Reading RoomIssues surrounding options to renew are among the more commonly litigated lease disputes. A recent Supreme Court of Queensland case serves as a reminder that the results of these cases can be hugely significant for landlords and tenants alike, especially in rising rental markets.
Due to the number of possible issues that can arise, we recommend that both landlords and tenants seek …
With the change of government, we thought it worthwhile to provide a brief summary of the incoming Government’s Planning Policies. As is always the case in these circumstances, the devil will, of course, be in the detail, but what follows is a brief run-down of key policy initiatives likely to be implemented.
To view the full update please download the PDF.
Three power outages in the early part of 2009, two of which were likely caused by excavation work, provided the impetus for the Energy Legislation Amendment (Infrastructure Protection) Act 2009 (Amending Act), and associated regulations which came into force on 1 July 2010.
New land transfer registration fee in New South Wales
On 12 May 2010 the New South Wales Government announced the introduction of an ad valorem transfer fee in respect of the transfer of real property in New South Wales. This transfer fee is in addition to existing stamp duty payable on transfers of real property and is also payable by the purchaser.
On Tuesday, 4 May 2010, the State Government re-introduced into Parliament legislation intended to implement the Growth Area Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC). The legislation represents the second attempt to introduce a GAIC and follows extensive industry and parliamentary consultation.
The …
As part of COAG's commitment to introducing a comprehensive National Strategy for Energy Efficiency, the Building Energy Efficiency Disclosure Bill 2010 (Bill) was introduced into parliament on 18 March 2010.
The Bill provides for the establishment of a new national scheme for the mandatory disclosure of commercial office building efficiency.
In …
At last month’s 5th Annual Water Symposium the acting Chairman and CEO of the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), James Cox, suggested that it is unlikely that the full potential of competition in the water industry has yet been realised.
To view full Update, please download PDF.
On 18 December 2009 the Retirement Villages Regulation 2009 (NSW) was gazetted. The regulation will commence on 1 March 2010 in conjunction with the commencement of the Retirement Villages Amendment Act 2008 (Amending A Act). The 2009 Regulation is a redraft of the Retirement Villages Regulation 2000 reflecting the changes in both terminology and substantive matters introduced …
The much heralded Election Funding and Disclosures Amendment (Property Developers Prohibition) Bill 2009 was assented to on 14 December 2009, and commenced on the same day. The Bill amends the Election Funding and Disclosures Act 1981 (the EFDA). The changes follow close media scrutiny over the political donations relating to the Medich Property Group which provided …
The softening of Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) requirements over the last year for investment in Australian real estate has given more flexibility to both foreign investors and local developers.
Significant changes include:
