" title="Wagga Wagga" href="/news">Wagga Wagga </a>in the Riverina says one of the great fears for those moving to regional centres is job opportunities.
"However, in Wagga Wagga we have a shortage of skilled labourers and professionals. This includes a deficit of legal and accounting professionals, as well as tradespeople.”
A three-bedroom house on an 800 square metre block in Wagga Wagga sells for about $290,000.
Raine &amp; Horne <a target="_blank" title="Tamworth" href="/news">Tamworth </a>principal Bryan Bolitho says $310,000 secures a modest three-bedroom house in the New England region.
“We recently sold a smart three bedroom home at Lot 11, Boulevard Place, Tamworth for $345,000, which came with an en suite, ducted air conditioning and a double garage," Bolitho says.
Bolitho says jobs are available at the mines at <a target="_blank" title="Gunnendeh" href="/news">Gunnedah </a>and in the agricultural sectors in Tamworth.
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Regional grants convincing Sydneysiders to consider a tree change

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/august12sackville]}
49 Sackville Street, <a target="_blank" title="Kew" href="/news">Kew</a>, VIC, 3101
A well-renovated original home in a prized Kew precinct. Sackville Street contains many fine original homes and is leafy, yet it does carry traffic (particularly during school pick-up/drop-off times). The fact that this has car access off John Street is a big plus here, particularly in light of this.  
Main pluses - the floor plan is practical and suits modern living well, block size and northern rear orientation.  Backyard / rear patio is little exposed (given relative levels and block slope), yet this could be addressed if it were to become an issue for the buyer.  
Also being over a single level, an older family may like better bedroom separation, yet the basement living area helps with this and provides a place for older kids to retreat to. Overall a very good property, and one that should attract good competition at the right price point.
- Adam Woledge
Powerful Sackville ward Kew offering with the classic features and agent to make for an exciting auction or post-auction negotiation. Being picky out the back lets it down a bit; but overall you can smell the money as you walk through this home. Circle $4 million - in this market - yep.
- Mal James
James Buyer Advocates gives this property a rating of 787 out of 1000, which is in the Well Above Average category. It sold at auction on Saturday, August 13 for $4.31 million.
Adam Woledge is a registered architect and principal buyer advocate at <a target="_blank" title="James Buyer Advocates" href="https://www.james.net.au/">James Buyer Advocates</a>. Mal James is principal buyer advocate at James Buyer Advocates, which includes home ratings, market news and buying advice on its website.
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Well-renovated Kew property has a lot to recommend it

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/august11woolworth]}
4 East 80th Street, New York, NY, 10021
Retail chain magnate Frank Woolworth, who was to the United States in the 19th century what Frank Lowy is to Australia today, engaged the famed architect Charles Pierpont Henry Gilbert to build three adjacent townhouses on New York's Upper East Side, the haven of the old moneyed. This property at 4 East 80th Street was built for Helena and was finished in 1916. <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.bhsusa.com/manhattan/upper-east-side/east-80th-street/rental/1207018" title="Brown Harris Stevens" target="_blank">Brown Harris Stevens</a> agent Paula Del Nunzio has listed for sale for a whopping $90 million, or for those slightly less cashed-up, for rent for $165,000 per month. Ceilings are four metres high, and the six-storey building includes a roof garden, a dining room that can seat 50, a wood-panelled library, two kitchens (one for the servants, naturally), a gym and a stained-glass skylight. The house was most recently owned by fitness entrepreneur Lucille Roberts, whose 47 eponymous women's gyms are spread throughout the New York metropolitan area. Roberts died in 2003.
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Townhouse for sale for $90 million, for rent for $165,000 a month

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/august11stvincent]}
49-51 St Vincents Place, <a target="_blank" title="Albert Park" href="/news">Albert Park</a>, VIC
An imposing piece of the Rochester Terrace has been listed for sale.
Set on the dress circle of St Vincent Gardens, the adjoining 1897 Victorian terraces offer six bedrooms and five bathrooms behind its stunning façade of elegant Corinthian columns. There are also formal and informal living and dining rooms with a flexible floorplan. The opportunity to open up the two terraces has yet to be taken advantage of.
The St Vincent Place precinct was designed to emulate elegant squares found in London. Now registered with the National Trust of Australia, St Vincent Place is home to terraced and detached houses, including the architecturally significant Rochester Terrace, a row of imposing double-storey Victorian houses.
Building commenced in 1869, and it eventually became 10 separate terrace mansions and is still deemed to be the most commanding, coherently designed terrace row in Melbourne. They were constructed by the eminent Emerald Hill auctioneer, agent and speculator WP Buckhurst, who initially built the terraces now numbered 33-43 and in 1879 added the four additional buildings at what is now 45-51.
Architect Charles Boykett designed the terrace, with his son Charles Bolten Boykett completing the row after his father's death.
The terrace housed prominent citizens including bookseller George Robertson, the biscuit manufacturer, TB Guest and the homeopathic chemist R Martin. Like the gardens, it was based on a 19th-century London model that remains largely faithful to its original design, with a bowling green and tennis courts.
The St Vincent Place offering is listed through Alex Schiavo and Tom Staughton at <a target="_blank" title="Kay &amp; Burton" href="https://www.kayburton.com.au/?page=Page&amp;load=ListB&amp;do=search&amp;list=AlbertParkPlus">Kay &amp; Burton Albert Park</a>. The property last sold in 2004 at $3.61 million. More than $5.5 million is being sought.
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Imposing 19th-century Albert Park mansion on the market

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Box 40, one of the 85 bathing boxes at Melbourne's Brighton Beach, is set for September 3 auction.
With $190,000-plus expectations, it seems unlikely to challenge the recent record price for the Dendy Street location.
That was a brand-new bathing box that fetched a record $260,000, even though four other boxes were concurrently listed for private sale with $185,000 plus hopes in mid-June this year.
There are now three other listings for private-treaty sale.
Set on one of the most photographed locales in Australia, Box 40 comes with new weatherboards and a Balinese-style ceiling.
"These highly sought icons of Brighton are a proven investment, and number 40 won't last long," Katie Reid at Nick Johnstone Real Estate says.
"This is possibly the most practically appointed bathing box of them all with a retractable deck/ramp for easy water-sport equipment storage and access."
Bathing boxes existed in Brighton as far back as 1862, with the 85 boxes at Dendy Street being a throwback to the 19th century, when the increasing popularity of sea bathing clashed with Victorian-era prudishness.
The boxes hit $200,000 for the first time in 2007, but during the 2008-2009 global financial downturn there was a $171,000 sale.
Box 73 is currently listed at $180,000 through Buxton Brighton agent Chris Carrington.
“This was listed back in March but there have been a few newer ones available so harder to sell now and will ramp it up once the weather improves,” Carrington says.
Box 72 is for sale through Helen Taylor at Hodges Brighton. Sam Paynter at the Hodges Brighton has $180,000 to $200,000 hopes for Box 16.
The first public auction was in 1999, when a box sold for $60,000.
The local council owns the land for each box and charges an annual licence fee of about $600.
Only Bayside ratepayers or residents are allowed to own one. They are typically 2.4 metres by two metres by two metres.
There are about 1800 bathing boxes and boat sheds around Port Phillip and Western Port Bay.
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Early spring test for Brighton’s bathing box market  

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/august10peninsula]}
40-42 The Peninsula Parade, Sovereign Islands, Queensland, 4216
On a 1,412-square-metre block with 43 metres of waterfront, this mansion is built in the style of prestige properties in New York enclave of the rich and famous The Hamptons. The five-bedroom, six-bathroom property includes vast open spaces, a resort-style swimming pool, wet bar and all of the luxurious brand-name and marble extras you would expect from a property being marketed with $4.25 million hopes. The property includes broadwater access, as well-heeled yachties are its target demographic. It is being marketed by <a target="_blank" title="Caldwell Banker Ledgerwood " href="https://www.cblrealty.com.au/buying/QLD/Gold-Coast-and-Hinterland/SOVEREIGN-ISLANDS/House/31P0186">Caldwell Banker Ledgerwood Realty</a> agent James Ledgerwood. 
 
{module 238}
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Resort-style living in Sovereign Islands

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The property market in one of Australia’s most remote towns appears to be turning around, if you believe figures put out by the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia. 
The institute says the median house price in Broome, 2,200 kilometres north of Perth, increased by 6% over the June quarter of 2011. 
In comparison, Perth house prices fell 3% over the quarter, the fifth consecutive quarterly contraction. Houses are now selling at the pre-GFC level of about $475,000, a fall of 6% from the March 2010 peak of $505,000. 
Broome’s performance in the June quarter not only stands out in stark contrast to Perth, but is a significant turnaround on the regional market’s performance earlier this year. 
In the March quarter, Broome house prices fell by 9.1% and were down 11.8% compared with a year prior, according to Real Estate Institute of Australia figures, with houses selling in a wide range between $533,000 and $700,000. 
More recent data compiled by Australian Property Investor shows Broome house prices down 8.1% for the three months to April 2011 and 15.4% over the 12-month period, with a median house price of $533,000, median weekly rent of $565 and a yield of 4.5%. 
Broome is most famous for its pearls, the white sands of 22-kilometre long cable beach and as a tourist destination. It has a resident population of about 15,000. 
Despite its remoteness, Broome can be reached by air from most capital cities and is connected by road via the Great Northern Highway and the North West Coastal Highway. 
Graham McGinn of Hutchinson Real Estate says prices in Broome are showing some signs of firming, with the rental market still very strong. 
“There is some upward pressure on rents,” he says.
McGinn says that in the past Broome has been very attractive due to its rental return, but investors are now conspicuous by their absence. 
“Most buyers are owner-occupiers,” he says. 
“We still get sea changers coming to Broome. People who are travelling around Australia stop and have a look around. If they like it, some come back and buy.” 
“They come for the beach lifestyle, though it gets pretty hot during the wet season which runs from November to March,” he says. 
He describes the most recent wet season as “fantastic”, which may have played a factor in the recent uptick in Broome prices over the quarter. 
McGinn says vendors currently have to discount their properties anywhere between 4% and 8% of the asking price. 
Recently, gas giant Woodside received state approval for its controversial $30 billion Kimberley LNG hub at James Price Point. 
McGinn says it the project will have some impact. 
Allan Griffiths, principal at First National Real Estate Broome, is also hopeful the project will give a boost to Broome property prices. 
He questions the latest REIWA figures and says the market is “fairly flat”. 
“The increase is coming from low base of turnover,” he says, adding that the median price might have been given a boost by the recent sale of a house at Sunset Park near Cable Beach for around $1.35 million. 
“The market is very selective. We won’t list properties that are overpriced.” 
“There is ample supply and limited demand. There have been no investors in the market for some time,” he says. 
State government land developer LandCorp has recently released a large quantity of land into the market. 
Two key developments include Broome North, which will ultimately be home to up to 13,000 people, and the 35-hectare Januburu Six Seasons estate, which will eventually accommodate 345 homes across single residential and group housing lots. 
However, Griffiths says it’s cheaper to buy an established house in Broome than buy land and build on it</body></html>

Hotspots: Broome market turning around

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Channel 9’s renovation realty series The Block topped Monday night’s viewing with a 1.55 million audience as its races towards its August 21 finale.
But The Renovators on Channel 10 got dumped dropping to just 786,000 viewers, ranking 11th for the night after it made the switch to the 7.30 timeslot vacated by MasterChef.
After The Block concluded at 8pm The Renovators average audience grew to 942,000 offering Channel 10 the faint hope that renovation fans might switch when The Block concludes in a fortnight’s time.
The rumoured production budget of The Renovators was between $20 million and $30 million.
Shine, the production company behind MasterChef, spent almost $3.5 million on the purchase of six Sydney properties. With the properties costing between $300,000 and $730,000, there's a terrace in Glebe, a partly renovated house in St Peters, a 1960s house in Castle Hill, a former general store in Marrickville, a Parramatta weatherboard and fibro cottage in Blacktown.
The six Sydney properties have been pencilled in for October auction.
The four houses in The Block cost its production company $3.6 million.
For your chance to win tickets to The Block's auction, click here.
For expert commentary and analysis on lessons to be learnt from property reality TV, <a href="https://register.propertyobserver.com.au/lights-camera-auction/" target="_blank">download our e-book Lights, Camera, Auction!</a>
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