South East Queensland developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a>’s entry into the Gold Coast apartment market has progressed from pipeline to market, with its Chevron Island project Bronze on Chevron now formally available to purchase ahead of a planned 2029 completion.

The 119-apartment development on Mawarra Street marks the Brisbane-headquartered builder-developer’s first residential play in the Gold Coast, following its expansion south from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bronze-on-chevron-8-mawarra-street-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Bronze on Chevron</a> comprises a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom residences, with pricing starting from just over $1.5 million. The project is being delivered under Gardner Vaughan’s fully integrated model, with the group acting as both developer and builder, a structure it has consistently applied across its South East Queensland portfolio.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367182]

Architecture has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cottee-parker-architects">Cottee Parker</a>, with landscape architecture by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/jeremy-ferrier-landscape-design">Jeremy Ferrier</a>. The building presents as a single-tower scheme, with a focus on maximising outlook across both the Surfers Paradise skyline and the Nerang River.

Apartments have been planned with open-plan living zones extending to generous balconies, a response to the site’s dual-aspect positioning between river and ocean. Interiors follow a restrained coastal palette, with two colour schemes offered, and an emphasis on natural light and cross-ventilation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367181]

Resident amenity is concentrated across more than 1,250 sqm and includes a resort-style pool, gym, yoga lawn and rooftop entertaining areas. A function space with catering facilities forms part of the upper-level offering, alongside north- and south-facing outdoor areas.

Ground level will incorporate two retail tenancies, intended to extend the existing village character of the surrounding streets.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367200]

The project sits within walking distance of Thomas Drive’s established dining strip, while maintaining proximity to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Surfers Paradise</a> beach and broader Gold Coast amenity. The location, positioned on Chevron Island between the river and coastline, has increasingly attracted mid- to high-density development in recent years as the precinct evolves beyond its low-rise origins.

Gardner Vaughan’s move into the Gold Coast was first signalled in 2025, with the group identifying the region as a natural extension of its operations. Chief Executive Officer Simon Betteridge described the expansion as both “strategic and natural”, citing demand for well-designed apartments in lifestyle-driven markets.

Construction is expected to complete in early 2029.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=107520]

Joel Robinson

Gardner Vaughan brings Bronze on Chevron to market as Gold Coast debut

One of the penthouses at Lily Lane, the latest stage of Carrington Place by Ellipse Property, has set a new local apartment price record.

The four-bedroom residence, purchased by a local downsizer, sold for $5.75 million—around 75 per cent higher than the previous record of $3.3 million.

Over 40 per cent of the first release of apartments at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/lily-lane-at-carrington-place-castle-hill-32-carrington-road-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Lily Lane</a> have already been snapped up just six weeks since it launched to the market.

&nbsp;

Located at 32 Carrington Road, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/castle-hill-nsw-2154">Castle Hill</a> and designed by award-winning architects <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ptw">PTW</a>, Lily Lane is directly opposite the Hills Showground Metro station. It offers a total 213 units over two 12-storey towers - a mix of 67 one-bedroom, 100 two-bedroom and 46 three-bedroom apartments - with a ground-floor retail offering.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151821 project_image_fid=368352]

Blake Schulze, National Director – Residential at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/colliers">Colliers</a>, says around 44 per cent of buyers are&nbsp;owner occupiers, with 35 per cent being investors and 21 per cent first homebuyers.

“Developments of this calibre are very rare in the Hills District, and Lily Lane’s sales success demonstrates the depth of demand for over-sized apartments that genuinely compete with freestanding homes," Schulze says.

"We are seeing particular demand from downsizers who want to remain in the area but transition into spacious, high-quality apartment living."

On the penthouse sale, it says it shows buyers&nbsp;are prepared to pay a premium for scale, quality, and direct access to the Metro.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151821 project_image_fid=368351]

One-bedroom apartments are sized from 50-72 sqm with prices starting at $745,000, while two-bedrooms are priced from $990,000 with sizes from 75 to 132 square metres. Three-bedroom floorplans are sized between 97 and 182 sqm,, with prices starting at $1,395,000.&nbsp;

The three remaining penthouses, spanning up to 262 sqm, are priced from $2.9 million.

Over 75 per cent of apartments include dedicated studies, multipurpose rooms or family rooms, with select layouts offering walk-in pantries and laundries. Apartments are appointed with premium Miele appliances including ovens, washing machines, dryers, gas cooktops and dishwashers, while larger residences also incorporate integrated Miele microwaves, Fisher &amp; Paykel integrated refrigerators and five-burner Miele cooktops.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151821 project_image_fid=360285]

Lily Lane will be constructed by award-winning iCIRT-rated builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/decode">Decode Group</a>, with construction to commence in mid-2026 and expected to complete early 2029.

Carrington Place comprises more than 800 apartments and is being delivered across multiple stages, with completion expected in 2032. Integrated with neighbouring bushland, the project will feature over 20,000 sq, of outdoor recreational area, including a one-kilometre boardwalk to Fred Caterson Reserve.&nbsp;

The Hills Showground Metro Station is just a two-minute walk away, offering fast connectivity to Sydney’s CBD, North Sydney, Chatswood, Macquarie Park and Norwest Business Park.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151821]

Ellipse sets Castle Hill apartment record with $5.75 million Lily Lane penthouse sale

Fresh off completing its Delano Crows Nest development, Lindsay Bennelong has lodged plans for its next project, this time turning its attention back to the beach.

The developer, started 20 years ago by Clarendon Homes founder Peter Campbell, is proposing a 37-apartment scheme at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/17-25-ashburner-street-manly-nsw-2095">17-25 Ashburner Street</a>, Manly, positioned between the southern end of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/manly-nsw-2095">Manly</a> Beach and East Manly Cove.

Lindsay Bennelong called on local architecture firm Platform Architects to design the new building, given their success at Finn, Lindsay Bennelong's current luxury apartment project on North Steyne.&nbsp;

According to the Design Verification Statement by Bridie Gough of Platform Architects, the proposal “relates to the current context but also the desired future character of taller buildings suitable to the new planning controls.”

The site has been identified as a Low to Mid-Rise Housing (LMR) location, given its position within 400 metres of the Manly Town Centre E1 Business Zone. The LMR controls are intended to unlock additional housing supply in well-located areas close to public transport, allowing developers to seek increased height limits to support greater density.

“The proposal seeks to provide this increased level of housing whilst being respectful of some of the smaller scale buildings also nearby,” the statement reads.

Lindsay Bennelong Development Director Leigh Manser said the project has been carefully aligned with the intent of the LMR controls. The proposal will significantly increase housing yield on the site, replacing four houses and 10 apartments, comprising 25 bedrooms, with 37 new apartments delivering a total of 94 bedrooms, whilst remaining compliant with the LMR controls.

“Sydney is in a severe undersupply, and delivering more dwellings and more bedrooms than what currently exists is exactly what the LMR policy is designed to activate,” Manser said, noting that nine of the apartments will be allocated as affordable housing for frontline workers.

“We have already commenced discussions with our community housing provider to determine the rental levels that frontline workers can realistically afford in this location,” he said. “These will need to sit well below the standard affordable housing benchmark of 20 per cent below market rent, and that has been factored into our feasibility and pricing.”

<img alt="Manly" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ad03000f-19f9-48b4-b27d-e85ca800a1da" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-30%20at%208.41.59%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=a.txHwCZgbCInlQ6QXbIrI.umvW1T.r8" />

The design of the building incorporates a wave-like indentation running through the façade, referencing the nearby coastline and anchoring the building within its local context.

The&nbsp;Design Verification Statement says careful consideration has been given to the articulation of the building, ensuring the bulk is broken down to a more human scale through a defined four-storey podium."

The scheme includes a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, as well as a full-time building manager's office and wellness facilities including a sauna and a gym.

“The design ensures a high level of amenity, with apartments offering generous private open space, many with expansive views, and all with comfortable proportions."

<img alt="Bennelong" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6a7f2812-72a1-4959-84b0-997e8cd88aed" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-30%20at%2010.15.50%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=6iMxU3MkXmHVHAoNhYBjnqgka8CUZNbk" />

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/lindsay-bennelong-developments">Lindsay Bennelong</a>&nbsp;is currently developing Finn Manly, just four full-floor luxury apartments on North Steyne. They recently welcomed residents to its 81-unit Delano Crows Nest development, a&nbsp;carefully scaled infill project designed to bridge&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/crows-nest-nsw-2065">Crows Nest</a>’s lively village centre with its surrounding heritage streets.

Designed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ajc-architects">AJC Architects</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/delano-crows-nest-27-57-falcon-street-crows-nest-nsw-2065">Delano</a>&nbsp;is arranged across three low-rise buildings, incorporating a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments alongside a limited number of townhomes addressing Hayberry Lane. The architectural approach drew on the area’s Art Deco lineage, reinterpreted through contemporary detailing and framed by landscaped communal gardens.

The developer also has a development site in Maroubra.

First look: Lindsay Bennelong's new Manly apartment development revealed

Fifty-nine residences across 37 levels. No more than two per floor. With 80 per cent now sold, what remains at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/madeline-by-mosaic-broadbeach-22-mary-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4218">Madeline by Mosaic</a> is a short list.

Madeline was always conceived at a scale that sits outside the normal register of Gold Coast apartment living. The residences are half- and full-floor configurations, with the largest spanning more than 400 sqm, dimensions that place them closer to the penthouse end of the market regardless of where they sit in the building.

That scale is the organising principle of everything else: how the floorplans are laid out, how the materials read, how the connection between inside and outside works.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150135 project_image_fid=355941]

The interiors were developed in collaboration with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fraser-partners-0">Fraser &amp; Partners</a>, the architecture practice&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mosaic-property-group">Mosaic</a> brought in as design partner for the first time on this project. The palette runs to natural stone, textured timbers, and soft metallics, materials chosen as much for their tactile quality as their appearance.

Light cleverly shifts across surfaces through the day, and the design is explicit about wanting that to be noticed. Full-height glazing runs across the primary living areas, and where the building faces east toward the ocean, those walls of glass are doing real work: framing a view corridor that the site's position directly opposite Broadbeach State School's playing fields keeps permanently open.

That outlook is the site's most consequential asset. In a suburb where new towers continue to rise, a protected view line is genuinely rare, and the Mary Avenue address secures it. Residents at Madeline will look out over open parkland rather than the rear of another building, a distinction that becomes more meaningful with each new development approved nearby.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150135 project_image_fid=355939]

The private outdoor spaces are sized to match the residences themselves. Terraces on the upper levels frame uninterrupted ocean panoramas, and the planning ensures that living areas extend into those outdoor zones rather than treating them as separate attachments. The flow between the two is part of the design intent, not an afterthought.

Inside, the finish specification reflects the same approach. Rich stone benchtops, warm timber joinery, bespoke hardware, each element specified to hold up over time rather than read as a moment in a particular trend cycle.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150135 project_image_fid=3409]

Beyond the residences, the amenity offering extends that register. A lap pool and sun deck anchor the outdoor space, alongside a magnesium pool, cold plunge, steam room, and sauna.

A commercial-grade gymnasium, residents' lounge, library, and boardroom round out a programme that functions more like a private members club than a standard building amenity floor.

Construction has commenced under Mosaic's in-house building arm, with completion scheduled for late 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150135]

Madeline by Mosaic delivers penthouse-level living across every apartment

Developer Fortezza Group is the latest to take its new apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-belvedere-5-7-church-street-nelson-bay-nsw-2315">The Belvedere in Nelson Bay</a>, to the NSW Government.

Fortezza, predominantly a South East Queensland developer, is the latest to apply for State Significant Development&nbsp; status through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority, a pathway becoming favoured by developers to speed up the approval process.

They are planning 57 two- and three-bedroom apartments across 5-7 Church Street and 42 Donald Street, near d'Albora Nelson Bay Marina. The diverse apartment mix has sizes from just over 80 sqm to the largest three-bedroom penthouses that reach nearly 200 sqm.

<img alt="Fortezza" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="090360e1-66d7-43ad-b686-aba81f173bf2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-29%20at%2010.22.40%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=DMqF96eBZolqSAAAcugX0l66ueWng66m" />

Fortezza calls the project a "piece of Istria in Nelson Bay,"&nbsp;referring to the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea, shared by Croatia (90%), Slovenia, and Italy, which is known for its Roman history, Venetian-style coastal towns and inland hilltop villages.

They say the The Belvedere is strategically positioned at the apex of Nelson Bay, offering unrivalled views of the ocean, the bay and captivating topography of the area.

"Our commitment to maintaining the integrity of every view and sight line has been relentless," Fortezza Group says.

"Through extensive modelling and analysis, we ensure that each apartment enjoys the natural beauty of Nelson Bay, regardless of future developments. Each design element is carefully curated to harmonise with our European heritage, drawing profound inspiration from the Roman architectural marvels in Istria. The arches, the cascades of greenery and the stonework that define our project pay homage to the structures that once exemplified Roman grandeur."

Residents will have access to a pool, communal green spaces, an office and a coffee shop.

First look: Fortezza Group takes The Belvedere, Nelson Bay apartment development, to NSW Government

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?

Nearly a year after purchasing the former Leo's Fine Food &amp; Wine supermarket in Kew for a reported $52 million, Melbourne developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/orchard-piper">Orchard Piper</a>, in a consortium with billionaire James Packer, has filed development plans for the site.

The proposal includes just under 200 apartments on the 6,835 sqm block, which spans <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/26-36-princess-street-kew-vic-3101">26-36 Princess Street and 11-15 Brougham Street</a>. Approval is being sought through the Department of Transport and Planning’s (DTP) Development Facilitation Program (DFP).

The buildings, designed by Wardle, will vary in scale and rise up to 18 storeys. One-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments will be offered, along with townhouses. Ten per cent of the total dwellings will be allocated to key worker housing.

The development will also include 19 new retail premises, comprising a mix of shops, restaurants and cafés, including a dedicated space for a high-quality produce offering similar to Leo’s.

<img alt="Kew" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="67cc85a5-a9d8-4eaa-95ae-fd93762d3297" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-29%20at%208.15.07%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=_p57VJNE2w16xNXB4ISvu3mnVHDDk86R" />

Orchard Piper noted the development is "designed to revitalise the Junction with high-quality housing and retail, while also improving the public realm."

"Assembling an expert team, we've been working with leading architects Wardle and landscape architects Oculus on a site-sensitive design. Wardle is one of Australia's pre-eminent architectural practices, and its founder, John Wardle, is a former long-term Kew resident with an intimate knowledge of the area.

"After close to a year refining the plans, our current opposition embodies Kew's unique character and meets the community's needs, including detailed consideration of the surrounding building design, streetscape conditions and broader planning context."

On top of the extensive retail component, the opportunity to deliver offsite public realm works, involving the council owned land to the south, would include a comprehensive new landscaped laneway strategy that connects Athenaeum Place into the site, a new public park, and the relocation of the public parking currently on the site to the adjoining council land.

<img alt="Kew" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="02da73ff-e9d9-4e6a-8b6c-75c6f4cb3b01" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-29%20at%208.15.12%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=NXlzip8H0suSqc.X2H6nLKZr6LB1joJ." />

Orchard Piper, led by Luke Mckie and Rick Gronow, is currently delivering The Carter building on St Kilda Road and One Toorak Place in Toorak village.

Kew has been a popular suburb for new development in recent years. The likes of Piccolo, ANGLE, and Carpe are delivering projects in the area.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

First look: Orchard Piper, James Packer's Kew development revealed

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It was in 1996 when a pretty, double-fronted Victorian then unrenovated eight-room Caroline Street, South Yarra brick-and-timber house last sold.
Its selling agent Philippe Batters was just about to knock the hammer down the house when a woman stopped the auction to ask the highest $645,000 bidder, “Are you going to develop it? We are neighbours, and we want to know".
The answer was duly given and now the lovely time capsule has returned to the market with its Peter Carmichael redesign by the Liberman family for all to inspect. The light-filled house, with open-plan living and dining areas and adjacent outdoor entertaining spaces, comes with many modern features including Scandinavian myrtle floors and hydronic heating.
Offers are due on the house, which sits on an 895-square-metre block, by February 28 through Darren Lewenberg and Gowan Stubbings at Kay &amp; Burton.
The modern home behind its Victorian façade was briefly listed last July through Justin Long at Marshall White with $4 million-plus hopes, which were revised to $3.75 million plus.
Set on an 1840 subdivision, the lot first sold in 1854 for £200. The 1870s the brick additions to the earlier cottage were made for grocer George Walker, who’d purchased the property for £600 in 1870. It’s believed Walker also added the Italianate front wing with its polychromatic brick and twin bay windows.
<img src="/images/stories/caroline.jpg">
The house was bought by Major-General Walter Adams Coxen before World War II, and he gave it the name it still bears in honour of his birthplace in Surrey, England. It was his daughter, Adelaide ``Marmie" Coxen, 85, who was its 1996 vendor, having set a reserve of $500,000.
Walter Adams Coxen was educated in Australia and had a distinguished record, being ADC to the King between 1920 and 1927, the Chief of Artillery from 1921 to 1924, 2nd Chief of the General's Staff from 1930 to 1934, Quartermaster-General from 1925 to 1930, and chief of the General's Staff from 1930 1931. He commanded the greatest aggregation of artillery of any war in history with 1,083 guns.
“It is as if this house was locked up after World War II and recently unlocked again. The owner's everyday utensils are collector's items," the agents said at the time.
During its 1996 marketing it was noted an old brick bakery, connected to the house by a rusty, corrugated walkway, pre-dated the house. According to a local historian, the bakery building appears on one of South Yarra's earliest maps.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

South Yarra Victorian with on the market after a Peter Carmichael redesign: Title Tattle

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Mount Nagle, the landmark 1870 Queenscliff property, has been sold.
It was listed by the Presentation Sisters Victoria. The property sold within two weeks for $1.1 million to a Melbourne buyer wanting to relocate.
Set on an 1,840-square-metre elevated block, it comes with glimpses of Swan Bay.
The Victorian-era building was marketed by Rendina Kensington agent Charles Bongiovanni as offering “unlimited scope for improvement”.
“One of the most significant historical buildings in Queenscliff and used as a summer house by eminent Victorians during the early 20th century, this remarkable property has been superbly maintained for more than a century,” Bongiovanni says.
“Many period features remain and the property comprises of 15 bedrooms, two bathrooms, four living areas, plus kitchen with adjoining dining room and cellar,” Bongiovanni says.
The Queen Street building is currently used as a private guest house retreat, 100 kilometres from Melbourne.
Some $1.75 million plus had been sought when local agents first listed it in 2010.
 
 
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Queenscliff Victorian house Mount Nagle sold by Presentation nuns

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<img src="/images/stories/omrmelb1.gif">
<img src="/images/stories/omrmelb2.gif">
Click to enlarge
<a href="/images/stories/omrmelb3.gif" rel="shadowbox" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/omrmelb3thumb.gif"></a>
Source: Property Council of Australia
 
 
 
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Melbourne commercial office market outlook 1990-2015: PCA

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The regional Victorian town of Warrnambool is one of only three locations to receive multiple votes in Smart Property Investment magazine’s 2012 list of 50 suburbs or towns with the most capital growth potential.
Out of the three towns that received multiple votes – the others being perennial hotspot list favourite Gladstone and nearby Rockhampton City, both in north Queensland – Warnambool is the only one not reliant on the resources boom for its high rating.
Multiple vote towns in the SPI Fast 50
<table style="width: 470px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="102" valign="top">
Suburb
</td>
<td width="94" valign="top">
Number of expert picks
</td>
<td width="90" valign="top">
Distance from nearest major city
</td>
<td width="102" valign="top">
Population
</td>
<td width="82" valign="top">
Median house price
</td>
<td width="83" valign="top">
Median unit price
</td>
<td width="64" valign="top">
Gross yields
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="102" valign="top">
Gladstone, Qld
</td>
<td width="94" valign="top">
3
</td>
<td width="90" valign="top">
550 kms to Brisbane
</td>
<td width="102" valign="top">
29,000
</td>
<td width="82" valign="top">
$437,000
</td>
<td width="83" valign="top">
$350,000
</td>
<td width="64" valign="top">
5%/7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="102" valign="top">
Rockhampton City, Qld
</td>
<td width="94" valign="top">
2
</td>
<td width="90" valign="top">
600 kms to Brisbane
</td>
<td width="102" valign="top">
76,000
</td>
<td width="82" valign="top">
$217,000
</td>
<td width="83" valign="top">
$447,500
</td>
<td width="64" valign="top">
6%/5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="102" valign="top">
Warrnambool, Vic
</td>
<td width="94" valign="top">
2
</td>
<td width="90" valign="top">
265 kms from Melbourne
</td>
<td width="102" valign="top">
33,000
</td>
<td width="82" valign="top">
$316,000
</td>
<td width="83" valign="top">
$255,000
</td>
<td width="64" valign="top">
6%/5%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Source: SPI Fast 50
Situated on the Princes Highway, about 265 kilometres from Melbourne and near the western end of the Great Ocean Road, <a target="_blank" href="/news">Warrnambool </a>is one of only four Victorian locations to be included on this year’s list.
The town, which dates back to the gold rush in the 1840s, has strong ties to agriculture and the dairy industry, as well as tourism and construction. It has been picked by hotspotting.com.au director Terry Ryder and Todd Hunter, a former Aussie mortgage broker and director of research firm Wheregroup.
It has a median price of $316,000 for houses with gross rental yields of 6% and a $255,000 median price for units with gross rental yields of 5% – both well above the state median (according to Rismark-RP Data) of 3.7% for houses and 4.3% for units.
Ryder describes Warrnambool as “the leading centre of Victoria’s south west” and says it is “growing so fast that the local council has had to rezone hundreds of hectares of farming land for new industrial and residential estates”.
According to Ryder, Warrnambool’s strengths are “tourism, construction, education and medical services”.
“Retail is rapidly expanding and there is a plethora of new power generation facilities, including gas-fired power stations and major wind farms,” he says.
The town has a resident population of just under 34,000 but attracts more than 700,000 visitors each year who come to lie on its beaches in summer and to view southern right whales in the winter months.
Rockhampton, where the median house prices is still a very affordable $217,000 (units are far more expensive at $447,500), was selected by author and founder of Destiny Financial Solutions Margaret Lomas and Luke Berry from hotspot research firm NextHotSpot.
Lomas calls <a target="_blank" href="/news">Rockhampton City </a>a place to “buy now and wait for three to five years for some action” and highlights the current affordability of houses and yields of up to 7.5%.
“I see this area benefiting from the flow-on effect of Gladstone without the high risk that mining areas traditionally bring,” she says.
Berry notes that although the scale of investment in Rockhampton is smaller than in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Gladstone</a>, it is still significant, with the town containing several cheap areas such as <a target="_blank" href="/news">Berserker </a>(a median house price of around $240,000) that are “set to boom”.
Gladstone, which has appeared on just about every hotspot list in the past 12 months, is the only location to be selected by three of the seven experts on the SPI panel, picked by SQM research director Louis Christopher, Terry Ryder and Helen Collier-Kogtevs, managing director of property investment group Real Wealth Australia.
The town, which is at the epicentre of $75 billion worth of energy, rail and port projects, is expected to undergo significant growth over the next five years, according to Collier-Kogtevs.
“It is strategically important to the national economy, has average historical performance and great projected performance, low vacancy rates, higher per capita income levels and a shortage of and high demand for housing,” she says.
Overall NSW has the highest number of growth hotspots in the top 50 with 18, followed by Queensland with 11, Western Australia with 10 and South Australia with six.
Reflecting the declining fortunes of their respective markets, Victoria has just four suburbs in the top 50 and the ACT just one – the capital Canberra.
Other areas to shine in the survey include western Sydney, which received a high level of recommendations for suburbs including <a target="_blank" href="/news">Blacktown</a>, <a target="_blank" href="/news">Goulburn</a>, <a target="_blank" href="/news">Liverpool</a>, <a target="_blank" href="/news">Seven Hills </a>and <a target="_blank" href="/news">Penrith</a>.
The City of <a target="_blank" href="/news">Onkaparinga</a>, south of the Adelaide CBD, comprised three out of the six predicted hotspots for South Australia with <a target="_blank" href="/news">Hackham</a>, <a target="_blank" href="/news">Aldinga Beach </a>and <a target="_blank" href="/news">Seaford </a>all selected.
Suburbs were picked based on population growth, demand for housing, income levels, employment, vacancy rates, previous capital growth and current gross rental yields.
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lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Warrnambool emerges, but Queensland's Gladstone still darling of top 50 investment list

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Collins Street, Melbourne certainly  had impressive Christmas decorations, as the photo package by Alistair Walsh shows. 333 Collins Street did the CBD proud. We're not not sure about the Town Hall gift wrapping, though.
<img src="/images/stories/christmas5.jpg">
101 Collins Street
<img src="/images/stories/christmas2.jpg">
45 Collins Street
<img src="/images/stories/christmas3.jpg">
Melbourne Town Hall
<img src="/images/stories/christmas4.jpg">
333 Collins Street
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Melbourne's Collins Street dons decorations for Christmas cheer

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<img src="/images/stories/boulevard3.jpg">
Homes from Ivanhoe in Melbourne are regularly featured internationally given their Christmas decorations.
<img src="/images/stories/boulevard4.jpg">
The blightly lit Ivanhoe houses centre around <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGCbyIkO3GI">The Boulevard</a>. It's reportedly a tradition that dates back six decades, with locals Bill King and George Whitelaw reportedly beginning the elaborate light displays in the 1950s.
<img src="/images/stories/boulevard5.jpg">
An estimated 100,000 visitors come to see the decorations every year. 
<img src="/images/stories/boulevard6.jpg">
Photos by Kelvin Cheong
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Ivanhoe's The Boulevard renowned for Christmas lights

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It’s been a busy year or so for Brighton’s bathing boxes, with the past 10 sales netting about $2 million. Set on one of the most photographed locales in Australia, Bayside Council sold four for a $900,000 total, while six others have been sold at about $200,000 each.
Last month three of the 85 colourful icons changed hands to other Brighton ratepayers.
There are three now up for sale and the council will auction another two newly built infill boxes in early 2012.
<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/box26.jpg">
Box 26 (pictured above) currently has a $210,000 asking price through J P Dixon Real Estate.
<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/box16.jpg">
Box 16 (pictured above) is for sale at $180,000-plus through Hodges.
<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/box72.jpg">
Box 72 (pictured above) is listed without an asking price through Hodges.
Brighton Bathing Box Association treasurer Bill Meares told The Bayside Leader newspaper he's never known such a spurt. “It is fair to say the infill boxes the council have sold have created extra interest,” Meares suggests.
“Normally bathing box sales mirror the property market, but not this year, they have created their own market and demand.”
Nick Johnstone Real Estate has sold three boxes over the past two months, including box 71 and 73, which were listed through estate agent Chris Carrington.
Estate agent Nick Johnstone says they were very much "a social asset".
“People are seeing them as an alternative to a holiday home,” Johnstone says.
“They are a good family [asset]; everyone knows each other and they hold barbecues and social occasions, and this starts a chain reaction of people wanting one.”
The current average market value of a bathing box has been about $200,000.
Box 40 was been snapped up before its scheduled August auction for $210,000. It had last sold at $170,000 two years ago. It sold through Katie Reid at Nick Johnstone Real Estate.
Bathing boxes existed in Brighton as far back as 1862. The record price for a newly built bathing box was set in June at $260,000.
 
 
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Brighton bathing box market buoyant

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/devember2bangay]}
Acclaimed landscape designer Paul Bangay is selling his city pad, and hopefully throwing in an orchid or two.
It’s a Castle Towers, South Yarra penthouse set above the residential precinct between Fawkner Park and the Royal Botanical Gardens. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment comes with an impressive open plan living/dining area with feature marble gas fire place and dramatic city views.
Although it’s within the complex designed by prominent architect Arthur Plaisted in the 1940s, it’s all very modern There's a fully equipped gourmet kitchen with modern European appliances and hand-selected stone benchtops. Both bedrooms have built-in wardrobes, and the master comes with ensuite.
Offers are due December 13 with Castran Gilbert South Yarra agent Lachlan Castran.
Bangay now splits his time between Melbourne and Sydney, given his impressive client list. He also maintains a Stonefields at Denver off the Daylesford-Malmsbury Road, which is regarded as one of Australia's most beautiful country gardens. Every year he opens his garden to the public to raise money for the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation, and last month the visitors were parked kilometres away in order to get a glimpse.
Marne Street's last sale was last weekend <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/auctions/weekend-auction-tipping-result/2011112752553">when an older-style apartment in the 1934 block Moore Abbey fetched $1.9 million</a>. The unit that had not been sold in 30 years and attracted five bidders, mainly retirees looking to downsize in a blue-chip location.
Although the bidding stopped at $1.825 million, the vendors dug their heels in and waited for an offer from the highest bidder that matched the last comparable sale in the block of $1.9 million. The first-floor apartment with three bedrooms plus study comprises of 21.5 squares in the tightly held Robert Hamilton-designed building.
The Bangay apartment has had a clever renovation that maximizes the already generous proportions that were the norm during the Art Deco era.
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Landscape designer Paul Bangay selling South Yarra penthouse

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/december1lofty]}
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-camberwell-108821016" target="_blank">13 Lofty Avenue, Camberwell, VIC, 3124</a>
A sensibly renovated period home that packs in a good amount of accommodation and would suit a modern family well.
Main pluses here are the northern rear aspect, floor plan (it is a very flexible one) and the general room arrangement/separation.
Some may have reservations about the facade and the smallish land size, given the overall offering. That all said, this will tick the boxes and for many people  the seamless transition from rear open-plan area to the rear deck is very good and the key selling point.
Position is quite good – close to local schools, Middle Camberwell shops, a myriad local parks and public transport.
Adam Woledge is a registered architect and principal buyer advocate at <a href="https://www.james.net.au/rating/13-Lofty-Avenue-CAMBERWELL" target="_blank">James Buyer Advocates</a>.
Jellis Craig agent Peter Vigano is marketing the property with price hopes of $1.7 million. James Buyer Advocates has rated the property 733 out of 1,000, which is in the above-average category. It will go to auction on December 3 at 3pm. 
 
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maljames-vHwm28JUAa

Sensibly renovated period home in Camberwell

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/november17curtin]}
The former home of one of Australia's greatest prime ministers, John Curtin, sold for $710,000 at weekend auction.
<img src="/images/stories/curtinauction.jpg">
The 1906 Brunswick weatherboard came with $600,000-plus pre-auction estimates. Bidding commenced on a $600,000 vendor bid and then another at $610,000 at the auction (pictured above). The opening bidder at $620,000 secured the property, beating off three other potential buyers.
“I think I’d better grab my nervous wife from the car,” the buyer said before being ushered inside to sign the paperwork by W.B. Simpson &amp; Son's Syd Sherrin and Tim Maher.
Curtin lived in the double-fronted Fallon Street from 1912 to 1915, when in his late 20s he was the secretary of the Victorian Timber Workers Union and an organiser for the Australian Workers Union.
He stood unsuccessfully for his first parliamentary election, a state seat, in 1914.
It was the Fallon Street home Curtin returned to after spending a few days in jail in 1914 for protesting against conscription during World War I.
He was elected to Federal Parliament in 1928, became prime minister in 1941 and steered the country through the World War II years until his death in 1945 of a heart attack shortly before peace was declared.
The unrenovated house – which has heritage demolition restrictions – <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/john-curtin-s-melbourne-home-on-the-market-for-first-time-since-1921/2011111652397" target="_blank">has been owned by the McAnally family since 1921</a>, so many of its original period features remain.
It sits on a 463-square-metre block and is of aesthetic significance given the timber ashlar villa comes with fine detailing including the central pediment to the veranda, intact cast iron lacework and paired elongated double-hung sash windows.
It has a hipped painted corrugated iron roof return and a bullnose veranda.
It has red brick chimneys with rendered caps and plinths and paired brackets under the eave line.
The veranda has turned timber veranda posts.
It was a six-room house during Curtin’s rental.
The Creswick-born politician subsequently moved to Brunswick Road and in 1917 left Victoria for a new home with his wife, Elsie, in Western Australia.
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First look: Orchard Piper, James Packer's Kew development revealed

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First look: Orchard Piper, James Packer's Kew development revealed

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