Abadeen has released the whole-floor penthouse crowning its recently completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/park-residences-cremorne-2-sutherland-street-cremorne-nsw-2090">Park Residences</a> development in Cremorne, bringing the near-300 sqm residence to market for the first time.

Occupying the entire top floor of the boutique Lower North Shore development, the penthouse includes 221 sqm of internal living and a 74 sqm wraparound terrace, with a prized north-facing aspect taking in views across Middle Harbour.

The residence has been completed and fully furnished following a collaboration between Abadeen Executive Chairman Justin Brown and internationally recognised interior designer Jack Freeman, Founder and Managing Director of FREEMAN &amp; CO.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/abadeen">Abadeen</a> and Freeman approached the penthouse as a finished home, sourcing furniture, artwork, lighting and objects from Australia and overseas.

&nbsp;

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Pieces from Parisian design house Pierre Augustin Rose sit alongside contemporary artworks and bespoke lighting, with Freeman drawing on recent visits to PAD Paris and Salone del Mobile Milano for the final collection.

Brown said the aim was to create a penthouse that felt more like a large-scale private home than a traditional apartment.

"The experience begins the moment the lift doors open. You're welcomed into an elegant dining room before the home opens into an extraordinary living space framed by sun-drenched harbour views.

"Every time someone walks through the front door they pause. It's not just the view, it's the incredible sense of space, the warmth created by the northern sunlight that fills the interiors, and the way every room connects so effortlessly.

"It has all the proportions of a luxury home, while delivering the effortless lifestyle and personalised experience of living in a world-class six-star hotel, combined with the simplicity and convenience of apartment living."

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114246 project_image_fid=378713]

A secure lift provides exclusive access to the penthouse level, opening to a dedicated arrival foyer and dining area before the residence expands into its main living and entertaining spaces.

Floor-to-ceiling glazing runs across the northern side of the home, connecting the interiors with the terrace and Middle Harbour outlook.

The penthouse also features a fireplace and substantial chef's kitchen, while the wraparound terrace has been designed to accommodate both everyday outdoor living and larger-scale entertaining.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114246 project_image_fid=378720]

Freeman said the interiors had been deliberately kept restrained to complement the scale, natural light and outlook already established by the architecture.

"The penthouse is a serene study in quiet luxury," Freeman said.

"The interior pairs soft, sculptural forms with warm timber, pale stone and a restrained neutral palette. Curated artwork and metallic accents add depth, while abundant natural light creates a calm, effortlessly refined atmosphere. In my world, less is always more."

Freeman said the approach was centred around collecting individual pieces rather than simply decorating the apartment.

"Every material, every object and every piece of furniture has been curated with intention. I am a true believer in collecting versus decorating.

"The architecture already provided extraordinary natural light, remarkable volume and an uninterrupted connection to Middle Harbour. Our role was to complement those qualities with unique one-of-a-kind pieces of fine art and collectible design sourced from recent travels around the world."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114246 project_image_fid=378694]

Among the collection are solid bronze sculptures by Lorenzo Quinn, alongside a curated crystalware collection and pieces sourced from international design fairs.

Park Residences sits opposite Cammeray Golf Club, Cammeray Croquet Club and Grand Slam Tennis Cammeray, around 300 metres from Neutral Bay Village and its established collection of restaurants, cafés and retail.

Brown said the combination of a whole-floor floorplan, northern aspect and proximity to Neutral Bay was becoming increasingly difficult to find on the Lower North Shore.

"Completed whole-floor penthouses with a sun-drenched north-facing aspect and sweeping Middle Harbour views are exceptionally rare," Brown said.

"Add a quiet position opposite golf, croquet and tennis facilities, a level walk to Neutral Bay Village and only minutes to the CBD, and you have a lifestyle that's incredibly difficult to replicate.

"This is a home that offers the privacy and generosity of a luxury residence together with the convenience of one of Sydney's best-connected harbourside locations."

The penthouse will be exclusively marketed by SRM Residential.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=114246]

Joel Robinson

Abadeen unveils signature penthouse at Park Residences in Cremorne

New Brisbane developer Dalcott has unveiled Marrone, the first of three residential projects it is planning in and around Browning Street in South Brisbane.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marrone-south-brisbane-39-browning-street-south-brisbane-qld-4101">Marrone</a> will comprise 97 predominantly two- and three-bedroom apartments, with larger residences aimed squarely at the owner-occupier market.

The project will sit in a quiet pocket of South Brisbane between South Bank and West End, close to the restaurants, cultural attractions and riverfront amenity that have driven the suburb's continued transformation.

Dalcott is targeting buyers looking for more space and amenity than has traditionally been offered in the inner-city apartment market, particularly downsizers and professionals wanting to remain close to the city.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149951 project_image_fid=377072]

Resident facilities will be concentrated around an extensive rooftop amenity offering, including a swimming pool, spa, infrared sauna, warm and cold magnesium plunge pools, private lounge, dining room and outdoor entertaining areas.

Dalcott Managing Director Lachlan Cottee said South Brisbane's combination of lifestyle, connectivity and established character had been central to the approach to Marrone.

“South Brisbane offers a combination of lifestyle, connectivity and character that’s difficult to replicate elsewhere in Brisbane,” Cottee said.

“Our focus has been on creating homes that feel connected to that environment while providing the level of design, functionality and quality that today's owner-occupiers expect.”

The residences will feature an expressive material palette. Italian Calacatta Viola marble, known for its deep burgundy veining, will be paired with aged brass tapware, Chestnut engineered timber flooring and Tuscan Oak joinery.

<img alt="Marrone" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b8d833da-3b30-496a-ae30-07bdff371b50" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-25%20at%2010.52.35%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=P6DAgOfaQzIXljKKK5j3e5NhWtrHIu9G" />

Bathrooms will feature Nara Japanese ceramics and glass bricks, while clay, walnut and brass lighting will be used throughout the apartments.

Dalcott has appointed Realm Projects, led by Managing Director Shane Foley, to handle sales and marketing following previous sold-out collaborations between the groups.

Foley said the Brisbane apartment buyer had become increasingly focused on the quality of the home itself rather than simply securing an inner-city address.

“We expect to see strong demand from buyers who still want all the advantages of inner-city living but aren’t prepared to compromise on the quality of their home,” Foley said.

“Many will be downsizers looking to leave behind the maintenance of a traditional family home without giving up the space they enjoy, while others are likely to be professionals wanting a residence that reflects the way they live today.”

“Marrone responds directly to that demand, with generous floorplans, exceptional resident amenity and a location that places some of Brisbane’s best dining, entertainment and cultural attractions within walking distance.”

<img alt="Marrone" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="61f7b22f-899e-4c0f-940a-7d3ab1bfb93a" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-25%20at%2010.52.44%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=PvN1JYxBgUpyCB7efKo52WGdSDs9nmim" />

Marrone will be the first project delivered as part of Dalcott's broader investment in the precinct.

It will be followed by La Terra, a boutique project comprising penthouse-style, single-level apartments on a northeast corner site with extensive resident amenity and city views.

Cottee said Marrone represented the first stage of the group's longer-term plans for the area.

Dalcott was established in 2025 by Lachlan Cottee and Ben Dalgliesh, combining development and construction capability under an integrated model and focusing on architecturally considered residential projects.

Marrone will initially be offered through a pre-release registration campaign ahead of its broader public launch.

Dalcott targets owner-occupiers with South Brisbane debut Marrone

Parnell Developments is the latest to seek significant uplift through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority on a Strathfield site previously approved for a much smaller apartment development.

Parnell has sought approval for a 32-storey mixed use tower across&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/7-lyons-street-strathfield-nsw-2135">3-7 Lyons Street and 18 Parnell Street</a>, a&nbsp;1,857 sqm site around 400 metres from Strathfield Station. The building would yield 160 apartments, 15 per cent of which will be dedicated affordable as per the government mandate for buildings seeking additional uplift.

Approved previously was a nine-storey building back in 2022 with just over 30 apartments. That approval came prior to the project being&nbsp;progressively reconsidered as planning policy shifted toward greater density around transport hubs.

<img alt="Strathfield" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c5af5281-a643-4eb2-b8c4-0081b59c04c7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-25%20at%209.16.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=37bd3mI7rHNpThOV_75VO8xsGFwWOi1u" />

Turner has designed the latest building that would replace&nbsp;existing detached homes across the four lots.

The apartment mix comprises 22 one-bedroom apartments, 107 two-bedroom and two-bedroom-plus configurations, and 31 apartments with three or more bedrooms. The scheme also includes 203 car spaces across six basement levels and 58 bicycle spaces.

The proposal has been designed around a three-storey podium addressing Lyons Street, with the tower rising above and stepping toward its upper levels.

Turner said the podium was deliberately scaled to respond to the existing street, while the taller element has been designed as part of the emerging skyline anticipated around Strathfield Town Centre and the wider Homebush transport-oriented development precinct.

The Lyons Street frontage would have a more active, pedestrian-focused character, incorporating the commercial tenancy, landscaping and a brick-framed podium with an awning.

<img alt="Strathfield" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="14b20874-b8c3-4ac7-bc03-92be9a69fb78" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-25%20at%209.17.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=av.9TxtqIRTC6v3PkSuu1rL9rreWoe2h" />

Parnell Street, which faces the railway corridor, has been given a different architectural treatment, with double-height breeze blocks, landscaping and communal areas used to soften the interface with the rail infrastructure.

The tower itself uses curved and recessed facade elements, with wave-like indentations across the northern elevation breaking the building into three vertical forms.

A palette of grey concrete, brick and breeze blocks is complemented by clay and terracotta accents, while the upper tower adopts a lighter expression through articulated slab edges, vertical fins and recessed glazing.

Residents would have access to 467 sqm of communal open space spread across three levels. The ground floor would accommodate the more active resident areas, including barbecue and group gathering spaces and an internal communal room capable of being used for working from home.

A more passive viewing deck is proposed at level three, overlooking the ground-level landscaping and neighbouring tennis courts, while a rooftop "sunset deck" at level 30 would provide another social and relaxation space.

<img alt="Parnell" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c3dce401-a80f-4682-8471-4caa01180880" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-25%20at%209.17.34%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Xyo8JVqbOhSJXNy6Ih.1cHL.O6i0bGR." />

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Strathfield has been earmarked for substantial change through the Strathfield Town Centre planning work and the nearby Homebush TOD precinct.

Turner's report says the project has been designed to act as a transition between the existing low and mid-rise development surrounding the site and the taller built form expected to emerge across the town centre.

The proposal is being assessed as State Significant Development under the HDA pathway, alongside the concurrent request to amend the Burwood Local Environmental Plan.

First look: New apartment tower pitched for Strathfield Town Centre precinct

An $18 million penthouse has hit the market in Main Beach as construction tops out on La Mer, the $155 million apartment development rising just metres from the beach.

Spanning around 600 sqm across the top two levels of the 29-storey tower on Main Beach Parade, the four-bedroom penthouse is one of the latest eight-figure residences to test the upper end of the Gold Coast apartment market.

Its launch comes amid continued activity at the very top of the market, following the $30 million off-the-plan sale of a Burleigh Heads penthouse earlier this year, which surpassed the Gold Coast's previous $24 million apartment record set in 2023.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-mer-main-beach-3580-main-beach-parade-main-beach-qld-4217">La Mer penthouse</a> has been designed as a private residence in the sky, with 360-degree views spanning the ocean, Broadwater, hinterland and Gold Coast skyline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95606 project_image_fid=378731]

All four bedrooms have ensuites, while the ocean-facing master retreat occupies around half of the upper level and includes its own lounge, private balcony, two walk-in wardrobes and an oversized ensuite with a freestanding stone bath positioned to take in the views.

The residence also features a kitchen designed to accommodate a private chef, a 3.6-metre island bench, expansive butler's pantry, wine cellar and integrated bar.

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A rooftop pool and substantial outdoor entertaining area with its own kitchen sit above the residence, while a grand staircase connects the two internal levels. The penthouse also has its own express lift.

OTP Group Director James Elliott, who is marketing La Mer, said the penthouse was expected to appeal to high-net-worth buyers seeking either a permanent Main Beach residence or Gold Coast holiday home.

“The La Mer penthouse represents exceptional value, considering its quality design, size, privacy and location, not to mention the 360-degree views capturing the beach and Gold Coast Broadwater,” Elliott said.

“We’re anticipating interest from high-net-worth individuals and couples seeking a residence or holiday home in the sought-after village enclave of Main Beach, taking advantage of the unprecedented growth underway in the area and neighbouring The Spit.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95606 project_image_fid=378736]

La Mer is being developed by developer-builder ODUS and Nazero, in partnership with funder Metrics Credit Partners.

ODUS Director Byron Sakha said topping out the tower had provided the opportunity to release the project's most significant residence.

“We’ve worked with internationally-recognised studio Sici Design on the penthouse interiors, with a focus on ensuring it isn’t luxury for luxury’s sake. Every element has been thoughtfully designed to enhance quality of life for those who call it home,” Sakha said.

“The views are the hero of virtually every space, but we’ve given equal attention to the fittings and finishes, so every detail exudes elegance and refinement.”

Sici Design Founder and Director Maria Papadopoulos said the extensive views became an integral part of the interior design rather than simply something the residence was designed around.

“The views weren't something we designed around, they became part of the design itself, with the true luxury of La Mer in its feeling of peace, calm and wellbeing,” Papadopoulos said.

“Luxury isn't defined by how something looks, but how it makes you feel, and we believe a luxurious home should be beautiful to live in, not stressful to maintain.”

The interiors combine Austral Dream Dolomite natural stone and travertine with timber flooring and a restrained coastal palette.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95606 project_image_fid=378734]

Designed by Plus Studio, La Mer is one of the more boutique additions to the rapidly changing Main Beach apartment market.

The tower comprises just 24 full-floor, three-bedroom plus multipurpose room apartments below the two-level penthouse, giving the project a considerably lower density than many of the larger towers being developed across the Gold Coast.

Residents will have access to a pool and spa, gym, sauna, barbecue facilities, private sun lounges, yoga lawn and outdoor beach shower.

The penthouse has been released as part of the final collection of residences at La Mer, with remaining apartments priced from $4.3 million.

Construction is expected to complete later this year, with a fully furnished display apartment now open on level four.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=95606]

ODUS releases $18 million penthouse crowning La Mer Main Beach

<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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=368869]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=368872]

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

Sydney’s property market is known for high prices, competitive bidding, and mounting pressure on first home buyers. But change is on the horizon.

From late 2025, eligible first home buyers in New South Wales will have access to a new federal government initiative aimed at addressing affordability: the Help to Buy Scheme.&nbsp;

<h2>What is the Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

The program introduces a shared equity model intended to reduce the upfront cost of entering the property market, particularly in high-demand urban areas such as Sydney.

The scheme operates under a shared ownership structure in which the federal government takes an equity stake of up to 40 per cent for new homes, or 30 per cent for existing dwellings. This arrangement allows eligible buyers to significantly reduce their loan size and avoid the added cost of Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

Under this model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required. The government’s contribution is not a loan but a co-ownership stake in the property. As such, there is no interest or rent charged on its portion.

Because the government’s equity combined with the buyer’s deposit typically meets or exceeds the 20 per cent threshold, LMI does not apply. The remaining balance, generally between 60 and 70 per cent of the property’s value, is financed through a standard home loan with a participating lender.

The government's equity in the property remains in place until the buyer chooses to repay it voluntarily or until the property is sold. Buyers can buy back the government’s share over time, in increments of at least five per cent, depending on their financial situation.

There is no fixed repayment timeline, but the amount to be repaid will be based on the property's market value at the time of repayment, not the original purchase price.

<h2>How do you qualify for the&nbsp;Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

To qualify for the Help to Buy Scheme, applicants must meet the following conditions:

<ul>
	<li>Be an Australian citizen at least 18 years of age.</li>
	<li>Be a first-home buyer who does not currently own property.</li>
	<li>Intend to live in the property as their primary residence.</li>
	<li>Earn less than $100,000 per year for individuals, or $160,000 for couples.</li>
	<li>Purchase a property within the regional price caps, currently $950,000 in Sydney, though this is expected to rise to approximately $1.3 million ahead of the program’s launch.</li>
</ul>

While the Help to Buy Scheme does not solve affordability challenges across the board, it does offer a more accessible pathway for a defined segment of the market, particularly younger buyers with moderate incomes who have been priced out of traditional lending routes.

The scheme is expected to commence in NSW in late 2025, as part of a national rollout.

Under the new model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required

Help to Buy Scheme: What first home buyers in NSW need to know

The First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) is a government initiative designed to help eligible first-time home buyers by offering financial assistance towards the purchase or construction of a new home.

While the FHOG is a nationwide program, it is administered separately by each state and territory, meaning the eligibility criteria, grant amounts, and property requirements can vary depending on your location. This means that the amount available and the conditions attached to the grant will differ, so it is important to check the specific guidelines for your state or territory.

It’s important to note that the FHOG is just one of several incentives available to first home buyers. In most states and territories, the grant is not linked to stamp duty exemptions or concessions, with the exception of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The FHOG is typically a one-off payment, reducing the overall cost of purchasing or building a new home before any stamp duty concessions are applied.

Below, we provide a breakdown of the First Home Owner Grants available across Australia, outlining the specific details for each state and territory.

<h2>New South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $600,000. For land purchases and owner-builders, the threshold extends to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Benefits: Provides full stamp duty exemption for homes valued up to $800,000, with concessions available for properties up to $1 million.

<h2>Victoria South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Provides a $10,000 grant for first-home buyers purchasing or building new homes valued up to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Benefits: Offers full stamp duty exemption for properties up to $600,000, with concessions available up to $750,000.

<h2>Queensland First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers $30,000 for contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2025. The FHOG applies to new homes valued up to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Concessions: Provides additional concessions for properties valued up to $800,000.

<h2>Western Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

&nbsp;

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $750,000 in the southern regions and up to $1 million in the northern regions.

Stamp Duty Concessions: Available for homes valued up to $600,000 for transactions entered into on or after 9 May 2024.

<h2>Australian Capital Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Replaced by the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, offering full stamp duty concessions for eligible buyers.

<h2>South Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Provides up to $15,000 for new homes, including houses, apartments, and townhouses. As of 6 June 2024, there is no property value cap for eligibility.

Stamp Duty Relief: Available for new homes and vacant land purchases.

<h2>Tasmania First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes and off the plan purchases.

Stamp Duty Exemption: Between 18 February 2024 and 30 June 2026, first home buyers of established homes valued up to $750,000 receive a full exemption on property transfer duty.

<h2>Northern Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: The Northern Territory provides a $10,000 grant for new homes only. Additional government grants and concessions are available for first home buyers.

Stamp Duty Exemption: The only stamp duty exemption available to property buyers is the House and Land Package Exemption (HLPE).

Eligibility criteria and application processes differ across states. Prospective buyers should refer to their respective state revenue offices for full details on grant availability, conditions, and additional concessions.

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

In the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable architecture and environmentally conscious design, systems and ratings in place can help determine the energy efficiency of residential buildings in Australia.

Australia has multiple building rating systems that evaluate energy efficiency and sustainability in existing and new building designs.

Some systems assess individual building components, while others provide an overall rating for the entire structure.

A rating system ensures that homes are comfortable and energy-efficient, whether you are buying, renovating, or building.

NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme) is a common way for new homes to meet energy efficiency requirements.

As new developments continue to shape the urban environment, understanding NatHERS ratings becomes essential for developers and homeowners. This article delves into the concept of NatHERS ratings, their significance, and how they contribute to creating energy-efficient homes.

<h2>What is NatHERS?</h2>

NatHERS is a national initiative implemented by the Australian government to promote energy efficiency in residential buildings. The scheme aims to provide a standardised method for assessing the thermal performance of homes, considering factors such as insulation, orientation, ventilation, and building materials.&nbsp;

NatHERS ratings are the most common way new homes meet the National Construction Code's (NCC's) minimum energy efficiency requirements.&nbsp;

NatHERS assessments provide thermal and whole-home ratings for new homes, townhouses, and apartments.

The rating helps evaluate the energy performance of buildings, guides homeowners and developers to make informed decisions about the energy efficiency of their properties, and encourages the construction of more sustainable, comfortable, and cost-effective homes.

<h2>How NatHERS Ratings Work</h2>

NatHERS ratings are determined through four accredited software tools (AccuRate, BERS Pro, FirstRate5, HERO) using a calculation engine CSIRO developed to predict building temperature based on various factors.

The tools can model complex effects of building mass, insulation, window size, and other elements.

The outcome is a star rating that reflects the building's overall thermal efficiency, indicating how well it can maintain a comfortable indoor temperature without excessive reliance on heating or cooling systems.

The star rating scale ranges from 0 to 10, with a 6-star rating being the minimum requirement for compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC).&nbsp;

Achieving a higher star rating demonstrates a commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability, as the building is better equipped to minimise its environmental impact and reduce long-term energy costs.

Anyone can use NatHERS tools, but accredited assessors can provide certified ratings and professional advice.

<h2>Benefits of Higher NatHERS Ratings</h2>

Energy Efficiency: Buildings with higher NatHERS ratings are more energy-efficient, requiring less heating and cooling energy. This reduces the structure's carbon footprint and lowers occupants' energy bills.

Cost Savings: Homes with higher NatHERS ratings are generally more energy-efficient, resulting in reduced energy consumption for heating and cooling. This translates to lower energy bills for homeowners, making sustainable living environmentally friendly and economically viable in the long run.

Environmental Impact: Lower energy consumption directly translates to a reduced environmental impact. Buildings with higher NatHERS ratings contribute to the overall goal of mitigating climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with heating and cooling systems.

Improved Comfort: Buildings with high NatHERS ratings offer better thermal comfort to occupants. Proper insulation, well-designed ventilation, and optimal orientation maintain a consistent and comfortable indoor temperature, providing occupants with a more enjoyable and healthier space.

Market Value and Desirability: Higher NatHERS ratings can enhance the market value of a property. As energy efficiency becomes a more significant consideration for homebuyers, a well-rated building may attract a premium price and stand out in the real estate market.

Compliance with Building Codes: NatHERS ratings are a vital component of the National Construction Code (NCC), and compliance with these ratings is often a mandatory requirement for new developments. Local councils and planning authorities may set minimum energy efficiency standards that must be met to obtain development approval.

The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) is a crucial initiative shaping the future of energy-efficient, resilient, and cost-effective homes. With its recent upgrades, NatHERS has evolved into a world-leading tool for the building sector, supporting the global commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Staff Writer

What is a NatHERS rating in new off the plan apartment developments?

Mixed-use developments have gained significant popularity across Australia in recent years due to their unique blend of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.

Unlike traditional single-purpose developments, mixed-use projects offer a harmonious integration of various functions within a single locale.

Residential units seamlessly coexist with commercial establishments, retail outlets, dining venues, entertainment hubs, and recreational facilities, with the combination not only enhances convenience but also fosters a vibrant lifestyle and a sense of community.

<h3>Convenience and accessibility</h3>

Mixed-use developments are designed with convenience in mind. They often integrate residential units with commercial spaces, retail outlets, restaurants, and recreational facilities, creating a self-contained community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114215 project_image_fid=204874]

The proximity allows residents to enjoy the convenience of having essential amenities and services within walking distance. Whether it's grabbing a cup of coffee, going grocery shopping, or accessing healthcare services, everything is conveniently located, saving residents time and effort.

<h3>Vibrant lifestyle and community</h3>

One of the major advantages of mixed-use developments is the vibrant lifestyle they offer. With a diverse range of amenities and communal spaces, residents have ample opportunities to interact, socialise, and build a sense of community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107714 project_image_fid=214122]

The presence of parks, community centres, and shared spaces fosters a lively atmosphere, encouraging residents to engage in various activities and events. The vibrant lifestyle within these developments creates a unique sense of belonging and camaraderie among the residents.

<h3>Potential for higher rental yields and property value appreciation</h3>

Mixed-use developments tend to attract a broad range of tenants and buyers due to their versatile nature. This high demand can result in higher rental yields for investors and potentially lead to property value appreciation over time.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=212887]

The integration of commercial and retail spaces attracts businesses, which can provide a stable rental income stream. Additionally, the popularity of mixed-use developments often drives up property values, making them a potentially lucrative investment in the long term.

<h3>Enhanced security and maintenance</h3>

Mixed-use developments typically have comprehensive security measures in place. With controlled access points, CCTV surveillance, and professional security staff, residents can enjoy enhanced safety and peace of mind.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108019 project_image_fid=212658]

Additionally, these developments often have dedicated maintenance teams responsible for the upkeep of common areas, landscaping, and infrastructure. This ensures that the overall appearance and functionality of the development are well-maintained, creating a pleasant living environment for residents.

<h3>Live-work-play balance</h3>

One of the key attractions of mixed-use developments is the ability to achieve a desirable live-work-play balance. The integration of residential and commercial spaces allows residents to live closer to their workplaces, reducing commuting time and improving work-life balance.

The proximity to various amenities and recreational facilities encourages an active and healthy lifestyle. Residents can easily access fitness centres, parks, restaurants, and entertainment options, all within the same development, leading to a more fulfilling and convenient way of life.

alisonwarters@gmail.com

The top five reasons to buy in a mixed-use development

When buying a property, everyone needs to be aware of the additional costs that come as part of the buying process.

Often the largest outlay, after the deposit which goes to the bank, is stamp duty.

<h2 style="line-height: 1.38;">What is Stamp Duty?</h2>

Stamp duty is an extra tax to pay the government when you buy land, a property, and other certain assets.

It happens when the legal ownership is transferred. It can also be known as property transfer duty or transfer duty.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C32BWkB5--c" title="YouTube video player" width="660"></iframe>

<h2>Who pays Stamp Duty?</h2>

In some circumstances, you may get an exemption. For some states, you won’t have to pay for stamp duty if you are a first home buyer or a pensioner for houses under a particular price. There are also stamp duty concessions, where you may be entitled to a discount.

<h2>How much does Stamp Duty cost?</h2>

Each state has different rules which affect how much you need to pay. These rules can affect the rate you pay, and the timeframe you will need to pay in. Before you buy land or a property, make sure you check the up-to-date information for your state’s stamp duty.

You can use a free stamp duty calculator online to see approximately how much you’ll need to pay. Find out if you’re eligible for an exemption by enquiring on a project via Urban!

Overall, the stamp duty you need to pay will depend on:

<ul>
	<li aria-level="1">How much your land/property is worth</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Where your land/property is located</li>
	<li aria-level="1">What type of land/property it is</li>
</ul>

Want to find out more? <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@UrbanAustralia?utm_source=YouTube&amp;utm_medium=Video&amp;utm_campaign=Subscribe&amp;utm_id=Subscribe">Subscribe to our YouTube channel</a> for more property videos.

Ellen Walker

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

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The former television news presenter-turned-spin doctor Simone Semmens has yet to find a $9 million buyer for the riverfront building block within her historic 1890s Toorak riverfront estate, Edzell.
Semmens listed the 1,800-square-metre vacant block through RT Edgar agent David Colbran with $9 million hopes mid-year.
But she has recently secured Heritage Victoria permission for the subdivision of the historic St George Road estate into two allotments, with the government department noting its "recognition of the fact that the current proprietor’s specific financial circumstances were a factor in the determination of the permit as allowed for under section 73(1)(b) of the Heritage Act 1995."
The Semmens Edzell application followed the former news presenter-turned-spin doctor <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/former-tv-presenter-simone-semmens-seeks-to-offload-the-riverfront-block-at-her-grand-%2411-million-edzell-toorak-acquisition/2012062655278" target="_blank">paying $11 million for the house </a>built for the former lord mayor James Stewart shortly before his year in office.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/stories/2012/06/edzell3.jpg" title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/stories/2012/06/edzell3thumb.jpg"></a>
 
The subdivision permission is dependent on remedial works including repairs and various conservation works to the Edzell being carried out to a minimum value of $300,000 within two years.
Edzell was bought in late 2011 by Semmens with vendor finance from architect Michael Spivakovsky and his wife, Cheryl, who took security over another Semmens property, the recently sold Rosecraddock, the Caulfield North mansion.
After paying $7.8 million in 2007, Semmens secured Glen Eira City Council approval for six blocks of about 700 square metres within the curtilage of the 150-year-old Italianate mansion set on its then 8857-square-metre holding.
The Age has reported a Kmart executive has recently paid about $11 million for Rosecraddock. The James Market News website suggested last weekend it sold for $10 million plus.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Former television news reader Simone Semmens yet to sell off historic 1890s Toorak riverfront Edzell waterfront block

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The historic Lambruk estate in Fryerstown, 10 kilometres south of Castlemaine, has been listed for sale.
The gold-rush homestead on the 30-acre Taradale Road holding has been offered with $2.95 million hopes.
It boasts a coach house, conservatory and colonial-legacy gardens that surrounds the 1860s sandstone home built from the riches of the goldfields by Edward Rowe.
It last sold for more than $1.75 million when in 2005 Waller Realty sold to a Melbourne family who intended to use it as a weekender. It's been relisted this time through Rob Waller.
It has been transformed internally to house three bedrooms, formal dining and sitting rooms, an office, library with glassed conservatory.
There's a five-vehicle stone coach house, mezzanine storage and antique tower clock.
The grounds comes with pool, stone cottage with ensuite, tennis court with guest pavilion, along with grazing paddocks vegetable gardens, paths and fountains, stone walling, ornamental lake and a creek within the property.
Edward W.H.Rowe's family owned <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/13150568?src=nla.cs-pa&amp;q=%22HTTP%3A%2F%2FWWW.SLV.VIC.GOV.AU%2FJCOLLINS%2FGID%2FSLV-PIC-AAA91006%2F1%2FJC008368%22&amp;c=picture" target="_blank">Lambruk</a> for 75 years.
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Historic Lambruk estate in Fryerstown, south of Castlemaine listed at $2.95 million

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Mintaro, the mansion at Monegeetta, near Sunbury, has had its internal photos now uploaded as it nears it November 15 auction.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2012/10/oct15mintaroout]}
The photos afford a peek inside the private 9.9-hectare estate, which has been listed for executor's sale and set to conclude 78 years of Rae family ownership.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2012/10/oct15mintaroin]}
"It's a once undeniably grand and gracious homestead, now in need of total restoration, and with outstanding future use potential," says <a target="_blank" href="https://www.keatings.com.au/view-property/?OID=4545899">listing agent John Keating</a>.
The <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/woodend-s-mintaro-%E2%80%93-a-mini-government-house-%E2%80%93-listed-with-%243-million-hopes/2012093056889">Monegeetta property </a>set at 2137 Melbourne Lancefield Road was designed by James Gall of Frognall and Noorilim fame for Captain Robert Gardiner.
Mintaro has been variously described as being “a small replica of Melbourne’s Government House” to “that crumbling mansion on the road to Romsey,” the marketing notes.
The mansion is set within a passive English park-like grounds featuring mature oaks, cedars, monkey puzzles, pines, sequoia and cypresses.
"A setting just awaiting designer garden enhancement," says Keating.
The grazing licence for the original 12,800-acre run of Mintaro was reputedly first held by John Pascoe Fawkner in 1844, before being taken over by Robert Gardiner in 1860.
The Mintaro design was influenced by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osborne_House" target="_blank">Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s summer residence on the Isle of Wight</a>.
The property<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/woodend-s-mintaro-%E2%80%93-a-mini-government-house-%E2%80%93-listed-with-%243-million-hopes/2012093056889" target="_blank"> </a>was listed with $3 million-plus hopes.
It features in the work by Miles Lewis entitled <a href="https://www.mileslewis.net/lectures/10-australian-building/10-interiors.pdf" target="_blank">Victorian Interiors</a>.
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A peek inside Mintaro at Monegeeta after 78 years of family ownership

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Melbourne is set to get its second international airport after the federal government agreed to amend lease agreements with Avalon airport.
The government will amend the lease to Lindsay Fox’s airport so he can build a new terminal and sign up international airlines.
Fox can now build a terminal of up to 10,000 square metres and up to $15 million in value can be developed without federal government approval, the Australian Financial Review reported.
The airport, 15 kilometres northeast of Geelong, has been in negotiations for a long time to secure international carriers.
Local federal MP Richard Marles says Defence Minister Stephen Smith approved changes to the lease arrangement with Defence during the week.
“This is a truly historic day for Avalon Airport, for Geelong and for our region,” Marles told The Australian Financial Review.
“It means the airport operators can, with full confidence, get on with the job of securing an international airline for Avalon.
Chief executive of the airport Justin Giddings says the decision is critical to Avalon’s future growth.
“This decision gives us the certainty and confidence we need to go out and secure international airlines to operate out of Avalon,” Giddings says.
He called the decision “a huge win for Victoria, for the Geelong region and for the flying public”.
“This decision cements Avalon’s future as Victoria’s second major domestic and new international airport.”
Giddings says approval and the Victorian government's recent financial commitment to a rail link to Avalon means the airport can meet growing demand.
The state government has committed $50 million towards the design, planning, land acquisition and preliminary construction works of a rail link to Avalon Airport and $3 million for an aviation fuel line from Shell Geelong to the airport.
Linfox has controlled the airport since 1997, and Qantas’s low-cost carrier Jetstar has been using the airport since 2004.
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awalsh-7Ub9EypybQ

Avalon set for Melbourne's second international airport

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The Melbourne property market tread water over July, August and September with house prices rising 1% and unit prices falling 0.7%, according to the latest data from the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV).
In the September quarter, the Melbourne median house price increased from a revised June quarter median of $525,000 to $530,000 while unit prices fell from a median $445,000 to $442,000.
The previous unrevised June quarter median was $535,000.
REIV CEO Enzo Raimondo says once consumer confidence returns, capital growth will return.
Currently though, he says, prices remain stable as home buyers and sellers continue to act cautiously.
“The pattern this year has been low transactions and prices at the level they were in early 2010,” says Raimondo.
“A combination of lower interest rates, lower prices, an improving clearance rate and small improvements in consumer confidence should sow the seeds of a recovery in the residential housing market.”
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" style="width: 470px;">
<colgroup>
<col width="373">
<col>
<col width="102">
<col>
<col width="119">
<col>
<col width="96">
<col>
<col width="113">
<col>
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="21">
<td width="373" height="21">Inner Melbourne Median Prices</td>
<td width="102"></td>
<td width="119"></td>
<td width="96"></td>
<td width="113"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="64">
<td height="64">House Prices</td>
<td width="102">Sep-12 Quarter</td>
<td width="119">% chg to last q</td>
<td width="96">Jun-12 Quarter</td>
<td width="113">% chg to quarter last year</td>
</tr>
<tr height="21">
<td height="21">Original</td>
<td>$830,000</td>
<td>-3.3%</td>
<td>$858,250</td>
<td>-2.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Seasonally adjusted</td>
<td>$832,089</td>
<td>-1.0%</td>
<td>$840,196</td>
<td>-3.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Trend</td>
<td>$834,211</td>
<td>-0.4%</td>
<td>$837,646</td>
<td>-3.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="21">
<td height="21"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="64">
<td height="64">Unit and Apartment Prices</td>
<td width="102">Sep-12 Quarter</td>
<td width="119">% chg to last q</td>
<td width="96">Jun-12 Quarter</td>
<td width="113">% chg to quarter last year</td>
</tr>
<tr height="21">
<td height="21">Original</td>
<td>$486,000</td>
<td>-1.8%</td>
<td>$495,000</td>
<td>-2.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Seasonally adjusted</td>
<td>$487,631</td>
<td>0.0%</td>
<td>$487,533</td>
<td>-2.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Trend</td>
<td>$487,248</td>
<td>-0.2%</td>
<td>$488,157</td>
<td>-2.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="21">
<td height="21">Middle Melbourne Median Prices</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="64">
<td height="64">House Prices</td>
<td width="102">Sep-12 Quarter</td>
<td width="119">% chg to last q</td>
<td width="96">Jun-12 Quarter</td>
<td width="113">% chg to quarter last year</td>
</tr>
<tr height="21">
<td height="21">Original</td>
<td>$585,250</td>
<td>0.0%</td>
<td>$585,000</td>
<td>-1.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Seasonally adjusted</td>
<td>$590,535</td>
<td>1.5%</td>
<td>$581,986</td>
<td>-1.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Trend</td>
<td>$589,705</td>
<td>1.0%</td>
<td>$583,673</td>
<td>-1.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="21">
<td height="21"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="64">
<td height="64">Unit and Apartment Prices</td>
<td width="102">Sep-12 Quarter</td>
<td width="119">% chg to last q</td>
<td width="96">Jun-12 Quarter</td>
<td width="113">% chg to quarter last year</td>
</tr>
<tr height="21">
<td height="21">Original</td>
<td>$465,000</td>
<td>1.1%</td>
<td>$460,000</td>
<td>-1.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Seasonally adjusted</td>
<td>$461,335</td>
<td>0.1%</td>
<td>$460,653</td>
<td>-2.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Trend</td>
<td>$461,874</td>
<td>0.6%</td>
<td>$459,161</td>
<td>-1.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="21">
<td height="21">Outer Melbourne Median Prices</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="64">
<td height="64">House Prices</td>
<td width="102">Sep-12 Quarter</td>
<td width="119">% chg to last q</td>
<td width="96">Jun-12 Quarter</td>
<td width="113">% chg to quarter last year</td>
</tr>
<tr height="21">
<td height="21">Original</td>
<td>$422,000</td>
<td>0.0%</td>
<td>$422,000</td>
<td>-1.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Seasonally adjusted</td>
<td>$426,617</td>
<td>1.3%</td>
<td>$421,162</td>
<td>-1.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Trend</td>
<td>$426,289</td>
<td>0.9%</td>
<td>$422,649</td>
<td>-1.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="21">
<td height="21"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="64">
<td height="64">Unit and Apartment Prices</td>
<td width="102">Sep-12 Quarter</td>
<td width="119">% chg to last q</td>
<td width="96">Jun-12 Quarter</td>
<td width="113">% chg to quarter last year</td>
</tr>
<tr height="21">
<td height="21">Original</td>
<td>$346,500</td>
<td>-2.4%</td>
<td>$355,000</td>
<td>-1.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Seasonally adjusted</td>
<td>$347,861</td>
<td>-1.8%</td>
<td>$354,205</td>
<td>-0.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Trend</td>
<td>$350,475</td>
<td>-0.3%</td>
<td>$351,365</td>
<td>-0.6%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The REIV has also, for the first time, introduced seasonally adjusted and trend quarterly data.
Seasonally-adjusted data takes into account seasonal, calendar-related movements while trend data reflects the long term movement of the median price and is considered as the underlying direction of the median price.
REIV spokesperson Robert Larocca says the seasonal data is more applicable to the December and March quarter data, when it will reflect seasonal variations.
“We have a lot more auctions in the December quarter and a lot fewer in March, which means that movement in the median price, in original terms, tends to be overstated in December and understated in March.
“It gives an additional level of analysis."
On a trend basis Melbourne house prices rose 1.8% while unit prices rose 0.8% with the more affordable middle and outer suburbs trending up and the more expensive inner city properties trending marginally down.
“REIV analysis of the market shows prices are beginning to trend upwards, particularly in the middle and outer suburbs. In trend terms the inner city median has dropped by 0.4% this quarter compared to an increase of 1% in the middle suburbs and 0.9% in the outer suburbs,” says Raimondo.
The highest growth was recorded in Thornbury where the median has increased by 11.4% to $750,000, in Yarraville with an 8.8% increase to $615,000 and Preston which recorded an 8.2% increase to $598,000.
The fringe suburbs of Mitcham, Cranbourne, Croydon, Greensborough and Rowville also recorded strong growth in demand and median prices over the quarter.
“Improvements in the middle and affordable price segments are also reflected in the fact that the median price of a house sold at auction dropped by 1.3% to $691,000 whilst one sold by private sale increased by 0.2% to $461,000.
In regional Victoria the median house price rose by a marginal 0.7% to $307,000 but are trending flat (-0.1%) while regional unit prices fell 1.7% in original terms to a median of $242,000 with prices trending down (-0.8%).
The three main regional recorded mixed results with the median price of a house in Ballarat increasing by 1.8% to $285,000, in Bendigo it dropped by 2% in the quarter to $301,000 and in Geelong there was a 6.1% to $362,000.
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lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Melbourne property market treads water in September quarter but seeds sown for recovery: REIV

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Longerenong Homestead near Horsham, a heritage-listed, refurbished, two-storey, 60-square (558-square-metre) Gothic mansion, has been relisted for sale.
The 16-hectare <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eldersrealestate.com.au/office/horsham/residential/buy/property-acreage-semi-rural-vic-horsham-406041">897 Burnt Clay Road property</a>, classified by the National Trust, has a $1 million-plus hopes through Geoff Coustley at Elders Real Estate Horsham in conjunction with Peter Hawkins of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.prh.com.au/pol/property/search.asp?f_propertyID=938963&amp;xsl=2146&amp;f_st=1&amp;f_ct=1,3&amp;f_ps=2">Pat Rice Hawkins</a>.
Longerenong Homestead had been in the same family between 1862 and 2002. The Wilson brothers acquired the lease in 1856 and in June 1862, Samuel Wilson laid the foundation stone of his new villa residence.
Melbourne architects Crouch and Wilson designed this axially planned, two-storey brick residence which cost 30,000 pounds to construct.
Taken from an American pattern book, it was built for Sir Samuel Wilson on the banks of the Yarriambiack Creek, identical to the "Villa In The Pointed Style", a Gothic revival design that appeared in The Architecture of Country Houses by A.J. Downing, published in 1850 by Andrew Jackson Downing.
While the facade of Longerenong is very similar to the American model, the interior planning was altered significantly, as the architects reverted to closed British corridor planning.
The entrance is grand with emblems of the British Isles and the monogram of Samuel Wilson in Belgian stained glass surround the imposing doorway.
There's a marble hallway with a staircase of ornate carved cedar.
The formal sitting and dining rooms, flanking the hall on both sides, have patterned pressed metal ceilings, painted white.
The marble mantelpieces feature Sir Samuel's crest.
Longerenong Homestead interior photos on page 2
<div>
<hr class="system-pagebreak"></div>
The homestead is surrounded by rare Schotia and Moreton Bay fig trees, Osage oranges, Bunya Bunya pines and Norfolk Island pines.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2012/10/oct12burnt2]}
The National Trust considers Longerenong Homestead to be the finest picturesque gothic style villa in Western Victoria and perhaps the exemplar of this style in Victoria.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/10/planburnt.jpg">
<img src="/images/stories/2012/10/planburnt2.jpg">
Sir Samuel Wilson, the sixth son of a Northern Ireland farmer, was a distinguished Victorian pioneer whose career as a successful politician, pastoralist and philanthropist culminated in his election to the British House of Commons in 1886.
Wilson imported marble for the floors and fireplaces from Italy and the stained glass from Belgium.
It last traded at $555,000 in 2004. It was briefly listed in 2008 with $1.5 million expectations, which were reduced to $1,195,000 more recently. 
The Wilson family secured $375,000 in 2002.
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Longerenong Homestead near Horsham with bush Gothic grandeur

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On first inspection it looks like a quaint property perfect for a country retreat at Bullarto after some renovations. It’s a decommissioned Uniting Church on a half-acre (2,023-square-metre) block 10 kilometres outside of Daylesford, Victoria, but it comes with some complications.
Any buyers who don’t undertake due diligence could be lured in by the $100,000 price tag only to find the church is potentially useless – as council regulations all but rule out installing a toilet on the site.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/10/bullarto.jpg">
A quick glance at the contract of sale shows while it’s hooked up to electricity, it’s not connected to gas, water, telephone, or most importantly sewerage. In normal circumstances, buyers would be entitled to install their own septic tank on the property.
Except that they’re not. Council regulations, if buyers can navigate them, reveal it’s next to impossible to install any sort of septic tank system on the property.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/10/bullarto1.jpg">
A council planner told Property Observer that as a rule of thumb, the guidelines from the EPA require a minimum of one acre (4047 square metres) to install a septic tank system. This holding is about half that size.
There are ways to install systems on smaller lots, but it requires extensive base water management program, which are expensive to implement and rare.
The planner Property Observer spoke to had seen just one or two lots of this size approved for a septic tank system in the last 10 years.
And even if a buyer did manage to meet council regulations with the help of a good town planner and solicitor, the system could take up much of the property, precluding anything that could disturb the system, such as a driveway.
All told, it’s not likely to happen in a hurry.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/10/bullarto3.jpg">
Agent Bart O'Sullivan from Pat Rice &amp; Hawkins says it is up to buyers to make their own inquiries.
“The church can’t give any guarantees for what it can or can’t be used for,” O’Sullivan says.
“What we’re selling is half an acre plus the building, and they’re very realistic in their price expectations and it’s a matter of people making their own inquiries of what they can and can’t do in the future.
“People have to make their own investigations.”
O’Sullivan did float the idea that regulations might change in the future.
“Who knows what could transpire in the future?” O’Sullivan advised.
“I can’t give any warranties or guarantees as to what authorities will do.
“You look at the situation here - there’s a church, with half an acre, next to a school, there’s other house nearby, they must have some services close to them.”
The church goes to Saturday October 13 auction – a testament to the importance of due diligence.
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Buyers may make the sign of the cross and cross their legs as toilet-less Bullarto church goes to auction

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Houses in Albert Park recorded some of the biggest increase in rents over the quarter for Melbourne, bucking the trend for city, according to Australian Property Monitor figures.
Across Melbourne <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/landlords/sydney-and-perth-rents-hit-record-highs-apm/2012101057084">rents remained unchanged for the quarter</a> at $360 per week for houses and $350 for units, but some suburbs recorded strong rental growth.
Rents for houses in Albert Park rose 15.4% over the quarter to $785 per week.
The recently renovated house at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-albert+park-408740367">39 Dinsdale Street</a> is on the market for $995 per week. It was last listed at $895 per week in July 2011, a rise of 11% over the period.
The house at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-albert+park-403111456">5 Boyd Street</a> is offered for rent at $1500 per week. According to RP Data, it’s significantly higher than the 2008 rent of $995 per week but below the asking price earlier this year of $1,750 per week.
The house at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-albert+park-404011798">166 Danks Street</a> is being offered for $800 per week. According to RP Data the asking rents have steadily increased by about $20 per year since 2007.
And the house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-albert+park-408834659">12 Faussett Street</a> recently sold for $1.26 million and is being offered for rent at $860 per week, a yield of 3.55%.
A number of popular suburbs rose sharply, according to the figures published by Fairfax.
Houses in Kew recorded a similar spike in rents, rising 12.6% over the quarter to $670.
Units in Springvale were third on the list of 10 top rental growth suburbs, with rents rising 11.8% over the quarter to $285.
 
<table width="430" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
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<col width="127">
<col width="64" span="2">
<col width="175">
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<tbody>
<tr height="20">
<td width="127" height="20">Suburb</td>
<td width="64">Type</td>
<td width="64">Median weekly rent</td>
<td width="175">September quarter change</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a href="/news">Albert Park</a></td>
<td>House</td>
<td align="right">$785</td>
<td align="right">15.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a href="/news">Kew</a></td>
<td>House</td>
<td align="right">$670</td>
<td align="right">12.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a href="/news">Springvale</a></td>
<td>Unit</td>
<td align="right">$285</td>
<td align="right">11.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a href="/news">Footscray</a></td>
<td>Unit</td>
<td align="right">$310</td>
<td align="right">10.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a href="/news">Balwyn</a></td>
<td>House</td>
<td align="right">$550</td>
<td align="right">10.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a href="/news">Malvern East</a></td>
<td>Unit</td>
<td align="right">$345</td>
<td align="right">7.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a href="/news">Templestowe Lower</a></td>
<td>House</td>
<td align="right">$450</td>
<td align="right">7.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a href="/news">Williamstown</a></td>
<td>House</td>
<td align="right">$535</td>
<td align="right">7%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a href="/news">Altona</a></td>
<td>Unit</td>
<td align="right">$310</td>
<td align="right">6.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a href="/news">Sunshine North</a></td>
<td>House</td>
<td align="right">$320</td>
<td align="right">6.7%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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Albert Park heads top 10 rental growth suburbs in Melbourne

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Melbourne residential developers are for the first time building more multi-unit projects featuring townhouses, apartments and flats than detached houses, according to the October report from property valuers Herron Todd White.
Affordability is the main driver of this shift in development focus as “people are pushed to build smaller more modest, cheaper homes".
“The transitioning mentality of the population in relation to buyer preferences is also another reason as people are developing an interest in terrace housing as it looks appealing and is essentially affordable," says HTW.
This trend was also noted by <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/hot-property-investment-opportunities-in-west-north-and-outer-east-melbourne-suburbs-apm/2012100757023">Austr</a><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/hot-property-investment-opportunities-in-west-north-and-outer-east-melbourne-suburbs-apm/2012100757023" target="_blank">alian Property Monitor’s (APM) senior research analyst Clinton McNabb </a>at the recent Melbourne Home Buyer and Property Investor show.
McNabb said comparison between the 2006 and 2011 census data shows rising numbers of single person and childless couple housing occupants, indicating an increasing  demand for higher-density living.
McNabb also said more families are now willing to live in apartments and willing to sacrifice space for location.
The HTW October report focuses on the northern suburbs of Melbourne, where many new residential communities are being developed, and where these macro forces have “put pressure on house prices and influenced demand for product".
“Areas such as the northern suburbs are experiencing a slide in demand since the expiry of the $13,000 new home bonus by the state government which was a huge stimulus for growth in the area,” says the report.
The bonus has been replaced by a with a 20% cut on stamp duty with another 10% discount to follow from January 1, building eventually to 50%.
“Developers have over compensated in suburbs such as Mernda and Craigieburn," says HTW.
“There is a large supply of estate houses for sale in these areas along with developments under construction which are experiencing less demand then what was originally planned for.
“In these areas there is little reason to celebrate as property prices have experienced a drop due to the lack of demand for these products ever since the incentives were taken away.
The report notes that developers have introduced their own incentives but “none are on the same scale of the first home owners’ bonus which led the way for demand for development in the area.”
Thinking about buying your dream land package? <a target="_blank" href="/news">Sign up for our free short courses.</a>
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Melbourne developers now building more multi-unit projects than houses: HTW

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Milne House, the single-colour Robin Boyd-designed Toorak house passed in at its August auction, has been sold.
Its price has not been disclosed, but it had been passed in on a $2.3 million vendor bid.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/robin-boyd-designed-toorak-home-milne-house-listed-with-%2425-million-plus-hopes/2012071955671" target="_blank">Bennison Mackinnon agents Hugh Hardy and Andrew Macmillan </a>had initially listed it with $2.5 million-plus hopes. 
It’s a four-bedroom courtyard home last traded unrenovated in early 2006 for $1.63 million.
Marketed as a Boyd masterpiece, Milne House comes with steep skilling roof forms in opposing combinations, bagged brick walls, separate wings, simple features and a near windowless front facade on its 640-square-metre block set on the corner of Toorak and Glenbervie roads.
The Malvern Heritage Study puts its date at 1970. It is acknowledged as one of Boyd’s last homes by heritage authorities, as he died aged 52 in 1971.
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