ASX-listed developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/stockland">Stockland</a>&nbsp;is continuing its push back into the new apartment market, filing plans for a prominent gateway site between Collingwood and East Melbourne.

The development giant, which moved back into the new apartment space when it announced Stanton Place in Sydney's Rosebery and have since filed plans for a 50-storey tower, are jumping into the off the plan Melbourne market.

They are hoping to create a mixed-use neighbourhood precinct for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/79-81-victoria-parade-collingwood-vic-3066">79-81 Victoria Parade</a>, replacing an existing commercial building with a scheme by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/john-wardle-architects">Wardle</a>&nbsp;for 478 apartments,&nbsp;ground-floor retail, new public open spaces and a publicly accessible pedestrian laneway.

<img alt="First look: Stockland plans new mixed-use neighbourhood precinct for Collingwood gateway site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="72dbbca9-3918-4073-afad-a0c0c35be8e7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/stockland%20pers.png?VersionId=bzMVUKKxvwuNK1m0v_td126Rgct32uk_" />

The design report identifies the public realm as a central driver of the proposal.

"Collingwood has limited access to high-quality parks and public open space, and the proposal delivers valuable new areas for respite, social interaction and fine-grain retail activity."

The development would deliver a diverse mix of housing, including studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments alongside townhouse-style residences. Two basement levels are proposed beneath the development, providing resident and retail parking as well as extensive bicycle facilities.

Wardle's design draws heavily on Collingwood's industrial character, using articulated building forms, brickwork and robust materials inspired by the suburb's warehouse and manufacturing heritage. The built form has been broken into a series of smaller volumes to better respond to the surrounding streetscape while extensive communal gardens, rooftop amenities and shared resident spaces are integrated throughout the project.

<img alt="First look: Stockland plans new mixed-use neighbourhood precinct for Collingwood gateway site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7b2135ed-65df-4253-ad53-f216f06bd467" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/stockland%20podium.png?VersionId=l1B6Hqn8zs772VxH6L1fDPg0KHshan9v" />

The planning documents describe the existing office building as offering little engagement with the public realm, with the redevelopment intended to create a more permeable and active neighbourhood destination.

"The proposed scheme presents a significant opportunity to deliver a vibrant retail plaza and a local neighbourhood hub serving both existing and future Collingwood residents."

The 79–81 Victoria Parade site occupies a strategic location about 1.5 kilometres east of Melbourne's CBD, at the threshold between Collingwood and East Melbourne. It is well served by tram services along Victoria Parade and sits within walking distance of St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy Gardens, the Fitzroy activity centre and a broad range of employment, retail and hospitality destinations.

Joel Robinson

Stockland plans new mixed-use neighbourhood precinct for Collingwood gateway site

An 1880s timber cottage that has survived Kangaroo Point's transformation from riverside suburb to high-density apartment precinct is set to become the centrepiece of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/zephyr">Zephyr Group</a>'s proposed Banksia development.

Rather than see the locally heritage-listed Alpha Cottage as an obstacle to navigate, plans integrate the landmark home into a new 18-storey residential tower, giving one of the suburb's oldest surviving residences a new role as the project's communal hub.

The development application covers a 1,177 sqm amalgamated site at 127-133 Lambert Street and 30 Shafston Avenue, where Zephyr Group plans to deliver 64 apartments above three basement levels. Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/joe-adsett-architects">Joe Adsett Architects</a>, the proposal carefully weaves the retained heritage cottage into a contemporary residential scheme, with the tower elevated above the historic building to preserve its presence within the Lambert Street streetscape.

<img alt="First look: Zephyr Group's Banksia to wrap new Kangaroo Point tower around 1880s Alpha Cottage" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f9dc5bdb-d691-4c60-bf2b-c3ed405a3e75" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Banksia.png?VersionId=Jh4bjlewU.o8HXWt0V4KaFA_lPcF7KWM" />

Named after the native Australian Banksia flower, the project draws inspiration from its distinctive form through curved balconies, sculpted planter boxes and cascading subtropical landscaping that soften the building's profile.

As the design report explains: "The tower's identity is defined by its feature facade, drawing direct inspiration from the Banksia wildflower. The building departs from traditional rigidity through the use of elegant, GRC-moulded planter boxes that appear as if shaped by the breeze."

Plans propose 64 apartments, comprising 32 two-bedroom and 32 three-bedroom residences, across an 18-storey tower. Residents would have access to rooftop amenities including a swimming pool, spa, gym, sauna, private cinema, dining spaces and landscaped recreation areas, while more than half the site is dedicated to planting and open space.

<img alt="First look: Zephyr Group's Banksia to wrap new Kangaroo Point tower around 1880s Alpha Cottage" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="16041b5f-033e-47fa-8fbe-9886e072c1f2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pool.png?VersionId=kpx5w4EbLx0_TdWfDoD1vrSs0_cZ5Ao1" />

The heritage component is the defining feature of the proposal. Constructed in the early 1880s and occupied from at least 1883, Alpha Cottage is recognised by Brisbane City Council as an important surviving example of Kangaroo Point's nineteenth-century residential development and as a representative transverse-gable timber cottage. Despite extensive redevelopment across the peninsula, the building has retained a high degree of its original form and internal fabric.

As part of the redevelopment, the cottage will be carefully relocated a short distance within its original allotment to facilitate construction before being returned to a prominent position along Lambert Street. Original verandah elements will be dismantled, catalogued and reinstated, while significant internal features, including timber flooring, wall linings, joinery, doors, windows and hardware, will be retained. Later additions, including the enclosed rear verandah, will be removed to better reveal the building's original form.

Once restored, Alpha Cottage will accommodate the building manager's office, mail room and parcel facilities, providing an active everyday use that supports its long-term conservation rather than preserving it as a static display. The heritage strategy also maintains landscaped space around the building, allowing it to remain visually distinct beneath the new tower.

<img alt="First look: Zephyr Group's Banksia to wrap new Kangaroo Point tower around 1880s Alpha Cottage" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="43b027e1-576e-4624-a66c-7cc54ea8b7be" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/banksia%20tower.png?VersionId=2W6E2yfkj2AQlWlLeV986grA5zB9f817" />

The Heritage Impact Assessment concludes that "the proposal secures the ongoing occupation, maintenance and conservation of Alpha Cottage," finding the development would result in "no more than a minor impact on the cultural heritage significance" of the building while ensuring its long-term future.

Joe Adsett Architects have designed the tower to sit above the heritage building rather than overwhelm it, creating a clear visual separation between old and new. The development's flowing balconies, integrated planting and organic façade respond to Brisbane's subtropical climate while complementing the restored cottage below.

Banksia occupies a prominent corner in Kangaroo Point within walking distance of the Kangaroo Point Bridge, Brisbane River, ferry services, QUT, the CBD and the Woolloongabba precinct. The site also benefits from direct access to active transport infrastructure and sits within an area earmarked for continued higher-density residential growth.

Zephyr Group's Banksia to wrap new Kangaroo Point tower around 1880s Alpha Cottage

Buying into a masterplanned community often means committing to a vision still years from taking shape. At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a>, that vision is already visible.

Residents have moved into the completed first stage, landscaped spaces are established, and the next chapter is now underway. Stage 1 has been completed and settled, with Stage 2 now selling off-the-plan.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/pbd-architects">PBD Architects</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> combines attainable apartment living with sustainability initiatives rarely seen at this price point, including rooftop solar, battery storage and a resident EV-sharing program.

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Located on Schofi​elds Road, just moments from Tal​lawong Metro Station and Schof​ields Train Station, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> has been designed to appeal to a broad mix of buyers, from first-home purchasers looking for a foothold in Sy​dney's property market to downsizers seeking a connected, low-maintenance lifestyle.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> has been conceived as a thoughtfully planned masterplanned community that will evolve over multiple stages, with buyers now able to secure one, two and three-bedroom apartments within a neighbourhood that is already beginning to establish its identity.

One of the project's defining features is its focus on sustainability. Solar energy systems, battery storage and future EV charging infrastructure have been incorporated throughout the development, reflecting a long-term approach to both environmental performance and everyday convenience.

Sustainability sits at the centre of the development's vision, with solar energy systems, battery storage and future EV charging infrastructure integrated throughout the community.

That emphasis on future-ready living extends beyond the technology. Landscaped communal gardens, outdoor gathering spaces and plans for a future retail precinct aim to create a neighbourhood where residents can access daily conveniences without travelling far from home.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149637 project_image_fid=351027]

The apartments themselves have been designed with liveability front of mind. Rather than chasing maximum density, the focus has been placed on creating practical homes with generous natural light, usable layouts and strong connections to outdoor space.

Importantly, these design principles have been applied consistently across the one, two and three-bedroom apartment offerings.

The appeal of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> is also closely linked to its location within Syd​ney's rapidly evolving north-west growth corridor. Over the past decade, major infrastructure investment has transformed the area, with new transport links, business precincts and community facilities reshaping suburbs like Talla​wong and Schofiel​ds.

The agent says buyers are increasingly recognising the area's long-term potential.

"Typical buyers that we're finding across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> especially are your first-home buyers, your investors, your upsizers as well as your downsizers," Hawes says.

Connectivity remains one of the project's strongest drawcards. Residents have access to both Tallaw​ong Metro Station and Schofi​elds Train Station, providing links to the Sydn​ey CBD, Norw​est Business Park, Macquari​e Park and other major employment hubs. Retail centres including Rous​e Hill Town Centre and Sch​ofields Village are also nearby, alongside schools, parks and future healthcare infrastructure.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149637 project_image_fid=351031]

For Stage 1 resident Roji, it is the balance between convenience and comfort that has defined the experience of living at Kew.

"For me, it's a balance of quality and convenience," she says. "Everything I need is right here."

"If I wanted to catch the train, Scho​fields Station is just around the corner. Tallaw​ong Metro connects me to the city."

More importantly, she says, the development has delivered something that cannot be measured in floorplans or specifications.

"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> feels like home."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149637 project_image_fid=351024]

As Stage 2 enters the market, that lived experience may be one of the project's strongest selling points. Buyers are not purchasing into an untested concept or a future promise. They are joining a community that is already taking shape.

Ongoing investment in transport, retail, healthcare and public open space continues to strengthen the appeal of Syd​ney's north-west growth corridor, while <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a>'s established first stage provides buyers with a tangible sense of the community's future direction.

For a limited time, buyer can secure a new home at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> with just a $10,000.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149637]

Kew Tallawong: A growing community taking shape in Sydney's north-west

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/freecity">Freecity</a> has received development approval for its 51-storey mixed-use tower at 153-157 Walker Street, North Sydney, set to be one of the tallest mixed-use residential-led buildings in one of Sydney’s most sought-after commercial and residential addresses.

Lodged as a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) through the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) pathway and approved by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure following a comprehensive public exhibition and submissions process, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/153-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">the project</a> will deliver 296 apartments, alongside a 170-room, luxury hotel, activated retail and significant public domain improvements.

Situated just 200 metres from Victoria Cross Metro Station, on one of the largest developable sites in North Sydney, the development will rise to 234 metres, making it one of the tallest buildings in the suburb. With an end value of approximately $1.5 billion, the project responds directly to the NSW Government’s mandate to accelerate housing delivery in well-located, transit-connected areas.

<img alt="Freecity gets green light for mixed-use residential and hotel tower in North Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="192ec455-94bf-4e01-83ef-922b1b269d67" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Freecity%20-%20Walker%20Street%20North%20Sydney%201%20RESIZED%20.jpg?VersionId=Bzqp0SBHCDvLAHjA4QXkjuGoOEIh73Jl" />

The apartment mix will cater to a broad range of buyers, with 65 studio and one-bedroom apartments, 139 two-bedroom residences, 35 three-bedroom apartments, 48 four-bedroom homes, and nine penthouses. Residents will have access to a dedicated amenity level on Level 33, featuring a swimming pool with views towards the Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and North Sydney CBD, as well as a gym, library, shared kitchen, lounge and outdoor entertaining areas.

The hotel will occupy the lower six levels of the building and include meeting and function spaces, a wellness centre with gym, yoga studio, swimming pool and sauna, further strengthening North Sydney's growing hospitality offering.

At ground level, the development has been designed to improve pedestrian connections through the precinct. More than 700 sqm of retail space will activate the street frontage, while a landscaped through-site link connecting Walker Street, Little Walker Street and Doris Fitton Park will provide new public open space with seating, paving and extensive native landscaping.

Freecity Group Co-Founder and Joint CEO Tony Sun said the project represents one of the most significant development opportunities currently available in North Sydney.

"This is one of the most significant development sites in North Sydney and it comes at a pivotal moment for the precinct," Sun said.

"North Sydney is undergoing a genuine transformation, and this project will contribute housing the city urgently needs while creating a landmark destination."

Executive Director of Development Michael Romano said demand for both residential and hotel accommodation would continue to strengthen as the Metro precinct matures.

"The structural demand for high-quality housing and hotel accommodation in North Sydney is compelling, and will only grow as the precinct continues to evolve around the new Metro station," Romano said.

Architectus has designed the tower, orientating the apartments to maximise views towards Sydney Harbour while introducing a sculpted façade intended to respond to light, wind and the surrounding skyline.

Architectus Principal Marko Damic said the design sought to create a tower that contributes to the public realm as much as the skyline.

"We wanted to design a tower that doesn't just sit in the skyline but actively participates and contributes to city life," Damic said.

First look: Freecity gets green light for mixed-use apartment and hotel tower in North Sydney

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/abadeen">Abadeen</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/perifa">PERIFA</a> have celebrated the topping out of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf,</a> marking a significant milestone in the delivery of one of Syd​ney's most anticipated waterfront communities.

Located on Sydney's harbourfront at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/putney-nsw-2112">Putney</a>, the project has now reached its highest structural point, with construction progressing strongly towards completion in 2027. 
&nbsp; 
The milestone was celebrated on-site with project partners Phoenix Property Investors, Mitsubishi Estate Asia, Versatile Construction, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, consultants and stakeholders, to recognise the collective effort behind the transformation of the historic waterfront site into a vibrant new residential, marina and lifestyle destination.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=362240] 
&nbsp; 
<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> will deliver a mix of waterfront residences and terraces, complemented by a private 36-berth marina, waterfront dining opportunities and a revitalised foreshore designed to reconnect the community with the river's edge. 
&nbsp; 
Abadeen Executive Chairman and Founder Justin Brown said the project represented a rare opportunity to create the next chapter in Sydn​ey's long history of successful waterfront precincts. 
&nbsp; 
"Throughout Sydney, some of the city's most sought-after addresses have emerged from carefully considered waterfront precincts such as Woolloom​ooloo Wharf, Walsh Bay and Breakfast Point," Brown said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=362566] 
&nbsp; 
"What makes these places so successful is that they become much more than residential developments," Brown said.

"They bring together homes, hospitality, marina facilities, public spaces and a strong sense of community in locations where future supply is incredibly limited."

Brown has long described absolute waterfront land in Sy​dney as "finite."

"Once these opportunities are developed, they are rarely replicated. That's why Syd​ney's waterfront precincts have consistently demonstrated strong demand and long-term value growth over many decades. 
&nbsp; 
"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> is one of the few remaining opportunities to secure a residence within a masterplanned waterfront community that combines direct water access, marina ownership opportunities and a genuine village lifestyle just moments from the Sy​dney CBD."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=362564] 
&nbsp; 
PERIFA Founder and Managing Director Fabrizio Perilli said the project reflected a shared commitment to delivering exceptional places that create long-term value for residents and the broader community. 
&nbsp; 
"The topping out milestone is a significant achievement for the Versatile Group and a testament to the collaboration between all project partners, consultants and contractors involved," Perilli said. 
&nbsp; 
"Beyond the residences themselves, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> will establish a new waterfront destination that celebrates the history, character and lifestyle of this unique location while creating a lasting legacy for future generations."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=291195] 
&nbsp; 
Construction is being delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/versatile">Versatile Construction</a>, with structural works now substantially complete across the precinct. Attention will progressively shift to the construction of the waterview terraces, apartment façades, services and interior fit-out works over the coming months. 
&nbsp; 
With limited residences and marina berths remaining, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> continues to attract strong interest from owner occupiers and downsizers seeking a premium waterfront lifestyle within close proximity to Putne​y Village, Rh​odes, Top Ry​de and the Syd​ney CBD. 
&nbsp; 
As one of the last opportunities to secure a residence within a new masterplanned waterfront community on Sy​dney Harbour, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> is expected to remain a highly sought-after address for years to come.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=13962]

Abadeen, PERIFA, top out Putney Wharf harbourfront precinct

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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This one really offered the prospect of sand between the toes regularly over summer, but also bringing plenty of it inside the Newell Beach house.
<a href="https://www.homehound.com.au/11+olive+street+newell+qld+4873/" target="_blank">It sold for $965,000 a few months ago</a>. The four-bedroom Tony Driscoll-designed beach house is positioned to maximise the view and cool sea breezes.
Set on the edge of the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef, there's also the rainforest and mountains of the Daintree in the hinterland.
The casual beach house, which is absolute beachfront on secluded Newell Beach, is set just 20 minutes north of cosmopolitan <a target="_blank" href="/news">Port Douglas</a>.
It was being sold fully furnished with the holiday letting business already in place and running.
Mark Flinn of Ray White Port Douglas had the listing from March 2010 until August 2012 when it sold.
The initial asking price was $1.9 million, and this time last year they'd have taken $1.3 million.
The 912-square-metre holding last sold at $566,000 in 2002.
There had been three sales above $1.1 million on the strip of five homes in 2007.
There's the chance to<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.raineandhorne.com.au/portdouglas/properties/240851" target="_blank"> buy next door </a> at $795,000 through Raine &amp; Horne Port Douglas Mossman agent David Cotton.
It's The Treehouse, an elevated, two-bedroom holiday home.
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Aussie beach homes with allure: Countdown to the summer holidays

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The series finale of Grand Designs Australia features a "semi-brutalist" contemporary home in Queensland’s Ocean View.
The concrete home is designed to last and was driven by couple Brunella and Carlo’s passion for concrete.
Almost 50 metres of a six-metre-high concrete wall will form the spine of the house.
A concrete gallery style wall will extend the full length inside and polystyrene blocks filled with more concrete will shape the ground floor.
A series of consecutive bedrooms, a kitchen and a main living space will run off one long corridor.
Upon entry to the home, a staircase leads to either the upstairs or bottom level, with the master bedroom and study upstairs.
Upstairs also plays host to an outdoor terrace with an outdoor fireplace.
The outside façade is rendered in concrete gray and is solid and bold.
“In no way does this building look warm and inviting,” says Grand Designs host Peter Maddison.
“A site with no water, no sewerage, termites, bushfires, high winds and soil instability… brutalist seems to be the right way to go,” says Maddison.
<a target="_self" href="/news">Ocean View</a> is a rural suburb of Queensland, located north of Dayboro.
It has a population of 3,720 residents, and separate houses account for 98.5% of dwelling types.
Current market listings range from $459,000 for a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Sale/House/QLD/Ocean-View/?adid=2009555728">three-bedroom, one-bathroom home</a> to $1,185,000 for a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Sale/House/QLD/Ocean-View/?adid=2009554845">three-bedroom, two-bathroom home</a>.
Last week’s episode featured a house in the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/renovating/people-in-barossa-valley-glass-houses-on-grand-designs/2012112858157http:/www.propertyobserver.com.au/renovating/people-in-barossa-valley-glass-houses-on-grand-designs/2012112858157">Barossa Valley</a> that was virtually all glass in the hope of capturing the Barossa Valley views.
The Ocean View House episode will air on the Lifestyle channel on December 6 at 8.30pm.
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Semi-brutalist right at home in Ocean View on this week's Grand Designs

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The Sydney-based former Queensland premier Anna Bligh, recently appointed by the federal government to the board of health insurer Medibank Private, has sold her south Brisbane home, which went to recent auction with $1 million-plus hopes.
There were five registered bidders, but not a single offer at its September auction.
Bligh co-owned her renovated <a href="https://www.raywhitesouthbrisbane.com.au/property/STB4471003" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">1890 Highgate Hill </a>home with her husband, Greg Withers, having bought it in 1997 for $290,000.
After its $900,000 vendor bids, it was listed through Ray White South Brisbane.
It was marketed as a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house oozing "charm and character of a bygone era".
It has a land value of $710,000.
A nearby three-bedroom house on a similar 827-square-metre block fetched $900,000 last year, and a four-bedroom house fetched $825,000 in 2010.
Bligh has been renting in Sydney's inner east before buying, spotted recently at a Paddington open for inspection.
Her move to Sydney came following Withers taking a job at Arts NSW.
The couple also own investment units in West End and Highgate Hill, which have not been listed for sale.
The RP Data median house price for <a href="/news">Highgate Hill </a>was $755,000 when she initially listed, having dropped 2.6% in the past year, and now sits at $744,000, reflecting a 4.3% annual drop.
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Anna Bligh sells her Highgate Hill home

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The Gold Coast waterfront home of Gary Diamond has sold at mortgagee auction after his Pets Paradise businesses went into receivership in July.
The Paradise Waters property, with 20 metres of water frontage and its own beach, fetched $1.74 million among the 12 sales totalling $9.7 million at today’s Ray White Surfers Paradise auction.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/petsparadise.jpg">
Some 16 residential properties were offered under the hammer in front of 81 registered bidders, reflecting a clearance rate of 75%.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.michaelwillems.com.au/pol/property/search.asp?f_propertyID=1949432&amp;xsl=2611&amp;f_st=1&amp;f_ct=1,2,3,4&amp;f_ps=2">Ray White Prestige Gold Coast </a>agent Robert Graham and Michael Willems sold Diamond's four-bedroom Admiralty Drive mansion.
It had been briefly listed last year and for an extended period in 2009 through the Lucy Cole agency. It had $3.75 million expectations on its initial 2008 listing.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/petsparadise2.jpg">
PPB Advisory's David Leigh and Grant Sparks, the receivers, sold the house to recoup some of the estimated $11 million owed to Bank of Queensland.
Diamond bought the 733-square-metre block for $2 million in 2006 before commissioning the house, which was finished two years later.
Ray White Surfers Paradise Group chief Andrew Bell said buyer activity was "continuing to strengthen across the property spectrum and buyers are identifying unrivalled value in Gold Coast property.”
“We are now feeling the effects of this year’s interest rate drops and this is adding to the perception buyers should get into the market.
“This was evidenced today, in what was a very active auction room – competition amongst buyers is certainly on the increase,” Bell said.
RWSP Group will hold its final residential and commercial auction for 2012 on December 13 and its annual two-day auction showcase, The Event, on January 27 and 31 next year.
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Pets Paradise boss Gary Diamond's Gold Coast house sold

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The founder of the collapsed Gold Coast lender Equititrust, Mark McIvor is now bankrupt.

The Federal Magistrates Court, Brisbane ruling ordered the sequestration against Mark McIvor’s remaining estate.
It ruled the bankruptcy effective from October 22.
Mark McIvor was bankrupted by his former long-term lawyer and confidante, David Tucker, who once served on the board of Equititrust, over unpaid legal bills.
About 1400 investors lost all or part of their savings when the $260 million fund collapased.
His private assets, both residential and commercial, have been randomly sold off by mortgagees.
Its included his Cronin Island, Gold Coast place of residence and a house in Double Bay. 
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Equititrust's Mark McIvor bankrupt

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The author Linda Wilde, who listed her Gold Coast home in 2010 to fund the publicity of her book, Sex, Do you want more? Yes please, actually never got to sell her investment property.
The Vaggelas Crescent property auction appeared in a repeated televising of the Michael Caton Hot Property series this week on Channel 9.
On its October 2010 auction it was reported Wilde was downsizing her Biggera Waters, Gold Coast, home in order to fund the publicity of her book. 
It was passed in at auction some $50,000 short of her expectations as she was seeking to make a small profit of her initial outlay.
She had bought the waterfront duplex unit as new for $725,000 in 2003.
Featuring Campbell Moore at Harcourts Broadbeach, the auction first aired on Channel 9 in July 2011 when there were $800,000 hopes. It then had a $769,000 post-auction marketing asking price.
An envisaged May 2012 auction didn't proceed as the property's appearance had deteriorated during its tenancy.
"Tenants wrecked the place," one agent advised Property Observer.
After the auction it became available for $650 a week rental. Tenancy changes triggered a new rental marketing campaign at $620 a week in July this year.
Positioned on a tranquil canal just metres from the Broadwater, it was a  two-storey duplex unit.
The north-to-water abode home features a tiled open-plan living space that incorporated a granite kitchen with cream cabinetry, stainless steel appliances and a breakfast bar.
It came with tidy lawn and a shared pontoon which bridges a private sandy beach to the canal.
The ground level also accommodates a bedroom with a two-way bathroom and a walk-in wardrobe, a laundry and internal access to the double garage.
She bought the waterfront duplex unit as new for $725,000 in 2003.
It was here that she penned her <a target="_blank" href="https://www.lindawilde.com/">debut book </a>Sex, Do you want more? Yes please under the nom de plume Linda Wilde.
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Hot Property vendor author Linda Wilde never sold her Gold Coast investment

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Fewer than 10% of inner-Brisbane apartments are being snapped up by owner-occupiers, with the market the toughest it has been in 25 years, says property developer David Devine.
Devine’s Metro Property Development, which he founded with Ken Woodley in 2010, has been able to build its position of having the top-selling projects in Brisbane by tapping into the investor market, with its Chelsea apartment project in Bowen Hills now completed, five projects under construction and $600 million worth of projects in the pipeline.
“We left Devine three years ago and came out of there with no baggage. We bought all our development sites post-GFC, so there’s nothing hidden in our closet.
“And the banks have backed us to the hilt,” Devine tells Property Observer.
He says a big challenge for other developers is obtaining financing.
Devine says lenders require that 100% of project debt be covered, meaning developers must sell 65% of apartments in a project off the plan to get funding approval.
“Many of the projects that are being marketed off the plan will not achieve the pre-sales requirement demanded by the banks. There is a lot of competition. Very few projects achieve enough sales.”
Metro has just launched its $450 million multi-stage Central Village development in Fortitude Valley, with the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/queensland/cambridge-weekend-sales-by-metro-property-in-fortitude-valley/2012111657909">first stage featuring 163 apartments over 18 storeys </a>managing 73 sales in its first few weeks since launching. 
Another project – Broadway on Ann featuring 200 apartments in Fortitude Valley – is due to come to market next year.
Metro had the top two selling projects over the September quarter, selling 54 apartments in The Plaza in South Brisbane and 44 in in Brooklyn on Brookes in Fortitude Valley – a joint venture between Metro and Indian-based developer Pearls Australasia, according to the most recent Place Advisory report.
Devine says Metro’s ability to offer apartments to investors that qualify for the federal government’s national rental affordability scheme (NRAS) and that appeal to investors acquiring property through their self-managed super funds are key reasons for its success to date.
Metro’s first completed project, the Chelsea in Bowen Hills, had a 20% NRAS allocation while its Madison Heights project has more than 50% of its 308 apartments available as NRAS investments.
“People that have misconceptions about NRAS have not understood it. It is a stimulus package by the federal government where all stakeholders are winners,” he says.
Metro has also tapped into the overseas market, primarily in Asia, with 20% of apartments allocated to this market.
“We’ve done that 20-odd years. Overseas buyers are the most secure of all sales,” he says.
Devine also says Metro’s “broad-based marketing strategies” have helped underwrite sales in a difficult market.
Devine says he has engaged with people who have helped successfully market his developments at Devine Limited and over a career spanning nearly three decades, including more than $1 billion worth of inner-city apartments completed.
“A lot of people who have worked with us over the years, we have engage to sell our property interstate and overseas.
In other words, says, marketing director Ken Woodley: “We’re a marketing company that develops property, not developer that markets properties.”
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
Metro has a 10-point checklist for each of it developments, which include that development is situated in a location where people will want to live, that it is close to services and transport.
Metro also chooses locations that embrace Brisbane’s café society and theatre-lifestyle.
Metro's major projects
<table style="width: 470px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="150" valign="bottom">
Project
</td>
<td width="152" valign="bottom">
Location
</td>
<td width="105" valign="bottom">
Yield
</td>
<td width="84" valign="bottom">
End Value
</td>
<td width="123" valign="bottom">
Status
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="150">
The Chelsea Bowen Hills
</td>
<td width="152">
Hamilton Place, Bowen Hills
</td>
<td width="105">
195 apartments
</td>
<td width="84">
$85 million
</td>
<td width="123">
COMPLETED
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="150">
Madison Heights
</td>
<td width="152">
Mayne Street, Bowen Hills
</td>
<td width="105">
308 apartments
</td>
<td width="84">
$130 million
</td>
<td width="123">
272 sales completed, under construction
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="150">
Brooklyn on Brookes
</td>
<td width="152">
Cnr Cnr Brookes &amp; Ann Streets, Fortitude Valley
</td>
<td width="105">
216 apartments
</td>
<td width="84">
$90 million
</td>
<td width="123">
178 sales completed, under construction
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="150">
Orchard Grove
</td>
<td width="152">
Orchard Rd, Doreen (Melbourne)
</td>
<td width="105">
175-lots
</td>
<td width="84">
$40 million
</td>
<td width="123">
Under construction
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="150">
Woodlands Edge
</td>
<td width="152">
Wallan (Melbourne)
</td>
<td width="105">
575-lots
</td>
<td width="84">
$200 million
</td>
<td width="123">
Under construction
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="150">
The Plaza
</td>
<td width="152">
Cnr Russell &amp; Manning Sts, South Brisbane
</td>
<td width="105">
168-apartments
</td>
<td width="84">
$75 million
</td>
<td width="123">
138 sales, under construction
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="150">
Central Village
</td>
<td width="152">
Cnr Water &amp; Brunswick Sts, Fortitude Valley
</td>
<td width="105">
~1,000 apartments + retail and commercial
</td>
<td width="84">
$450 million
</td>
<td width="123">
Launched November 2012
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="150">
Broadway on Ann
</td>
<td width="152">
Commercial Rd and 977 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
</td>
<td width="105">
~200 apartments
</td>
<td width="84">
$105 million
</td>
<td width="123">
Due to be launched 2013
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
According to Ken Woodley, the percentage of local buyers – owner-occupiers and investors – has fallen from around 60% to less than 10%, with the fall-off beginning when the RBA lifted the cash rate by 25 basis points on Melbourne Cup Day 2010 followed by further rate rises which “killed” consumer confidence.
Woodley says another three rate cuts are required to bring variable mortgage rates to around 5.9% to reverse this trend.
“We sold 62% of the 439 apartments in Hamilton Harbour [a Devine Limited project] to local buyers. Now it’s down to 8% or 9% are local buyers.”
Metro currently has $600 million worth of committed projects in the pipeline and is the dominant player in the inner-city market.
But Devine says its aim is not market domination but to deliver an attractive proposition to investors.
He says in current market conditions, Metro can deliver around 600 units a year in Brisbane and a bit more in a booming market.
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NRAS and SMSF investors helping keep inner-Brisbane off-the-plan market afloat: David Devine and Ken Woodley

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Mirvac has confirmed its refunding off the plan deposits for Brisbane and Townsville residential projects.
Construction was scheduled to commence on two key apartment projects this financial year, but given the limited sales and concerns on the off the plan market's immediate future looked, Mirvac's John Carfi confirmed to The Courier Mail that contracts had been cancelled and deposits refunded.
The first stage of Foreshore Hamilton was to be a 23-storey building with 263 apartments. Only three of the apartments had been sold, the paper noted. Prices of one bedroom apartments started from $345,000.
The final stage of Mariners Peninsula, The Point, Townsville was to be a 15-storey building with 71 apartments. Some 27 had been reportedly sold.
It was possible within about 18 months that Mirvac would reconsider a fresh start on both projects.
Mr Carfi said despite there being strong economic fundamentals evident in Queensland, confidence was at an all-time low.
"With the Queensland market, it is difficult to see what the catalyst is going to be (to improve confidence),'' he said. 
 
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Mirvac refunding all off the plan deposits for postponed Brisbane and Townsville residential projects

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The Gold Coast rich-listers Richard Wyatt and Louise Loh, who head the Robina Land Corporation, have listed their Clear Island Waters compound.
The couple, the daughter and son-in-law of Singaporean industrialist Dr Robin Loh, who created the suburb of Robina, are heading southern to school their children.
The waterfront <a href="/news">Clear Island Waters</a> property, at <a href="https://www.rwsp.net.au/main.php?page=property&amp;pid=143386" target="_blank">42 Clear Water Bay Avenue</a>, has access to the ocean.
Set within a gated estate of fewer than 40 homes, the six-bedroom, five-bathroom resort-style mansion sits on a 3,775-square-metre estate over four blocks. With 110-metre waterfrontage, the gated estate offering comes with a three-level British-style mansion.
It features a formal lounge, formal living and dining areas, 25-metre pool, a theatre room and two large meeting rooms.
The three-level mansion has been home of the couple, who ranked 51st on the Queensland Rich List this year, with a combined wealth of $206 million.
The property is for sale through Ray White Prestige Gold Coast agent Danny Yeh.
The couple took over the running of the Robina Land Corporation from Dr Robin Loh in 1996. The multimillionaire Indonesian born magnate had paid around $11.2 million to buy the then 20-square-kilometre grazing property from land baron Arthur "King Arthur" Earle in 1980, with the pair teamed up to establish Robina, which incorporates a recognition of both their names.
Robin Loh died in 2010.
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The Lohs list Clear Island Waters mansion with 110-metre waterfront

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<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/knightsbridge.jpg">
The Queensland hotelier Robert Fraser-Scott has lost his prestige Sovereign Islands residence, which has been sold under instructions from Ernst &amp; Young for $3,065,000.
Listed through Ray White Surfers Paradise agent Shaun Kaddatz, the trophy property had its own website, <a href="https://www.2knightsbridgewest.com/" target="_blank">www.2KnightsbridgeWest.com</a>.
Last November Fraser-Scott thought he'd sold his mega-mansion, albeit also for less than half what it cost four years earlier.
It had sold under the hammer for $3.5 million last November, but the buyer has since lost the deposit after several extensions to secure finance.
Set on 2,369 square metres, Westley Manor had been bought from builders Rob Smith and wife Susan Chudley-Smith for $7.36 million in April 2007, just before the global financial crisis.
The Knightsbridge Parade West property has six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a mooring able to take two 18-metre boats and two jet-skis, a 1,500-bottle wine cellar, drive-through underground parking for 12 vehicles and resort-style grounds.
The mansion also features a two-sided wall aquarium between the living and media rooms.
Its latest sale was last month through Ray White Surfers Paradise for $3,065,000, and the contract reportedly became unconditional last week.
The Fraser-Scotts hotel empire has been listed but most yet to be sold.
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Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

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