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<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/doma-group">DOMA Group</a> has unveiled plans for Newcastle Quay, a major waterfront precinct set to reshape Newcastle’s harbourfront and further cement the city’s evolution into one of Australia’s fastest-growing urban destinations.

Positioned on a prominent site within the Honeysuckle Precinct, Newcastle Quay will span both sides of Honeysuckle Drive, connecting directly to the Foreshore Promenade and sitting within walking distance of Newcastle Interchange.

The mixed-use precinct is planned to include around 1,000 apartments, more than 28,000 sqm of commercial office space, 6,000 sqm of retail, and a 180-room hotel anchored by a 500-seat conference and exhibition centre, a move expected to significantly lift Newcastle’s ability to attract major business and tourism events.
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<img alt="DOMA Group unveil Newcastle’s future with transformative Newcastle Quay Precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0642ca09-67cc-4920-8a7e-d18df9729b4e" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/%3D.png?VersionId=CnDmZxQnOV5LN0ePu7jaFBXC9tPGTrWm" />

The proposal builds on DOMA’s growing Newcastle pipeline, where the developer has already delivered 866 apartments and more than 19,000 sqm of commercial and retail space since entering the market in 2013. A further $2 billion pipeline is also in the works across the city.

The masterplan and executive architecture are led by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, with building concepts developed alongside Stewart Architecture, Architecture AND and Curious Practice, and landscape design by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/turf-design">Turf Design Studio</a>. More than 11,000 sqm of open space is planned, including a new waterfront park known as Honeysuckle Green, upgrades to Tree of Knowledge Park, and new pedestrian and cycling links throughout the precinct.

At the centre of the development will be the heritage-listed Wickham School of Arts, which DOMA plans to reposition as the civic and cultural heart of the precinct through restaurants, bars, events and public gathering spaces.

The broader vision is to create a genuine day-to-night precinct, blending residential, hospitality, retail, commercial and cultural uses in a way Newcastle has yet to experience at this scale.

DOMA Group Managing Director Jure Domazet said the aim was to create a precinct that becomes synonymous with Newcastle itself.

“Our vision is to create a precinct that not only delivers high-quality commercial, residential, and cultural spaces, but also defines Newcastle’s waterfront for generations to come,” Domazet said.

DOMA’s Chris Farrington said the project would fundamentally change how Newcastle is perceived nationally.

“Newcastle Quay is more than a waterfront precinct, it is a national announcement for this city,” Farrington said.

“A world-class Conference and Exhibition Centre will open Newcastle and the Hunter Region to a national and international audience for the first time, delivering something this city has long deserved.”

The project is expected to generate more than 4,000 full-time equivalent jobs and act as a major economic driver for the Hunter region through tourism, business events, hospitality and commercial investment.

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Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the final parcel of harbourfront land will be a "true mixed-use precinct destination that includes housing, hospitality and entertainment, commercial spaces, retail, economic and social outcomes."

Joel Robinson

DOMA Group unveils 1,000-apartment Newcastle Quay precinct

ASX-listed developer Stockland is continuing to ramp up its return to the apartment market.

In late 2024, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/stockland">Stockland</a> announced it would resume apartment development after a 13-year absence, launching with Stanton Place in Rosebery, a 144-apartment project now under construction.

Last week, the developer unveiled plans alongside the NSW Government for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-nsw-gov-unveils-plans-for-3-300-home-waterloo-south-renewal">3,300-home precinct in Waterloo</a>.

Now, Stockland has shifted its focus in St Leonards, lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) to replace an approved 42-storey office tower with a 52-storey residential development comprising more than 500 apartments.

<img alt="Stockland" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8979095e-9072-432b-a7da-58b180cf994d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-20%20at%204.27.36%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=_jbRXYOafCSHjwsz.yQCNIymMyCj8zkF" />

An existing 14-storey commercial office building would make way for a 264.5-metre tower designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bates-smart">Bates Smart</a>. The project would deliver 538 apartments, including 30 affordable housing units, alongside retail and commercial uses at the podium and ground plane.

It will rise from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">601 Pacific Highway</a>, a prominent 2,844 sqm triangular site adjoining Mitchell Plaza and fronting Pacific Highway.

The development is being pursued under the Housing Delivery Authority pathway after Stockland’s proposal was declared State Significant Development earlier this year.

<img alt="First look: Stockland plans 52-storey mixed-use tower with 538 apartments in St Leonards" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="67f40f35-0458-47ab-80c0-a4e98a31838a" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/stockland%201.png?VersionId=rxXe3njr.auuGDuiR0k42uI8Zr4K.gZA" />

The apartment mix includes 217 one-bedroom apartments, 191 two-bedroom apartments, 122 three-bedroom apartments, and eight four-bedroom residences. Six basement levels would accommodate 300 car spaces, bicycle parking, loading areas, and building services.

Bates Smart said the project has been shaped around a series of urban design principles intended to improve the pedestrian experience and respond to the evolving character of St Leonards.

“With a boundary length of almost 75m along Pacific Highway and 70m along Atchison Street to the north, complying simply with the LEP envelope and required setbacks would result in a very wide tower form on the skyline,” the architects noted in the Design Report.

“We propose breaking the tower form into two defined volumes rather than a singular form.”

The podium has similarly been articulated into separate forms to reduce perceived bulk and create a finer-grain response to Mitchell Plaza and Atchison Street. Retail tenancies would activate the lower levels, while commercial space is proposed across the podium floors.

<img alt="First look: Stockland plans 52-storey mixed-use tower with 538 apartments in St Leonards" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="90149990-0551-40d2-bd48-14b69a015d12" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/stockland%202.png?VersionId=MJC2KIIWFvU9FPGr3IVq09gkRN_gX3m8" />

The design also places a significant emphasis on communal amenity and environmental performance. Residents would have access to landscaped terraces, wellness areas, flexible workspaces, and rooftop communal facilities, while the all-electric building is targeting an average 7-star NatHERS rating. Bates Smart said the project incorporates passive design measures including natural ventilation, integrated shading, and lightweight façade systems.

Planning documents note the site is around 350 metres from St Leonards Station and 400 metres from the metro entrance, placing it within one of Sydney’s most connected emerging residential precincts.

The project arrives amid a wave of large-scale redevelopment proposals reshaping the St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline. Several nearby sites have recently been approved, lodged, or declared under the Housing Delivery Authority pathway as the precinct absorbs significant residential density uplift tied to transit-oriented development policies.

<img alt="Stockland" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7805bd7c-dfd7-4b35-8e15-ec4a8bf8e61b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-20%20at%204.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=iY12K2m2bQ6EeDnshqfZC9rbLx_oEugP" />

Bates Smart’s report describes St Leonards as transitioning away from its historical commercial identity toward a more mixed-use urban environment.

“In recent years, the character of St Leonards has started to evolve, driven by new development trends along the Pacific Highway corridor,” the report said.

“These projects have increasingly focused on residential accommodation, marking a shift from its purely commercial roots.”

Sekisui House Australia is currently selling Waterstone down near Newlands Park, in a pocket being branded "St Leonards South." Hyecorp recently completed Audrey in the same pocket.

First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower

ANZ believes the Reserve Bank is in no rush to move again.

Following the release of the May Monetary Policy Board Minutes, ANZ has taken the view that the RBA is now firmly in a holding pattern, with the cumulative impact of previous rate hikes giving the Board scope to assess how the economy evolves from here.

That positioning, in ANZ’s view, makes a June rate hike unlikely.

The bank continues to expect the cash rate to remain unchanged at 4.35 per cent for an extended period, with the RBA adopting what is effectively a wait-and-see approach.

The Minutes point to a Board that sees financial conditions as already restrictive, but without a clear read on just how restrictive they are. That uncertainty has shifted the focus away from immediate policy action and toward monitoring both domestic conditions and global developments, particularly the conflict in the Middle East.

As ANZ interprets it, the Board is deliberately avoiding strong forward guidance.

Instead, it is allowing itself flexibility, acknowledging that monetary policy has limited ability to influence the near-term trajectory of inflation, while also recognising that economic growth is likely to remain below potential for some time.

Despite that pause in momentum, ANZ notes that the Board still carries a tightening bias.

The Minutes reveal that, in weighing up its decision, the Board seriously considered another 25 basis point increase. The key debate centred on the trade-off between inflation and activity, particularly in the context of global uncertainty.

Ultimately, most members leaned toward the inflation side of that equation.

Underlying inflation is still expected to remain above target for an extended period, regardless of how external risks evolve. That has led to a view within the Board that the risks to its inflation objective have increased, and that the current cash rate may not be sufficiently restrictive to fully contain those pressures.

That’s important.

While the decision, for now, is to hold, the underlying tone of the Minutes suggests the door to further tightening has not been closed.

ANZ also points to commentary from Assistant Governor (Economic) Sarah Hunter, who highlighted the risk that inflation could pass through the economy more quickly and broadly than in previous cycles. Both Hunter and a majority of the Board expressed concern that inflation expectations could become less anchored after such a prolonged period above target.

That combination, persistent inflation and the risk of expectations shifting, is what continues to underpin the RBA’s cautious stance.

However, where ANZ diverges from the RBA is on the outlook for activity.

The Board appears relatively comfortable with current spending patterns, effectively downplaying recent declines in business and consumer sentiment. It notes that sentiment has historically been only weakly correlated with actual spending, and that feedback from its liaison program has not yet pointed to a meaningful slowdown in consumption.

ANZ is less convinced.

The bank believes the link between household disposable income, sentiment and spending is more direct than the RBA is currently acknowledging. With inflation continuing to erode real incomes, ANZ expects household spending to soften more materially than the central bank is forecasting.

That divergence matters because it shifts the balance of risk.

If activity weakens more than expected, the trade-off between inflation and growth changes. In ANZ’s view, that would reduce the need for further tightening and reinforce the case for the RBA to remain on hold.

It also suggests that the current policy setting may already be doing more work than the Board fully appreciates.

The broader takeaway from ANZ’s interpretation is that the RBA is walking a narrow path.

On one side sits the risk of inflation remaining elevated for longer than expected. On the other is the growing pressure on households and the potential for a sharper slowdown in activity.

For now, the Board is choosing to wait.

But it is a pause that still carries an underlying tightening bias, rather than a clear pivot toward easing.

In practical terms, that leaves the cash rate anchored at 4.35 per cent for the foreseeable future, with the next move still uncertain.

For borrowers, it reinforces the reality that relief is not imminent.

And for the broader economy, it highlights the delicate balance the RBA is trying to strike, between bringing inflation back to target and avoiding an unnecessarily sharp slowdown in growth.

According to ANZ, it is a balance that is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain.

RBA to hold rates for "prolonged period" rather than hikes: ANZ

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/venturecrowd-property-projects">VentureCrowd</a> is down to the final Canopy Villa release at Cumulus Grand Villas in Carrara, as construction continues on the 59-residence gated community positioned above 100 hectares of natural savanna on the Gold Coast.

The remaining Canopy Villa forms part of one of four collections within the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>-designed community and has attracted interest from buyers seeking larger-format homes that combine privacy, security and low-maintenance living. Positioned within a private cul-de-sac and facing a protected black she oak forest, the four-bedroom villa includes a large private outdoor area suited to pet owners and families wanting more flexible space.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/cumulus-grand-villas-carrara-17-baltimore-court-carrara-qld-4211">Cumulus Grand Villas</a>, located at 17 Baltimore Court, comprises a mix of three and four-bedroom villas across the Skyline, Canopy, Savanna and Broadview collections. Prices currently range from $1.455 million to $1.895 million, with the final Canopy Villa priced from $1.825 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135663 project_image_fid=360477]

The Canopy Collection villas offer four bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and approximately 245 sqm of internal space, alongside double garages and landscaped private areas. Expansive glazing, open-plan living spaces and private balconies have been designed to maximise natural light and outlooks toward the surrounding savanna landscape.

Construction is now underway across the fully funded development, which VentureCrowd says has become an increasingly important consideration for buyers assessing off-the-plan opportunities on the Gold Coast. The project is being delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/devcon">Devcon Property Group</a>, which has operated in South East Queensland since 1993 and delivered more than 1,000 homes across the region.

VentureCrowd Director of Property David Whitting previously said the project responds to changing buyer priorities in the prestige Gold Coast market.

“Flexible floorplans have proven particularly relevant for purchasers aged between 40 and 65, including next home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Whitting said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135663 project_image_fid=360505]

The buyer profile at Cumulus has reflected that shift toward owner-occupier-driven demand. Stuart Towns and Tracey Loynes recently purchased a Canopy Villa, drawn to both the lifestyle offering and the flexibility the home provided for their next stage of living together.

The couple, who met three years ago, sold their Robina home earlier this year after identifying what they saw as strong long-term investment potential at Cumulus while remaining within the same Gold Coast market. The villa’s private backyard was a major drawcard for their dog Luna, while proximity to golf courses including Emerald Lakes also aligned with their lifestyle interests.

Beyond the residences themselves, the community has been planned around shared lifestyle and recreation amenities. The Infinity Terrace will include a 20-metre heated pool, barbecue facilities, alfresco dining spaces and elevated retreat areas overlooking the surrounding landscape. Walking trails, a private nature reserve, orchard and herb garden are also integrated into the masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135663 project_image_fid=360473]

BDA Architecture Director Darren Greenaway said the design approach was heavily influenced by the site’s outlook and secluded setting.

The practice sought to create what Greenaway described as a “little piece of paradise,” drawing inspiration from the elevated views, surrounding greenery and quiet location.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/carrara-qld-4211">Carrara</a> continues to attract buyers seeking larger homes within proximity to the coast but without direct beachfront pricing. Cumulus sits within easy reach of Broadbeach, Pacific Fair, Robina Town Centre and the M1, providing connections north to Brisbane and south toward the Gold Coast Airport and northern New South Wales.

The first stage of Cumulus Grand Villas is targeting completion in 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135663]

VentureCrowd nears sell-out of Canopy Collection at Cumulus Grand Villas in Carrara

Waverley Council has made a call that many councils have been reluctant to make publicly. Growth is coming, regardless of who controls it.

The release of the Bondi Junction Vision and Master Plan is less about whether the Eastern Suburbs’ primary centre will change, and more about how that change is shaped, funded, and ultimately experienced on the ground. Waverley Council has released a 100-page plan which is effectively the first comprehensive blueprint for Bondi Junction in over two decades, and in doing so, signals a clear shift in how councils are positioning themselves in the current planning environment.

For the past 18 months, the conversation across New South Wales has been dominated by the State Government’s Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms and the emergence of the Housing Delivery Authority pathway. Both have created faster, more centralised avenues for development approvals, particularly in well-located, infrastructure-rich areas like Bondi Junction.

Waverley Council’s response has been to move early, and decisively.

Rather than react to individual proposals as they come through the HDA or broader State-led reforms, Council has sought to establish a clear, place-based framework that sets the terms for how Bondi Junction evolves. The underlying position is relatively straightforward: if densification is inevitable, it should be tied to infrastructure, public domain improvements, and a cohesive vision for the centre, not delivered piecemeal through ad hoc applications.

<img alt="bondi junction" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7f1f729c-ed99-4c6c-bf87-ffbce6991941" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-19%20at%209.58.16%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=ULX4OlXKjeJ5BvNCNGL86evgXCjCfMih" />

At its core, the document is attempting to reposition Bondi Junction from what it largely functions as today, a transport interchange anchored by a major retail centre, into something far more layered. The ambition is to transform it into what the plan describes as the “civic and cultural heart of Sydney’s East,” a place that is active beyond commuting hours and capable of supporting a broader mix of uses, experiences and communities.

That repositioning is built around four key ambitions.

The first is to create a true destination. Bondi Junction already attracts significant foot traffic, with more than 86,000 daily transport users and millions of annual retail visits, but much of that activity is transient. People pass through, rather than stay.

The Master Plan seeks to change that dynamic. It leans heavily into the idea of an “18-hour economy,” extending activity well beyond traditional retail hours through dining, cultural programming, events, and a more active night-time offering. This is not just about adding more hospitality venues, but about fundamentally shifting how the centre operates, from a daytime shopping destination to a place that functions across the full span of the day and into the evening.

Oxford Street Mall sits at the centre of that shift.

Long seen as underperforming relative to its potential, the Mall is identified as one of the key catalyst projects in the plan. It is to be reimagined as a day-to-night spine, combining retail, dining, wellness and cultural uses in a way that creates a continuous flow of activity. Outdoor dining, rooftop venues, laneway activation and a curated events program are all part of the strategy, alongside significant public domain upgrades that aim to improve comfort, safety and usability.

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The second ambition is to transform Bondi Junction into a world-class interchange.

Despite being one of the most heavily used transport nodes in Sydney, the current experience is fragmented. Connections between the station, Westfield, Oxford Street Mall and surrounding streets are often unclear, and major roads create physical barriers that disrupt pedestrian movement.

The Master Plan proposes a more seamless, people-focused network. That includes clearer pedestrian links, improved wayfinding, better integration between transport modes, and a rethinking of how arrival into the centre is experienced. The aim is to shift the perception of Bondi Junction from a place people move through, to a place they arrive in.

The third ambition focuses on greening and open space.

One of the more consistent pieces of community feedback throughout the Vision phase was the need for more greenery, better public spaces, and a more comfortable urban environment. Despite being surrounded by major parks, Bondi Junction itself has relatively limited accessible open space, with much of the public realm dominated by hard surfaces and traffic infrastructure.

The plan responds with a network of new and upgraded public spaces, increased tree canopy, and what it terms the “Parkline,” a green link connecting Waverley Park through to Centennial Park. This is not just about aesthetics. It is about addressing heat, improving liveability, and ensuring that increased density is matched by access to high-quality outdoor space.

The fourth ambition is perhaps the most important from a development perspective: growth that gives back.

Bondi Junction is already the primary location for new housing supply in the Waverley LGA, and that is expected to continue. The area carries a target of 2,400 new dwellings by 2029, with further growth projected beyond that as demand for well-located housing continues to rise. The Master Plan does not seek to limit that growth. Instead, it attempts to shape it.

New housing is to be concentrated around transport, with stepped building heights designed to protect the character of surrounding neighbourhoods. At the same time, the plan introduces a more explicit link between development uplift and public benefit. This is where value capture becomes central.

The document outlines a framework where increased development potential is tied to contributions that fund public domain improvements, community infrastructure, open space, and affordable housing. It is an approach that recognises that much of the transformation of Bondi Junction will be delivered by the private sector, but seeks to ensure that the benefits of that growth are shared more broadly. The Civic Precinct is a key part of that equation.

Leveraging Council-owned land, the plan proposes a consolidated civic and cultural hub centred around Ebley Street. This would include new community facilities, cultural spaces, and potentially a new Council Chambers, creating a focal point for civic life that currently does not exist in Bondi Junction at scale.

It is one of several catalyst projects identified in the Master Plan, alongside the Oxford Street Mall transformation. These projects are intended to anchor change, acting as early interventions that unlock broader investment across the precinct.

Importantly, the Master Plan is not just a design document. It includes a delivery framework that sets out how these ambitions are intended to be realised.

Council is explicit in acknowledging that it cannot deliver the transformation alone. Implementation will require coordination between State agencies, private developers, landowners and the community, with a mix of planning agreements, infrastructure contributions and direct delivery mechanisms used to fund and stage improvements over time.

The plan outlines a mix of short-term, medium-term and long-term actions, from immediate public domain upgrades and planning controls, through to larger-scale projects that will unfold over the next decade or more. In practical terms, the next 12 to 24 months will be the most important.

This is when the Master Plan will move through exhibition, refinement and eventual adoption. It is also the period in which Council will seek to embed the framework into its planning controls, giving it weight in the assessment of future development applications.

Council officers have indicated that once the Master Plan is in place, it could be used as a benchmark when assessing Housing Delivery Authority proposals, and potentially reduce the need for further HDA declarations within Bondi Junction. In effect, it is an attempt to bring planning control back to the local level, while still aligning with State housing targets.

That tension between State-led reform and local planning control is not unique to Waverley. It is playing out across Sydney.

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If delivered as intended, Bondi Junction will become denser, more active, and more complex. It will support more residents, more workers, and a wider range of uses, extending beyond its current retail core into a more layered urban environment.

“The civic and cultural heart of Sydney’s East”: Bondi Junction masterplan revealed

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>

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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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The real estate market across the country continued to bounce back from the much less damaging impact of COVID-19 on the housing market.
All states and territories over dwelling value growth over November, the November Home Value Index from data house CoreLogic found.
Dwelling values rose a combined 0.8 per cent nationally last month, on the back of 0.4 per cent growth in October.
The resurgent Melbourne market outperformed Sydney, with 0.7 per cent gains compared to Sydney's 0.4 per cent growth.
Brisbane were the only other capital to see growth less than one per cent. Dwelling values in the Queensland capital rose 0.6 per cent to take their quarterly gains to 1.5 per cent.
Canberra and Darwin were the nation's top performers, both seeing huge 1.9 per cent growth, taking their quarterly gains to 3.3 per cent and 4.7 per cent respectively.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/DEC/1/November%20index%20CoreLogic.jpg" alt=""> 
CoreLogic's head of research Tim Lawless says that if the current growth trend persists, we are likely to see values surpass pre-COVID levels in early 2021.
“The national home value index is still seven tenths of a per cent below the level recorded in March, but if housing values continue to rise at the current pace we could see a recovery from the COVID downturn as early as January or February next year.
"The recovery in Melbourne, where home values remain 5% below their recent peak, will take longer," Lawless advises.
<h1>House and Units</h1>
Sydney's unit market was the only market across Australia to see declines in November, down -0.7 per cent to be -1.8 per cent down on the quarter.
Houses drove Sydney's 0.4 per cent dwelling value gains. The housing market saw a 0.9 per cent growth in values.
Melbourne have surged out of the pandemic following the end of their extended lockdown and loosening of restrictions to overtake Sydney's growth in November.
Houses were up 0.6 per cent to be just -0.6 per cent down on the quarter, with units performing even better, up 0.7 per cent to be 0.1 per cent up on the quarter.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/DEC/1/CL%20Nov%20full%20index.jpg" alt="">
Brisbane's 0.6 per cent gains were driven by its housing market, up 0.7 per cent compared to its 0.2 per cent gains in the apartment market.
The housing and unit markets were both strong in Perth, up 1.1 per cent and one per cent respectively to see Perth dwelling values rise 1.1 per cent.
Darwin's boom was driven by its huge spike in apartments, up 2.4 per cent on the month to be 4.9 per cent up on the quarter, the best performing market across the country in the last three months. 
 
 
 
 
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Home values rise nationwide in November, growth trend to surpass pre-COVID levels in early 2021: CoreLogic 

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ASIC has today commenced civil penalty proceedings in the Federal Court against the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) for charging a rate of interest on business overdraft accounts substantially higher than what its customers were advised.
ASIC alleges from 29 December 2011 to 31 March 2018, CBA:
<ul>
<li>provided customers with terms and conditions for certain credit facilities that stated an interest rate to be charged or that had been charged (in most cases, 16% per annum);</li>
<li>sent periodic account statements to customers referencing the rate at which interest rate was being charged (in most cases, 16% per annum); and</li>
<li>due to a systems error, charged more than 2,200 customers a different, higher interest rate on their overdraft accounts (in most cases approximately 34% per annum).</li>
</ul>
The total overcharged interest exceeded $2.9 million.
ASIC alleges that CBA attempted to manually fix the overcharging error after a complaint was made to the bank in 2013. The manual fixes were unsuccessful, and customers continued to be overcharged. ASIC alleges that from 1 December 2014 to 31 March 2018, being within the six-year limitation period, CBA engaged in conduct that contravened financial services laws. Specifically, that on 12,119 occasions, CBA:
<ul>
<li>made a misleading representation in contravention of s12DB(1)(g) of the ASIC Act;</li>
<li>engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct, or conduct that was likely to mislead or deceive, in contravention of s12DA(1) of the ASIC Act; and</li>
<li>failed to comply with its obligation to comply with financial services laws in contravention of s912A(1)(c) of the Corporations Act.</li>
</ul>
ASIC is seeking declarations, pecuniary penalties and other orders against CBA.
The date for the first case management hearing is yet to be scheduled.
ASIC previously obtained a $5 million penalty against CBA for failures of their AgriAdvantage Plus Package for failures including overcharged interest on loans and fees.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

ASIC takes CBA to court over alleged overcharging of business overdraft interest rates

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The veteran investment banker Allan Moss could be attending his last meeting at the December RBA meeting.
<a href="https://www.rba.gov.au/about-rba/boards/rba-board" target="_blank">His five year term</a> officially concludes at today's December central bank meeting, with no announcement yet from Treasurer Josh Frydenberg on an extension or replacement.
The banking veteran is 71, and able to offer the board insights from his career which began after a university careers talk by Mark Johnson, a pioneer merchant banker at Hill Samuel Associates.
It was after he secured his Harvard MBA, that Moss joined the UK-owned merchant bank Hill Samuel Associates in Sydney in 1977. 
In 1985, Hill Samuel became part of the newly formed Macquarie Bank, and a year later, Macquarie was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange with a market capitalisation of $1.3bn. 
He was chief of Macquarie Bank, Australia's biggest investment bank for almost 15 years before stepping down in 2008.
At the time of his appointment to the RBA, Moss was a principal of private investment company Allan Moss Investments and an adviser to the investment firms Evans and Partners and Anchorage Capital Partners.
Current bank executives or economists are not permitted on the board, but former bankers can be appointed.
He was appointed to the RBA board by then treasurer Scott Morrison, replacing Roger Corbett, whose second term ended aged 73.
The central bank's policy setting board meets 11 times a year.
It includes six independent directors appointed by the government with the next replacement opportunity with Catherine Tanna (March 2021) and then Ian Harper (July 2021).
Age has not been a disqualified as Frank Lowy stepped down at 75 years, with his final two year term begging when he was around 72 years in 2003.
Sir Peter Ables stepped down at 70 years in 1994.
The Melbourne business leader Geoffrey Grimwade is the only board member to have died in office, aged 58 in 1961 while in Sydney on a business trip, found dead of a coronary occlusion in his room in the Australia Hotel.
His death, at the height of his influence, was noted by the Australian Dictionary of Biography as a significant loss to business, and in particular to D.H.A. (the pharmaceutical company Drug Houses of Australia) which became the first major Australian victim of overseas asset-strippers a few years later.
Moss is seemingly also on the move on the homefront.
Moss and his lawyer wife Irene look set to be off to Cremorne where they have reportedly bought the two home compound of Hunter Valley vintners Huang Shu Hua and Li Shingling.
The Federation mansion and adjoining housse has been on and off the market for some times seeking $17 million to $18 million.
Moss’s new home last traded in 2016 for $14.2 million when sold for a then suburb record by Hong Kong-based expat bank executive Karma Wilson and Nigel Tupper to Huang and Li, a former shareholder of Chinese Media Group with billionaire tycoon Huang Bingwen.
Moss has owned in the Renzo Piano-designed Macquarie Apartments since 2010.
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Allan Moss's five year RBA term concludes at December 2020 meeting

The Federal Government has just announced that the HomeBuilder Grant, which was <a href="/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-australias-25-000-homebuilder-grant-how-much-off-the-plan-homebuyers-could-save">set to end on December 31st</a>, will be extended at a reduced rate. Home buyers who are eligible for the grant could be entitled to receive $15,000 for the purchase of a HomeBuilder Grant approved off-the-plan property.

Since the grant was introduced, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-29/homebuilder-program-extended-for-another-three-months-lower-rate/12931684">around 24,000 applications</a> have been&nbsp;made to claim the $25,000 grant, with 19,180 of those applications being&nbsp;for new builds, with&nbsp;just 4,697 applications having been submitted for&nbsp;home&nbsp;renovations.

Grant rules and restrictions vary state-to-state, so here&#39;s an overview of what to expect:

<h2>VICTORIA HOMEBUILDER GRANT GUIDE</h2>

HomeBuild Grant Extended and increase&nbsp;price cap to $850,000 in VIC

Reduced from $25,000 to $15,000 for building contracts signed between Jan 2021 and March 2021.

Home buyers have until December 31st 2020 to take advantage&nbsp;of the $25,000 HomeBuilder Grant.

<a href="/developments/vic?bedroom-prices2=850000&amp;any-bedrooms=1&amp;bedrooms%5Bvalue%5D=1&amp;bedrooms%5Bvalue2%5D=5&amp;any-bathrooms=1&amp;bathrooms%5Bvalue%5D=1&amp;bathrooms%5Bvalue2%5D=3&amp;any-parking=1&amp;parking%5Bvalue%5D=1&amp;parking%5Bvalue2%5D=4">Click here to search new VIC Residences under $850,000</a>

<a href="/buildings/montaine-residences-1-5-main-street-mount-annan"><img alt="" height="1000" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/nsw.jpg" width="1000" /></a>

<h2>NEW SOUTH WALES HOMEBUILDER GRANT GUIDE</h2>

HomeBuild Grant Extended and increase&nbsp;price cap to $950,000 in NSW

Reduced from $25,000 to $15,000 for building contracts signed between Jan 2021 and March 2021.

Home buyers have until December 31st 2020 to take advantage&nbsp;of the $25,000 HomeBuilder Grant.

<a href="/developments/nsw?bedroom-prices2=950000&amp;any-bedrooms=1&amp;bedrooms%5Bvalue%5D=1&amp;bedrooms%5Bvalue2%5D=5&amp;any-bathrooms=1&amp;bathrooms%5Bvalue%5D=1&amp;bathrooms%5Bvalue2%5D=3&amp;any-parking=1&amp;parking%5Bvalue%5D=1&amp;parking%5Bvalue2%5D=4">Click here to search new NSW Residences under $950,000</a>

<a href="/buildings/allure-chevron-island-1-northcliffe-terrace-surfers-paradise"><img alt="" height="600" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/queensland.jpg" width="1000" /></a>

<h2>QUEENSLAND HOMEBUILDER GRANT GUIDE</h2>

HomeBuild Grant Extended&nbsp;for New Residences under $750,000 in QLD

Reduced from $25,000 to $15,000 for building contracts signed between Jan 2021 and March 2021.

Home buyers&nbsp;have until December 31st 2020 to take advantage&nbsp;of the $25,000 HomeBuilder Grant.

<a href="/developments/qld?bedroom-prices2=750000&amp;any-bedrooms=1&amp;bedrooms%5Bvalue%5D=1&amp;bedrooms%5Bvalue2%5D=5&amp;any-bathrooms=1&amp;bathrooms%5Bvalue%5D=1&amp;bathrooms%5Bvalue2%5D=3&amp;any-parking=1&amp;parking%5Bvalue%5D=1&amp;parking%5Bvalue2%5D=4">Click here to search new QLD Residences under $750,000</a>

<h2>SOUTH AUSTRALIA HOMEBUILDER GRANT GUIDE</h2>

HomeBuild Grant Extended&nbsp;for New Residences under $750,000 in SA

Reduced from $25,000 to $15,000 for building contracts signed between Jan 2021 and March 2021.

Home buyers have until December 31st 2020 to take advantage of the $25,000 HomeBuilder Grant.

<a href="/developments/sa?bedroom-prices2=750000&amp;any-bedrooms=1&amp;bedrooms%5Bvalue%5D=1&amp;bedrooms%5Bvalue2%5D=5&amp;any-bathrooms=1&amp;bathrooms%5Bvalue%5D=1&amp;bathrooms%5Bvalue2%5D=3&amp;any-parking=1&amp;parking%5Bvalue%5D=1&amp;parking%5Bvalue2%5D=4">Click here to search new SA Residences under $750,000</a>

<h2>WESTERN AUSTRALIA HOMEBUILDER GRANT GUIDE</h2>

HomeBuild Grant Extended&nbsp;for New Residences under $750,000 in WA

Reduced from $25,000 to $15,000 for building contracts signed between Jan 2021 and March 2021.

Home buyers have until December 31st 2020 to take advantage&nbsp;of the $25,000 HomeBuilder Grant.

<a href="/developments/wa?bedroom-prices2=750000&amp;any-bedrooms=1&amp;bedrooms%5Bvalue%5D=1&amp;bedrooms%5Bvalue2%5D=5&amp;any-bathrooms=1&amp;bathrooms%5Bvalue%5D=1&amp;bathrooms%5Bvalue2%5D=3&amp;any-parking=1&amp;parking%5Bvalue%5D=1&amp;parking%5Bvalue2%5D=4">Click here to search new WA Residences under $750,000</a>

<h2>Further reading:</h2>

<a href="/guides/buy-now-save-20-urban-listings-eligible-for-the-25-000-homebuilder-grant" target="_blank">Buy now and save: 20 Urban listings eligible for the $25,000 HomeBuilder Grant</a>

<a href="/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-australias-25-000-homebuilder-grant-how-much-off-the-plan-homebuyers-could-save">Everything you need to know about Australia&#39;s $25,000 HomeBuilder Grant + how much off-the-plan homebuyers could save</a>

Olivia Round

Save $15,000 until March 2021: What the HomeBuilder Grant extension means for off-the-plan property purchases

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La Joie de Vivre, the Bayview mansion that was the first house to be used on Australia's The Bachelor television series, has finally been sold after 622 days on the market.
The larger-than-life home was where chiropractor Tim Robards found love with Anna Heinrich.
The grand Minkara Road home <a href="/news/bayviews-la-joie-de-vivre-record-price-falls-back">last traded for $7.05 million in 2016</a> when it was sold by retired transport magnate Greg Poche and his wife Kayvan.
They made a substantial loss on the Minkara Road property, having paid $10 million back in 2003. 
The current longtime vendors are freight tycoon Clive Thomas and wife Lee, apparently secured around $9 million late last week.
They bought it when they were moving to Sydney where their company, C.T. Freight is headquartered, but have since returned to the Gold Coast.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/3/20/Bay2.jpg" alt="">
When it sold in 2016, the then selling agency RED Property <a href="/news/red-property-donate-bayview-bachelor-home-sale-commission-to-charity">donated their $141,000 commission to charity</a>.
But no such generosity from the current agent Darren Curtis.
The vast French provincial-style mansion is inspired by the grand chateau's of the Loire Valley.
La Joie de Vivre sits on a private 4,090 sqm landholding with views across Pittwater to the ocean from its three levels and its sandstone terraces.
It is appointed with 24-carat gold filligree balustrades, parquet floors and arched French windows.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/3/20/Bay3.jpg" alt="">
The home has six bedrooms, six bathrooms, a six car garage, a library, home gym and a temperature controlled wine cellar and tasting room.
Outside there's a commercial grade kitchen, resort-style pool, championship tennis court and a guest cottage.
Apparently there were mutiple parties interested despite is having lingered sadly unwanted for so long.
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firstname1-iYD4UYzvBa

Bayview's La Joie de Vivre, the original Bachelor house, finally sells

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Media executive Anita Jacoby, an Avalon Beach local, has listed her boathouse-style residence on Riverview Road.
She bought the property in 1998 for $950,000.
Ms Jacoby has owned a slew of homes on the Pittwater waterfront over the years, including the $5.7 million modernist residence she bought with her husband, John Cary, five years ago.
Jacoby sold her former Avalon waterfront home in 2017 for $3.8 million and a 740-square metre vacant block of land behind it in August for $1.35 million.
The 936-square metre double block is largely bushland, but with a cottage built out over the water on a sandstone pier, a relic of the 1940's. 
McGrath’s James Baker has set a $4.5 million guide before the December 5 auction.
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Anita Jacoby lists another Avalon Beach waterfront residence

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Sun Cable chief executive David Griffin and partner David Peters have sold their Bowral property, with its price undisclosed. 
The five-bedroom residence comes with media room, home office and gymnasium.
There's an open air pavilion with outdoor kitchen, pool and manicured rear garden with a firepit.
The offering at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-bowral-134753030" target="_blank">22 Bundaroo Street</a> had a $3.8 million guide through Sarah Burke, of Di Jones.
It features a 47 kilowatt rooftop solar system with Tesla power wall and two electric 3-phase car chargers that were all installed following the purchase in 2013 for $930,000.
Griffin co-founded Sun Cable in 2018. 
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Sun Cable chief David Griffin sells in Bowral

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NOIR on Hamilton Hill has been sold to returning expat for a reputed $10 million
Delivered by Zephyr Industries, the trophy abode spans five storeys.
With 1,050 sqm of living space, the five bedroom, eight bathroom manse holds unobstructed river and city views from every level.
Situated at 9 Prospect Terrace, Hamilton Hill, Ray White agent Matt Lancashire held the listing which was designed by The Artificial and built by Braydon Larkin.
The property is described in the marketing material as "rivalling prestige homes in the international market," from the 8-car basement to a private master level.
The brand new Hamilton Hill residence features, swimming pool, spa, gym, sauna, office &amp; cinema, a recreation level with bar, kitchenette &amp; BBQ, four external balconies and top of the line security measures including facial and fingerprint scanning.
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Noir, Prospect Terrace, Hamilton sells to expat for reputed $10 million

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A Broadbeach Waters trophy home has been listed for sale with hopes it will fetch $8.95 million.
The five bedroom, eight bathroom Monaco Street mansion fronts the North facing Main River on its consolidated 2,303 sqm manicured block.
The home, built by former Test cricketer turned developer Criag McDermott, sold for $3.41 million in 2015. The buyers then bought next door to create the sprawling half an acre block.
The modern residence is a full concrete suspended slab construction and is spread over three levels.
The ground floor opens with a grand marble entry and soaring high ceilings, with a designer chandelier.
The second level consists of five designer bedrooms, all with walk in robes, ensuites, including the grand master suite and views from every window.
Features include a 10 car underground basement with cinema, self-contained granny flat with a modern kitchen,
Outside there's a large pontoon and deck with a marble spa, an outdoor entertaining area with BBQ and a fully equipped kitchen and a swimming pool with three resort style cabanas.
Amir Mian and Kris Valcic of Amir Prestige Property Agents are marketing the property.
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Broadbeach Waters trophy home listed with $8.95 million asking price

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The Casuarina Beach home that's been dubbed The Jetson House for its modern architecture has been relisted for sale.
Looking more like a spaceship than a home, the striking residence draws inspiration from Googie Architecture, the exaggerated and once-futuristic style where buildings are defined by geometric shapes and bold use of glass, concrete and steel.
The vendor Greg Costello, who designed the home on Beech Lane, has recently taken up real estate sales.
Costello, of New Tweed Coast Real Estate Group, hopes demand from Melbourne and Sydney buyers will yield a sale.
It was passed in at $3.4 million in at April last year.
The elongated five bedroom home features large custom-curved horizontal windows.
The top level, that skews 45 degrees to produce an overhang, overlooks the 840 sqm gardens which home a soccer pitch, in-ground trampoline and a 25 metre heated lap pool with adjustable Olympic-grade starting block.
The interior features minimalist style including colour, texture and selected materials of raw concrete floors, soaring white walls and dark cabinetry, and vast glass.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/5/21/casurina%201%20.jpg" alt="">
The streamlined kitchen consists of a butler's pantry, awning splashback and black Smeg appliances. 
The top level comes with 70 metres of automatic windows and an open rumpus room overlooking the lap pool.
The master suite has a dressing room, and all four secondary bedrooms come with built-in wardrobes.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/5/21/casuarina%202.jpg" alt="">
The Jetson's social and lifestyle amenities include a soccer pitch, in-ground trampoline, gated beach access, covered alfresco entertaining terrace, and a 25 metre heated lap pool. 
Other highlights of The Jetsons include Google home automation, keyless entry, zoned and ducted air conditioning, video intercom, and solar panels.
It is 15 minutes from Gold Coast International Airport, 30 minutes from Byron Bay, and close to schools, bus stop, and the new Casuarina Town Centre.
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