<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/broadbeach-qld-4218">Broadbeach</a> offers plenty of reasons to live vertically, but moving from a substantial family home into an apartment can expose the compromises of high-density living. Privacy, room for guests and usable living space tend to matter more when an apartment is intended as a permanent home rather than an occasional coastal base.

A typical residential floor at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-eveleigh-broadbeach-7-9-surf-parade-broadbeach-qld-4218">The Eveleigh</a>, on Surf Parade,&nbsp;contains just four apartments. The 94-residence development by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hirsch-faigen">Hirsch &amp; Faigen</a> is predominantly made up of expansive three-bedroom homes, with a limited collection of half-floor penthouses above.

Across the apartment floors, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> has used the relatively limited number of residences to give each home greater access to natural light and outlook. Living spaces extend towards full-height glazing, while a series of bay windows frame selected views across the Pacific Ocean, city and hinterland rather than treating the building edge as a continuous wall of glass.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360965]

“The apartment floors deliver a collection of homes that embrace controlled outlook via a series of bay windows deliberately framing moments of view,” Rothelowman Director Kim Lowman said.

From outside, those projecting forms contribute to the tower’s faceted profile. Strong horizontal and vertical elements establish its proportions, while the changing position of the sun alters the light, shadow and reflection across the façade throughout the day.

The same attention moves inside the apartments, where the material palette combines warm timber, natural stone, metallic detailing and softer curved forms. Kitchens sit within the main living zone, with stone island benches, integrated joinery and European appliances, before the living areas extend towards the glazing and the outlook.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360981]

Three genuine bedrooms provide room to accommodate family and guests, while two secure car spaces and storage address some of the practical considerations that can become more noticeable when moving from a larger home. Feedback from the display suite has centred on the warmth and restraint of the interiors, with buyers commenting that the residences feel like homes rather than conventional coastal apartments.

A limited collection of half-floor penthouses occupies the upper levels, increasing the scale of the living spaces and adding private balconies and elevated finishes. From this position, the outlook extends between the ocean and hinterland.

Outside the private residences, The Eveleigh separates its shared spaces between the podium and rooftop. The podium is centred on wellness, with subtropical landscaping surrounding a swimming pool and pool terrace, yoga garden, private gymnasium, sauna and hot and cold plunge facilities. Landscaped retreats and pavilions provide additional places to sit away from the main recreation areas.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360966]

Higher in the building, a rooftop pavilion and private dining suite sit alongside resident lounge, barbecue and outdoor dining areas, opening towards panoramic views across the ocean, city and hinterland.

“Buyers are no longer just looking for an apartment, but a lifestyle where they can relax, reset, and enjoy a balanced way of living,” Hirsch &amp; Faigen Director of Sales Matt George said.

Interest to date has come from established owner-occupiers and interstate lifestyle purchasers, including buyers planning a future move to the Gold Coast. Many are coming from larger homes and want to reduce ongoing maintenance without giving up space for family and guests, privacy, two car spaces or the ability to entertain at home.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360969]

Much of that daily life can also take place beyond the building without requiring a drive. Kurrawa Beach and Pratten Park are an easy walk from Surf Parade, while Pacific Fair, Oracle Boulevard, The Oasis, restaurants, cafés, entertainment and public transport are also within walking distance.

The Eveleigh is Hirsch &amp; Faigen's fourth Gold Coast development since entering the market in 2021, following The Hemingway at Palm Beach, The Emerson at Kirra and Yves at Mermaid Beach. Each of the preceding projects sold out before completion.

“Broadbeach had been on our radar throughout our time operating on the Gold Coast,” the developer said. “Following our projects in Palm Beach, Kirra and Mermaid Beach, Broadbeach represented the natural next step for the business.”

The Surf Parade site brought together proximity to the beach, protected coastal outlooks and walkability to dining, shopping and recreation. Hirsch &amp; Faigen also identified the street as an emerging premium residential address, with enough separation from Broadbeach's busier destinations to retain a quieter environment at home.

The Eveleigh is now under construction by Maxcon, with completion forecast for mid-2028. Three-bedroom residences are currently available from $2.87 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149670]

Joel Robinson

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

A long-stalled Campbelltown development site is back in play, with new plans for 139 apartments set to supersede a mixed-use scheme approved almost a decade ago but never built.

The new proposal for 28 Cordeaux Street would deliver 116 market and 23 affordable apartments in a part 14-storey building, bringing a substantial new project into a Campbelltown market where new apartment supply remains limited.

Plans have been filed over the 3,092 sqm corner site at Moore-Oxley Street, around 600 metres from Campbelltown Railway Station and the city-centre retail core.

The site already carries a mixed-use residential approval dating to 2016. Doroch Architects has now been engaged on a larger replacement scheme, which is progressing as a State Significant Development Application following a Housing Delivery Authority determination in August 2025.

The apartment mix comprises 39 one-bedroom, 72 two-bedroom and 28 three-bedroom residences. Two-bedroom apartments make up just over half of the project, while three-bedroom homes account for 20 per cent.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="136dd5b9-3791-4da6-9e31-76f533f5b4de" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da2.png?VersionId=LgOSy9nwf5u.MGswBBwaGGxuX8QpHSl_" />

Of the 139 apartments, 23 will be delivered as affordable housing under the in-fill affordable housing provisions of the Housing SEPP. The affordable component represents 15 per cent of the residential gross floor area and will be managed by a registered Community Housing Provider.

Doroch has sought to break the scale of the building into two distinct elements, with a masonry podium of around four storeys establishing the street edge before the residential tower steps back above.

The corner position has shaped that approach. Cordeaux Street faces toward the commercial and civic centre, while Moore-Oxley Street leads into the lower-scale residential neighbourhood to the south, and the design verification report describes the site as "bridging the commercial core to the north and established residential areas to the south."

The podium will be expressed predominantly in face brick, while the upper levels shift to brushed and grooved concrete cladding with darker metal detailing. Recessed sections, deep balcony edges and landscaping break down the upper form, with an approximately 11.8-metre setback to the northern boundary addressing the adjoining St Peters Anglican School.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c8b3d2d3-c561-4bfc-a5d9-a68c0c10dac1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da1.png?VersionId=AeAEyJU02Gk2k5noUj2StziCvdQ7fW4B" />

Campbelltown has been starved of new residential developments in the last decade.

The only other notable development set to come to market this year is ALAND's Queen Square, a mixed-use precinct on over two hectares that will comprise apartments above a vibrant ground-level retail and hospitality dining precinct.

First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site

First Look: Sherlock Construction pitches apartments for low-rise Deception Bay

Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

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Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]

Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152737]

<h3 data-end="3697" data-section-id="q3n5ak" data-start="3672">&nbsp;</h3>
</main>

Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

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>

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Ellen Walker

Off-the-plan property explained: What is stamp duty?

When the opportunity arose for South Australian developer Palumbo to return to Kent Town, where it had previously delivered East Park Apartments and the East 
Rundle Apartments, it wasn't one the longstanding developer-builder was going to pass up.

The decision was quickly vindicated, with more than 20 apartments sold within the first month of launching <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/royal-apartments-kent-town-2-8-north-terrace-kent-town-sa-5067">Royal Apartments</a> to the market.

The 206-apartment development, which will bring significant new supply to Adelaide's tightly held eastern city fringe, also gives <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/palumbo">Palumbo</a> the opportunity to bring new life to one of Kent Town's most recognisable watering holes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376073]

Royal Apartments incorporates the historic Royal Hotel, a venue Palumbo Managing Director Daniel Palumbo said has a longstanding connection with the local community.

"Everyone in the area has history with the Royal Hotel," Palumbo told Apartments.com.au.

"It was quite an active pub and social gathering place for locals. We want to bring it back to its former glory."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376072]

The wider development will comprise two residential towers alongside the restored hotel, sitting on North Terrace opposite the Adelaide Park Lands.

For Palumbo, the project also marks a return to familiar territory.

The developer completed East Park Apartments next door more than a decade ago and jumped at the opportunity to develop in Kent Town again when the Royal Hotel site became available.

"The opportunity emerged, and we moved to secure the site," Palumbo said.

"We were approached by the previous landowner, who said they had extensive commitments in Sydney and weren't in a position to deliver the project.

"We took over the site and within six months recut the design scheme to be more in keeping with the type of development we want to bring to Adelaide.

"Now we're on the market and those changes have really resonated with local buyers."

That has translated into a strong start to sales, with 22 apartments transacting in the project's first 35 days.

Palumbo said the early purchaser profile had been consistent with the group's traditional focus on owner-occupiers rather than investor-led apartment stock.

"Local owner-occupiers have always been our market," he said.

"There are always some investors, but we've never developed what would be called traditional development stock. Owner-occupiers are very much our market."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376068]

The buyer mix has been diverse so far, with downsizers and younger professionals both accounting for a significant portion of early sales.

South Australia's current stamp duty settings, which allow&nbsp;eligible homeowners in South Australia aged 60 savings of up to $103,830 on stamp duty when they downsize to a new property valued at up to $2 million,&nbsp;have helped encourage downsizer activity, while younger buyers in their late 20s and early 30s have been attracted to the opportunity to live immediately outside the CBD while still being able to walk into the city.



Location has been a major part of the proposition for both buyer cohorts.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376075]

Royal Apartments sits on North Terrace directly opposite the Adelaide Park Lands, with residents able to walk through the parklands toward the East End, Rundle Street and Rundle Mall.

Apartments have been positioned to capture views across the parklands, Adelaide skyline, Botanic Gardens and Adelaide Hills.

Palumbo believes the scarcity of developable land along this section of the Park Lands makes the site particularly difficult to replicate.

"There's very few allotments on that side that can be developed," he said.

"If this location was in New York and you were sitting on Central Park, you'd be talking about a $60 million apartments."

Royal Apartments will offer a broad mix of residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to four-bedroom sub-penthouses and penthouses.

Current listings include one-bedroom apartments from $680,000, while larger three and four-bedroom residences are priced around $2.5 million.

Residents will have access to a swimming pool, gym, barbecue and recreation areas, residents' lounge and dining space, and a communal deck.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376067]

The apartments will feature generous balconies, while secure parking, bicycle storage and storage cages will also be provided.

A porte-cochère-style arrival and drop-off area has also resonated with buyers, particularly those attracted to being able to walk into the CBD during the day while retaining secure vehicle access at home.

Palumbo is acting as developer, architect and builder on Royal Apartments, continuing the vertically integrated model it has used across its South Australian portfolio.

The group was also behind the $150 million Sofitel Adelaide, the 251-room five-star hotel and residential tower which opened in 2021.

Palumbo said Royal's launch had come at an interesting time for the broader Adelaide apartment market.

Buyer confidence had initially been impacted by uncertainty surrounding the Federal Budget and broader economic conditions, but Palumbo believes sentiment is beginning to improve against a backdrop of significant investment flowing into South Australia.

He pointed to increased activity across defence and resources, including Olympic Dam, as potential long-term drivers of the state's economy and housing market.

"Money is starting to flow into Adeliade, significant amounts as Adelaide bucks the trend of the rest of the country.," Palumbo said.

"There's a lot of activity in the economy over the next decade. I think more investment will come into this market."

Early works on Royal Apartments are expected to commence this year, with major construction activity and cranes anticipated on site from early next year.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6109]

Palumbo's return to Kent Town strikes early chord with buyers

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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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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

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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Adelaide detached housing market has bottomed out but sluggish unit market still in a downswing: WBP

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Journalists with a 24-hour news cycle and a 30-minute attention span declared the end of life as we know it in South Australia when BHP Billiton had its recent panic attack over falling prices for some commodities. 
Those with a simplistic mindset and the analysis skills of a Footy Show star reasoned that the Olympic Dam expansion was the biggest thing – no, wait, the only thing – happening the SA economy, therefore the BHP decision to delay – hang on, let’s change that to “scrap” – the project meant that SA was basically finished. 
We even heard that a range of property developments planned for the Adelaide CBD would die because everything depended on Olympic Dam. 
You have to wonder – is your average journalist really that dumb, or do they simply not give a damn? 
To paraphrase Shakespeare: The first thing we do, let’s kill all the journalists. Then most of the economists. 
South Australia, let me tell you, is far from finished. It’s our most under-rated state. It leads the nation in several important industries and it’s now our third big resources state, though few people appear to realise it. 
Let’s not dwell too long on SA’s status as the leading state for Defence contracts (including the current $8 billion AWD project and the upcoming $20 billion submarine project) and also for alternative energy facilities, particularly wind farms. Nor on the fact that Adelaide has more infrastructure projects under construction than Sydney, although that’s more an indictment on New South Wales than a credit for SA. 
Let’s focus on resources. Anyone who thinks Olympic Dam is the only show in town for SA hasn’t been paying attention. It’s not even the biggest show. 
By far the biggest single factor likely to impact the SA economy is the decision to open up the Woomera Prohibited Area for mining. The potential outcome from this decision, first announced a year ago, will make Olympic Dam look puny. 
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
This is topical because there was a further federal-state announcement about this last week. The October 4 announcement by Defence Minister Stephen Smith and SA Premier Jay Weatherill gave mining companies formal approval to explore the giant WPA. They say it will become “one of Australia’s most significant resource provinces”, with minerals worth over $1 trillion, according to one guesstimate. 
This vast area (it comprises 13% of the state) is believed to contain Australia’s largest copper and uranium resources, considerably more than those at Olympic Dam. The WPA also has big gold and iron ore reserves. 
The move to grant exploration licences comes after negotiations between the federal government and the state to reconcile weapons testing and defence training (the reasons this is a prohibited area) with full-scale mining operations.
Weatherill said the approval was "one of the most significant milestones for the advancement of South Australia's resources sector". This area already has 150 exploration licences, with 80 more applications in the pipeline.
Yet media coverage of the announcement was somewhat muted and underplayed the importance of the event. I imagine if Smith and Weatherill had announced they were scrapping the plan it would have been on the front page of The Australian, the nation’s most relentlessly negative newspaper, and many others as well. 
The location best-positioned to benefit from mining in the WPA and elsewhere in the state is Port Augusta, a crossroads town which is a logical place to fly-in-fly-out workers to base themselves. Port Augusta is well-situated for the growing number of iron ore mines emerging on the Eyre Peninsula, as well as what’s happening in the WPA and will happen, eventually, at Roxby Downs with some form of expansion of Olympic Dam. 
Whyalla also has a big future, for similar reasons.
Terry Ryder is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a> and can be <a href="https://www.twitter.com/hotspotting" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">followed on Twitter</a>.
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

South Australia's property investment opportunities far from finished: Terry Ryder

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The Adelaide property market still has further to fall before it hits rock bottom, according to valuation firm Herron Todd White (HTW) in its latest property market round-up.
Looking at the Adelaide market over August, HTW valuers say the volume of both home and unit sales are declining while demand for new housing remains soft.
The latest report notes that new Adelaide houses and units are “almost never” sold at prices exceeding their potential resale value.
And the outlook for Adelaide remains on the gloomy side.
“The Adelaide property market in the short term continues to be flat and limited growth is expected in the next 24 months,” says HTW in its latest report.
Despite reporting that capital values are still declining, the situation is not all bleak for property investors, with HTW reporting that it remains a balanced rental market for both houses and units, with the vacancy rate steady in the case of houses and “stable” for units.
Adelaide Hobart and Canberra are the only three capital city property markets still in a downswing.
According to HTW, the Adelaide market has been in decline for the past year.
In its September 2011 report (for the month August) HTW said Adelaide was a declining housing market although at the time it said there was “fair” demand for both new houses and units.
“Although there has been a slight decline in house prices since 2010, investors have also been cautious about entering the market due to the speculation that interest rates were due for an increase, especially on the back of inflation figures,” said HTW back in September 2011.
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A year on, Adelaide property clock still stuck in decline: Herron Todd White

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<img style="float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/snowtown1.jpg">The infamous Snowtown bank has been sold.
Hale Real Estate director Nigel Christie says the Snowtown property fetched a little under its $200,000 price guide.
Its reportedly sold at around $185,000 to interstate buyers who will be owner-occupiers.
It has been <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-sa-snowtown-109650811">on the market </a> since February this year.
Christie says the buyers plan to renovate the attached house and run a business from the bank.
The property is located about 150 kilometres north of Adelaide.
The disused bank at Snowtown became infamous after police discovered eight mutilated bodies in barrels inside the vault of the bank in 1999.
The bank sold the premises for $43,000 in 1995. It first sold after the gruesome discovery in 2000 at $34,560.
It sold again at $130,000 in 2005.
<img width="470" src="/images/stories/2012/08/snowtown.jpg">
It last traded at $142,000 in 2006.
The property originally built as the bank manager’s residence consists of four good-sized bedrooms and the old bank building.
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Infamous Snowtown bank sells

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The single biggest quality underlying the success of mining companies has been their ability to keep their eye on the long-term objective. 
They have resisted the tendency of business generally towards short-termism and knee-jerk reactions to temporary setbacks. 
This is why miners have enjoyed such massive profits recently. Many of the big projects that are now delivering income were conceived and advanced in the shadow of the GFC. 
Grant King, managing director of Origin Energy, said it best with this quote in 2008: “We make investment decisions in assets that have economic lives of 30 years or more. And so, cycles that play out over a year or two are basically irrelevant. We are fundamentally driven by the long-term view.” 
Curiously, a notable exception to the resources ethic of long-term thinking is BHP Billiton. It’s the nervous Nellie of the sector. In 2008, for example, it opened a Western Australian nickel mine that cost $2.2 billion, then shut it down within 12 months of opening when it got GFC jitters (putting 1,800 people out of work) and sold it for $370 million. 
The recent closure of the Norwich Park coal mine in Queensland’s Bowen Basin has all the hallmarks of a dummy spit, after not getting its way in union negotiations. In similar vein, BHP took its bat and ball and went home when Moranbah landlords asked more rent than it felt it should be paying for houses. 
And now we have the Olympic Dam backflip. Half a dozen years of planning and preparation tossed aside because of a few blips on the global radar screen. The people running this enterprise seriously need to develop a spine and some long-term vision. 
The question is how this will impact on the South Australian economy and various property markets. The answer is: not nearly as much as commentators are implying. 
The SA economy has been chugging along quite nicely in recent years without any contribution from an Olympic Dam expansion, and it will continue to do so. 
Media, in its simplistic way, would have us believe that the $30 billion expansion was the only show in town, but this is far from true. 
The state’s resources sector has been in a significant growth phase for many years, and this will continue. Iron ore mines are in various stages of development on the Eyre Peninsula and elsewhere, including several multibillion-dollar enterprises. There’s a $1 billion expansion of Prominent Hill mine, among other projects, happening near Coober Pedy, and the $2 billion Hillside mining venture on the Yorke Peninsula. 
A far bigger potential for SA than Olympic Dam is the prospect of mining operations in the Woomera Prohibited Area following last year’s joint federal-state announcement. The resources in this area and the potential investment are far greater than BHP Billiton’s piddling little affair at Roxby Downs. 
There are multiple export port projects in various stages of planning and development around the state, billions are being invested in wind farm developments, and further billions are circulating thanks to the defence contracts being handled in Adelaide. 
The other thing likely to overlooked as media over-dramatises the impact of the BHP Billiton decision is that the company isn’t scrapping the development of its Roxby Downs resource. It says it’s going to seek less expensive ways of doing it. 
So something major will happen at Roxby Downs, just not as big or as soon as was originally planned.
Terry Ryder is the founder of <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/">hotspotting.com.au</a> and can be <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.twitter.com/hotspotting">followed on Twitter</a>.
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BHP's scrapping the Olympic Dam mine expansion won't affect SA property investors much: Terry Ryder

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The decision by BHP Billiton to cancel its $30 billion Olympic Dam mine expansion project is likely to have direct repercussions for the regional South Australian property markets of Roxby Downs, Port Augusta and Whyalla as well as for the wider South Australian economy.
All three property markets had been tipped to take off again once the long-mooted expansion project kicked off, which would have significantly expanded BHP’s existing mining and processing operation at Olympic Dam, 560 kilometres north of Adelaide.
Figures compiled by RP Data to May 2012 show that Roxby Downs house prices have been rising by a healthy 13.6%  per annum over the past 10 years with a median price of $440,000.
Over the past year to May house price growth picked up to 11.4% having slowed to 7.3% over the past three years - during a time when BHP was awaiting final approval on its Olympic Dam project.
Recent sales at Roxby Downs include a three-bedroom house that sold for $445,000 at the end of June, having last traded for $138,000 in 2003.
A four-bedroom house sold for $488,000 in July, having last traded for $160,000 in 2003.
BHP Billiton chief executive Marius Kloppers says current market conditions, including subdued commodity prices and higher capital costs, have led to the decision to investigate "an alternative, less capital-intensive design of the Olympic Dam open-pit expansion".
“As we finalised all the details of the project in the context of current market conditions, our strategy and capital management priorities, it became clear that the right decision  for the company and its shareholders was to continue studies to develop a less capital intensive option to replace the underground mine at Olympic Dam," says Kloppers.
BHP received approval for the project in March this year, with environmental impact studies dating back to 2005.
The planned open-pit mine was expected operate simultaneously with the existing underground mine.
By 2050 the size of the pit was expected to grow to be 4.1 kilometres long, 3.5 kilometres wide and one kilometre deep. Eventually, mining the planned open pit would have produced 60 million tonnes per annum of ore, equivalent to an additional annual rate of refined copper production of 515,000 tonnes.
The Olympic Dam project was expected to “put billions of dollars into the South Australian economy for decades to come”, said BHP in a booklet on the project released last year.
Apart from expansion of the mine itself, BHP also planned to build a new airport at Olympic Dam to cater for large commercial jets and the increase in passengers and air traffic and build a new accommodation village for workers.
Transport plans included the building of a landing facility about 12 kilometres south of Port Augusta and extensive use of the Stuart Highway between Port Augusta and and Olympic Dam.
The population of Roxby Downs township was expected to double in size to around 10,000 due to BHP providing additional services and accommodation.
Roxby Downs has a current population of 4,700, according to census 2011.
At the time approval for the dam was granted Sam Saggers from Positive Real Estate wrote that investors who purchased properties in 2008 – and who had been waiting a long time for an announcement – would be able to “recycle their equity and tighten their rents”.
“The Olympic Dam mine is the mothership of projects, so I expect the South Australia economy and workforce to reap the rewards,” <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/south-australia/want-to-capitalise-on-the-mining-boom-consider-whyalla-and-south-australias-olympic-dam-mine-sam-saggers/2012032253859" target="_blank">wrote Saggers in Property Observer in March.</a>
“I think we will see a lot of interest in Whyalla by the middle of this year, with clients looking for capital gains as a spin off from the project. Vacancy rates will tighten up and the outlook is a lot brighter.
Saggers wrote that Whyalla and nearby Port Augusta will derive a great deal from this expansion
“During the construction phase, 6,000 jobs will be created, and the mine will add another 4,000 jobs to its normal operations. Indirectly, the mine expansion will create 15,000 jobs, and the total number of jobs becoming available will total 25,000.
Mineral processing at Olympic Dam began in 1988, initially producing 45,000 tonnes per annum of copper plus associated products of uranium oxide, gold and silver.
Between 1997 and 1999 there was a major expansion of the mine and minerals processing plant.
In recent years annual copper production has averaged about 180,000 tonnes, with 4,000 tonnes of uranium oxide, 80,000 ounces of gold and 800,000 ounces of silver.
Copper produced at Olympic Dam is sold to global and domestic markets. The uranium oxide is sold to power stations for base load power generation. All of the gold and silver is sent to the Australian Mint in Perth.
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Headwinds for Roxby Downs property investors as BHP's Olympic Dam expansion cancelled

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Investors need to think laterally to get the most out of property. The best way to exploit a situation is often something other than “the bleeding obvious”.
At a seminar for property investors in Adelaide, the only thing that seemed to interest everyone was: What’s the best way to benefit from the Olympic Dam expansion?
The first thought was to rush off and buy property in Roxby Downs, the site of the big BHP Billiton mine destined for a $30 billion expansion.
I thought there were better ways. Roxby Downs will no doubt be buzzing when the big miner hits the Go button, but where will companies getting the big contracts be based? Where will their people be living? Where will the mine workers be spending their big fat pay packets?
There will be a hefty component of fly-in-fly-out during the construction phase, with on-shift workers living in a temporary accommodation village. Where will the off-shift workers be living? In most cases, not in Roxby Downs. The town will feel plenty of pressure on its services but won’t necessarily enjoy the benefits of workers’ spending.
Adelaide’s property market will be a major beneficiary. That’s where the key companies providing services to the project will be based. Those that win big contracts will expand, and the people who get the jobs will need somewhere to live. I’d be buying in Adelaide.
Regional towns like Whyalla and Port Augusta will play big roles in the projects, and jobs will be created there. There may be more upside for investors who buy there because prices are lower than in Roxby Downs, which is already expensive (median house price $415,000, compared with half as much in Whyalla and Port Augusta).
Property investors seeking opportunities from the resources revolution need to follow the money trail. The spinoffs from a major project can ripple across the nation. In some cases, they can ripple halfway around the world.
Here’s a money trail example. The trail starts in the UK, where there’s a very big natural gas company, the BG Group. It’s decided to invest big time in gas resources in Queensland, including a single project worth $18 billion. It’s extracting coal seam gas in the Surat Basin west of Toowoomba.
From there the money trail is delineated by a gas pipeline that snakes 540 kilometres across the state to seaside Gladstone, where a massive processing plant is being built on Curtis Island.
The plant needs $70 million worth of pipe projects and has handed the contract to Tyco Water.
Tyco has a factory in Wacol in Brisbane’s south-west and needs to hire another 100 workers and double its shifts to service the BG contract. It will also need 20,000 tonnes of steel to make the products BG needs in Gladstone.
Where will it get the steel? That will come from BlueScope Steel, a company based in Wollongong in New South Wales. That’s particularly good news for the Illawarra because BlueScope has been struggling lately and has cut its workforce.
So the benefits of all this will be felt in markets in the towns of the Surat Basin, Gladstone, Brisbane and Wollongong, all stemming from a decision made in London. And that’s just one relatively small contract from a very large project that will hand out work worth billions of dollars over the life of this venture.
In one sense, investing wisely in property involves following the money trail.
Terry Ryder is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a> and can be <a href="https://www.twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">followed on Twitter</a>.
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Investing wisely in property involves following the money trail to benefit best from the mining boom: Terry Ryder

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The Adelaide unit market proved fairly resilient in the second half of 2011 and ended the year down only fractionally.

WBP says median house price data indicates Adelaide unit prices appear to have bottomed out. 

“Having said that demand is still soft in comparison to the first home buyer boom,” the valuer says.

Charles Tarbey and Louis Christopher offer the same comments about the Adelaide unit market as for the housing market: fairly stable, but showing signs of a pick-up in activity should confidence improve.
<img src="/images/stories/clock-adelaide-units.jpg">
In a recent report, CBRE noted that the South Australian government is currently considering changing planning regulations to increase apartments heights (up to 10 storeys in some areas) to encourage apartment living in inner-suburban areas. The plans include new tram lines and cycling and pedestrian pathways, which once implemented will kick off a 30-year plan to fill unoccupied “infill” spaces close the city.

While there are a number of apartment projects under construction (such as the 108 Uno apartments on Waymouth Street), many others are all still being marketed off the plan or yet to receive development application approval. CBRE points out that a problem in Adelaide is that there are often too few pre-sales for projects to proceed to the construction phase.
Population: 1.2 million
Median unit price: $320,000
Unit price growth in February 2012: -3.1%
Annual unit price growth to December 2011: -1.1%
Annual unit price growth to July 2011: -6.8%
Rental yield: 4.8%
To find out where your capital city's house or unit market is on the property clock, <a href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/ebooks/free-ebook-australias-autumn-2012-property-clock" target="_blank">download our free eBook.</a>
Property Observer has also analysed the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/south-australia/adelaide-house-market-at-five-o-clock-and-in-a-state-of-limbo-experts/2012041254251" target="_blank">Adelaide house market on the property clock</a>.
 
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Palumbo's return to Kent Town strikes early chord with buyers

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