In the media – National

Real estate agency slapped with $40,000 penalty
Agents and principals have been put on notice about making "grand claims" in their marketing, after one business was punished for misleading advertising. ASIC has acted against companies associated with Nicheliving, a Perth business that offers sales, property management, development services and finance (12 August 2015). More...

Cheaper Green Star certification on the cards
The new Green Star – Design & As Built rating tool is closely aligned with current investor and tenant demands, lowers long-term risk, future proofs assets, and is delivering value for money (11 August 2015). More...

Prime Minister releases 2030 emissions reduction target
The Prime Minister Tony Abbott announces that by 2020, we will have cut greenhouse gas emissions by five per cent on 2000 levels, equivalent to a reduction of 13 per cent on 2005 levels through the Government's Direct Action policy (11 August 2015). More...

In the media – New South Wales

New Real Estate Division To Work With Industry
Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Victor Dominello today announced the creation of a new real estate division within NSW Fair Trading. The Real Estate and Property division will take responsibility for all real estate and property functions, including industry regulation (15 August 2015). More...

City of Sydney passes major sustainability plans
The City of Sydney has passed three major plans to tackle energy efficiency, residential building sustainability and climate change adaptation. The Energy Efficiency Master Plan, Residential Apartments Sustainability Plan and Climate Change Adaptation Strategy were passed by Sydney City councillors on Monday night (13 August 2015). More...

E-Conveyancing reforms boost efficiency and reduce risk
Minister for Finance, Services & Property Dominic Perrottet has welcomed the introduction of the Real Property Further Amendment (Electronic Conveyancing) Bill 2015 to the NSW Parliament. The Bill builds on e-conveyancing reforms legislated in NSW in 2013 and 2014, and introduces a number of important further reforms (12 August 2015). More...

In the media – Queensland

Draft City Centre Neighbourhood Plan released for Brisbane
Brisbane City Council has released the draft City Centre Neighbourhood Plan for consultation, following the recent Queensland Government review (13 August 2015). More...

Construction site electrocution inquiry highlights need to improve safety
The State Government will consider all recommendations handed down by Coroner David O'Connell yesterday following his inquiry into the death of 20 year old Jason Garrels on a housing construction site in Clermont in 2012 (12 August 2015). More...

Public consultation now open for Queen's Wharf precinct
Public consultation is now open around the proposed development scheme to transform Brisbane's riverfront and deliver the Queen's Wharf integrated resort development. The community is invited to comment on the proposed land use planning for the Queen's Wharf Brisbane Priority Development Area (PDA) draft development scheme (07 August 2015). More...

Published – articles, papers, reports

Budget impacts of negative gearing
Parliamentary Library (Australia); Tarek Dale
Summarises some of the estimates of the impact of negative gearing on the Commonwealth Budget (04 August 2015). More...

Cases – Victoria

Re PJLJ Pty Ltd, Richard Dunstan Reynolds and Patphair Investments Pty Ltd [2015] VSC 401
REAL PROPERTY — Restrictive covenants — Single dwelling restrictions Applications for modification — Applicable legal principles —Objectors refusing to be added as defendants – Whether appropriate to hear objectors concerns and submissions Objectors granted leave to express their concerns and to make submissions— Whether modifications will not substantially injure the persons entitled to the benefit of the covenants — Application granted — Property Law Act 1958, s 84(1)(c). More...

Mazza v Commissioner of State Revenue (Review and Regulation) [2015] VCAT 1190
Review and Regulation List – Duties Act 2000 – whether the transfer or assignment of a lease for which consideration is paid is a "dutiable transaction" – whether a lease for which consideration is paid is "dutiable property" – assessing the "dutiable value" of a lease which is the subject of a dutiable transaction, ss 7, 8 ,10, 22. More...

Hall v Casey CC [2015] VCAT 1155
Proposed Special Charge Scheme for road and drainage works for the relevant section of Brundrett Road; Council has declared the Scheme to carry out these works, but two affected properties have initiated a challenge at the Tribunal to this Scheme; Both challenges refused. More...

Huseyin v Yarra Ranges SC [2015] VCAT 1126
Section 77 of the Planning & Environment Act 1987; Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme; Medium density housing – Neighbourhood Residential Zone Transitional Provisions; Neighbourhood Character (Incremental Change Area); no permit. More...

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