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.

Joel Robinson

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

A collection of just 25 large-format apartments and penthouses overlooking Goodwin Park is entering the Coolangatta market, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marea-residences-coolangatta-27-27a-dixon-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Maréa Residences</a> combining a low-density, residential-only approach with uninterrupted park and Pacific Ocean outlooks.

Located at 27 Dixon Street, Maréa comprises three and four-bedroom residences alongside a limited number of dual-level penthouses, with the project positioned between Goodwin Park and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/coolangatta-qld-4225">Coolangatta</a>’s coastal precinct.

Construction has commenced, with completion currently estimated for late 2027. Three-bedroom residences are priced from $1.8 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374005]

The project has been designed around its northern outlook across the park, with the building’s architecture, landscaping and material palette intended to establish a connection with the neighbouring green space. The residences have been configured to maximise natural light and views across Goodwin Park towards the ocean.

Inside, the material palette incorporates timber, stone and brushed brass, complemented by curved detailing and ambient lighting. Kitchens and bathrooms carry the same natural material approach, while residences also include basement parking, storage and lift access.

Maréa’s penthouses are arranged over two levels and include private pools, adding another layer to the project’s focus on larger-format apartment living. Across the development, residences are configured with three or four bedrooms rather than the broader mix of smaller apartment types commonly found in larger projects.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374010]

Resident amenity is concentrated at rooftop level, where landscaped entertaining terraces and pools take advantage of elevated views across Coolangatta and the Pacific Ocean.

The project has so far been particularly well received by local owner-occupiers and downsizers, according to Urban Activation Property Sales and Marketing Director Matt George, with the residential-only format, construction quality and northern park outlook among the features resonating with purchasers.

“The uninterrupted northern aspect overlooking Goodwin Park has been a key point of difference, with buyers attracted to the sense of serenity and open space the park provides, while still enjoying easy access to the ocean and being within walking distance of the lifestyle and amenities Coolangatta has to offer,” George said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374002]

“The combination of high-quality construction, a residential-only building, park outlook and proximity to the beach has resonated strongly with the local downsizer market.”

The Dixon Street address is within walking distance of Coolangatta Beach and the broader southern Gold Coast coastline, including the surf breaks at Snapper Rocks and Kirra. Coolangatta’s cafés, restaurants and retail are nearby, while Gold Coast Airport is also within close proximity.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150999]

Maréa Residences brings parkside apartments to Coolangatta

Melbourne developer PDG has secured Victorian Government approval for its $1.5 billion Southbank development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-one-1-queens-bridge-street-southbank-vic-3006">The One</a>, clearing the way for the long-dormant riverfront site opposite Crown to finally be developed.

The Minister for Planning has approved the project at 1-29 Queens Bridge Street, with the Department of Transport and Planning issuing the planning permit following its assessment.

The approval will allow PDG to develop the prominent 5,059 sqm site with a major mixed-use tower comprising premium apartments, including branded residences, a luxury hotel and boutique office space.

PDG acquired the site in late 2024, with its position directly opposite Crown's main entrance and near Melbourne's Arts Precinct making it one of Southbank's most significant remaining development opportunities.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3933013e-6332-4386-b9be-089df05caf17" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.22%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sITIgBqDL0N3VNSMwWEmF5UA.uvcsRyu" />

Designed by COX in collaboration with ODO and PDG, the tower's architecture draws on the movement of the Yarra River, with six vertical pleats running the height of the sculpted facade.

The project will also see the heritage-listed Queens Bridge Hotel restored and incorporated into the development&nbsp;with new hospitality and public uses, including a rooftop venue.

A significant component of The One will be its residential amenity.

More than 5,000 sqm of resident facilities will be delivered across a single level, making it one of the largest consolidated residential amenity offerings proposed in an Australian apartment development.

The planning approval also incorporates a major upgrade of Queensbridge Square, which PDG will deliver in partnership with the City of Melbourne.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="73167fcd-1031-4b6f-a408-a064cfe45ed1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.17%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Pf1AEWxw6SNmBqR0zQW5lyEze.MtxgFp" />

The existing square will be revitalised as a new civic and pedestrian space along the Yarra River, strengthening the connection between the project, Southbank and the riverfront.

PDG Founder and Managing Director Vince Giuliano said the approval represented a major milestone for a site which has remained largely underutilised for more than 15 years.

“This is the most significant Planning Permit approval Melbourne has seen in recent years,” Giuliano said.

“For more than 15 years, this site has remained underutilised. This approval enables us to deliver a project that will contribute meaningfully to the revitalisation of Southbank, restore and reactivate an important heritage building, and create a new civic and hospitality destination for Melbourne.”

The latest approval follows an earlier planning permit issued by the City of Melbourne covering demolition works across part of the site at 9-29 Queens Bridge Street. Those demolition and early works are already underway.

PDG has also started generating early interest in the residential component from owner-occupiers ahead of a planned public launch in early 2027.

PDG secures approval for $1.5bn Southbank apartment development, The One

Local developer Harridan is seeking to turn its Woolloongabba apartment project into the first stage of a broader transformation of Burke Street, using a new 16-storey mixed-use building to establish a greener pedestrian connection toward the rapidly evolving Boggo Road transport and knowledge precinct.

The South East Queensland developer has filed plans for 154 apartments on the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/4-burke-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">southern side of Burke Street</a>, where its proposal has been designed alongside a wider vision by LatStudios for the street.

That vision positions the southern side of Burke Street for buildings of 15 storeys and above, while envisaging lower-rise development of up to five storeys on the northern side to transition into Woolloongabba's existing character housing. It also proposes wider pedestrian verges, deep planting, new street trees and upgrades to the pedestrian approach to Boggo Road Station.

The Harridan development itself has been designed by Brisbane-based Arqus Design and will comprise 154 apartments across 16 storeys. The mix is weighted heavily toward two-bedroom apartments, with 121 proposed alongside 10 one-bedroom and 23 three-bedroom residences. There will typically be around 14 units per floor.

A lower-ground car park and three podium levels will accommodate 156 resident parking spaces, along with visitor and commercial parking. There will also be 154 resident bicycle spaces and 40 visitor bicycle parks.

&nbsp;

Harridan is a family-owned developer and part of the Holmwood Highgate Group, with more than three decades of development activity across South East Queensland. Its portfolio spans residential, commercial and industrial property, with current residential projects including Riverbank on Byron in Bulimba, Esperance Residences in Carina and The Precinct at Kinross Road in Thornlands.

Wooloongabba has been popular for apartment developers, particularly since the announcement of the 2032 Summer Olympics games in Brisbane.

While there have been a lot of development applications, it has failed to materialize into real supply.&nbsp;

Sarazin has been the major player in the area. They are under construction at Murcia Residences, on the fringe of East Brisbane and Woolloongabba. They have just launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-stanley-residences-woolloongabba-8-trafalgar-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">The Stanley Residences</a>, in Woolloongabba on Trafalagar Street. They also have Nuage coming soon on the nearby <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nuage-woolloongabba-14-wellington-road-woolloongabba-qld-4102">Wellington Road</a>.

First look: Harridan plans Burke Street transformation beside Boggo Road transport hub

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?

State governments in Tasmania and Western Australia have introduced new stamp duty discounts aimed at encouraging the construction and purchase of new apartments and units.

These measures are part of broader efforts to increase housing density and provide more affordable housing options in regions where new construction has lagged behind demand.

In Tasmania, a 50 per cent stamp duty concession has been implemented for buyers of new apartments and units that are either off-the-plan or under construction.

The discount applies to properties valued at up to $750,000 and is available until June 30, 2026. This initiative is designed to support medium-density housing and make apartment living more accessible to Tasmanians.&nbsp;

The state government hopes that this will not only boost construction activity but also provide greater certainty for builders and developers by reducing financial risks associated with large-scale projects.

Western Australia has also introduced stamp duty exemptions and discounts to stimulate the new apartment market.&nbsp;

Buyers can benefit from a full stamp duty exemption on off-the-plan apartment purchases valued at up to $650,000 if the property is bought before construction begins.

For properties under construction, a 75 per cent stamp duty discount is available, also on purchases up to $650,000. Additional concessions are offered for homes worth up to $750,000.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=142314 project_image_fid=263307]

The new policies reflect a growing recognition of the need to address housing affordability and supply issues, particularly in cities like Hobart and Launceston, where housing density remains low.&nbsp;

Although the Tasmanian housing market saw an 8.8 per cent increase in dwelling approvals in June, the state still trails significantly behind others.

The effectiveness of these discounts in driving new apartment construction will depend not only on buyer uptake, but also on the willingness of local governments to approve higher-density developments, a process that has historically faced challenges in Tasmania.

These stamp duty concessions are part of a broader debate on the role of such taxes in the property market.&nbsp;

Some economic analysts argue that removing or significantly reducing stamp duty could be a key factor in making housing more accessible to a wider range of buyers, particularly in regions where the tax represents a substantial portion of the cost of purchasing a home.&nbsp;

The latest measures in Tasmania and Western Australia are seen as steps towards addressing these concerns, although their long-term impact on housing supply and affordability remains to be seen.

The new policies reflect a growing recognition of the need to address housing affordability and supply issues, particularly in cities like Hobart and Launceston, where housing density remains low

Tasmania joins Western Australia in introducing stamp duty discounts to off the plan property buyers

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Sales activity in Tasmania has jumped in the lead-up to spring led by a surge in Launceston sales, according to the Real Estate Institute of Tasmania.
It found there was a “dramatic” 10.5% increase in property sales in Tasmania for the June quarter with sales up 19.2% for the year, though price increases were small.
Launceston house sales activity led the charge for quarter, up 34.4% and 11.8% for the year, recording the biggest increase in two years.
Hobart house sales jumped 18% for the quarter and 37.4% for the year – the biggest quarterly increase in three years, according to REIT president Adrian Kelly.
“Although it could be argued these figures are skewed due to the low volume of sales, the figures still remain positive, particularly given the market conditions over recent years,” Kelly says.
Running against the trend, the North-West centres had a slight decrease in house sales, down 1.7% for the quarter but up 7.5% for the year.
The median house price in Tasmania increased 2.5% for the quarter, up 3.2% over the year.
Click to enlarge
<a rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2013/08/tassiesales-aug-5-big.gif" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/2013/08/tassiesales-aug-5-small.gif"></a>
Kelly says these are positives signs for Tasmania’s real estate market, especially at a time with historically fewer properties coming onto market.
“Whilst sellers feel it is a good strategy to wait until spring before listing their property I suggest they discuss this approach with their agent, as selling in winter when there are fewer properties available for purchase can sometimes work in their favour,” he says.
As activity increased, time on market decreased. The average time to sell a house in Tasmania was two weeks quicker in the June quarter, now at 75 days.
First home buyers remained steady over the quarter, accounting for 19% of house sales while second home buyers still holding a majority of the market at 55%.
Launceston was the most popular with interstate buyers, making up 20% of sales for the quarter.
Kingston, in outer Hobart, is one of the suburbs with the highest turnover rates.
In February a newly built four bedroom house on 755 square metres at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-kingston-113027323">1 Kelp Street</a> (pictured below) sold for $537,500 through agent Dion Flanagan from Charlotte Peterswald Real Estate. The site last traded for $110,000 in 2005. According to RP Data it spent just 30 days on market.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/08/aug5kingston]}
And in May, a 1980-built four bedroom house on 2.13 hectares at 72 Leslie Road sold for $510,000, according to RP Data. It last sold for $230,000 in 1997. It spent 269 days on market.
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awalsh-7Ub9EypybQ

Sizeable 10.5% increase in Tasmanian June quarter property activity: REIT

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Five localities in Tasmania had median price increases above 20% for the March quarter, according to the Real Estate Institute of Tasmania.
The median house price in East Devonport grew 38% over the March quarter to $248,750 though there were only eight sales recorded by the REIT.
Prices in Legana increased 23.1%, 22.9% Ranelagh, 20.8% in Scottsdale and 20.4% in Mornington.
REIT president Adrian Kelly says after ending 2012 on such a positive note, house sales for Tasmania levelled out recording a 0.2% increase for the March quarter.
The top five most expensive suburbs were Acton Park, Mount Nelson, Sandy Bay, Seven Mile Beach and Kettering, while the top five most affordable suburbs were Queenstown, George Town, Smithton, Shorewell Park and Acton.
<img alt="tasmaniaapril30chartone" src="/images/stories/2013/04/tasmaniaapril30chartone.jpg" width="470" height="251">
 
<img alt="tasmaniaapril30charttwo" src="/images/stories/2013/04/tasmaniaapril30charttwo.jpg" width="470" height="190">
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Top 10 price growth localities in Tasmania

<html><body>
House prices in Hobart fell 1.4% over the last quarter as the number of sales dropped 4.6%, according to the Real Estate Institute of Tasmania.
The median house price drop was most strongly felt in the outer suburbs where prices fell 8% to $322,000. Sale numbers dropped 4.5% to 107 sales.
Inner Hobart house prices increased by just 0.1% to $455,000, but sales numbers dropped 9.1% to 130.
Middle Hobart house prices increased 5.2% to $326,000 as sales figures dropped 1.5% to 202.
For other dwellings prices increased 1% across Hobart over the quarter while sales numbers dropped 1.7%.
Middle Hobart had a surge in sales of other dwellings, up 34% to 63 sales. Median prices slipped 1.3% to $265,000.
Strong gains in prices for other dwellings were felt in outer Hobart where median prices increased 9.4% to $290,000 though sales numbers dropped 29.6% to 19 sales.
And in Inner Hobart, other dwellings increased in price by 4.7% to $335,000. Sales numbers dropped 21.7% to 36 sales.
Most buyers in Tasmania over the quarter were 2nd home buyers, making up 56% of sales. This was followed by first home buyers at 19% and investors at 12%. There were just 4 developer sales recorded by the REIT.
<img alt="hobartapril29onethumb" height="74" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/04/hobartapril29onethumb.gif">
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Hobart house prices slip 1.4% over the March quarter

<html><body>
First-home buyers looking for a four-bedroom family home will have a hard time finding anywhere within 30 kilometres of the Melbourne CBD. 
Located 35 kilometres west of the city, Melton South is the closest suburb where first-home buyers can purchase a four-bedroom home and pay equal to or less than the average estimated first-home buyer mortgage repayment in Victoria of $414 per week.  
Aside from Melton South, first-home buyers looking for a four-bedroom home can find a residence in Frankston North, 37 kilometres south of Melbourne. 
There are a number of opportunities in rural Victoria for first-home buyers to find a four-bedroom home.  The Real Estate Institute of Victoria has listed such towns as Ararat, Ballarat (Wendouree), Bendigo (Eaglehawk), Colac, Corio, Kyabram, Longwarry, Mildura, Newcomb and Shepparton.
In order to find a four-bedroom home closer to the city, opportunities arise in the $430-$540 per week mortgage repayment range and are found in the outer suburbs of Melbourne.
The suburbs can be found in an interactive heat map showing weekly mortgage repayment price bands across Melbourne suburbs compiled by the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) as part of its new <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reiv.com.au/Property-Research/First-Home-Buyer-Guide">first-home buyer guide. </a>
The REIV has used a cut-off value of $430 per week, which is above the $414 per week median mortgage repayment. As a result of this, the heat map will show suburbs just above the first-home buyers' threshold as affordable.<a style="font-size: 0.8em;" target="_blank" href="https://www.reiv.com.au/Property-Research/First-Home-Buyer-Guide"> </a>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.reiv.com.au/en/Property-Research/First-Home-Buyer-Guide/4-bedroom-houses"><img alt="reivjan22" height="629" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/01/reivjan22.jpg"></a>
 
The $414 per week median mortgage repayment is based on the average first-home buyer loan size of approximately $286,600, a standard variable interest rate of 6.4%, receipt of the $7,000 first-home owners' grant, a loan term of 30 years, a 10% deposit, and benchmark lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) and conveyance fees.
<img alt="vicmap" height="618" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/01/vicmap.jpg">
 
The full list starting with the cheapest is:
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Ararat</a>, $291 per week, median price of $220,000 <a target="_blank" href="/news">Kyabram</a>, $315 per week, median price of $237,500 <a target="_blank" href="/news">Frankston North</a>, $331 per week, median price of $249,000 <a target="_blank" href="/news">Corio</a>, $344 per week, median price of $258,750 <a target="_blank" href="/news">Morwell</a>, $356 per week, median price of $267,000 <a target="_blank" href="/news">Melton South</a>, $368 per week, median price of $276,250 <a target="_blank" href="/news">Bendigo </a>(<a target="_blank" href="/news">Eaglehawk</a>), $373 per week, median price of $280,000 <a target="_blank" href="/news">Mildura</a>, $375 per week, median price of $281,056 <a target="_blank" href="/news">Sebastopol</a>, $382 per week, median price of $286,000 <a href="/news">Horsham</a>, $384 per week, median price of $287,500 <a href="/news">Newcomb</a>, $384 per week, median price of $287,500 <a href="/news">Longwarry</a>, $390 per week, median price of 292,500 <a href="/news">Ballarat </a>(<a target="_blank" href="/news">Wendouree</a>), $394 per week, median price of $295,000 <a href="/news">Colac</a>, $401 per week, median price of $300,000 <a href="/news">Shepparton</a>, $401 per week, median price of $300,000
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Affordable four-bedroom houses in Victoria a long way from Melbourne: REIV

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With a potential savings of up to $400,000, a new Suncorp report suggests it is little wonder more Australians are moving to regional cities such as Burnie, Tasmania, with its $230,000 median house price.

The Suncorp Family Friendly City report notes buying a family home in Burnie costs almost a third of what you will pay to live in a major capital like Sydney, which is unsurprisingly the most expensive place on the list to own a house.

Rounding out the most expensive places to live with Sydney are the resource boom hotspot Darwin and home of the national public service sector Canberra.

Located on the north-west coast of Tasmania, Burnie was also ranked as Australia’s healthiest city, according to the report.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6876]

Burnie has been labeled the healthiest city due to each resident only visiting their doctor on average 1.3 times over the course of the year.

Surprisingly, they were also ranked among the nation’s unhealthiest when residents were asked how they feel about their own health.

Other positives of Burnie include a low crime rate of 3,769 crimes per 100,000 of the population – making Burnie the fifth safest city in the report.

But the bad comes with the good, and Burnie recorded the highest unemployment rate – equal 29th place with Victoria’s Ballarat – at 8%.

Burnie also recorded the lowest median weekly disposable income of $595 – equal 28th place with its neighbours Launceston and Hobart.

Burnie also came last in the connectivity category, with only 59.8% of households having broadband internet.

However it could be the place for you if childcare is important – it is third for the least crowded childcare, with 65 children per childcare centre.

Overall, <a href="/news">Burnie </a>ranked equal 11th in terms of family friendliness, sharing the spot with <a href="/news">Mackay </a>in Queensland.

Burnie topped the list as the most affordable city with a median house price of $230,000.

<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-burnie-110671113" target="_blank">A three-bedroom property located on Elizabeth Street</a> offering sea and port views (pictured below) comes with an asking price of $254,000

<img alt="eliz" height="342" src="/images/stories/2013/01/eliz.jpg" width="456">

Almost $400,000 above the median house price, a<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-burnie-110612285" target="_blank"> four-bedroom home located on Lorrie Place, Burnie (pictured below), </a>can be yours from $665,600.

<img alt="lorrie" height="342" src="/images/stories/2013/01/lorrie.jpg" width="456">

The property boasts three bathrooms, a grand foyer, a stacker stone feature wall and offers expansive sea views.

On the expensive end of the spectrum<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-burnie-111660767" target="_blank"> is a five-bedroom home on Ridgley Highway acreage</a> (pictured below) with an asking price of $1,595,000.

<img alt="ridgley" height="342" src="/images/stories/2013/01/ridgley.jpg" width="456">

There's a modern, recently renovated two-bedroom cottage also included on the 146-hectare property.

<table border="1" cellpadding="7" cellspacing="0" dir="ltr" style="width: 470px;"><tbody>
<tr>
<td height="12" valign="top" width="33%">
			Rank
			</td>
			<td height="12" valign="top" width="33%">
			City (State/Territory)
			</td>
			<td height="12" valign="top" width="33%">
			Average cost of a house
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			1st
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Burnie (TAS)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$230,000
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			2nd
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			LaTrobe Valley (VIC)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$232,000
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			3rd
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Albury/Wodonga (NSW)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$267,000
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Equal 4th
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Launceston (TAS)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$280,000
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Equal 4th
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Bundaberg (QLD)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$280,000
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			6th
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Toowoomba (QLD)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$286,000
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			7th
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Ballarat (VIC)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$300,000
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			8th
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Wagga Wagga (NSW)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$305,000
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			9th
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Bendigo (VIC)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$311,000
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			10th
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Rockhampton (QLD)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$320,000
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Equal 11th
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Hobart (TAS)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$330,000
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Equal 11th
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Hervey Bay (QLD)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$330,000
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			13th
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Coffs Harbour (NSW)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$335,000
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			14th
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Bunbury (WA)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$340,000
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			15th
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Cairns (QLD)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$345,000
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="12" valign="top" width="33%">
			Rank
			</td>
			<td height="12" valign="top" width="33%">
			City (State/Territory)
			</td>
			<td height="12" valign="top" width="33%">
			Average cost of a house
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			16th
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Townsville (QLD)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$365,000
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			17th
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Mandurah (WA)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$373,000
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			18th
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Geelong (VIC)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$386,000
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			19th
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Wollongong (NSW)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$397,000
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			20th
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Adelaide (SA)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$405,000
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			21th
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Mackay (QLD)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$420,000
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			22th
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Sunshine Coast (QLD)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$430,000
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Equal 23rd
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Perth (WA)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$467,000
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Equal 23rd
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Gold Coast (QLD)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$467,000
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			25th
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Newcastle (NSW)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$474,000
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			26th
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Brisbane (QLD)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$505,000
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			27th
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Melbourne (VIC)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$530,000
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			28th
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Canberra (ACT)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$545,000
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			29th
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Darwin (NT)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$609,000
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			30th
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			Sydney (NSW)
			</td>
			<td height="5" valign="top" width="33%">
			$642,000
			</td>
		</tr>
</tbody></table>
 

The full Suncorp report can be read <a href="https://www.suncorpbank.com.au/sites/default/files/Suncorp_Bank_Family_Friendly_City_Report_FINAL.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Burnie most affordable family-friendly city in Australia: Suncorp

<html><body>
Tasmania's Launceston has beaten Canberra as Australia’s most family-friendly city, according to a Suncorp Bank study.
Suncorp listed the nation’s 30 most family-friendly cities, with the three mainland east coast capitals failing to rate highly.
On worldwide surveys, Melbourne has been ranked as the most livable city in the world two years in a row but was ranked 14th on the Suncorp family-friendly survey.
Sydney was further down the ladder – ranked 23rd – and Brisbane was ranked 24th.
<img alt="top30" src="/images/stories/2013/01/top30.gif" width="470" height="658">
Although <a href="/news">Launceston</a> has a low average income, it trumped the three major cities with its low crime rate, less crowded schools and its lower average cost of housing.
The median house price is $335,000, according to RP Data, and the median unit price is $305,000.
The quiet town of Launceston is rich with historical buildings but there are prices to suit all.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-launceston-112482823" target="_blank">In the middle range, a five-bedroom, two-bathroom home </a>(pictured below) located on Brisbane Street comes with an asking price of $620,000.
<img alt="brisbstreet" src="/images/stories/2013/01/brisbstreet.jpg" width="470" height="353">
Tara built circa 1890 for Richard Gee, who went onto be the 39th mayor of Launceston in 1914.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-launceston-112558683" target="_blank">On the higher end of the scale, a five-bedroom, three-bathroom home </a>(pictured below) on French Street is listed with offers over $1.75 million.
<img alt="frenchst" src="/images/stories/2013/01/frenchst.jpg" width="470" height="353">
Offering views across Launceston City and down to the Tamar River, this home offers a self contained one-bedroom apartment downstairs, accessible from a private entrance or internal lift.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-launceston-112362383" target="_blank">On the cheaper end of the spectrum is a classic cottage on Balfour</a> Street (pictured below) with an asking price of $270,000.
<img alt="balfourst" src="/images/stories/2013/01/balfourst.jpg" width="470" height="353">
The three-bedroom, two-bathroom home boasts tin lining, high ceilings and multi-paned windows.
The full Suncorp report can be read <a href="https://www.suncorpbank.com.au/sites/default/files/Suncorp_Bank_Family_Friendly_City_Report_FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.
Launceston picture courtesy of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.flickr.com/">Flickr</a>.
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Launceston smiles as the most family-friendly city in Australia

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The small coastal town Binalong Bay – with a median house price of $318,500 – is Tasmania’s slowest selling suburb with an average of 209 days on the market before a sale.
Coles Bay - the main entrance point to the Freycinet National Park - comes in second place with a median house price of $300,00 and 190 days on the market.
Located on the western side of the Huon River, Glen Huon is third on the list with an average of 187 days on the market and a median house price of $265,000.
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
Suburb
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
Postcode
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
Media Price
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
Time on market (days)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Binalong Bay</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
7216
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$318,500
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
209
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Coles Bay</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
7215
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$300,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
190
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Glen Huon</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
7109
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$265,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
187
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Huonville</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
7109
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$299,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
183
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">St Helens</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
7216
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$240,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
182
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Cygnet</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
7112
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$255,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
177
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Scamander</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
7215
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$280,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
175
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Geeveston</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
7116
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$265,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
174
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
Rosebery
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
7470
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$60,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
169
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Bicheno</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
7215
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$267,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
164
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Lenah Valley is Tasmania’s fastest selling suburb with an average of 43 days on the market.
Source: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.rpdata.com/">RP Data </a>
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Binalong Bay tops Tasmania's 10 slowest selling suburbs

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Situated in the foothills of Mount Wellington, Lenah Valley – with a median house price of $367,500 – is Tasmania’s quickest selling suburb with an average of 43 days on the market.
 Lying on the ride of Knocklofty, Mount Stuart is second on the list with an average of 46 days on the market and a median house price of $403,750.
Home to the Cascades Female Factory historic site, South Hobart is in third place with an average of 53 days on the market and a median house price of $390,300.
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="106">
Suburb
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
Postcode
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
Median Price
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
Time on market (days)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="106">
<a href="/news">Lenah Valley</a>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
7008
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
$367,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
43
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="106">
<a href="/news">Mount Stuart</a>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
7000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
$403,750
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
46
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="106">
<a href="/news">South Hobart</a>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
7004
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
$390,300
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
53
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="106">
<a href="/news">Moonah</a>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
7009
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
$275,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
54
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="106">
<a href="/news">Havenview</a>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
7320
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
$229,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
58
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="106">
<a href="/news">Seven Mile Beach</a>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
7170
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
$413,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
62
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="106">
<a href="/news">Dynnyrne</a>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
7005
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
$415,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
66
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="106">
<a href="/news">North Hobart</a>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
7007
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
$407,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
67
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="106">
<a href="/news">Park Grove</a>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
7320
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
$291,500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
67
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="106">
<a href="/news">Brooklyn</a>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
7320
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
$157,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
68
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Bingalong Bay is Tasmania’s slowest selling suburb with an average of 209 days on the market.
Source: <a style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; text-decoration: underline; color: #6888b1;" href="https://www.rpdata.com/" target="_blank">RP Data</a>
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Lenah Valley tops Tasmania's 10 fastest-selling suburbs

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Hobart is the capital city where investors are most likely to pick up a property cheaply, according to new analysis by RP Data.
Close to three-quarters (70.9%) of all house and unit sales in Hobart over the year to August were sold below $400,000, with Adelaide ranking second (58.7%) followed by Brisbane (43%) and Melbourne (36.4%).
Only a third (30.3%) of all Sydney sales were below $400,000 with Canberra ranking last with around a quarter (22.5%) below this benchmark.
The results for Hobart are not surprising, given the city had a median house price of $340,000 based on sales over the September quarter, according to the Real Estate Institute of Tasmania (REIT).
According to the REIT, the cheapest Hobart suburb is the fringe suburb of <a target="_blank" href="/news">Risdon Vale</a>, on the eastern shore of the River Derwent, where the median house price was $181,000, based on eight sales over the quarter.
The Tasmanian capital city also accounted for highest proportion of house and unit sales below $200,000, with 12.9% of sales priced below this point.
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="width: 470px;"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="161" valign="top">
Capital City
</td>
<td width="160" valign="top">
&lt;$200,000
</td>
<td width="157" valign="top">
$200,000 to $400,000
</td>
<td width="138" valign="top">
Total &lt;$400,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="161" valign="top">
Hobart
</td>
<td width="160" valign="top">
12.9%
</td>
<td width="157" valign="top">
58%
</td>
<td width="138" valign="top">
70.9%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="161" valign="top">
Adelaide
</td>
<td width="160" valign="top">
6.3%
</td>
<td width="157" valign="top">
52.1%
</td>
<td width="138" valign="top">
58.7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="161" valign="top">
Brisbane
</td>
<td width="160" valign="top">
2.5%
</td>
<td width="157" valign="top">
43%
</td>
<td width="138" valign="top">
45.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="161" valign="top">
Melbourne
</td>
<td width="160" valign="top">
1.9%
</td>
<td width="157" valign="top">
34.5%
</td>
<td width="138" valign="top">
36.4%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="161" valign="top">
Darwin
</td>
<td width="160" valign="top">
5.1%
</td>
<td width="157" valign="top">
28.6%
</td>
<td width="138" valign="top">
33.7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="161" valign="top">
Sydney
</td>
<td width="160" valign="top">
2.4%
</td>
<td width="157" valign="top">
27.9%
</td>
<td width="138" valign="top">
30.3%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="161" valign="top">
Canberra
</td>
<td width="160" valign="top">
1%
</td>
<td width="157" valign="top">
21.5%
</td>
<td width="138" valign="top">
22.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="161" valign="top">
Combined caps
</td>
<td width="160" valign="top">
2.7%
</td>
<td width="157" valign="top">
34.5%
</td>
<td width="138" valign="top">
37.2%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Source: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.myrp.com.au/">RP Data</a>
Recent sales in Hobart below $400,000 include this attractive 1880s-built two-bedroom cottage (pictured below), which sold last month. A price has not been disclosed, but it was advertised “in the high $200,000s” and last sold for $73,500 in 1991. It sold through Ant Manton of Ray White Central Hobart. The property is bordered by walls on two sides called an “Arthur Wall” arrangement, an architectural feature used by the first settlers to extend their food growing season into winter by creating a 'warm micro-climate' between the surrounding walls.
<img width="470" src="/images/stories/2012/11/brisbst.jpg">
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
Another period home snapped up for under $400,000 recently was this five-bedroom house on Bathurst Street (pictured below), which sold for $325,000 through Martin Waldhoff of Fall Real Estate North Hobart.
The cottage dates back to 1890 with the listing suggesting it required some renovations (“ready for an internal make over”) while photos show a barren backyard.
<img width="470" src="/images/stories/2012/11/bathurstst.jpg">
However, it also demonstrates the stagnancy of the Hobart market. The cottage last sold for $320,000 in May 2007, having traded for $110,000 in 1992.
At the other end of the spectrum, Sydney had the highest proportion of sales above $1 million (11.1%), followed by Melbourne (7.8%) and Perth (6.5%).
Nationally, properties that sold for between $200,000 to $400,000 accounted for the plurality, or the bulk of sales; this price bracket accounted for 41.2% of sales over the year.
Property sales between $400,000 and $600,000 accounted for 30.4% of all sales over the year, while the price bracket between $600,000 to $800,000 represented the third largest segment at 11.2%.
RP Data research analyst Cameron Kusher points out there were more sales below $200,000 (7.1%) compared with sales over $1 million.
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lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Hobart and  Adelaide the capital cities with most property under $400,000: RP Data

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The median <a target="_blank" href="/news">Hobart </a>house price fell by 8.1% to a median of $340,000 in the September quarter, according to the latest figures from the Real Estate Institute of Tasmania (REIT).
This has pushed back prices to levels last seen around early 2008.
The median house price fell despite a 4.2% rise in the number of Hobart houses sold over the quarter to 393 and the number of days taken to sell a house decreasing by one day to 58.
Across the state there was a 6.2% increase in house sales to 1,242.
Figures released yesterday by RP Data-Rismark suggest Hobart house prices are continuing to fall, recording a 4.5% fall in the Hobart dwelling price over October (one month ahead of REIT figures) to a median of $300,375 with houses down 3.8% ($313,000) and units down 10.1% ($247,500).
According to the REIT, <a target="_blank" href="/news">Launceston </a>was the only region in Tasmania to record an increase in its median house price over the quarter – up just 0.9% to a median of $265,000 and the only region to record an increase in median rent paid per week, with the rent for two-bedroom units up 20% for the quarter ($270 per week) and the year, and rent for three-bedroom houses steady for the quarter ($240 per week).
Across the state the median house price fell 1.7%, a 3.4% decrease overall for the year, to a median of $285,000, while unit prices fell more steeply, down 3%, a 4.2% decrease overall for the year to a median of $232,750.
The decline did not affect the prestige suburb of <a target="_blank" href="/news">Sandy Bay</a>, just south of the CBD, where the median sales price was up 26% over the quarter and 4.9% year-on-year to a median of $640,000.
The most affordable suburbs or town in Tasmania is <a target="_blank" href="/news">Queenstown</a>, where the median price has risen 33% over the past 12 months to September to $100,000.
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2012/10/reitnov2.gif"><img src="/images/stories/2012/10/reitnov2thumb.gif"></a>
The price declines were particularly severe in the outer suburbs of Hobart, where the median house price fell 8.3% over the September quarter to a median of $307,250 to be down 11.6% over the past 12 months, while unit prices fell 18.5% over the quarter to a median of $232,250, down 17.8% since September last year.


<hr class="system-pagebreak">
House prices declined in the middle suburbs by 10.2% over the quarter to a median of $300,750, while units in the middle suburbs were more resilient, holding steady at a median of $241,000 and down a relatively modest 3.6% year-on-year.
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2012/10/reitnov21.gif"><img src="/images/stories/2012/10/reitnov21thumb.gif"></a>
The severe house price declines in the suburbs did not extend to the inner city, where house prices rose 7.9% to a median of $469,150 while units fell marginally by 1.9% to a median of $321,250.
REIT president Adrian Kelly says the increased number of sales over the quarter is a “positive sign bringing real estate in Tasmania back to a similar position as it was at the beginning of the year”.
“Anecdotal evidence from agencies across the state also indicates they are receiving similar or more enquires about properties for sale,” he says.
“There are currently seven municipalities across Tasmania recording a median house price higher than that of the state median, those being Brighton, Clarence, Hobart, Huon Valley, Latrobe and the West Tamar.”
First-time buyers increased slightly for the quarter, accounting for 18% of house sales across the state, with a median house price of $237,500.
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Devonport </a>on the central north coast of Tasmania recorded the highest number of sales for the quarter of 38. Despite this, house prices fell 14.2% to a median of $220,750 and are down 7.2% year-on-year.
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