South East Queensland developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a>’s entry into the Gold Coast apartment market has progressed from pipeline to market, with its Chevron Island project Bronze on Chevron now formally available to purchase ahead of a planned 2029 completion.

The 119-apartment development on Mawarra Street marks the Brisbane-headquartered builder-developer’s first residential play in the Gold Coast, following its expansion south from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bronze-on-chevron-8-mawarra-street-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Bronze on Chevron</a> comprises a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom residences, with pricing starting from just over $1.5 million. The project is being delivered under Gardner Vaughan’s fully integrated model, with the group acting as both developer and builder, a structure it has consistently applied across its South East Queensland portfolio.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367182]

Architecture has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cottee-parker-architects">Cottee Parker</a>, with landscape architecture by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/jeremy-ferrier-landscape-design">Jeremy Ferrier</a>. The building presents as a single-tower scheme, with a focus on maximising outlook across both the Surfers Paradise skyline and the Nerang River.

Apartments have been planned with open-plan living zones extending to generous balconies, a response to the site’s dual-aspect positioning between river and ocean. Interiors follow a restrained coastal palette, with two colour schemes offered, and an emphasis on natural light and cross-ventilation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367181]

Resident amenity is concentrated across more than 1,250 sqm and includes a resort-style pool, gym, yoga lawn and rooftop entertaining areas. A function space with catering facilities forms part of the upper-level offering, alongside north- and south-facing outdoor areas.

Ground level will incorporate two retail tenancies, intended to extend the existing village character of the surrounding streets.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367200]

The project sits within walking distance of Thomas Drive’s established dining strip, while maintaining proximity to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Surfers Paradise</a> beach and broader Gold Coast amenity. The location, positioned on Chevron Island between the river and coastline, has increasingly attracted mid- to high-density development in recent years as the precinct evolves beyond its low-rise origins.

Gardner Vaughan’s move into the Gold Coast was first signalled in 2025, with the group identifying the region as a natural extension of its operations. Chief Executive Officer Simon Betteridge described the expansion as both “strategic and natural”, citing demand for well-designed apartments in lifestyle-driven markets.

Construction is expected to complete in early 2029.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=107520]

Joel Robinson

Gardner Vaughan brings Bronze on Chevron to market as Gold Coast debut

One of the penthouses at Lily Lane, the latest stage of Carrington Place by Ellipse Property, has set a new local apartment price record.

The four-bedroom residence, purchased by a local downsizer, sold for $5.75 million—around 75 per cent higher than the previous record of $3.3 million.

Over 40 per cent of the first release of apartments at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/lily-lane-at-carrington-place-castle-hill-32-carrington-road-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Lily Lane</a> have already been snapped up just six weeks since it launched to the market.

&nbsp;

Located at 32 Carrington Road, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/castle-hill-nsw-2154">Castle Hill</a> and designed by award-winning architects <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ptw">PTW</a>, Lily Lane is directly opposite the Hills Showground Metro station. It offers a total 213 units over two 12-storey towers - a mix of 67 one-bedroom, 100 two-bedroom and 46 three-bedroom apartments - with a ground-floor retail offering.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151821 project_image_fid=368352]

Blake Schulze, National Director – Residential at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/colliers">Colliers</a>, says around 44 per cent of buyers are&nbsp;owner occupiers, with 35 per cent being investors and 21 per cent first homebuyers.

“Developments of this calibre are very rare in the Hills District, and Lily Lane’s sales success demonstrates the depth of demand for over-sized apartments that genuinely compete with freestanding homes," Schulze says.

"We are seeing particular demand from downsizers who want to remain in the area but transition into spacious, high-quality apartment living."

On the penthouse sale, it says it shows buyers&nbsp;are prepared to pay a premium for scale, quality, and direct access to the Metro.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151821 project_image_fid=368351]

One-bedroom apartments are sized from 50-72 sqm with prices starting at $745,000, while two-bedrooms are priced from $990,000 with sizes from 75 to 132 square metres. Three-bedroom floorplans are sized between 97 and 182 sqm,, with prices starting at $1,395,000.&nbsp;

The three remaining penthouses, spanning up to 262 sqm, are priced from $2.9 million.

Over 75 per cent of apartments include dedicated studies, multipurpose rooms or family rooms, with select layouts offering walk-in pantries and laundries. Apartments are appointed with premium Miele appliances including ovens, washing machines, dryers, gas cooktops and dishwashers, while larger residences also incorporate integrated Miele microwaves, Fisher &amp; Paykel integrated refrigerators and five-burner Miele cooktops.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151821 project_image_fid=360285]

Lily Lane will be constructed by award-winning iCIRT-rated builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/decode">Decode Group</a>, with construction to commence in mid-2026 and expected to complete early 2029.

Carrington Place comprises more than 800 apartments and is being delivered across multiple stages, with completion expected in 2032. Integrated with neighbouring bushland, the project will feature over 20,000 sq, of outdoor recreational area, including a one-kilometre boardwalk to Fred Caterson Reserve.&nbsp;

The Hills Showground Metro Station is just a two-minute walk away, offering fast connectivity to Sydney’s CBD, North Sydney, Chatswood, Macquarie Park and Norwest Business Park.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151821]

Ellipse sets Castle Hill apartment record with $5.75 million Lily Lane penthouse sale

Fresh off completing its Delano Crows Nest development, Lindsay Bennelong has lodged plans for its next project, this time turning its attention back to the beach.

The developer, started 20 years ago by Clarendon Homes founder Peter Campbell, is proposing a 37-apartment scheme at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/17-25-ashburner-street-manly-nsw-2095">17-25 Ashburner Street</a>, Manly, positioned between the southern end of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/manly-nsw-2095">Manly</a> Beach and East Manly Cove.

Lindsay Bennelong called on local architecture firm Platform Architects to design the new building, given their success at Finn, Lindsay Bennelong's current luxury apartment project on North Steyne.&nbsp;

According to the Design Verification Statement by Bridie Gough of Platform Architects, the proposal “relates to the current context but also the desired future character of taller buildings suitable to the new planning controls.”

The site has been identified as a Low to Mid-Rise Housing (LMR) location, given its position within 400 metres of the Manly Town Centre E1 Business Zone. The LMR controls are intended to unlock additional housing supply in well-located areas close to public transport, allowing developers to seek increased height limits to support greater density.

“The proposal seeks to provide this increased level of housing whilst being respectful of some of the smaller scale buildings also nearby,” the statement reads.

Lindsay Bennelong Development Director Leigh Manser said the project has been carefully aligned with the intent of the LMR controls. The proposal will significantly increase housing yield on the site, replacing four houses and 10 apartments, comprising 25 bedrooms, with 37 new apartments delivering a total of 94 bedrooms, whilst remaining compliant with the LMR controls.

“Sydney is in a severe undersupply, and delivering more dwellings and more bedrooms than what currently exists is exactly what the LMR policy is designed to activate,” Manser said, noting that nine of the apartments will be allocated as affordable housing for frontline workers.

“We have already commenced discussions with our community housing provider to determine the rental levels that frontline workers can realistically afford in this location,” he said. “These will need to sit well below the standard affordable housing benchmark of 20 per cent below market rent, and that has been factored into our feasibility and pricing.”

<img alt="Manly" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ad03000f-19f9-48b4-b27d-e85ca800a1da" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-30%20at%208.41.59%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=a.txHwCZgbCInlQ6QXbIrI.umvW1T.r8" />

The design of the building incorporates a wave-like indentation running through the façade, referencing the nearby coastline and anchoring the building within its local context.

The&nbsp;Design Verification Statement says careful consideration has been given to the articulation of the building, ensuring the bulk is broken down to a more human scale through a defined four-storey podium."

The scheme includes a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, as well as a full-time building manager's office and wellness facilities including a sauna and a gym.

“The design ensures a high level of amenity, with apartments offering generous private open space, many with expansive views, and all with comfortable proportions."

<img alt="Bennelong" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6a7f2812-72a1-4959-84b0-997e8cd88aed" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-30%20at%2010.15.50%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=6iMxU3MkXmHVHAoNhYBjnqgka8CUZNbk" />

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/lindsay-bennelong-developments">Lindsay Bennelong</a>&nbsp;is currently developing Finn Manly, just four full-floor luxury apartments on North Steyne. They recently welcomed residents to its 81-unit Delano Crows Nest development, a&nbsp;carefully scaled infill project designed to bridge&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/crows-nest-nsw-2065">Crows Nest</a>’s lively village centre with its surrounding heritage streets.

Designed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ajc-architects">AJC Architects</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/delano-crows-nest-27-57-falcon-street-crows-nest-nsw-2065">Delano</a>&nbsp;is arranged across three low-rise buildings, incorporating a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments alongside a limited number of townhomes addressing Hayberry Lane. The architectural approach drew on the area’s Art Deco lineage, reinterpreted through contemporary detailing and framed by landscaped communal gardens.

The developer also has a development site in Maroubra.

First look: Lindsay Bennelong's new Manly apartment development revealed

Fifty-nine residences across 37 levels. No more than two per floor. With 80 per cent now sold, what remains at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/madeline-by-mosaic-broadbeach-22-mary-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4218">Madeline by Mosaic</a> is a short list.

Madeline was always conceived at a scale that sits outside the normal register of Gold Coast apartment living. The residences are half- and full-floor configurations, with the largest spanning more than 400 sqm, dimensions that place them closer to the penthouse end of the market regardless of where they sit in the building.

That scale is the organising principle of everything else: how the floorplans are laid out, how the materials read, how the connection between inside and outside works.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150135 project_image_fid=355941]

The interiors were developed in collaboration with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fraser-partners-0">Fraser &amp; Partners</a>, the architecture practice&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mosaic-property-group">Mosaic</a> brought in as design partner for the first time on this project. The palette runs to natural stone, textured timbers, and soft metallics, materials chosen as much for their tactile quality as their appearance.

Light cleverly shifts across surfaces through the day, and the design is explicit about wanting that to be noticed. Full-height glazing runs across the primary living areas, and where the building faces east toward the ocean, those walls of glass are doing real work: framing a view corridor that the site's position directly opposite Broadbeach State School's playing fields keeps permanently open.

That outlook is the site's most consequential asset. In a suburb where new towers continue to rise, a protected view line is genuinely rare, and the Mary Avenue address secures it. Residents at Madeline will look out over open parkland rather than the rear of another building, a distinction that becomes more meaningful with each new development approved nearby.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150135 project_image_fid=355939]

The private outdoor spaces are sized to match the residences themselves. Terraces on the upper levels frame uninterrupted ocean panoramas, and the planning ensures that living areas extend into those outdoor zones rather than treating them as separate attachments. The flow between the two is part of the design intent, not an afterthought.

Inside, the finish specification reflects the same approach. Rich stone benchtops, warm timber joinery, bespoke hardware, each element specified to hold up over time rather than read as a moment in a particular trend cycle.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150135 project_image_fid=3409]

Beyond the residences, the amenity offering extends that register. A lap pool and sun deck anchor the outdoor space, alongside a magnesium pool, cold plunge, steam room, and sauna.

A commercial-grade gymnasium, residents' lounge, library, and boardroom round out a programme that functions more like a private members club than a standard building amenity floor.

Construction has commenced under Mosaic's in-house building arm, with completion scheduled for late 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150135]

Madeline by Mosaic delivers penthouse-level living across every apartment

Developer Fortezza Group is the latest to take its new apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-belvedere-5-7-church-street-nelson-bay-nsw-2315">The Belvedere in Nelson Bay</a>, to the NSW Government.

Fortezza, predominantly a South East Queensland developer, is the latest to apply for State Significant Development&nbsp; status through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority, a pathway becoming favoured by developers to speed up the approval process.

They are planning 57 two- and three-bedroom apartments across 5-7 Church Street and 42 Donald Street, near d'Albora Nelson Bay Marina. The diverse apartment mix has sizes from just over 80 sqm to the largest three-bedroom penthouses that reach nearly 200 sqm.

<img alt="Fortezza" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="090360e1-66d7-43ad-b686-aba81f173bf2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-29%20at%2010.22.40%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=DMqF96eBZolqSAAAcugX0l66ueWng66m" />

Fortezza calls the project a "piece of Istria in Nelson Bay,"&nbsp;referring to the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea, shared by Croatia (90%), Slovenia, and Italy, which is known for its Roman history, Venetian-style coastal towns and inland hilltop villages.

They say the The Belvedere is strategically positioned at the apex of Nelson Bay, offering unrivalled views of the ocean, the bay and captivating topography of the area.

"Our commitment to maintaining the integrity of every view and sight line has been relentless," Fortezza Group says.

"Through extensive modelling and analysis, we ensure that each apartment enjoys the natural beauty of Nelson Bay, regardless of future developments. Each design element is carefully curated to harmonise with our European heritage, drawing profound inspiration from the Roman architectural marvels in Istria. The arches, the cascades of greenery and the stonework that define our project pay homage to the structures that once exemplified Roman grandeur."

Residents will have access to a pool, communal green spaces, an office and a coffee shop.

First look: Fortezza Group takes The Belvedere, Nelson Bay apartment development, to NSW Government

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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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/december15bobcooper]}
Surfing identity Bob Cooper, who became famous for his handcrafted surfboards and was one of the first Americans to enter Australia's surfing scene in the 1960s, has listed his Sunshine Coast house for sale.
The three-bedroom, three-bathroom house is on a 701-square-metre beachfront block, naturally, and the house is only a few minutes' walk from the sand. 
Cooper and his wife, Wils, built their Steven Kidd-designed Santa Fe-style villa in Marcus Beach, on the Sunshine Coast, 17 years ago. 
Cooper first visited Australia in 1959 and found his surfboard building skills were much in demand. He returned to California after the visit but returned in 1963 to ply his trade.
The property is within a short drive of Noosa and includes a pool with shade sail. 
The Coopers are moving to Coffs Harbour to be closer to family. 
LJ Hooker agent Peter Martin is marketing the property with price hopes of $2.2 million. 
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cknowlton-QnEa6ntUYP

Surfing identity Bob Cooper's Sunshine Coast beachside home on the market

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Meriton boss Harry Triguboff has lamented the current state of the Surfers Paradise market, calling on the government to base more of its institutions near Main Beach to help revive the area.
Speaking at a property lunch in Sydney this week, he said Surfers remained a very attractive place, but could not survive just as a residential location.
“It needs to be a place for work,” Triguboff says. “It cannot just be a place for building apartments; it cannot survive on just one industry.”
“Once we overcome that, it will shoot up like crazy. It’s terrific.”
In his attempts to help revive the ailing Gold Coat market, Triguboff says he has been trying to convince Chinese buyers that Surfers Paradise is part of Brisbane.
However, he says he has not been helped in his efforts by the state local governments, which don’t respect what he is doing.
“Just recently I had a development approved on the Gold Coast. They only approved it because they needed the money, not because they wanted to. That is unfortunate because we should really learn to work together,” he says.
For the Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise to succeed, they will need to emulate the success of somewhere like Parramatta, a satellite city to Sydney, Triguboff says.
Triguboff says Parramatta is succeeding because it has been able to attract some big-government tenants such as the Water Board and Commonwealth Bank.
Surfers Paradise, he says, needs the big government organisations moving in to help the market develop.
Overall though, Chinese buyers remain the key to Meriton’s success, not just on the Gold Coast.
Triguboff says that most of his buyers are now Chinese, so much so that Meriton has including lots of photos of Asian people in its advertising and promotional material as well as employing more Asians in marketing new projects.
“We went them to feel at home,” he says.
Asked by Ross Greenwood, host of Australia Israel Chamber of Commerce (AICC) discussion,  if he has had to make any changes to the types of apartments he is building to satisfy Chinese buyers, Triguboff says this has not been necessary.
“They are happy with the way Meriton builds its apartments. That is the way they think it is supposed to be,” he says.
According to Triguboff the high costs associated with purchasing property and high interest rates are making it very hard for Australian to buy into Meriton developments.
“That is why we have to depend so much on the Chinese, but I hope it will change. I hope costs will be brought down and that interest rates will come down because demand is at record levels.”
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lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Gold Coast must turn to business, not just tourism, to survive: Harry Triguboff

<html><body>
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="415"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="85" nowrap valign="bottom">
Postcode
</td>
<td width="163" nowrap valign="bottom">
Suburb
</td>
<td width="167" valign="bottom">
Indicative gross rental yield for houses
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="85" nowrap valign="bottom">
4106
</td>
<td width="163" nowrap valign="bottom">
ROCKLEA
</td>
<td width="167" valign="bottom">
6.4%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="85" nowrap valign="bottom">
4110
</td>
<td width="163" nowrap valign="bottom">
ACACIA RIDGE
</td>
<td width="167" valign="bottom">
5.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="85" nowrap valign="bottom">
4077
</td>
<td width="163" nowrap valign="bottom">
INALA
</td>
<td width="167" valign="bottom">
5.4%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="85" nowrap valign="bottom">
4017
</td>
<td width="163" nowrap valign="bottom">
BRACKEN RIDGE
</td>
<td width="167" valign="bottom">
5.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="85" nowrap valign="bottom">
4074
</td>
<td width="163" nowrap valign="bottom">
JAMBOREE HEIGHTS
</td>
<td width="167" valign="bottom">
5.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="85" nowrap valign="bottom">
4036
</td>
<td width="163" nowrap valign="bottom">
BALD HILLS
</td>
<td width="167" valign="bottom">
5.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="85" nowrap valign="bottom">
4077
</td>
<td width="163" nowrap valign="bottom">
DURACK
</td>
<td width="167" valign="bottom">
5.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="85" nowrap valign="bottom">
4078
</td>
<td width="163" nowrap valign="bottom">
FOREST LAKE
</td>
<td width="167" valign="bottom">
5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="85" nowrap valign="bottom">
4018
</td>
<td width="163" nowrap valign="bottom">
FITZGIBBON
</td>
<td width="167" valign="bottom">
5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="85" nowrap valign="bottom">
4174
</td>
<td width="163" nowrap valign="bottom">
HEMMANT
</td>
<td width="167" valign="bottom">
5%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Source: RP Data
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Brisbane's top 10 suburbs for house rental yields

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Receivers have moved on the personal assets of Gold Coast developer Jim Raptis, placing a vacant block, one of his residential holdings at Paradise Waters, for December 8 auction through Michael Willems of Ray White Prestige Gold Coast.
The waterfront Commodore Drive property was seized by receivers after Raptis failed to find a buyer earlier this year. The waterfront site, which comprises three separate lots over 3,369 square metres, is the largest undeveloped residential lot in the upmarket waterfront enclave and features 141 metres of river frontage.
<img src="/images/stories/raptisauction.jpg">
Raptis told the Gold Coast Bulletin that the move was "part of the wash-up" of the Raptis Group's woes triggered by the receivership of Southport Central three years ago.
It is one of two held by the Raptis Group boss at Paradise Waters. He sold another Commodore Drive for $5.2 million in October 2008.
The December 8 auction property, which dates back to a 1999 purchase by Amaranthus Pty Ltd in 1999 for $1,112,500, has a site value of $6.8 million.
The charge over the company is held by Gibraltar-based Sevinhand Company Ltd, which is understood to have appointed receivers Graham Killer and Michael McCann, of Grant Thornton, to recover the debt.
Receivers were appointed in August this year.
 
 
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Jim Raptis' Paradise Waters vacant block listed for receivership auction

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/november1noosaheads]}
A five-bedroom, four-bathroom plantation-style house in Noosa Heads has been listed with price hopes of $3.95 million. 
The vendor is Tom Forde, owner of LJ Hooker Commercial Noosa and now an LJ Hooker residential branch in Noosa. 
The 21,000-square-metre sprawling property includes two separate one-bedroom cabanas, a lagoon-style swimming pool with pool bar, tennis court and gym all against a rainforest backdrop.
Forde, now an empty-nester, plans to downsize to a location closer to the beach. 
Graeme Halsey from <a href="https://www.ljhooker.com.au/2HD3" target="_blank">LJ Hooker Noosa</a> is marketing the property.
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Resort-style plantation in Noosa Heads listed for $3.95 million

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/october28brisbane]}
Brisbane’s 1938 landmark nautical Moderne-style residence – designed by the architect Mervyn Rylance – is on the market for only the second time.
Inspired by the Art Deco style of Miami Beach, Florida, the house sits on a 736-square-metre block in Hamilton Hill with views from Moreton Island to the city skyline.
Level one offers living areas, kitchen, media room and a utility room.
The second level has the master bedroom with a dressing room and ensuite, plus two other bedrooms each with ensuites. A study is also located on this level.
“It’s a rare opportunity to secure this much-admired Brisbane landmark,” says listing agent Alma Clark of Alma Clark Real Estate Ascot.
She says dedicated attention to detail has been employed to bring this home into the modern era.
It was briefly listed last spring but didn’t sell.
Hamilton prices have ranged between $700,000 and $3.2 million this year.
The property last traded in 1993 at $490,000.
It has an official unimproved $2.4 million land value.
The last known sale of a house designed by Mervyn Rylance was the heritage-listed Oogarding, the Bardon house, which is considered among the best examples of his work in the Mediterranean style of architecture. It sold for $1.86 million in 2006.
Very few pure Mediterranean-style houses were built in Brisbane, and Rylance was also responsible for the design of Blanchard House at New Farm, which was demolished amid controversy in 2009.
The bulldozers – accompanied by three police officers – moved in at 6.30am to demolish the unlisted 1934 Spanish Mission home on Maxwell Street.
Developer John Lynch and wife Monica Blinco, an interior designer, bought it in 2004 for $3.75 million and the adjoining block in July 2007 for $5.9 million with plans for a seven-storey apartment block.
There’s debate on Maxwell Street at the moment over the proposed demolition of a heritage- listed Mock-Tudor apartment block at 42 Maxwell Street.
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Nautical Brisbane Moderne-style house on the market for only second time

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The most discounted property in Queensland is the second-most discounted property in Australia, 1350 Wynnum Road, Tingalpa. It has nearly halved its price but has yet to find a buyer in the nearly year it has been on the market. It's been regularly featured on Property Observer as it struggles to find a buyer even at its reduced pricing.
Last week SQM Research released a<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/southbank-properties-raise-price-expectations-but-still-feature-on-sqm-s-victorian-discount-list/2011092751713"> list of the most discounted properties in Victoria</a>, and the difference between the two states is striking. The 10th-place Queensland property, 13 Gawler Street, Rochedale South, is discounted by 25%, which is the same discount as the number one property on the Victoria list, 1/9 Albert Place, Hoppers Crossing.
Queensland vendors are offering steeper discounts, and RP Data analysis recently revealed that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/queensland-hit-hardest-post-gfc-as-6.3-of-homes-worth-less-than-their-purchase-price/2011092851719">6.3% of Queensland homes are now worth less than their purchase price</a>. Queensland has been hit hard with the declining tourism market and natural disasters and is struggling to recover from the GFC. 
"We believe that for the moment, houses in Brisbane are still considerably overvalued,” SQM director Louis Christopher says.
“House prices are running at a 27% premium to nominal GDP. On any measure, if this overvaluing continues, prices will correct further this year and possibly next year," Christopher says.
"Annually Brisbane house prices fell by 3.6% already over the period to June 2011, and over the 2011 calendar year SQM Research forecasts house prices for Brisbane to fall anywhere between -7.6% to -9.6%."
 
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px;">1</h2>
<a target="_blank" title="1350 Wynnum Road" href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realestate.com.au%2Fcgi-bin%2Frsearch%3Fa%3Do%26id%3D106966579">1350 Wynnum Road, Tingalpa, Queensland, 4173</a>
On the market since: November 6, 2010
Initial asking price: $700,000
Current asking price: $380,000
Reduction: 46%
Days on market: 322
 
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px;"></h2>
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px;">2</h2>
<a href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.domain.com.au%2FPublic%2FPropertyDetails.aspx%3Fadid%3D2008940771" target="_blank">102 Fountain Road, Burpengary, Queensland, 4505</a>
On the market since: April 17, 2011
Initial asking price: $1.2million
Current asking price: $699,000
Reduction: 42%
Days on market: 162
 
3
<a target="_blank" title="128 Charlotte Street" href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.domain.com.au%2FPublic%2FPropertyDetails.aspx%3Fadid%3D2008735391">3307/128 Charlotte Street, Brisbane, Queensland, 4000</a>
On the market since: December 12, 2010
Initial asking price: $575,000
Current asking price: $399,000
Reduction: 31%
Days on market: 287
 
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px;">4</h2>
<a href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.domain.com.au%2FPublic%2FPropertyDetails.aspx%3Fadid%3D2008648371" target="_blank">190 Halls Road, Luscombe, Queensland, 4207</a>
On the market since: October 31, 2010
Initial asking price: $840,000
Current asking price: $600,000
Reduction: 29%
Days on market: 329
 
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px;">5</h2>
<a href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.domain.com.au%2FPublic%2FPropertyDetails.aspx%3Fadid%3D2009004616" target="_blank">37 Marlborough Road, Wellington Point, Queensland, 4160</a>
On the market since: May 22, 2011
Initial asking price: $1.25 million
Current asking price: $899,000
Reduction: 28%
Days on market: 126
 
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px;">6</h2>
<a href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.domain.com.au%2FPublic%2FPropertyDetails.aspx%3Fadid%3D2008269132" target="_blank">312/51 Hercules Street, Hamilton, Queensland, 4007</a> (pictured)
On the market since: March 14, 2010
Initial asking price: $1.6 million
Current asking price: $1.175 million
Reduction: 27%
Days on market: 560
 
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px;">7</h2>
<a target="_blank" href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realestate.com.au%2Fcgi-bin%2Frsearch%3Fa%3Do%26id%3D107499465">13 Henry Street, Greenslopes, Queensland, 4120</a>
On the market since: June 25, 2011
Initial asking price: $949,000
Current asking price: $699,000
Reduction: 26%
Days on market: 91
 
 
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px;">8</h2>
<a target="_blank" href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realestate.com.au%2Fcgi-bin%2Frsearch%3Fa%3Do%26id%3D106201967">38 Simon Street, Yeronga, Queensland, 4104</a>
On the market since: December 12, 2009
Initial asking price: $950,000
Current asking price: $700,000
Reduction: 26%
Days on market: 651
 
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px;">9</h2>
<a target="_blank" href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realestate.com.au%2Fcgi-bin%2Frsearch%3Fa%3Do%26id%3D106773785">4 Lower Clifton Terrace, Red Hill, Queensland, 4059</a>
On the market since: August 28, 2010
Initial asking price: $1.2 million
Current asking price: $895,000
Reduction: 25%
Days on market: 392
 
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px;">10</h2>
<a href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realestate.com.au%2Fcgi-bin%2Frsearch%3Fa%3Do%26id%3D107276504" target="_blank">13 Gawler Street, Rochedale South, Queensland, 4123</a>
On the market since: March 26, 2011
Initial asking price: $429,000
Current asking price: $350,000
Reduction: 25%
Days on market: 182
 
SQM Research also offers a list of the <a target="_blank" title="SQM Research" href="https://www.sqmresearch.com.au/top100bargains.php">Top 100 Biggest Bargains in Australia </a>for sale.
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Queensland vendors offer far deeper discounts than Victorians

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As we look to what's ahead for 2012, Property Observer is republishing some of our most noteworthy stories of 2011.
 
The small town of Moranbah in northern Queensland is drawing investors from across Queensland and as far as Western Australia with rental yields of 15% as mining activity picks up after the January floods. 
Located along the Peak Downs Highway between Mackay and Clermont, in the resources-rich mining region of Isaac, Moranbah has experienced a rapid house price rise in the past year. According to RP Data, the Moranbah median house prices rose 5.2% over the past year to $463,000. 
According to RP Data, there have been 131 sales in <a target="_blank" title="Moranbah" href="/news">Moranbah </a>for the year to date, and of these 109 were house sales. 
Properties returning high rental yields include this three-bedroom house on Bernborough Avenue (pictured below), which sold in August for $585,000. It has been put in the rental pool asking $1,800 a week, representing a yield of 16%. It was marketed by Julie Williamson Real Estate as having a weekly rental potential of $1,400 per week.  The 900-square-metre block traded at $15,000 in 2004 when it sold by BHP Mitsui Coal.
<img src="/images/stories/moranbah1.jpg">
The most expensive property (below) sold this year was a contemporary four-bedroom house on Bernborough Avenue that was built on an 800-square-metre block of land that last traded for $72,600 in 2006. It had been listed for sale in 2008 at $799,000 and did not sell. In June, it sold for $840,000.
<img src="/images/stories/moranbahexxy.jpg">
On the same street, a three-bedroom fibro house built in 1982 that sold for $445,000 in 2009 was recently sold, having been listed at $590,000. 
According to the REIA, the resource-intensive regions of Isaac ($445,000) and Gladstone ($415,000) have showed the highest median house prices of any council region in the state outside of south-east Queensland and are on an equal footing with Brisbane, where the median price currently stands at $435,000 (a drop of 5.4% for the year). 
The major coal mining projects underway are the Goonyella and Peak Downs coal mines, operated by the BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) and Anglo Coal’s Moranbah North mines. 
Demand for rental accommodation and new residential developments has received a further boost with the Queensland government ruling earlier this month that it will require 80% of BMA employees across all operations live in the region where they work.
BMA will be required to build 400 homes, the first 160 to be built in Moranbah by June 2013, and the remaining 240 across the Bowen Basin over the following four years.
Infrastructure investment continues to pour into Moranbah with Leightons subsidiary John Holland recently selected as the preferred tenderer for the construction of the $400 million proposed Connors River Dam to Moranbah Pipeline.
The project involves the construction of 136 kilometres of large diameter buried pipeline that will carry around 45,000 megalitres of water per annum from the proposed Connors River Dam to the Bowen Basin and surrounding areas and help meet the water supply needs of the resources sector. John Holland is expected to be confirmed as principal contractor in March 2012.
Hotspotting.com.au director Terry Ryder tells Property Observer he does not generally recommend mining towns to property investors, “because they are at the high-risk end of the investment spectrum” but if he had to suggest a good case study it would be Moranbah. 
“It has had a remarkable track record of capital growth (averaging 28% per year over the past decade) and providing 9% to 10% rental returns. Moranbah managed to avoid any serious price decline post-GFC and is now trending up again with the new resources boom,” he says. 
Generally though, he warns that mining towns have volatile markets and are highly vulnerable to the cycles of the resources sector. 
“When the GFC struck, we saw vacancies in some mining towns go from zero to 10% almost overnight, as miners downsized or closed mines completely,” he says. 
Realestate.com.au lists 125 houses in Moranbah for sale starting at $520,000 for a three-bedroom house and 30 properties available to rent, with the asking price for a three-bedroom house at $1,500 per week. 
According to Bella Exposito from Moranbah Real Estate, who has worked in the area for 34 years, prices have really picked up since June. Her agency has 25 properties under contract, and her most recent sale was a three-bedroom house for $600,000. 
“This property would have sold for around $450,000 a year ago,” she says. 
Bella says 90% of the properties are rented by mining employees or contracted tradesmen, with mining companies footing the rental bill. 
She flies out regularly to meet with investors in Melbourne and Sydney and says demand is very strong. 
Another local agent, Roz Robinson, from LJ Hooker reports similar investor interest and “huge demand”. 
“We are selling some properties within 24 hours if not quicker. We have an extensive buyers’ list… There are a lot of investors from WA,” she says. 
Robinson attributes the demand to the mining activity and says while new land is being released for development, she expects it to be absorbed quickly and to have no impact on pricing. 
Earlier in June it was announced that a 104-hectare parcel of land would be fast-tracked to improve the supply of residential land and ease housing affordability in the township. The site is to be jointly developed by the Urban Land Development Authority and BHP with plans for 1,500 houses. 
Bill Moss, founder of the Midwood Report, says mining towns like Moranbah and Gladstone are seeing annual rental increases far greater than any other parts of Queensland, as much as 38% in some cases. 
“Coal mines have been resurrected after the January floods. Since they have restarted, a lot more people are coming back to mining towns,” he says. 
“From March onwards there has been a lot more demand for housing in the Bowen basin” – a 60,000-square-kilometre portion of Central Queensland that includes Moranbah, Clermont and Emerald. 
The Bowen Basin region:
<img src="/images/stories/moranbahmap.gif">
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Hotspots: Investors mine for yields of up to 16% in Moranbah

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/september14trophy]}
While falling short of its desired $10 million, a Gold Coast mansion has been sold for $8.3 million, the highest price this year in Queensland.
The six-month-old Sovereign Islands home with its rare 65 metres of water frontage was sold by estate agent Amir Mian at Ray White Runaway Bay.
The house of 2,000 square metres of luxury sits on a double block of 1,483 square metres.
It was sold by Gold Coast owner/builder Gary Brewster and his wife, Lucy, who managed all the interior designing of the home. It sold to Streeton resident Youhe Wu.
It was marketed by Mian as boasting the widest view of the Broadwater on Sovereign Islands and on the calmer side of the Broadwater, making it better for boat owners.
Its expansive entertaining areas flow seamlessly to alfresco areas featuring teppanyaki bar and grill.
There’s a 25-metre lap pool and a plunge pool with a bar.
A lift services all three levels, including its 20-car basement garage.
“This home is not just an average home, it's a cut above the rest,” Mian notes.
The land cost $3.06 million in 2006-2007.
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Gold Coast island home fetches 2011 record $8.3 million

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A former convent property in <a target="_blank" title="Wynnum" href="/news">Wynnum</a> has been sold for $1.6 million – a record residential sale for the bayside Brisbane suburb.
The Brisbane congregation of the Sisters of Mercy sold the 20-room former 1915 hillside convent, which overlooks Moreton Bay.
Mount Carmel Convent, replete with Arts and Crafts-style timber balustrades and joinery, was built at a cost of £8000.
Its selling agent Robert Dunne of Savills Queensland said the property attracted 79 inspections with eight subsequent offers.
It was purchased by Ivan Simon, of production company IJS Logistics, who plans to restore the former convent into a prestige residence.
It already features decorative external design features, including cast iron and timber balustrades and glazed face brick walls with rendered sections.
It interiors have pressed metal ceilings, stained glass and leadlight windows.
It design dates back to the architectural partnership of Hall and Dods, who were highly regarded for their early 20th century ecclesiastical work.
The partnership of Hall and Dods was established in 1896 and continued until 1916. Dods was also architect to the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane and the firm oversaw the construction of St John's Cathedral.
It was heritage listed in 1999.
Robert Dunne said the Wynnum property no longer provided suitable accommodation for the two sisters who were living there.
Established primarily as a teaching order in 1831 in Ireland by Catherine McAuley, the first Sisters of Mercy arrived in Queensland in 1861.
Savills Queensland has sold convents at Paddington and West End for the order.
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