In the media – National
REIA: Median house price falls for the first time in
three years
After thirteen consecutive quarters of growth, the
weighted average median house price for the eight Australian
capital cities decreased in the last quarter of 2015 (10 March
2016).
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Australia's Top Developments Announced
Australian urban development projects that excel in
innovation, sustainability and affordability, received prestigious
Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) awards last night
(10 March 2016).
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Peak Development Body Cautions Against Federal Political
Uncertainty
A new State of the Land report by The Urban Development
Institute of Australia (UDIA), has for the first time in its
eight-year history, found that uncertainty at the federal level is
at greater risk of hurting the property development industry, than
state level policies (08 March 2016).
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Property profits leap ahead
Property Council of Australia's chief of policy and
housing Glenn Byres said property was the nation's largest
industry and it was crucial to economic growth. But he warned new
housing approval data could give some cause for concern (05 March
2016).
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PCA: Local Government Act Review
The Council Boundary Review is underway with the proposed
number of regional councils proposed to be reduced from 109 to 87
and the number of councils in Greater Sydney to reduce from 43 to
25. Amalgamation provides the opportunity to bring financial
advantages and improve the capacity of councils to provide services
and facilities (02 March 2016).
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Faster medium density housing approvals
With Sydney in need of more than 600,000 new dwellings in
the next 15 years, Planning Minister Rob Stokes has released a
discussion paper on fast-tracking delivery of medium density
housing under the state's complying development assessment
process (02 March 2016).
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New green building partnership to push best practice
boundaries
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), the
Living Future Institute of Australia (LFIA) and the International
Living Future Institute (ILFI) have signed a memorandum of
understanding, which outlines a commitment to work towards common
goals in the high performance buildings realm in Australia (02
March 2016).
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In the media – New South Wales
Sydney Metro Northwest's skytrain underway
The first section of Sydney Metro Northwest's
skytrain is complete, meeting another important milestone for
Australia's biggest public transport project (09 March
2016).
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In the media – Queensland
First sod turned on new $75 million retail development
for North Lakes
Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure, Local
Government and Planning welcomed the start of works by developers
Primewest, which will transform the 11,350 square metre location
into high quality, large format retail space to attract a number of
high profile brands (07 March 2016).
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Property Council submission: independent property
law review (QUT)
In responding to the latest discussion paper on
procedural issues under the Body Corporate and Community
Management Act 1997, the Property Council recommended the
adoption of a 75 per cent majority threshold
for the termination of strata title schemes in Queensland, similar
to the recent reforms adopted in NSW (02 March 2016).
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Annual land valuations for 2016 released
Valuer-General Neil Bray said approximately 1.15 million
landowners in 24 of Queensland's 62 rateable local governments
were issued with new land valuations in accordance with the Land
Valuation Act 2010. The land valuations will take effect on 30 June
2016 (03 March 2016).
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In practice and courts – National
Foreign-owned agricultural land holdings to be
registered by 29 February
New rules introduced came into effect from 1 July 2015
meant all existing foreign-owned agricultural land
holdings—regardless of their value—must be registered
with the ATO by 29 February 2016, and any new interests registered
within 30 days of purchase.
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Cases – Victoria
Bisognin & Anor v Hera Project Pty Ltd
[2016] VSC 75
CONTRACT – Sale of Land – Sale of lot on an
unregistered plan of subdivision - Construction of terms –
Contract contained a special condition specifying date when
contract could be terminated if plan of subdivision not registered
– Whether the contract could be terminated unilaterally or
whether mutual agreement is required – Whether the special
condition is ambiguous – Reference to text, context and
purpose to aid construction – Alternatively, whether the
special condition should be rectified. CONTRACT – Sale
of Land – Sale of lot on an unregistered plan of subdivision
– Planning permit required that agreements with relevant
authorities for the provision of services to each lot be entered
into before the plan of subdivision could be registered –
Contract obliged the purchaser to use its best endeavours and do
all things reasonably required to expedite and procure the
registration of the plan of subdivision – Contract obliged
the vendors to use their best endeavours to co-operate with the
purchaser and do all acts and things necessary to give effect to
the approval of the plan of subdivision – Whether vendors or
purchaser were required to enter into agreements and pay fees and
bonds for the establishment or provision of services.
CONTRACT – Sale of Land – Best endeavours clause
– Whether the vendors were in breach of their obligation to
use best endeavours – Plan of subdivision was not registered
by date specified in contract – Effect of delay –
Whether vendors are disentitled from terminating the
contract. More...
Said v Commissioner of State Revenue (Review and
Regulation) [2016] VCAT 355
Review and Regulation List – First Home Owner Grant
– Failed to occupy premises as Principal Place of Residence
for 6 months within the first 12 months – First Home
Owner Grant Act 2000 s.12. More...
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