<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/capital-corporation">Capital Corporation</a> has announced that its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/lovedale-farm-1054-1184-wine-country-drive-lovedale-nsw-2325">Lovedale Farm</a> residential, resort and golf project has secured $24.6 million in sales in just three weeks since the opening of its display home, underscoring the appetite for premium lifestyle property in the Hunter Valley countryside.

The sales milestone has been driven by a diverse mix of buyers, including owner-occupiers and investors from Sydney, Newcastle and the local Hunter region, purchasing both land-only lots and house and land packages across the development.

<img alt="Lovedale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e173edc9-e60e-4f19-a060-9dc4421a3233" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/LovedaleFarm_20250215-1.jpg?VersionId=1LY6CvOaD.Dzrt8tWpWxXtPyfchixNIo" />

&nbsp;

The result builds on the momentum generated at the display home opening on 22 March, which attracted more than 460 attendees.

With house and land pricing from $1.14 million, Lovedale Farm continues to attract strong interest from buyers seeking a premium lifestyle offering at a compelling price point. The development’s vision, a championship golf course, future epicurean village and access to the Hunter Valley’s celebrated wine country, has resonated with a broad buyer profile, from first-time investors to those looking to make the move and call the Hunter Valley home.

<img alt="Lovedale Farm records $21.4 million in sales in three weeks" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b358e789-e1eb-40ed-8105-ed5c8297136f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/20260321LovedaleFarmDisplayHomeOpening--6.jpg?VersionId=6GUO8TNnxuELONrsM6n9imDB6oc82Bor" />

Jim Hunter, Managing Director of Capital Corporation said the response since opening the display home has been encouraging.

"To reach $24.6 million in sales in just three weeks speaks to the genuine demand for a lifestyle community of this calibre in the Hunter Valley," Hunter says.

"We’re seeing buyers from across the region and beyond, including investors who recognise the long-term value, and owner-occupiers who simply want to live somewhere truly special.

“Lovedale Farm is two decades in the making, and the market’s response is everything we hoped for. We’re excited to see these first buyers become part of the Lovedale Farm story from the very beginning."

<img alt="Lovedale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="54d985cf-2ac2-400b-ac02-4401f3421ac7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/20260321LovedaleFarmDisplayHomeOpening--5.jpg?VersionId=3866bPoqpLZsm.3ACg9EafAr1W3miC_f" />

&nbsp;

Spanning 240 hectares on Wine Country Drive in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/lovedale-nsw-2325">Lovedale</a>, the $1 billion development is expected to deliver around 1,250 jobs during construction and inject more than $300 million into the local economy. The first 200 homes and championship 18-hole golf course are anticipated for completion in late 2027.

Capital Corporation has also lodged development plans for the Lovedale Farm clubhouse, set to become a vibrant hub for residents and the wider Hunter Valley community. Further releases are planned for later this year.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=14476]

Joel Robinson

Lovedale Farm display home opening triggers $24.6 million in sales in three weeks

Prominent Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/osk-property">OSK Property</a> has unveiled <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aura-at-melbourne-square-7-hoff-boulevard-southbank-vic-3006">Aura</a>, the next stage of its $3.5 billion Melbourne Square precinct in Southbank, continuing its push into wellness-led, amenity-rich apartment living.

The $800 million tower, planned for 7 Hoff Boulevard, will rise 67 storeys and deliver 673 apartments, with COX Architecture drawing on both Japanese design principles and Australia’s natural landscape to shape the building’s identity. A rectangular grid aesthetic defines the building’s exterior, with COX drawing design cues from New York high-rises and Tokyo’s skyline.

Aura builds on a growing trend in high-density living, where wellness is no longer an add-on but central to the product. The development is structured around four key pillars, combining calm, minimalist residences with layered communal spaces, landscaped gardens, and a suite of wellness amenities designed to support both physical and mental wellbeing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=367465]

At the core of the project is what OSK describes as a vertical wellness ecosystem, a multi-level approach to amenity that integrates health, lifestyle, and social spaces throughout the building rather than confining them to a single level.

The main resident hub, the Aura Club on level seven, will include a pool, cold plunge, spa, gym, Pilates and yoga studios, alongside more lifestyle-driven inclusions like a golf simulator, music rooms, library, and work-from-home spaces. Above, a series of higher-level amenity zones, including the Meridian Club and Cumulus Club, introduce more refined, social and retreat-style environments, with private dining, lounges, and premium wellness spaces positioned to take advantage of city views.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=367467]

The residences themselves will largely include balconies, a key design move in a market increasingly focused on natural light, airflow, and connection to the outdoors. Views will extend across the CBD, the Arts Precinct, Royal Botanic Gardens, and beyond.

Aura also introduces approximately 1,600 sqm of retail across the lower levels, further activating the Melbourne Square precinct, which already includes Kennedy Park, a Woolworths, childcare, and a growing mix of hospitality operators.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=367474]

“Aura stands tall as an exemplar of holistic wellness – its focus on social, physical and mental health culminate in a building that is calming, restorative and relaxing, where residents will have their own sanctuary within the well-connected and sought-after <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/southbank-vic-3006">Southbank</a>," says&nbsp;OSK Property CEO Chong Boon Woon.

“We have been very encouraged by the market’s response to the BLVD offering, and we know there is a strong demand for the level of amenity, service and design that the Melbourne Square precinct is known for.

“Complemented by work-from-home lounges for professionals, family friendly outdoor garden spaces, and state-of-the-art fitness and wellness facilities, Aura will continue our focus on maximising physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing,” he said.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=367475]

The project follows the strong performance of BLVD, which is now around 80 per cent sold, and reinforces OSK Property’s long-term commitment to Melbourne Square as a fully integrated, mixed-use precinct.

Construction is expected to commence in late 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151921]

OSK unveils AURA, the latest stage in Southbank's $3.5 billion Melbourne Square precinct

National developer Time &amp; Place appears to have settled on a design for its long-anticipated Potts Point project.

After several years of back and forth with local council and the NSW Government, the developer, which has spent seven years targeting the former The Chimes site on Macleay Street, has now progressed its plans.

Following a concept design submission last year by SJB, Time &amp; Place has lodged a full State Significant Development Application with the NSW Government, this time for a scheme designed by Kerry Hill Architects.

<img alt="Time &amp; Place" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="504d2a27-d65f-4227-8189-1e35e3376e62" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-20%20at%209.38.24%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=_XqFKATYHF30KnVByPxhaI9UBzmkmfn7" />

The 16-storey proposal includes 44 apartments, 21 of which will be build-to-sell. These will comprise 19 three-bedroom apartments and two four-bedroom units.

More than 50 per cent of the development will be dedicated to affordable housing, with 23 studio apartments to be delivered in line with the NSW Government’s Housing SEPP.

Kerry Hill Architects said the proposal is driven by a strong response to place.

“Our proposal for a new residential building for Potts Point in Sydney is driven by a deep consideration of place,” the practice said in its submission.

“This operates on multiple levels, including a landscape approach that reinstates endemic flora of the Sydney peninsula and provides a ground-floor garden for residents, reconnecting the site to its pre-European history. A brick podium further strengthens this relationship to context, integrating planting and fine bronze detailing that references the predominant material language of Macleay Street.”

The three-level podium will be topped by a communal resident space, featuring a covered pool designed to receive direct afternoon sun in winter, a neighbouring reflection pool, dining and event areas oriented to maximise sunset views, and an outdoor exercise zone.

<img alt="Time &amp; Place" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8d3eedc1-babb-44a3-bd96-d8a42f3adf1f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-20%20at%209.37.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Ii7.4dvqNatu5GQi6bhqNjAswrMB998." />

The design also incorporates highly crafted shopfronts and a clearly defined residential entry to activate the street. Juliette balconies to the podium residences will provide passive surveillance and a strong sense of habitation.

Above, the larger apartments are housed within a light-coloured masonry and bronze tower.

“The tower steps back in a series of gently curved volumes that reference the rich Art Deco context of Macleay Street,” the architects said. “Carefully calibrated vertical fins frame the views while providing privacy and a sense of refuge.”

<img alt="Time &amp; Place" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6fab60f4-3140-4469-b47a-48c781e0a30b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-20%20at%209.28.44%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=e5XxrM3kzdASdKlcIACHAHbOSZhSKC9O" />

Time &amp; Place has been one of the most active developers nationally in the last 12 to 24 months. Late last year they completed&nbsp;The Queensbridge in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/southbank-vic-3006">Southbank</a>, a mixed-use tower with 353 apartments and a hotel. They are currently selling Park Modern, 246 apartments near the famous Botanic Gardens in South Melbourne.

The developer has approval for The Burke, a mixed-use project in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/glen-iris-vic-3146">Glen Iris</a>&nbsp;being delivered in partnership with Woolworths. The 60 apartments, positioned above a new Woolworths supermarket, are expected to launch in the coming months. Time &amp; Place is also progressing plans for the redevelopment of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/northcote-vic-3070">Northcote</a>&nbsp;Plaza, and have recently submitted plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/vic/time-place-unveils-plans-22-storey-south-melbourne-tower">22-storey tower</a>, another in South Melbourne.

In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/sydney-nsw">Sydney</a>, the developer has two projects in Manly: Two Tides, which is currently under construction, and an ultra high-end building on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/shoreline-manly-beach-89-90-north-steyne-manly">North Steyne</a>, fronting the beach. It is also continuing to work through the redevelopment of The Chimes building on Macleay Street in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/potts-point-nsw-2011">Potts Point</a>, as well as Marlborough House, the redevelopment of the original David Jones warehouse building in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/surry-hills-nsw-2010">Surry Hills</a>.

First look: Time & Place settles on design for The Chimes, Potts Point redevelopment

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/develotek">Develotek</a> is joining the likes of TOGA, Deicorp, and One Global Capital, betting on a boom in Five Dock ahead of the 2032 mooted opening of the Five Dock Metro Station.

Develotek, which is currently developing Bianca on the Drummoyne waterfront and has plans approved for a tower in Chatswood, has filed a State Significant Development Application for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/79-81-queens-road-five-dock-nsw-2046">two-building project in the evolving Kings Bay precinct</a>.

The buildings, one more boutique just five storeys and the other 26 storeys, will rise from an 3,158 sqm site across&nbsp;79–81 Queens Road and 2–8 Spencer Street, will home 134 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, above ground-floor retail and five basement levels of parking.

A key component of the proposal is the inclusion of 15 per cent of residential floor space as in-fill affordable housing, unlocking additional height and density under the Housing SEPP.

<img alt="First Look: Develotek lodges State Significant shop top housing project in Five Dock precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3ee31bf7-75ba-4bc5-b190-49885193219f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/podium_2.png?VersionId=730UbrduuwK3C1sO28RHjiLPUPqXqjkh" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a>, the scheme adopts a podium-and-tower configuration, with a five-storey street wall along Queens Road transitioning to a 26-storey tower set deeper into the site. The ground plane prioritises activation and permeability, with retail frontages and a new through-site link connecting Queens Road to Spencer Street.

At the upper levels, the tower façade has been conceived using a modular system to support prefabrication and reduce construction waste, while improving build efficiency. The splayed form draws on the geometry of surrounding industrial rooftops, reinterpreting the area’s heritage in a contemporary expression while also helping to reduce solar heat gain to east and west-facing apartments.

“This project aspires to transform a former industrial site into a connected, resilient and people-focused urban community, grounded in Country, shaped by history, and designed to enrich everyday life within the evolving Kings Bay Precinct,” said John Walsh, Principal at Plus Studio.

The proposal reflects the broader transformation of the Kings Bay Precinct under the Parramatta Road Corridor Urban Transformation Strategy, marking a shift from its industrial past to a higher-density, mixed-use urban neighbourhood.

<img alt="First Look: Develotek lodges State Significant shop top housing project in Five Dock precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="abde734c-1e31-4a97-a1d2-fa9bcf31c380" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/building%20podium.png?VersionId=fNUupP6u146yEytQT31kKVRxwtACgPpP" />

Develotek is emerging as an active participant in the state’s affordable housing-led uplift pathway. The developer recently secured approval for a 34-storey mixed-use tower in Chatswood, where it similarly leveraged the in-fill affordable housing provisions to increase scale and deliver a 101-unit scheme with dedicated affordable apartments.

Their entry into Five Dock places them alongside a growing list of developers targeting the suburb ahead of its anticipated transport uplift, with Sydney Metro set to extend into the area. Major players including TOGA, Deicorp, and One Global Capital are all progressing large-scale precinct-style developments nearby, collectively reshaping the low-rise industrial fabric into a higher-density mixed-use corridor.

The Five Dock site sits within the Kings Bay Precinct, a key renewal area under the Parramatta Road Corridor Urban Transformation Strategy, where planning controls support significant uplift tied to affordable housing delivery. The consolidated 3,158 sqm site is currently occupied by low-rise industrial uses, including warehouses and vehicle workshops, earmarked for transition.

First Look: Develotek joins in Five Dock apartment boom

Ascot’s Racecourse Road continues to be a hive of activity for Brisbane developers.

Following Fortis and GRAYA, which are both preparing new projects along the key strip connecting Kingsford Smith Drive and Eagle Farm Racecourse, local developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/skyhold">Skyhold</a> is the latest to lodge plans for its own development.

The group is proposing One One Two Residences, a boutique project comprising just seven apartments, named after its address at 112 Racecourse Road.

The proposal outlines a five-storey building on an 810 sqm site. The built form slightly exceeds the four-storey expectation under the neighbourhood plan, aligning instead with the emerging character of the strip. As the planning report notes, “the locality is characterised by a transition toward medium-rise residential development, with a number of recent developments… above the stipulated height limits.”

<img alt="First Look: Skyhold lodges plans for boutique Ascot apartments as Racecourse Road revival gathers pace" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ec577631-8c51-4163-960e-e7b3a77d655b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Ascot.png?VersionId=iAzQ46D4Uu1UqiS0mVnlcy9jeFKBpJIj" />

Designed by 111 with landscape architecture by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/paul-bangay-garden-design">Paul Bangay Studio</a>, the scheme adopts a layered architectural approach with strong articulation and a subtropical response. Deep balconies, integrated planters, and a mix of masonry and textured finishes define the façade, while upper-level setbacks reduce perceived bulk. The architectural statement describes “a series of horizontally expressed layers, defined by deep balconies and a consistent robust material palette,” aimed at delivering a refined streetscape presence.

Apartments are configured as large-format residences, including multiple three-bedroom layouts and a full-floor penthouse, supported by ground-level parking. A rooftop terrace will provide communal amenities including a pool and landscaped recreation areas. The design prioritises privacy, natural ventilation, and greenery, with planting integrated across all levels to soften the building form and contribute to the public realm.

<img alt="First Look: Skyhold lodges plans for boutique Ascot apartments as Racecourse Road revival gathers pace" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1e1219bd-b45a-4d7f-bbc7-7207d7b2fc94" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Ascot%20entry.png?VersionId=JIoUOLMgQ5xWpEF0etEI3ffIoIVjD7gO" />

The proposal sits within the Racecourse Road precinct, a key mixed-use spine in Ascot that continues to attract renewed development interest.

Later this year national developer Fortis will launch its own boutique development, which, pending council approvals, will be 16 apartments designed by Koichi Takada Architects, just down the street.

“Racecourse Road is going through a massive revitalisation and we’re proud to be a part of that transformation,” said Fortis's QLD General Manager, Dan Boman.

Nearby, GRAYA is advancing its larger-scale The Gallery, a mixed-use shop-top housing project designed to act as a “catalytic project for Racecourse Road.”

First Look: Racecourse Road, Hamilton revitalization to continue as Skyhold joins the party

Asbestos

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The NSW Government has released an awareness campaign to remind DIY enthusiasts to plan, prepare and check for asbestos if they are renovating an old home.
Renovation works may disturb asbestos, particularly in houses and sheds built before 1990, and the tagline Asbestos lurks in more places than you think, reminds DIY renovators and tradies to check for asbestos before renovating or building.
Environment Minister Matt Kean said this long weekend provides an ideal opportunity to tackle a DIY project but only if it is done safely and carefully.
“You can’t always tell what products contain asbestos just by looking,’’ Mr Kean said today.
Even though it has been banned in Australia since 2003, at the height of its use asbestos was in over 3,000 products with many of these products still in homes and workplaces – especially those built before 1990.
“We want homeowners to make use of Government’s Asbestos Finder asbestos.nsw.gov.au or arrange an assessment from a licensed asbestos assessor before starting a renovation to best protect your family, neighbours and the wider community,” Mr Kean said.
“Checking before you start will keep you and your family safe.”
Everyday products that could contain asbestos include:
<ul>
<li>
roofs, eaves, downpipes and insulation
</li>
<li>
interior walls (often with a non-asbestos covering on the outside)
</li>
<li>
kitchen splashbacks
</li>
<li>
under lino, some carpets and tiles (and the cement compounds used to fix tiles)
</li>
<li>
lagging around pipes, inside fuse boxes or as part of ventilation shafts
</li>
<li>
fences, garden sheds and small outdoor construction like chicken coops
</li>
<li>
bonded cement sheeting that make up walls, which can be disturbed when sanded in preparation for painting.
</li>
</ul>
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Old homes can be an Asbestos hotspot

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The NSW Government is working to remove the levy on asbestos waste to make it easier and cheaper to lawfully dispose of asbestos waste.
Environment Minister Matt Kean has released the NSW Asbestos Waste Strategy 2019-21, which aims to reduce the illegal and improper disposal of asbestos waste.
The strategy was developed following research which showed that asbestos waste accounts for up to eight per cent of illegally dumped waste across NSW. 
“Illegally dumped asbestos poses a threat to human health and our environment and results in significant clean-up costs,” Mr Kean said.
“The safe and lawful management of asbestos waste is a priority for this Government and that means making legal disposal of asbestos waste easier and cheaper."
“To do this, we will work to increase the number of facilities which can lawfully receive asbestos waste and make it cheaper to dispose of asbestos by removing the waste levy on separated, bonded and wrapped asbestos waste up to 250kg," he added.
The maximum penalties for illegal dumping of asbestos in NSW is $2 million for corporations and $500,000 for individuals.
NSW waste facilities that accept household asbestos from the public are listed by region <a href="https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/KGGhCr818vhXwoxXu7wD5j?domain=epa.nsw.gov.au" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/KGGhCr818vhXwoxXu7wD5j?domain%3Depa.nsw.gov.au&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1572993128536000&amp;usg=AFQjCNG2wu2ttpSK-KcpyS4I1unO1Z14Qw">here.</a>
The community is invited to view the strategy <a href="https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/waste/industrial-waste/asbestos-waste-strategy" target="_blank">here</a>.
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New rules planned for NSW asbestos waste removal

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Hazardous asbestos waste from an illegally demolished heritage-listed pub in Melbourne’s Carlton has been found at a property in the city’s western suburbs.
The Environment Protection Authority officers reached the site after a tip-off by the public, according to media reports.  
EPA officers say the asbestos found at 93 Furlong Road, Cairnlea is from the demolished Corkman Irish Pub, which was destroyed without government approval, said separate reports in the Herald Sun and The Age.
“EPA officers took samples of the waste at the Cairnlea site (on Tuesday) and test results have confirmed asbestos is present,” authority metro manager Daniel Hunt  was cited as saying by the Herald Sun.
It is believed that the Cairnlea residency is in the name of one of the developers thought to be responsible for the pub’s demolishing on October 15, which sparked a public outrage.
Those responsible are facing fines of more than $700,000.
The 159-year-old pub stood at the corner of Leicester and Pelham streets before it was destroyed.
There was no demolition permit allowing the pub’s destruction, or a planning permit for a new building.
Hunt said the owner of the site must receive clearance from a “suitably qualified asbestos consultant to assess the premises and produce an asbestos management plan that details both the on-site management and the safe removal of the asbestos”.
The asbestos was transported from the Carlton site without the knowledge of authorities, and was driven all the way through suburban streets to the Cairnlea property, according to environmental authorities.
The Cairnlea site is owned by Stefce Kutlesovski and Raman Shaqiri's Cairnlea Pty Ltd, said the Age. The pair's company took ownership only 10 weeks ago.
They also owned the Corkman Irish Pub, paying $4.76 million for it last year - before demolishing it illegally. 
The demolition has sparked community anger, with a petition demanding its reconstruction now with almost 18,000 signatures.
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prateek24-ezbwHMbNAk

Asbestos from illegally demolished Carlton pub found at Cairnlea property

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Earlier this year, law changes clarified that it is now a material fact if a home is listed on the Loose-fill Asbestos Insulation register.
Material facts refer to information which affects a consumer's decision about a property and must be disclosed before any agreement is entered into.
From 30 October 2016, the standard tenancy agreement includes a requirement to notify tenants if the premises they want to lease is: on the Loose-fill Asbestos Insulation register, or added to the register during the tenancy.
This information is important to tenants because a property containing loose-fill asbestos insulation could be a health risk.
You can now download an amended version of the standard form residential tenancy agreement, which is for use from 30 October. An addendum is also available to allow landlords and agents to continue to use existing stock of the previous version of the residential tenancy agreement.
You can download a copy of the Frequently asked questions on the changes to the Residential Tenancies Regulation 2010 on the Fair Trading website.
For more information, visit the Fair Trading website <a href="https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au" target="_blank">here</a>.
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Property 101: Asbestos issues trigger new NSW tenancy agreement from October 2016

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GUEST OBSERVER
What is an asbestos register?
An asbestos register is a record that must be maintained in the workplace. The register is considered an important part of maintaining a safe and healthy work environment, and must be available to review upon request. However, if it is known that works are to be carried out which involve a risk of exposure to airborne asbestos, including prior to any demolition or refurbishment works, then a copy of the register must be provided to the person conducting such work, whether or not it is requested.
Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA) (Act), the register must include:
<ul>
<li>the location, type, and condition of any asbestos that is (or likely to be) present at the workplace; and</li>
<li>the date on which the asbestos was discovered.</li>
</ul>
You are required to maintain a register even if there is no asbestos identified in the workplace – the register must record that there is no asbestos identified, or is likely to be present from time to time at the workplace.
The register must be reviewed and as necessary revised if further asbestos is identified, removed, disturbed, sealed or enclosed at the workplace and prior to any demolition or refurbishment carried out at the workplace. There is no set time frame within which the register must be reviewed.
Does my building need to have one?
Under the Act, all places where a business is operated need to have an asbestos register, unless:
<ul>
<li>the building was built after the 31st of December 2003, and</li>
<li>no asbestos has been identified in that building, and</li>
<li>no asbestos is likely to be there from time to time.</li>
</ul>
Please note that the second and third exceptions above extend to anything that may be brought into the workplace. For example, some types of manufacturing plant or other machinery may contain asbestos. Working with or upon such plant and/or machinery would be sufficient to require a register.
Is it the responsibility of the tenant or the landlord to keep the register?
In accordance with the Act, the person conducting a business on the premises, and who has “management or control” of the workplace, is responsible for maintaining the register.
In practice it can be difficult to determine who has “management or control” of the workplace.  This will depend on the unique circumstances at each workplace. However, the following general guidelines may be of some assistance:
The tenant will generally be responsible for maintaining the register in instances where the landlord is not involved in the operation of the business. If you are a tenant operating a business in a self-contained building and you have control over the running of the workplace you will likely be responsible for maintaining the register.
The circumstances may differ with respect to shared premises, such as a shopping centre. These premises usually come with their own letting agent/management team, who may have a degree of control over the safety procedures of the workplace. In that situation, it may be the building manager’s responsibility to maintain the register solely or in conjunction with the tenant and/or landlord.
Geoff Forbes is partner, Piper Alderman and can be contacted <a href="https://www.piperalderman.com.au/index.php" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Property 101: SA asbestos registers for businesses

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Your home may be the biggest investment you'll ever make. But if it was built before the 1980s, it could be affected by hazardous loose-fill asbestos insulation. Loose-fill asbestos is raw crushed asbestos, which in the 1960s and 70s, was installed as insulation.
Over time hazardous airborne fibres can move from the ceiling into your living space.
If your home contains loose-fill asbestos insulation, its value in the market will be affected.
The NSW Government is proposing new laws to protect the community from unknowingly purchasing a property that contains loose-fill asbestos. Under these laws, when selling your property, you must confirm in the contract of sale if your property:
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<li>contains loose-fill asbestos; or</li>
<li>is free of loose-fill asbestos.</li>
</ul>
If you do not comply with these laws you risk significant financial loss and potential legal action. The Government's assistance program is your chance to protect yourself from the financial consequences of loose-fill asbestos.
NSW Fair Trading will provide financial assistance and support to affected homeowners and tenants, but you must register by 1 August 2016.
The NSW Government is providing free sample testing to owners of pre-1980s residential premises in 28 identified NSW local government areas.
For more information <a href="https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/ftw/Tenants_and_home_owners/Loose_fill_asbestos_insulation/Register_for_free_testing/Additional_free_sample_testing.page" target="_blank">click here</a>.
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Property 101: Loose-fill asbestos in NSW homes

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GUEST OBSERVER
Asbestos is the generic term for a number of fibrous silicate minerals. Products made from asbestos cement - a bonded asbestos material - include fibro sheeting (flat and profiled) guttering and downpipes, as well as other pipes for water, drainage or flues, corrugated roofing sheets, roofing shingles and guttering.  WHY WAS ASBESTOS USED IN HOMES?
Asbestos materials were cheap and durable and after World War II until 1954 it was used extensively in the building industry. In New South Wales it's estimated 52 percent of all houses, (approx. 70,000 houses), were built using it. Up till the 1960s, 25 percent of all new housing was clad in asbestos cement in Australia and around 20 percent of all domestic roofs of that period contained asbestos. In Victoria, the percentage was higher and approx. 98 percent of homes constructed before 1976 contained asbestos products.  IS ASBESTOS STILL USED?
The good news is NO. Asbestos has not been used in domestic building materials since the 1980s, however, it was not until 31 December, 2003, that the use of asbestos and all products containing asbestos was banned throughout Australia. It is now illegal to import, store, supply, sell, install, use or re-use asbestos products. Please note: the ban does not apply to asbestos installed prior to this date and if your home contains asbestos you are not required to remove it, but if you do then you must follow safety guidelines and you cannot dump any type of asbestos material in a general waste disposal area. HEALTH RISKS
The health risks associated with working in the asbestos industry and being exposed to asbestos products through occupational, environmental and secondhand factors are now well known and documented and include Cancer; Mesothelioma, Asbestosis and other related serious conditions. It is strongly recommended before starting to undertake any type of renovation on a house built before the late 1980's that absolute caution be observed as it can potentially have asbestos containing materials like fibro, and exposure to broken asbestos by breathing in asbestos fibers which are toxic can be serious especially for anyone who smokes and young children.
RENOVATING - WHERE WOULD I FIND ASBESTOS IN A HOUSE?
It is very hard to identify asbestos products in a house just by looking at them. Below is a list of potential locations where asbestos was used in houses built or renovated before the late 1980's ... • Chimney flues • Flat, patterned or corrugated wall and roof sheeting • Lining under eaves • Lagging on hot water pipes • Vinyl floor tiles and backing to cushion tile and vinyl flooring • Internal and external walls • Imitation brick or weatherboard cladding • Insulation in wood heaters • Asbestos cement sheeting beneath heater hearths • Electrical meter boards • Garages &amp; carports • Garden sheds • Dog kennels
 If you suspect there could be asbestos materials - the only way to be certain is to have a sample of the material analysed by a laboratory - DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REMOVE IT OR BREAK IT UP call in an expert first and contact NATA – The National Association of Testing Authorities for an analytical laboratory in your area that is accredited to identify asbestos, visit NATA website: <a href="https://www.nata.asn.au/" target="_blank">www.nata.asn.au</a>
Confirmation should be carried out before any general maintenance, renovation or demolition activities proceed. Following the severe thunderstorms and tornado that lashed Kurnell, NSW last December, 2015 there was a trail of debris and fears of airborne asbestos. 
Home owners found themselves in a devastated condition with experts assessing the area to identify hazardous materials, such as asbestos products, because of the age of the houses many built before 1987. Authorities warned residents of the risks and advised them not to disturb the debris and to wear a P2 mask and protective clothing as a precaution before entering the ruins of their homes. This was very sad for the whole community and underscored the high danger of asbestos materials when they are disturbed and broken.  As a Conveyancer I always alert my client who is considering purchasing a home built prior to the late 1980's of the potential that the house may contain asbestos materials and I ensure the client understands the importance of checking for asbestos issues through a building report before going ahead.  A good suggestion I make to the client is to meet with P&amp;B Inspectors while they are conducting their inspections for questions about asbestos, extensions without Council approval or other matter of material concern before signing a contract and tendering a Deposit. 
Garth Brown is an accountant and certified conveyancer with Brown and Brown Conveyancing and can be contacted <a href="https://www.conveyancers.net.au" target="_blank">here</a>.
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