What weight should be given to a draft Planning Scheme or Planning Scheme Amendment?

A proposed amendment to a planning scheme may have drastic consequences for the development potential of land, particularly where land is proposed to be ‘down zoned’ or a more restrictive overlay constraint is proposed. There are a number of key issues which need careful consideration in terms of appropriately timing development in light of a […]

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COVID-19 | WA Code of Conduct provides guidance on rent relief obligations for WA landlords and tenants during the COVID-19 pandemic

The long awaited Commercial Tenancies (COVID-19 Response) Regulations 2020 (WA) have now been released and include a Code of Conduct (Code of Conduct) which gives effect to the National Cabinet Mandatory Code of Conduct and sets out a number of principles that landlords and tenants must follow during the COVID-19 pandemic. Which tenancies will the […]

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COVID-19 | Electronic deeds valid in Queensland

What are the changes? Under Queensland law, prior to 22 May 2020, a deed was required to be in paper, signed under seal and in the case of an individual their signature was required to be witnessed. These requirements have been modified from 22 May 2020 until 31 December 2020 for all forms of deed […]

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COVID-19 | Executing Documents Electronically and Serving under the Security of Payment Act

The Australian construction and property industry is experiencing unprecedented uncertainty in respect of COVID-19. Practical challenges arise in relation to executing, lodging and serving documents by traditional means. Executing and lodging formal documents electronically The Australian states and territories have dealt with electronic signature and electronic lodgement differently. A summary of the electronic signing of […]

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Off the plan sales and changes to the property

Can the purchaser of an apartment off the plan terminate the contract because the carspace allocated to the lot contained a PWD symbol? Perhaps surprisingly the issue was recently considered by the Supreme Court of New South Wales[1].  The decision provides a useful reminder of the principles which apply to variations between contract and settlement. […]

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Real estate agent email hacked but buyer pays the price

If you have bought or sold a property recently, you probably received a warning about relying on emails directing you to pay money to a particular bank account without first checking with the sender that the email has not been altered. Given the amount of money involved, real estate transactions are a prime target for […]

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COVID-19 | Update: Changes to foreign investment framework and implications for the commercial leasing sector

Further to our previous article regarding changes to the foreign investment framework and the implications for the commercial leasing sector, on 24 April 2020 the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) released a guidance note which, among other things, provides clarification as to the effect of the temporary measures which result from the Foreign Acquisitions and […]

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COVID-19 | 2020 The Year of COVID, or Year of the Pivot?

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected society and business more than any event in recent history.  It has not spared any industry or sector, creating immense opportunity for a lucky few and decimating many others. In response, Gadens have seen businesses pivot, whether by expanding their service offering, changing their method of delivery or reallocating their […]

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COVID-19 | Victorian regulations provide much needed guidance on rent relief obligations for Victorian landlords and tenants during the COVID-19 pandemic

The long awaited COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) (Commercial Leases and Licences) Regulations 2020 (Regulations) have now been released, giving effect to the National Cabinet Mandatory Code of Conduct and some much needed guidance for Victorian landlords and tenants. The Regulations apply to “eligible leases” for the “relevant period”, from 29 March 2020 until 29 September […]

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COVID-19 | Residential Tenants affected by COVID-19 and Impact on Sale Contracts (QLD)

Controversial new laws giving temporary relief to Queensland residential tenants affected by the COVID-19 emergency came into effect on 24 April 2020[1].  The new laws override a number of provisions in the residential tenancies legislation[2] until 31 December 2020. The new laws attempt to strike a fair balance between: the public health need of avoiding […]

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COVID-19 | Webinar | JobKeeper | One month on

It’s one month since the JobKeeper payment was announced, and our panel of experts discussed what we are seeing in the market at the moment. Gadens Partners Siobhan Mulcahy (Employment Advisory), Peter Poulos  (Corporate Advisory & Tax) and Andrew Kennedy (Property & Construction) covered the ‘in-the-field’ challenges, practicalities and strategies in implementing JobKeeper, and how […]

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COVID-19 | Update: NSW Government introduces new regulations for retail and commercial leasing

Following the Mandatory Code of Conduct released by the National Cabinet on 7 April 2020 (Code), the New South Wales Government has introduced the Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation 2020 (Regulations). The Regulations introduce temporary measures to provide urgent relief for retail and commercial tenants as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The […]

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