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>.

Joel Robinson

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

IN BRIEF

<ul>
	<li>
	Just three double-storey Sky Homes sit at the top of The Waterline, each with its own private marina berth and rooftop terrace.
	</li>
	<li>
	Construction on The Waterline is complete, with the first residents expected to move in from mid-October.
	</li>
	<li>
	Sky Homes range from 282 sqm to 367 sqm and are priced from $3.65 million.
	</li>
</ul>

<hr />
Lewis Land has opened the first completed sky home for inspection at Harbour Shores, giving buyers their first opportunity to step inside one of just three double-storey residences crowning The Waterline.

Each sky home comes with its own private marina berth, rooftop terrace and Broadwater views, combining the scale of a larger home with direct access to the boating lifestyle that underpins the wider <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/harbour-shores-biggera-waters-564-oxley-drive-biggera-waters-qld-4216">Harbour Shores</a> masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=366708]

Lewis Land Head of Development Michael Long said the inclusion of a berth with every Sky Home had become increasingly valuable as marina access across the Gold Coast tightened.

“Marina berths are becoming increasingly difficult to secure across the Gold Coast, so including one with every Sky Home makes this a genuinely rare offering,” Long said.

“The private 70-berth marina will accommodate boats up to 12 metres in length and is positioned just 2.5 kilometres from the Broadwater, placing the open ocean only 15 minutes away.

“Being able to step out of your home onto your boat is a rare luxury, and it’s something residents here can look forward to when it opens later this year.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=366709]

The display opening comes as construction completes on The Waterline, with the first residents expected to move in from mid-October.

The three Sky Homes range from 282 sqm to 367 sqm and each feature three bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living zones, expansive kitchens with butler's pantries and large balconies taking in the Broadwater outlook.

Each residence also has three secure basement car spaces and additional storage.

“This is the first opportunity the Gold Coast has had to step into Harbour Shores and see, touch and feel what we’re bringing to life here,” Long said.

“There are only three Sky Homes within The Waterline, ranging in size from 282sqm to 367sqm, with each residence featuring three large bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living zones, expansive custom-built kitchens with butler’s pantry, and large balconies capturing Broadwater views.”

<img alt="Harbour Shores" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bab65e10-4fab-45e1-92d8-fc56e2ab98ff" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-25%20at%202.00.16%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=XT8q76LsPkw3cYTsvN3JfFDaPLud90PN" />

Residents of The Waterline will have access to a private pool, along with Harbour Shores' wider collection of amenity including a lagoon pool, social clubhouse, tennis court, gym, yoga facilities and sauna.

Lewis Land partnered with Studio Collective to furnish the completed display, with the interiors designed to demonstrate how the residences could function as permanent homes rather than simply as show apartments.

Studio Collective Director Melissa Park said the surrounding waterways informed the interiors, but in a more restrained way than a traditional coastal scheme.

“We drew inspiration from the canals and coastal surrounds, but our approach was to interpret that subtly through layered materials and a grounded palette of earthy tones, rather than literal coastal references,” Park said.

“We introduced hero moments of green and teal to reference the surrounding waterways, while mirrored elements help reflect natural light.

“The result is a residence that feels elevated yet comfortable, somewhere buyers can genuinely imagine themselves living, entertaining and unwinding.”

Sky Homes are priced from $3.65 million.

Lewis Land is also offering private marina berths with The Residences, its limited collection of three and four-bedroom villas positioned directly along the Harbour Shores waterfront boardwalk.

Three-bedroom villas are priced from $2.99 million, while four-bedroom residences start from $3.19 million.

Harbour Shores is being marketed by Colliers International.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=113271]

Lewis Land opens sky home display as The Waterline completes at Harbour Shores

St Vincent de Paul Society Housing Australia has filed plans for a major mixed-use housing precinct on the southern edge of the North Sydney CBD, adding another significant proposal to a pocket around North Sydn​ey Station that is quickly becoming one of the LGA's busiest development zones.

The State Significant Development Application covers a 5,990 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/1-19-mackenzie-street-lavender-bay-nsw-2060">1-19 MacKenzie Street and 211 Blues Point Road in Lavender Bay</a>, immediately south of Nor​th Sydney Station and between the commercial core and the lower-rise Lavender Bay Heritage Conservation Area.

Designed by Wardle, the proposal would deliver a new residential tower comprising 88 build-to-sell apartments and 19 affordable apartments, alongside a separate co-living building with 57 rooms and a building manager's studio.

It would also see the significant restoration and upgrade of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, the adaptive reuse of the former school building, new parish facilities, retail, a new public square and around 1,000 sqm of publicly accessible open space.

<img alt="Vinnies North Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d5dd7f87-a617-463e-b577-17541e01f0e9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.10.13%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4R8TsFN3P_LrrXO2HswTOIrx2blil8lh" />

The project is seeking a concurrent rezoning of the site to R4 High Density Residential and an increase in the maximum building height to allow a tower reaching RL120, or up to 20 storeys. The proposal was progressed through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The build-to-sell component will be weighted toward larger apartments, with just six one-bedroom apartments compared with 31 two-beds, 43 three-beds and eight four-bedroom residences.

The 19 affordable apartments will comprise two studios, 15 one-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom apartments, taking the total apartment component to 107 residences before the 58 co-living rooms are included.

<img alt="Vnnies" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7d568ca5-cb90-4e18-96c6-d9795dba0c56" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.10.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=GY2R5M9VtQh0EKy1vajaea19PSLOPuRD" />

Wardle's design for the Vinnies site has sought to negotiate that emerging high-rise context while retaining the lower-scale character of MacKenzie Street and the adjoining heritage conservation area.

The main building adopts a three-storey podium and tower arrangement, with the podium aligned to the ridgeline and front setback of St Francis Xavier Church.&nbsp;Wardle has designed the podium with colonnades, seating, recessed entries and active ground-floor frontages, with sandstone-toned precast concrete and face brick referencing the materiality of the existing church.

The tower then steps back eight metres to the south and six metres to the north before rising in a sculpted form comprising four interlocking quadrants. Wardle has also introduced rounded forms and chamfered corners to reduce the tower's perceived bulk and improve view sharing with neighbouring development sites.

Resident facilities and outdoor areas are planned at the separation between the podium and tower at Level 3, oriented toward Sydney Harbour and the CBD skyline.

The tower itself will feature a glass reinforced concrete facade, with recessed balconies and deep reveals used both to provide shading and privacy and frame views toward the harbour and city. The lower levels take a different architectural approach, using brick and sandstone-toned finishes intended to establish a stronger relationship with St Francis Xavier Church. The Church itself will be conserved and upgraded for its continued use, while the former school building will be adaptively reused as part of the co-living component.

<img alt="Lavendar Bay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2d4418ad-90aa-4d49-af93-c80b140aea80" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.09.47%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Kv4gzbsACaGvZSRuaqcfGC54jEJRXIDJ" />

&nbsp;

The proposal adds to an increasingly concentrated pipeline of residential development around Blue Street, MacKenzie Street and Lavender Bay.

Just west of the site, Central Element lodged plans earlier this year for one of the most significant residential developments proposed in Lavender Bay in recent years.

Central Element's SJB-designed scheme at 64-66 Lavender Street and 3-7 Middlemiss Street would deliver 163 apartments across two towers rising 23 and 32 storeys, replacing five existing apartment buildings containing 32 homes. The project also forms part of the Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-central-element-reveals-lavender-bay-apartment-plans?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener" target="_blank">First look: Central Element reveals Lavender Bay apartment plans</a>

Immediately around North Sy​dney Station, another two significant proposals have emerged at 5 and 15 Blue Street.

Zurich Australian Insurance Properties is seeking to adaptively reuse its longstanding commercial building at 5 Blue Street, directly above North Sydney Station, rather than demolishing the structure.

Its SSDA proposes converting the building into a 14-storey mixed-use development with 62 apartments and 86 co-living rooms, together with ground-floor retail and a major refurbishment of Blue Street Plaza. The application is currently at the Response to Submissions stage.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-zurich-targets-north-sydney-office-conversion-with-148-unit-proposal-above-metro-station">First look: Zurich targets North Sydney office conversion with 148-unit proposal above Metro station</a>

&nbsp;

First look: Vinnies files for 20-storey Lavender Bay apartment tower as North Sydney housing pocket heats up

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 30 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 33 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

Go-to builder-developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/graya">GRAYA</a> is continuing to bulk out its already impressive and diverse apartment portfolio across South East Queensland. Their latest milestone is securing development approval for Silk, its boutique riverfront apartment development in St Lucia.

The approval clears&nbsp;the way for the team to begin construction planning for the 22-residence project.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/silk-st-lucia-16-18-sandford-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">Silk</a> will rise 15 levels from an 810 sqm site at 16-18 Sandford Street, occupying a prominent bend of the Brisbane River with a prized northern aspect across Orleigh Park toward the Brisbane CBD.

The approved scheme will comprise 16 split-floor and six full-floor residences, continuing GRAYA's move into larger-format apartment developments targeting Brisbane's prestige owner-occupier market.

The project has been designed around the site's broad river frontage and dual-direction views, with GRAYA prioritising larger residences, privacy and outlook over apartment yield.

<img alt="Silk St Lucia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aa5c2349-f96c-4914-a812-1f2cd6827af8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%208.25.44%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=WY0vEU_7vYjeRJKQHiCwFdMxu8PvFh52" />

GRAYA Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Rob Gray said the project had been shaped around local homeowners wanting to remain in St Lucia without maintaining a traditional family home.

"St Lucia is one of those suburbs people do not want to leave," Gray said.

"They know the river, the trees, UQ, the golf course, Toowong and Indooroopilly, and that familiarity is hard to replace.

"True riverfront opportunities here are exceptionally scarce. What we have designed at Silk is a way to stay in the suburb people love, with the scale and privacy of a private home and far less to maintain.

"This is not typical apartment product. It is a proper home on the river, and that is exactly what this market has been missing."

The approval comes as new apartment development continues to increase across the St Lucia and neighbouring Toowong corridor, although direct riverfront sites remain considerably more tightly held.

GRAYA Co-founder and Managing Director Andrew Gray said securing the approval had removed a significant element of development risk from Silk.

"Genuine riverfront sites of this quality in St Lucia are not something that comes up regularly," Gray said.

"The approval removes a substantial layer of execution risk, and the location underwrites demand in a way very few inner-city sites can.

"The fundamentals here are as strong as anything we have assessed in Brisbane."

<img alt="Silk St Lucia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d0f3d734-65e1-48e8-8ed3-2e0715ffcdd9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%208.25.56%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sOLSs_jdHkXLWbBKzRyayf5BfTb2vPsD" />

Silk will see GRAYA return to a stretch of the Brisbane River where it already has recent construction experience. The vertically integrated group recently completed ARC in neighbouring Toowong as builder for developer Spyre, delivering the riverfront project on a constrained site.

GRAYA will take a different role at Silk, controlling the project from design and development through construction and aftercare under its vertically integrated model.

The development will include a gym and resident leisure areas at ground level, integrated with the river's edge.

Silk joins a growing pipeline for GRAYA across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, which includes Enclave, The Gallery, Coral and Ripple.

The developer-builder has also recently lodged plans for its largest project to date, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-silo-19-chester-street-newstead-qld-4006">The Silo</a>, a proposed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/graya-buys-frasers-newstead-site-plans-the-silo-between-james-street-and-gasworks-precincts">$700 million mixed-use development</a> in Brisbane's James Street precinct.

Silk is expected to predominantly target local owner-occupiers and prestige buyers seeking a permanent riverfront home in Brisbane's inner west.

Registrations of interest are now open, with further details on the project and construction program to be released as it progresses.

<hr />
<h2>SILK PROJECT FACTS</h2>

Developer-builder: GRAYA

Project: Silk

Location: 16-18 Sandford Street, St Lucia

Apartments: 22

Built form: 15 levels

Site: 810 sqm riverfront holding

Mix: 16 split-floor and six full-floor residences

Status: Development approved

Next step: Construction planning underway

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152168]

GRAYA greenlit for riverfront St Lucia apartment development, Silk

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/far-east-consortium">Far East Consortium</a> is preparing to commence construction on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/640-bourke-street-melbourne-640-bourke-street-melbourne-vic-3000">640 Bourke Street</a> this October, marking the next milestone for the Melbourne CBD development and its higher-end Eliza Collection.

Spanning levels 44 to 68 of the 68-storey <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>-designed tower, the Eliza Collection has been conceived as a lower-density offering within the broader development, with only five apartments on each floor, dedicated lift access and a collection of resident spaces reserved exclusively for Eliza Collection residents.

The Eliza Collection forms part of Far East Consortium's broader move toward larger-format residences at 640 Bourke Street, where the number of apartments was reduced from earlier plans as apartment sizes increased.

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"What it's meant for 640 Bourke is we've actually reduced the number of apartments. We've increased the overall size of the apartments. We don't have any studios in here, and what that does for a project is it elevates it," Far East Consortium Director of Sales and Marketing Lauren Sheldon said.

Rothelowman Associate Jun Chang said the design process provided an opportunity to create more generous floorplans.

"We were given the opportunity to be more generous. The apartments became bigger and squarer than any other apartments which had been designed in the CBD before that."

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That thinking carries through to the Eliza Collection, where the residences have been designed around the space and functionality associated with a larger home, but positioned high above the centre of Melbourne.

Kitchens are equipped with Gaggenau appliances, a butler's pantry, temperature-controlled wine cabinet and sculptural pendant lighting, while engineered timber flooring, stone and porcelain finishes and custom cabinetry feature throughout the broader interiors.

Privacy and security are another point of distinction. Eliza Collection residents have dedicated lift access, while 640 Bourke Street will provide concierge services and secure resident parking. Short-stay accommodation, including Airbnb, will not be permitted within the development.

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Eliza Collection residents will also have exclusive access to selected amenity spaces across levels one and three of the restored Eliza Tinsley building. These include the Salon with grand piano, an art therapy room, private dining rooms and treatment rooms.

They sit within more than 3,000 sqm of amenity planned across 640 Bourke Street, alongside facilities including a pool, gym, whisky lounge and further social and wellness spaces.

The Eliza Tinsley building itself is central to the wider project's identity. Rather than treating the existing Eliza Tinsley façade as a separate element, Rothelowman used it as a starting point for the architecture of the new tower, with the historic building to accommodate the project's gallery and lobby.

"It's a significant asset and wants to be celebrated and experienced by all residents every single time they go in and out of the building," Rothelowman Principal Stuart Marsland said.

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The tower will rise behind the retained heritage building at 640 Bourke Street, placing residents within walking distance of Southern Cross Station, Flagstaff Gardens, Queen Victoria Market and the Docklands waterfront.

With construction scheduled to begin in October, Far East Consortium has established an onsite display gallery at 640 Bourke Street, including fully built apartments that allow the project's layouts, materials and finishes to be inspected at full scale.

A fully built Eliza Collection apartment is also available to view at the display suite by appointment ahead of the planned October construction commencement.

Eligible purchasers who buy before construction commences can secure the full available off-the-plan stamp duty savings, subject to eligibility and applicable conditions.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=509]

Far East Consortium brings Eliza Collection to 640 Bourke Street ahead of October construction start

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A renovated town residence in St Kilda West has sold under the hammer for $1.1 million.
Located at 278 Canterbury Road St Kilda West (pictured below), the property sold above its listed price guide of $980,000 to $1.05 million.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/07/stkildawestjuly11one.jpg" width="470" height="285" alt="stkildawestjuly11one">
Situated on 136 square metres, the home features four bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Surrounded by park aspects and within walking distance to Albert Park, the home boasts a Zen-inspired colour palette. 
The home was listed through <a target="_blank" href="https://greghockingrealestate.com.au/promotion/278-canterbury-road-st-kilda-west/">Brett Hallam and Warwick Gardiner of Greg Hocking Holdsworth</a>.
The median house price in <a href="/news">St Kilda West</a> is $1,225,000, according to RP Data.
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Renovated St Kilda West townhouse sells at auction 

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The good oil on olive growing is that business is booming, with record production tipped for Victoria.
And our Indian summer and long clear sunny days and cool nights leading into winter helped make it happen.
In 2007, production was five million litres of oil, and this year growers will harvest a record 15 million litres – about two and half times more than last year. Ten years ago the figure was less than one million litres.
Fairfax Media reports that exports will account for 40% of production, with local demand set to increase by 60% a year.
The weather gods were especially kind to Boundary Bend Limited – Victoria’s largest producer - after two wet winters, says ABC Online.
The vast olive pressing factory in Northern Victoria has 6100 hectares of mature olive plantations split between Swan Hill on the Murray River and Boort in central Victoria. It harvests more than two million trees.
During the pressing season - from March to July - the factory processed a record crop and pressed it into extra virgin olive oil. This year, out of a national forecast of 20 million litres of olive oil, it predicts it will produce about 14 million litres.
Olives thrive in hot, dry conditions like those found in the Middle Eastern, where they originated. So, while the long summer and dry autumn made livestock producers and grain growers anxious, our olive producers were counting their blessings.
The quality of this year’s harvest of olive oil promises to be the best in a decade, a leading producer told The Land.
Across Australia, the crop looks to be up over 80% from 2012 with about 18-20 million litres being produced this year compared with 10.5 million litres last year.
And, based on the results so far from both taste panels and international competitions, the quality of this year’s harvest is also reportedly the best in a decade.
Hobby farm olive groves to hit the market recently include <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-staffordshire+reef-113685083">462 Staffordshire Reef Road</a> (pictured below), Staffordshire Reef, near Ballarat, which sold through Blue Ribbon Ballarat for $320,000.
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Agent Jamie Butterworth says the property with two storey cottage has 250 Tuscan olive trees, 1400 pinot noir vines and two large dams on its 26 acres. It has a modern kitchen, wood heater, underground power, water tanks, good fencing and gully views.
Another olive grove, at 3594 Halls Gap-Ararat Road, Halls Gap, was sold in late April. Bruce McIlvride of Landmark Harcourts – Stawell said Red Rock Olives at Halls Gap was an ideal change of lifestyle on 127 hectares.
It has an extensive olive orchard, food manufacturing facility, small residence and farm-gate shop. He would not disclose the selling price, but said the prices of olive hobby farms ‘’varied widely’’ depending on the size, quantity of trees and levels of production. ‘’You’ve got to find the right buyer-fit,’’ he said.
Ken Maroney Real Estate Greensborough recently sold a four hectare irrigated Arthurs Creek olive grove hobby farm with five bedroom weatherboard for $650,000.
‘’The 300 trees are three to four years old and, in a few years, they should produce a substantial crop of olives,’’ agent Dianne Vissaritis says.
‘’It takes nine years to grow fruit on the trees but they will earn money in the long term. All the hard work was done here.’’
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Hobby olive farms in vogue with record oil production projected in Victoria

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Not to be outbid by Asian investors, local investors are reasserting their presence in the Melbourne CBD and city fringe, according to Colliers agent Daniel Wolman.
Prime CBD retail assets, and those in nearby tightly held city fringe retail strips, were in "hot" demand amid Colliers International’s Winter 2013 national auction portfolio.
Achieving an outstanding yield of 3.48% was a freestanding Victorian-style building at 776 Glenferrie Road in Hawthorn which had not changed hands for more than five decades.
Tenanted by Rhodes Hair Studio, the fringe retail strip offering sold under the hammer for $1.78 million through Daniel Wolman and his colleague Jeremy Gruzewski.
“The tenant, Rhodes Hair Studio, has resided in this building for more than 25 years," Mr Wolman said.
“Hawthorn, and particularly the Glenferrie Road precinct, is tightly held and always in high demand from investors and tenants alike, but even we were amazed by the yield we were able to achieve," he said.
Mr Wolman and colleague Matthew Stagg sold an Australia Post outlet at 839 Bourke Street in the Victoria Harbour precinct in Docklands for $902,000 along with the Brown Gouge dry cleaners premises at 837 Bourke Street, for $545,000.
The consecutive auctions attracted seven bidders.
“With lower interest rates, finance for investors is becoming much quicker and simpler to access,” Mr Wolman said.
“Banks and investors want to see a secure lease to well-established tenants, and there have been some strong examples of late.
"Local investors are getting back into the market in a big way, and properties in prime locations are at the top of their wish list.
“Last year the activity was primarily drive by Asian investors," he added.
“The influx of Asian capital targeting Melbourne CBD commercial property, and the ease with which purchasers can enter the market via their self-managed super funds, contributed to a noticeable increase in sales last year.
“But to date, 2013 has been all about the domestic purchaser.”
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Local investors buying up well-tenanted Melbourne retail property offerings

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Construction on Mirvac’s Yarra Point tower in the waterfront precinct Yarra’s Edge is now complete, with 90% of residential apartments sold totalling over $150 million in sales.
The 31-level tower consists of 201 apartments in the sixth apartment tower within the Yarra Edge precinct.
A limited number of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and Sky Residences remain, starting from $595,000 to $1.4 million.
“We are pleased to announce that construction is complete at our luxurious waterfront address, a continuation of Yarra Point’s success story to date,” says John Carfi, chief executive officer of Mirvac Residential.
Construction on the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/developments/docklands-development-yarra-point-three-quarters-sold-as-mirvac-says-the-price-is-right/2011110252174" target="_blank">$191 million development</a> was completed a month ahead of schedule.
“We expect to see this momentum at Yarra Point to continue over the coming months now that our prospective purchasers can see for themselves the degree of space, quality and craftsmanship in our remaining apartments,” says Carfi.
The tower features one, two and three-bedroom apartments ranging in size from 55 square metres to 214 square metres.
The tower features a two-level lobby - acting as an extension of the outdoors - with mature trees, succulents and bluestone.
Residents will also have use of a 300-square-metre rooftop garden, lounge, gymnasium and a business centre.
Property Observer recently <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/mirvac-s-yarra-point-comes-alive-with-oly-san-francisco-mirvac/2013052661437" target="_blank">reported</a> on the styling of a 31st floor sky residence with furnishings from Oly San Francisco.
Construction has commenced on Mirvac’s seventh residential tower at the waterfront precinct, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/developments/half-of-apartments-in-mirvacs-array-development-in-docklands-sold/2013021459351" target="_blank">Array</a>.
The $218 million Array development offers a range of one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments and is now 65% sold.
Marketing of the 39-storey development commenced in September 2012, with apartments priced from $520,000 for a one-bedroom apartment to $7 million for a penthouse.
The development is due to be completed in 2016, with first settlements occurring in mid-2015.
Mirvac have also launched a <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/nothing-backward-about-mirvac-s-black-label-loyalty-offering-at-array/2013030359620" target="_blank">project-specific brand loyalty-royalty scheme</a> for their returning or new clientele.
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Mirvac's Yarra Point tower 90% sold as construction completed

Retired spin bowler Shane Warne has&nbsp;revealed to the Herald Sun Confidential columnist Luke Dennehy that&nbsp;putting his Brighton mansion for sale&nbsp;was&nbsp;a &quot;bittersweet&quot; decision given, in part,&nbsp;he&nbsp;had&nbsp;put his heart and soul into renovating the heritage property.

But his living arrangements&nbsp;now with fiance Elizabeth Hurley meant it was the right time to sell.

He will&nbsp;be buying something smaller to&nbsp;spend his estimated 120 to 140 days&nbsp;in Australia&nbsp;with&nbsp;his&nbsp;children -&nbsp;spacing&nbsp;out his visits&nbsp;every five or six weeks&nbsp;for two or three weeks.

&#39;&#39;I love Melbourne, I think it&#39;s the best city in the world,&#39;&#39; he said.

Luke Dennehy suggested&nbsp;Warne had an offer to sell the mansion for $20 million late in 2011, but the timing wasn&#39;t right.

&#39;&#39;I was just about to start the Big Bash and the house was finally finished after two years of renovations,&#39;&#39; Warne told him.

&#39;&#39;Elizabeth and her son Damian were coming out for Christmas and my kids wanted to be in the house they had been waiting two years for.

&#39;&#39;At that stage I had no intention of ever moving again.

&#39;&#39;The past 10 to 15 years I&#39;d probably had six houses, and my intention and vision for this house was to build absolutely everything I wanted so I wouldn&#39;t have to move again.


&#39;&#39;I spent a lot of time doing up. I&#39;ve got theatres, entertaining areas, huge wine cellars, a big pool area, a tennis court, I think a 6000 square metre underground basement.

&#39;&#39;But obviously things have changed. It&#39;s a pretty special home, and it&#39;s sad to let it go.

The Brighton real estate agent J.P. Dixon has the <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/6-william-street-brighton/Property-Details-buy-residential-5632107" target="_blank">William Street property&nbsp;</a>listed at $15 million.

When it was listed last year&nbsp;Sportsbet.com.au briefly took&nbsp;bets on what the&nbsp;property would&nbsp;fetch.

It&nbsp;had $10 million to $12 million as the favourite price bracket, with the odds at $2.60.

Selling for less than $10 million was the next closest bet at $3, while&nbsp;more than $20 million&nbsp;dropped back from $3 odds in August to a less impressive $13 just before the betting board was removed.

The Brighton property&nbsp;will&nbsp;set a new price record in the bayside suburb if it sells for more than $15.6 million.

It&nbsp;was totally renovated by Warne and features a gym, cinema, basement garage, tennis court, and a pool with Warne&#39;s cricket number, 23, inscribed on the bottom.

Warne paid $8.55 million for the heritage listed home in 2009, which he shared with partner Simone Callaghan and their three children before the couple split in 2010.

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A few months later, the mansion - decked out with privacy shields along the fence line - became the scene of an almost&nbsp;riotous media scrum when the English actress and model Liz Hurley came to stay after months of flirtation on Twitter.

They are now set to marry at some time.

Shane Warne reluctantly pulls up stumps on Brighton

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The infamous ultra-modern “Pamela Anderson” house in St Kilda West has been listed for $1,350 weekly rental.
The <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/rental-properties/270-canterbury-road-st-kilda-west/Property-Details-rent-residential-5728971" target="_blank">three-storey, three-bedroom St Kilda West</a> house comes with a gourmet kitchen, a north-facing terrace with lap pool, a private courtyard with pond and a two-car garage behind the internationally renowned façade.
It's available for rent through <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/270-canterbury-road-st-kilda-west/Property-Details-rent-residential-4240233" rel="nofollow">Capri Property</a> leasing agent Judith Simpson, who had it for rent at the same pricing in July last year.
The Marshall White agency <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/pamela-anderson-house-built-for-sam-newman-on-the-market/2011103052125">had listed the property in November 2011</a> for sale, but no sale eventuated at its desired $1.62 million asking price.
Designed by architect Cassandra Fahey in 2000, it won a Royal Australian Institute of Architects award, making news around the world given the Baywatch beauty’s appearance on the façade (pictured below).
<img alt="stkildajuly5one" height="311" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/07/stkildajuly5one.jpg">
Photo courtesy of adonline.id.au
The former Geelong footballer and football commentator Sam Newman built the house at the height of his playboy notoriety, but never lived in it before he sold it for $1.1 million in mid-2002 to financial adviser Sean Patrick Taylor through a company called Canterbury Park Pty Ltd.
Dividing locals on its merits, the large glass mural façade at 270 Canterbury Road has been a source of controversy ever since it was unveiled a decade ago.
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Pamela's available again as St Kilda West Pamela Anderson-design rental property

A six-bedroom family retreat in Sale is on the market for $830,000.

Situated on 9.3 hectares, the Gibsons Road property was designed by Toorak architect Dale Fisher Jnr.

The property features an open plan granite kitchen, in ground wine cellar and five bathrooms.

The home is surrounded by decking and boasts a large north facing deck with a pizza oven.

A separate two-bedroom, two-bathroom flat is also located on the property.

The home also includes a tennis court, orchard and a dam suitable for swimming.

The property was first listed in September 2010 for $1.2 million and was relisted in early 2011 for $995,000.

The median house price in Sale is $279,000, according to RP Data,&nbsp;with the average discount required to sell a house is 7.7%, while private treaty sales spend an average of 113 days on market.

Sale is located 212 km from Melbourne&rsquo;s CBD. It is accessible by car or by train, with Sale railway station serving the town, via the Bairnsdale V/Line rail service.

According to the 2011 Census, Sale has a population of 14,259. The median age of people in Sale is 38 years, with children under 14 making up 20% of the population, indicating there are a number of young families living there.

The median asking rent for houses in Sale is $275 per week, while average rental yield is 5.1%.

with additional research by Diane Leow.

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Dale Fisher Jr-designed family retreat for sale in Sale

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There are about 65 Falls Creek properties listed for sale on the realestate.com.au portal, as the Victorian alpine ski resort 2013 ski season gets into gear.
Set around 4.5 hours from Melbourne, the properties listed on realestate.com.au range from $35,000 to $1.4 million.
The ski location's median apartment price in April was $346,700, according to RP Data.
The cheapest $35,000 offering sits within Morry Schwartz’s development, Silverski.
Suggesting there has been little price appreciation for the Silverski studios, the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-studio-vic-falls+creek-113110019" target="_blank">112 and 113 apartments</a> (pictured below) sold for $30,000 in 2011 when Schwartz offloaded his entire mountain holdings.
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Now they are re-listed with a $35,000 asking price each.
Christa Zirknitzer, from RT Edgar Alpine Bright, said recently that 112 and 113 were "expected to fetch the asking price." The Silverski 112 and 113 are currently under offer. 

She told Property Observer that “there has been some market growth where the majority are regular home/apartment buyers and not investors”.
Of the 77 Falls Creek apartments developed and sold by Morry Schwartz, 15 of them have been re-listed for sale since the owners bought them back in 2011.
His offerings were with no reserve price.
A <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-alpine-vic-falls+creek-113222843" target="_blank">studio apartment</a> (pictured below) with a kitchenette and spa bath is listed with $149,000 hopes.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/06/june27bogong]}
The studio apartment is part of a complex that includes a restaurant, swimming pool and a sauna.
Christa Zirknitzer sold six properties that were recently listed from the Schwarz development fetching between $120,000 - $125,000.
Originally sold at the August 2011, apartment 301 of the Huski Development, another of Schwarz’s developments, been re-listed at $575,000.
The most recent sales - dating from around January this year - were in the St Falls East complex when  apartments <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-falls+creek-111929675">604 and 406 St Falls East</a> were sold. Both sold after lenghty time on the market. 
Apartment 604 was sold at an undisclosed price, but only after the asking price was adjusted to $380,000 down from $495,000 where it was on the market for 200 plus days.

It contains two bedrooms and two bathrooms with a balcony and an outdoor entertaining area.

Apartment 406 in St Falls East was sold at an undisclosed price having been listed at $250,000 for the one bedroom and one bathroom offering.

Located 356 kilometres, Falls Creek has a range of runs - 17% are beginner, 60% are intermediate and 23% advanced.
There are also 15 lifts to take skiers to these runs.
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Falls Creek offerings from $35,000 to $1.4 million

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Fortuna Villa, one of Bendigo's finest heritage-listed estates, is set for new ownership and restoration having sold post-auction for $2.21 million to the underbidder, adman Paul Banks.
The $3 million auction price was fool's gold, as it was never settled by its mystery buyer.
With a Pompeii fountain, parade ground, coach house, stables and, the seven bedroom mansion, the estate dates back to George Lansell who was the gold-rush town's quartz king.
It went to April auction when listed by the Defence Department whose signals section had taken up occupancy in the 1940s.
But its $3 million auctipn sale fell through.
Paul Banks, the advertising and marketing company owner will now endeavour to have the property rezoned to allow its utlisation by members of the public.
“Once we get a lick of paint on it we can get it opened up for functions, put a couple of bathrooms in it here and there and open it up for boutique style accommodation,” he told the Bendigo Advertiser.
Mr Banks has secured the property for about $2.21 million, a substantial discount to the $3 million April auction price, when the local press speculated it had sold to Chinese interests. 
Paul Banks, who runs <a target="_blank" href="https://www.regionalreach.com/index.php">Regional Reach Advertising </a>at Sutton Grange, was an April auction underbidder. 
It was on the market at $1.75 million when <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.tsfn.com.au/?pagecall=property&amp;propertyID=2199224">Fortuna Villa</a> was being sold by the Department of Defence through Tweed Sutherland First National.
The quartz king, George Lansell, a mining entrepreneur, was the director of 38 mines and had links to almost every mine in Bendigo.
He struck fortune with his purchase of the 180 mine, part of the New Chum Reef.
He remodelled the mansion in the late 1880 which was lavishly furnished with pieces collected from around the globe. He designed the spacious gardens with walks, lakes and imported plants.
The Villa is built in a number of architectural styles - Victorian Italianate and Victorian Free Classical, with Federation influences.
The heritage listed rendered brick construction comes with seven bathrooms, cast-iron verandahs, a billiard room, a ballroom, a conservatory, a reception room and entrance hall.
It has a stained glass, cedar and blackwood staircase, a solid marble bath, extensive acid-etched glasswork.
The villa comes on 7.57 hectares and has 32 outbuildings. The Victorian gardens include a roman bath and a Pompeii fountain. There is also a tennis court, coach house and a large lake on the property. The lake was previously a tailings pond.
<a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.fortunavilla.net.au/inc/pdf/Draft%20Fortuna%20Phase%201%20Summary%20Report%20-%20Public%20Doc%20-%20final%20100709.pdf">The Department of Defence</a> occupied the site from 1942 and in 1957 it was compulsorily acquired for Army use. Since then the site has been occupied by the Army and other Defence organisations. Most recently it has been the home of the Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation.
The department of defence built a number of modern buildings on the property including a mess hall, stores and accommodation.
<img height="57" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/05/trophyhomesstrapone.jpg" alt="trophyhomesstrapone">
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Bendigo's Fortuna Villa heritage trophy estate finally sells

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An RMIT planning professor has slammed as "world’s worst practice" the state government’s rezoning of land at Fishermans Bend without due consideration to planning controls.
Professor Michael Buxton said it was "scandalous what (they) did in rezoning such a large area of land as capital city zone without any rules being in place, and enriching canny speculators who saw this coming.
"You could not get a worse example of how not to develop than Fishermans Bend."
His comments to Fairfax Media refer to state planning minister Matthew Guy’s rezoning of 240 hectares for residential development a year ago.
Since then, 21 skyscrapers have been proposed for Montague precinct alone, the area closest to the CBD.
There are reports land speculators are making tens of millions of dollars by keeping an eye on the state government’s vision for high rise villages at Fishermans Bend, despite no official plan for the area having been released.
Opposition planning spokesman Brian Tee said a strategic plan for the area was "well overdue". "With the stroke of a pen, the (planning) minister has an enormous amount of power to add tens of millions to the value of a property.
"He’s ticking and flicking these tall tower proposals and making speculators incredibly wealthy, but really destroying any opportunity to have a soulful community on this site.
"This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to get this iconic site right and it needs a plan to ensure it does not become Docklands mark two."
Redevelopment of Fishermans Bend will flood the area with apartments, with 680 in three residential towers at 123 Montague Street, South Melbourne, and 1023 in four skyscrapers at 6-78 Buckhurst Street.
There are suggestions developers had "land banked" the sites years ago tipping the state government would rezone them as high-rise residential when in power. This is proving correct.
The 123 Montague site of 0.57 hectares - for sale by expressions of interest - is bordered by Thistlethwaite, Montague, Buckhurst and Ferrars streets.
The CBRE Richard Ellis sale board describes it as offering an "unparalleled location, significant long-term income and development potential".
A spokeswoman for Mr Guy said he would not comment.</body></html>

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