In the media – National
Mandatory disclosure of energy ratings for shopping
centres is off the table
The federal government confirmed it has shelved plans to expand
mandatory disclosure of energy ratings to retail property and other
building types, under the Commercial Building Disclosure program
(14 February 2014). More...
Draft standard for commercial energy audits
released
Standards Australia has released the new draft standard AS/NZS
3598.1 for energy audits for commercial buildings and operation for
public comment. The standard recommends energy audits be carried
out every three to five years as part of sound building management
practice (12 February 2014). More...
Amendments to the Farm Management Deposits
Scheme
The Assistant Treasurer has announced that the Government will
amend the Farm Management Deposit (FMD) scheme to exclude FMDs from
the operation of the unclaimed money provision in the Banking Act
1959. This change recognises that FMDs are inherently long-term and
dormant in nature and will prevent farmers' FMDs from being
inadvertently transferred to the Commonwealth (12 February 2014).
More...
PCA: Australian office markets in
transition
According to the Property Council's latest Australian Office
Market Report the nation's office market vacancy rate rose in
the past six months. Fragile demand dynamics in commercial markets
underlines the need for aggressive micro economic reform plans by
State and Federal Governments (06 February 2014).
More...
ATO wins promoter penalty case against Barossa
Vines
The Tax Office has won a battle against Barossa Vines as the
Federal Court ordered the land-holding company and four of its
non-executive directors to pay more than half a million dollars in
civil penalties for not properly managing wine-related managed
investment schemes (05 February 2014).
More...
ASIC enforceable undertaking for unlicensed rental
companies
ASIC have entered into an enforceable undertaking with Home
Essentials Australia Pty Ltd, I Love My Water Pty Ltd, Triple Bay
Group Pty Ltd and Triple Bay Pty Ltd, and the companies'
principals, after an investigation found they engaged in unlicensed
credit activities (04 February 2014).
More...
Great Southern heads to High Court as Bridgecorp
decision overturned
Company directors, their insurers and brokers face further
uncertainty about whether directors' and officers'
(D&O) policies provide guaranteed access to defence costs, with
a crucial Australian case now heading for the High Court (03
February 2014).
More...
In the media – Victoria
Sensible plans for disused Monash school sites Planning Minister Matthew Guy has identified an extensive and comprehensive community process to progress a number of vacant school sites within the municipality of Monash. The provision of Development Plan Overlays across the sites will set clear guidelines on what can be built (14 February 2014). More...
Fast tracking infrastructure in growth
areas
The Victorian Coalition Government is fast tracking roads and
other key state infrastructure in Melbourne's newest suburbs,
under new GAIC W-I-K guidelines. These will allow the development
industry to deliver state infrastructure earlier, by providing
capital works, instead of paying the Growth Areas Contribution as
cash (12 February 2014).
More...
Coalition delivers further fire services levy
reforms
The Victorian Coalition Government has introduced legislation
which will reduce the Fire Services Levy on over 60,000 residential
rental properties and over 860 outdoor sports grounds across
Victoria from 1 July 2014 (05 February 2014).
More...
In the media – New South Wales
Electronic land settlement transactions on the
horizon
The NSW state government has revealed plans to allow the
electronic transaction and settlement of land later this year, but
there is still a way to go. Electronic transactions are planned for
September this year with an amendment to The Electronic
Conveyancing Act 2012 (06 February 2014).
More...
In the media – Queensland
Government sets high bar for integrated
resorts
Queensland is set for a tourism and construction boost, with
strong competition to create up to three integrated resort
developments in metropolitan and regional Queensland. Interested
proponents have until 28 February to register their interest in
securing licences to establish integrated resort developments with
associated gaming licences (13 February 2014).
More...
Duplication removal leads to better environmental
outcomes
A new streamlined approach to environmental offsets will improve
environmental outcomes, cut green tape and reduce costs. The
Environmental Offsets Bill which was introduced in
parliament today would replace five separate Queensland Government
offsets policies (13 February 2014).
More...
Report shows CSG progress
The Minister for Natural Resources and Mines has released the
2013Annual Report for the Surat Underground Water Impact Report,
which has found industry was working well to manage any impacts on
groundwater resources from development in the Surat Basin (13
February 2014).
More...
Funding boost for Queensland water
infrastructure
Queensland producers can now access up to 75 per cent of eligible
costs for water infrastructure activities with the Australian
Government's contribution of up to $7 million to the Queensland
Government's Drought Relief Assistance Scheme (12 February
2014).
More...
Queenslanders to have their say on property
review
Attorney-General has released the first two issue papers for a
review of property law in Queensland that will improve how
Queenslanders buy, sell and manage property (12 February 2014).
More...
Brisbane office vacancy aligns with
expectations
Office market vacancy rates in Brisbane's CBD and Fringe have
spiked sharply in the six months to January according to the
Property Council of Australia's latest Office Market Report (06
February 2014).
More...
New Draft City Plan to Council debate
Brisbane City Council's draft new City Plan (the Plan) will be
debated by full Council following the conclusion of a 60 day public
consultation period. While the revised draft has not been publicly
released, Council has flagged a number of changes (06 February
2014).
More...
QCA releases monitoring of SEW water retailers report
for 2013–15
The Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) has released its draft
2013–15 price monitoring report for Unitywater, Queensland
Urban Utilities, Logan Water, Redland Water and Gold Coast Water
(05 February 2014).
More...
In practice and courts – Victoria
Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC)
Works-in-Kind agreements
These clarify what infrastructure can be provided or funded to
offset a GAIC charge, including arterial roads and freeways,
footpaths, walking and cycling trails, health and education
facilities, libraries, community facilities such as major open
space and recreational centres, stormwater management and IT
infrastructure (12 February 2014). More...
In practice and courts – Queensland
Announcements, Draft Policies and Plans released 2013
Queensland Property Law Review: issues
papers
The first two issue papers released for comment for property
professionals, bodies corporate, property owners and the wider
community to have their say. Feedback is now invited on the first
two issues papers prepared as part of this review. There are
different closing dates on the papers:
Issues Paper 2: Lot Entitlements under the Body Corporate and
Community Management Act 1997 (PDF, 862.1 KB) (14 March
2014).
Issues Paper 1: Seller Disclosure in Queensland (PDF, 918.0 KB)
(21 March 2014).
More...
Electronic delivery announced for valuation
notices
From March 2014 landowners will be able to elect to receive their
annual or maintenance valuation notices via email (06 February
2014). More...
Current Consultations
Maroochydore City Centre Priority Development Areas:
Consultation
Public consultation has opened on the development scheme for the
Maroochydore City Centre Priority Development Area (PDA). The
proposed development scheme is open for consultation until March 17
2014 (February 2014). More...
[Draft] Logan Planning Scheme 2014:
consultation
In accordance with the changes in local government boundaries, the
draft scheme replaces three existing planning schemes; the
Beaudesert Shire Planning Scheme 2007, Gold Coast Planning Scheme
2003 and Logan Planning Scheme 2006. The planning scheme is open
for comment until 30 April 2014 (February 2014). More...
Cases – Victoria
Fortuna Fountain Pty Ltd v Dato Lim Jew Sing Investments
(Retail Tenancies) [2014] VCAT 79
Interlocutory injunction application-lessee owner of motel
business-lessee seeking rent abatement under the lease and pursuant
to section 57(1)(b) Retail Leases Act 2003-a number of rooms
allegedly wholly unfit for use by lessee under the lease-alleged
reduced use of the premises under Retail Leases Act 2003-whether
alleged damage causing alleged to be causing reduced use of a
structural nature, whether damage is otherwise falling outside
lessee's repair obligations-serious question to be
tried-balance of convenience favouring the lessee-injunction
granted. More...
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