In the media – National
Bank Guarantees now digitised after successful
Blockchain trial
The bank guarantee process used for commercial property leasing has
been successfully digitised, ironing-out current inefficiencies in
the current bank guarantee process (11 July 2017).
More...
Don't sell the land
Infrastructure Australia has launched a new policy paper urging
Australian governments to act to protect vital infrastructure
corridors and avoid cost overruns, delays and community disruption
when delivering new infrastructure (10 July 2017). More...
Housing construction falls, while job ads
increase
While there was a fall construction activity, driven by a sharp
downturn in apartment approvals, a lift in job advertisements may
point to a strengthening employment market (03 July 2017).
More...
Green Star update signals industry shift towards carbon
zero
The Green Building Council of Australia has updated its Green Star
tools to prioritise carbon reduction, in another signal that
industry is gearing up for a push towards carbon zero commercial
buildings. There are now minimum greenhouse gas requirements, with
5 Star Green Star buildings needing to obtain three Greenhouse Gas
Emissions credit points (04 July 2017).
More...
Emissions scheme would threaten energy stability,
Frydenberg says
The Government places energy security at the centre of its
opposition to an Emissions Intensity Scheme, claiming it would
quickly force out coal generators and lead to more instability in
the system (01 July 2017).
More...
Consumers becoming smarter about energy
use
The uptake in distributed solar generation and use of energy
efficient appliances will keep grid-supplied electricity
consumption stable for the next 20 years despite a projected 30 per
cent increase in population and assumed average growth in the
Australian economy, according to the recently released electricity
forecast update from the Australian Energy Market Operator
(AEMO) (30 June 2017).
More...
Illegal recreational fishing fine increased to
$2,100
Recreational fishers caught poaching from no-take areas in the
Great Barrier Reef will face higher penalties from this weekend,
with fines increasing from $1,800 to $2,100 (30 June 2017).
More...
Coal or coral? The Queensland Government seems
undecided
The Great Barrier Reef is worth $56bn, according to Deloitte Access
Economics, but does the Adani's Carmichael coalmine fit into
it. The Deloitte Access Economics report identifying the social,
economic and iconic asset value of the Great Barrier Reef at $56
billion (28 June 2017).
More...
In the media – Victoria
Victoria forms Cladding Taskforce to stamp out building fires
A new taskforce has been formed to investigate flammable cladding on Victoria's buildings after the State Government gave the order in response to audit results and recent building fire cases. The VBA has audited more than 200 city properties for the combustible material (04 July 2017). More...
Future uses of coal in Victoria
The Andrews Labor Government has unveiled a new policy that will
drive investment, create jobs and balance environmental needs in
future Victorian coal projects. The Statement on Future Uses of
Brown Coal provides clarity to industry and local communities about
uses of Victoria's brown coal reserves in a low-emissions
setting. The final Victorian standard will be regulated under the
Environment Protection Act 1970 (07 July 2017).
More...
Ararat Wind Farm powering ahead
Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Energy, Environment and
Climate Change Lily D'Ambrosio visited the 240MW wind farm,
which is generating enough electricity to power over 120,000
Victorian homes. The Victorian Government has set Victoria's
Renewable Energy Target of 25 per cent by 2020 and 40 per cent by
2025 (27 June 2017).
More...
In the media – Queensland
Have your say on body corporate issues
Queenslanders are invited to have their say on body corporate
procedural issues, with the release an independent report that is
now available for consultation. The report forms part of the
comprehensive review into property law in Queensland (13 July
2017).
More...
73 hectare breakwater community set to connect Gold
Coast Regions
Australian property developer Walker Corporation has submitted a
development application for a 73 hectare master-planned community
that will connect Robina, Merrimac and Gold Coast City
Council's planned Green Heart Parklands (06 July 2017).
More...
Absentee land tax surcharge takes effect
The Queensland Government is now imposing a 1.5% land tax surcharge
on absentee land owners. This new surcharge, announced in the
2017/18 State Budget, took effect from 1 July 2017. An
'absentee' is already an owner category defined under the
Land
Tax Act 2011. Any individual who does not ordinarily live
in Australia is likely to be considered
an absentee by the Office of State Revenue, even if they are an
Australian citizen (05 July 2017).
More...
Published – articles, papers, reports
Announcements, Draft Policies and Plans released 2017
Review of Property Law in Queensland: Procedural issues
- The Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997
(BCCM Act)
Queenslanders can read the recent report about body corporate
procedural issues and make a submission by visiting
here. Public consultation will close on Friday 6 October 2017
(13 July 2017).
In practice and courts
Commonwealth
Foreign Ownership of Water Entitlements
From 1 July 2017, the Australian Government is introducing a new
water entitlements register to increase transparency around foreign
investment in Australia. Foreign persons with registrable water
entitlements or contractual water rights may need to notify the
ATO. A new registration form is available here for foreign
persons to register their water holdings. This website also
contains information on a series of Water register webinars being
promoted by the ATO (07 July 2017).
Victoria
Landmark legislation to protect the Yarra
River
Landmark legislation to protect and enhance the Yarra River for
future generations was introduced into State Parliament on Thursday
22 June. It is the first Bill in Victoria to include the language
of Traditional Owners, in recognition of their custodianship of the
river and connection to the land through which the river flows (29
June 2017).
More...
Have your say on the West Gate Tunnel
An Environment Effects Statement, works approval application, and
draft planning scheme amendment for the West Gate Tunnel Project
are on public exhibition.
More...
Cases
Victoria
Grub Food Van Pty Ltd v Yarra CC [2017] VCAT
850
Section 77 Planning and Environment Act 1987; Yarra
Planning Scheme; Amendment to existing permit pursuant to Section
72 Planning and Environment Act 1987; Existing food and
drink premises; Proposed Function centre; Hours of operation;
Patron Numbers; Sale and consumption of liquor.
Court v Greater Shepparton CC [2017] VCAT
884
Section 82 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987;
Greater Shepparton Planning Scheme; Industrial 1 Zone; Depot and
Garden Supplies; Relationship with Land in a General Residential
Zone; Relationship with Land in a Public Park and Recreation Zone;
Cussen Park; Existing Dwelling; Future Dwelling.
This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.
