High-profile apartment defect cases have changed the way many NSW buyers approach purchasing, putting greater scrutiny on building quality, strata records and the parties behind a development before a contract is signed.

The industry buyers are assessing today, however, is also different from the one in which cases such as Opal Tower and Mascot Towers emerged.

NSW has introduced a series of regulatory measures aimed at strengthening oversight of apartment construction, including Building Commission NSW, the Residential Apartment Buildings Act 2020 and the Strata Building Bond and Inspections Scheme. Under the latter, developers are required to lodge a bond, with independent inspections forming part of the process for identifying defects in new strata developments.

Those changes provide another layer of protection, but they haven't removed the importance of buyer due diligence.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=372394]

For purchasers considering an apartment, that means looking beyond the residence itself. Building and strata history, strata reports, the track record of the builder and developer, the condition of common property and any known or planned expenditure by the owners corporation can all form part of assessing a building before purchase.

Whether the development is already complete can also materially change what can be assessed.

An off-the-plan purchaser is necessarily buying before the finished product exists. A completed apartment, by comparison, can be walked through before contracts are signed, allowing the purchaser to see the finishes, common areas and broader building as they have actually been delivered rather than relying solely on plans and renders.

It also removes exposure to some of the uncertainties that exist between an off-the-plan purchase and completion, including construction delays, cost pressures and builder insolvency during the delivery period.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=927]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Projects by Equitifund</a> National Sales Director Ben Hamblett said that greater focus on tangible evidence is increasingly evident among apartment purchasers.

“The biggest shift we're seeing is buyers wanting proof, not promises,” Hamblett said.

“That's exactly why we deal in completed stock - you can inspect the building before you commit - and why we've backed every purchase with a cash bond against special levies.”

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> in Parramatta, that emphasis on a completed, inspectable product is already in place.

The 413-apartment, 46-level tower at 12 Phillip Street is being marketed by Projects by Equitifund, allowing prospective purchasers to inspect the residences, common areas and resident facilities before committing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=375255]

The Lennox also introduces another layer to the due-diligence conversation through Strata Surety.

The vendor-funded arrangement provides purchasers with a cash-backed bond held in their own solicitor's trust account from settlement. According to Equitifund, the bond covers any special levy raised during the applicable cover period and is provided at no cost to the purchaser.

Special levies can create an unexpected cost for apartment owners where an owners corporation needs funding beyond its existing strata contributions. Under NSW strata law, a special levy requires approval by owners at a general meeting.

Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said Strata Surety was designed to provide something more concrete than reassurance about that potential exposure.

“Buyers have every right to ask hard questions about strata risk - the industry has given them plenty of reasons to,” Huxley said.

“Our answer isn't a reassurance, it's a bond. Strata Surety puts real money behind that confidence, held by the buyer's own solicitor, not by us.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=375281]

For The Lennox, its completed status also means purchasers can assess not only the apartment itself, but a building that has already been occupied and operating for several years.

Completed in 2021, the $300 million development, designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, with open-plan living areas extending to private balconies. Interiors incorporate engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops and integrated appliances, while many upper-level residences have views across the river and surrounding district.

Its established amenity can similarly be inspected in operation. Resident facilities include the Watermark precinct with a 20-metre pool, outdoor terrace, barbecue areas, gym, fitness studio and conference room, while ground-floor retail addresses the river walk and surrounding public space.

The Lennox is also home to the Southern Hemisphere's first fully robotic residential car park, which has now operated for several years. Its nine-level basement combines three conventional parking levels with six automated levels, accommodating 327 vehicles using technology from German firm Lödige Industries.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=925]

The riverfront address puts The Lennox close to much of central <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a>'s existing infrastructure, including Parramatta Station, Westfield Parramatta, Parramatta Park, and the Church Street dining precinct.

The remaining apartments form part of a limited release secured by Equitifund, following the sale of the majority of residences before and shortly after completion.

The regulatory environment around NSW apartment construction has changed considerably since the defect cases that reshaped public discussion around the sector. For purchasers, however, regulation is only one part of the equation. The ability to investigate a building's history, review its strata position and, where possible, inspect what has actually been delivered remains central to making an informed apartment purchase.

At The Lennox, its completed status provides that opportunity before contracts are signed, while Strata Surety adds a financial backstop against special levies beyond the protections already provided under NSW strata law.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5743]

Joel Robinson

Buying with confidence: What NSW apartment buyers should check beyond the defect headlines

Too often, heritage buildings become the podium for a contemporary tower. At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/623-collins-607-623-collins-street-melbourne-vic-3000">623 Collins</a>, <a>Sterling Global</a> challenged its design team to reverse that process.

The brief to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> was deliberately simple: "Don't design around the heritage. Design from it." It became the philosophy behind a project that draws inspiration not only from two landmark heritage buildings, but from Collins Street itself, a street layered with architectural history and civic significance.

That philosophy has shaped one of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">Melbourne</a> CBD's most considered residential projects, where the 1924 State Savings Bank and neighbouring Batman's Hill Hotel have become the architectural foundation for 623 Collins rather than remnants preserved beneath a new development.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145324 project_image_fid=372749]

Rather than approaching the site as a blank canvas, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sterling-global">Sterling Global</a> saw the existing buildings as the beginning of the story.

"Sites like this rarely become available," the developer said.

"623 Collins wasn't simply an opportunity to develop a prominent CBD site. It was an opportunity to restore and reimagine one of Melbourne's important heritage landmarks while contributing to the continued evolution of Collins Street. For us, the existing buildings weren't constraints. They were the beginning of the story."

Instead of mimicking the ornate heritage architecture, Plus Studio studied the proportions, rhythm and craftsmanship of the original buildings before translating those characteristics into a contemporary 42-storey tower.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145324 project_image_fid=372748]

"The brief challenged us to create a contemporary landmark that respected Melbourne's architectural history without becoming nostalgic," Plus Studio said.

"Rather than mimicking heritage, we sought to understand its proportions, rhythm and material language before translating those qualities into a distinctly contemporary architectural expression."

The practice says the State Savings Bank and Batman's Hill Hotel became the project's primary source of inspiration, allowing the heritage buildings and contemporary architecture to exist "in conversation rather than contrast." Generous planted terraces further soften the transition between old and new, creating elevated green spaces while reinforcing the dialogue between the restored podium and the contemporary tower.

That dialogue continues throughout the interiors, where Melbourne designer Fiona Lynch developed a material palette inspired by the idea of alchemy, balancing contrasting materials that reference both the Neo-Grec detailing of the original bank and contemporary urban living. The result is a series of spaces that feel timeless rather than trend-driven.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145324 project_image_fid=354343]

The project will deliver 316 residences across four collections, Heirloom, Signature, Reserve and the Penthouse Collection, with each responding differently to its position within the building, from the restored heritage podium through to the upper levels of the tower. The Heirloom Residences retain defining heritage elements including original heritage windows, generous proportions and high ceilings, while the tower introduces contemporary homes with expansive layouts and elevated views.

Amenities have likewise been designed to support long-term city living rather than short-stay convenience. Residents will have access to concierge services, wellness facilities including a pool, cold plunge, sauna, steam room and gym, alongside private lounges, entertaining spaces and dedicated resident clubs.

Sterling Global says that approach is resonating with buyers seeking permanence rather than novelty.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145324 project_image_fid=354347]

According to the sales team, purchasers are looking for enduring architecture, generous floorplans, heritage character and long-term value, with many commenting that 623 Collins "doesn't feel like another apartment development" because of the way the architecture has been curated around the site's history.

Situated on the prominent corner of Collins and Spencer streets, the project occupies one of Melbourne's most recognisable gateway sites, marking the western entrance to the city's best-known street. For Sterling Global, it also reflects a broader shift in city-making.

"Rather than maximising development yield, the project embraces adaptive reuse as a design philosophy, allowing heritage to inform architecture, interiors and the overall resident experience," the developer said.

"The result is a building that feels uniquely connected to Melbourne."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145324]

How Sterling Global designed 623 Collins from Melbourne's history

Avant Townhomes is adding to Ivanhoe’s family-sized housing options with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/three-82-ivanhoe-382-upper-heidelberg-road-ivanhoe-vic-3079">Three 82</a>, a collection of just 16 four-bedroom townhomes on Upper Heidelberg Road.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/intrapac-property">Intrapac Property</a> townhome division has taken a contemporary approach to the traditional family home, pairing larger floorplans with the lower-maintenance format of a townhouse.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152069 project_image_fid=374394]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/arcadia-studio">Arcadia</a>, with landscaping by Landsite, the homes feature generous open-plan living and dining areas that connect directly to outdoor spaces, with layouts also designed to maximise natural light and privacy.

Natural stone is used throughout the interiors, including in kitchens that pair stone surfaces with bespoke cabinetry, considered storage and SMEG appliances.

The four-bedroom layouts include built-in wardrobes and a main bedroom with its own ensuite, while family bathrooms service the additional bedrooms. Each home also includes a lock-up double garage and intercom entry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152069 project_image_fid=374399]

Energy efficiency has been incorporated into the design through solar panels, double glazing and reverse-cycle heating and cooling, with the homes targeting 7-star energy ratings.

Rather than incorporating extensive communal facilities, Three 82 has been conceived around private residential amenity, with the 16-home scale keeping the focus on individual homes and their own indoor and outdoor spaces.

The development is located at 382 Upper Heidelberg Road, around one kilometre from Ivanhoe Village's cafés and retail and a short drive from Eaglemont Station and Ivanhoe Station.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152069 project_image_fid=374393]

Several of Ivanhoe's established schools are also nearby, including Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar and Ivanhoe Grammar School. The address also provides access to the suburb's parklands and the wider Yarra River corridor.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/nelson-alexander">Nelson Alexander</a> has been appointed to handle sales.

Construction is underway and progressing well, with Three 82 currently tracking toward completion in Q2 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152069]

Three 82 brings boutique four-bedroom townhome collection to Ivanhoe

Builder-developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/graya">Graya</a> has secured a prime Newstead site from fellow developer Fraser, subsequently lodging plans for The Silo, a major mixed-use residential project in Newstead designed around a new public laneway linking the James Street precinct with the wider Gasworks and Newstead neighbourhood.

Proposed for the corner of Chester and Morse streets, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bureauproberts">Bureau^Proberts</a>-designed project places its strongest emphasis at ground level, where retail, landscaping and a new cobblestone pedestrian connection would open the site to the surrounding neighbourhood. The design team describes The Silo as “more than a residential building”, positioning the development as an extension of Newstead’s public realm rather than a standalone apartment tower.

“A new cobblestone laneway and landscaped connection between James Street and Gasworks unlock a missing pedestrian link, improving walkability and stitching together two of Brisbane’s significant urban destinations,” Bureau Proberts said in its Urban Design Report.

<img alt="First look: Graya plans The Silo as new pedestrian link between James Street and Gasworks" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0ea1b06a-75f5-40a5-b2c5-33c97bc86052" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/silo%20bldg.png?VersionId=KmjsAtNePu57_B31EM_DJ5T6KPJHtcmo" />

The Silo is planned as a mixed-use development incorporating apartments alongside a bar and centre activities including food and drink outlets, indoor sport and recreation, office and retail uses.

Architecturally, Bureau Proberts has conceived the building as a collection of vertically expressed, stepping forms rather than a single uniform tower. The composition rises from an articulated podium before being broken by a triple-height landscaped recreation level, with the upper section becoming more compact before terminating in a landscaped rooftop garden.

The project's name and architectural language draw directly from Newstead's industrial history. Patterned off-form concrete is proposed as the principal façade material, complemented by slender metal rod balustrades and extensive planting. The cylindrical and vertically ribbed elements give the building its silo-like expression, while curved balconies and planted edges introduce a softer subtropical layer.

“The Silo reinterprets its robust forms, scale and materiality through a contemporary subtropical architectural expression, creating a building that acknowledges its industrial legacy, while responding to the way the precinct is occupied today,” Bureau^Proberts said.

The recreation level is one of the defining breaks in the tower. Plans include a lap pool, mature subtropical planting and shared resident facilities within an elevated communal garden. Landscaping continues through the podium and onto the rooftop, where a further garden forms what the architects describe as a “subtropical crown” to the building.

<img alt="First look: Graya plans The Silo as new pedestrian link between James Street and Gasworks" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f8451036-35a4-49a9-8d88-2ef4438eba3d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Silo%20Lane.png?VersionId=h8N31_rYmCEqoNrpt4kbYVQhJGZn60LH" />

At street level, the development has been designed to establish a more permeable block. Retail and hospitality tenancies address the public realm, while landscaped pedestrian spaces lead into the new laneway connection. Renders in the design report show the proposed “Silo Lane” as a substantial opening through the podium, framed by cylindrical concrete forms with cascading planting above.

The Silo continues Graya's move into larger apartment developments after building its reputation across high-end residential projects in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Graya buys Frasers Newstead site, plans The Silo between James Street and Gasworks precincts

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/wickton">Wickton</a>’s completed Linacre Rise development in Hampton is giving Bayside downsizers the opportunity to move into a spacious apartment near the beach, with the developer covering stamp duty for a limited time.

The 27-residence development has been designed for buyers who want to simplify their living arrangements without giving up the space, warmth and quality associated with a long-term family home. Most apartments have already been secured by Bayside locals, leaving a select collection of two and three-bedroom residences and penthouses available.

Two-bedroom apartments are priced from $1.275 million, three-bedroom residences from $2.25 million and penthouses from $3.375 million, with the completed homes available to inspect and move into now.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95289 project_image_fid=366760]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/linacre-rise-hampton-8-10-linacre-road-hampton-vic-3188">Linacre Rise</a> occupies an elevated position on one of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/hampton-vic-3188">Hampton</a>’s quiet, tree-lined streets, around 250 metres from the bay and 500 metres from Hampton’s village centre. Its setting gives residents access to the beach, local cafés, shops and Hampton Train Station while retaining the feel of an established residential neighbourhood.

Architecture and interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a> draw on the warmth and permanence of traditional brickwork, with the building integrated into terraced landscaping by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/john-patrick-landscape-architects">John Patrick</a>. Ground-floor apartments are elevated above the street and include private garden courtyards, while several upper-level residences have generous balconies and outlooks toward the bay.

Inside, the residences favour natural materials and generous proportions. Herringbone-pattern European oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, premium joinery and Swiss V-ZUG appliances are among the key inclusions, while integrated storage has been incorporated across kitchens, bathrooms, studies and living areas.

The kitchens have been planned as practical spaces for both everyday use and entertaining, with substantial island benches, detailed cabinetry and adjoining dining and living zones. Full-height wardrobes, plush bedroom carpeting and carefully considered lighting reinforce the residential character Wickton sought to retain for buyers moving from larger homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95289 project_image_fid=366769]

A Linacre Rise purchaser said the completed apartment had delivered the space, outlook and construction quality they had been seeking.

“The unit is very light, has views to die for over the bay, all construction materials and fittings are premium quality, we have secure parking for three cars, EV charging at very competitive rates, the neighbours are friendly and there is just a lovely ambiance about the place,” the purchaser said.

Environmental features include solar panels, shared electric vehicle charging stations, rainwater harvesting for toilet flushing and landscape irrigation, double-glazed windows and water-efficient fixtures and appliances.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95289 project_image_fid=366762]

The development was built by Balmain &amp; Co, with Wickton managing the broader development process through its in-house team.

For downsizers, the project’s completed status removes much of the uncertainty associated with buying off the plan. Purchasers can inspect the finished apartments, understand their outlook and proportions, and move in without waiting for construction to conclude.

The remaining selection includes north-oriented balconies, corner configurations and penthouses with elevated bay views. The developer-paid stamp duty initiative is available for a limited time, with potential savings of up to $200,000 depending on the residence purchased.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=95289]

Limited-time stamp duty offer at completed Linacre Rise apartments in Hampton

Prominent New Zealand apartment and hotel operator, <a href="/developers/safari-group">Safari Group</a>, is offering up a prime investment opportunity for Australians to purchase off the plan in one of the world’s most popular ski destinations.

They recently took to market Mountain Oak Queenstown Apartments, in the growing precinct of Remarkables Park in Frankton, near the airport and at the foot of The Remarkables - the mountain range the locals like to call “The Remarks”.&nbsp;

Sydney investors have shown interest in the one, two and three-bedroom apartments that secure high-season occupancy six months over the year, primarily over summer and winter months.

They average 90 per cent occupancy across their portfolio over January, February, March, August, November and December, while shoulder season months of April, July, September and October are still occupied 70 per cent of the time, with the growing appeal of Queenstown becoming not just a hotspot for the snow, but a lifestyle destination.

Even in the low seasons of May and June, occupancy levels reach around 40 per cent.

<img alt="Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments brings new investment potential to Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Ext_Cam15_Sunny.jpg?VersionId=SJAROUM_1s.Tr5ciMk4EEj5oAt_Vewmv" />

Safari’s Safari Hotels arm can also manage the holiday letting for an investor, from the listing on holiday accommodation websites such as Airbnb and Booking.com to the cleaning and maintenance of the investment. They’ve been in the short stay management business for 15 years and offer 24/7 support for investors, an important convenience benefit for any overseas investor

Another major drawcard for Australians is that New Zealand doesn’t have a stamp duty policy - so the entry price of NZ$639,000 (AU$586,000), is all that is payable on completion.

<img alt="Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments brings new investment potential to Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/313_Livingv2_WEB.jpg?VersionId=nV229fM0ZeYpoxOrX372HyGjfwY_LR8c" />

Safari is starting construction of the 141 apartments in Q2 this year, with a two-year build estimated to complete in mid-to-late 2027.<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="15" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXczFpFAb7WuA6f4f9TtKWcqXyNwR8qqtakWv352ERkpqNlP3KwIo8YKxw67jZNHfpjEGIZGv5MQTbnvLZwNt8iu9IVdOrswOjCvBZ4zhSoOOLrpt6etVEZTN1gkBho0r_R72zdHNA?key=yq3daOanqHSb88QFd8jGYKdb" title="Click and drag to move" width="15" />​

The apartments will feature modern amenities and contemporary designs with expansive windows capturing sweeping views of The Remarkables mountain range.&nbsp;

Interiors are equipped with modern finishes, premium appliances, and secure electronic key-locked doors, ensuring a comfortable living experience for residents and guests alike.

With its strategic location near Coronet Peak and Cardrona Alpine Resort, as well as key retail and dining precincts such as Market Street, Five Mile Shopping Centre, and Remarkables Market, Mountain Oak offers a strong proposition for investors seeking high rental yields and capital appreciation in one of New Zealand’s most sought-after locations.&nbsp;

Queenstown’s sustained demand for visitor accommodation and rental properties is underpinned by a shortage of housing options, attracting both local and international buyers.

Safari Group offers low-touch investment proposition in Queenstown’s popular ski fields district

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<a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/growth/31355-why-jb-hi-fi-keeps-defying-analysts-predictions" target="_blank">JB Hi-Fi</a> has defied a tough retail environment to post a strong <a href="https://www.jbhifi.com.au/documents/news/99_2014-01-28_10-10-41.pdf" target="_blank">half-year trading update</a> confirming that December half net profit is expected to rise 10%.
The discount electrical retailer’s chief executive, Terry Smart, released the trading update “in view of recent announcements from other retail companies”.
This appears to be a reference to profit downgrades from retailers such as The Reject Shop and Super Retail earlier this month.
But in contrast to The Reject Shop and Super Retail, JB Hi-Fi’s net profit rose 10% to $90.3 million in the six months ended December 31, compared with $82.1 million in the year-earlier period.
Total sales were up 6.8% to $1.94 billion and earnings before interest and tax rose 7.5% to $132.9 million and EBIT margins improved four basis points to 6.8 per cent and gross margins by 11 basis points to 21.6%.
Same-store sales were up 2.8% in the six months ending December.
Che Cabris, senior commercial director at research company Global Reviews, toldSmartCompany JB Hi-Fi's success in a competitive market can be attributed to consumers belief that the retailer is price competitive and trustworthy, which also results in customer loyalty.
Research published by Global Reviews last week shows JB Hi-Fi is the preferred brand of Australian consumers looking for an online store to purchase a 46-55” television through.
The study followed the journey consumers took between search and the retail brands, including who they knew of, which brands they visited, shortlisted and finally would prefer to buy from.
JB Hi-Fi was initially recalled by 66% of those who could recall a brand, it was then visited by 49% of study respondents and shortlisted by 68%.
The retailer had a 33% preference rate with 52% of those who preferred JB Hi-Fi doing so because they’d used the retailer before and an equal amount said it was because JB Hi-Fi had the best prices.
“This is not to say that other retailers are not price competitive or trustworthy, but as JB Hi-Fi was the top preferred site these were the main reasons for people selecting them and what people recognise them for,” Cabris says.
Harvey Norman was recalled by 63%, visited by 46% and shortlisted by 55% while The Good Guys were on 42% recall, 43% visits and 60% shortlisted.
JB Hi-Fi will release its full half year results on February 3, so the retailer is unable to provide any comment until then.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.SmartCompany.com.au" target="_blank">SmartCompany.</a>
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cwaters-YrtBR88nBe

JB Hi-Fi defies rough retail environment, posting 10% profit increase

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A report from the Employment Department shows the proportion of new <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/finance/cashflow/1106-graduates-bringing-in-the-money">university graduates</a> in full-time work is at its lowest level since the 1990s recession, according to <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/red-flag-over-university-graduate-jobs/story-e6frgcjx-1226812520394?utm_source=The%20Australian&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=editorial&amp;net_sub_uid=87677912">The Australian</a>.

The newspaper reports the department has warned job prospects for graduates could get worse as more and more highly-educated job-seekers flood the market.
It said the department had “raised concerns” about the former Labor Government’s “demand driven” system of funding universities. This saw caps on enrolments lifted, and the number of taxpayer-subsidised places for local students rise from about 469,000 in 2009 to around 577,000 last year.
Monash University researcher Bob Birrell told the paper the additional graduates will be entering a labour market that has “weakened sharply”.
“Everyone’s going to find it tough in the next few years because we’re experiencing a dramatic slowdown in job creation,” Birrell said.
The department has reportedly called for the removal of a number of occupations from the short-supply list, including accountants, solicitors, urban planners and occupational health and safety advisers, as the list is watched by job-seekers internationally.
However, for SMEs, a field of educated people keen to get a foothold in the workplace could present a “wonderful opportunity”, according to Randstad strategic account director Mike Roddy.
“It is an opportunity to pick up talented people, even if it is not in their initial field of study,” he says.
Roddy says graduates may have initially looked at SME employment as a short-term prospect, but a lot can be gained on both sides if handled well.
“Graduates are looking for education, experience and mentoring, and this is where SMEs can capitalise,” he says.
“You can offer them broad skills and experience in areas that the graduate may not have even thought of.”
He thinks SMEs typically “undersell the opportunities they offer”.
“Small businesses are contributing to our country…they may have small numbers of people but they have large scale contracts.
“They do diverse projects…they do complex work and are drivers of important and significant projects.”
He says “SMEs need to sell the message”.
Roddy says when hiring a graduate to keep expectations realistic in terms of the time they may spend with a business, but expecting a two-year commitment is reasonable.
“You could sell opportunities to work on project-based work, or offer flexible work or working from home,” he says.
Council of Small Business of Australia executive director Peter Strong agrees the situation presents possibilities for both employers and graduates.
He says SMEs have the chance to work with graduates who are “bright and ambitious”.
While it can be disappointing for graduates hoping to leap straight into full-time work in their profession, he says countless people start their careers in sectors unrelated to their education.
“They might start in retail, or cafes or driving taxis,” he says. “The good thing is that they gain skills in communication, they get to see how the economy works, and they get more experience they can take into their career of choice.”
This article first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.SmartCompany.com.au">SmartCompany.</a>
 
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moliver-7qYWqnHmyR

Proportion of graduates in full-time work at lowest level since 1990s recession

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If Australia Day was any guide amid the slightly smokey inner city haze, it appears the high rise housing trend comes accompanied by socialising around the balcony barbecue; whether it's kids in from the far flung suburbs, or their empty nester parents who've downsized.
But should BBQs be allowed apartment balconies? Our commentators Jonathan Chancellor and Margie Blok throw some thoughts into the fiery argument.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/09/06/jc-silhouette-5.jpg" alt="jc-silhouette-5" width="150" height="225" style="float: right;">HE SAID: NO
Definitely not – I think barbecues should be confined to backyards and public parks which have barbecues with 20 cent operational coin slots. Perhaps, at most, balcony barbecuing could be a privilege limited to penthouse dwellers, but even then only on strong windy days.
If you live in an apartment and hanker for a barbecue, then go to a public park, such as Sydney’s Centennial Park or beachside Bronte Park, and use the public barbecues provided. Or buy a house and install one in the backyard. 
Call me a wowser, but I think using barbecues on apartment balconies is unacceptable and asking for trouble in more ways than one.
For starters, there’s the issue of smoke blowing inside neighbouring apartments and disturbing their enjoyment. Of course, this smoke often is accompanied by pungent cooking odours of sizzling sausages, charred steak, garlicky marinades and burnt bacon.
It's not on for blow-in apartment dwellers to inflict barbecue smoke and cooking smells on other residents who are possibly dieting at the time; or simly prefer their interiors to be odourless; or indeed have apartments gently scented with perfumed candles.
Aside from smoke and smell issues, barbecues pose a potential fire hazard in apartment complexes where balconies are typically not fitted with a water tap or fire sprinklers. Naked flames and gas cylinders on balconies of multi-storey buildings are a danger.  
While some people may purport barbecues are safe, if you don’t clean barbecues properly, then piled up grease can cause a fire to start quite easily. The van Haandel restaurateurs who recently took over Guillaume’s premises in the Opera House saw their heritage Melbourne outlet, The Stokehouse, burn to the ground earlier this month.
In other parts of the world, including many cities in the US, barbecues are not allowed on apartment balconies. It makes sense to ban them here in Australia as well.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/09/06/mb-silhouette-4.jpg" alt="mb-silhouette-4" width="150" height="225" style="float: left;">SHE SAID: PERHAPS
I’m not as hardline as Jonathan on this issue. When it comes to barbecues and apartments, the size of a balcony is a consideration, as is the design of a building. Some buildings have balconies suited to barbecues, others don’t.
On a recent visit to Attica, a new boutique complex at Erskineville in Sydney’s inner west, I was impressed with the design of a large 92 square metre one-bedder with a spacious timber-decked terrace with plenty of space for outdoor furniture, a garden tap and a gas bayonet for a barbecue. In this case, the apartment was designed specifically to accommodate an outdoor barbecue.
But with older style or cheap apartment buildings, balconies can be small balconies and not suited to barbecues. Many of these buildings have by-laws prohibiting the use of barbecues on balconies, though enforcement appears to be an issue.
Some modern buildings have by-laws banning the use of barbecues including The Hyde, the Stockland developed 35-storey luxury residential 2010 tower overlooking Sydney’s Hyde Park. At The Hyde, occupants are not allowed barbecues on their balconies (or wintergardens), but they can use the building’s communal barbecue facilities, providing a time is reserved and a cleaning fee is paid in advance.
In high density Sydney and Melbourne, barbecues are popular with residents living in luxury modern buildings, where many balconies are large and airy. To maintain barbecue harmony within such buildings, respect for other residents is essential. Be mindful that smoke and smells can affect your neighbours, and when cooking on a barbecue, keep the lid closed.
I agree with Jonathan about safety issues surrounding barbecues on balconies, for barbecues can cause hazardous fires.
Last July at Vancouver in Canada, a barbecue on the balcony of a second floor apartment started a fire which spread along the outside of the building and collapsed the entire roof onto the fourth floor causing extensive damage to the structure and damage to 52 units.
Since that fire, the use of barbecues on balconies of apartment buildings has come under scrutiny, and the local Fire &amp; Emergency Services <a href="https://www.vancouversun.com/news/Building+code+changes+suggested+prevent+serious+condo+barbecue+fires/8683960/story" target="_blank">recommends use of propane barbeques or other such appliances be restricted from balconies</a> that do not have sprinklers or where combustible exterior construction exists. 
Preventative measures, responsibility, common sense and cleanliness are essential when using barbecues, be these on a balcony or in a backyard. It’s essential to keep a barbecue’s drip tray clean and not let excess oil build up which could result in a fat fire.
Barbecue gas bottles can be hazardous too. When not stored or maintained correctly, gas bottles can explode. On Christmas Day, at Shell Cove near Wollongong, a 62-year-old man was burned after <a href="https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/1991577/shell-cove-man-suffers-serious-burns-cooking-christmas-lunch/" target="_blank">a horror explosion</a>. Police were told the man had been making preparations for his family’s Christmas lunch when the explosion occurred in a gas bottle connected to a barbecue.
And a word of warning to committed balcony barbecuers who are looking buy an apartment. Be mindful many buildings have strict rules regarding the use and storage of gas barbecues on balconies, so be sure to check the by-laws of a complex before signing a contract or investing in a new BBQ.
 If you’re time poor or can’t be bothered cleaning and maintaining your barbecue, then employ someone else to do it. A range of services are available including The <a href="https://www.bbqman.com.au" target="_blank">BBQ Man</a> in Perth and Melbourne and <a href="https://%20www.bbqrescue.com.au" target="_blank">BBQ Rescue</a> in Sydney.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/09/06/he-said-she-said-jan-31-one.jpg" alt="he-said-she-said-jan-31-one" width="470" height="545" style="font-size: 0.8em;">
Photo: BBQ smoke wafts from a Sydney apartment balcony.
<a href="mailto:news@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">news@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
 
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Should BBQs be allowed on apartment balconies? He Said/She Said

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I love this image as it tells us so much about the world and how the wealth has been dispersed. The lights illustrate the dominance of the Unites States and Europe, in addition to the emergence of India and China as future super powers.  
<img src="/images/stories/2014/01/29/world_at_night_jan_29.png" width="470" height="235" alt="world_at_night_jan_29">
Photo: C. Mayhew &amp; R. Simmon (NASA/GSFC), NOAA/ NGDC, DMSP Digital Archive
When we look at Australia the image can also tell us a lot about the local property market and gives us an insight into why it has been reasonably solid compared to some other countries.  
Australia is an enormous country with access to significant mineral wealth. However most of the country is not a palatable place to call home. As a result many Australians decide to live in major cities close to the coast with very few venturing into the middle of the country.  
<img src="/images/stories/2014/01/29/oz-at-night.jpg" width="470" height="282" alt="oz-at-night">
In Australia over 70% of our population live in our 10 biggest cities. This means we have a very centralized market with the majority of people competing for scarce land close to major cities where they are more likely to find stable employment.  
Because most of the population wants to live in these defined areas it creates somewhat a housing shortage. But Australia does not have a housing shortage – it only has a shortage of housing in areas where the majority of people want to live.  
This competition for a finite commodity puts pressure on the value of land and results in a more robust property market.  While the overall market has come back a bit from the highs of 2010, some areas are performing better than others. The property markets that are feeling the effects of a softening market most are the outer-lying suburbs where supply of land is not an issue and job stability is less reliable.
By contrast the image shows that much of the United States has been populated. In the US only 13% of Americans live in the 10 largest cites. They obviously have a much larger population than Australia so have to spread out across the country. But if we take it a step further we find that only 25% of Americans live in the 50 most populace cities. The American market has a more decentralized population and as a result the pressure on the value of land is less.  
The US has traditionally had very well established small town communities with schools, transport and entertainment. These small towns often do not have a shortage of land and while this does create more affordable housing it also increases the risk of price volatility.  
Many of these small towns have been smashed by falling property prices and unemployment. With the vast majority of the population living in these areas it has had a catastrophic effect on the overall US property market. As a result it will take the US market significantly longer to drag itself out of the doldrums.  
While the property market in Australia has been through a natural softening phase, and is not out of the woods yet, the demographic make-up of our population will result in less dramatic falls. As a result some assets will hold their ground and weather the storm and be well positioned for future growth while others will languish for a few years to come.  
Mark Armstrong is a director of <a href="https://www.ipropertyplan.com.au/">iProperty Plan</a>, which provides independent analysis and tailored advice to investors and home buyers.
 
   
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marmstrong-sd3emVLPPb

Why Australia's population dispersal creates stability in the property market

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In Sydney, 1.3% of the population has US$1 million (A$1.114 million) or more in assets, once their primary residence is excluded.
That makes Sydney the world’s 12th most dense millionaire city. Melbourne is six places behind with 0.9% of the population meeting the same wealth threshold.
Together, 61.8% of Australia’s millionaires live in our two largest cities, with 37.8% living mainly in Sydney and another 24% in Melbourne.
The figures come from a report by global wealth consultancy New World Wealth, which found Geneva was the world’s leading city when it came to millionaires, with 5.9% of the population being seriously loaded.
In total aggregate numbers, London is home to the world’s most millionaires, with 339,200 calling the city home. This works out to 2.5% of the total population.
In the Asia-Pacific, Tokyo and Singapore lead the ranking, with 226,500 and 225,000 millionaires apiece respectively. Singapore has recently seen a flood of millionaires calling it home, like Australian <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/growth/economy/33471-nathan-tinkler-s-aston-metals-now-placed-in-receivership">mining speculator Nathan Tinkler</a> and Facebook cofounder Eduardo Saverin. Such recent arrivals have helped make Singapore the<a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/finance/wealth-management/31372-rich-tales-switzerland-s-loss-is-singapore-s-gain-as-wealthy-turn-to-asia">most dense millionaire city outside Europe</a> – 4.5% of the population there are millionaires.
There were no Middle Eastern or African cities in the top 30. However, New World Wealth notes  Istanbul’s 35,000 millionaires mean it just missed out on a top-30 ranking. The highest-ranked African city was Johannesburg, with just over 23,000 millionaires.
The ranking shows that wealth remains concentrated in Europe and the United States. There were no less than seven US cities in the top 30, including second-placed New York. There were 10 European cities in the top 30, including two in Switzerland and three in Germany.
This article first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.SmartCompany.com.au">SmartCompany.</a>
 
 
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mrobin-TVRYiru7si

Sydney beats Melbourne when it comes to millionaires: 1.3% of population is seriously loaded

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The slower sectors of Australia’s two speed economy are set to have a boost from the lower Australian dollar and rising wealth thanks to a strengthening property market and strong share price growth, according to a new report.
Despite 2013 being the worst year since the global financial crisis for retailers, tourism businesses, utilities companies and manufacturing firms, the Deloitte Access Economics December quarter Business Outlook report suggests these sectors will start to rebound in 2014.
But while some businesses are set to improve, a possible “construction cliff” and general market caution are predicted to threaten economic growth this year.
“Resource-related construction has peaked, and its fall from heady heights will hurt an Australian economy where businesses are already facing soft revenues and stagnant profits,” the report says.
“Add in continuing caution from corporates and families and the potential for modest federal government cutbacks to address a Budget black hole, and that backdrop for business should keep overall Australian economic growth a bit below trend through to late 2015.”
The budget deficit made headlines in 2013 and this is unlikely to change in 2014, with Deloitte Access Economics saying both sides of politics have contributed to the problem.
“A budget crisis? What a surprise. After all, both sides of politics promised they could sign on to vast new spending at the same time as they carried out a rapid surge back to surplus,” the report says.
“But don’t get lost in ‘who’s to blame?’ arguments. Both sides are, having spent a temporary boom on permanent promises. The focus needs to be on sensible repair. More effort should be on expenses, where the bulk of Canberra’s bodies are buried.”
Spending cuts of $25 billion a year are required to return the budget to surplus, according to the report.
“At around $25 billion a year, the new federal government doesn't have a mandate for the scale of cuts required to return the budget to health and the opposition (like the current government before it) is already succumbing to the temptation to oppose even sensible savings,” it says.
Deloitte Access Economics says it’s likely to take at least five years to reach surplus, while economic growth won’t return to above its trend rate of 3% until 2016.
The official interest rate is tipped to stay low in 2014, as jobs growth remains weak, but in 2015 it will start to climb higher.
“The global crisis led to an extraordinary response, with central banks opening the taps on cheap money. But 2014 will be the year in which money becomes less cheap, first with less money being ‘printed’, and then in 2015 as interest rates rise,” the report says.
Jobs growth in Australia is said to be “crawling” thanks to the weak economy and rapid pace of baby boomer retirement.
In 2014 this is expected to remain the same, as the construction cliff and Australian dollar remains at “job killing levels”.
Unemployment rates are expected to be limited though, as the retirement of baby boomers will keep unemployment from rising much above 6%.
Over the next five years the major source of economic growth is predicted to be resource exports, as liquefied natural gas, iron ore and coal projects are completed. But the decline in business investment will continue to slow economic growth.
This article first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.SmartCompany.com.au">SmartCompany.</a>
 
 
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yredrup-o4Anfe78KF

Property market strengthening but warnings of a possible "construction cliff": Deloitte Access Economics

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At Property Observer, we see a lot of beautiful property listings. The best inspire feelings of awe, appreciation and a little bit of covetousness. But at <a href="https://looneylisting.com/">Looney Listing</a>, the featured properties are more likely to evoke confusion, and sometimes, fear. We’ve picked our favourite five looney listings.
After we featured a property with the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/a-toilet-in-the-kitchen-a-strange-unit-layout/2014012067267">toilet in the kitchen</a>, it was only a matter of time before somebody raised the stakes, with a <a href="https://looneylisting.com/2013/10/07/because-dinner-with-horse-thats-why-so-shut-up/" target="_blank">taxidermied horse watching over the dining table</a>. From the pictures, it appears that the property’s 12 stall stable is directly attached to the main house.
If you like your chips served with dead horse, this is the home for you.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2014/01/28/loon1]}
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Putting your family home up on the market is tough for anyone. There are meetings with the real estate agent, the matter of finding a new house, organising the move and letting go of the place you live in.
In the midst of all that, no one would blame you if there are a few toys left out when the photographer comes past to take pictures for your listing.
But there’s something about <a href="https://looneylisting.com/2013/06/21/so-wrong/" target="_blank">this particular toy</a> which marries so perfectly with the plastic bed protectors, the mustard carpet and the low resolution photography to make the creepiest real estate photo we’ve seen in a long time.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2014/01/28/loon2]}
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While some would argue that a good real estate photo will impart a sense of drama, not science-fiction, we at Property Observer find <a href="https://looneylisting.com/2012/11/05/money-cant-buy-taste/" target="_blank">this particular listing</a> quite endearing, if not to everyone’s taste.
The floor to ceiling marble (or, more likely, marble-effect painted porcelain) might be a bit much for some, and there’s a strong argument to be made against a fur throw that covers an entire king sized bed, but when we look at this property, we see a home that’s probably given its owners a lot of joy.
That being said, it’s hard to defend the war weapons hanging over the side by side urinals.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2014/01/29/loo1]}
And we're not really sure what some of the objects in these photos actually are.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2014/01/29/loo2]}
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We’ve seen more than our fair share of objectively <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/the-strangest-real-estate-photographs-add-yours-to-the-collection/2014012167282">bad real estate photos</a> at Property Observer. 
But sometimes listing photos are so terrible that you wonder whether the seller has committed some awful sin against their real estate agent.
The finger over the lens, the blacked out bathroom, Whoopi – we’d say <a href="https://looneylisting.com/2013/07/15/giving-whoopi-the-finger/" target="_blank">this agent has exacted their revenge</a>.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2014/01/28/loon4]}
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At first glance,<a href="https://looneylisting.com/2013/09/11/what-happens-underground-stays-underground/" target="_blank"> this house looks a little peculiar</a>.
Scroll back for another look and you’ll realise that why – it’s built in a man-made cave sitting 26-feet underground.
The pastoral murals around the “garden” have a certain nostalgic (pre-apocalypse) charm, while the 1950s-style interior can soothe your Cold War anxieties. This elaborate bunker was on the market for US$1.7 million.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2014/01/28/loon5]}
<a href="mailto:jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
 
 
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jrichardson-uRX5hFdKfN

Five of the most bizarre property listings from Looney Listing

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If your investment property is in a highly desirable location, you may want to explore alternative ways to rent it out. It is common in some mining towns throughout Australia, northern USA and southern Canada to rent out properties at nightly rates, for near-ludicrous rental returns. These properties can command such high rates and rental structures due to their remote location and general lack of housing stock required to house the growing mining industry working population.
For those not familiar with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.airbnb.com.au">Airbnb</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.flipkey.com">Flipkey</a>, it is worth visiting both websites to educate yourself on these enormous global rental listing sites.
In short, both services enable property owners to rent out their property, fully furnished, at nightly (or sometimes weekly/monthly) rates, direct to their tenant. For well located and well serviced properties, the profit possibilities are far greater than the conventional way of renting a property out in Australia (i.e. via a real estate agency who sources a tenant who pays a fixed rental rate for a six or 12 month term).
I actually recently returned from a trip to Hawaii where I enlisted both of these services, as a holidaymaker/short-term tenant, and was very pleased with the entire experience.
Introducing this for an investment property in a non-resources town location however, can be quite challenging. There are two major components that you must carefully consider components to doing this.
Location and property type – Is your property relevant?
You should consider all of the following before offering your property for rent on such services:
-          First and foremost, if your property is a unit and not a house, you need to check with your strata committee the rules on operating your investment property in such a way. Some building strata by-laws will not allow for an Airbnb-style approach to tenancy.
-          Location needs to be genuinely awesome. The two major users of these services are holiday makers and travelling business people. Short-term student stays would arguably be the third user persona. All users have a high expectation that the property is in the best location to either enjoy their holiday hotspots, commute to business meetings and offices, or close to the campus or facility where their student program will be based.
-          Users also have high expectations regarding the quality of the property and features. Holidaymakers do not want to spend time in anything less than a property that, well, makes them feel like they are on holiday. Similarly, travelling business people expect to pack less in their suitcase and have everything they need, laid out for them.
-          So, cheap second-hand furniture bought from Gumtree likely will not cut it.
-          In line with the above, this means that properties will need to have fresh linen either fitted or neatly presented for the tenant (towels, sheets, kitchen cloth).
-          AV facilities should include TV/Blu-Ray player/stereo/free wi-fi internet access. Additionally, a folder that serves as a local guide is also a smart move. Include local restaurants/attractions, directions to transport and fun things to do, in the folder.
-          Tenants expect a fully functional kitchen stocked with quality working applicances. If parking is possible, instructions for how/where they should park their vehicles need to explicitly laid of for them.
-          A bit of a wow factor. This is important as negative reviews online will hurt your continued success on the service. Future users simply won’t book. In this way, it is typical to see welcome champagne/chocolates with a nice welcome card for tenants, sometimes fresh flowers, and sometimes a cute ‘guest book’ where tenants can read about the previous tenants holiday trips.
-          Other handy tips to help make your property a more unique and special experience to consider would be a little bowl of local spices or products in the kitchen. For international travelers, you’d be surprised at the positive response to supply local delicacies such as Tim Tams, Vegemite, or Manuka Honey can provide. You can even go one step further and leave a note requesting a positive review if they’ve enjoyed the place/service
 
Service commitment – Do you have the required ongoing time spare to commit to it?
To commit to ongoing, often daily, changeover of tenants, you need to have your property serviced frequently. You can either do this yourself, or hire the services of a maid/housekeeper, which is an additional operating cost. These are just some of the many considerations to keep in mind. All of them obviously add to the time you will be spending managing this property:
-          Security maintenance. Typical setups usually enable tenants to access a little pin-coded lockbox on the exterior of the dwelling. Inside are house keys. When they leave/check out of the property, they simply put the keys back in and pin-lock the little box. Tenants will never meet the next tenant, so this is how keys/access is usually passed along. You may be up for upfront costs to install such security necessities.
-          Above mentioned maid / housekeeper costs. Typically, Airbnb properties are run where the tenant(s) check out by 12pm, and the new tenants check in no earlier than 3pm, allowing a three hour window for the housekeeper to come and perform a set roster of duties. You must set the roster and practice it through with the housekeeper prior to the first tenant stay. 
-          Site listing maintainance. Not only do Airbnb service costs need to be taken into account, but keeping the listing up to date and securing as many positive reviews as possible, also requires significant time investment.
Cameron McEvoy is a NSW-based property investor and maintains a blog, <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.propertycorrespondent.com.au/">Property Correspondent.</a>
 
 
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cmcevoy-Go82SmsJA9

Holiday and short-term rentals: Does your property fit the bill?

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Two retail spaces in Mirvac’s Waverley Park Stadium have been listed through Colliers International.
The food and beverage outlets are expected to sell for over $1.5 million total. Shop Seven is currently leased to The Last Piece Café until October 2023, with a five year option, and Shop One is the Stadium Fish and Chippery. Colliers International’s Jeremy Gruzewski says that Shop Seven provides about $90,000 in net rental income, while he expects that Shop One will attract interest above $350,000.
“The retail component of the former VFL stadium, and current Hawthorn Football Club training ground, provides a variety of amenity to the local community as well as surrounding business parks and industrial estates,” Gruzewski said.
“There is a strong appetite for low-risk investments which have been apparent in recent suburban retail results,” he said. “By far, retail is the most sought after and affordable commercial investment in the current market."
Tom Noonan of Colliers International, who is also handling the sale with Gruzewski, expects interest from private investors and self-managed super funds.
Mirvac’s Waverley Stadium in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Mulgrave</a> is the home of the Hawthorn Football Club. The properties will be auctioned on March 19.
jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au
 
 
 
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Waverley Park Stadium shops on the market

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Archers Body Corporate Management has released a list of Australia Day party dos and don’ts following complaints regarding over-zealous partiers during last month’s holiday season.
To avoid conflict with your neighbours and bodies corporate, Archers director Andrew Staehr said it’s important to be prepared when throwing a party.
“Your body corporate may allow you to hold parties on certain areas of common property but you must ensure that it is booked and is large enough for the number of guests invited,” Staehr said.
“Emergency actions are not something people generally think about when planning a party but it’s crucial to be prepared in case something does go wrong.”
Staehr recommends that hosts double check smoke detectors and make sure that any partygoers have a handle on the building’s exits and evacuation plans. And remember – your guests are your responsibility.
“Ensure guests do not lean over or against balustrades and no rubbish is thrown over the balcony,” said the safety-conscious Staehr.
Here are Staehr’s other tips for hosting a body corporate-friendly Australia Day party:
1. Communicate with your body corporate and be aware of the common by-laws and house rules in regards to the number of people permitted in various common areas and what time noise must be reduce
2. Utilise a booking system for common facilities such as BBQs to avoid overcrowding and argument
3. Ensure all rules are enforced for facilities with closing times or other restrictions, like the pool
4. Be aware of the body corporate procedures to report a complaint if a party does get out of hand
5. Communicate with your neighbours and let them know party details so they are aware of what is going on
6. Communicate with guests and ensure they know the rules of your complex, including where to park, noise restrictions and common property restrictions.
They won’t save you from burnt sausages, or that one guest who’s a little too excited about their sense of national pride, but Staehr’s tips will hopefully ensure that you’re still getting along with the body corporate (and your neighbours) the morning after.
What are some of your party dos and don'ts?
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:news@propertyobserver.com.au">news@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
 
 
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