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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Logan Central is the Brisbane suburb with the greatest yields for units, according to RP Data figures.
With a median price of $150,000 and a median rent of $250, units in the suburb hav a median gross rental yield of 8.7%.
According to the 2011 census the suburb has a population of 6,172 up from 5,592 in 2006. The census shows 26.5% of <a target="_blank" href="/news">Logan Central</a>’s 2,308 dwellings are flats, units or apartments.
Logan Central is the central business district of Logan City, 20 kilometres south of the Brisbane CBD.
A search of real estate listings reveal no apartments priced below $165,000.
The cheapest unit currently available is <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-townhouse-qld-logan+central-111044487">3/10 Blackwood Road</a> with a negotiable asking price of $165,000. The two-bedroom townhouse is in a complex of six properties.
It comes with a second toilet and a single car park.
The property is being marketed by Meryl Woods from Run Property Springwood, who says it could earn $230 per week. If it sells for $165,000 this would give a gross yield of 7.25%.
It last sold for $105,000 in 2004.
According to RP Data median unit prices have dropped 42.7% over the last year. In September, REIQ figures showed prices had dropped 15% over the quarter but were up 10.9% for the year.
Local agents say the price fluctuations have been due in part to new developments in the area, but prices are down.
In September, local agent John Ahern from John Ahern Real Estate Slacks Creek told Property Observer prices were actually down around 15% for the year.
“The peak of the market was in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and then prices started trending slightly downwards during 2010, and by 2011 and 2012 prices tended to drop a little further,” Ahern says.
“They’ve dropped about 15% from their peak over the last 18 months or so.”
Agent Marian Grimsey from Professionals Logan Lifestyles Browns Plains and Marsden told Property Observer prices are desperately down from two years ago.
Apartment <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-qld-logan+central-110123581" target="_blank">7 at 28 Defiance Road</a> is on the market looking for offers over $175,000. It’s being sold by Ioan Vancia also from Run Property, who says the unit is leased at $225 per week and could earn $260 per week plus. This would put the yield at around 7.7%.
It hasn’t sold since 1989, when it traded for $60,000. It was last on the market in 2009 listed at $199,000, discounted from $212,000.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-qld-logan+central-111810583">Unit 4 at 13 Blackwood Road</a> is listed at $179,000 through Tracey Child from All Properties Group. It’s currently rented at $250 per week giving a gross yield of 7.3%.
It last traded for $140,000 in 2005. It was last on the market every year since then with an asking price of $220,000 in 2010.
The Brisbane suburb with the next highest yields for units was Brookwater at 8.4% and Goodna at 8.2%.
 
<table width="404" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<colgroup>
<col width="107">
<col width="64">
<col width="93">
<col width="102">
<col width="38">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20">
<td width="107" height="20">Suburb</td>
<td width="64">Postcode</td>
<td width="93">Median Price</td>
<td width="102">Median Rent</td>
<td width="38">Yield</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a target="_blank" href="/news">Logan Central</a></td>
<td align="right">4114</td>
<td align="right">150000</td>
<td align="right">250</td>
<td align="right">8.7</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a target="_blank" href="/news">Brookwater</a></td>
<td align="right">4300</td>
<td align="right">330000</td>
<td align="right">530</td>
<td align="right">8.4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a target="_blank" href="/news">Goodna</a></td>
<td align="right">4300</td>
<td align="right">175000</td>
<td align="right">275</td>
<td align="right">8.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a target="_blank" href="/news">Woodridge</a></td>
<td align="right">4114</td>
<td align="right">180000</td>
<td align="right">250</td>
<td align="right">7.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a target="_blank" href="/news">Waterford West</a></td>
<td align="right">4133</td>
<td align="right">191500</td>
<td align="right">260</td>
<td align="right">7.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a target="_blank" href="/news">Slacks Creek</a></td>
<td align="right">4127</td>
<td align="right">200000</td>
<td align="right">270</td>
<td align="right">7.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a target="_blank" href="/news">Brisbane City</a></td>
<td align="right">4000</td>
<td align="right">460000</td>
<td align="right">620</td>
<td align="right">7.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a target="_blank" href="/news">Kuraby</a></td>
<td align="right">4112</td>
<td align="right">285000</td>
<td align="right">370</td>
<td align="right">6.8</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a target="_blank" href="/news">Spring Hill</a></td>
<td align="right">4000</td>
<td align="right">365000</td>
<td align="right">472.5</td>
<td align="right">6.7</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a target="_blank" href="/news">Bellara</a></td>
<td align="right">4507</td>
<td align="right">214500</td>
<td align="right">277.5</td>
<td align="right">6.7</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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awalsh-7Ub9EypybQ

Logan Central tops list of Brisbane suburbs with top unit yields

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Queensland has simultaneously reached both the bottom and the top of the property market, according to managing director of National Property Research, Matthew Gross.

His two-way bet stems from his view of the two-speed economy in Queensland.
“Many of Queensland’s regional centres have experienced demand at record levels, most fuelled by investors that have chased the next big thing. Some will have done very well, many may be okay but unfortunately, those late to the scene are probably doing the equivalent of sticking their fingers in a dyke trying to stop the flow of leak,” Gross says in his latest newsletter.
“South-east Queensland, on the other hand, has had some of the most diabolical trading conditions in memory. Now this is where I stick my neck out… I believe the worst may well be behind us. This doesn’t mean that the recovery is going to be quick or uniform. It will be like dropping a stone in a bucket and watching the ripples move out.”
The improvement is partly being driven by increasing levels of migration, Gross says, but also by limited building approvals.
“Whilst this is not good for the construction industry in the short term, it is setting up the preconditions for a shortfall in the residential sector. Rental pressure remains firm in many locations, this is likely to increase over the next couple of years,” Gross says.
The bankruptcy rate has dropped to pre-2005 conditions, and the Reserve Bank is in a stimulatory frame of mind, with a possible extra 50 basis points in cuts to come, Gross says.
He says that the conditions for recovery are there, but not every region will experience the return.
“Areas like the western corridor that have significant supply are likely to experience a more modest improvement in the next two years, though the rail and improved amenity continue to make this a region with sound prospects into the future,” Gross says.
“The inner suburbs of Brisbane are experiencing higher demand. The Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast are starting to pick up, but this is often on the back of mortgagee sales which have set back new projects at least two years. As this stock is finally absorbed into the market, developers will again start to build again”
National Property Research is a Brisbane-based research firm established in 1999. Gross is a former state research manager for Stockland.
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The best of times and the worst of times simultaneously for Queensland property market

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The receivership of developer Juniper Group's iconic Soul development is set to trigger a revision of prestige apartment prices in the Gold Coast.
The $17,000-plus per square metre typically sought for apartments in Soul is now likely to drop towards pricing in other unsold new high prestige developments in the Gold Coast.
The latest Midwood report noted the 77-storey Soul development was the priciest of the three ultra-high rise developments.
Of a total 288 units in the building, Midwood listed 92 remaining unsold while noting the developer was not officially participating in the survey.
The priciest apartments in Soul were the three-bedroom two-bathroom configurations, which were selling for $19,321 per square metre.
The cheapest were the two-bedroom, two-bathroom configurations, which were selling for $16,592 per square metre.
This is compared with the Oracle development, where prices range from $7,970 per square metre to $12,121 per square metre and the Hilton development, where prices ranged from $13,299 per square metre to $14,645.
The Midwood found sales for high-rise apartments in the Gold Coast totalled 54 for the August quarter, “excluding Soul and Hilton, each of which refuse to report sales because they are embarrassingly low”.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/developments/trouble-in-surfers-paradise-as-unsold-and-unsettled-soul-in-receivership/2012102557436">The development has been placed in the hands of receivers at PricewaterhouseCoopers on Thursday</a>.
“The challenges facing the real estate market in the Gold Coast area are well known and have been impacting the major developers in the area for some time," receiver Michael Fung noted.
"These challenges, together with the slower than expected completion and delays in settlements on pre-sold stock, meant that the receivership of this world-class development was unsurprising,” says Fung.
Juniper Group had enlisted legal support from Norton Rose to pursue buyers who had been unable or unwilling to settle after committing to buy apartments.
“Many of the apartments have been pre-sold, and we will be working through the settlement process to deliver those apartments to purchasers,” Fung says.
Real Estate Institute of Queensland spokesman John Newlands told The ABC the economy had taken a turn for the worse shortly after construction on the tower began.
"The original purchase price of the land was when the market was at its height and obviously construction and labour costs were at their peak," he said.
"To put a product like that into the marketplace, it can come at a considerable cost.
"But the marketplace is saying something different now and unfortunately they're not able to achieve the prices they were previously sold for."
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Receivership of Gold Coast Soul development likely to trigger price revision

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Two hundred years ago a French dude called Joseph de Maistre commented that “toute nation a le gouvernement qu’elle merite”. These days it’s usually expressed as “you get the government you deserve”. 
That we do. Australians like to grizzle about politicians who break promises, but we deserve no better because we don’t punish those who do. 
John Howard had a poor record on keeping promises. but we kept re-electing him. The more he got away with, the more liberties he took. He even came up with the epic rationalisation that it was OK to break a promise that wasn’t a “core promise”. 
Many Australians are miffed at Julia Gillard over her broken promise on the carbon pricing scheme. But until we punish mendacious politicians at the ballot box, they will go on deceiving us. 
It created barely a murmur that Campbell Newman’s decision to lift the 30-year ban on uranium mining in Queensland breached a solemn vow made in the election campaign earlier this year. No one who has studied the man’s record as lord mayor of Brisbane will be surprised.
The uranium decision (which brings Queensland into line with most other states) bothers me on two grounds: it’s a broken promise, and I’d prefer they left the uranium in the ground where it can’t do any damage. 
Having gotten that off my chest, there are consequences for real estate from the Queensland Premier’s decision to allow uranium mining – although he says he won’t allow nuclear power or waste disposal in the state. Seriously. No, really, he means it. He kept a completely straight face when he said it.
 Queensland’s uranium resources (estimated by the Queensland Resources Council to be worth $18 billion) mostly lurk in the state’s north-west, a lot of it not too far from Mount Isa. One of the largest known reserves is just 35 kilometres outside the town. 
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
I haven’t been a huge fan of <a href="/news">Mount Isa</a> as a place to invest in recent years because the rental returns have been little better than in capital cities. You don’t buy in mining towns unless you’re compensated for the higher risk by yields big enough to generate positive cashflow. 
Even then I would be reticent about Mount Isa, which has built a reputation as the most polluted town in the nation. Indeed, it’s the very place I’d expect the dirty business of uranium mining to flourish. 
But from the cold perspective of pure bloody-minded investment potential Mount Isa has improved of late. Rents have risen, yields have improved and over the long term it has a good capital growth record (the various suburbs of Mount Isa have long-term growth averages ranging from 11% to 16% per year, according to Australian Property Monitors). 
There are a number of new resources projects in the general area for which Mount Isa is the key regional centre – and as they’re neither iron ore nor coal projects, they’re not so concerned about the recent decline in world prices for those commodities. 
Mount Isa is about copper, gold, lead, zinc – some of them metals you don’t want to be living near when the processing is going on. And, now it seems, uranium. 
Mount Isa mayor Tony McGrady, previously a minister for mines and energy in an ALP state government, supports uranium mining and says it will spark a mining boom in the region. 
That remains to be seen, particularly as nuclear power has taken a popularity dive following the Fukushima event in Japan. 
Any impact that evolves from the decision will take some years to be felt. Mines don’t become operational overnight. 
Anyone inclined to take a punt on this becoming a major new industry in a couple of years can expect to pay somewhere in the $300,000s for a Mount Isa house. Typical rents are around $500 per week and gross returns are about 8%. 
Cloncurry, not far from Mount Isa, is moving into a growth phase because of surrounding mining enterprises. It may also get some economic impact from an evolving uranium industry and has cheaper buy-in prices (median house price about $250,000).
Terry Ryder is the founder of <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/">hotspotting.com.au</a> and can be <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.twitter.com/hotspotting">followed on Twitter</a>.
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

Mount Isa's property investment potential has improved due to the dirty business of uranium mining: Terry Ryder

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The new and existing house markets of Ipswich and Yamanto on Brisbane’s fringe are expected to benefit directly and indirectly from the recently introduced new $15,000 first-home owners construction grant (FHOCG), according to new research from PRDnationwide.
The property group has released reports on the <a target="_blank" href="/news">Ipswich </a>and <a target="_blank" href="/news">Yamanto </a>property markets and forecasts that both will benefit from an “influx of young budget-conscious buyers since the introduction of the FHOCG on September 21".
The grant applies to new property bought or built at a value under $750,000.
Ipswich is 40 kilometres west of Brisbane and considered part of the greater Brisbane metropolitan area, while the adjoining Yamanto local area comprises the suburbs of <a target="_blank" href="/news">Raceview</a>, <a target="_blank" href="/news">Flinders View</a> and Yamanto.
As the chart below shows, Ipswich house sales are starting to trend up following a number years of declining sales.
Click to enlarge
<a href="/images/stories/2012/10/prdoct25.gif" rel="shadowbox" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/2012/10/prdoct25thumb.gif"></a>
According to the PRDnationwide Ipswich report, a combination of the FHOCG and the reinstatement of transfer duty concessions “provide an exceptional saving for first home buyers who are considering building”.
First-home buyers pay no stamp duty on land valued up to $400,000, an additional saving of $5,520.


<hr class="system-pagebreak">
“The availability of competitively priced house and land offerings in the immediate area is likely to be the key draw card to buying new," say PRDnationwide research analyst and Ipswich report author Robert Matta.
“Already developers are noting an increase in buyer enquiry and have been successfully unloading old stock to bring forward mooted stages in their estates. It is expected that volumes will trend upwards on the back of this new incentive at least for the short term.” 
There is also an expectation among local property analysts of a flow-on effect to the existing house markets as sellers are forced to discount properties in order to compete with developers.
PRDnationwide Ipswich principal Peter Mendoza says activity is trending upwards.
“Sales are up 25% on last year,” he says.
“Over the past few years a lot of people put things on hold but we get the feeling there’s a lot more confidence in the market now and people are starting to list and sell.”
According to PRDnationwide research, 30% of total sales in the Ipswich area occurred in the sub-$250,000 price range in the 12 months to June 2012, compared with 15% in the June 2010 period.
The median Ipswich house price sits at $293,000, which is 35% cheaper than compared with inner Brisbane.
“This is a major draw card even for those who work in the Brisbane CBD or surrounds,” he says.
PRDnationwide also highlights census population data, which shows that the Ipswich municipality has demonstrated the highest average annual population growth rate (3.9%) from 2006 to 2011 across the south-east Queensland region.
In Yamanto, the volume of house sales is up 22.7% over the past 12 months to June 2012.
However, house prices have fallen 4.6% over this period to a median of $310,000, with Yamanto following the trend of the wider Ipswich municipality, with the correction to prices improving buying conditions. 
Activity in the Yamanto Aarea vacant land market has also turned a corner to register 40 settled transactions during the June 2012 period, almost double the number recorded during the June 2011 period.
Land prices were down 12.7% to $165,000 for the June 2012 period.
“In the Yamanto, Flinders View and Raceview region we are experiencing a lift in enquiry for established houses,” says PRDnationwide Yamanto principal Roger Muller.
“There are great buys out there in all styles of homes. More listing are needed to supply buyer’s varying requirements.
“With good land prices, some buyers are opting for house and land packages.”
Rental properties are also in high demand, he says, because of good returns on offer.
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lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

New $15,000 construction grant to spur on recovery of Ipswich property market: PRDnationwide

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The Brisbane residential market slipped further into undersupply in the September quarter as the vacancy rate tightened from 2.1% to 1.7%. according to the latest data from Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ).
A balanced market between landlords and renters is said to exist at a vacancy rate of 3%.
In the Brisbane suburbs, the rental vacancy rate tightened noticeably from 2.4% to 1.9% while in the already tightly held inner Brisbane market (within five kilometres of the CBD), the vacancy rate fell from 1.6% to 1.5%.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/10/reiqoct23.gif">
Property managers attributed the further tightening in the inner-Brisbane market to slower market activity over the three-month period, with tenant interest highest for new properties.
In the suburbs, estate agents attributed the fall in vacancy rates mostly to do with a lack of buying activity from investors as well as some investors opting to sell their properties instead of renting them out.
The tightening of the rental market extended into the outer reaches of the Brisbane market, with the Brisbane surrounds, which includes <a target="_blank" href="/news">Ipswich</a>, <a target="_blank" href="/news">Logan</a>, Moreton Bay and Redland City, posting a vacancy rate of 2.2%  – down from 2.7% at the end of June.
REIQ chief executive Anton Kardash says vacancy rates are continuing to trend into undersupply territory as investor activity slowly swings back into life.
REIQ analysis of ABS data shows there were about 3,900 dwellings financed to Queensland investors in August – up 19% on the same period last year – but still well below the historical figure of 5,000 dwellings financed per month.
‘‘The rental market across Queensland has been constricted for more than two years now,’’ Kardash says.
‘‘The reasons for this have been the low numbers of investors in the marketplace as well as the generally slow property sales market over the period.
‘‘With the reduction in the numbers of properties being added to the rental pool, we are seeing more demand for a much smaller supply of properties.’’
The Gold Coast posted a vacancy rate of 3.5% – an improvement on 4% in June, while on the Sunshine Coast the vacancy rate tightened from 3%to 2.5%.
On the Gold Coast, the REIQ says demand is predominantly for houses over units, while higher-end properties are also doing well.
“The majority of rental properties [on the Sunshine Coast] are taking one to two weeks to relet and are attracting between two and five applicants,” says the REIQ.
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Brisbane vacancy rate tightens to 1.7% as investors hold back or sell: REIQ

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Yachtsman and sailing journalist Rob Mundle is selling his resort-style apartment in Main Beach, Queensland.
The north-facing <a href="/news">Main Beach</a> townhouse-style apartment is set over three levels and comes with a rooftop entertaining terrace with 360-degree views, master bedroom with balcony and ensuite, under-cover security parking, and resort facilities.
McGrath agent Duncan Longmore is looking to sell the property for more than $500,000 at its October 28 auction.
Mundle bought <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/apartment-main-beach-qld-4217/167139" target="_blank">the property </a>for $500,000 in 2003.
Total outgoings for the property are $7,705 per year.
The apartment is in a boutique block of 16 apartments known as Woodroffe Place. A neighbouring apartment, listed at $380,000, rents for $380 per week.
The last sale in the building was in 2009 when unit six sold for $410,000.
And in 2008 a unit in the building sold for $445,000.
Mundle is the author of Bligh, Fatal Storm, Bond, Sir James Hardy and Ocean Warriors.
He is often referred to as the voice of sailing.
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Sailor and writer Rob Mundle lists resort-style Main Beach apartment

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The most common commercial property assets that falls into the hands of receivers are development sites in regional Queensland, according to the September quarter update to the LandMark White forced sales monitor.
The monitor tracks all commercial properties that are listed for sale in the print media and counts any that are listed are labelled as a receiver or mortgagee sale as a forced sale.
According to LandMark White, vacant residential development sites in regional Queensland, which accounted for 8% of all recorded forced sales nationally.
Across all asset types, Queensland has accounted for nearly one out of every two (48%) forced commercial properties sales over the past 12 months to September.
Over the September quarter there were 151 commercial properties listed as forced sales, down marginally from 153 in the June quarter, with 43% of these properties located in Queensland.
This was above the national average of 39% over the September quarter.
Of the properties in New South Wales that were advertised in the September quarter, only 16% were distressed sales, compared with the annual figure of 24%.
In Victoria, the proportion of forced sales was only 11%, compared with 13% over the past 12 months.
LandMark White says it is unsurprising that Queensland has the largest share of forced sales over the past year.
Click to enlarge
<a href="/images/stories/2012/10/landmark.gif" rel="shadowbox" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/2012/10/landmarkthumb.gif"></a>
Recent distressed sales in Queensland include 388 hectares of waterfront land known as Clarkes Cove (pictured below) in Cape Gloucester in the Whitsundays, which sold for $2.55 million at the end of August through Christie Leet &amp; Rob Taylor of PRDnationwide in a mortgagee sale.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/10/clarkescove1.jpg">
The picturesque block of land is bounded by the Dryander National park on three sides and Pacific Ocean on the fourth side and had been targeted for development as a large-scale tourist facility with three resort hotels offering a total of 810 rooms.
It had an open market valuation of $2.98 million in February 1999.
Nationally, development sites accounted for 34% of the total in the September quarter, against an average of 32%, while sites with a holding income comprised 9% of the September results, against an annual average of 10%.
The second most common property type listed for forced sale were vacant residential development sites in regional NSW (5.2%) and third most prevalent were income producing retail properties in regional Queensland, which accounted for 5.1% of all forced sales over the past 12 months.
Across the broad commercial property sectors, office and retail property had the poorest results of the September quarter, as 18% of office and 31% of retail properties were forced sales.
The industrial property sector had the biggest improvement, falling to 19% from 35% in June, which was also below its 12-month average.
Over the 12-month period, 32% of forced sales were in NSW and only 8% in Victoria.
Since the series began 12 months ago, a total of 2,095 properties have been advertised for sale in the national press, and 27% (573) were specifically listed as being in the hands of mortgagees, receivers, or liquidators.
 
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Regional Queensland development sites top list of most distressed commercial assets: LandMark White

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Local resident and property adviser Andrew Winter is a tad premature in saying it's a done deal, but a Coomera River estate widely regarded as among Sanctuary Cove's most iconic homes is close to sale.
Its estimated selling price has ranged between $6 million plus - which was its 2006 purchase price - through to Winter's $10 million plus forecast.
<a href="https://twitter.com/andrewtwinter" target="_blank"><img src="/images/stories/2012/10/wintertweet.jpg"></a>
Listed as having grandeur, opulence and absolute style, the luxury Gold Coast  residence sits on a 2,362-square-metre block.
It's under conditional contract – which prompted its withdrawal from its recent scheduled Ray White auction.
It comes with five bedrooms, six bathrooms and an office.
"The realistic vendor wants it sold at auction if not prior," said its marketing material by listing agent <a href="https://raywhitesanctuarycove.com.au/qld/sanctuary-cove/841593/" target="_blank">Matt Gates at Ray White Prestige Property</a>.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/queensland/sanctuary-cove-mansion-sale-sets-new-reputed-%2412-million-record/2012053054896" target="_blank">There was a $12 million sale in May</a>.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Tweet of the day: Sanctuary Cove awaits confirmation of another $10 million mansion sale

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Property investors should take a good look at the remote, historic Queensland outback town of Cloncurry, about 770 kilometres west of Townsville, according to hotspotting.com.au's Terry Ryder.
The town is the birthplace of the Royal Flying Doctors service and maverick independent MP Bob Katter.
Cloncurry is one of just three mining hotspots picked by Ryder – the others being coal seam gas-rich the Galilee Basin (inland from Townsville and Gladstone) and Broken Hill in outback NSW, where there are $7 billion in mining projects.
Ryder's mining town recommendations come with the warning that all mining towns are high-risk property investments – though with the potential for strong gains –  and only suitable for those investors with a high-risk appetite.
In Cloncurry's favour is the fact that it is the focus of a number of mining projects but also has ties to the grazing industry and to outback tourism.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/10/cloncurrymap.jpg">
“Cloncurry is not essentially a mining town, but a regional town of just 3,000 people far north-west Queensland near Mt Isa,” said Ryder in a Property Observer webinar.
“It services the grazing economy around it and the tourism industry, as it is quite a historic town.
“Mines are starting to spring up around it and are entering the construction phase.
“The good thing is they are not iron ore mines or coal mines (where commodity prices have fallen), but copper and zinc mines."
Major mining projects include Xstrata’s $580 million expansion of Ernest Henry mine (named after the founder of Cloncurry), which produces copper, gold and magnetite.
Other mining projects include the Cudeco copper mine just outside Cloncurry, where blast-hole drilling and other pre-blasting activities are now complete, MMG’s Dugald River project – one of the world’s largest and highest grade known undeveloped lead-zinc-silver deposits and Xstrata’s Mt Margaret mine, which will produce around 30,000 tonnes of copper per year over the next five years. 
At the same time a multi-user rail facility is being built to service all those mining companies and due for completion in mid-2014.
 
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The median house price in Cloncurry is around $260,000, making it one of the more affordable mining hotspots.
Ryder points out this is well below the median house price in other mining towns in Queensland, such as Moranbah and Dysart, where the median price is around the $700,000 mark.
“We are potentially going to see growth in prices and rents in Cloncurry as these mining projects create housing demand from those workers involved,” he says.
Houses in Cloncurry are not pretty, but recent sales show the potential for capital gains.
They include <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-cloncurry-108078636">this four-bedroom fibre cement house</a> (pictured below), which sold through Elaine Raffin from RealWay Property Consultants Mount Isa for $245,000 in January this year.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/10/burke.jpg">
The property last sold for $130,000 in February 2006.
It is listed for rent at $500 per week a gross yield of 10.6%
Another relatively recent sale was a <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-cloncurry-108836946" target="_blank">three-bedroom wood panel house</a> (pictured below) sold by Jean Rutherfurd also from RealWay Property Consultants Mount Isa.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/10/palmer.jpg">
The house sold for $300,000, having been listed between $275,000 and $325,000.
Cloncurry Shire Council sold the 914-square-metre block of land for $21,000 in November 2005.
Assuming rent of around $400 per week would equate to a yield of around 7%.
The majority of 1,300 dwellings in Cloncurry are houses, and two-thirds of these are three and four-bedroom houses according census 2011.
A high percentage – 52% of dwellings in Cloncurry– are rented, with only 22% of residents owning their homes outright.
In 1861 Burke and Wills with King and Gray were the first Europeans to come into the area on their ill-fated expedition to the Gulf of Carpentaria. Burke named the river “Cloncurry” for his cousin, Lady Elizabeth Cloncurry of County Galway in Ireland.
The Australian Aerial Medical Service (known more commonly as the flying doctors) took off on its first flight from Cloncurry on May 15, 1928.
The service made use of a de Havilland DH.50 aircraft hired from the then small airline Qantas.
A Royal Flying Doctor Service museum is situated in the town.
The town also includes the Mary Kathleen Memorial Park and Museum, with its notable memorabilia being a water bottle used by famed explorer Robert O'Hara Burke, who led the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition from Melbourne to Gulf of Carpenteria and who died, alongside Wills and five other explorers, on the return journey.
Traces of copper were discovered at Cloncurry in the 1860s by John McKinlay, while searching for Burke and Wills, with pastoralist Ernest Henry discovering the first copper lodes six years later.
To listen to all of Terry Ryder’s tips for property investors looking to benefit from the mining boom, <a href="/news">view Property Observer’s free webinar here</a>
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