<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> has lodged plans for a $750 million, three-tower mixed-use precinct that would complete the long-running redevelopment of Carlton's former Carlton United Breweries site.

The proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/185-195-queensberry-street-carlton-vic-3053">46-78 Bouverie Street and 185-195 Queensberry Street</a> spans a 6,468 sqm site, the last remaining undeveloped parcels within the former brewery's 2007 masterplan.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the development will comprise two purpose-built student accommodation towers and a third build-to-sell apartment tower above a shared commercial podium and basement.

Across the three towers, SP Setia is proposing 606 build-to-sell apartments and 1,499 student accommodation units containing 2,009 beds.

The apartments will sit in the tallest tower, which will rise nearly 200m and 55 storeys. It will become&nbsp;one of the more substantial new build-to-sell apartment projects at the northern edge of Melbourne's CBD.

The apartment mix is weighted toward smaller inner-city product, with 188 studios, 206 one-bedroom apartments, 192 two-bedroom apartments and 20 three-bedroom apartments

<img alt="First look: SP Setia plans three-tower finale for Carlton’s former CUB precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8271bc87-1b0a-41b7-ac73-a425ee375261" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/3_2.png?VersionId=G4lw23o90B1boX4k4dj7rdz2ZEajS9wy" />

Part of the precinct will be a large-scale&nbsp;3,684 sqm supermarket and a further 2,198 sqm of speciality retail, creating close to 5,900 sqm of new commercial space within the precinct.

But one of the biggest components of the proposal is what sits between the buildings.

Around 4,650 sqm, or roughly 72 per cent of the site, will be publicly accessible open space, incorporating plazas, pedestrian connections, landscaped laneways and retail spill-out areas.

The ground plane is intended to finally complete pedestrian connections envisaged when the CUB masterplan was first approved nearly two decades ago, stitching together Victoria Street, Queensberry Street, Bouverie Street and Swanston Street through the former brewery precinct.

Urbis said the development would "complete the CUB precinct", with the public realm providing important north-south and east-west connections through what is currently the final undeveloped portion of the masterplanned site.

SP Setia is also exploring a new linear park within the Bouverie Street road reserve, with the concept to be developed further with the City of Melbourne through the planning process.

The proposal is being pursued through the Victorian Government's Development Facilitation Program under Clause 53.23 for significant residential development with affordable housing.

The planning report acknowledges the proposed heights exceed those contemplated under the original Comprehensive Development Plan and masterplan, but argues the built-form context has changed considerably over the past two decades.

Urbis said the three towers would instead create a stepped transition between Carlton and the Hoddle Grid, rising progressively from the 94.1-metre Tower One along the Queensberry Street edge to the 199.44-metre Tower Three closer to the established CBD-scale buildings to the south.

<img alt="SP Setia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e885a07a-592c-40fc-bf82-e6dbaf32da54" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.52.24%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=7s_ErUkSKAdY1mAWp3GRZgMNCGtwhk5m" />

SP Setia plans to deliver the development across three stages.

Stage One would deliver the basement, podium and retail areas for the entire precinct alongside the first student tower. Tower Two would follow in Stage Two, before the 606-apartment Tower Three is delivered as the final stage.

If approved and delivered, the project would close out a redevelopment process that has been underway since the former brewery masterplan was approved in 2007, adding more than 2,600 student beds and apartments to a precinct already home to Swanston Central, the Barak Building, RMIT Design Hub and several large student accommodation developments.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

SP Setia plans three-tower finale for Carlton’s former CUB precinct

Melbourne developer Lowe Living is seeking to add to its growing bayside apartment pipeline, filing plans for a boutique eight-residence development in tightly held Middle Park.

Lowe Living, which has built much of its development portfolio across Melbourne's affluent bayside and south-east suburbs, is behind the plans for the 730 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/123-125-erskine-street-middle-park-vic-3206">123-125 Erskine Street</a>, just off Armstrong Street and within the Armstrong Street Neighbourhood Activity Centre.

The developer is seeking approval for a five-storey residential building above two basement levels, with just eight large-format apartments and 18 car spaces.

“This is a deliberately very different proposition for us,"&nbsp;Tim Lowe, Co-Founder of Lowe Living, said.

"Eight residences is exceptionally boutique, but that's precisely what this site calls for.

“There is a strong community in Middle Park and the surrounding suburbs who have spent decades building a life here. They no longer want the maintenance of a large period home, but they aren't prepared to compromise on space, quality or location. We think there is a real opportunity to capture that hyper local market. A site like this rarely comes to market.”

<img alt="Lowe " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="875fe572-0f14-4d90-9e11-55b28dd07731" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.42.49%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=GDNQRv9BfpR9r1zkZ5UDyUM4ZvpIksut" />

The low-density proposal has been designed by Cera Stribley and is being progressed through the Victorian Government's Great Design Fast Track pathway, having already secured eligibility from the Minister for Planning.

The Office of the Victorian Government Architect supported its eligibility after finding the proposal demonstrated consistency with the program's seven design principles, while the project's financial feasibility has also been independently confirmed by Invest Victoria.

The project is targeting the downsizer market, with the planning documents describing the homes as larger-format residences and noting the two penthouses could otherwise have been configured as four separate apartments.

<img alt="Lowe 2" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="60ab0987-2da6-4175-adac-315dcf6053c6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.43.15%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=bOCPH0B2MFwlmaRW.TTCF9TzyifgVoQI" />

The site has dual frontage to Erskine Street and Canterbury Place and currently comprises a collection of commercial buildings used as offices, including a former heritage bakehouse, a former stable, a later gabled addition and a central courtyard.

It sits within the Commercial 1 Zone and the Armstrong Street Commercial Precinct heritage overlay, with the existing property classified as a contributory heritage place.

Heritage has subsequently played a significant role in Cera Stribley's design.

The front section of the former bakehouse facing Erskine Street will be retained, including its return walls, street-facing hipped roof and chimneys, while the Erskine Street façade and part of the western return wall of the former stable will also be incorporated into the new development.

Levels four and five will be set back five metres from the retained stable façade, while bricks removed through demolition are proposed to be salvaged and reused within the new building where possible.

<img alt="Lowe 3" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e97927a9-a2de-4a0f-83b6-65451238abfa" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.43.06%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=VR44AChLrX9q1XPB9GvVQV.ALXXbe4gC" />

Rather than presenting as a single five-storey building to Erskine Street, Cera Stribley has broken the development into a series of distinct forms.

A three-storey infill element will sit between the retained bakehouse and stable façades, with the upper levels recessed behind the heritage fabric. Canterbury Place will similarly feature two three-storey podium forms, separated by a central pedestrian accessway, before the upper two levels step back from the street.

A pedestrian through-link will run through the centre of the project between Erskine Street and Canterbury Place, creating entrances from both sides of the site and introducing landscaping and communal areas through the ground plane.

Landscape architect Acre has designed planting across the ground level, private terraces and upper levels, including a feature canopy tree at level three and integrated planting and arbours across the level four terraces. Five existing Erskine Street trees are proposed to be retained.

Sustainability is also a significant component of the Great Design Fast Track application. The apartments are targeting an average eight-star NatHERS rating, with no residence below 6.5 stars, while the project has achieved a 75 per cent BESS score. Seven of the eight apartments are designed for cross-ventilation, with the remaining residence using mechanically assisted natural ventilation.

The plans also incorporate an 8kWp rooftop solar system, a 5,000-litre rainwater tank and infrastructure allowing future electric vehicle charging for every residence.

Lowe has a strong portfolio across Melbourne's blue-chip suburbs. They recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/jardin-house-by-lowe-living-camberwell-335-camberwell-road-camberwell-vic-3124">Jardin House by Lowe Living</a> in Camberwell, their first development in the Stonnington LGA.

Lowe Living unveils Middle Park apartment development

Article summary

<ul data-end="888" data-start="289">
	<li data-end="442" data-section-id="8tsh6o" data-start="289">DVB Projects is preparing to launch its second Gold Coast apartment development, with demolition now underway at 137 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach.</li>
	<li data-end="573" data-section-id="1nyxl3e" data-start="443">The 34-level tower will comprise just 49 ultra-luxury residences, including half-floor, full-floor and penthouse apartments.</li>
	<li data-end="717" data-section-id="oiyimj" data-start="574">The launch follows strong demand at DVB's nearby Sea Glass project, which is more than 50 per cent sold and currently under construction.</li>
	<li data-end="888" data-section-id="epk9o9" data-start="718">The development adds to the transformation of Old Burleigh Road, with premium beachfront apartment projects continuing to reshape the tightly held Broadbeach strip.</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/dvb-projects">DVB Projects</a> is preparing to launch its second Gold Coast apartment development, with demolition now underway on the Broadbeach site as the Sydney developer moves closer to bringing the ultra-luxury project to market.

The 34-level tower at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/137-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">137 Old Burleigh Road</a> will comprise just 49 residences, ranging from half-floor apartments through to full-floor homes and a penthouse. The launch follows the strong sales performance of DVB's nearby Sea Glass development. More than half of the apartments at Sea Glass, on the other side of Broadbeach, have been snapped up, well ahead of its late 2027 completion

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2944b4be-c84e-4b54-8dc1-c712e76704c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E02_Exterior_Street%20Level%20Entrance.jpg?VersionId=YoNig7pRdrE3HCue7sUj78LzJteeQf3H" />

The start of demolition at 137 Old Burleigh Road signals DVB Projects’ underlying confidence in the Gold Coast’s luxury beachside apartment sector.

“We see the Gold Coast as one of the most compelling lifestyle markets in Australia, particularly at the premium end where demand continues to deepen,” said Dean Brown, Managing Director of DVB.&nbsp;

“This project has been carefully designed to respond to that demand - delivering large-format residences with a level of quality, privacy and amenity that is still relatively rare in the apartment market on the beachside."

Brown says the site itself is "exceptional."

"Old Burleigh Road is one of the most tightly held beachfront strips, and opportunities to deliver a project of this scale and calibre in this location are extremely limited.”

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="398f377a-c037-455e-9250-0c5e0d84c35b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/I12_FF%20Balcony.jpg?VersionId=NwOiRWGMubR1c8wthuEfggklcja7al9." />

The project will comprise 40 half-floor residences of approximately 260 sqm, alongside eight full-floor residences spanning around 524 sqm.

A single penthouse will crown the building, featuring a private pool, barbecue area, indoor gym and dedicated entertaining spaces.

Residents will have access to a resort-style suite of amenities, including a 20-metre pool with daybeds, a gymnasium, hot and cold plunge pools, a sauna, and private residents’ lounge and dining facilities.

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1642bb0-9a66-4427-a022-dfc0988c6287" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/A02_Pool%20to%20View.jpg?VersionId=c0IXPyn_Gp_Kn3XCwzMrqIVkAdCEwVXP" />

Sales agent Todd Matheson, of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/pezet-matheson">Pezet Matheson</a>, which is marketing both 137 Old Burleigh Road and Sea Glass, said 137 Old Burleigh Road would address a clear gap in the market for genuine luxury products.

“There are very few opportunities on the Gold Coast where buyers can secure a residence of this size and quality in a new building,” Matheson said.

“What we’re seeing is a growing cohort of downsizers and interstate buyers who still want space - they’re not willing to compromise on living area, entertaining or finishes.

“This project has been designed with that buyer in mind. It offers the scale of a home, combined with the convenience and security of apartment living, in one of the coast’s most desirable positions.”

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="59aae0ca-5639-4320-8aca-d0bf60f48e43" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E01_Exterior%20Hero.jpg?VersionId=DS8Zfy2WtgUEtdfe0TEUuf1W1GfcZq8S" />

Located on a 1,156 sqm site one block from the beachfront, the development will replace an ageing walk-up building and is expected to contribute to the ongoing transformation of the Old Burleigh Road strip into one of the Gold Coast’s most prestigious residential corridors.

With the development moving into the delivery phase, 137 Old Burleigh Road is slated to hit the market later this year.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145141]

DVB Projects to launch second Broadbeach apartment tower as demolition commences

<a data-end="327" data-is-only-node="" data-start="250" href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/norus-projects" rel="noopener" target="_new">Norus Developments</a> has lodged plans for a new apartment development in Clayton that would add further momentum to the suburb's emerging Green Street corridor.

Plans have been lodged for the consolidated site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/1359-1365-centre-road-clayton-vic-3168">1359-1365 Centre Road</a>, where Norus is seeking approval for 218 apartments across a 12-storey apartment building designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/life-architecture-and-urban-design">Life Architecture</a>.

The proposal sits within the Clayton Major Activity Centre at the threshold of the planned Green Street corridor, a landscaped pedestrian connection intended to improve links through the precinct towards Clayton Railway Station.

The development would replace the site's existing collection of low-scale residential and commercial buildings with a single consolidated building, introducing significantly greater housing density to this part of Centre Road.

A retail tenancy is proposed at ground level to activate the Centre Road frontage, accompanied by transparent street interfaces and landscaping intended to create a more pedestrian-focused edge to the development.

<img alt="First look: Norus Developments plans landscape-led apartment project for Clayton’s emerging Green Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0a5a763a-d9e9-4253-af2f-88008de27ebf" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Clayton%20a.png?VersionId=S2WJJbat1XVkZwB9SnYtygirXgWHiklX" />

The building has been designed with stepped massing and upper-level setbacks to manage its transition towards surrounding residential properties. The planning report describes the approach as one that integrates the building into the landscape rather than treating landscaping as a secondary element.

"A strong landscape and public realm strategy underpins the proposal," Urbis states in the planning report.

"Public benefits include an affordable housing contribution, a new pocket park, generous landscaped setbacks, deep soil planting and integrated Water Sensitive Urban Design."

The report adds that these elements are intended to create "a permeable, pedestrian-focused ground plane that enhances walkability, supports urban cooling and reinforces the emerging Green Street character."

Biophilic and passive design principles extend through the residential levels, with planting, daylight, natural ventilation and views towards landscaped areas forming part of the amenity strategy.

Parking would be concentrated away from the public realm, with 145 car spaces proposed from the rear laneway rather than dominating the Centre Road frontage.

The proposal follows an extensive pre-application process with the City of Monash. Three formal meetings were held between the project team and Council from December 2025 to March 2026, with the scheme evolving through several concept iterations before the current design was lodged.

The project arrives as Clayton prepares for substantial change around its established activity centre and the wider Suburban Rail Loop precinct. Its position on Centre Road places the development within an existing concentration of shops, services and public transport, while the Green Street connection is intended to strengthen pedestrian access towards Clayton Railway Station.

First look: Norus plans landscape-led apartment project for Clayton’s emerging Green Street

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a> has officially commenced construction on Bronze on Chevron, celebrating the sod turning of its first-ever Gold Coast development and marking a significant milestone in the company's continued expansion across South East Queensland.&nbsp;

Following the successful delivery of premium residential developments throughout Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bronze-on-chevron-8-mawarra-street-chevron-island-qld-4217">Bronze on Chevron</a> represents Gardner Vaughan Group's entry into the Gold Coast market. Bronze will deliver 119 one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments above two ground-level retail tenancies.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367193]

The recent sod turning ceremony was attended by Deputy Mayor Mark Hammel, President of the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club, Cassandra Sedgman, project consultants, purchasers, project partners and invited guests to celebrate the commencement of construction.&nbsp;

Gardner Vaughan Group Chief Executive Officer Simon Betteridge said Bronze on Chevron represented an exciting new chapter for the business.&nbsp;

"We've spent almost four decades building homes that respond to the way people want to live, and we're excited to bring that experience to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/chevron-island-qld-4217">Chevron Island</a>," Betteridge said.

"Bronze on Chevron is particularly significant because it marks Gardner Vaughan Group's first development on the Gold Coast following many successful projects across Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367183]

Betteridge said the ground breaking is a proud moment for the&nbsp;team and their purchasers, who can now see their future homes beginning to take shape.&nbsp;

"As both developer and builder, we're able to oversee every aspect of the project from design through to construction, ensuring the quality and attention to detail Gardner Vaughan Group has become renowned for."&nbsp;

Designed by acclaimed architectural practice <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cottee-parker-architects">Cottee Parker</a>, Bronze on Chevron has been thoughtfully designed to complement Chevron Island's evolving streetscape while embracing its relaxed coastal lifestyle.

The development will offer generous residences with refined interiors, premium finishes and resort-style amenities, with completion anticipated in early 2029.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=107520]

The development will offer generous residences with refined interiors, premium finishes and resort-style amenities, with completion anticipated in early 2029

Gardner Vaughan Group breaks ground on first Gold Coast development, Bronze on Chevron

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?

New apartment developments with uninterrupted, north-facing views over Perth's Swan River are exceptionally rare.

Recognising just how limited those opportunities are, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/edge-visionary-living">Edge Visionary Living</a>, one of Perth's most respected builder-developers, targeted <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/applecross-wa-6153">Applecross</a>, assembling an unrepeatable 6,342 sqm riverfront site on the corner of Moreau Mews and Canning Beach Road to create one of Perth's only new north-facing apartment developments directly overlooking the Swan River.

Today, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/riviere-residences-applecross-59-canning-beach-road-applecross-wa-6153">Rivière Residences</a> offers buyers a unique opportunity to choose between completed residences ready to move into now and off-the-plan homes in the final stage, Rivière West.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=28384 project_image_fid=3823]

Across the completed East and Central buildings, residents are already enjoying the development's luxury amenity, while two of the precinct's hospitality venues are now open.

The completed component of the development gives buyers the advantage of experiencing the finished product firsthand, including its uninterrupted river views, while still having the opportunity to secure a residence in the final stage.

"People are wowed by the view and the quality of the apartments,"&nbsp;Edge Visionary Living Sales Executive, Holly McSweeney, says.

"They're looking for the convenience of lock-and-leave living, but they're not looking to downsize on quality."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=28384 project_image_fid=3826]

The rarity of the development hasn't been lost on prospective buyers, McSweeney says.

For McSweeney, it all comes back to a location that is becoming increasingly difficult to replicate.

"Location, location, location," she says. "We are nestled right on the front of the Swan River. You can never get built out, so wherever you are in Rivière Residences, you've got views of the river forever."

The unique waterfront position has resonated particularly strongly with local downsizers. McSweeney says many buyers are long-time Applecross residents looking to transition from large family homes into a luxury apartment without sacrificing space, quality or the lifestyle they've enjoyed for decades.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N_FowNW0wu8?si=vb25XFq1wZ-iufAW" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

A major focus for Edge in recent years has been resident amenity. Across its apartment portfolio, from beachfront developments in Scarborough to luxury towers in South Perth, the developer has increasingly invested in the spaces beyond the apartment itself.

The strategy has largely been shaped by downsizer demand. Many buyers are moving from large family homes with swimming pools and established gardens. While they're looking to leave the maintenance behind, they don't want to compromise on lifestyle.

At Rivière, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hillam-architects">Hillam Architects</a> designed the resident facilities as an extension of each apartment. A 25-metre heated swimming pool takes advantage of the north-facing river outlook, complemented by a large gym, sauna and steam rooms, private dining spaces, residents' lounges, a cinema, games room, and dedicated wine and whisky rooms.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=28384 project_image_fid=372542]

The waterfront location has also proved to be a major drawcard. Residents are within walking distance of the Raffles Hotel, South of Perth Yacht Club, the Heathcote Cultural Precinct and the cafés, restaurants and boutiques along Ardross Street.

Beyond the location and amenity, McSweeney says many buyers take confidence from Edge's fully integrated development model.

Having delivered apartments across Perth for decades, Edge now designs, develops and constructs its projects in-house, giving the company greater control over quality, delivery and the finished product.

"What I love is when people walk through their apartment for the first time and say, 'This is better than what we imagined,'" McSweeney says. "We hear that all the time."

Completed apartments in the East and Central buildings are now available to inspect by appointment, while Rivière West, the final stage of the precinct, is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=28384]

North-facing Swan River views drive demand at Rivière Residences in Applecross

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Western Australian properties are lingering on the market despite deep discounts designed to entice buyers, according to SQM Research.
SQM Research has released a list of the top 10 most discounted properties in WA, and the property at number 10 on the list, 115 Plover Drive, Yangebup, is now offered with a 27% price reduction on its original $450 price hopes. 
In contrast, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/most-discounted-properties-in-victoria-all-in-melbourne-sqm/2012031353814">the most discounted property in Melbourne,</a> 1365 Ballan Road, Wyndham Vale, only has a 25% discount on its original $2.4 million price hopes.
SQM Research director Louis Christopher points out that the most discounted property in Western Australia, 290 Viveash Road, in the Perth suburb of Swan View, has been on the market for almost four years and has been unable to entice a buyer despite a 41% discount on its original $2,290,000 price hopes.
"The number one property on this list, which has been referred to many times in the past by SQM Research, has spent years on the market – sitting on a current tally of 1,376 days," Christopher notes.
"A quick scan of the Perth top 10 will reveal that the majority of the other homes are way up there as well, and this is definitely a factor in play when it comes to substantial house price discounting. Properties that are going stale – in other words, have been on the market for extended periods of time are commonly discounted as the vendors become increasingly eager to sell.
"This is often when potential buyers do have the opportunity to bag a possible bargain – given that there are no issues pertaining to the quality of the property, as the vendors may be willing to sell properties at a lower price than their market value in a bid to make a speedy sale," Christopher says.
However, Christopher says the Perth market could be bottoming out and heading into a recovery.
"Listings have actually been falling in Perth, and second to this, loan approvals have also been rising in recent months," Christopher says. "So it is quite possible that even right now as the market is weak, it may well also be bottoming out. In future, we expect that when we revisist the most discounted properties in the city of Perth, a number of the current homes may well have exited the list."
 
1
<a target="_blank" href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.domain.com.au%2FPublic%2FPropertyDetails.aspx%3Fadid%3D2007193295">290 Viveash Road, Swan View, WA, 6056</a>
On the market since: June 5, 2008
Initial asking price: $2.29 million
Current asking price: $1.35 million
Reduction: 41%
Days on market: 1,376
 
 
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"></h2>
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">2</h2>
<a href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realestate.com.au%2Fcgi-bin%2Frsearch%3Fa%3Do%26id%3D106211228" target="_blank">15 Gretel, Two Rocks, WA, 6037</a>
On the market since: December 26, 2009
Initial asking price: $1.1 million
Current asking price: $699,000
Reduction: 36%
Days on market: 756
 
3
<a target="_blank" href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realestate.com.au%2Fcgi-bin%2Frsearch%3Fa%3Do%26id%3D106289694">309 Scarborough Beach Road, Woodlands, WA, 6018</a>
On the market since: February 7, 2010
Initial asking price: $1.1 million
Current asking price: $750,000
Reduction: 32%
Days on market: 713
 
 
4
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"></h2>
<a target="_blank" href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realestate.com.au%2Fcgi-bin%2Frsearch%3Fa%3Do%26id%3D105695921">61 The Strand, Applecross, WA, 6153</a> (pictured)
On the market since: September 13, 2009
Initial asking price: $7.9 million
Current asking price: $5.45 million
Reduction: 31%
Days on market: 860
 
 
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">5</h2>
<a href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realestate.com.au%2Fcgi-bin%2Frsearch%3Fa%3Do%26id%3D108335651" target="_blank">124/580 Hay Street, Perth, WA, 6000</a>
On the market since: October  23, 2011
Initial asking price: $1,385,000
Current asking price: $975,000
Reduction: 30%
Days on market: 90
 
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">6</h2>
<a target="_blank" href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realestate.com.au%2Fcgi-bin%2Frsearch%3Fa%3Do%26id%3D106243474">4/19 Broome Street, Cottesloe, WA, 6011</a>
On the market since: January 10, 2010
Initial asking price: $1.2 million
Current asking price: $850,000
Reduction: 29%
Days on market: 740
 
7
<a href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realestate.com.au%2Fcgi-bin%2Frsearch%3Fa%3Do%26id%3D106544887" target="_blank">1/43 Preston Point Road, East Fremantle, WA, 6158</a>
On the market since: May 23, 2010
Initial asking price: $1.1 million
Current asking price: $800,000
Reduction: 27%
Days on market: 608
 
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">8</h2>
<a target="_blank" href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realestate.com.au%2Fcgi-bin%2Frsearch%3Fa%3Do%26id%3D107455436">1806/96 Bow River Crescent, Burswood, WA, 6100</a>
On the market since: June 18, 2011
Initial asking price: $969,000
Current asking price: $705,000
Reduction: 27%
Days on market: 217
 
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"></h2>
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"></h2>
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">9</h2>
<a href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.domain.com.au%2FPublic%2FPropertyDetails.aspx%3Fadid%3D2008749778" target="_blank">227 Franklin Road, Wanneroo, WA, 6065</a>
On the market since: December 27, 2010
Initial asking price: $1.5 million
Current asking price: $1,095,000
Reduction: 27%
Days on market: 392
 
 
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">10</h2>
<a href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realestate.com.au%2Fcgi-bin%2Frsearch%3Fa%3Do%26id%3D108521836" target="_blank">115 Plover Drive, Yangebup, WA, 6164</a>
On the market since: May 5, 2011
Initial asking price: $450,000
Current asking price: $380,000
Reduction: 27%
Days on market: 77
 
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"></h2>
 
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"></h2>
SQM Research also offers a list of the <a target="_blank" title="SQM Research" href="https://www.sqmresearch.com.au/top100bargains.php">Top 100 Biggest Bargains in Australia</a> for sale.
 
 
 
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cknowlton-QnEa6ntUYP

Perth vendors offering deeper discounts than Melbourne but market could be bottoming out: SQM

<html><body>
Take a look at this number: 500,000,000,000. What does it mean to you? 
It describes the dollar value of projects happening or soon to happen around Australia, most of them resources related. There’s $200 billion in gas projects alone, plus massive expansion of iron ore mines, coal mines, rail links and export port facilities. 
I ask because I believe few Australians truly get the enormity of what is happening in the resources sector. Even fewer understand what it means for Australia. 
I think that’s because the numbers which describe the action are so big as to be meaningless. They’re unprecedented. 
The waters are further muddied by economists babbling on about a two-speed economy, oblivious to the reality that only 20% of the expenditure has happened – which means the bulk of the big money is still to be spent.
What does $500 billion mean?
 To try to give it perspective, it’s the value of 1 million Perth houses, based on the current median price. 
It’s the combined market capitalisation of BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Chevron Corporation. 
It’s more than the GDP of New South Wales last financial year. 
Much of the activity described by this number is focused on Western Australia, the state that’s leading the nation in everything that matters: population growth, employment growth, economic activity, retail turnover – and soon, I believe, residential property activity. 
WA is the state of the big numbers. There’s $20 billion tied up in one port expansion project. 
There $100 billion in just three gas projects, headed by Gorgon, Australia’s biggest ever resources development. Projects like these will soon make Australia’s the world’s leading LNG producer, overtaking Qatar. 
A project isn’t newsworthy unless it’s at least a $1 billion. 
The state’s economic output is now about 30% above its 10-year average, according to CommSec. 
And it’s not just resources. Agriculture is thriving, helped by a record grain harvest, tourism is booming, boosted in a 57% annual rise in visitors from China, and over a quarter of all construction in Australia is happening in WA, according to Deloitte Access Economics. 
The state government is on target to record, god forbid, a budget surplus this financial year. 
While the numbers are mesmerising, it’s the economic impact that matters. 
Gina Rinehart, apparently the richest Australia, will need at least 10,000 workers for her $7 billion Roy Hill iron ore mine. 
BHP Billiton has lifted it’s first-half iron ore production 23%, while Rio Tinto is spending $20 billion to boost Pilbara production 60%, and Fortescue Metals is trying to triple iron ore production in the next 18 months. 
This will created demand for tens of thousands of workers. 
The companies receiving the big contracts are expanding personnel numbers – companies like Downer EDI which has recently won a $570 million contract to provide services to the $2.6 billion Karara magnetite project and $700 billion in contracts to providing rolling stock to BHP Billiton’s expansion of its Pilbara operations. 
Contracts like these are creating such prolific business expansion that Perth now has Australia’s strongest CBD office market. New space totaling 160,000 square metres will come on stream this year, but analysts say it won’t be nearly enough because most of that is already pre-committed. 
The hotel market is thriving, and demand for industrial space is the highest in the nation. 
Perth was identified in a recent global survey by Jones Lang LaSalle as one of the fastest-growing cities on the planet. 
And Perth is where residential property investors should focus their attention. The resources revolution will create pressure on markets throughout the state, but locations like Port Hedland (median house price above $1 million), Karratha, Newman and Broome are already prohibitively expensive. 
Perth not only offers greater affordability but it’s where the major companies are headquartered and taking on extra staff. And it’s where many of the mine workers are based (the number of FIFO workers moving through Perth Airport is already at record levels and set to go higher). 
One symptom of the impending property revival is strong sales at the prestige end of the market. An off-the-plan buyer recently paid $10.86 million for a city apartment, a record for Perth.
Terry Ryder is the founder of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/">hotspotting.com.au</a> and can be <a href="https://www.twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">followed on Twitter</a>.
Photograph courtesy of <a href="https://www.flickr.com/" target="_blank">Flickr</a>.
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

The impact the resources revolution will have on Perth's property market is unprecedented: Terry Ryder

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<img src="/images/stories/reiwamarch7.gif">
Property Observer readers can secure free tickets for the Perth Home Buyer and Property Investor Show by <a href="https://www.homebuyershow.com.au/special-offers/propertyobserver-ticket-offer/" target="_blank">clicking here</a>.
 
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Perth sales down 10% on last week, but still up 17% on same week last year: REIWA

<html><body>
Western Australia and Queensland are where investors should be looking for new investment hotspots, analysis of Australian Property Investor magazine’s hot 100 list has revealed.
The 2012 list features 66 locations that are appearing for the first time, with 20 in Western Australia and 17 in Queensland.
The WA and Queensland picks include both capital city suburbs and remote mining towns benefiting from the resources boom.
Among the most interesting new entrants is <a target="_blank" href="/news">Onslow</a>, which has a population of just 845 and is 1,400 kilometres north from Perth.
According to property valuer Brad Mazza at LandMark White Hegney, the local council for Onslow is “average”, accessibility is “very poor” as there are no flights into the area (you need to fly to either Karratha or Exmouth), and services and amenities are “poor” with “limited houses and very basic amenities”.
However, its location south west of Karratha on the coast of the Pilbara region means it is rapidly turning into one of Australia’s mining boom towns.
<img style="float: left; margin: 5px;" width="300" src="/images/stories/onslowmap.gif">
Mazza says that while prices have already gone through the roof with some vacant blocks of land costing more than $1 million, there’s still talk of prices increasing further. 
Major projects underway in Onslow include the massive 8,000-hectare Ashburton North Strategic Industrial Area, with BHP Billiton and Chevron both fully committed. 
A four-bedroom house on Burt Close in Onslow is asking rent of $2,800 per week – <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/hefty-residential-rentals-in-the-booming-pilbara-matching-the-east-coast-s-wealthy-suburbs/2011120752707">similar prices to those being charged in Port Hedland</a>, also in the Pilbara. 
Other mining hotspots on the list for the first time include Karratha in the Pilbara, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/queensland/hotspot-high-yields-and-price-growth-in-moranbah-but-best-time-to-buy-may-have-passed/2012022753563">Moranbah in Queensland’s Isaac region</a>, Bundaberg, 300 kilometres north of Brisbane, Ceduna, 550 kilometres north west of Adelaide, Mackay, 800 kilometres north west of Brisbane, Newman, 1,000 kilometres north of Perth, and Oakey, near <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/queensland/hotspots-toowoomba-could-be-headed-for-recovery/2012022853595">Toowoomba</a>. 
City suburbs like Osborne Park, just seven kilometres from Perth, is picked by Australian Property Monitors to boom on the back of “$100 billion in mining industry activity” in WA.
NSW accounts for eight of the new investment hotspots (all of which are Sydney suburbs), there are seven each in Victoria (two being Bendigo and Ballarat) and South Australia, three in the Northern Territory, two in the ACT and two in Tasmania.
The full alphabetical list is:
<ol>
<li>Ballarat, Vic</li>
<li>Belmont, WA</li>
<li>Bendigo, Vic</li>
<li>Box Hill, Vic</li>
<li>Broome, WA</li>
<li>Bundaberg, Qld</li>
<li>Camperdown, NSW</li>
<li>Carindale, Qld</li>
<li>Carlton North, Vic</li>
<li> Ceduna, SA</li>
<li>Chermside, Qld</li>
<li>Cloverdale, WA</li>
<li>Como, WA</li>
<li>Dickson, ACT</li>
<li>Dunsborough, WA</li>
<li>Dutton Park, Qld</li>
<li>Eden Hill, WA</li>
<li>Edgewater, WA</li>
<li>Enmore, NSW</li>
<li>Fremantle, WA</li>
<li>Gawler, WA</li>
<li>Granville, NSW</li>
<li>Hackham, SA</li>
<li>Heathridge, WA</li>
<li>Highgate, WA</li>
<li>Indooroopilly, Qld</li>
<li>Karratha, WA</li>
<li>Kawana, Qld</li>
<li>Kellyville, NSW</li>
<li>Keperra, Qld</li>
<li>Mackay, Qld</li>
<li>Magill, SA</li>
<li>Maroubra, NSW</li>
<li>Marrickville, NSW</li>
<li>Midland WA</li>
<li>Moorooka, Qld</li>
<li>Moranbah, Qld</li>
<li>Murarrie, Qld</li>
<li>Neutral Bay, NSW</li>
<li>Newman, WA</li>
<li>Ningi, Qld</li>
<li>Norwood, SA</li>
<li>Nundah, Qld</li>
<li>Oakey Qld</li>
<li>Onslow, WA</li>
<li>Osborne Park WA</li>
<li>Palmerston, NT</li>
<li>Parap, NT</li>
<li>Port Hedland, WA</li>
<li>Port Lincoln, SA</li>
<li>Roma, Qld</li>
<li>Roxby Downs, SA</li>
<li>Smithton, Tas</li>
<li>Summerhill, NSW</li>
<li>Sunshine, Vic</li>
<li>Tennant Creek, NT</li>
<li>Turner, ACT</li>
<li>Underwood, Qld</li>
<li> Warrane, Tas</li>
<li>Werribee, Vic</li>
<li>West Footscray, Vic</li>
<li>Westminster, WA</li>
<li>Willetton, WA</li>
<li>Woodville West, SA</li>
<li>Yangebup, WA</li>
<li>Yeerongpilly, Qld</li>
</ol>
The full hot 100 list is in the April issue of Australian Property Investor, which is on sale now.
 
Photo courtesy of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/">Trip Advisor</a>.
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Sixty-six new hotspots: Remote, inaccessible and with poor amenities, yet rents are skyrocketing in tiny Onslow

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Asian investment in Australian real estate is set to expand in the mining sector with Indian government-owned mining company NMDC Limited undertaking due diligence of two Australian mining properties, one in Western Australia and the other in the Northern Territory.
NMDC is looking to acquire Atlas Mining’s 2 billion-tonne Ridley magnetite iron ore project in the Pilbara region of Western Australia (75 kilometres east of Port Hedland) and Minemakers Ltd’s Wonarah phosphate reserve, about 260 kilometres east of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/hefty-residential-rentals-in-the-booming-pilbara-matching-the-east-coast-s-wealthy-suburbs/2011120752707">Port Hedland property prices have soared</a> in the wake of the mining boom, with RP Data reporting a median sales price of $1.1 million and median rents of $2,200.
Tennant Creek house prices are up 34.4%, with a median sales price of $215,000. Hotspotting.com.au’s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/hotspots/mining-towns-could-be-2012-property-hotspots-terry-ryder/2012011153008">Terry Ryder picked Tennant Creek</a> as the best-performing Northern Territory market of 2011.
The Indian mining giant is believed to be in advanced discussions for a $200 million line-of-credit loan to fund the acquisitions and other mine development programmes, reported Indian website Zeebiz.com.
It has also been reported the NMDC is seeking to invest in Queensland coal projects.
NMDC is expected complete negotiations and due diligence processes for the two mines by March.
Indian interest in Australian mines follows increasing Asian investment in Australian mines including South Korea steelmaker Posco recently expanding its holdings in the Roy Hill iron ore mine in the Pilbara from 3.75% to 15%.
In 2010 Posco acquired a 70% stake in Anglo's Sutton Forest coalmine, on the NSW south coast, for $50 million.
Thailand coal group Banpu acquired 80% of Centennial Coal in July 2010 for $2 billion.
NMDC investment in Wonarah will help fund the building of a railway link to Tennant Creek, which could cost as much as $620 million.
Wonarah is one of the largest under-developed phosphate reserves in Australia, with an estimated resource of 1.26 billion tonnes. Wonarah's phosphate rock is one of the key inputs of the global fertiliser market.
Reports that NMDC is carrying out due diligence of the Wonarah mine follows it entering into a memorandum of understanding with Minemakers in July last year to acquire a 50% interest in the project.
<img src="/images/stories/ridley.jpg">
Last year, NMDC, which has a market capitalisation of around $20 billion, acquired a majority holding (50%) of Perth-based Australian exploration company Legacy Iron Ore for $18.9 million.
NMDC is India's largest iron ore producer and exporter, presently producing about 30 million tons of iron ore from three mines in India.
To find out more about Asian investment in Australian real estate download our free eBook: <a href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/ebooks/free-ebook-foreign-investment-in-australian-property-markets">Foreign Investment in Australian Property Markets</a>.
 
 
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Indian mining group set to buy two Australian mines

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Belvedere, a limestone 1897 Cottesloe residence, has been listed with $5.5 million-plus hopes. 
It’s been listed by <city><place>Perth</place></city> lawyer Liz Barclay through estate agent Justin Davies of Space Real Estate. 
The heritage-listed house with turret views to <place><placename>Rottnest</placename><placetype>Island</placetype></place> is one of three limestone homes in a rare grouping that includes Tukurua and Le Fanu. They are examples of grand beachside homes exhibiting the affluence that accompanied the gold boom of the 1890s. 
Belvedere was constructed by a wealthy mining investor, J. J. Campbell, who managed a tin mine in <state><place>Queensland</place></state> and built Belvedere for his father, mother and siblings. 
It was used as a family residence until the 1930s, when it was let out as a boarding house. 
In 1974 the house was put on the market as a development site but purchased by Loretta and Tom Pell, who restored the house for family use. 
Belvedere was set for demolition in 1974 but the <street><address>Rosendo Street</address></street> house, which sits on a 1,300-square-metre block, was saved and restored to its former Federation Queen Anne-style glory. 
Cottesloe was named by Governor Frederick Broome, in 1886, soon gathering the wealthy of <city><place>Perth</place></city> during the summer months as the beach is sheltered from the south-west winds in summer and protected by reefs and islands off the coast. 
Although the <city><place>Perth-to-Fremantle</place></city> railway opened in 1881, the beach remained relatively unsettled, with only six permanent residents living there in 1893. 
But by 1897, the population of the Cottesloe area was approaching 1,500 permanent residents. 
Its three-storey, 11-metre-tall tower was reputedly built so that retired sea captain Thomas Campbell could watch shipping movements with a telescope. 
The property which originally stretched to the beach reserve is now 50 metres from the beach. 
It has five bedrooms, two bathrooms, wrap-around verandas and pool. It last traded in 2005 at $3.85 million. 
Another Cottesloe Federation Queen Anne-style property, Trafalgar House, constructed in 1915 for William Liddell, the manager of Hoskins Foundry and Kalgoorlie Foundry, is listed through Chris Shellabear at Shellabears.
 
 
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Summer Beach Spotlight: Cottesloe 1890s mining boom offering with captain’s turret

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Anuket at Mosman Park in Perth has been listed for sale in a partially gutted state.
It last sold in 2008 when property developer Luke Saraceni bought it from mining speculator David Rigoll, the former early-1990s Colonial Resources managing director, through agent William Porteous for $16 million.
It had previously also traded at $16 million in 2007 when offloaded by Firepower director Tim Johnston, who had bought it from property developer <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/warren-anderson-homeless-and-bankrupt/2011112552549">Warren Anderson</a>.
The house was built for the Burswood Casino developer Dallas Dempster to a design by architect Louise St John Kennedy.
Its latest listing agent, William Porteous from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.porteous.com.au/property.aspx?pid=263778">William Porteous Properties International</a>, is marketing it as "one of Perth's most iconic properties". The house is gutted and ready to be finished to one's own standard, Porteous has advised potential inspectees.
It's partially renovated and partially gutted, Porteous says.
Set on a 1,425-square-metre block, it comes with five bedrooms, six bathrooms and four living areas. The Chidley Way property comes with a huge lap pool overlooking the Swan River.
It's not a rushed marketing campaign, as expressions of interest don't fall due until March 2012.
Porteous says the vendors will meet the market.
 
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Perth developer Luke Saraceni's partially gutted Mosman Park residence listed for sale 

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As it releases a list of the top 10 most discounted properties in Western Australia, SQM Research notes that the discounting occurring in Perth has been a little more severe than some of the other capital cities.
"We have often featured Perth homes possessing massive discounts in our national top 10 as well as homes from Perth which have spent an excessive amount of time on the market," SQM Research director Louis Christopher says. 
He says Perth's housing market is the weakest among Australian capital cities and says it is likely to bottom out next year.
"In terms of the Perth housing market in general, SQM Research forecasts that it will likely post the biggest falls of the capital cities for 2011 between 7.8% and 9.8%. If the economy manages to scrape through next year, house prices for Perth are likely to bottom out and we will not see further substantial declines," Christopher says.
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<div></div>
<div>
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px;">1</h2>
<a target="_blank" href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realestate.com.au%2Fcgi-bin%2Frsearch%3Fa%3Do%26id%3D107366585">146 Maddington Road, Maddington, WA, 6109</a>
On the market since: April 30, 2011
Initial asking price: $5.5 million
Current asking price: $3.5 million
Reduction: 36%
Days on market: 126
 
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px;"></h2>
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px;">2</h2>
<a href="&lt;http:/sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.domain.com.au%2FPublic%2FPropertyDetails.aspx%3Fadid%3D2007193295" target="_blank">290 Viveash Road, Swan View, WA, 6056</a>
On the market since: June 5, 2008
Initial asking price: $2.29 million
Current asking price: $1.5 million
Reduction: 34%
Days on market: 1,187
 
3
<a href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realestate.com.au%2Fcgi-bin%2Frsearch%3Fa%3Do%26id%3D107391748" target="_blank">4 Shoran Court, Ocean Reef, WA, 6027</a>
On the market since: May 14, 2011
Initial asking price: $990,000
Current asking price: $695,000
Reduction: 30%
Days on market: 112
 
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px;">4</h2>
<a href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realestate.com.au%2Fcgi-bin%2Frsearch%3Fa%3Do%26id%3D106243474" target="_blank">4/19 Broome Street, Cottesloe, WA, 6011</a>
On the market since: January 10, 2010
Initial asking price: $1.2 million
Current asking price: $850,000
Reduction: 29%
Days on market: 601
 
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px;">5</h2>
<a target="_blank" href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.domain.com.au%2FPublic%2FPropertyDetails.aspx%3Fadid%3D2008488770">19/1 North Lake, Alfred Cove, WA, 6154</a>
On the market since: July 26, 2010
Initial asking price: $1.18 million
Current asking price: $849,000
Reduction: 28%
Days on market: 406
 
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px;">6</h2>
<a target="_blank" href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realestate.com.au%2Fcgi-bin%2Frsearch%3Fa%3Do%26id%3D106289694">309 Scarborough Beach Road, Woodlands, WA, 6018</a>
On the market since: February 7, 2010
Initial asking price: $1.1 million
Current asking price: $795,000
Reduction: 28%
Days on market: 573
 
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px;">7</h2>
<a target="_blank" href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realestate.com.au%2Fcgi-bin%2Frsearch%3Fa%3Do%26id%3D106544887">1/43 Preston Point Road, East Fremantle, WA, 6158</a>
On the market since: May 23, 2010
Initial asking price: $1.1 million
Current asking price: $800,000
Reduction: 27%
Days on market: 468
 
 
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px;">8</h2>
<a target="_blank" href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.domain.com.au%2FPublic%2FPropertyDetails.aspx%3Fadid%3D2008749778">227 Franklin Road, Wanneroo, WA, 6065</a> (pictured)
On the market since: December 27, 2010
Initial asking price: $1.5 million
Current asking price: $1.095 million
Reduction: 27%
Days on market: 252
 
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px;">9</h2>
<a target="_blank" href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realestate.com.au%2Fcgi-bin%2Frsearch%3Fa%3Do%26id%3D106857522">21 Robertson Road, Ledge Point, WA, 6043</a>
On the market since: September 25, 2010
Initial asking price: $880,000
Current asking price: $649,000
Reduction: 26%
Days on market: 357
 
<h2 style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px;">10</h2>
<a target="_blank" href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realestate.com.au%2Fcgi-bin%2Frsearch%3Fa%3Do%26id%3D107023981">5 Park Street, Inglewood, WA, 6052</a>
On the market since: November 27, 2010
Initial asking price: $649,000
Current asking price: $495,000
Reduction: 24%
Days on market: 294
 
SQM Research also offers a list of the <a target="_blank" title="SQM Research" href="https://www.sqmresearch.com.au/top100bargains.php">Top 100 Biggest Bargains in Australia </a>for sale.
</div>
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Discounting more severe in Perth than in some other capitals: SQM Research

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/october11oceanique]}
Serious money is beginning to trickle back in the WA’s troubled prestige residential market, with Port Bouvard securing another two settlements on its Oceanique development. 
Located on the waterfront at Dawesville, south of Perth, the latest settlement is for a $2.1 million apartment in the glamorous project. This brings the total number of sales to 27 units in the 66-unit twin-tower building, for a total of $65.7 million. 
Despite being lauded with awards from the Master Builders association, the UDIA and the Royal Australian Institute of Architects WA Chapter, the project was released into a troubled market. 
“Sales are slow but we are making them, which is good for these market conditions,” says Port Bouvard executive director Stephen Court. 
Of the 27 sales, 19 relate to presales and eight are deals secured since December, when the company discounted some units by 40%. 
The developer has targeted investors who specialise in buying display units and lease them back for its three display apartments in Oceanique. 
“We are offering a 9% return for two years on these units, which are worth between $900,000 and $2 million,” Court says. “This is a tried-and-tested marketing method and a good opportunity for investors with their cash parked up to get into the market at low and even sub-market prices.” 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/was-south-west-shaken-not-stirred/2011070650723" target="_blank">Late last year the company started a savage price-slashing campaign to stimulate interest</a>, and it brought several sales to the table and renewed interest. 
Now prices are steady at 25% off original projections set in 2007. “We started marketing Oceanique in 2007 when the market was blasting along, so we were hit hard by the GFC,” Court says. 
The company is pursuing some sales made off the plan through the Supreme Court.
About half of the 15 pre-sales are currently in mediation as part of the judicial process while the balance are in “sensible negotiations” with the developer. “Some people were ruined by the GFC and we are not interested in that type of business, but we will go all the way to settle deals that were done,” Court says says. 
Next year Port Bouvard will start construction of a massive 3,080-home site and marina development at Point Grey in WA’s Peel region and has plans for a canal project in Esperance for 2014.
For advice on buying off the plan download our free e-book.
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Calmer waters for WA's luxury Oceanique development as sales pick up

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/september13jutland]}
The house at 20 Jutland Parade, Dalkeith is one of the trophy homes of Perth even though its riverfront block has been long subdivided off.
Its listing agent William Porteous of William Porteous Properties International says the imposing Palladian Villa is a world-class residence created with exquisite style in a magnificent riverside setting. It has price hopes around $20 million. 
It was built by the late Bond Corp lieutenant Peter Beckwith. When last sold in 2006 for $12.25 million, the price put the six-bedroom, nine-bathroom Dalkeith palazzo equal second on Perth's prestige sales list with a $15 million cliff-top Claremont riverfront property holding top spot.
Of course since then the Angela Bennett compound sold in 2009 for $57.5 million and there’s been the recent $39 million sale of the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/western-australia/mining-magnate-buys-perth-s-second-most-expensive-house/2011080751060" target="_blank">former Alan Bond house in Dalkeith</a>.
The Beckwith mansion was built over four years in the late 1980s, reportedly at a cost of $9 million. Entry to the home is through a marbled entrance hall crowned by a domed cupola framing an antique French chandelier sourced from a Russian palace. The mansion has been completely refurbished in recent years. 
The former Bond Corp chief lived in it for only a short time before he died from a brain tumour in July 1990. The Jutland Parade house was first sold in 1996 for a record $8.5 million by Beckwith's widow, Valerie, after she struck a deed of settlement with his bankruptcy administrators
The buyer, the shopping centre developer Jack Bendat, sold it for $9.15 million in 1999 to Michael Boyd, who built his fortune through Sonic Healthcare. Boyd hived off the riverfront croquet garden for $5.6 million in 2004 and then the house for $7 million in 2005.
Offers are due October 7 with William Porteous.
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