Two years after completing one of the newest developments in North Sydney, developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aqualand-australia">Aqualand</a> is turning its attention to the rapidly evolving St Leonards apartment market.

The developer, which completed AURA by Aqualand on North Sydney's Walker Street, has lodged plans for a 5,918 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/33-37-herbert-street-st-leonards-nsw-2065">33-37 Herbert Street, St Leonards,</a> seeking approval for a pair of residential towers rising above a shared podium opposite Royal North Shore Hospital.

The proposal forms part of the broader transformation underway across the St Leonards-Crows Nest precinct, where former industrial and commercial sites are increasingly being redeveloped into high-density mixed-use projects tied to major transport infrastructure.

<img alt="Aqualand" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2cc428cf-fe70-4cac-9cd5-264ad53af62c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.51.56%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=otKSnHtbjAvAddOnovyXQMgcAwE6DMe1" />

According to the planning documents, the site sits “within the St Leonards–Crows Nest Strategic Centre, identified by the NSW Government as a key area for accommodating future jobs and housing across Sydney.”

The proposal has been designed by fjcstudio, formerly FJMT Studio, and is being progressed through the State Significant Development pathway due to its scale and affordable housing provision.

The scheme would comprise 413 apartments, including 46 affordable housing units, alongside retail and commercial uses fronting Herbert Street. The project would also include communal open space, landscaping, a swimming pool, gymnasium, children’s play areas and podium-level resident amenities.

Planning documents show the development would consist of a part-13, part-39 storey tower form positioned above a four-storey podium.

“The development comprises a unified podium that activates the street interface, and two setback towers to accommodate new housing supply while maintaining an appropriate human scale at ground level,” fjcstudio noted in its Design Report.

The northern and southern towers have been shaped to respond to the surrounding skyline while also limiting overshadowing impacts to nearby public open space, particularly Talus Reserve.

The design report said the differing tower heights were intended to “contribute to a varied skyline while responding to the surrounding built form context and solar access considerations.”

<img alt="Aqualand" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="36da62dc-ff9e-41f2-a7e3-7be38373751c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.51.45%E2%80%AFAM_0.png?VersionId=Mo6Rp2r.XRLTzIfg_PEEpw8NepDH8UBs" />

The site sits directly opposite Royal North Shore Hospital and within walking distance of both St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

While the site itself sits just outside the formal Crows Nest Transport Oriented Development boundary, the planning documents repeatedly reference its alignment with the broader TOD objectives reshaping the Lower North Shore.

“The site is located adjacent to St Leonards Station and in close proximity to Crows Nest Metro which is within the Crows Nest Transit Orientated Development Accelerated Precinct which has been identified by the NSW Government to support housing delivery,” the Design Verification Statement noted.

According to fjcstudio, the project has been designed to respond to the broader transition occurring across St Leonards, where increasing residential density is being concentrated around transport infrastructure and employment hubs.

“The broader precinct is undergoing significant change, with a mix of existing mid-rise buildings and newer high-density developments,” the report stated.

“Recent and approved projects indicate a consistent shift toward taller built form, typically organised as tower-and-podium typologies with more active ground levels.”

The proposal includes close to 6,000 sqm of retail and commercial space across the ground floor and podium levels, designed to create a more activated street edge along Herbert Street.

Aqualand’s plans would also introduce a landscaped podium shared between the two towers, with communal open space in the form of a podium rooftop designed to support resident interaction and improve urban greening outcomes. The scheme would also introduce pocket parks at the northern and southern ends of the site, including a landscaped area at the corner of Herbert and Ella streets designed to improve pedestrian amenity and soften the streetscape.

&nbsp;

The proposal is being progressed through the NSW Government’s Housing Delivery Authority pathway, which was introduced to accelerate housing supply across the state. The application was declared State Significant Development in April 2025 following an expression of interest process.

<img alt="Aqualand" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="faf6d97d-2671-454f-b85a-fe1c6a7be608" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.51.49%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=diVd28OBVr5.YV.7prrOz.uAanwwwm7a" />

St Leonards has been particularly active with new developments in recent weeks. Developer SP Setia’s <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-sp-setia-targets-st-leonards-skyline-with-40-storey-tod-tower">plans for a new 42-storey tower</a> recently went on exhibition through the same pathway, while <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">Stockland’s 52-storey tower proposal</a> was also recently unveiled.

Aside from the St Leonards project, which is expected to take around nine months to move through the approvals process ahead of a potential 2027 launch, Aqualand is also preparing to launch Boronia, a new apartment project in Roseville comprising around 111 apartments on Larkin Street.

The developer also has approvals in place for the next stage of the Barangaroo precinct, which will feature new residential, retail, hospitality and community uses, alongside a new metro entry across the five-hectare site.

More than 50 new retail destinations are planned for Central Barangaroo, alongside a 270-metre-long boulevard connecting Hickson Park to Nawi Cove. Together with Harbour Park, more than 50 per cent of the precinct will comprise public open space and parkland.

Joel Robinson

First look: Aqualand joins St Leonards apartment party

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-5" data-turn="user" data-turn-id="e65dbe94-e3b6-47f7-b62a-9cbb30c9bf79" data-turn-id-container="e65dbe94-e3b6-47f7-b62a-9cbb30c9bf79" dir="auto">Time &amp; Place’s plans to transform the former David Jones factory building in Surry Hills into a mixed-use residential precinct have gone on exhibition through the NSW Government’s In-fill Affordable Housing pathway.</section>

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-6" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:f4d533b7-64a5-413d-86fd-5c99649c2b73-2" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:f4d533b7-64a5-413d-86fd-5c99649c2b73-2" dir="auto">
The Marlborough House proposal, lodged for the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marlborough-house-47-97-marlborough-street-surry-hills-nsw-2010">47-97 Marlborough Street</a> site, would see the adaptive reuse of the heritage-listed warehouse building alongside the construction of new residential additions and a separate apartment building on the northern portion of the site.

The proposal seeks approval for 172 apartments across three buildings, including 15 per cent affordable housing managed by a community housing provider for at least 15 years from occupation.

<img alt="Marlborough" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5d1d3c2a-bf13-47d6-a335-7c01102cdee1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.29.36%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=cjMYrbR.BLUlWH4dar0RVDDo0bG.u2YT" />

Interior view from the Northern Building Penthouse overlooking the park

&nbsp;

The redevelopment is planned for the prominent 3,413 sqm site bounded by Marlborough Street, Goodlet Street and Lansdowne Street, directly opposite Eddie Ward Park and around 200 metres from the Surry Hills light rail stop.

Time &amp; Place acquired the former David Jones building in 2024, marking the first time the property had changed hands in around 50 years.

Designed by Wardle, the proposal centres around the adaptive reuse of the former David Jones factory, originally constructed between 1913 and 1935 in the Inter-War Chicagoesque architectural style.

Wardle noted in its Architectural Design Report that the building “occupies a significant place in the industrial and cultural history of Surry Hills” and at its peak was “the largest department store manufacturing facility in Australia, employing over 800 people and fuelling the growth of Sydney’s fashion and retail industries.”

The practice said the project positions itself “not as an isolated intervention, but as a contributor to the civic, social, and architectural grain of the precinct.”

The proposal would deliver 75 apartments within the retained southern heritage building, 59 apartments within the central addition, and a further 38 apartments within the new northern building fronting Lansdowne Street.

Planning documents show the scheme would comprise a mix of heritage apartments, new-build apartments, townhouses and penthouses.

<img alt="Marlborough" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="57758518-40a3-4b83-958c-d06e96a2cffa" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.29.42%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=VerlX9ST5xgBi8.1_YRsqdWTJeT6ygjs" />Interior View of the Heritage Building Apartment

The development would also include a ground-floor retail tenancy on the corner of Marlborough and Lansdowne streets, rooftop communal open space, a landscaped pedestrian link along the western edge of the site, and basement parking accessed from Lansdowne Street via a car stacker system.

&nbsp;

The scheme emerged from a competitive design process run by Urbis, with Wardle ultimately selected as the winning architect ahead of FJC Studio, TZG, Architectus and Wilkinson Eyre.

The Design Integrity Panel later described several aspects of the Wardle scheme as fundamental to the project, including “the stepped character of the new addition to the north of the site”, the landscaped western pedestrian link, and the “garden arrival” experience separating the original Marlborough House from the heritage addition.

Wardle’s design heavily references the site’s industrial and heritage history, while also responding to the surrounding Surry Hills streetscape.

The Architectural Design Report describes Surry Hills as “a finely grained neighbourhood with beautiful and expressive brickworks throughout the suburb,” with the proposal introducing a material palette intended to sit comfortably alongside the existing warehouse fabric and neighbouring terraces.

The report also outlines the project’s relationship with Eddie Ward Park and the broader landscape context of the area.

“Marlborough House occupies a site of deep cultural memory and the neighbouring Eddie Ward Park is of local ecological significance, where natural systems, topography, and stories have long shaped human experience,” Wardle noted in the report.

The architects said the proposal sought to “rebind built form to Country” through landscape, materiality and the adaptive reuse of the heritage structure.

<img alt="Marlborough House" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9ae3f2f9-c85f-477a-a6f8-b43f6cb97c41" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.29.53%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=B.qUCLqRvJOR.n9CvYcTpaknIX9LuqKZ" />

The project is also being progressed under the NSW Government’s in-fill affordable housing provisions, allowing developments that include affordable housing to access additional height and floor space incentives.

Under the plans, 2,593 sqm of the project’s floor space would be dedicated to affordable housing, slightly exceeding the required 15 per cent threshold.

In its Design Excellence Strategy, Urbis said the project aimed to “sensitively adapt and enhance the heritage-listed building on site through alterations and additions that preserve its historical significance” while delivering “high-quality market and infill affordable housing development in Surry Hills.”

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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/south-melbourne-vic-3205">South Melbourne</a>, and have future projects, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-wilmot-173-burke-road-28-hope-street-glen-iris-vic-3146">The Wilmot</a>&nbsp;in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/glen-iris-vic-3146">Glen Iris</a>, the redevelopment of the Northcote Plaza, and another tower in South Melbourne.

The developer broke into Sydney just a few years ago with Two Tides in Manly. They have another project nearby, which is at the ultra-luxury end of the market 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 <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-time-place-settles-on-design-for-the-chimes-potts-point-redevelopment">redevelopment of The Chimes building</a> on Macleay Street in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/potts-point-nsw-2011">Potts Point</a>, as well as a project on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/time-place-to-take-on-mosman-apartment-market">Mosman's Redan Street</a>.
</section>

First look: Time & Place unveils Marlborough House redevelopment designs for former David Jones warehouse in Surry Hills

The residential transformation of St Kilda Road is set to continue into with more new apartment plans for the sought-after boulevard.

Wing Tai Asia has lodged plans for a major residential tower at 464-466 St Kilda Road, replacing the former VACC House with an 18-storey mixed-use development designed around a retained heritage podium and a sculpted contemporary tower.

The proposal, prepared under Victoria’s Significant Residential Development with Affordable Housing pathway, would deliver 325 apartments and ground-floor retail across the prominent 4,653 sqm boulevard site in Melbourne’s St Kilda Road North Precinct.

The project centres on the adaptive reuse of the site’s heritage-listed VACC Building, an eight-storey office designed by Bernard Evans that has occupied the address for decades. Planning documents state the development would involve “carefully dismantling and conserving off-site the original metal fabric of the podium visible from St Kilda Road,” before reinstating it as the defining frontage of the new scheme.

Above the restored podium, Wing Tai is proposing a curvilinear residential tower. The scheme includes 172 one-bedroom apartments, 63 two-bedroom apartments, 66 three-bedroom apartments, and 24 four-bedroom apartments, alongside two ground-floor food and beverage tenancies fronting St Kilda Road.

The tower has been designed with substantial articulation and variable setbacks to minimise perceived bulk and maintain view corridors along the boulevard. Urbis, which prepared the planning report, said the design “has been significantly articulated through a curvilinear design” with “an interplay with materials, façade expression and depth” to create visual separation and visual interest.

The proposal also includes 254 basement car spaces, landscaped pedestrian links connecting St Kilda Road and Queens Lane, and a biophilic landscape strategy featuring canopy trees, raised planters, cascading greenery and a glass oculus pool overlooking the eastern frontage.

Planning documents confirm the $270.1 million development will contribute 3 per cent of project costs to the Social Housing Growth Fund as part of the application process.

Wing Tai acquired the St Kilda Road property in 2018 alongside Abacus Property Group for $95.38 million, before later consolidating ownership of the site. The property previously served as the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce headquarters for around 60 years.

The transformation of the St Kilda Rd boulevard is already beginning to materialise, with a number of high-profile projects recently completed, launched, or approaching launch as developers continue to back the long-term appeal of the precinct.

Among the most notable recent completions is Louise by Samuel Property Group, just off the strip on Queens Lane, the same pocket Hirsch &amp; Faigen recently launched The Queensbury. Mirvac is too on the same street with The Albertine, which is approaching completion.

Dexus recently secured approval for its slice of St Kilda Road, while Gurner also has approved plans for the precinct.

Wing Tai unveils 325-apartment St Kilda Road tower on former VACC House site

Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.

The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.

The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.

The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" />

SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.

“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.

The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.

“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" />

The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.

Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.

The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.

COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" />

“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.

The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.

The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.

Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a>

First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has revealed plans for a new mixed-use tower at 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, advancing a proposal that would reshape the southern gateway to Newcastle’s city centre with one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.

The State Significant Development proposal, now on exhibition, seeks approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bowline-10-dangar-street-wickham-nsw-2293">43-storey tower</a> immediately adjacent to the Newcastle Interchange. The project would deliver around 200 apartments, including 42 affordable housing dwellings, alongside 99 co-living units, a 171-room hotel, retail space, and new public domain integrated through the site.

The scheme marks a significant escalation of plans previously approved for the site. Urban Property Group took over the prominent 2,904 sqm parcel, where excavation and demolition had already commenced under an earlier consent for a 14-storey mixed-use development.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58a96dd9-407f-4d20-86b4-94e4bfeef74b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20podium.png?VersionId=LGlf08pdFGAZDzvx_CXC4XakHNZRuEE0" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the tower has been conceived as a landmark transit-oriented development anchored to the Newcastle Interchange precinct. The proposal includes 245 build-to-sell apartments across a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as two penthouses. Fifteen apartments and one operational unit are earmarked for NDIS housing. The co-living component would add a further 99 units, while the podium would accommodate retail uses and hotel facilities.

SJB said the site presents “a valuable opportunity to anchor the precinct by setting the standard for design, active ground planes and character at the key southern gateway.”

The architecture responds directly to the site’s position beside major transport infrastructure and within one of Newcastle’s fastest-evolving urban renewal precincts. The tower form sits above a sculpted podium designed to frame new public spaces, including a through-site pedestrian link connecting Station Street to Hannell Street, landscaped plazas, and activated retail edges.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7bd6ff0-f7db-4ce8-a6dc-ea56e72c6149" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20lanne.png?VersionId=xzf39VADyhj7zBQY2I9fx9vI62u2tuSb" />

The design report describes the project as part of the broader transition of Wickham into “a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use urban precinct” that leverages proximity to the station, open space, and regional connectivity.

A detailed public art strategy has also been prepared for the development. The strategy positions the project as “a transit-oriented development of state significance at the gateway to Newcastle’s city centre” and outlines a series of integrated artworks responding to Newcastle’s industrial and transport heritage.

Creative Road’s curatorial framework for the project, titled Unveil, draws on “stratified surfaces, carved volumes, and light-filled apertures” while referencing Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial city into a contemporary education and technology hub.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77a882bb-14b1-4d28-99ff-9438e39508c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20site.png?VersionId=cevgo_vN0eKPK78P8YcEu3mKPLkpFqE7" />

The proposal is being advanced through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway after being declared State Significant Development in June 2025. The accompanying scoping report states the development aims to “maximise the site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange by delivering transit-oriented development” while increasing housing supply and affordable housing provision within the Newcastle LGA.

Urban Property Group’s plans align with the long-term strategic vision established under the Wickham Master Plan, which identified the interchange precinct as suitable for substantial uplift in height and density. The current proposal would significantly intensify that vision, positioning the tower among the tallest developments proposed for Newcastle.

The site sits immediately north of the Newcastle Interchange, bounded by Dangar Street, Hannell Street, and Charles Street. It is surrounded by a rapidly growing cluster of residential towers and mixed-use projects that have emerged following the completion of the light rail and transport interchange.

First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s latest tower at Wickham interchange

Renovation

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Guest observation
The seemingly ever increasing property prices in Australia have turned many first home buyers' attention to affordable and fixable homes.
With popular TV programs like Building Ideas and The Block, the media also reinforces this link between the Australian "can-do", DIY attitude and home buying. For first home buyers on a budget, doing it DIY can be appealing.
However, lack of prior investigation and poorly informed decision making can amplify costs – potentially much higher than a first home owner's budget allows. When in the initial stages of your home buying search, you can save your time and valuable money by looking out for warning signs when viewing homes and gauging whether the renovation costs will fit within your budget.
Is there such thing as a 'bargain' home? When purchasing a lower than market value property, there are key points every home buyer should consider.
Drainage System
Buildings showing signs of bad drainage will usually exhibit signs of water seeping through walls and floors (in the form of brown stains on the plaster) and a strong mildew odour. Grey water present at end of pipe drains evidences that a drainage system is blocked by contaminants. Be especially aware of unsanitary black water containing sewage. This is the most hazardous to health, and means that drinking water may also be affected.
Cost of renovation: High
Ceiling
If a structure is not adequate to support a sagging ceiling, there is certain safety hazard. Buildings with damaged ceilings must be repaired immediately. Look out for cracks in the ceiling plaster as well as water stains in the plaster as these will be causes for concern. However, if you notice the ceiling is sagging, the house is more than likely going to be a no-go for someone on a tight budget as this is a the sign that costly reparations are necessary. This is an important consideration- particularly for first time buyers, as you will probably wish to move in right away, but entry will not be permitted without costly repair for safety reasons.
Cost of renovation: High
Floors and Walls
The foundations of a home must be stable in order to be able to house occupants. Cracks across foundations or walls may be the result of soil creep, flood or other natural forces. Structural integrity cannot be compromised. A full audit of cracks is necessary to discern the level damage, but as a general rule of thumb, thin hairline cracks are pose little cause for concern and can be covered with a lick of paint, but large cracks causing the separation of wall plaster or floor tiles present more serious challenges.
Cost of renovation: Moderate to high
Mould
Leakage from a water system or foundation can substantially weaken a structure. Health considerations and sub-standard appearance are a more common result of mould. A mould-laden property with pathogens can lead to poor air quality. Potentially perilous for children, respiratory patients, and pets, mould should be eliminated prior to move-in. Look out for mould (usually in the form of black or grey spores) in areas such as inside cupboards (especially under sinks), on window frames, behind curtain headings or pelmets and along the floor outside showers or bathtubs.
Cost of renovation: Moderate to high
This article continues on the next page. Please click below.
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Pests
The danger of pest infestation is a problem that must be managed with chemicals. These include rodent, roach, ant, and termites. Inspection by a licenced pest control professional will provide exact information on the extent of the damage. Pests tend to nest in cupboards, wardrobes, beneath floorboards and in rarely used parts of the house like the garage, so look out for them in there. If pest excrement is present, it is a sign of infestation.
Cost of renovation: Moderate to high
Roof
Indications of structural roof sagging should be inspected to assess the cost of the damage. Roofs with falling frames will be more costly, while minor levelling problems may not be as expensive to fix.
Cost of renovation: Moderate
Water Stains
When pipes crack or break, flooding, leaks, and seepage can make its way into ceiling and wall foundations. Brown stains in rooms near bath and kitchen amenities are most likely to see extensive damage. Re-plastering is generally the solution if the pipes have already been repaired.
Cost of renovation: Moderate to High
Wood Rot
The deterioration of wood caused by water damage and termite infestation can cause rotting, and even crumbling. One simple method of ascertaining wood rot damage is to press frames around the door and windows of a building. A crumbling or sponge-like texture is usually an indicator that wood rot is taking over key fixtures. These would need to be replaced to keep your home safe from burglars as a crumbling door or window frame won't keep out a concerted break-in effort.
Cost of renovation: Moderate to high
Bargain homes often attract first time buyers, but it's important to move forward with caution when considering this type of property. Replacement of fixtures and structural elements can be expensive depending on the size of the home. Always have a professional evaluate the number and type of repairs required before settling a property deal.
Professional pre-purchase building inspection Firstly, before signing on the dotted line and handing over the deposit on a 'fixer- upper' home, a professional pre-purchase building inspection is advised.
A sound inspection should investigate deeper into the structural integrity of the home and expose any repairs that are necessary to keep the home in a safe condition. Brad Porteus is the Managing Director of BSP Construction Consultants, pre-purchase building inspection specialists in Perth, Western Australia. You can read his contributions on <a href="https://blog.realestateview.com.au/" target="_blank">realestateview.com.au</a>. 
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jrichardson-uRX5hFdKfN

Can you trust a ‘bargain’ home?

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GUEST OBSERVATION
With renovation season approaching, it pays to know what gas risks there are with your renovation, no matter how big or small your home improvement is.
You’ve been busy watching all of the reality renovation shows and writing down all of the ideas, now it is your turn to get your hands dirty and start ticking off that long list of home improvements you’ve been waiting to do.
But as exciting as it is to knock down walls, fit out a new kitchen or build an extension, it isn’t without it’s risks, and for the safety of you and your family you need to be aware of them, particularly when it comes to gas in your home.
Faulty appliances, flue blockages and gas leaks can all lead to the production of carbon monoxide, a highly poisonous colourless, odourless and tasteless gas that can cause serious health issues including death. To ensure you avoid the dangers, here are five tips to keep in mind when renovating where gas is installed.
<img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-one.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">Know where your gas pipework or flues are located Before you start drilling, nailing or knocking down walls it is important you know where your gas pipework is located. Gas flues can be fitted through the ceiling and roof or fitted through the wall, and any bump or blockage could result in poisonous carbon monoxide gas released into your home.
<img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-two.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">Watch for blocked flues 
Flues can become blocked from nests, insects, debris or by being covered up in the case of a chimney renovation.
Sooting, or yellow or brown staining around your appliances, ceilings or walls can be an indicator that carbon monoxide is present as a result of a blocked flue. If you do see this turn off your appliances get it checked by a licensed gas fitter.
<img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-three.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">Recognise when you need help
There are some jobs in a renovation that you just shouldn’t handle yourself, and installing or moving gas appliances is one of them. Any maintenance, alteration or repairs on your gas pipework or appliances like stoves and hot water systems should be done by a licensed gas fitter – and make sure you check their qualifications.
A licensed gasfitter will make sure your flue is not blocked or leaking to ensure gases are being safely released outside and not into your home. They can also check and clean your gas appliances  (which should be done every two years according to manufacturers recommendations) to keep them working safely and effectively. 
<img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-four.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">Know the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning 
While carbon monoxide is almost impossible to detect, it can give you subtle symptoms and signs that it may be present. Symptoms of poisoning start a like the flu, you can experience headaches, tiredness, nausea and vomiting, which can lead to confusion, unconsciousness and death in high doses.
If you see or experience any of the following, carbon monoxide may be present in your home and you should have it checked immediately:
<ul>
<li>Pilot lights that frequently go out</li>
<li>Excessive condensation</li>
<li>A blue flame that starts to burn yellow or orange</li>
<li>Sooting, or yellow or brown staining around your appliances, ceilings or walls; and/or</li>
<li>Improved health when you are away from home but it worsens on your return</li>
</ul>
<img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-five.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">Add a carbon monoxide alarm
One addition you should put to your home improvement list is a carbon monoxide alarm. Just like smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms save lives. 
Ensure your renovations, additions and improvements are a safe and enjoyable experience by following these five gas tips. While it can be tempting to cut corners and renovate as affordably as possible the health and safety of you and your family is too important. Frans Sterk is a qualified gas fitter, carbon monoxide specialist and owner of Gaswatch. For more information and safety tips on carbon monoxide head to <a href="https://www.gaswatch.com.au/" target="_blank">www.gaswatch.com.au</a>.
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FransSterk-cBBAKGGHS2

Gas risks with renovation – and how to avoid them

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With property prices soaring it’s no surprise that first time buyers are increasingly looking at properties that need a little bit of work.
These “doer upper” or “renovator’s dream” properties offer huge potential for adding value through a renovation. However, novice investors and buyers do not want to be going in unsure of what they’re getting themselves in for.
Firstly, new buyers should look for properties that need what is called a ‘cosmetic’ renovation first. If you don’t know what this is, you <a href="/expert-insights/what-is-a-cosmetic-renovation-investment-terms-explained">can read our explanation here</a>, but essentially it's a light fix up that doesn't require structural changes or, usually, any council approvals. These are the best projects for novice renovators and homebuyers and the least likely to see you make poor decisions.
The pitfalls around renovating can be many and they can be very expensive. From overcapitalising, to DIY-ing where you shouldn’t, you must go in with a plan in mind.
However, it doesn’t always have to cost you a fortune. Reno Kings’ Paul Eslick suggests focusing on the following areas for bang for your buck:
<ul>
<li>A new coat of paint</li>
<li>Install a fence</li>
<li>Get your gloves on and do some light landscaping</li>
<li>Laminate and tile paint in the kitchen and bathroom (also consider replacing hardware such as taps and handles)</li>
<li>Window furnishings can make your home look a lot better, consider straight venetian blinds</li>
<li>Better lighting</li>
</ul>
These simple things should help improve any lacklustre purchase.
Renovating for Profit’s Cherie Barber treats renovating as a scientific process. Here is her eight-step process that she follows to get the maximum equity out of her properties in the quickest time possible:
<ol>
<li>
Structure and strategy - The structure in which you purchase is crucial to ensuring you are taxed efficiently at the very end of the process. Should you purchase in a trust, SMSF or company structure? - Decide on the strategy upfront: Is it buy/renovate/hold, buy/renovate/sell or something else? 
</li>
<li>
Suburb due diligence - Investors must know suburbs down to a street level. Pointing to her target suburb of <a href="/news">Balmain</a>, she explained that she knows where the negative and positive price pockets are, or where the prices change, and the reasons for this. - Ensure you're targeting the right type of suburb for the renovation you intend to undertake. Middle ring and outer areas tend to suit cosmetic renovations, while inner city areas tend to favour structural. 
</li>
<li>
Pricing due diligence - The real estate agent's job is to make the vendor money, never forget this.  - Ensure you are looking at true comparables - your suburb due diligence should assist you with this process. 
</li>
<li>
Property due diligence - Ensure you're not purchasing a property with major defects you cannot rectify under your budget (think about the hidden problems, such as termite damage or bad wiring). - Check that the property stacks up for the majority of buyers in the area. Your demographic is crucial, and you should be thinking about a property as a product. - Calling council and a number of other local experts will save you money in the long run. 
</li>
<li>
Acquire - The purchasing process and negotiation can be crucial for getting the price right. Ensure you enter in unemotionally and knowing the value (pricing due diligence). - There are a number of different conditions, requests for early access and similar that can be asked for at this part in the process. 
</li>
<li>
Council approval (usually for structural renovations) - The earlier this part of the process is started the better. Investors should be prepared for councils to take longer than is often stated on their websites. - To get an idea of how long the process might take, check online and see what has already been approved and the time frames. Expect it to take longer. 
</li>
<li>
Renovate - Get some good tradespeople and treat them well. It can often take a number of renovations to get your team selected. - Keep organised, keep timelines and ensure effective communication. - Avoid being the DIY-er unless you have done it before effectively. 
</li>
<li>
Sell/Rent - While you should have been clear on which of these approaches you were going to take since step one, it's now important to ensure you approach the best real estate agents and property managers for the job. - Treat choosing agents as an interview process, rather than solely basing it on personality. - Ensure that at any opens, the changes you have made to that process are highly visible and communicated to potential tenants/purchasers.
</li>
</ol>
You might also want to read <a href="/expert-insights/building/twelve-key-points-to-consider-before-you-start-home-renovations">Lisa Montgomery’s 12 things to consider before you start your home renovations</a>.
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jduke-EHk3XBmHkn

Looking for a “renovator’s dream”? Here’s what you need to know first

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To the inexperienced buyer, finding a quality property at an affordable price is pretty hard to do.
Whether you are a home buyer or investor, this is very hard to do, especially in Australia’s major capital city markets.
Buyers without experience face difficulty drawing a distinction between a crappy property that is full of potential and a property that should be avoided completely.
I’ve always been intrigued by the phrase ‘buying a lemon’. Perhaps I take the opportunist view a little too much though, because this lemon phrase is very similar to ‘what do you do when life throws you lemons? You make lemonade, of course!’.
In the reality of a property context though, this is rarely true. With property it is more accurate to say that some properties are lemons, sure, but only a few of those lemons are actually ripe and ready for harvesting. Other property lemons, though, have fallen off the tree long ago; turned brown, decayed, and are utterly useless.
So, we have ‘ripe’ property lemons and ‘rotten’ property lemons.
In my experience, I would distinguish between ripe and rotten by asking oneself: ‘What are the property’s problems that I can change (cost-efficiently, of course), versus those problems that either cannot be changed or are too costly to do so?’
By no means is this a definitive list; but here are some ideas of ripe lemon (possibly worth buying) ‘problems’ compared to rotten lemon ones (deal-breakers that translate to ‘walk away now’).
<ul>
<li>Rotten Lemon Problems:</li>
</ul>
Location:
First of all comes the biggest problem one cannot change in a property; its location and the other properties surrounding it. If the property is too far away from fundamental ‘renter must-have’ proximity features (transport, work node access, shops, schools etc) than this is something you cannot change, no matter how beautiful the property itself is.
Aspect/outlook:
We cannot change the way the sun rises and sets every day, for instance (though I would like to meet anyone who could!). To some future tenants and buyers aspect is very important. Ensuring enough sunlight is given to living and communal areas is important.
Serious structural problems:
During your due diligence, building, pest and/or strata reports will identify any serious structural issues. For house buyers this will be the house itself. For unit buyers, the strata report will highlight upcoming major capital works and maintainence scheduled in coming years.
Any serious structural problems identified are almost always hugely expensive to fix. When these are identified, the property is a true rotten lemon. Whether it's an investment or a home, you’ll be up for a lump sum of cash to repair it that you may not have so readily handy once the loan itself finalises.
So what about the things you can change? And cost efficiently, too? 
Click through to the next page to find out.
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
<ul>
<li>Ripe Lemon Problems:</li>
</ul>
Outdated and ugly properties:
Drab, old, and outdated look (internally for units and both internally/externally for houses). Expert property ‘flippers’ Nathan Birch and Cherie Barber have built entire wealth strategies around this very specialty.
Ripped up ugly carpets can expose beautiful floorboards; cheap fresh paint can add exponential value and appeal, and so on. Inexpensive light (cosmetic) renovation can help bring what looks like a ‘dud’ property up to scratch.
The problem is, selling agents are keenly aware that buyers know how to spot these properties and accordingly the discounting offered may not offset that cosmetic renovation outlay required.
Ugly, cluttered yards:
Poorly presented properties frequently feature cluttered rear yards, sometimes overgrown, or with poorly placed/planted trees and overgrown garden beds. Buyers need to look beyond this to realise this property may not be a lemon and could offer scope for future improvement.
Not enough bedrooms:
More of a house opportunity than a unit one; but consider the problem of too few bedrooms. If the property is especially discounted and the major reason is, say, it is a two bedroom house in an area where three bedrooms is the expectation, there may be scope to cost efficiently reset some internal walls to create a third bedroom.
In older houses this is usually done by consolidating large laundry rooms into kitchen cupboard laundries (when a kitchen is also being renovated) and re-purposing that laundry space.
Awkward layouts:
If it is an older house it may feature an awkward layout that impractical to today’s families/inhabitant types. However, this is another example of ‘ugly duckling’ perceptions; particularly if, at first inspection, the rooms are being incorrectly presented.
How many times have property photos showed dining rooms being used as studies/offices, and so on?
If priced accordingly, there may be an opportunity to consider a poorly laid out property if there is scope to easily move some rooms around later on to suit a better layout.
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cmcevoy-Go82SmsJA9

Making lemonade from property lemons: How to pick the properties ripe for renovation

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Project manager Michelle Hosking last week pleaded guilty to 12 charges relating to two renovations in Croydon North that resulted in a cost blow out of more than $120,000.
Hosking was fined $15,000 in Ringwood Magistrates’ Court after managing the renovations without the required contracts, insurance, registration or permits, according to the Herald Sun. She was also ordered to pay costs.
The Victorian Building Authority’s Cheryl Lewis said that Hosking had drafted three page contracts that failed to meet requirements. She had previously only undertaken commercial office fit outs.
The Herald Sun <a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/woman-behind-cost-blowout-of-120000-on-croydon-north-renovation-convicted-and-fined/story-fngnvlxu-1227025947257" target="_blank">reports</a> that Lewis told the court the home owners paid $124,000 more than the contract price for the renovations and that cost blow outs had occurred.
It was also reported that Hosking took deposits above the maximum allowed 5%.
The work on both houses was completed.
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Project manager fined after $120,000 renovation cost blow out

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Property owners will be knuckling down to tackle renovations over the next few years, with Master Builders Australia’s Forecast of Building and Construction predicting strong growth in the amount of home alterations.
Housing alterations and additions are expected to grow by 14.9% ($96.4 billion) over the period to 2016/2017, according to Master Builders CEO Wilhelm Harnsich.
“The robust outlook is in stark contrast to the languid performance experienced over the last three years, when it contracted by an average of 3.2% per annum,” said Harnisch.
“The strong growth in renovations will be a shot in the arm for builders across Australia and complement the solid pipeline of work indicated by the solid lift in new building activity,” he said.
Where our renovating aficionados are expected to be found:
Northern Territory – Expecting the largest growth in renovations, with an average yearly growth of 27.8% up from a 9.7% average, the renovators are likely to be strongest up north.  
New South Wales – 19% per annum average growth expected.
Western Australia – Just slightly behind New South Wales, they’re expected 18.6% per annum annual growth.
ACT – 16.9% per annum annual growth
Queensland – 14.6% per annum annual growth
Victoria – 12.5% per annum annual growth
South Australia – 3.1% per annum annual growth
Tasmania – 1.5% per annum annual growth
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Property owners' focus on renovating tipped to grow: Master Builders Australia

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Laorence Nohra is the chief executive of the Tradebusters Group, which includes Tradebusters Tradesman Concierge Services, Tradebusters Connect and Tradebusters Academy.
The <a href="https://www.tradebusters.com.au" target="_blank">Tradebusters </a>companies connect homeowners with a network of trusted tradespeople for a variety of projects. Property Observer spoke to Nohra about how renovators can avoid dodgy tradies and when it's time to tackle something on your own. 
When choosing a tradesperson for a renovation, what are the key things to consider?
<ul>
<li>Does the tradesperson have the right experience for the job? Each tradesperson is different so you want to make sure he or she has the right skill sets for your particular type of project.</li>
<li>Does he or she have the correct licences for the jobs they are undertaking? Licence requirements vary state by state and may be different depending on the size and value of the job</li>
<li>Are they covered by the right insurances?</li>
<li>Who will be doing the work - are they employees or sub-contractors?</li>
<li>Will they meet your timelines? Will this tradesperson be 100% focused on your project or do they have several running at the same time which runs the risk of your job dragging out. 
</li>
</ul>
How can renovators prevent issues with their tradesperson?
First and foremost, get the selection of your tradesperson right so that you don’t have any major or “unmanageable” issues. Unfortunately, issues become costly and stressful when the wrong tradesperson is selected, or, worse still, they have disappeared from the scene.
You'll also need to establish the track record of the tradesperson. Especially for major renovations - meet their recent customers and see the quality of the work. Find out what the customer experience was like with that tradesperson: did they meet deadlines, stick to budget and most importantly, how did they deal with issues that presented themselves along the way?
Find out if the tradesperson has clients that he or she does regular on-going work for, like local real estate agents or architects. How long have they know them and what can they say about the tradesperson's history and track record?
The thing with renovations is, sometimes thing do go wrong or expectations may not be completely met– but that can all be solved by selecting the right tradesperson upfront, and ones that care about their reputation and take pride in their work, as they are the guys that won’t leave until you are totally satisfied.
How can a person act when their tradeperson causes delays or doesn't complete a job as expected?
Always try and communicate your expectations around timelines and quality upfront.
In terms of how to “act”, don’t overreact and don’t be afraid to give feedback!  I have meet some homeowners that feel almost “afraid” to give a tradesperson feedback, but what they may not realise is that sometimes, unless you tell a tradesmen that there is an issue is, they may genuinely not be aware of it.
It’s always important to be as constructive as possible with the feedback and share the positives as well. Any reputable tradesperson will appreciate the feedback and work with you towards a positive outcome.
This article continues on the next page.
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
How can a person decide whether to DIY a renovation job or hire a team?
<ul>
<li>Do you have the time to DIY? Will it mean taking time off work and can you afford that?</li>
<li>Know your objective for doing it yourself. If it’s to save money, have you calculated the cost of your time off work and lost annual leave (something many people forget). It may take you far longer to do it on your own, which means it could be cheaper to hire a professional.</li>
<li>If it is a property you are planning to sell or rent, and going DIY means taking an extra four, eight or 12 weeks to get it to market or to get rental income, then does it work financially? It could actually be more costly to go DIY.</li>
<li>Are you experienced enough to do a DIY renovation? It is important to know your capabilities so that you are not left disappointed with the results, or, more importantly, risk your safety and health. Also, it is a lot more costly to bring a professional to fix up a DIY job gone-wrong than just to have a professional do the job in the first place.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
"I'm noticing a lot more women taking charge of renovation projects and doing it extremely well" 
</blockquote>
 
 
 
 
What are some of your top tips for DIY renovations?
<ul>
<li>Know your limitations and when to call in the professionals.</li>
<li>Absolutely leave anything that requires a licence or that is structural in nature to the professionals.</li>
<li>Don’t take shortcuts in areas where quality is highly visible, like tiling or cabinetry.</li>
<li>Take all precautions and don’t do anything that could risk your safety or those around you</li>
<li>Think twice about a DIY renovation for a property that you plan to sell post-renovation. As a potential seller, you have a huge opportunity to maximise the potential sales value of your property and reap the profits through a well done renovation. Quality plays a big part in that. Bad DIY jobs do not go unnoticed by potential buyers and can destroy potential profits.</li>
</ul>
What are some of the key trends in renovation that you're noticing at the moment?
I'm noticing a lot more women taking charge of renovation projects and doing it extremely well.
There's also a big trend in doing all the joinery of a home in a more consistent and sophisticated style from kitchen, to laundry to living and bathrooms, and all at the same time. Kitchen renovations continue to be popular, especially as they can add considerable value to the property, and homes are getting more lifestyle focused, with extensions of living areas “outdoors”, with covered decks, and mini outdoor kitchens.
For more information on what to do when your renovation goes wrong, see <a href="/expert-insights/building/lessons-from-the-block-what-to-do-if-your-tradie-disappoints">Lessons from The Block: What to do if your tradie disappoints</a>
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Renos, DIYs and tricky tradies: Q&A with Laorence Nohra

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The producers of The Block certainly know that if it ain't broke, you don't fix it.
The show's blend of drama, deadlines and dollars is a winning formula for the series (if the huge ratings and the turnout for last year's open for inspections are anything to go by), and the characters are the most essential part of the process. For the upcoming The Block Glasshouse, it seems the producers have been busy mining the past to recreate their success.
We've been <a href="/expert-insights/building/the-block-glasshouse-promos-released-series-coming-soon">introduced to the contestants of this series</a> in a number of promotions, and Property Observer thought some of the couples looked eerily familar.
Maxine and Karstan
<img src="/images/2014/07/18/karstan%20and%20max.jpeg" alt="">
Image courtesy of Channel 9.
We aren't the first to think that this season's young loved up New South Wales contestants reminded us of another season's young loved up New South Wales contestants.
Host Scott Cam spoke to The Herald Sun about Maxine and Karstan, saying:
"We had the super Ks ... (Kyal and Kara), this year we've got the supermodels.
"She (Maxine) is beautiful, he is this good looking bloke and they are just this perfect couple."
Kyal and Kara (pictured below) were the fan favourites last year - will Maxine and Karstan be just as popular?
<img src="/images/2014/07/25/kk.jpg" alt="">
Image courtesy of Channel 9.
Darren and Deanne
<img src="/images/2014/07/18/darren%20and%20dee.jpeg" alt="">
Image courtesy of Channel 9.
Maxine and Karstan aren't the only ones who have been compared to last season's contestants. It seems The Block Glasshouse's producers push to market Dee as reality TV shrew of the year is working. Before the series has even aired, News.com.au has published an article headlined: "Is The Block: Glasshouse contestant Deanne Jolly the most volatile Blockhead yet?"
Josh and Jenna (pictured below) of the 2011 incarnation of The Block also proved a reliable source of tantrums.
<img src="/images/2014/07/25/l_joshandjenna.jpg" alt="">
Image courtesy of Channel 9.
Carlene and Michael
<img src="/images/2014/07/18/michael%20and%20carlene.jpeg" alt="">
Image courtesy of Channel 9. The promo material released do their best to paint Carlene as a witch (complete with cackle), while both Carlene and Michael admit that it's the man of the couple that has trouble controlling his temper. Like Darren and Deanne, the young parents could turn out like Josh and Jenna.
Then again, they could turn out like any of the 14 (at our last count) blonde-woman-and-man couples that have already appeared on the series. Simon and Shannon
 <img src="/images/2014/07/18/shannon%20and%20simon.jpeg" alt="">
Image courtesy of Channel 9.
Will the two-Aussie-larakin-blokes-who-are-a-bit-cheeky-but-still-good-natured-and-very-loveable trope work for The Block Glasshouse?
The producers are clearly hoping so with Simon and Shannon, but it's unclear whether the Brad and Dale combo (pictured below) will be quite as successful with double Dales and no Brad.
<img src="/images/2014/07/25/721372-51cabcea-9454-11e3-8d43-e004d36a6c9a.jpg" alt="">
Image courtesy of Channel 9.
Chris and Jenna
<img src="/images/2014/07/18/jenna%20and%20chris.jpeg" alt="">
Image courtesy of Channel 9.
It's hard to pinpoint exactly where Chris and Jenna will fit in The Block universe. To our knowledge, the show has never featured an Asian Australian contestant before, nor a Maltese-Indigenous Australian.
So far, they're being marketed as the quirky renovation rookies as Steve and Chantelle were (pictured below) - let's hope they do as well out of the deal as last season's winners.
<img src="/images/2014/07/25/steve-chantelle.jpg" alt="" style="line-height: 1.3em;">
Image courtesy of Channel 9.
The Block Glasshouse starts this Sunday on Channel 9 at 6:30pm.
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The Block Glasshouse draws on the past for inspiration

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Renovators and home builders can expect to be assisted under draft supporting regulations for new laws from New South Wales Fair Trading Minister, Matthew Mason-Cox.
Measures proposed by Mason-Cox as pat of the Home Building Act reforms include fast-tracking IPART reforms, that allow residential work under $5,000 to be done without a permit.
Also, property owners will be able to do work on their home up to the value of $10,000 without an owner-builder permit.
These are additions to amendments passed by the New South Wales Parliament in May that cleared up definitions around structural defects, and tightened licence eligibility to stamp out <a href="https://www.timebase.com.au/news/2013/AT644-article" target="_blank">phoenixing</a> (defined by ASIC as "the fraudulent act of transferring the assets of an indebted company into a new company to avoid paying creditors, tax or employee entitlements"). 
“For most consumers, building or renovating their home is one of the biggest financial undertakings they will ever make in life,” said Mason-Cox.
“Modernising the Home Building Act is absolutely essential to enhancing consumer protection and ensuring the ongoing viability of the building sector.
Other changes may include a review of the scope of some categories of work for licences and certifications. Feedback is also being sought on deregulating excavation work, cleaning work and some fencing so that licences and home warranty isn’t required.
“The reforms will reduce the cost of providing building and maintenance services and help ease the cost of living pressures for consumers across NSW, while still providing an appropriate level of consumer protection,” he said.
Stakeholders can <a href="https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au">still comment on the reforms</a>, with a submission deadline of 15 August 2014. Resulting new laws are expected later this year. 
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Draft regulations to assist renovators released: NSW Fair Trading

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A portion of property investing is often related to creating equity in a property – through developments, subdivisions and even renovations.
It's unsurprising, especially with shows such as <a href="/expert-insights/building/want-to-join-the-block-2015-heres-how-to-apply">The Block</a> and <a href="/expert-insights/building/underdogs-adam-and-lisa-win-house-rules-season-two">House Rules</a>, that renovating is a much discussed aspect of real estate for both home owners looking to improve their properties, and investors looking for bang for their buck.
Our Tuesday Q&amp;A is with Renovating for Profit’s Cherie Barber,  where we ask about essential renovation skills, the experts you can’t do without and whether you can really make money from a quick cosmetic fix up. Which skill is more important for renovating – a good eye for design or good management skills? I’d say good management skills are essential, whereas a good eye for design is definitely an asset, but you can always call on professionals to help out with that.
In the renovating game, it’s those with exceptional time management and organisational skills, who are great negotiators and communicators, and who know how to accurately set a budget and stick to it… they’re the ones most likely to succeed and make money.
A creative eye, without all those skills, might get you a beautifully renovated property, but it could send you broke! If you could choose just one professional as your “go to” for a renovation project, who would they be? I rely heavily on all my tradies, so choosing just one is difficult, but I’d say a really skilled carpenter is your biggest asset. They’re a jack of all trades who can turn their hand to most things, whether it’s putting up a stud wall, putting in a kitchen, making built-in seating for a courtyard or just smart shelving.
You really need a second in command on a project that you can depend on, so a carpenter would be my “go to” guy if I had to choose just one. Do you think there are any difficulties for women renovating? To be honest, it took me a couple of renovations to gain my confidence working as the only female on a building site – and not just the only female, but the one in charge! Not all blokes are comfortable with that, especially in a male-dominated industry like the building trade.
I’ve found the key is to be calm, assertive and very clear and direct in my communication style.
Never get emotional. You’ll minimise misunderstandings and disputes by having everything in writing, so if there’s a disagreement over an aspect of work or money, you have your written contract and detailed scope of works to fall back on. “Firm, but fair” is an approach that tradies understand and respect, whether you’re male or female. 
Friendliness goes an awfully long way on a building site. No one likes a dragon lady! Can buyers really make money with a cheap cosmetic renovation?  (Must read: <a href="/expert-insights/what-is-a-cosmetic-renovation-investment-terms-explained">What is a cosmetic renovation?</a>) Absolutely - loads of my students have done it! But you have to target the right properties.
If you’re looking for a two-bedroom apartment to renovate in a certain suburb, and you find that renovated and unrenovated two-bedders are pretty much selling for the same price, then it’s unlikely you’ll make money on the renovation.
You need to find decent “pricing disparity” – suburbs where buyers are willing to pay a premium for smartly renovated properties. That’s why careful research is so critical.
Buy the right property, in the right suburb, at the right price, and yes, you can definitely make money on a cosmetic renovation.   
During your shows you often point out that there are many ugly properties across, what are your most hated design features in a property? There’s a few thing buyers really don’t like. “Popcorn ceilings” are definitely one. They’re the spray-on ceilings that were especially popular throughout the 60s and 70s, and often contain asbestos. Visually they’re ugly and people don’t like the idea of asbestos in their home. Skinny little skirting boards and architraves always look cheap.
I hate bad layouts that don’t make the most of the available floor space, and unruly landscaping that was never properly thought out in the first place. And anything terracotta coloured – whether it’s tiled roofs, pavers or brick houses! Speaking of brick (especially those terracotta and blonde ones), rendering them is absolutely compulsory in my book. Are there any people who should not renovate a property? This probably relates back to question one, and the importance of excellent organisational, budgeting and negotiation skills. Those three cornerstones are just such a big advantage in the renovating game.
If you don’t have a single one of them, well, then you’re really going to struggle. Renovating isn’t an automatic road to riches. It takes time, focus, dedication and a lot of hard work to be successful.
Unless you’re willing to put in the hard yards to educate yourself about what’s required and then get out there and do it, you might be better off sitting at home. Trying to “wing it” is simply a recipe for disaster.
Cherie Barber is a public speaker, TV renovator and the owner of Renovating For Profit, a company that teaches everyday people how to buy and renovate properties for a profit. Cherie Barber’s <a href="https://www.renovatingforprofit.com.au/content/renovating-profit-home-study-cherie-barber-live-workshop-inclusions" target="_blank">next three-day Sydney workshop is August 21</a>.
YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO READ:
<a href="/expert-insights/building/three-reasons-you-should-renovate-for-profit">Three reasons you should renovate for profit: Patrick Bright</a>
<a href="/expert-insights/investing/to-renovate-or-not-to-renovate-that-is-the-question">To renovate or not to renovate? That is the question: Jo Chivers</a>
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