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...
This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.