Around 400 additional homes could be built at Southwark Grounds on Port Road, lifting total site capacity from 1300 to around 1700 dwellings.

A recently approved code amendment would allow apartment towers of up to 14 storeys in some areas of Renewal SA’s redevelopment of the former West End Brewery.

Renewal SA Acting Chief Executive Shane Wingard said he welcomed the code amendment, with the increase in heights and homes making a positive impact on the supply of high-quality, well-connected housing close to the city.

“By going higher across some parts of Southwark Grounds, we are adding a substantial number of very well-located homes with little impact on project delivery time or planned open space,” Mr Wingard said.

Since the project officially launched in 2025, Mr Wingard said more than 12,000 enquiries had been received about living at Southwark Grounds.

“The very strong early interest we’ve seen since homes were first released in the precinct reinforces our plans to create more housing opportunities,” he said.

The Southwark Grounds code amendment was launched in December last year, with community engagement undertaken over five weeks from January.

It proposed increasing maximum building heights from eight to 14 storeys on the eastern section of Southwark Grounds, and to 12 storeys across the remainder of the site, with minimum building heights ranging from two to four storeys.

The code amendment was implemented through an Early Commencement policy in late January, allowing developers to quickly explore the viability of increased height and housing yield while other planning processes continue.

One of the first developers delivering apartment sites have already finalised redesigns to increase the number of apartments following the code amendment.

Samaras’ development adjacent to the future Colonel Light Park is now planning to deliver 125 apartments across 11 storeys, significantly greater than original plans of around 50 apartments across four storeys.

The developer is also exploring the potential for additional affordable housing outcomes.

Most of the apartments at Southwark Grounds will be delivered within a master-planned precinct on a large parcel of land on the eastern portion of the site, covering around two-thirds of its 8.4 hectares.

Wingard said detailed precinct planning over the coming months may identify further opportunities to increase yield further that could see total apartment numbers at Southwark Grounds, exceed this number.

Affordable homes at Southwark Grounds will also see a net increase, with Renewal SA maintaining its commitment to a minimum of 20 per cent affordable housing across the development.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Civil works have begun across the site, with construction under way on the first new roads surrounding a townhouse precinct in the south‑west corner of Southwark Grounds. This includes Renewal SA’s 17 Founder’s Row homes, which are on track for completion by Christmas.

“We expect to have people living at Southwark Grounds by the end of the year, so delivering roads and public spaces for those residents is among our highest priorities.”

Construction of 40 townhouses off Anderson Street, known as West Village and being delivered by Contour, is forecast to begin in mid‑2026. Kolabb’s Anderson Lane development will follow shortly after, delivering a further 26 townhouses.

Southwark Grounds is a state government‑led urban renewal project now set to deliver around 1,700 homes over the next decade.

Homes will be supported by a supermarket, a range of retail and hospitality offerings anchored by a revitalised Walkerville Brew Tower, a childcare centre, car parking and well‑connected public spaces.

Joel Robinson

400 new homes planned for Adelaide's former West End Brewery site

Brisbane developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/cavcorp">Cavcorp</a> has lodged plans for a new mixed-use residential development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-wyandra-street-teneriffe-qld-4005">55 Wyandra Street</a>, Teneriffe, anchored by an 85-metre public laneway designed to reconnect the suburb’s riverfront with the Gasworks precinct.

The buildings, known as Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane, would replace the existing Queensland Cotton head office site with a 15-storey residential tower transitioning to eight storeys toward Helen Street. The project has been designed by Plazibat Architects and lodged as a code assessable development application for 93 apartments across a 3,401 sqm mixed-use site within the Newstead and Teneriffe Waterfront neighbourhood plan.

Central to the scheme is the transformation of an existing service easement into a publicly accessible cross-block connection linking Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the new laneway will act as both a pedestrian shortcut and a landscaped civic space between the Teneriffe Riverwalk, ferry terminal, and Gasworks precinct.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="26e7f058-b065-4de8-b13d-a2b8cb64dfcc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bldg.png?VersionId=sELS0ZKYi361oYipUa1BIKfe_.DLZoFV" />

“The revised proposal delivers a legacy public-realm cross-block link, permanently secured for community use, transforming an existing private easement into a safe, high-quality pedestrian connection between the Teneriffe heritage riverwalk and the Gasworks–Long Island precinct,” the planning report states.

The laneway will sit beneath a large subtropical loggia integrated into the podium levels of the development. The design incorporates deep landscaping, water gardens, lobby spaces, business lounges, and ground-floor apartments to create what Cavcorp describes as a climate-responsive “urban verandah.”

The tower itself has been designed as a slender form with recessed floorplates and curved translucent corners inspired by contemporary Japanese architecture. The building height aligns with the Commercial Road precinct controls, which permit towers up to 15 storeys within proximity to Longland Street.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a8a17d40-43b6-4718-b3fd-67676fcbb485" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers%202_1.png?VersionId=i3VwDtp5AmL_8InW7w4qRbDFEpb744Jt" />

The project will comprise a mix of larger-format apartments aimed at owner-occupiers, downsizers, and families. The proposed apartment mix includes 11 loggia apartments across the lower levels, 50 four-bedroom Sky-Terrace apartments from levels three to seven, and 32 Sky-Pool Homes occupying the upper tower levels. The Sky-Pool Homes will feature private thermal plunge pools integrated into oversized balconies.

According to the application, the apartments are intended to reinterpret the scale and character of Teneriffe’s woolstore conversions and Queensland homes within a vertical residential format.

“The sky-pool homes build on Cavcorp’s previous projects and introduce a distinct apartment typology to Teneriffe, informed by both local and international precedent and responding to an identified market demand for enhanced safety, space and amenity,” the planning submission notes.

A major focus of the proposal is its five-level wellness and lifestyle offering, extending from the basement through to the rooftop.

Amenities proposed include a rooftop Swim &amp; Racquet Club with a 25-metre Olympic lap pool and tennis court, coworking spaces and libraries, golf simulators, wine storage, concierge facilities, business lounges, pet wash areas, and rooftop longevity-focused wellness spaces with spas, outdoor fitness zones, and landscaped terraces.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="944b352c-49b9-4247-a4c6-5967b4b69fda" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/amenity.png?VersionId=Ed_qKjAtMwFT.5gfl3jiA9QwdWxSMsaX" />

All parking will be concealed within basement levels accessed from Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the deep-basement engineering approach allows the entire ground plane to prioritise landscaping, pedestrian movement, and active frontage rather than vehicle infrastructure.

The development continues Cavcorp’s concentration in Newstead and Teneriffe, where the Brisbane developer has delivered a number of apartment projects including Lucent, Le Bain, and Luminare, as well as the Long Island Wellness Precinct nearby. Several of those projects have received national design and architecture awards, including recognition under Brisbane’s “Buildings that Breathe” program.

Cavcorp unveils wellness-focused Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane apartment buildings

Focus Group Investments has lodged plans for a new apartment development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-70-hanover-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">64–70 Hanover Street</a> in Fitzroy, seeking to utilise the Victorian Government’s recently introduced Great Design Fast Track pathway to accelerate approvals for the project.

The proposal is among the latest developments to emerge through the state-led initiative, which was established to fast-track well-designed residential projects in activity centres and transport-connected inner-city locations. The pathway allows qualifying developments that meet elevated design and housing benchmarks to bypass traditional council planning timeframes and instead be assessed directly by the Department of Transport and Planning.

Designed by SJB, the development will comprise a mix of apartments above activated lower levels, with a strong focus on architectural articulation, landscaping, and communal amenity. The design response seeks to balance the industrial character of Richmond’s former warehouse precincts with a more contemporary residential form.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="abea51cc-d85b-479e-9aef-a589f3b37ca7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/ground.png?VersionId=e1Kf8EyPWwyiVumtqQ4rM5S4GpOR3CCz" />

Proposed are 63 new dwellings, a wide ranging mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, and townhouses and duplexes. They will be spread across a part-three, part-eight storey building.

The Planning and Urban Context Report by Tract says the development is of an "exemplary architectural standard" and has been carefully crafted by SJB Architects.

"Dwellings&nbsp;will benefit from excellent access to natural light, cross-ventilation opportunities and extensive communal space," the report noted.

The architectural material highlights the project’s integration of landscaped elements and communal spaces throughout the building. The proposal also incorporates sustainability initiatives aligned with the Victorian Government’s push for higher-performing apartment developments under the fast-track program.

The Great Design Fast Track was unveiled by the Victorian Government in 2024 as part of a broader housing supply strategy aimed at accelerating the delivery of new homes. Projects assessed through the pathway must demonstrate high-quality architecture, sustainability outcomes, and housing diversity while being located close to public transport and existing infrastructure.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="afdbe834-8dc4-4a77-a943-ba07bc927348" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/site_11.png?VersionId=0J657j.TaChAZfp93wqJYBTqSsnREJx2" />

Focus Group, founder and led by Paul De Lutiis, is increasingly active across Melbourne’s inner suburbs, targeting well-connected urban renewal locations suited to medium and higher-density residential development. The Fitzroy proposal continues that strategy, leveraging the area’s strong transport links, established retail amenity, and proximity to the CBD.

Fitzroy has been one of the most popular spots for developers and buyers in recent years. The likes of PACE Development Group, SMA Projects, Crema Group and Chapter Group, currently selling projects in the suburb.

First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Fitzroy apartments

The Gold Coast Planning Committee has supported the preliminary approval for the Benowa Gardens Urban Village project following an extensive community consultation and assessment process.

The proposal will now proceed to a full council vote on June 2.

The application sought approval for a masterplanned urban village on the existing Benowa Gardens Shopping Centre site, combining new housing, retail, dining, health and lifestyle amenities within a walkable, integrated precinct.&nbsp;

The proposed redevelopment includes around 413 apartments integrated above a revitalised mixed-use centre featuring a full-line supermarket of 4,000 sqm, 6,000 sqm of specialty retail and dining space across around 30 retailers, a 7,000 sqm health and wellness precinct, and roughly 9,630 sqm of office and medical suites.&nbsp;

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fb36ae47-80bc-45f0-9914-31b0c7b6007d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/PR26576%20Ashmore%20Road%20C4%201121%20FI.jpg?VersionId=6mRKk2uU4r67TmTt39DKGUlvFRbTVqWa" />

The broader masterplan also includes very significant traffic and transport improvements, wide pedestrian walkways, upgraded pedestrian and cycle connections, and enhanced public areas designed to create a more connected and walkable community environment.&nbsp;

Centre owner Patrick Lu said the milestone reflected months of detailed planning, technical assessment and ongoing communication with local residents, businesses, schools and stakeholders.

“We appreciate the time, consideration and care Council officers and the Planning Committee have given this proposal throughout the assessment process,” Lu said.

“We also sincerely thank the local community for engaging with us, sharing feedback and participating in the consultation process over many months.

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="32fd1fc3-d0e6-485f-ac57-9916c9bcb818" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/PR26576%20Ashmore%20Road%20C5%201121%20FI_2.jpg?VersionId=fz8qQKDBLQ7MyFRc856Zccfbh9nFwLOe" />

“We understand projects of this scale bring questions and concerns, which is why we have worked hard to listen carefully, provide information transparently and continue refining elements of the proposal where possible.

“Our vision has always been to create a well-designed, community-focused urban village that responds to the changing needs of the Gold Coast, while delivering improved amenity, housing diversity, healthcare access and local lifestyle benefits.

“This proposal is about creating a genuine live-work-play environment where residents can access everyday services, schools, healthcare, dining, shopping and green space within walking distance, while also supporting local jobs and economic activity.”

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="50dfbd04-590e-4fc6-983b-766880947867" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Dining%20Day%20Time%20-%20High%20Resolution.jpg?VersionId=BP7ZoKJ0DdL_8iRkkC8VVx99moICV6kg" />

Lu said the proposal had evolved significantly through consultation and technical review, particularly around traffic, pedestrian and student safety and neighbourhood connectivity.&nbsp;

Melissa Griffin, Director at Urbis, said the recommendation recognised the strategic importance of delivering more housing and services within established urban areas already supported by infrastructure.

“This proposal represents the type of thoughtful, integrated growth that planning frameworks across South-East Queensland are encouraging,” Ms Griffin said.

“The project seeks to place housing, retail, healthcare and employment opportunities together in a highly accessible location close to schools, transport and existing services.

“Importantly, the process has involved significant technical assessment and community engagement to ensure local issues and feedback were properly considered throughout the planning pathway.”

$1 billion Benowa Gardens Urban Village heads to council vote following Planning Committee support

Surfers Paradise is officially set for its first new residential development with a 45-storey skybridge connecting the two towers.

John Camilleri’s Celestino Developments has been given the green light by the Gold Coast City Council to develop its major beachfront precinct across its huge 4,000 sqm oceanfront site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/63-79-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">63–79 Garfield Terrace</a>, just five months after its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-exclusive-billionaire-winx-breeder-s-bold-two-tower-surfers-paradise-play-with-45th-storey-skybridge">submission in late 2025</a>.

The approved scheme will deliver two towers rising 55 and 48 storeys, connected by a skybridge positioned on level 45 that will house a range of resident-only wellness and entertainment spaces.

In its notice of approval, the Gold Coast City Council said the&nbsp;proposed overall built form has been designed to complement the scale, intensity and protect the adjacent amenity and surrounding streets through the use of varied setbacks, site cover and architectural elements.

<img alt="First look exclusive: Billionaire Winx breeder’s bold two-tower Surfers Paradise play with 45th-storey skybridge" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-30%20at%209.53.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=ADyPJ_TFbJvSU9wZFOiCBnlPtgF7VWqW" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/dbi">DBI</a>, the development will comprise 275 apartments across the two towers, including a mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom residences, as well as several penthouses. The apartments will sit above a landscaped podium featuring more than 90 metres of beachfront pool frontage, private resident lawns, lounges, and wellness spaces.

DBI said the design draws heavily from the movement and form of the coastal environment, with curving balcony lines and sculpted façades intended to soften the scale of the towers while maximising ocean outlooks and passive shading outcomes.

“The project occupies a rare, uninterrupted oceanfront site and has been shaped by a design philosophy that merges architectural elegance with environmental responsiveness and a carefully curated lifestyle experience,” DBI said in planning documents submitted to the Gold Coast City Council.

The most distinctive element of the approved project is the skybridge linking the two towers at level 45. The elevated communal space is planned to include executive lounges, formal dining areas, wellness facilities, and panoramic ocean-facing outlooks.

“The skybridge enhances the identity of the development, promotes social interaction, and delivers a lifestyle experience not found elsewhere on the Gold Coast,” DBI said.

At podium level, residents will have access to a suite of resort-style amenities, including resident lounges, private dining rooms, a yoga lawn, gymnasium, plunge pools, and treatment spaces. The beachfront pool has been designed with separate lap, lounge, and children’s areas extending across the width of the site.

The project will also introduce new food and beverage offerings along the Enderley Avenue and Oceanway frontages, contributing additional activation to the beachfront precinct.

First look: Winx billionaire’s beachfront Surfers Paradise apartment development greenlit

Insurance

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When decorating an apartment for Christmas, it’s worth remembering your responsibilities and to seek clarification from your body corporate, according to Archers Body Corporate Management.
Apparently, certain decorations and lights can break the building’s by-laws and require approval.
Archer’s strata manager Wayne Hewitt said that the majority of unit owners and tenants are unaware of the repercussions.
“Most bodies corporate have by-laws prohibiting additions to the exterior of the building, including hanging Christmas decorations and lights from balconies and windows,” Hewitt said.
He notes that the body corporate can advise on the extent of the decorations allowed, how long they can be displayed for and where is appropriate to have them.
Here are their five Christmas decoration tips:
<ul>
<li>Check with your body corporate before putting up your Christmas decorations to ensure you’re not in breach of any by-laws. 
</li>
<li>Before you install Christmas lights, check over the cables to ensure they are not faulty. Faulty lights can be the cause of fires which can not only affect your property but the entire building. 
</li>
<li>If you have approval to decorate your balcony ensure that decorations are secured well so they won’t be a hazard in strong wind or summer storms. 
</li>
<li>Ensure that your decorations do not block any walkways or emergency exit points of the building and are not on common property. 
</li>
<li>Make sure you adhere to your body corporate’s prescribed time lines and guidelines for how long decorations can be displayed.</li>
</ul>
Source: Archers Body Corporate Management
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Five tips for decorating an apartment safely

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Your tenants and their children may welcome a visit from Santa Claus, but when the jolly red man drops in, it is not without risk to you and your property. 
Here are six insurance scenarios for landlords to consider this festive season:
<ol>
<li>
Accidental roof damage  When nine hefty reindeer land on your roof with a fully-laden sleigh the size of a small car, you’re looking at a load of over 3,000 kilograms – and the potential for serious roof damage. When you consider Santa has approximately 2.2 billion children to visit, take-offs and landings are necessarily rushed, increasing the risk. 
</li>
<li>
Chimney issues Even if Santa’s sleigh lands safely without damaging the roof, there are obvious perils in what comes next, particularly when you consider Santa’s considerable girth. If Santa gets stuck or injured in your chimney, you could be held responsible. His beard alone is thought to be worth millions. Worse still, you could face a class action from children who failed to receive gifts as a result of an incident on your property. 
</li>
<li>
Fears around ‘Cheers!’ Are your tenants qualified in the responsible service of alcohol? Is your rental property licensed? These days, it could be considered quite foolhardy to leave alcoholic refreshment for a red-cheeked once-a-year binge drinker. Does your landlord insurance include cover for liability? 
</li>
<li>
Snack attack In Australia, the weather is hot at Christmas time, and leaving perishable foodstuffs for Santa and/or his reindeer is a foreseeable risk. Even a small nibble could cause them to come down with food poisoning, with far-reaching and potentially fatal consequences and associated liability risks. (Please note: leaving food out also increases the risk of vermin – which no landlord insurance policy in Australia will cover.) 
</li>
<li>
Naughty or nice? Are your tenants naughty or nice? Santa aside, Christmas puts considerable financial strain on household budgets. If your tenants spend their hard-earned on these things and neglect to pay the rent, quality landlord insurance will see you are covered. 
</li>
<li>
Theft of gifts Fantastic – Santa’s come and gone, leaving behind hundreds or even thousands of dollars worth of gifts beneath the tree. Your tenants need to know that if these gifts are subsequently stolen your landlord insurance won’t cover the cost of replacements – for that they’ll need their own household contents cover.
</li>
</ol>
 Sharon Fox-Slater is the executive general manager of landlord insurance provider <a href="https://www.rentcover.com.au/">RentCover</a>.
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Will your landlord insurance cover a visit from Santa?

<html><body>
GUEST OBSERVATION
Brisbane tenants and unit owners need to brush up on body corporate rules in the wake of recent storms to avoid being stung with insurance nightmares.
With experts predicting an increase in severe storms this summer, I’m urging all Brisbane unit owners to prepare now. Residents in units and apartments in particular have unique considerations to bear in mind around storm preparedness and insurance claims.
Residents need to think about how the storm’s effect on the body corporate will impact their property, and vice versa for how their actions can affect the body corporate. For example, the placement of a drain in a common area could potentially be a flood hazard to ground floor properties if there is an excessive amount of rain.
Owners should be aware of this type of issue and have an action plan in place to mitigate potential flood damage which could include having a barrier ready to roll out and a plan to move any valuables.
On the flip side, unit owners and tenants need to prepare their property not only to ensure their own safety but also the safety of the building as a whole.
This includes securing balcony furniture and ensuring the property complies with the building’s by-laws. If a unit does not comply it can create unnecessary dangers for the property and the building as a whole.
Navigating the insurance process can be tricky for those in units and apartments. It depends on your scheme’s insurance but most policies will cover the structure of the building including internal fixed cupboards, but will normally exclude cover for carpets and of course your personal belongings.
Some policies may also exclude flood cover unless the body corporate chooses to include it, so be sure to check the policy document of your scheme’s insurance to know what’s covered and what’s not.
Here are some tips for you to consider:
<ul>
<li>Prepare your property – secure items on your balcony and ensure your unit complies with the building’s by-laws. If you’re unsure, contact your body corporate. 
</li>
<li>Prepare common areas – clear away any rubbish and ensure all loose items are secured. This includes outdoor furniture, pot plants and plastic pool furniture which can be placed in the pool to avoid it blowing away. 
</li>
<li>Check your insurance policy – be aware that the building’s strata insurance does not cover your belongings in your unit so you will need to have up-to-date contents insurance. 
</li>
<li>Familiarise yourself with your building’s evacuation plan just in case you need to evacuate and ensure you consider pets if necessary. </li>
<li>Communicate with your body corporate about your property’s damage and any damage you notice on common property as soon as possible.</li>
</ul>
Grant Mifsud has more than 12 years’ experience in the strata industry and has been a senior body corporate manager at<a href="https://www.abcm.com.au" target="_blank"> Archers Body Corporate Management</a> since 2007. 
Currently Grant manages a portfolio of clients in the Brisbane region with a focus on providing financial and strata legislation advice. Grant is a practitioner member of Strata Community Australia (SCA).
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Recent storms show why it pays to brush up on body corporate laws

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An estimated 48% of households in Australia are either uninsured or under insured, with 26% of small businesses also falling into this “no insurance” category, according to Know Risk Network.
If there is a chance you are underinsured, Know Risk Network spokesman Thomas Wills suggests that you undertake a thorough review of your insurance coverage.
“Across all areas, Australia is recognised as one of the most underinsured countries in the developed world. Recent history shows that with our exposure to natural disaster risks, this simply doesn’t make sense,” said Wills.
“If you couldn’t afford to rebuild your home or replace its contents, you need to see insurance as an important part of protecting yourself from the risks you face, which means ensuring that you have enough coverage and that it’s up to date. This is in addition to undertaking practical risk management to put you in the best position to withstand a catastrophe like a bushfire or cyclone,” he said.
Here are their five steps to consider:
<ol>
<li>Check what you’re insured for. If you’ve bought anything of value, installed a pool, shed or other addition or renovated your home, your property may have increased in value and you may need to update your policy. 
</li>
<li>Consider if building costs rise quickly in your area. Factor changes to building codes when discussing your level of cover with your broker or insurer. 
</li>
<li>Make sure you policy is current. Too many are expired when disaster strikes. 
</li>
<li>Have your insurers’ details in your phone. Many people’s claims are held up after a disaster because they don’t know who they’re insured with. 
</li>
<li>Keep a copy of your policy and evidence of your valuables off site. Not having proof of your possessions can cause major headaches.</li>
</ol>
Source: Know Risk Network
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Five ways to ensure you’re adequately insured: Know Risk Network

<html><body>
GUEST OBSERVATION
The announcement yesterday by the Northern Territory government that it is selling the Territory Insurance Office’s insurance assets to Allianz Australia for A$236 million has many <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/25594850/northern-territory-government-confirms-sale-of-tio-for-424m-after-months-of-speculation-protests-and-petitions/" target="_blank">worried</a> their premiums will increase. Some of this concern is no doubt a result of significant premium increases in North Queensland following cyclones Larry and Yasi. But is all this concern justified?
Looking first at the increases in North Queensland, the exposure in that region is to highly intense cyclones and large catastrophic insurance losses have followed. North Queensland has a very long east-facing coastline all exposed to cyclone. This part of northern Australia is home to numerous cities and towns, which means the risk there is much larger for insurers. Cyclones Yasi and Larry each cost insurers in excess of A$1 billion in claims paid.
While the Territory’s economy is growing, it just does not have the same level of infrastructure, in resorts, large hotels, high rises, factories, warehouses and residential housing. As a result, the risk of such occurrences is considered significantly lower in the Northern Territory than in North Queensland.
Since Cyclone Tracey (coming up to its 40-year anniversary), building codes in Darwin and the Northern Territory in general have been improved and are the toughest in Australia. This has reduced the damage caused when cyclones do hit. For example, with a combination of lower intensity and buildings built to a higher code, 2011’s Cyclone Carlos caused relatively minor property damage in Darwin.
Over the past 10 years, the majority of Australian insurers have moved from community rating to risk rating due to improvements in technology. In the case of homes and other buildings this is through geospatial technology. It allows the overlay of cyclone, flood and other maps onto street maps and satellite images of addresses.
In motor insurance we will see more use of telematics to reward good driving behaviour. Poorer drivers will pay more for the additional risk they create.
<h3>Individual premiums</h3>
The same goes with home or business insurance. Premiums are highly individualised in terms of price because no two houses are the same when it comes to construction, value, location or risk. Premiums reflect the price of a home owner transferring the financial risk, from an insured peril, from themselves and their family to the insurer.
The reality is that while the Northern Territory set up and owned TIO, it is run on a completely commercial basis. Its pricing is not set by government and it is not subsidised in any way. From my research, in areas such as cyclone cover, TIO has not been the cheapest; its prices have sat at the middle of the market.
With flood insurance, the same applies. Regardless of who owns TIO, pricing for flood is moving from community rating to the risk address.
If you do not live in a flood-prone area, this is good news for you. If you are in a flood zone, then your premiums are likely to increase due to the flood risk of your property.
Flood is a concern right across Australia and governments at all levels are, or should be, looking at this. One of the positives coming from the sale of TIO is that the Territory government has pledged A$50 million in flood mitigation for Rapid Creek, Katherine and the Darwin Rural Area. Whether this is enough is yet to be seen. From my observations, I would like to have seen funding go to Alice Springs as well, as I foresee significant flood losses in that town in the future.
In summary, I see no difference in increase in pricing due to the sale of TIO to Allianz. Over time, the cost of insurance may well be reduced, as there will be some economies of scale with TIO not having to stand alone as a relatively small insurer. Allianz, one of the world’s largest insurers, has greater capacity to hold risk itself and greater buying power when it comes to re-insurance.
While the TIO was originally established due to insurers being reluctant to offer workers’ compensation cover in the Territory, today it is serviced by 12 insurers. All offer cyclone cover and only one does not provide flood cover.
All other states have sold their general insurance companies. As the Territory matures and its economy grows, it does seem right for the government to move out of this area and concentrate on other areas where government is the most appropriate supplier of the service. In my view, the government achieved a very good price on the sale for the benefit for all Territorians.
Allan Manning is adjunct professor at <a href="https://www.vu.edu.au/" target="_blank">Victoria University</a> and is managing director of LMI Group. 
This article was originally published on <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>.
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Will the Territory Insurance Office sale push up premiums?

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Airbnb has rolled out <a href="https://blog.airbnb.com/airbnb-host-protection-insurance/" target="_blank">an additional liability insurance program</a> that will provide up to US$1 million (A$1.16 million) worth of protection to Airbnb hosts for their listings in the US.
The company, founded in California in 2008, allows people to list, discover and book accommodation around the world, whether it’s an apartment for the night or a shack for a week.
It already provides hosts and guests with information about how they can make their listing safer and more secure, and a $1 million Host Guarantee provides reimbursement in cases of property damage.
The additional liability insurance program, Airbnb Host Protection Insurance, will provide up to $1 million worth of protection to hosts for their listings in the US if a guest is accidently injured anywhere in a host’s building or property during their stay.
It provides coverage for Airbnb hosts and, where applicable, their landlords. The coverage will be automatic at every stay at a listing in the United States and the company is actively working on ways to expand it internationally.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.<a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/" target="_blank"></a>
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Airbnb rolls out US$1 million liability insurance for accommodation hosts

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The Insurance Council of Australia has warned householders to check their insurance policies before renting out part of their home to holidaymakers.
Website <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/" target="_blank">Airbnb </a>has become popular with property owners looking to cash in on short-term holiday rentals.
Airbnb, which was founded in 2008, has reportedly raised around $800 million from investors, including almost $500 million in April from TPG, T Rowe Price and Dragoneer Investment Group. <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.cnbc.com/id/102117120" target="_blank">Its value is estimated</a> at between $10 billion and $13 billion.
However, there has been heated debate internationally over the legality of short-term rentals through the site.
New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman found that 72% of units for rent in New York through Airbnb <a href="https://www.ag.ny.gov/pdfs/Airbnb%20report.pdf" target="_blank">appeared to be breaking local laws</a> which prevent rental terms of less than 30 days in most apartment buildings and require tax to be paid on hotel-style accommodation.
In Australia, short-term holiday letting is covered by fair trading and consumer laws. Local councils and strata agreements may also place restrictions on holiday letting. Subletting by tenants is permitted only if the landlord consents.
Home owners, tenants and holidaymakers also need to check that insurance policies cover online peer-to-peer house sharing services, ICA chief executive Rob Whelan said.
“It is essential that home owners or tenants who consider using online house-sharing services discuss this with their insurer beforehand, and check how this could impact their home and contents insurance, strata or renter’s insurance policies,” Whelan said.
“Anyone thinking about renting a room or part of their home should know that they might not be covered for property damage and other losses that could happen as a result of renting it out to holidaymakers. Importantly, they may not be covered for public liability should a paying guest be injured on the premises.”
Whelan said many insurers regarded online holiday rentals as a business activity so standard home and contents policies may not apply.
Special insurance policies are available for landlords of short-term rental properties and holiday homes. These are typically separate policies from standard landlord insurance cover.
Travel insurance policies often did not cover cancellation, or loss and damage of possessions in the rental properties and guarantees provided by some peer-to-peer accommodation providers did not cover items such as cash, or pets or personal liability in shared areas, Whelan said.
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Short-term holiday rentals warned to check insurance policies

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GUEST OBSERVATION
While Australian insurers are making hundreds of millions of dollars in profits, many North Queensland retirees are struggling to pay their strata insurance premiums. Locals say that insurance premiums for strata title unit buildings have risen 200-800% since tropical Cyclone Yasi. Many retirees are struggling to remain in their homes. 
The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) recently put out a media release to stress that insurers aren't gouging their customers and that the pricing of insurance in Northern Queensland is reasonable. They need to take a look at the Change.com petition '<a href="https://www.change.org/p/help-north-queenslanders-get-fair-and-affordable-insurance-premiums" target="_blank">Help North Queenslanders get fair and affordable insurance premiums</a>'. On it they will find 83 year old retirees complaining that they cannot pay their bills as a result of insurance premium increases, others complain of strata insurance premiums quadrupling to $32,000 per annum and in one building 30% of owners say they are unable to pay the levies due to increased premiums.
To add insult to injury, the ICA also wants international competitors, who are expected to offer cheaper cover, to be locked out of the North Queensland market. Perhaps we should expect as much from an industry association committed to protecting its members’ financial interests. It takes guts to argue for maintaining the status quo but the ICA is defending an industry that has been condemned in the US for using unethical strategies to take advantage of their trusting clients for over 20 years now.
When a catastrophe hits, home owners and businesses expect their insurer to deliver on their promise to help them get back on their feet after a loss. Unfortunately most Australians would be unaware that since the 1990s, insurers have implemented strategies to maximise their profits by consciously deterring their customers from obtaining their legitimate entitlements. They do this by deliberately "low-balling" or discounting their clients’ claims or denying their insurance claims altogether.
These strategies, developed by professional management consultants, came to light in the US case of Hager v Allstate Insurance. Lawyers for Ms Hager alleged that Allstate Insurance offered claimants a simple choice when they made a claim: they could chose a gentle hand by complying and accepting a low ball offer or if they didn’t want to accept the offer, they could expect a blow from a fisted glove, in the form of years of protracted and expensive litigation.
This miserable strategy relies on the fact that most inexperienced claimants will drop off if their claims are denied or discounted as they do not have access to advice or have the resources to maintain a battle with their insurer.
So if you accept a pittance, then your claim will be processed promptly, otherwise you may fight for years. Here, you are likely to need lawyers to fight for what is rightfully yours.
It’s a simple plan that makes perfect sense to management consultants, but it goes against the principles of trust and faith upon which insurance was once based. Today, instead of paying out in good faith, insurance companies want to hang on to your money as long as they can so they can earn more profit on it.
The problem for retirees in North Queensland and for claimants around the nation is that the insurance industry is an extremely effective lobbyist and it has been extremely successful in looking after its own interests, often at the expense of its customers. Apart from employing lawyers to enforce their rights, there are few legislative protections for claimants.
Queenslanders deserve better than this. Because strata owners are forced to insure their property under state law, both state and federal governments have a duty to legislate to protect their citizens.
The proposal of the Commonwealth government to open up the market for strata insurance to appropriately qualified overseas insurers is a good one. But in addition, the federal government should monitor premium increases and demand that insurers explain why areas that have not been affected previously by flood or cyclone are being subjected to the massive increases in premiums.
George Newhouse is a leading human rights advocate and disaster insurance recovery department manager with <a href="https://www.shine.com.au/" target="_blank">Shine Lawyers</a>.
George was the Labor Party candidate for the seat of Wentworth at the 2007 federal election.
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The government must step in to fix North Queensland's strata insurance crisis

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According to a new survey undertaken by Galaxy Research on behalf of Woolworths Insurance, 82% of renovators may be underinsured.
The survey, which looked at 80% of respondents who noted they had renovated, saw 24% spend more than $50,000 on their home improvement.
Of those who renovated, just 18% had a valuer estimate the new worth of the home, potentially leaving the property owners exposed to underinsurance.
Chris Cramond, head of Woolworths Insurance, said that those who renovate need to recalculate their insurance so the new renovations are covered to the correct value.
“If homeowners are unsure how much value a renovation has added to their home, it’s worth getting advice from a qualified valuer who can provide a more accurate assessment of their property. It is also important to add any new valuables to your contents insurance policy so you aren’t left out of pocket in the event of theft, vandalism or damage due to natural causes such as a lightening or storm or burst pipes,” said Cramond.
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Majority leave themselves underinsured after renovation: survey

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There are many types of insurance policies to consider when you purchase an investment property.
Among these is landlord’s insurance, a type of cover that safeguards you, as the property owner, against damage caused by tenants in your rental property.
What does it cover?
Every landlord’s insurance policy is different and you must always read the fineprint to ensure you know what you are covered for. However, the general theme is that you are covered for damage, accidental or malicious, caused by tenants. It may also cover theft by tenants or tenants’ visitors.
It can also cover you in unlikely, but damaging, situations – <a href="/expert-insights/dont-fear-the-reaper-10-things-to-do-if-your-tenant-dies">such as death</a>, or a similar circumstance, and it can also be cover in the event of a tenant undergoing illegal activities, such as <a href="/expert-insights/investing/drug-labs-landlords-exposed-if-tenants-undertaking-criminal-activity">setting up a drug lab</a>.
It can also cover tenants who default on their rent or who vanish – meaning you aren’t suffering the shortfall. This is often covered up to a certain amount, and some policies will also cover the legal expenses due to the loss of rent, up to a certain figure.
Some policies separate it into building only insurance for landlords, and contents insurance for landlords.
Usually, there are still premiums and excesses payable, as for most policies.
Very specific items are often not covered or cannot obtain cover. For instance, in the case of AAMI landlord insurance, the following are not included in the building cover:
<ul>
<li>Any part of the building or site used for conducting a business, trade, professional services or farming 
</li>
<li>Any part that cannot be locked due to it being altered, renovated or rebuilt 
</li>
<li>Any temporary structures or structures in the course of construction 
</li>
<li>Houseboats, watercrafts, caravans, mobile buildings (fixed or free-standing), motorised vehicles etc 
</li>
<li>Loose surfaces of tennis courts, driveways and paths 
</li>
<li>Hedges, laws, trees, shrubs, plants, flowers, garden beds or any other living material</li>
</ul>
However, it does cover any of the property’s furnished aspects, as owned by the landlord, including floor coverings, wall hangings, sound and vision equipment, household linen, bedding, kitchen and dining equipment, computers and printers, outdoor garden furniture and free-standing playground equipment.
AAMI also notes that their cover does not extend to damage/losses caused by vermic, rodents, insects (including termites) and domestic animals. It also doesn’t cover applications of heat where there was not flame – for instance, cigarette burns or scorch marks. These are just of the few of the does cover/does not cover specifications and it’s <a href="https://www.aami.com.au/sites/default/files/fm/pdf/landlord-freeholding-insurance-policy.pdf" target="_blank">worth reading them through if you’re considering the coverage</a>.
Metro Property Management's <a href="/expert-insights/investing/yes-you-really-need-landlord-insurance">Leah Calnan previously wrote that</a>: "The best policies on the market allow for 15 weeks loss of rent.  Loss of rent is payable to an owner when tenants stop paying the rent and are subsequently evicted from the property, when they up and leave overnight, in the event the property is not tenantable (i.e. due to flood, fire, etc.) or in the event your tenant dies."
"Like anything nowadays there are many different policies on the market to choose from. I have worked with some fantastic policies, but I have seen owners incur considerably out-of-pocket expenses due to taking out the wrong policy," she explained.
How much does it cost?
This will vary for every landlord, and will also vary depending on the provider and level of cover. Some also have multi policy discounts, for instance offering 10% discounts on building cover when you combine with landlord insurance.
It also varies depending on where the property is located, if you self-manage, whether or not it is a short term rental and the amount of rent charged. Most providers offer a rough online quote to get you started, for instance <a href="https://online.terrischeer.com.au/?cover=landlord-insurance%20%20" target="_blank">Terri Scheer online offers a fairly comprehensive assessment</a>. They also ask about whether the property is furnished, and the size of the property. 
What else you should know
While whether or not you obtain this insurance, and when is down to the individual’s varying circumstances, it’s often highly recommended. Landlord insurance can also cover you for when the property is being shown at opens and sitting vacant, where you have liability.
If you move into the property, the insurance isn’t valid.
While it’s possible to get cover for periodic and fixed term leases through different providers, many will not cater to “casual leases”, and some will also not cover self-managing landlords. You will also want to make sure your property manager is collecting the right paperwork, or you may find yourself unable to claim. For instance, Westpac’s Landlord Extras claims can only be paid if there is a written rental agreement (which has to include the term of lease, amount of rent and bond payable), documented booking confirmation (in the instance of casually-let properties) and documented property inspection reports. Without these things, they will not pay out.
YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO READ
<a href="/expert-insights/what-insurance-policy-do-i-need-as-a-landlord">What insurance policy do I need as a landlord?</a>
<a href="/expert-insights/investing/do-i-need-public-liability-insurance-to-cover-my-tenants-ask-margaret">Do I need public liability insurance to cover my tenants? Ask Margaret</a>
<a href="/expert-insights/investing/investor-stories-my-house-was-turned-into-a-hydroponic-drug-farm">Investor stories: My house was turned into a hydroponic drug farm</a>
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