In the media – National

Standards for Accreditation of Environmental Approvals under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
The Australian Government has released Standards for Accreditation of Environmental Approvals under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the Standards), based on requirements of Commonwealth law 28 March 2014). More...

CEFC backs commercial property retrofits
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) is providing up to $100 million of debt finance for deep retrofits to commercial properties that it hopes will help reinvigorate Australia's ageing building stock and improve its energy productivity (28 March 2014). More...

Ministerial group to look at Australia's future water needs
The Minister for Agriculture will chair a new ministerial working group set up to identify new infrastructure projects that can deliver Australia's water supply needs in the future, both by upgrading existing infrastructure or building new infrastructure, and some of these are already in the pipeline (28 March 2014). More...

Greater certainty for trade of water rights
The Australian Government has announced amendments to financial regulations to allow for the common sense treatment of the trade of water rights, commonly traded on Australian water markets, so they are able to be regulated in the same manner as agricultural commodities (20 March 2014). More...

Government Inquiry announced for foreign investment in residential real estate
The House of Representatives Economics Committee has announced an inquiry into Australia's foreign investment policy as it applies to residential real estate (19 March 2014). More...

Opportunities open in Emissions Reduction Fund for farmers and landholders
The federal Government is making it easier for farmers and landholders to be able to participate in the Emissions Reduction Fund by storing carbon in their soil, improving farm productivity and contributing to action on climate change (18 March 2014). More...

In the media – Victoria

Victoria to remove commercial defects insurance
The Victorian Government plans to remove the requirement for commercial property builders to have defects insurance. The change recognises that commercial property owners can manage their own building risks (17 March 2014). More...

In the media – New South Wales

Interest sought for prime commercial land in Macquarie Park
Almost four hectares of prime commercial land in Sydney's North West may soon be up for redevelopment with the NSW Government today calling for expressions of interest from suitable parties (25 March 2014). More...

$1 million to help councils bring planning online
The NSW Planning and Infrastructure Minister announces $1 million in grants for councils to bring planning online. Users will be able to monitor the progress of their application and to view up-to-date information on development applications in their neighbourhood on council ebsites (25 March 2014). More...

In the media – Queensland

Inskip Peninsula draft plan released for comment
The Queensland Government is seeking community feedback on the draft Inskip Peninsula master plan designed to assist the region reach its full tourism potential. The draft master plan provides a planning vision covering possible tourism, conservation and residential evelopment opportunities (28 March 2014). More...

Resident letting agent and company forced to pay over $700,000
A resident letting agent and company have been fined $418,716 after the Office of Fair Trading brought disciplinary proceedings for keeping expenses from unit owners that they were not authorized to retain and for failing to disclose conflicts of interest to unit owners (24 March 2014). More...

In practice and courts – New South Wales

GBCA: Green Star - Communities Guide for Local Government
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) and AECOM guide explains how councils can use the Green Star - Communities national framework and the Green Star - Communities rating tool to achieve better economic, social and environmental outcomes across the built environment (March 2014). More...

Announcements, Draft Policies and Plans released 2014

LPI fee increase for copies of plans
From 1 April 2014 Land and Property Information will increase fees for supplying copies of deposited plans and strata plans to include royalties payable to surveyors or surveying firms who own copyright in these plans. More...

Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley Flood Management Review: Stage One of the Review
The NSW Government began the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley Flood Management Review to consider flood planning, flood mitigation and flood response in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley (March 2014). More...

In practice and courts – Queensland

Announcements, Draft Policies and Plans released 2014

New Public Ruling for transfer duty
The Commissioner has issued Public Ruling DA145.1.1—Transfer duty exemption for qualifying vestings of land in the State. This ruling sets out the Commissioner's practice in applying section 145 of the Duties Act 2001 where land is vested in the State under statute law for a qualifying purpose. The ruling is effective 27 March 2013 (28 March 2014).

Brisbane City Centre Master Plan 2014
The master plan aims to deliver six priority projects to revitalise our city streets and riverfront precincts and better connect inner-city neighbourhoods. These include: Howard Smith Wharves, Queens Wharf and William Street precinct, Kangaroo Point Bridge, Edward Street, Albert Street and Underground Bus and Train link (BaT) (19 March 2014). More...

Current consultations

[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. More...

Cases – Victoria

Villa v Emaan Pty Ltd (Retail Tenancies) [2014] VCAT 274
Retail premises lease; lessee allegation that the lessor repudiated the lease by unreasonably refusing to consent to assignment of the lease; lessee's allegation fails; breach of lease by lessee; calculation of damages including lost rental income The Respondent must pay the Applicant $29,512.57. More...

Fenridge Pty Ltd v Retirement Care Australia (Preston) Pty Ltd & Ors (No 3) [2014] VSC 90
LANDLORD AND TENANT – Lessee's covenant to repair and maintain leased premises during the currency of the lease in good and substantial repair, order and condition – Covenant subject to fair wear and tear exception – Further guidance for special referee – Whether Alcatel Australia Ltd v Scarcella (1998) 44 NSWLR 349 relevant to content of the covenant, notwithstanding that there was no fair wear and tear exception in the covenant at issue in that case. More...

Box v Moreland CC (Including Summary) (Red Dot) [2014] VCAT 246
Ongoing effect of condition in permit requiring development shown on endorsed plans not to be altered without consent of responsible authority; LAW – issue of interpretation or application - Consideration and application of principles in the case of Benedetti v Moonee Valley City Council [2005] VSC 434 – ongoing effect of conditions in permits after development completed and land is subdivided.More...

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