Developers and apartment buyers have a narrowing window of opportunity before Brisbane's Olympic infrastructure pipeline begins competing directly with residential construction, pushing up costs, tightening labour supply and making new projects increasingly difficult to deliver.

While Brisbane's apartment market continues to benefit from strong population growth and limited housing supply, industry research suggests the years leading up to 2027 could prove to be the most important period for developers looking to secure builders and buyers hoping to purchase before the next wave of price increases.

A new Colliers report, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Creating Solutions, highlights the scale of the challenge. While thousands of new homes are planned across South East Queensland, the Brisbane Olympic Athletes Village alone will deliver more than 10,500 beds during the Games before being converted into around 1,750 to 2,000 apartments. Equivalent to almost two years of typical inner-city apartment supply, the project will also absorb a significant share of the construction workforce and building materials.

The broader construction pipeline paints an even clearer picture.

Construction Skills Queensland's Horizon 2032 report forecasts Queensland's annual construction pipeline will average $69 billion over the coming years before peaking at $75 billion in 2027-28. Demand for construction workers is expected to increase by 17 per cent to almost 150,000 people, with the industry facing an annual shortfall of around 19,000 workers that could blow out to as many as 35,000 during the peak construction period.

The Olympic venues, athletes village and supporting infrastructure will account for billions of dollars worth of work across South East Queensland through to 2032, creating intense competition for labour at a time when Australia's residential construction sector is already under pressure.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=373834]

Colliers Queensland Residential Director Andrew Scriven said the convergence of these projects is creating a clear window of opportunity for both developers and buyers.

"From 2027 onwards, the market will shift dramatically," Scriven said.

"Labour will increasingly be locked into government-led infrastructure and Olympic projects, which means private residential developments will face higher costs and tighter margins. The developers who move now are the ones most likely to get projects off the ground."

Scriven said the same dynamic would also affect buyers, with fewer apartment projects expected to launch once construction capacity tightens.

"If you're looking to change your lifestyle over the next five years, now is your window of opportunity to buy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150713 project_image_fid=373827]

Developers are already positioning themselves ahead of that window.

Following the success of Monarch at Toowong, Consolidated Properties is preparing to launch two new Brisbane apartment projects in the second half of 2026. They include <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gloriette-30-bedivere-street-yeerongpilly-qld-4105">Gloriette</a> at Yeerongpilly Green, a 25-storey tower within one of Brisbane's key Olympic precincts, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, a recently approved 25-storey riverfront development at 47 Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

Hutchinson Builders will deliver both projects, with early works already underway at Yeerongpilly and Newstead expected to commence later this year.

The timing comes as Brisbane's fundamentals continue to strengthen, with strong interstate migration, population growth and vacancy rates remaining below 1.5 per cent.

Colliers Queensland researcher Pragya Sharma said Greater Brisbane is forecast to require around 40,000 new apartments between 2021 and 2031.

"There's a real mismatch emerging between when housing is needed and when it will be feasible to build," Sharma said.

"As a result, the period leading up to 2027 presents a key window of opportunity for developers to secure approvals, funding and construction capacity, while buyers will have greater choice before supply constraints intensify."

Colliers research outlines a critical pre-2027 window to start residential projects before labour squeeze: now is the time to buy

Joel Robinson

Developers, buyers on watch in South East Queensland ahead of construction crunch: Colliers

It's taken less than nine months for developer Sherpa Property Group to sell out all 51 apartments in its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-oasis-palm-beach-7-9-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Oasis</a> development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a>, over a year before its anticipated completion.

&nbsp;

Located at 7-9 Sixth Avenue, the $67 million development has resonated strongly with both local owner-occupiers and downsizers seeking high-quality apartments within walking distance of the beach, dining precincts and everyday amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357458]

Christie Leet, Founder of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Group</a>, said the sell-out reflected both the strength of the Palm Beach market and the success of Sherpa's community-first approach to development.

"The sell-out of Oasis is a fantastic outcome and reinforces the strong demand we're seeing for thoughtfully designed apartments in lifestyle locations," Leet said.

"From the outset, our vision was to create a development that genuinely enhanced the Palm Beach community while providing residents with exceptional homes and wellness-focused amenities.

"We've been incredibly encouraged by the level of local support throughout the campaign, 72.5 per cent of buyers are locals, with a significant proportion of purchasers choosing Oasis as their future home rather than an investment."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357463]

Construction is now progressing following development approval, with trusted builder LPS Group delivering the project and completion anticipated in Q3 2027.

Oasis forms part of Sherpa Group's successful Flourish collection, which has become recognised for its focus on wellness, community and elevated coastal living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357469]

Residents will have private access to a rooftop amenity space featuring a pool, gym, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, spa and barbecue facilities.

"The success of Oasis demonstrates that buyers continue to prioritise quality, location and lifestyle," Leet said.

"We are proud to have delivered a project that has resonated so strongly with the market and look forward to bringing Oasis to life for our future residents."

Sherpa recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a>, its third instalment of the Flourish brand in Palm Beach following Flourish Oasis and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151449]

Sherpa sells out Flourish Oasis in booming Palm Beach

Urban Property Group's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-vera-macquarie-park-94-talavera-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">La Vera</a> is leading the next phase of Macquarie Park's residential evolution, with the new apartment development set to become the first of several new apartment projects in the precinct to complete.

The 169-apartment building has now topped out ahead of its scheduled completion in the third quarter of 2026, as new residential investment continues to reshape one of Sydney's largest employment hubs into a true mixed-use precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=368645]

Cox Architecture has designed La Vera to capture the best of its unique positioning on Talavera Road, orienting the building towards Lane Cove National Park.&nbsp;The building features a sculpted northern façade with flowing curves inspired by the surrounding landscape, while its city-facing elevation adopts a more structured architectural expression to maximise skyline views.

"The vision for the project was to conceive a building that adopted an organic and curvilinear form to the northern portion that faces the Lane Cove National Park," <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> Director Felipe Miranda said.

"The residents that reside in the northern portion of the building benefit by having beautifully crafted curved balconies that speak to the natural context and heighten the relationship of their internal living spaces to the external balconies."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=358802]

La Vera offers a diverse mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom configurations, with prices currently starting from $740,000. Buyers so far have been a mix of Sydney-based investors,&nbsp;metro commuters, owner-occupiers and downsizers from surrounding North Shore suburbs.

Both investors and owner-occupiers have been drawn to La Vera's proximity to Macquarie University, Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie Centre and the Sydney Metro, infrastructure that supports both strong rental demand and a convenient lifestyle for residents.

The apartments feature full-height glazing, timber flooring throughout living areas, stone kitchen benchtops, SMEG appliances, floor-to-ceiling bathroom tiling and ducted air conditioning.

Residents will have access to a rooftop recreation level featuring a swimming pool, sauna, barbecue facilities and landscaped relaxation areas, complemented by additional communal space at ground level. Many apartments enjoy uninterrupted views across Lane Cove National Park, reinforcing the project's connection to its natural setting.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=364551]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>, a family-owned developer and builder with nearly four decades of experience, holds a 4.5-star iCIRT rating and was Australia's first developer to introduce 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI). La Vera is the first apartment development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a> approved to offer the additional insurance protection, alongside a five-year warranty on SMEG appliances.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said the additional protection reflects changing buyer expectations in the off the plan market.

"Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been. Having LDI is a tool to portray the confidence that we have in our product, and a confidence we want buyers to share," Elias said.

Following completion of the building later this year, buyers will move into their apartments well before Christmas.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134951]

La Vera closes in on completion as Macquarie Park continues residential transformation

Brisbane developer Red &amp; Co's decision to include dual key apartments in its debut Gold Coast apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/como-varsity-lakes-22-lake-street-varsity-lakes-qld-4227">COMO Varsity Lakes</a>, is proving to be one of the project's biggest drawcards, with buyers quickly snapping up the flexible residences.

More than half of the project's 36 dual key apartments have already sold, helping drive COMO beyond the 50 per cent sold mark within the first month of launch.

The strong response highlights growing demand for apartment designs that can adapt to changing lifestyles, with buyers increasingly looking for homes that accommodate multi-generational living, provide rental income opportunities or simply offer greater flexibility over time.

Located on the shores of Lake Orr, COMO will deliver 156 apartments across 16 levels, with the dual-key residences forming a limited release within the broader development.

Each combines a primary two-bedroom apartment with a fully self-contained studio on a single title, connected by a shared foyer and lockable internal door. The design allows owners to house ageing parents, adult children or guests while maintaining privacy, or lease the secondary residence to generate additional income.

Just 17 of the original 36 dual key apartments remain available.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=367096]

The innovative configuration combines two fully self-contained residences on a single title, typically comprising a primary two-bedroom apartment alongside a separate studio residence, connected via a shared foyer and lockable internal door.&nbsp;

The model is proving particularly attractive to owner occupiers navigating changing family dynamics and the realities of the current housing crisis.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363511]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/npa">NPA</a>&nbsp;CEO Andrew Erwin said dual key living was resonating strongly with modern buyers because it delivered both financial flexibility and practical lifestyle benefits.&nbsp;

“The housing crisis and rising cost of living are fundamentally changing how Australians think about home ownership,” Erwin said.&nbsp;

“Dual key apartments provide a genuine solution for families who want to stay connected while maintaining independence. Parents can help adult children save for a future home, ageing parents can remain nearby without moving into aged care, and owners still retain privacy and flexibility.

“Importantly, buyers are also recognising the financial advantages. It creates the opportunity to generate additional income from part of the home without the holding costs associated with owning a separate investment property.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363509]

Unlike traditional dual occupancy arrangements, the residences operate under a single title, meaning owners only incur one set of body corporate fees, council rates and holding costs.&nbsp;

The secondary residence can also evolve over time - functioning as guest accommodation, a home office, creative studio or private retreat before later becoming an income-producing asset.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/red-co">Red &amp; Co</a>&nbsp;Director and Co-Founder David Laverty said the strong early sales reflected growing buyer urgency and changing priorities within the market.&nbsp;

“Securing more than half of COMO’s residences within such a short timeframe is an outstanding result and a clear endorsement of both the design and location,” Laverty said.&nbsp;

“Buyers are responding to the combination of location, connectivity and amenity, but ultimately it’s value relative to other East Coast markets that is driving enquiry.”&nbsp;

“We’re also seeing strong interest from owner occupiers looking for homes that can adapt with them over time. Flexibility has become one of the most important considerations for buyers in today’s market.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363515]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>, COMO features a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom residences with 2.7-metre ceilings and larger-format floorplans aimed at owner occupiers, downsizers and lifestyle-focused buyers.&nbsp;

The development will feature an extensive rooftop recreation and wellness offering including a 25-metre lap pool, sundeck, barbecue and dining areas, gym, sauna, plunge baths, landscaped gardens, wellness spaces and rooftop pickleball and paddleball courts.

The remaining dual key apartments range from 137 sqm to 167 sqm and include generous three-bedroom layouts with separate self-contained studio accommodation and dual parking.&nbsp;

Erwin said the dual key concept represented a broader shift in how Australians would live in the future.

“People want homes that can evolve with their lives,” he said.&nbsp;

“A dual key apartment can suit a family today, support an ageing parent tomorrow, and potentially generate income later on. That adaptability is becoming incredibly valuable in the current environment.”

Prices currently range from $2,115,750 to $2,583,000.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135546]

Inter-generational living drives demand for COMO’s dual key apartments as housing pressures reshape buyer priorities 

Builder-developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ceerose">Ceerose</a> has doubled down on its Leichhardt ambitions, lodging its second State Significant Development Application (SSDA) in the suburb in the last six months.

Their newest proposal seeks to transform a former industrial precinct into a new residential community centred around the adaptive reuse of one of the site's heritage warehouse buildings.

The new project, on a 6,930 sqm block at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/40-76-william-street-leichhardt-nsw-2040">40–76 William Street</a>, will bring more than 200 apartments to a suburb that has seen little to no new supply in recent years. It follows Ceerose's late 2025 SSDA for a mixed-use apartment project on nearby Parramatta Road, signalling the developer's growing investment in Sydney's Inner West.

Ceerose Founder Edward Doueihi told Apartments.com.au the developer’s long-standing presence in Leichhardt and the Inner West had given it a strong understanding of how the area has evolved and where its future opportunities lie.

“Ceerose has had a long-standing presence in Leichhardt and the Inner West, giving us a unique understanding of the area’s evolution and future potential,” Doueihi said.

“Having delivered projects throughout the region, we have witnessed the suburb’s transformation first-hand and understand the opportunities for its continued growth.”

Doueihi said that understanding also informed the planning process, with a comprehensive Stakeholder Engagement Outcomes Report prepared before the application was lodged.

The report identified the key issues and concerns raised by neighbouring residents and other stakeholders, allowing those matters to be considered and incorporated into the design where appropriate.

He said the delivery of additional housing would also play an important role in supporting the revitalisation of Norton Street and the Italian Forum.

“By increasing the local residential population, the development is expected to strengthen demand for local businesses, encourage further investment, and help restore the vibrancy that made the precinct a thriving destination in the early 2000s.”

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7258c54c-8167-479e-8361-2d5fca9915b4" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010B%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%202.jpg?VersionId=S9DQfxu_jpcB5LrAEYFUbyMzg5odW6i5" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a>, the redevelopment would involve the demolition of four existing industrial buildings while retaining and adaptively reusing the site's most significant warehouse. The retained structure would anchor a new residential precinct comprising five interconnected buildings arranged around a large central landscaped courtyard, with heights stepping from five storeys along the surrounding residential streets to 11 storeys at the William Street corner.

According to the Architecture Design Report by Woods Bagot, the proposal "seeks to create a residential village centred around a generous green heart while celebrating the site's industrial heritage through the adaptive reuse of the existing warehouse building."

The development would comprise 203 apartments, with 188 proposed as build-to-sell residences, alongside 15 affordable housing apartments.

Rather than treating the retained warehouse as a standalone heritage object, Woods Bagot has sought to weave the site's industrial history throughout the masterplan. The proposal retains the north and west facades of the landmark corner warehouse, while new buildings reinterpret the site's brick-and-steel industrial language through their material palette and architectural expression.

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9e8c64c2-881b-49e1-8c90-6b6acaaa45b6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010C%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%203.jpg?VersionId=Qm8_8H_Xrg_sc4Mdjc59vlAcKF_5wRTb" />

The design is organised around what Woods Bagot describes as a "green heart", a landscaped communal open space that reinstates the leafy character removed when the site became an industrial storage facility. A new pedestrian laneway running through the site would improve permeability between William, North and Francis streets, linking residents through landscaped public spaces while activating the ground plane.

Residents would have access to communal gardens and shared recreation areas distributed throughout the development. Sustainability has also been prioritised, with the project targeting an average 7.9-star NatHERS rating. Proposed initiatives include rooftop solar generation, rainwater harvesting, passive solar design, naturally ventilated lobbies, extensive cross-ventilation and the reuse of existing building fabric to reduce embodied carbon.

The adaptive reuse strategy became a defining feature of the application after heritage investigations found only one of the site's industrial buildings could feasibly be retained. The Heritage Impact Statement concludes that preserving the key warehouse façades while referencing the site's industrial character throughout the new development provides an appropriate balance between renewal and conservation.

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="efffafdb-594f-4e2b-a067-921fd51c05e1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010D%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%204.jpg?VersionId=DPmE4.k16YRt0i27hEZVtJAffarpvUfx" />

"Retention and adaptation of the site buildings has been explored but found not to be feasible except for the tallest building, whose street facades will be retained," the heritage report states.

"The proposed building will interpret the brick and steel character of the subject site, including reuse of some components and construction of a large 'sawtooth' structure in the proposed open space."

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3bfef2b5-83f5-40cd-9cab-767092f34266" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010E%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%205.jpg?VersionId=7asb3i_ql4ybbuJOUb5UHBEIy0Q9t.DF" />

The William Street site is located around 300 metres from Leichhardt North Light Rail station and a short walk to Norton Street's retail, dining and hospitality precinct. The surrounding area has increasingly become a focus for urban renewal given its proximity to public transport and the Parramatta Road corridor.

Doueihi founded Ceerose in 1998 and has grown the business to become one of Sydney's more active apartment developers in recent years, with completed projects including The Alex Collective in Alexandria, Abbie's Lane in Annandale, and the award-winning Munro House in Elizabeth Bay. They are currently delivering Belgravia, 17 luxury apartments in Potts Point.

First look: Ceerose doubles down in Leichhardt with adaptive reuse of former warehouse site

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?

Around 400 additional homes could be built at Southwark Grounds on Port Road, lifting total site capacity from 1300 to around 1700 dwellings.

A recently approved code amendment would allow apartment towers of up to 14 storeys in some areas of Renewal SA’s redevelopment of the former West End Brewery.

Renewal SA Acting Chief Executive Shane Wingard said he welcomed the code amendment, with the increase in heights and homes making a positive impact on the supply of high-quality, well-connected housing close to the city.

“By going higher across some parts of Southwark Grounds, we are adding a substantial number of very well-located homes with little impact on project delivery time or planned open space,” Mr Wingard said.

Since the project officially launched in 2025, Mr Wingard said more than 12,000 enquiries had been received about living at Southwark Grounds.

“The very strong early interest we’ve seen since homes were first released in the precinct reinforces our plans to create more housing opportunities,” he said.

The Southwark Grounds code amendment was launched in December last year, with community engagement undertaken over five weeks from January.

It proposed increasing maximum building heights from eight to 14 storeys on the eastern section of Southwark Grounds, and to 12 storeys across the remainder of the site, with minimum building heights ranging from two to four storeys.

The code amendment was implemented through an Early Commencement policy in late January, allowing developers to quickly explore the viability of increased height and housing yield while other planning processes continue.

One of the first developers delivering apartment sites have already finalised redesigns to increase the number of apartments following the code amendment.

Samaras’ development adjacent to the future Colonel Light Park is now planning to deliver 125 apartments across 11 storeys, significantly greater than original plans of around 50 apartments across four storeys.

The developer is also exploring the potential for additional affordable housing outcomes.

Most of the apartments at Southwark Grounds will be delivered within a master-planned precinct on a large parcel of land on the eastern portion of the site, covering around two-thirds of its 8.4 hectares.

Wingard said detailed precinct planning over the coming months may identify further opportunities to increase yield further that could see total apartment numbers at Southwark Grounds, exceed this number.

Affordable homes at Southwark Grounds will also see a net increase, with Renewal SA maintaining its commitment to a minimum of 20 per cent affordable housing across the development.

Civil works have begun across the site, with construction under way on the first new roads surrounding a townhouse precinct in the south‑west corner of Southwark Grounds. This includes Renewal SA’s 17 Founder’s Row homes, which are on track for completion by Christmas.

“We expect to have people living at Southwark Grounds by the end of the year, so delivering roads and public spaces for those residents is among our highest priorities.”

Construction of 40 townhouses off Anderson Street, known as West Village and being delivered by Contour, is forecast to begin in mid‑2026. Kolabb’s Anderson Lane development will follow shortly after, delivering a further 26 townhouses.

Southwark Grounds is a state government‑led urban renewal project now set to deliver around 1,700 homes over the next decade.

Homes will be supported by a supermarket, a range of retail and hospitality offerings anchored by a revitalised Walkerville Brew Tower, a childcare centre, car parking and well‑connected public spaces.

400 new homes planned for Adelaide's former West End Brewery site

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Australia’s largest liquor retailer, Woolworths, is considering buying the collapsed Barossa Valley Estates winery, but faces likely competition from China’s COFCO.
The Australian Financial Review has reported the move is likely to anger grape growers fearful of the retail chain’s growing market power.
The report also suggests the direct ownership of wineries could trigger the interest of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, which is already investigating alleged abuses of market power by Woolworths.
Wine industry sources told The AFR that Woolworths – which has BWS and ­Woolworths Liquor – attempted to buy Barossa Valley Estate at Marananga for $13 million before receivers were appointed in January.
Barossa Valley Estate has a 41-hectare vineyard and processing facilities capable of crushing up to 4,000 tonnes of grapes.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/02/barossafeb28one.jpg" width="470" height="305" alt="barossafeb28one">
Owned by grape growers and investors, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bve.com.au/about-us/bve-history/">the current members of the 80 grower co-operative company</a> was unable to secure fresh finance after breaching debt covenants last year, with receivers McGrathNicol currently seeking offers for the property.
Woolworths owns the direct liquor marketer Cellarmasters, which owns Dorrien Estates which makes small batches of wine labels sold directly through Cellarmasters.
Barossa Valley Estate currently acts as an overflow facility for the Dorrien winery business.
Wine industry sources told The AFR China’s COFCO officials have plans to release an Australian version of its Chinese wine label Great Wall and visited the Barossa Valley about a month ago.
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Woolies pursues in-house wine production prospects in the Barossa Valley

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There has been the recent discovery of shale oil deposits located in the Arckaringa Basin, in north-east South Australia. The discovery has been verified by geologists and independent researchers, and is expected to be in the value of AUD $20 trillion dollars.<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-24/major-oil-discovery-in-outback-sa/4481982" target="_blank"> See further detail on the verification here.</a>
<img alt="ackaringa2" height="332" width="400" src="/images/stories/2013/02/ackaringa2.jpg">
Even at worst-case scenario, if the oil quality is poor, it is still expected to have a value and worth in the "low" trillions of dollars. In fact, this is such big news that it bumps Australia into second place on a chart where we once appeared at position number 29. Wikipedia is yet to update, but<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_proven_oil_reserves" target="_blank"> historically this is where Australia has ranked in terms of "proven" natural oil reserves.</a>
We are now only second to Saudi Arabia in terms of sheer volume. The biggest question mark around it, though, is related to extraction. The shale rock is difficult to break up and extract oil from, making it a costly process. However, US technologies developed and in use in Canada/North America could ease the cost challenges of such drilling plans. Regardless, most experts are confident that any drilling project would be very profitable from day one onwards.
So just how significant is this discovery for Australian real estate investors? In my mind, the potential is huge for investors, for three reasons:
1. Unlike other resources boom areas around the country (such as the iron ore and uranium deposits), oil is the highest-demand of all of these resources yet. Additionally, the sheer volume of it means that these mining sites, once opened, won’t be drying up any time quickly. This means that much of the "high-risk" nature of investing in property located around mining sites is minimised, because these sites will likely be "in town" for decades to come, not just a handful of years.
2. Some resource-driven towns (but not all) only exist because of the mining discoveries made around them. This means that towns have had to pop up "overnight", with little to no infrastructure, town planning or resources available. With this comes a higher cost for property, due to the need to develop at least some minimal basic infrastructure in order to house those residents living in the mining town conditions. The Arckaringa Basin area has the benefit of having an existing town there, with already built infrastructure. Though the area is huge and there’s no way of yet knowing which towns specifically will become the unofficial "capital" of the Arckaringa region, the fact that some exist right in the centre already is music to a property investor’s ears.
3. This will very likely change the South Australian economy significantly. With the existing incentives that Adelaide city (along with the entire state government of SA) are offering interstate migrants already, in coming years SA could become one of the highest demand states for employment in Australia. The knock-on effect for subdued prices in Adelaide and other regional cities in SA such as Ceduna and Port Augusta is very significant, with capital growth and rental return figures alike both offering huge potential.
 
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After digging deeper to find out the areas that could be in high demand for renters in coming years, I’ve come up with a short list of towns in South Australia that are worth keeping an eye on, along with an anecdote for each of where I see the biggest potential:
<a href="/news">Coober Pedy, SA</a> This is an established town that is pretty much in the heart of the Arckaringa Basin. Already benefiting from unrelated resources-driven operations in the vicinity, Coober Pedy has the benefit of being an established town with a population of 1,700 and is full of properties on the market that offer scope for extension, room-letting and renovation. With some of these properties, there is potential to cosmetically update them to achieve greater yields in the future, along with room additions (particularly for properties that are part above-ground, part underground ‘dugout’ style). Additionally, with median buy rates being $130,000 and median rent being $255 per week, strong rental return from day one is assured.
<a href="/news">Marree, SA</a> Maree is another established town which is around 375 kilometres due east of Coober Pedy. With a 2011 census population of just 70, Marree does not seem like it has the infrastructure needed to houses resources-worker tenants, however these numbers can be deceptive as the town does indeed have hundreds of resources-industry workers residing there.
<a target="_parent" href="/news">Oodnadatta, SA</a> This town is the northern-most town of the shale rock perimeter area of the Arckaringa Basin. It has a few hundred permanent residents, most of them working in the resources sector. The town also has adequate infrastructure considering its remote location; with twice-weekly trucks delivering food, petrol, and other supplies, along with a medical clinic and general store/post office. The township is heavily involved in mining sector, though the availability of property is the problem here.
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Roxby Downs, SA</a> Property investors have already entered this town in a big way due to the existing mining dominance. This means that rental returns can be expected to be in the 7-9% range, so not as glamorous as some of the above towns. Additionally, entry points are quite high, with median house rates around the $440,000 price point. However, further future growth could be possible if the shale oil projects extend as far south as Roxby Downs.
After reading through several forums and other blogs, the general feedback of investor experience in these areas can be summarised as being:
Pro: A high-risk area, but with great capital growth potential, and solid rental return rates.
Pro: Low entry-point buy rates, coupled with all-time-low finance costs, means the properties can be paid off very quickly, and are positively geared from day one.
Con: Tenant quality is consistently poor and cannot be easily improved due to the lack of good-quality managing agents operating in that region. Some towns do not even have any estate agents, meaning your manager could be working remotely from Adelaide. This means that inspections rarely ever occur and tenant screening can be very poor/non-existent.
Con: Repairs and works come at extortionately high costs. Investors are at the mercy of potentially "dodgy" repairmen who charge hundreds and thousands of dollars above acceptable rates to repair these properties.
Cameron McEvoy is a NSW-based property investor and maintains a blog, <a href="https://propertyspectator.blogspot.com.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Property Correspondent.</a> 
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cmcevoy-Go82SmsJA9

What the discovery of oil at Arckaringa Basin means for property investors: Cameron McEvoy

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<div>South Australia took the prize for the most expensive house last week with the sale of 4-6 Delamere Avenue, Netherby.</div>
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<div>Quoted between $2.65 million and $2.75 million, the 1950s house fetched $2.7 million on the weekend.</div>
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<div>Selling for just $20,000 more than 6 English Place, Kew, Victoria – the Netherby property was the highest price paid in the country last week, according to sales notified to RP Data.</div>
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<div>Listed by Harcourts Brock Williams, the four-bedroom house has a tennis court, an indoor swimming pool and consists of two titles over 2380 square metres.</div>
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<div>The house is located within walking distance to Mercedes College with close proximity to popular shopping precincts, sporting facilities and the CBD. The property last traded at $347,500 in 2000.</div>
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<div>
Most expensive sales
1. <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property-overview/4_delamere_avenue_netherby_sa_5062/10162069" target="_blank">4-6 Delamere Avenue, Netherby, SA, 5062</a>, four-bedroom house, sold on February 8 by Harcourts Brock Williams for $2.7 million
2. <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property-overview/6_english_place_kew_vic_3101/16062950" target="_blank">6 English Place, Kew, VIC, 3101</a>, four-bedroom house, sold on February 6 by Kew Main Drive for $2.68 million
3. <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property-overview/6_moule_avenue_brighton_vic_3186/10016736" target="_blank">6 Moule Avenue, Brighton, VIC, 3186</a>, five-bedroom house, sold at auction on February 9 by Greg Hocking City Residential for $2.55 million
4. <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property-overview/31_high_street_strathfield_nsw_2135/6485381" target="_blank">31 High Street, Strathfield, NSW, 2135</a>, five-bedroom house, sold at auction on February 9 by Devine Real Estate for $2.027 million
5. <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property-overview/102_allinga_avenue_glenunga_sa_5064/9641545" target="_blank">102 Allinga Avenue, Glenunga, SA, 5064</a>, four-bedroom house, sold at auction on February 9 by Harcourts Brock Williams for $1.91 million
6. <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property-overview/2_whitehall_road_kenthurst_nsw_2156/3297726" target="_blank">2 Whitehall Road, Kenthurst, NSW, 2156</a>, five-bedroom house, sold at auction on February 9 by Richardson &amp; Wrench Kenthurst for $1.79 million
7. <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property-overview/88_lord_street_richmond_vic_3121/12740171" target="_blank">88 Lord Street, Richmond, VIC, 3121</a>, four-bedroom house, sold at auction on February 9 by Jellis Craig Richmond for $1.61 million
8. <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property-overview/20_wyoming_avenue_oatlands_nsw_2117/5147198" target="_blank">20 Wyoming Avenue, Oatlands, NSW, 2117</a>, five-bedroom house, sold at auction on February 9 by McGrath Estate Agents for $1.55 million
9. <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property-overview/212_george_bass_drive_lilli_pilli_nsw_2536/3754046" target="_blank">212 George Bass Drive, Lilli Pilli, NSW, 2536</a>, five-bedroom house, sold prior to auction on February 9 by Elders Batemans Bay for $1.428 million
10. <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property-overview/82_oatley_avenue_oatley_nsw_2223/5154485" target="_blank">82 Oatley Avenue, Oatley, NSW, 2223</a>, five-bedroom house, sold at auction on February 9 by PRD Nationwide Harvey Oatley for $1.375 million
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equinn-i7Kmo9afeu

Adelaide's Netherby takes the prize for week's top sale: RP Data 

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The troubled wine sector continues to suffer, with the South Australia-based group Barossa Valley Estate and its 41 hectare vineyard, now placed in receivership with reported debts of $20 million.

The development comes as the global wine market continues to suffer. A <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/food-and-beverages/052474-call-for-wine-taxes-to-be-simplified-as-grape-glut-ends-new-markets-open">glut of grapes</a> and lower export figures have caused trouble among Australian businesses, with businesses such as Casella Wines and Buller Wines recording financial trouble.
According to realcommercial.com.au there are at least 18 South Australian wineries up for sale including Coonawarra Premium Vineyards Project No. 1 &amp; 2 with 309 hectares of predominantly red wine grape varieties.
McGrathNicol has confirmed the grower-owned Barossa Valley Estate business has been placed in receivership as of January 15. The business continues to trade as the receivers, Sam Davies and Rob Kirman, conduct an “urgent assessment”.
Davies said in a statement he’ll be working with contract growers and management to settle 2013 grape requirements, including exports. He said while it’s too early to discuss causes, he noted the business was undercapitalised.
The business will soon be put up for sale and McGrathNicol said in its statement the winery contains equipment to crush between 3,000 to 4,000 tonnes every year, with a 41 hectare vineyard along with a restaurant and function venue.
Barossa Valley Estate has a long history. The company began in 1984 after a group of grape farmers attempted to stick to growing Shiraz vines, instead of Chardonnay. In the 1990s, the group sold a 50% stake to beverage group Constellation, which eventually sold out in 2011. Full control reverted to the growing cooperative.
The collapse is yet another <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/rural/summer-dreaming-2012-vintage-property-sales-start-bearing-fruit/2012122058495">sign of the wine industry’s struggles</a>, although Andre Eikmeier – who sold his wine site Vinomofo to Catch of the Day last year – says he’s surprised the industry has been as resilient as it has.
“The industry is actually remarkably robust, given the circumstances. There have been a lot fewer wineries folding than the environment might have dictated,” he says.
“There is really a sense that the supply and demand is balancing out.”
Some wine experts have suggested the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/food-and-beverages/052474-call-for-wine-taxes-to-be-simplified-as-grape-glut-ends-new-markets-open">wine glut is ending</a>, which will in turn raise prices and provide smaller wineries with some relief.
More recently, Buller Wines in Victoria was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/food-and-beverages/053462-historic-winery-collapses-into-administration">placed in administration</a>, while Casella Wines, the business behind one of Australia’s most successful wine exports, Yellow Tail, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/food-and-beverages/053666-high-aussie-dollar-sours-exports-as-casella-wines-suffers-30-million-loss">suffered a $30 million loss</a> in 2011-12.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/" target="_blank">Smartcompany.com.au.</a>
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pmcstafford-pr9eMARWoN

South Australian winery in receivership with $20 million in debts as industry pain continues

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Temperatures averaged 40 degrees Celsius across Australia on Tuesday – a new record – but that’s nothing for the 166 residents of the South Australian desert town of Oodnadatta, where 50 degrees is forecast for later this week.
Oodnadatta currently holds the all-time Australian record temperature of 50.7 degrees set on January 2, 1960.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/01/oondattamap.jpg">
Property Observer notes not much happens on the Oodnadatta property front. No residential listings among its 60 total properties are currently for sale or rent on the major websites, and the last RP Data sale was $20,000 in 2008.
But the Pink Roadhouse is for sale.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/01/pinkroadhouse1.jpg">
Both the business and the freehold is for sale through Steve Foreman at Dale Wood Business Sales Consultancy Kent Town.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/01/oodnatta.jpg">
The business is being priced at $300,000 plus stock. The land has been more difficult to price, with Steve Foreman currently calculating the two recent desert general store sales with a view to offering prospective buyers an indication later this month.
Described as a "world-famous icon of Australia's outback", the roadhouse is located 200 kilometres north east of Coober Pedy.
It's the only business in town and consists of a fuel outlet, post office, bottle shop, hardware store, and general store providing groceries, fruit and vegs.
And the all-important souvenirs as a traveller's oasis.
The licensed restaurant provides sit-down meals for breakfast, lunch and early evening meals.
The business also boasts a large onsite mechanical workshop and a contract to service aircraft with aviation fuel located at the airport.
The sale includes caravan park and motel-style accommodation. There is a private-use swimming pool.
The outback town has had temperatures soaring above 40 degrees every day this year.
"The ground, the building, everything is so hot, you walk outside and you feel it's going to burn you," Pink Roadhouse owner Lynnie Plate told the Adelaide Advertiser.
Earlier this week the roadhouse couldn't serve unleaded fuel after midday because it was vapourising.
Oodnadatta is surrounded by 7,800 square kilometres of mostly with cattle stations in arid pastoral rangelands close to the Simpson Deserte, 1,000 km north of Adelaide.
The name is derived from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrernte_language" title="Arrernte language" target="_blank">Arrernte</a> utnadata, meaning mulga blossom.
The population was 229 in 1976 and 160 in 1986. The 2006 census reported a population of 277 and it was 166 in 2011.
Briefly listed in 2010, the property has been held by the family for just short of four decades.
Making it possible for 4wd’s to travel into the Simpson Desert, it was the Plate family who pioneered The Oodnadatta Track branding around 1980 and overseeing it become consistent with the Birdsville and Strzelecki Tracks which link together forming a tourist route.
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Australia's truest hotspot of Oodnadatta has its pink roadhouse for sale

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Photos allegedly showing cannabis growing in two pot plants in the backyard of a Henley Beach South house were inadvertently included in a real estate ad, drawing the attention of the police.
<img width="470" src="/images/stories/2012/12/potplant.jpg">
The plants showed up in photos while the house was advertised for sale.
Police attended the house with a search warrant yesterday and subsequently seized the cannabis plants and reported the tenant, a 28-year-old man.
In an unrelated case also in Adelaide’s western suburbs police searched a house at Woodville allegedly locating 55 cannabis plants growing hydroponically in four rooms of the house.
A 40-year-old man from Woodville was arrested and charged with cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis and possess proscribed equipment.
Both men will appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court at a later date.
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‘Pot’ plants in real estate ads bring Adelaide police to the open for inspection

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Conway, a sandstone villa in the Adelaide suburb of Malvern has been snappily sold for more than its price guide of $2.9 million.
The four-bedroom, three-bathroom home with a tower was listed for a short 20 days before beating price expectations.
David Cocks from Cocks Auld Real Estate Unley<a href="https://www.cocksauld.com.au/properties/residential/House-SA-Malvern-112039967" target="_blank"> </a> closed the sale.
The  circa 1890 house sits on 1,923 square metres of land at <a href="https://www.cocksauld.com.au/properties/residential/House-SA-Malvern-112039967" target="_blank">50 Austral Terrace</a>, <a href="/news">Malvern</a>.
The property last sold in 1997 for $680,500.
The property has a tennis court, an in-ground pool, a home theatre, gym and two large cellar rooms.
The 1890s was a period of rapid expansion in South Australia, according to the <a href="/news">Unley heritage research study (2006)</a>. 
In 1890 buildings were being erected at a rate of 146 per year.
The initial Malvern estate was in 1881, a large subdivision of 633 allotments extended from the south side of Wattle Street to include allotments on the south side of Winchester Street.
The Malvern extension, the 1884 subdivision, was undertaken by William Shierlaw and Thomas Matters and approved by the mortgagee Freak Trimmer with 231 allotments.
"During this period, solid masonry houses of a range of forms and scale were constructed in large numbers with substantial villas built of bluestone or sandstone dominating many streetscapes," notes the research study.
"The detail on these houses is specifically derived from 'classical' Italianate sources, but the forms were varied, and included single fronted, symmetrically fronted, and asymmetrically fronted houses, some with bay fronted projections," it noted.
The district was characterised by substantial mansions set in well landscaped, expansive grounds, demonstrating the transformation of former farm land into a notable residential area, it noted.
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Snappy sale for Adelaide villa Conway

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The troubled Equititrust's Wirrina Cove in South Australia is on the market again under instructions from David Whyte of BDO.
The resort, conference centre and surrounding land on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, 75 minutes south of Adelaide.
The 485-hectare property includes 89 hotel rooms, a convention centre, a golf course and a caravan park.
Other facilities include a restaurant, bar, café and a swimming pool.
Karen Seeto of Ray White Commercial is coordinating the sale in conjunction with Ray White Hotels, Ray White Marines, Ray White Mt Barker and Century 21 Normanville.
“This is the first time the whole complex has been offered to the market in separate titles and at the same time on behalf of the mortgagee,” says Seeto.
Also on offer are 76 residential land lots with settlements of up to 12 months available.
Some 100 long-term sub-leases of up to 35 years are also available for the marina.
Wirrina Cove Resort is still acting as a conference centre, hosting a number of state government events during 2013.
“The situation at the resort is encouraging and continues to improve on an ongoing basis,” says Keeto.
Recent court proceedings indicated it was cost $35,000 a week to keep the resort open.
Wirrina Cove is being offered through expression of interest, and offers close December 19.
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Equititrust's Wirrina Cove, South Australia, on the market under instructions

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The graceful Widcombe mansion in the picturesque Adelaide Hills township of Aldgate has been sold.
Its fetched $1.55 million having been initially listed in 2008 with $2.4 million hopes and more recently at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-sa-aldgate-108509851" target="_blank">$1,695,000</a>.
The parcel of land cost $250,000 in 2000.
Its facade mimics the Palladian-style Widcombe Manor, reputedly Bath's finest Georgian residence. As with the grand country house for which it is named, Widcombe comes on a park-like setting, albeit scaled down to a 2.5 acres.
There's a perfect symmetry to its Georgian sash windows.
The family saw the Bath version in a  House &amp; Garden magazine.
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Widcombe at Aldgate in the Adelaide Hills finally sells 

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The Adelaide detached housing market may be about to turn the corner but the unit market outlook is weaker with take up of new apartments remaining sluggish, according to the WBP Property Group.
The valuation and advisory firm places Adelaide houses at six o’clock on the property clock, indicating that the market has just bottomed out.
However, it says the unit market is still at five o’clock indicating that supply still exceeds demand.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/10/clock-generic.jpg">
<ul>
<li>At 12 o’clock the market is at its peak (demand exceeds supply)</li>
<li>At 3 o’clock the downswing has set in (an evenly supplied market)</li>
<li>By 6 o’clock it has bottomed out (an oversupplied market)</li>
<li>At 9 o’clock the market is rebounding (supply tightening)</li>
</ul>
WBP says the Adelaide residential market is showing “some signs of recovery, in particular well located stock that has realistic market expectations”.
"Property values appear to have stabilised in most parts of metropolitan Adelaide," says WBP.
However, it adds that recent announcements regarding BHP Billiton’s shelving of the Olympic Dam mining project expansion “may have a negative effect on the state economy and confidence”.
WPB says the Adelaide unit market is relatively flat “with a number of new unit apartment projects struggling to get off the ground as a result of lack of pre-sales and other funding issues”.
“Existing stock remains slow to move, with significant price reductions being experienced,” says WBP.
One of the biggest Adelaide apartment projects is the recently announced Mayfield mix-used urban regeneration project in the heart of the CBD, which will feature 427 apartments – including one-, two- and three-bedroom residences.
“Ongoing stamp duty incentives will only help projects like this succeed,” says WBP.
Under a two-year trial, stamp duty has been abolished for people who buy an apartment off the plan for under $500,000, but only in the Adelaide CBD and North Adelaide.
The $240 million Mayfield project covers the 7,377-square-metre site of the former Mayfield Electrics factory bordered by Sturt, Gilbert, Norman and Myers streets and is being developed by Sturt Land, having been designed by architects Woods Bagot.
In her departing speech as presiding member Adelaide City Council Development Assessment Panel (DAP) earlier this month, Shanti Ditter said developers needed to build a variety of dwellings including those that cater for families.
"DAP has expressed its concern that if that were to continue, the city will see lots of one and two bedroom apartments which will drive a particular sector of the market or demographic and potentially leave out another sector of the demographic that might be interested in living in the city,” said Ditter in a speech reported in The Australian.
According to the latest RP Data-Rismark monthly index, Adelaide house prices are up 1.1% to $385,000 for the three months to September 30 while unit prices have risen 3.4% over the same time frame to a median value of $315,000.
Adelaide first-home buyers can access the $7,000 first-home owner grant as well as up to $8,000 under a bonus grant that will cease from July 1, 2013.
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