In the media – National

AREITs and unlisted property offer solid returns: Quarterly review 2014
According to the Australian Real Estate Quarterly Review Q3 2014 released by DEXUS Research, AREITs and unlisted property both delivered solid returns over the year, with the sector reporting rising asset values (28 July 2014). More...

ASIC: review of property schemes' disclosure show disappointing results
ASIC commissioner Greg Tanzer has labelled the standard of investor disclosure in the unlisted property sector as "disappointing". ASIC said it found unlisted property schemes were "failing to adequately disclose against benchmarks put in place to improve investors' awareness of the risks of investing in these products (24 July 2014). More...

In the media – Victoria

Major Private Sector investment for Epping market
Minister for Major Projects David Hodgett announced contracts had been finalised to build around 72,000 square metres of warehousing at Melbourne's new state of the art fruit, vegetable and flower wholesale market in Epping. A Victorian based builder/developer, will collaborate with a Propertylink Australian Industrial Partnership (31 July 2014). More...

GBCA: No Sustainability Metrics The Catch For Fishermans Bend?
As Victorian Planning Minister Matthew Guy approves the final master plan for the development of the 250 hectare Fishermans Bend project, the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) calls on the Victorian Government to ensure the project meets best practice benchmarks for sustainability (28 July 2014). More...

NSW style guidelines proposed for Melbourne's high rise
Guidelines for minimum apartment sizes based on New South Wales policies are being developed by the Office of the Victorian Government Architect, provoking an outcry from Melbourne developers. The measures have been supported by a recent City of Melbourne report, Homes for People (24 July 2014). More...

Coalition's Regional Growth Plan for Hume region will build industry, tourism, freight
The diversity of the Hume region will contribute to Victoria's strong regional and economic growth, under a long-term vision for the region released by the Government (23 July 2014). More...

Coalition Government commences major projects tender process
Treasurer Michael O'Brien and Minister for Roads and Public Transport Terry Mulder have called for engineering and planning tenders on the Melbourne Rail Link and the Western section of the East West Link projects (23 July 2014). More...

New website ensures greater transparency in land sales
A new website which publically lists Victorian Government land for sale was launched this week by Assistant Treasurer Gordon Rich-Phillips. This website will ensure all Victorians have access to the status of Government land currently on the market, as well as parcels of land being prepared for sale and recent sales (23 July 2014). More...

In the media – New South Wales

New homes near transport and jobs for Sydney's north west
Minister for Planning announces the NSW Government will partner with The Hills Shire Council and the community to create three new centres with detailed planning, investigations and consultation for three precincts around the new Bella Vista, Kellyville and Showground railway stations (01 August 2014). More...

NSW records highest housing approvals in a decade
Minister for Planning Pru Goward has welcomed news that more than 50,000 new homes had been approved in NSW in the 2013/14 financial year – the highest in a decade (31 July 2014). More...

NSW leads in renewable energy
NSW continues to lead the nation in the development of renewable energy generation, with today's installation of the first solar photovoltaic (PV) modules at the nation's largest utility-scale solar plant marking a new era in renewable energy production in Australia (31 July 2014). More...

Appointment of Secretary of the Department of Planning and Environment
NSW Premier Mike Baird today announced Carolyn McNally has been appointed to the position of Secretary of the Department of Planning and Environment (29 July 2014). More...

Growth councils receive $25.5 million infrastructure boost
Minister for Planning Pru Goward was joined by the Members for Hawkesbury, Baulkham Hills, Riverstone and Londonderry to announce over $25 million in infrastructure funding for local councils in these areas (23 July 2014). More...

In the media – Queensland

Public consultation starts on major planning reforms
Job opportunities will be created and local government costs reduced under new planning reforms released for public consultation today. The Planning and Development Bill and Planning and Environment Court Bill are proposed to replace the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 and will result in a simplified planning process for councils and developers (01 August 2014). More...

Premier launches Queenslanders' 30-year vision
Queenslanders have spoken loud and clear in The Queensland Plan saying that the economy, education and the regions are the keys to a vibrant and prosperous state. More...

Published – articles, papers, reports – National

Asia-Pacific Renewable Energy Assessment (APREA) BREE
Prepared for the Australian Government Department of Industry for the Clean Energy Solutions Centre (CESC), by BREE, this provides an overview of the current and possible future costs of renewable electricity generation in selected reference economies: China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, and Australia (July 2014). More...

Consumer Price Index – June Quarter 2014
Department of Treasury
Consumer prices rose by 0.5 per cent in the June quarter, according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics this morning. The June quarter outcome indicates that price growth has moderated in the first half of 2014. The 0.5 per cent rise in the CPI in the June quarter (23 July 2014). More...

In practice and courts – New South Wales

Announcements, Draft Policies and Plans released 2014

ePlanning online tools
community's feedback on the first release of these ePlanning tools, which are currently being developed is required. The first release of these versions of the ePlanning tools will be live and available from 28 July (28 July 2014). More...

Local Environmental Plan Tracking
Councils which have lodged planning proposals for creating or changing their Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) in the past fortnight are: Rezoning of land at Bateau Bay Town Centre; PP13 - Places of public worship in the IN2 Light Industrial Zone; Gunnedah LEP 2012 - Proposed zone and minimum lot size change at 299 Kamilaroi Road, Gunnedah; North Creek Foreshore Coastal Protection Works PP.

In practice and courts – Queensland

Announcements, Draft Policies and Plans released 2014

DNRM assessable vegetation codes released
The new codes which come into effect on August 8, 2014 are: South East Queensland thinning, Brigalow/Desert Uplands/Central Queensland thinning, Mitchell Grass downs/Channel Country thinning, Environmental works, North Queensland thinning and Extractive industry (24 July 2014). More...

Cases – Victoria

NP Development Pty Ltd v Hobsons Bay CC & Ors (Including Summary) (Red Dot) [2014] VCAT 861
NATURE OF CASE - Demolition of an existing building within a Heritage Overlay and construction of multi-dwellings contained in an apartment building and as townhouses. PLANNING SCHEME – interpretation or consideration of VPP provision. Consideration of height of apartment building under Design and Development Overlay Schedule 11 which refers to an 'indicative' height of 25m. APPLICATION – significant, interesting or unusual use or development; application of policy, provision or principle; or circumstances. Stage 2 redevelopment of individual lots within the former Port Phillip Woollen Mills area, Williamstown, strategic redevelopment area, considerations of height of apartment building, consideration of location opposite a Major Hazard Facility, demolition of Nugget Factory. More...

Lake Park Holdings Pty Ltd v East Gippsland SC & Ors (includes Summary) (Red Dot) [2014] VCAT 826
NATURE OF CASE Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006; whether pre-existing CHMP can be used for amended development proposal. REASONS WHY DECISION IS OF INTEREST OR SIGNIFICANCE ANALYSIS – exposition of how to asses an issue or matters to consider. Test for considering when a pre-existing CHMP can be used for an amended development proposal; test in Three Pillars Property Group v Brimbank CC [2012] VCAT 368 considered too broad and not followed. More...

Evers v Greater Bendigo CC & Ors (includes Summary) (Red Dot) [2014] VCAT 816
Bendigo mosque proposal; application for proceeding suppression order relating to objector's identity. LEGISLATION – interpretation or application of statutory provision. Application of Open Courts Act 2013 in a review proceeding under the Planning and Environment Act 1987. APPLICATION – significant, unusual or interesting use or development; principle; or circumstances. The application generated a high level of public interest warranting its publication as a 'red dot' decision. More...

Director Consumer Affairs Victoria v Shaba (Review and Regulation) [2014] VCAT 815
Estate Agents Act 1980 – inquiry under section 25 – contraventions of sections 59(1)(b) and 91(1)(a)(i) - estate agent and officer in effective control – misappropriation of trust monies to pay expenses of the agency – trust deficiency of up to $50,000 – knowingly authorising contravention of the Act – not a fit and proper person to hold a licence. More...

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