In the media - National
Launch of NABERS energy rating for data
centres
The NABERS energy efficiency rating system has now been extended
to assess energy hungry data centres that require substantial air
conditioning to keep computer systems operating at optimum
temperatures (08 February 2013)
More...
Landholders income through carbon farming
projects
Four new Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) methodologies have been
approved for forestry, piggeries and landfill operations, boosting
opportunities for farmers and landowners to generate carbon credits
and earn extra income under Labor's carbon pricing scheme (06
February 2013)
More...
In the media – Victoria
Standardised development contributions
levies
Planning Minister Matthew Guy has announced the first stage of
development contributions reform by releasing a proposed framework
for
standardised development contributions levies. Submissions on
the Standard Development Contributions Advisory Committee's
first report 'Report 1 - Setting the Framework' close 12
March 2013.
In the media – New South Wales
NSW Land tax inquiry must support greenfield housing
supply
The Urban Taskforce says the NSW Government inquiry into the Land
Valuation System must ensure that rezoned greenfield land for
housing does not become excessively burdened by land tax that makes
development unviable (01 February 2013)
Land tax inquiry must support greenfield housing supply
In the media – Queensland
Casual Mall Licensing Code of Practice authorised by
ACCC
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has granted
authorisation to the Shopping Centre Council of Australia Ltd for
its Casual Mall Licensing Code of Practice until 31 December 2017
(06 February 2013)
More...
Surveys show fewer home owners default on
mortgage
Borrowers with investment property loans were 1.5 times more
likely to fall into severe delinquency than those with
owner-occupier mortgages, the latest Fitch Ratings report on
residential mortgages shows (06 February 2013)
More...
Goodman Group to start Australian Projects worth $451
Million
The Goodman Group, Australia's biggest industrial property
trust, said it plans to begin warehouse and office developments
worth A$451 million across the country (04 February 2013)
More...
Next step taken in overhaul of land access
laws
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps announces
the committee that will oversee the implementation of the Newman
Governments Six-Point Action Plan to reform Queensland's land
access laws (07 February 2013)
More...
Milton Tennis Court lawsuit finally over
The Brisbane City Council has announced the law suit with
developer Kevin Seymour over his loss of the old Milton Tennis
Court site to build a 20-story unit complex is finally over after
more than four years (06 February 2013)
More...
Local councils back Premier call for better
rebuild
Local government leaders have backed Premier Campbell Newman's
call for flooded roads and other infrastructure to be rebuilt to
higher standards after seeing recently completed projects torn
apart in last week's deluge (05 February 2013)
More...
Published – articles, papers, reports – Queensland
Green office towers cast shadow over
Sydney
Author: John Muscat, Online Opinion 7 February 2013
As it turns out, the lure of green building has more to do with
cash than climate. By virtue of the soft economy and creeping
"sustainability" measures, green-rated office towers are
a gilt-edged opportunity for investors fleeing stocks and bonds More...
Cases – Victoria
Spirovski v Univest Assett Merchants Syndicators Pty Ltd
& Anor (Retail Tenancies) [2013] VCAT 66
Key money paid by tenant – Retail Leases Act 2003 section
23(1) landlord must not seek or accept key money – exceptions
to the prohibition in ss23(3)(c) and (f) inapplicable on the facts
– estate agent's description of the key money as being
for 'goodwill' a misnomer – Contract of Sale of
Business proferred by landlord a sham intended to disguise demand
for key money – terms of settlement are a 'lease' as
defined in Retail Leases Act 2003 section 3 – terms of
settlement void to the extent they have the effect of requiring the
payment of key money – estoppel – tenant not estopped
by terms of settlement More...
In practice and courts – Queensland
Economic Development in Queensland
From 1 February 2013, the government has established Economic
Development Queensland (EDQ) to drive economic development for the
state. Operating under the Economic Development Queensland Act
2012 passed in late November, EDQ will deal in residential and
industrial land and work to fast-track development which will
contribute to economic development. The Act also establishes the
Commonwealth Games Infrastructure Authority
read more about EDQ.
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