Design-led developer-builder Lowe Living has unveiled its latest residential development, Jardin House, marking its first foray into Melbourne's blue-chip City of Boroondara.

Located a short walk from Camberwell Junction, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/jardin-house-by-lowe-living-camberwell-335-camberwell-road-camberwell-vic-3124">Jardin House</a> has been designed to appeal to affluent local downsizers and established families seeking a low-maintenance alternative to the large homes that have long defined Camberwell and surrounding suburbs.

The project will comprise a collection of two and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 92 sqm to 280 sqm, alongside a limited number of penthouse residences featuring rooftop terraces spanning more than 100 sqm, with optional private pools.

&nbsp;

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Lowe Living Co-Founder and Managing Director Tim Lowe said Camberwell represented a natural next step for the developer as it expands into some of Melbourne's most tightly held residential markets.

"Jardin House is an important project for our team as it marks the next evolution of our portfolio into different well-established blue-chip pockets of Melbourne," Lowe said.

"Camberwell, with its incredible walkability, family-led neighbourhood feel and superb access to education and transport, makes it a natural choice for us."

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Designed by Tristan Wong Architects, with interiors by Hecker Guthrie and landscaping by Acre, the development takes inspiration from the Art Deco architecture that remains a defining feature of many of Camberwell's established streets.

A curved facade, arched openings, textured brickwork and sculpted forms reference the suburb's architectural heritage, while extensive landscaping softens the building's presence and creates a strong connection to the surrounding tree-lined streetscape.

The project will be set behind a secure gated entrance, with residents arriving through landscaped gardens designed to create a transition between the public realm and private residences.

Inside, the residences feature natural stone and timber finishes, full-height glazing, Miele appliances and generous open-plan living areas designed for long-term owner occupation.

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While the apartments themselves have been designed to attract discerning owner-occupiers, it is the amenity offering that sets Jardin House apart from many other boutique projects currently launching across Melbourne.

The centrepiece is a 350 sqm private bathhouse curated in partnership with Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse founder Lyndall Mitchell.

The wellness precinct includes mineral pools, hydrotherapy experiences, a Himalayan salt room, sauna, steam room, cold plunge pools and dedicated relaxation spaces, creating what Lowe Living describes as a private wellness retreat exclusively for residents.

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The collaboration follows Lowe Living's recent partnership with Aurora at Maison Savoy in Brighton, although Jardin House is the first project to incorporate both indoor and outdoor wellness experiences.

Emma Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living, said wellness was becoming an increasingly important consideration for apartment buyers.

"Collaborating with Lyndall Mitchell from Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse for a second time is an intentional nod to creating residences that are more than just homes, but a way to enrich the lives of our residents through wellness and longevity," Lowe said.

The amenity offering is complemented by a Technogym fitness studio, residents' lounge, private dining spaces and concierge services.

The launch comes as developers increasingly target Melbourne's established eastern suburbs, where rising land values, ageing housing stock and growing downsizer demand are creating opportunities for boutique apartment projects.

Lowe said the company expects significant generational wealth transfer across suburbs such as Camberwell in coming years, creating further demand for luxury apartment living.

"Camberwell is a blue-chip suburb where homes regularly transact for multiple millions of dollars," he said.

"The generational change of wealth in these locations expected in the coming years is significant, so we see an opportunity to create exclusive residences that appeal to older families and downsizers in order to meet this demand."

Apartments at Jardin house start from $1,195,000. The project forms part of Lowe Living's near-$1 billion portfolio of new developments across Melbourne.

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Joel Robinson

Lowe Living launches Jardin House in Camberwell

As <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/north-sydney-nsw-2060">North Sydney</a> continues its transition from a commercial centre into a more layered residential and lifestyle precinct, a new generation of apartment developments is reshaping expectations around scale, amenity, and long-term liveability.

Improved transport connections through the Victoria Cross Metro, continued investment in dining and public spaces, and a constrained supply of new luxury apartments have sharpened demand for homes that combine proximity to the CBD with the privacy and outlook traditionally associated with harbourside houses.

At 177 Walker Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aland">ALAND</a>’s new apartment development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-north-sydney-177-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> enters the market with a distinctly residential approach to high-rise living. The 30-level tower will deliver 161 residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to sub-penthouses and a full-floor penthouse, all oriented to capture uninterrupted views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and out toward the Pacific Ocean.

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, the project takes advantage of the site’s natural topography and elevated position above the harbour. Rather than relying on density alone, the architecture focuses on outlook, orientation, and spatial flow, with every apartment occupying a corner position to maximise natural light and cross ventilation.

Rothelowman says the site itself shaped much of the architectural response.

“The site has a long history in terms of its inevitable transformation and when we came in, we took inspiration from the idea of reestablishing a sense of the site’s natural terrain and fall. Our scheme aims to integrate with the terrain and the landscape, using the undulating site to slowly reveal glimpses and views of the harbour. The rotation of the tower off grid means every apartment has a view and is naturally cross ventilated. The building's colour palette is quintessentially Sydney, with bronze and sandstone and a luminescent green colour in the glass, making it very earthy and grounded in its location.”

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Inside the residences, the emphasis moves toward larger-format living typically associated with standalone homes. Kitchens sit at the centre of the apartments, connecting directly to open-plan dining and living areas before extending outward into expansive winter gardens and balconies. Calacatta marble, bespoke joinery, integrated appliances, and custom metal detailing are used throughout, while three distinct interior palettes, Terrace, Opera, and Harbour, allow buyers to personalise the spaces without compromising the architectural consistency of the project.

The larger residences place particular attention on separation between entertaining and private zones. In many apartments, master suites occupy the outer corners of the floorplates, allowing bedrooms to benefit from floor-to-ceiling glazing and harbour outlooks independent of the living spaces. Dressing rooms and ensuites continue the material palette through fluted detailing, freestanding baths, and layered stone finishes.

Rothelowman says the design intent centred on creating homes that feel enduring rather than transient.

“Our philosophy is all about the way people live in these spaces, and we wanted to create homes that reflect the quality of life in this unique Sydney location. The apartments showcase expansive living spaces that are generous, sophisticated, and bold, with the ability to connect with views throughout each apartment.”

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A separate four-storey amenity building known as The Pavilion expands the residential offering beyond the apartments themselves. Positioned alongside the tower, the building consolidates wellness, recreation, and social spaces into a dedicated resident retreat. Facilities include a 20-metre rooftop pool and sundeck, sauna, spa, ice bath, wellness studio, gymnasium, concierge service, wine cellar, residents’ lounge, private dining spaces, and dedicated co-working areas with meeting rooms and boardroom facilities.

The amenity mix reflects the buyer profile emerging in North Sydney, where owner-occupiers and downsizers are increasingly prioritising convenience, apartment scale, and long-term usability over purely investment-driven decisions.

The Walden also represents a significant milestone for ALAND, marking the company’s first major move into Sydney’s inner-city luxury apartment market after more than two decades delivering large-scale residential communities across Greater Sydney. Founder Andrew Hrsto says the Walker Street site stood apart because of both its positioning and its rarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6390]

“As a company, we had been searching for a site in one of Sydney’s blue-chip locations, spanning the Eastern Suburbs, the Sydney CBD and the North Shore, and when we had the opportunity to purchase this site, we immediately recognised that it could be something iconic.”

At launch, The Walden recorded more than $103 million in sales, with buyers drawn to the project’s harbour positioning, apartment scale, and proximity to the Metro, which now connects North Sydney to Barangaroo in three minutes and Martin Place in five.

ALAND has commenced construction, and is expecting a completion date in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134323]

The Walden pairs house-scale living with North Sydney connectivity

The ACT will become the first jurisdiction in Australia to abolish stamp duty for all first home buyers, with no income caps and no property price thresholds from 1 July.

The move, announced as part of the ACT Budget, completes a key election commitment from the Barr Government and removes what Chief Minister Andrew Barr described as one of the biggest barriers to entering the housing market. The reform forms part of the ACT's long-running transition away from transaction taxes and towards a broader-based property tax system.

"This budget marks a major milestone in our long-term tax reform program," Barr said, adding that the government had maintained a sustained focus on removing barriers to home ownership. He said stamp duty had long been one of the largest upfront hurdles facing buyers and that from July, "that barrier is gone" for first home buyers in the Territory.

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The changes come alongside a range of measures designed to encourage new housing supply, including support for the delivery of so-called "missing middle" housing such as terraces, townhouses and low-rise multi-unit developments.

The announcement has renewed debate around whether the ACT's approach could provide a blueprint for improving housing affordability nationally.

New research from OurTop10.com.au, conducted by Primara Research, suggests the Territory's decade-long reform agenda has produced outcomes unmatched elsewhere in Australia.

While stamp duty costs have increased by an average 67 per cent nationally over the past decade, the ACT has recorded growth of just 15 per cent, the lowest increase of any jurisdiction.

The Territory has also emerged as one of the strongest performers on housing delivery. Based on population-weighted housing targets, the ACT is sitting less than one per cent behind its target. Victoria is the next closest at seven per cent behind, while the national average sits 25 per cent below target. New South Wales is tracking 39 per cent behind.

The latest reform removes one of the final barriers facing first home buyers in Canberra.

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The average Australian home buyer currently pays $61,714 in stamp duty. In the ACT, that figure is $38,399 despite the Territory having the third-highest median house price in the country.

Until now, the ACT's first home buyer concession scheme only applied to purchases up to $1.02 million, around $51,000 below Canberra's median house price of $1.071 million. In practical terms, many first home buyers were unable to access the median-priced home without losing the concession.

From July, those restrictions disappear.

Every first home buyer in the ACT will pay no stamp duty, regardless of income or purchase price.

Canberra remains one of Australia's most expensive housing markets, with dwelling values increasing 82 per cent over the past decade. However, that growth ranks only 11th among Australia's 15 major housing markets, suggesting affordability pressures have been less severe than in many other parts of the country.

Simon Ma, CEO of OurTop10.com.au, said the latest reforms recognise that many first home buyers have simply outgrown thresholds set years ago.

"Many first home buyers aren't just looking for a way onto the ladder, they want a home their family can actually live in," Ma said.

"In a market where the median house price is over a million dollars, a concession scheme that cuts out at $1.02 million was never going to get them there.

"Removing the ceiling entirely means ACT first home buyers can now pursue the home they actually want, rather than limiting themselves to a price point designed for a very different market."

Whether other states follow remains to be seen. But at a time when most jurisdictions are struggling to improve affordability while also increasing housing supply, the ACT has quietly become the national test case for both.

15% stamp duty growth. Just 1% off the national housing target. Zero stamp duty for FHBs. Is the ACT the blueprint for the great Australian dream?

ACT abolishes stamp duty for first home buyers

A rooftop pool and spa overlooking the Brisbane CBD, private dining spaces, expansive landscaped gardens and a residents' lounge are set to crown <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/callista-on-park-west-end-49-mollison-street-west-end-qld-4101">Callista on Park</a>, the final residential building within Brisbane's West Village precinct.

The rooftop amenity collection has been designed as an extension of the lifestyle already established throughout West Village, providing residents with a series of indoor and outdoor spaces that capitalise on the building's elevated position above West End.

A swimming pool and heated spa form the centrepiece of the rooftop offering, surrounded by landscaped gardens developed through a collaboration between developer Sekisui House and ASPECT Studios. The design incorporates expansive lawn areas surrounded by English garden-inspired planting.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134800 project_image_fid=370648]

Residents will also have access to two barbecue and outdoor dining areas positioned to take advantage of views across Brisbane's skyline, neighbouring Mollison Park, and the surrounding inner-city landscape.

For larger gatherings, the rooftop includes a private dining room centred around a substantial stone island bench, complete with a full kitchen and a 10-seat dining table set beneath four-metre-high ceilings. The space has been designed to overlook both the rooftop gardens and the Brisbane CBD skyline.

A separate residents' lounge provides an additional indoor retreat connected to the broader rooftop amenity offering, creating another space for residents to work, relax or entertain guests.

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The attention to detail extends beyond the rooftop.

Upon arrival, residents will enter through a lobby featuring a bespoke ceiling light installation developed in collaboration between Sekisui House and Alcorn Middleton Architecture. The arrival experience is complemented by private resident mailboxes and carefully considered interior finishes designed to reflect the premium positioning of the building.

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The amenity offering forms part of Callista on Park, the final residential release within the decade-long transformation of the former Peters Ice Cream Factory site into West Village, one of Brisbane's most established mixed-use communities.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and being delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hutchinson-builders">Hutchinson Builders</a>, Callista represents the most premium residential offering within the masterplanned precinct.

Construction is now entering its final stages, with scaffolding beginning to come down and completion expected in the first quarter of 2027.

Prices for the three-bedroom plus MPR apartments start from just over $2.6 million.

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Callista will mark the final opportunity to purchase within West Village, where residents have direct access to more than 35 retail, dining, wellness and medical operators including Harris Farm Markets, Woolworths, Function Well and Goodlife Health Clubs, Metro Arts, and a growing collection of restaurants and cafés.

Located just 800 metres from the Brisbane CBD, the precinct also places residents within walking distance of South Bank, West End's dining scene, riverfront parklands and major public transport connections.

For Sekisui House, which has delivered more than two million homes globally, Callista serves as the concluding piece of the West Village masterplan, bringing together the precinct's heritage character, parkland setting and emphasis on walkability in a final collection of larger-format residences.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134800]

Rooftop pool, private dining and skyline gardens to crown West Village's final apartment release, Callista on Park

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/wahroonga-nsw-2076">Wahroonga</a>’s enduring appeal has long been tied to its balance of bushland, established amenity, and access to some of Sydney’s most respected education and healthcare institutions.

Along Fox Valley Road, that combination is becoming increasingly sought after by buyers looking to remain connected to the Upper North Shore lifestyle while prioritising walkability, wellbeing, and convenience.

Developer Capital Corporation's initial vision of a 62-hectare site on Fox Valley Road was that they could create their own walkable community, bordered by&nbsp;more than 25 hectares of bushland and adjoining Coups Creek.

<img alt="Wahroonga" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b84917a1-0d75-49b9-888c-ddf7ebfd6692" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/NEW2026_Wahroonga_Walkway.gif?VersionId=Gk3_xi5ssYfalmwuQQ5umQakddceC31j" />

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-residences-at-wahroonga-estate-169-fox-valley-road-wahroonga-nsw-2076">The Residences at Wahroonga Estate</a> draws directly on the area’s natural landscape, with walking trails and green corridors linking into sections of Lane Cove National Park. The surrounding network of bushwalks, cycling tracks, and reserves reinforces the suburb’s long-standing reputation as one of Sydney’s most nature-oriented residential pockets, while still maintaining close ties to village retail and transport infrastructure.

The address places residents within minutes of Wahroonga and Turramurra villages, where cafés, local grocers, boutiques, and everyday services support a highly localised lifestyle. Popular nearby venues including The Fox Café and Breeze Valley Café provide easy options for morning coffee or casual dining, while longstanding retailers such as IGA Wahroonga Fresh and Novella Fine Books continue to anchor the area’s village character.

&nbsp;

<img alt="Wahroonga" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c4a950f7-4f05-4370-b360-b106359788e5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/2026_Wahroonga_Entry_Gates.gif?VersionId=7n5kh9ymu.azYEYDemJkPgiIAfSw44oj" />

Healthcare access remains one of the defining locational advantages of the estate. Sydney Adventist Hospital, known locally as The San, sits directly adjacent and is one of the largest and most respected private hospitals in New South Wales. The hospital precinct incorporates specialist medical services, radiology, physiotherapy, and outpatient care, contributing to growing buyer demand from downsizers and owner-occupiers seeking long-term convenience and peace of mind.

Research commissioned by Capital Corporation found that health and wellbeing considerations are increasingly influencing downsizing decisions, particularly among buyers wanting to remain within familiar neighbourhoods while accessing medical infrastructure more easily.

Education has also historically underpinned demand across Wahroonga and the broader Upper North Shore. The estate sits close to several of Sydney’s leading private and independent schools, including Knox Grammar, Abbotsleigh, Barker College, Pymble Ladies’ College, Ravenswood School for Girls, and Loreto Normanhurst. Co-educational options including Wahroonga Adventist School and Sydney Adventist School further strengthen the area’s appeal to established families looking for long-term schooling pathways within a tightly held catchment.

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Transport connectivity supports the suburb’s liveability without compromising its quieter residential character. Wahroonga and Turramurra train stations provide direct rail access into the Sydney CBD, while the nearby Pacific Highway and M1 motorway strengthen links across the North Shore and broader metropolitan area. At the same time, the heavily treed streetscape and low-density character continue to distinguish the precinct from more urbanised parts of Sydney.

The Residences at Wahroonga Estate forms the first stage of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/capital-corporation">Capital Corporation</a>’s broader masterplanned vision for the precinct, delivered alongside the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135247 project_image_fid=364995]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/group-gsa">GroupGSA</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/coco-republic-interior-design">Coco Republic</a>, the development integrates landscaped communal spaces including a pet-friendly Green Spine, resident lounge, BBQ pavilion, and direct bushland access, reinforcing the project’s focus on outdoor connection and community-based living.

Now under construction by Gold Star iCIRT-rated builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/dasco-australia">DASCO</a>, The Residences at Wahroonga Estate will deliver a collection of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments priced from $990,000, with completion anticipated in 2027.

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Capital Corporation to cater to Upper North Shore downsizers by creating walkable community at The Residences at Wahroonga Estate

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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Sydney is not the most attractive capital city in which to invest your property dollar, according to the latest Finder RBA Cash Rate Survey.
The majority of experts and economists said they would rather invest $500,000 in the likes of Melbourne and Brisbane.
It was an even split, with 27 per cent saying Melbourne and 27 per cent saying Brisbane. Sydney was on a par with Canberra at 14 per cent of participations asked.
Graham Cooke, insights manager at Finder, said the vast majority of economists chose to steer clear of advising investment in Sydney.
“Sydney has traditionally been Australia’s darling in the property market, but it is no longer the belle of the ball," Cooke noted
Which Australian capital city would be the best to invest $500,000 in property?
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 <img src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/cc5e9bce699fa1d71a67cf499/images/ea8de6ac-a2ff-418e-ad6c-ee4ce4a66e0f.png" width="259" height="294">
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<div>
“Prices have just started to recover after falling nearly 15% from the heady days of 2017, but sales volumes are still low and many investors and potential sellers are in a holding pattern.
“While prices fell across the board, the ratio of house prices relative to income is still higher in Sydney than in other cities, which may slow the bounceback somewhat compared to Melbourne and Brisbane.
“On the bright side, both prices and auction clearance rates are slowly heading in the right direction in the Harbour City, but these results indicate that the previous market highs are still a way off,” Cooke said.
Only 45 per cent of experts said the property market had turned a corner and that prices will continue to rise.
A further 41 per cent expected prices to remain at their current level for a while, with only 14 per cent predicting a further drop in prices.
Cooke said the results are a clear indication that recent gains are not the product of a ‘dead-cat bounce’.
“Recent clearance rates and sale prices in Sydney and Melbourne are tentative but positive.”
“Potential first time buyers may not be buying at the bottom of the market, but there is still plenty of value to be had with home loans at record lows,” Cooke said.
</div>
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Finder experts favour property investment in Melbourne and Brisbane over Sydney

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Just two months ago <a href="/news/cedar-woods-lloyd-collins-explains-the-success-of-wyndhams-williams-landing">Urban.com.au reported on the success of Williams Landing’s office building sales</a> – today, we’re taking a look at its booming residential property market.

The mixed-use precinct by <a href="/developers/cedar-woods">Cedar Woods</a> has shown exponential growth across a three-year period with the average property price tipping over $400,000, an increase of 15.4% over three years – which is a substantial return for those who have bought in the early stages of development.

Cedar Woods has approached the project with an emphasis on building quality, sustainable developments with a strong sense of community – which could be one of the key drawcards for buyer investment.

Williams Landing’s recently completed development <a href="/buildings/lancaster-apartments-30-clarke-street-williams-landing">Lancaster Apartments</a>, <a href="/news/williams-landings-third-apartment-building-lancaster-sells-out">sold out in just six months</a>, following two prior sold-out developments – <a href="/buildings/newton-apartments-1-clark-street-williams-landing">Newton</a> and <a href="/buildings/oxford-apartments-2-clark-street-williams-landing">Oxford</a> apartments. All residential developments have been designed by award-winning <a href="/architects/dko-architecture">DKO Architecture</a> and have been primarily popular among first-home-buyers (28%) and investors (58%) due to the affordability of apartments. 

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/v01_ext_hero_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Lancaster Apartments exterior. Credit: Cedar Woods"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="540" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/v01_ext_hero_0.jpg?itok=XLCu9HO8" title="Lancaster Apartments exterior. Credit: Cedar Woods" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Lancaster Apartments exterior. Credit: Cedar Woods</figcaption></figure><figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/newton_secondary-image-2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Newton Apartments exterior. Credit: Cedar Woods"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/newton_secondary-image-2.jpg?itok=7RoWwoms" title="Newton Apartments exterior. Credit: Cedar Woods" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Newton Apartments exterior. Credit: Cedar Woods</figcaption></figure><figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/oxford-secondary-image-5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Oxford Apartments exterior. Credit: Cedar Woods"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="388" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/oxford-secondary-image-5.jpg?itok=FSPtb00P" title="Oxford Apartments exterior. Credit: Cedar Woods" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Oxford Apartments exterior. Credit: Cedar Woods</figcaption></figure><h2>CASE STUDY</h2>

Ela Caglayan, a 23-year-old buyer’s assistant at Target Australia, recently purchased an apartment at Lancaster as a first home buyer, following the establishment of the new Target Australia headquarters within the Williams Landing precinct.

<blockquote>
“I’ve always wanted to live in an apartment. Once Target relocated from Geelong to Williams Landing, I saw the opportunity to finally invest in my first property, which not only suited my lifestyle but was also affordable and allowed me to take advantage of the first homeowners grant.”
</blockquote>

Ela commented that the upward value trend was a major drawcard when making the decision to purchase an apartment,

<blockquote>
“…I also saw strong growth prospects for Williams Landing – the investment was too good to pass on. I’m looking forward to watching the suburb develop.”
</blockquote>

<h2>LOW RENTAL VACANCIES = A GOOD SIGN FOR INVESTORS</h2>

The demand for apartment living has even extended beyond Melbourne’s city and fringe suburbs, with Williams landing maintaining a significantly low rental vacancy rate among investment properties. According to Urbis, apartment rentals have seen a 5.4% increase in the past year.

<blockquote>
“Rental demand is, of course, one of the key indicators of the financial health of investment properties, so we are pleased to see that newly completed apartments are achieving low rental vacancies.”
</blockquote>

Lloyd Collins, Cedar Woods’ state manager

Urbis also reported that investors could achieve a rental yield of 5.2% in the City of Wyndham, which is significantly higher than the Greater Melbourne median which is currently sitting at 4.1%.

<h2>TO KEEP ON YOUR RADAR</h2>

Cedar Woods has previously commented that it has been their mission to deliver high-quality homes at affordable prices within the Williams Landing community, without compromising quality – which could be why each development has managed to sell out at record speed. In April this year, <a href="/news/cedar-woods-announces-new-apartments-for-williams-landing">we announced the precinct's fourth residential development</a>, Lincoln Apartments which are on sale now. 

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/180829-lincoln_cgi01_exterior-hero_final-jpeg.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Lincoln Apartments exterior. Credit: Cedar Woods"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/180829-lincoln_cgi01_exterior-hero_final-jpeg.jpg?itok=1AX0or1Z" title="Lincoln Apartments exterior. Credit: Cedar Woods" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Lincoln Apartments exterior. Credit: Cedar Woods</figcaption></figure><figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/1_12.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Lincoln Apartments terrace. Credit: Cedar Woods"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/1_12.jpg?itok=XDJ2EZaK" title="Lincoln Apartments terrace. Credit: Cedar Woods" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Lincoln Apartments terrace. Credit: Cedar Woods</figcaption></figure><figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-09-03_at_4.08.41_pm.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Lincoln Apartments floor plan, one bedroom, one bathroom. Credit: Cedar Woods"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="589" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-09-03_at_4.08.41_pm.png?itok=ckVvtE-5" title="Lincoln Apartments floor plan, one bedroom, one bathroom. Credit: Cedar Woods" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Lincoln Apartments floor plan, one bedroom, one bathroom. Credit: Cedar Woods</figcaption></figure><figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-09-03_at_4.08.50_pm.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Lincoln Apartments floor plan, two bedroom, one bathroom. Credit: Cedar Woods"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="496" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-09-03_at_4.08.50_pm.png?itok=3mzz5tbI" title="Lincoln Apartments floor plan, two bedroom, one bathroom. Credit: Cedar Woods" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Lincoln Apartments floor plan, two bedroom, one bathroom. Credit: Cedar Woods</figcaption></figure><figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-09-03_at_4.08.55_pm.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Lincoln Apartments floor plan, two bedroom, two bathroom. Credit: Cedar Woods"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="458" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-09-03_at_4.08.55_pm.png?itok=AcCRozTx" title="Lincoln Apartments floor plan, two bedroom, two bathroom. Credit: Cedar Woods" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Lincoln Apartments floor plan, two bedroom, two bathroom. Credit: Cedar Woods</figcaption></figure><h2>WILLIAMS LANDING STATUS UPDATE</h2>

Residential

<ul>
<li>
<a href="/buildings/lancaster-apartments-30-clarke-street-williams-landing">Lancaster Apartments</a> (complete)</li>
	<li>Lincoln Apartments (in progress)</li>
	<li>
<a href="/buildings/newton-apartments-1-clark-street-williams-landing">Newton Apartments</a> (complete)</li>
	<li>
<a href="/buildings/oxford-apartments-2-clark-street-williams-landing">Oxford Apartments</a> (complete)</li>
</ul>
Commercial

<ul>
<li>1 Kendall Street (in progress)</li>
	<li>
<a href="/developments/williams-landing-vic-3027">101 Overton Road</a> (in progress)</li>
	<li>
<a href="/developments/williams-landing-vic-3027">107 Overton Road</a> (in progress)</li>
	<li>
<a href="/news/cedar-woods-first-strata-office-at-williams-landing-sells-out">111 Overton Road</a> (complete)</li>
	<li>
<a href="/developments/williams-landing-vic-3027">95 Overton Road</a> (in progress)</li>
	<li>Target Australia Headquarters (complete)</li>
	<li>Williams Landing Shopping Centre (in progress)</li>
	<li>Williams Landing Town Centre (in progress)</li>
</ul>
Lead image: Lancaster exterior, supplied by Cedar Woods
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Olivia Round

Solid growth in Melbourne’s west: Williams Landing property values continue to rise 

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The Woollahra apartment of the late former NSW ­Liberal leader, Peter ­Coleman, failed to sell at its midweek auction.
The Edgecliff Road apartment now comes with a $1,595,000 asking price through Raine and Horne Double Bay agent Martin Maskin.
The three-bedroom apartment in the 1920s Claverton complex last ­traded in 1984 for $145,000 when Coleman and his late wife Verna moved from their Queen Street, ­Woollahra rental.
At the time, Coleman was the federal member for the local Wentworth electorate, which he held between 1981 and 1987.
Following the resignation of the ever-sprightly Bob ­Ellicott, Coleman had won the Liberal Party preselection in 1981 when Malcolm Turnbull was runner-up.
The Coleman family had previously resided on Norfolk Island where he served as administrator ­following his appointment by Ellicott, the then ­federal minister for home affairs.
For 10 years from 1968 he was a member of the state parliament, elected the Liberal member for ­Fuller, a marginal seat ­taking in North Ryde, ­Gladesville and Hunter’s Hill where he resided.
In 1977, Coleman was elected as the leader of the NSW Liberal Party, but lost his seat to Rodney Cavalier in the election, later termed the “Wranslide”.
Coleman, who died in March at the age of 90, was a widely acclaimed journalist for more than 60 years, including stints as editor of The Bulletin (1964-1967) and of Quadrant, on and off over 23 years.
He published 16 books on political, biographical and cultural subjects.
He’d always invite me to Woollahra Library’s annual poets’ picnic.
The priciest sale in the Claverton complex, which also fronts Roslyndale Avenue, was $2.1 million last year.
This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph. 
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firstname1-iYD4UYzvBa

Late Liberal leader Peter Coleman's Woollahra apartment fails to sell

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The Pymble home of the late World War II Spitfire pilot Lysle Roberts, who headed jeweller Fairfax and Roberts but called himself a salesman, has been listed for sale following his death last year.
Sunnydale Cottage, the 1928 colonial Georgian Revival-style residence on 1275 square metres on Mocatta Avenue, was bought in 1950 for £9000.
The four bedroom home has $2.5 million hopes for its September 28 auction.
There are $8 million hopes for his longtime Palm Beach weekender.
The Iluka Road property was rebuilt in the ’70s and comes with a passageway to the beach.
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.
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Pymble home of WWII Spitfire pilot Lysle Roberts listed

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KYKO Group managing ­director Mary Wong-Jenkings has secured the $5,165,000 sale of her unit in the Renzo Piano-designed Macquarie Apartments.
Her Macquarie Street, Sydney apartment had been listed with $4.6 million hopes.
She paid $3.75 million for the three-bedroom, 198 square metres unit in the complex overlooking the Botanic Garden in 2016.
Sydney Sotheby’s agents Harriet France and Tony ­Barron had the listing.
The auction saw just the two bidders once bidding went beyond $4.8 million.
With its distinctive terracotta panels and glass louvres, the Italian designer’s Macquarie Apartments won the Australian Institute of Architects’ Wilkinson Award for ­residential housing in 2004.
His most notable buildings include the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris (with ­Richard Rogers), The Shard in London, and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City.
Wong-Jenkings has bought a five-bedroom home at ­Watsons Bay for more than $4.5 million.
Its views take in the top of the Harbour Bridge.
Last year Wong-Jenkings sold The Drawing Rooms of Berry in Woodhill for $3.8 million.
This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph. 
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Mary Wong-Jenkings sells Sydney apartment for $5,165,000 

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An Esperance property in Western Australia complete with a full size replica of the Stonehenge, one of the wonders of the world in England, has been listed for sale.
The 87 hectares, which is utilised as a tourist destination that sees 16,000 visitors annually, also comes with a gift shop.
Paul Thomason of Landmark Harcourts WA <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/%20%20%20%20%20%20https:/www.realestate.com.au/property-lifestyle-wa-bandy+creek-700047066%20%20%20" target="_blank">is asking for offers</a> over $2.1 million. 
It was finished in 2011 by semi-retired farmers Kim and Jillian Beale.
An award-winning residence is set on the farm that has carried around 400 breeder cattle, with large shed and cattle yards. 
The monument used 1,200 cubic metres of Desert Brown granite in the 137 granite standing stones.
The largest stones are 7 metres high and weigh around 58 tons.
There are reportedly 66 replicas across the world of the original Stonehenge located on Salisbury Plain, England which draws more than a million visitors annually in England.
This article was first published in the Weekend Australian.  
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Esperance property with Stonehenge replica listed

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AMP Capital boss Adam Tindall and wife Julie-Anne are selling their long-time Mona Vale home as they relocate locally.
The couple were lucky to not sell the home in 2013 when they were seeking offers over $2.5 million.
Following the boom, and mild dip, they are now seeking $3.95 million for the home.
They paid $815,000 in 2000 with an extension since then taking the property to six bedrooms.
It sits on 1355 square metres landscaped grounds that feature a 10-metre solar-heated swimming pool.
LJ Hooker Mona Vale agent Kylie Segedin has the listing.
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph. 
 
<div> </div>
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AMP Capital boss lists Mona Vale home

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Written By Julia Frecker

With Melbourne’s projected population growth of an additional 4 million people by 2051 (<a href="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/hdp.au.prod.app.vic-engage.files/6915/6463/0112/BetterApartmentsInNeighbourhoods_DiscussionPaper_-_Public_Consultation_Release_1.8.19.pdf">DEWLP</a>), we are faced with the complex equation of an ever-increasing number of people within a constant amount of urban area. This leads to the inevitable outcome of stacking people on top of each other to conserve our rapidly depleting liveable space.

In a reaction to the unfortunate association of apartment dwellings with a lower standard of living, the <a href="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/hdp.au.prod.app.vic-engage.files/6915/6463/0112/BetterApartmentsInNeighbourhoods_DiscussionPaper_-_Public_Consultation_Release_1.8.19.pdf">Better Apartment Design Standards (BADS)</a> were introduced in 2016 by the Department of Environment, Water, Land and Planning (DEWLP), with an inclusion into the planning scheme in the form Clause 58 for <a href="/new-apartments">Apartment Developments</a> in early 2017. 

It forced developers and architects to focus heavily on better layouts, access to daylight, windows and ventilation amongst other things. It worked to redefine the well-worn narrative of the shoebox apartment that is cramped, dark and stuffy.  

Out of regulation was born resolution and grew respect for apartment living. It was a collective realisation that if you are spending most of your life in a dwelling, you should feel that it is not just liveable but an enjoyable space too.  

Whilst bringing change for more liveable multi-dwelling developments, the inclusion of <a href="/news/5-of-australias-top-apartment-gardens">greenery and open space</a> into the standards always felt like an afterthought. The communal space objective aimed to provide open areas for the residents of the apartment.

The standard is:

Developments with 40 or more dwellings should provide a minimum area of communal open space of 2.5 square metres per dwelling or 250 square metres, whichever is lesser.

However, there is no strong enforcement for the provision of greenery within these standards. 

The standards for Landscaping in the BADS only aims to “maximise landscape opportunities.” For most apartment developments, a communal open space usually means an easy to maintain, mostly concrete communal area. In this case, the potential for maximum landscaping is minimal. 

The requirements for this standard are that an apartment proposal should “consider landscaping opportunities.” In terms of a guideline, this is not a strong enough incentive or enforcement to get people to creatively think about that communal open space. There is no enforcement or encouragement for developers, architects and the like to truly aim to maximise the access to greenery and landscaping in a way that would create lush communal areas. Or create areas that have a tangible impact on urban heat island and increase permeable surfaces. 

The most critical breakdown of the BADS and the plight for access to greenery and open space is that the standards for a minimum area of communal open space only apply to developments with 40 or more dwellings. Meaning that apartment proposals providing anything below this are not required to provide any communal open space. Developments that aren’t considered intense enough to trigger the provision of open space can, therefore, get away with not providing any green escape for those apartment residents. 

Apartments have historically been situated in inner-city areas with higher height limits, but in this new era, apartments are common everywhere from <a href="/new-apartments/epping-vic-3076">Epping</a> to <a href="/new-apartments/bonbeach-vic-3196">Bonbeach</a>, <a href="/new-apartments/ringwood-vic-3134">Ringwood</a> and beyond. More and more people are opting, or indeed, needing to live in apartments, in a more diverse range of locations. Therefore, the standards need to keep up with the urban changing fabric.

The diversity of apartment locations<a href="/new-apartments/vic"> around Victoria</a>, and the Better Apartment Design Standards shortfalls have necessitated a follow-up paper in the form of the <a href="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/hdp.au.prod.app.vic-engage.files/6915/6463/0112/BetterApartmentsInNeighbourhoods_DiscussionPaper_-_Public_Consultation_Release_1.8.19.pdf">Better Apartments in Neighbourhoods Discussion</a> paper by DEWLP.  The paper is currently open for public consultation <a href="https://engage.vic.gov.au/building-better-apartments-in-neighbourhoods">here</a> with submissions welcome till 27 September 2019.

It addresses the key issues associated with Green Space and the Better Apartment Design standards of 2016, these include:

<ul>
<li>
	Despite the current planning rules, landscaping is often an afterthought in the building design and planning process. Canopy trees, which improve people’s well-being and provide urban cooling, are often either too small or not provided at all. 
	</li>
	<li>
	Developments of 40 dwellings or fewer will often not have communal open space which means that residents may not have access to a garden. 
	</li>
	<li>
	Some apartment buildings at street-level do not contribute to green streetscapes.
	</li>
</ul>
(DEWLP 2019)

It is cheering to see the proposed changes as a direct reaction to the dubious attempt at the inclusion of green space in the 2016 BADS.  

The question is if the new standards were to be introduced, could they ever strive to meet the success of the Minimum Garden Area Requirement for the inclusion of greenery and<a href="/news/5-new-sustainable-apartment-developments-in-australia-2019"> garden area in new developments</a>?

The <a href="https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/127114/PPN84-Applying-the-minimum-garden-area-requirement.pdf">Minimum Garden Area Requirement (Practice Planning Note 84)</a> has been the most effective planning practice for enforcing the provision of garden area. Although often causing developers and homeowners alike to tear their hair out, it has been critical in protecting the leafy green character of the General Residential and Neighbourhood Residential zones. The Planning Note is enforced, making it planning practice and creates a strong, fixed standard that ensures the garden area is retained and protected. The stronger wording of the practice note itself, “The minimum garden area requirement is a mandatory requirement that must be met and cannot be reduced,” is successful in conveying the necessity of the provision. Concurrently with Clause 54 and 55 Rescode standards, the Minimum Garden Area Requirements has been undeniably effective in retaining the character, and general enjoyment of urban streets and dwellings. 

The introduction of the Better Apartments in Neighbourhoods discussion paper, with proposed changes to the BADS, is coming at a perfect time. The language involved in the discussion paper is already noticeably more strongly worded.

For landscaping amongst the proposed standards it reads that;

(2.4)“Canopy trees should be provided at the number specified in column 2 of Table D2” 

It focuses on boosting the provision of deeper soil trees with larger canopy potential. This means communal areas and private areas would be more enjoyable. This ensures that the landscaping being provided isn’t just low-level; swallow plants and trees that don’t provide shade or lushness. The provision of a few small trees does not feel conducive to the holistic living experience that is yearned for with apartment living.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/proposed_standards_for_deep_soil_areas_and_canopy_tree_requirements_-_delwp-min.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Proposed standards for deep soil areas and canopy tree requirements – DELWP"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="633" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/proposed_standards_for_deep_soil_areas_and_canopy_tree_requirements_-_delwp-min.png?itok=evqp7KhT" title="Proposed standards for deep soil areas and canopy tree requirements – DELWP" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Proposed standards for deep soil areas and canopy tree requirements – <a href="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/hdp.au.prod.app.vic-engage.files/6915/6463/0112/BetterApartmentsInNeighbourhoods_DiscussionPaper_-_Public_Consultation_Release_1.8.19.pdf">DELWP</a></figcaption></figure>It could be worded more strongly with ‘must’ rather than ‘should’ however, it shows that these <a href="/news/future-focus-australian-institute-of-landscape-architects-call-for-new-living-infrastructure-strategy">new standards the provision greenery</a> has been more closely considered. It will hopefully put the provision of greenery to the forefront of apartment developments, rather than the afterthought it was becoming. 

Furthermore, in regards to the provision of communal space involves changes to the open space standards to include all apartment developments. As a result, the less than 40 dwellings slipknot has been removed. The discussion paper is proposing that:

(2.5) “Developments with 10 dwellings or less should provide a minimum area of communal open space of 25 square metres. Developments with 11 or more should provide a minimum area of communal open space of 2.5 square metres per dwelling or 250 square metres, whichever is the lesser”

This means that apartments developments of any space can be awarded the luxury of communal open space, regardless of size and intensity. Of course, the token greenery and open space in apartments will never compare to the leafy character of neighbourhood gardens associated with the Minimum Garden Area Requirement. However, as a trade-off for the amenity of inner city living, access to greenery that is intertwined into the urban living experience should be prioritised. The policy should reflect this in a way that both encourages and champions its inclusion.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/vertical_forest_lines_the_side_of_apartment_building_bosco_verticale_milan.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Vertical forest lines the side of apartment building: Bosco Verticale, Milan – Photo by Stefano Boeri Architetti"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="306" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/vertical_forest_lines_the_side_of_apartment_building_bosco_verticale_milan.jpg?itok=2JXLaJQf" title="Vertical forest lines the side of apartment building: Bosco Verticale, Milan – Photo by Stefano Boeri Architetti" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Vertical forest lines the side of apartment building: Bosco Verticale, Milan – Photo by Stefano Boeri Architetti</figcaption></figure>The future holds an ever-increasing need for apartment living and often the lack of access to greenery can be a deterring factor. In reality, it has the potential to take the forefront as a feature to promote a new development and peak people’s interests. The <a href="/news/exploring-the-merits-of-a-vertical-forest-has-it-a-lasting-place-in-melbourne">Bosco Verticale</a> development by Stefano Boeri Architetti in Milan instantly rose to prominence due to its green façade and vertical canopy planting. Closer to home, <a href="/news/the-commons-ceo-cliff-ho-discusses-the-differences-between-co-working-spaces-vs-traditional-offices">The Commons</a> and the <a href="/developments/brunswick-vic-3056">Breese Street</a> developments have championed greenery as a way to marketing to the public.

The proposed changes to the Better Apartment Design Standards are critical for better prioritising and applying greenery, landscaping and communal open space to apartment developments. The benefits of access to greenery for physical health, mental health and for offsetting urban heat absorption and the reduction of impermeable surfaces are well known and well researched. Greenery is critical for the development of urban areas, making them more enjoyable to be in, and in maintaining <a href="/news/is-australia-ready-for-smaller-footprint-apartment-living">people’s desire to live in apartments</a>. It’s a necessity for the future and as the urban fabric changes around us, the policies in place must help us protect and promote such critical greenery.
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urban.com.au

The Good, the BADS and the Green in Future Apartment Living

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Developers <a href="/developers/beulah">Beulah International</a> are constantly pushing the boundaries to deliver refreshing developments to the Australian market – however, their latest development has really caught out attention. <a href="/buildings/890-toorak-road-camberwell">Provenance Camberwell</a> is a boutique collection of ten house-sized residences, situated within the epicentre of Camberwell, in Melbourne’s east. The development is segmented into three residential offerings, with Botanic apartments on level one, Epicure apartments across the middle floor, and Domain apartments on the upper level.

<h2>SPOTLIGHT ON BOTANIC APARTMENTS</h2>

Being situated on the ground floor, means Botanic apartment residents have access to their own private gardens which have been thoughtfully designed by renowned landscape architecture firm Openwork. The focus of the gardens aims to pay homage to the suburb’s leafy streets, while also nurturing a thriving ecosystem, with Openwork’s carefully considered plant selection consisting of high-nectar producing plants to attract birdlife.

Openwork founder Mark Jacques commented that the gardens of Provenance have been designed “as a love letter to the native birds of Melbourne”.

<blockquote>
“The landscape architecture will create a rambunctious native garden and a moment of green dissonance in the urban environment has been specifically designed to express a textural and verdant type of native garden; with the particular ambition of attracting honey and nectar-eating bird life.”
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-09-03_at_9.09.38_am.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Botanic apartment gardens. Credit: Beulah International"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="448" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-09-03_at_9.09.38_am.png?itok=SqigcKgN" title="Botanic apartment gardens. Credit: Beulah International" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Botanic apartment gardens. Credit: Beulah International</figcaption></figure><figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-09-03_at_9.08.59_am.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Botanic apartment's open-plan interiors. Credit: Beulah International"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="275" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-09-03_at_9.08.59_am.png?itok=U3YC2j59" title="Botanic apartment's open-plan interiors. Credit: Beulah International" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Botanic apartment's open-plan interiors. Credit: Beulah International</figcaption></figure>All four Botanic homes, designed by architecture firm <a href="/architects/fraser-partners-0">Elenberg Fraser</a>, feature timeless, open-plan living areas and a seamless connection to the outdoors, provided by large stacker-slider doors. Each meticulously landscaped garden will contain mature trees, vibrant guinea flowers, sprawling variegated spur flowers and bountiful ‘happy wanderers’, creating luscious sanctuaries, and a respite from urban city living.

<blockquote>
“The gardens will supercharge the character of the building by seeing both the ground plane and balconies as a single and immersive landscape, populated with plants that contribute to local biodiversity by radically increasing the biomass and diversity of the site.”
</blockquote>

Mark Jacques, Openwork Landscape Architects

Beulah International Director Adelene Teh explained that the goal for Provenance was to create spaces where there would be no trade-off on space, comfort or security.

<blockquote>
“Each of the four residences is enveloped in its own sanctuary. It blurs the lines between indoors and outdoors, with floor to ceiling windows, and a courtyard that is ripe with greenery. The space is perfect for those who love to entertain outdoors all year round.”
</blockquote>

Images supplied by Beulah International.

<div class="rtecenter">READ MORE:</div>

<div class="rtecenter"><a href="/news/beulah-international-executive-director-adelene-teh-discusses-the-grounds-of-kew-development">Beulah International Executive Director Adelene Teh discusses The Grounds of Kew development</a></div>

<div class="rtecenter"><a href="/news/beulah-international-submits-planning-application-for-southbank-by-beulah">Beulah International submits planning application for Southbank by Beulah</a></div>
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A bird’s paradise: Beulah International collaborate with Openwork Landscape Architects to cultivate a series of ecological gardens

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EXPERT OBSERVER
As expected, the Reserve Bank Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 1.0% at today’s meeting.
The all-important final paragraph is slightly changed from the previous August decision statement and the minutes of the August meeting (“The board will continue to monitor developments, including in the labour market, and ease monetary policy further if needed to support sustainable growth in the economy and the achievement of the inflation target over time”).
Given that Westpac is expecting the Board to cut rates by a further 25bps at the next meeting in October, we would have liked to have seen the term “if needed” excluded from the decision statement. As discussed in our preview to today’s decision, the term “if needed” could be interpreted as requiring more time than one month to decide on the next cut. However (realistically) the Board should not lock itself into a specific strategy one month out from the next meeting. By maintaining the “if needed” qualification, it provides itself with flexibility.
General commentary in the decision statement is very similar to the August decision statement. The most important changes are to be somewhat guarded on housing markets, “further signs of a turnaround in established housing markets”, but to also point out that construction activity has weakened.
There is also less apparent confidence in the growth and unemployment forecasts. The 2½ per cent forecast for GDP growth in 2019, which was explicitly noted in August, was not mentioned, although the expected return to trend growth “over the next couple of years” is noted. In August, the Governor’s decision statement specifically referred to the unemployment rate edging back to 5% “over the following couple of years”. That forecast was also not repeated in today’s decision statement.
Other themes that are consistent with the August statement are: risks are tilted to the downside for the global economy; “further monetary easing is widely expected” for a number of central banks; “Australian dollar is at its lowest level of recent times” (USD 0.6770 in August, down to USD 0.6700 in September); main source of domestic uncertainty remains the outlook for consumption; a further gradual lift in wages growth would be a welcome development; and “inflation pressures likely to remain subdued for some time yet” (new description).
Conclusion
With less confidence around the economic forecasts and recognition about the weakening activity in the residential construction sector, this decision statement is marginally more downbeat than the statement in August.
With the emphasis consistently on the labour market in both statements, the monthly employment reports remain important. However, other factors are also key to the October decision.
Firstly, it is likely that tomorrow’s GDP report for the June quarter will show the economy had less momentum than had been expected by the RBA at the time of the August meeting (detailed forecasts imply a GDP growth rate of 0.8% was expected for the June quarter). And while the Governor backs away from the 2½ per cent growth forecast for 2019, there still appears to be a heavy dose of optimism around the general growth outlook. If Westpac’s forecast for GDP growth in the June quarter of 0.5% proves to be correct, then the RBA is likely to need to revise down its growth forecast of 2½ per cent for 2019 and reasonably review the 2¾ per cent forecast for 2020
Secondly, it is clear that the RBA values the weakening of the AUD. We expect that by the time of the October meeting, the US Federal Reserve will have further cut the federal funds rate, and, in turn, lessening the impact on the AUD of recent rate cuts by the RBA, clearly signalling the need for further action.
Thirdly, a cut in October leaves options open for a further cut in December should conditions, particularly in global markets, point to the need for even lower rates. Leaving the next move to November reduces the RBA’s flexibility, given that a cut in December would represent back-to-back moves. As measured by the Westpac-MI Consumer Sentiment index, the back-to-back moves in June and July unnecessarily unnerved households.
All these arguments, on balance, point to another cut in October being the best way for the RBA to stay ahead of the curve and provide further downward pressure on the AUD.
BILL EVANS is the Chief Economist for Westpac 
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