Northern Lights in the South East
Scandinavian influence has become more visible in Australia over the past decade, with books, TV shows, movies, music and art hailing from, or inspired by, the region reaching a wide Australian audience. Scandinavian design as an architectural ethos is reflected in simplified design, favouring form as much as functionality and clever use of limited space. […]
ReadmoreTemporary accommodation gone bad!
The Planning and Environment Court delivered a decision in the case of Whitsunday Regional Council v Branbid Pty Ltd [2017] QPEC 3 which involved an application made by the Whitsunday Regional Council to the Court seeking: a declaration under section 456 of the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 that the use of the land for temporary accommodation is a […]
ReadmoreWhat’s the cost of motor cross?
The Planning and Environment Court delivered a decision in the case of Drywound Pty Ltd v Lockyer Valley Regional Council & Ors [2017] QPEC 4, which involved determining cross-applications made by the parties for costs. Drywound Pty Ltd v Lockyer Valley Regional Council & Ors [2017] QPEC 4 – What’s the case about? The […]
ReadmoreNew Yarra River Protection Planning Controls
On 26 February 2017, the Victorian Government (Government) formally released the Yarra River Action Plan and the new Yarra River Protection Planning Controls (Yarra Controls) intended to protect the Yarra River from “inappropriate” development. This follows a discussion paper, Protecting the Yarra River (Birrarung), which was released for public consultation on 1 July 2016. Partner, Meg […]
ReadmoreNew residential zones, including new mandatory height limits, are imminent
Last week, the Government announced that it would implement Amendment VC110 to make changes to Victoria’s residential zones in response to recommendations by the Managing Residential Development Advisory Committee’s (the Committee) review of the residential zones which began in late 2015 and was recently reported to the Minister for Planning. The three residential zones, the […]
ReadmoreNew Land Valuations for Queensland property owners
More than one million new annual land valuations have been issued to landowners in Queensland which will be used to assess land tax, rates and State land rental charges. For owners, reducing the statutory valuation of land can significantly reduce their taxes and rates whilst enhancing the commercial value of their property. However owners have […]
ReadmoreHousing affordability policy initiatives create concerns and uncertainty for Victorian property investors and developers
Significant housing affordability policy initiatives were unveiled by the Victorian government over the weekend. Whilst the announcements have focused on the impact of these initiatives on first home buyers and the efforts to tackle housing affordability for these buyers, the proposals contain cause for concern for Victorian property investors and developers. A proposed stamp duty relief for […]
ReadmoreApplication of RLA
The recent decision in CB Cold Storage Pty Ltd v IMCC Group Pty Ltd [2017] VSC 23 (CB Cold Storage) could mean that for landlords leasing premises to industrial or warehousing businesses in Victoria, land tax may not be recoverable from the Tenant, market rent reviews that do not allow the rent to decrease may […]
ReadmoreHousing affordability policy initiatives create concerns and uncertainty for Victorian property investors and developers
Significant housing affordability policy initiatives were unveiled by the Victorian government over the weekend. Whilst the announcements have focused on the impact of these initiatives on first home buyers and the efforts to tackle housing affordability for these buyers, the proposals contain cause for concern for Victorian property investors and developers. A proposed stamp duty […]
ReadmoreQueensland Property Law Review – Recommendations for Strata Reform
An Options Paper has been released by QUT’s Commercial and Property Law Research Centre, containing a series of recommendations on body corporate governance issues. The report, which forms part of the broader Queensland Government Property Law Review, provides 29 recommendations for reform of the current framework under the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 […]
ReadmoreA sign on a heritage building is not all bad
Proposed signage on the Kedron Park Hotel was approved as it posed no undue impact on the hotel or its heritage significance. Australian Leisure And Hospitality Group Pty Ltd v Brisbane City Council – What’s the case about? The Planning and Environment Court delivered a decision in the case of Australian Leisure And Hospitality […]
ReadmoreA self-storage facility in a residential area that cut across the planning scheme intent, no way
Redevelopment of the Carseldine Palms Motel site for a self-storage facility was refused as it was in serious and major conflict with the Brisbane City Plan 2014. Fortress Freeholds Pty Ltd v Brisbane City Council & Ors – What’s the case about? The Planning and Environment Court delivered a decision in the case of Fortress […]
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