In the media – National
Great Barrier Reef to get $500m to breed more resilient
coral, reduce pollution
The Federal Government says it will deliver a $500
million funding package to protect the reef from climate change and
pollution, claiming it to be single largest investment for reef
conservation and management in Australia's history (29 April
2018).
More...
Developers favour townhouses in slowing property
market
Developers are moving away from high density sites in
favour of lower density projects as sales of high-rise,
investor-driven development makes way for the owner-occupiers and
downsizer demographic, according to recent research from Knight
Frank's Australian Residential Development Review 2018 (27
April 2018).
More...
Taking action on waste & recycling
Commonwealth, state and territory environment ministers
have agreed to cut Australia's supply of waste, increase our
recycling capability and increase the demand for recyclable
products in response to China's new restrictions on recyclable
waste (27 April 2018).
More...
CPI figures suggest interest rates to remain steady:
REIA
The March 2018 quarter CPI figures released today by the
ABS continue to be good news for home buyers and renters with
historically low interest rates set to continue (24 April 2018).
More...
Australia's going through a green jobs boom, and
Victoria's ahead of the pack
Despite uncertainty around energy and climate policy,
demand for green jobs (as a proportion of total job advertisements)
was on an upwards trajectory, with Australia ahead of the US, UK
and Canada. The data is supported by the latest Green Energy
Markets index, which found that full-time renewables-related jobs
had increased by about 18 per cent since late last year (24 April
2018).
More...
Australian company will convert China's waste
plastics to fuel
Australian company, Integrated Green Energy Solutions
(IGES), has announced a joint venture agreement
with the Chinese Crown World Holdings (CWH) to
expand its plastic-to-fuel production operations in China (18 April
2018).
More...
In the media – Victoria
Latrobe Valley virtual microgrid could allow dairy farms
to trade energy via blockchain
Latrobe Valley dairy farmers could be buying and selling
locally generated renewable energy using blockchain, thanks to a
study funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency
(ARENA). On behalf of the Australian Government,
ARENA today announced $370,000 in funding for a feasibility study
into a 'virtual microgrid' for the Latrobe Valley (27 April
2018).
More...
Keeping Melbourne the ultimate sports and events
capital
The Andrews Labor Government will ensure Melbourne
remains the global home of sport and entertainment, by giving
Melbourne Park the best facilities in the world. Treasurer Tim
Pallas and Minister for Sport John Eren has announced $271.55
million to complete the third stage of the Melbourne Park
redevelopment (24 April 2018).
More...
Pick Your Project: New fund for locals, decided by
locals
Local projects will be chosen by local residents under a
new community building fund, which will see Victorians nominate and
decide on their own funding priorities. Projects between $20,000
and $200,000 will be eligible under the program (18 April 2018).
More...
Drop off-peak Melbourne fares to ease congestion, says
Infrastructure Victoria
Melbourne could reduce congested streets and trains if it
lowered off-peak public transport fares by 50 cents, encouraging
people to abandon cars and travel at different times throughout the
day, new analysis by Infrastructure Victoria says (18 April 2018).
More...
In the media – Queensland
Positive signs for Queensland property
The latest results from the quarterly ANZ/Property Council Survey have revealed growing confidence in the Queensland property sector. Queensland Executive Director of the Property Council, Chris Mountford, said the shift in sentiment has increased by 13 index points since June 2017. The increase can be attributed to the commencement of exciting new infrastructure projects, such as Cross River Rail (19 April 2018). More...
Announcements, Draft Policies and Plans released 2018
Titles Registry – introduction of trust details
form
From May 2018, transfers which record a transferee as
trustee may be transacted through eConveyancing. For consistency in
paper, the Titles Registry will introduce a new trust details form
which can be used as an alternative to lodging the full trust deed.
Access the
Titles Registry update from our on-demand content series.
More...
Queensland Audit Office
Consultations
Developer donations bill reintroduced to
parliament
The Queensland Government has re-introduced legislation
to ban donations from property developers to state and local
government candidates. After previous legislation lapsed with the
dissolution of the last parliament, the Government has reintroduced
its Bill as the
Local Government Electoral (Implementing Stage 1 of Belcarra)
and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018. Reforms
contained within the Bill are expected to be applied
retrospectively from 12 October 2017, when the first Bill was
introduced.
Land Valuations Online
The new land valuation data for 2018 can be accessed
online at www.qld.gov.au/landvaluation.
Queensland Globe also gives landowners access to detailed
valuation information allowing users to search for a property or
pan the map to areas of interest and zoom down to individual
property level. Landowners can access the Queensland Globe year
round via the Land
Valuations website.
Hard copies of the valuation list can be viewed at Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy business centres and local government offices during normal business hours until close of business on 5 June 2018.
In Practice and Courts
Commonwealth
SRO: Grouping of related corporations for land tax
Where two or more corporations are related, the
Commissioner may group them under s50 of the Land Tax Act
2005. Related corporations that are grouped will be assessed
as a single corporation. They are jointly and severally liable to
pay the tax and one corporation within the group will receive an
assessment on behalf of the group.
LTA.008 is a new ruling explaining the relevant factors that
the Commissioner takes into account in exercising his discretion to
group related corporations for land tax purposes (18 April
2018).
Cases
Dai v Liu [2018] VSC 189
SALE OF LAND — Purpose of on-sale to developer
— Three purchasers — Two purchasers undisclosed—
Whether partnership or agency — Nomination of purchaser by
named purchaser — Validity of nomination — Ostensible
authority — One undisclosed purchaser not consenting to the
sale — Equitable interest of undisclosed purchaser —
Whether purchasers were a partnership - Whether extinguished by
nomination — Equitable interest of nominee purchaser —
Nominee purchaser unaware of prior interest — Competing
equitable interests — Priority of interests — Better
equity — Later equitable interest has priority.
Perpetual Trustee Company Limited v Minister for
Planning [2018] VCAT
567
Application for Review pursuant to section 79 of the
Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic); Melbourne
Planning Scheme; Carlton and United Brewery Precinct; Comprehensive
Development Zone – Schedule 2 (Carlton Brewery); Carlton
Brewery Comprehensive Development Plan, October 2007, Carlton
Brewery Masterplan, October 2007; Generally in accordance with;
Height and form; Swanston Street; Overshadowing; Visual Bulk; Civic
and ceremonial spine; Podium and tower form; Articulation;
Transition from CBD to Carlton; Equitable development; Student
accommodation; Retail uses; Advertising signage.
Romano v Capitol Bikes Pty Ltd [2018]
QCAT 108
RETAIL SHOP LEASES JURISDICTION – whether claim
against guarantors is a retail tenancy dispute for the purposes of
the Retail Shop Leases Act 1994 (Qld) – Mitigation
of damages – calculation of compensation.
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.
