In the media - National
PCA: Residential outlook strong – but shortage
remains
The Australian Residential Development Outlook released today
indicates strength and stability in Australia's residential
development industry which is forecast to continue into 2015-16,
but activity still stops short of meeting Australia's housing
needs (08 September 2014).
More...
Project Appraisal Overview released for
comment
The Federal Government has released for public comment a paper
prepared by the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional
Economics, in consultation with state and territory governments,
outlining a new framework for the appraisal of transport
infrastructure projects, to deliver a nationally consistent
approach to project evaluation (05 September 2014).
More...
Australia leads the world in green
building
The Australia and New Zealand real estate market is the
world's greenest, according to the latest Global Real Estate
Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB). Two Australian companies, ISPT
and Lend Lease, were also named 'global sector leaders (04
September 2014).
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In the media – Victoria
Regional cities call for $100 million CBD
investment
The RCV has launched its Revitalisation of City Centres policy,
calling on the government and opposition to commit to a $100
million investment to assist Victoria's regional cities to
transform city centres. RCV comprises the 10 largest cities outside
metropolitan Melbourne Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Horsham,
Latrobe, Mildura, Shepparton, Wangaratta, Warrnambool and Wodonga
(10 September 2014). More...
New beginning for social housing at Valley
Park
The $160 million redevelopment of the old 1980's Mews public
housing estate in Westmeadows reached an important milestone today
with the opening of the Valley Park display centre and the
announcement of a land exchange between the Department of Housing
and the City of Hume (08 September 2014).
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Fishermans Bend off to a flying start
Five major planning permits have been approved for Australia's
largest urban renewal area, Fishermans Bend. The permits, which
include the construction of 11 buildings, have been approved by
Planning Minister Matthew Guy (04 September 2014).
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In the media – New South Wales
The environment, farmers & industry to benefit from
new offset policy
Beginning in October, the NSW Government will give landholders the
opportunity to receive payments for managing biodiversity on their
land through a fund paid into it by developers to 'offset'
the impacts of large projects (08 September 2014).
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In the media – Queensland
Queensland landholders benefit from mining
reforms
Queensland landholders affected by resources activities and their
direct neighbours will retain the right to object to low-impact
mining proposals under legislation passed through Queensland
Parliament last night (10 September 2014).
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Strong 'off the plan' reforms for buyers and
builders – Qld
The Land Sales and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2014
built on the Government's commitment to grow Queensland's
four pillar economy and revitalise frontline services by cutting
waste and red tape, with changes for buying and selling property in
Queensland (10 September 2014).
More...
PDA announced to revitalise Townsville's
waterfront
The Queensland Government has this week declared the Townsville
City Waterfront Priority Development Area, aimed at revitalising
97.2 hectares of the city's waterfront on both sides of Ross
Creek. Planning and approval responsibilities within the PDA will
primarily be the role of Townsville City Council (04 September
2014).
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In practice and courts – National
Cost Recovery under the Environment Protection and
Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)
From 1 October 2014 the Australian Government will commence cost
recovery arrangements for environmental assessments and some
strategic assessments under the EPBC Act. The Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Cost Recovery)
Regulation 2014 was registered on the Federal Register of
Legislative Instruments on 9 September 2014. Cost recovery for
environmental impact assessments and some strategic assessments
commences on 1 October 2014 (09 September 2014). More...
In practice and courts – Victoria
Changes to the Owners Corporations Regulations 2007 -
Legislation update
Amendments to the Owners Corporation Regulations 2007, affecting
the provision of certificates and copies of registers and records,
come into effect on 1 October 2014 (11 September 2014).
More...
In practice and courts – Queensland
Announcements, Draft Policies and Plans released 2014
Queensland Plan Bill introduced to
parliament
The Queensland Plan provides a 30-year strategic vision for the
future growth and prosperity of Queensland. The Bill has been
referred to the Finance and Administration Committee, which is to
report back to Parliament by 10 October.
More...
Cases – Victoria
National Australia Bank Limited v Wehbeh &
Anor [2014] VSC 431
MORTGAGES AND SECURITIES - husband and wife – wife both
mortgagor under home loan and guarantor of business loan to
husband's company – default under home loan and business
loan - bank seeking possession of land under mortgage and judgment
for debt due under guarantee - Transfer of Land Act 1958 s
78 – mortgage and guarantee prima facie enforceable -
defences – whether wife under special disability - whether
unconscientious for bank to rely on default under home loan to
enforce mortgage – whether undue influence of husband in
procuring guarantee from wife – whether wife was a volunteer
in transaction - whether bank had knowledge of any undue influence
– independent legal advice provided - Yerkey v Jones
[1939] HCA 3; (1939) 63 CLR 649 - Garcia v National Australia
Bank [1998] HCA 48; (1998) 194 CLR 395 - Blomley v
Ryan [1956] HCA 81; (1956) 99 CLR 362 - Commercial Bank of
Australia Ltd v Amadio [1983] HCA 14; (1983) 151 CLR 447 -
Bridgewater v Leahy [1998] HCA 66; (1998) 194 CLR 457. More...
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