POLITICS ... with Mungo MacCallum
The Labor Party made Julia Gillard leader because it thought it was in trouble and it needed a trouble-shooter, a fixer. She delivered immediately; the first fix is in and the big miners are off the government’s back.
The small miners aren’t too happy about it, but they were never the problem; it was BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Xstrata, with the backing of the Minerals Council, who were running the advertising campaign. That has now stopped, and Ms Fixit is getting all the credit.
Actually we now know that Kevin Rudd and his old mate Twiggy Forrest (who is also miffed at being left out of the final champagne-cracking) had already done most of the work; Gillard’s role was to make the final capitulation, a lowering of the tax rate from the previously untouchable 40 per cent to a headline 30 per cent, which, when the other concessions are taken in, falls further to 22.5 per cent – just over half the original proposal.
But the result, if you believe the Treasury figures (and Tony Abbott is not the only one who thinks they are a bit too good to be true) is that the big boys will still be paying $10.5 billion in the first two years that they would not have done otherwise. As fixes go, it’s not too bad.
Of course, there are other changes: the government has dropped its offer to pick up 40 per cent of establishment costs, the threshold at which the tax cuts in has been effectively doubled and the only mines affected are those producing coal and iron ore; for all other minerals, including bauxite and aluminium, it’s business as usual. Actually this is not as big a cop-out as it sounds because these commodities have not seen the huge price rises, and consequent windfall gains in profits that have made coal and iron such bonanzas; should the same thing happen to them, there will no doubt be moves to bring them into the new system.
So it isn’t the neat, inclusive policy package that Rudd, Wayne Swan and Ken Henry envisaged. But at this stage of the electoral cycle it doesn’t need to be; what is required is not policy but a fix.
And, as this column among others predicted some weeks ago, it has left the opposition out on a limb.
Tony Abbott, in a rare attack of consistency, is standing his ground: it’s still a great big new tax and he’ll abolish it and the election will be a referendum on tax, he cries. But it won’t; the fix is in and the issue is dead.
Gillard is now turning her attention to the next problem area, asylum seekers; and the outlook is a lot less happy. She has started by talking tough. The anxieties of insecure voters in the crowded western suburbs of Sydney are, she says, very real, and must be addressed: we need a fix.
Well, sure they are very real. But that does not mean they are either sensible or necessary. As has been pointed out countless times, the boat people make up a miniscule proportion of Australia’s net migration and in international terms their numbers are insignificant. The suggestion that they constitute some sort of threat to Australia and our way of life is not legitimate anxiety, but rampant paranoia fuelled by racist bigots and opportunistic politicians.
The way to deal with such worries is simply to give the facts; the truth is that there are no grounds for concern, and the prime minister should be taking the leading role in explaining this. But that’s too difficult and takes too long; it’s a policy, not a fix. So Gillard is instead calling for a full and open debate – well, at least for the next day or so, until she can announce her deeply considered solution.
Say what you really feel, she urges; abandon all thought of political correctness. And while you’re at it, abandon reason, compassion, humanity, decency, and any consideration of Australia’s international obligations and reputation. Let it all hang out. Gillard will then be able to announce measures which go a long way towards meeting the brutality of Tony Abbott’s approach, claiming that the public demands them: the fix she has been flagging all along, and the one the faction bosses who installed her really want.
And then there will be climate change and emissions trading; a short-term fix for this looming disaster might be more difficult, but we can be certain that this is what Gillard and her advisers will be seeking. She has made it clear that there can be no real policy until the public consensus that prevailed less than two years ago is restored, but she has also indicated that she is in no hurry to restore it, and that in any case the new consensus that emerges may not be one for firm or urgent action; and if that is the case, that is the one that will guide future policy.
Gillard is offering not leadership but populism, not vision but adhockery, not policy but fixes: whatever it takes.
She has had her boost in the polls, and that, for the moment, is all that really matters. We can only hope that this is just her pre-election mode and that a victory in her own right will give her the confidence and enthusiasm to set a real agenda for the years ahead.
Kevin Rudd had one, but he couldn’t explain it. Julia Gillard explains things very convincingly, but so far has had nothing much to say.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Look out, SA! This mob’s in the grove
WINE ... with David Bray
"I believe we produce the absolute best red wines in NSW and nothing else comes close and we are right on the heels of the iconic SA regions."
There speaks Brian Mullany, dedicated and very successful grapegrower. His fruit is made into Grove Estate wines, among other well respected labels. The Flanders, Kirkwood and Mullany families established the Grove Estate vineyard in 1989. Vines were originally planted on the property back in 1886. Croatian settlers brought with them bundles of vine cuttings.
Some of the vines survive at Grove Estate today. Plantings since 1989 include cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, merlot, zinfandel, barbera, sangiovese, petit verdot, chardonnay, semillon and nebbiolo and since 1997 Grove Estate has produced a range of premium wines under its own label.
Mr Mullany has written to me a long and interesting epistle. Encouraged by the example of better (no, make that better-known) columnists, I will let you read some of his heartfelt words: “You may like to introduce the winemakers who produce our wines and describe the unique characteristics of the Hilltops Region and the great pride we have here in growing a sustainable crop simply using the rain that falls on the vineyard, the air and the air temperature that blows around the vines and the soil that holds them in place and delivers the minerals and moisture that allows them to live according to the prevailing climate at the time.
“Grove Estate vineyard is around 4km from Young out the Murringo Road. We are around 100km northwest of Murrumbateman. Murrumbateman is the main grape growing area in the Canberra GIC and there are some handy winemakers. Two of them take our grapes, ferment them and hopefully without doing too much more bottle them as unique Hilltops wines.
“We are very fortunate to have Richard Parker at Long Rail Gully making our cabernet sauvignon and other Italian varietals and Tim Kirk at Clonakilla making our shiraz. Tim is very fortunate to receive our shiraz grapes as part of his parcel for the Clonakilla Hilltops shiraz as I am sure he would agree.
“I planted the original plantings on Grove Estate on October 7, 1989. I can remember this day as it was my wedding day _ obviously a very exciting day for me and one on which some things flourished and some things did not. Suffice to say that God had his way of explaining to me what was more important and that I should try again the following spring when I had my mind more on the job of nurturing the soil rather than the body.
“We now have a beautiful vineyard and three wonderful children. all the vines I planted in 1989 are happy and still alive today. We planted additional vineyard in 1992, 94 and 1998 and continue to replant and change some varieties nearly every year. Jay Tulloch turned up in the guise of Southcorp in 1994 to buy our first crop of cabernet and now in the guise of Jay Tulloch still buys some of our cabernet to this day.
“We are not on any major or for that matter minor river system in Young. We are right at the top of the divide between the rain water running towards the Murrumbidgee and the Lachlan Rivers and both of these at their closest points are around 70km from us. Our vines’ water resources are those that fall directly within the area that they can
“Young is very cold in winter, quite warm to hot in summer and has a magnificent autumn and spring. Typically the rainfall is around 620mm per year and this rain falls throughout the year with the driest months been February and March. This is ideal as February and March fall in with our harvesting period which we need to be dry with cool nights.
“Our cropping levels have been very low for the past five to ten years. Our vines have been producing around 4 tonnes per hectare with yields as low as 2 tonnes per hectare some years. To give you an idea of just how low this is a typical Riverland vineyard would aim to produce between 15 and 20 tonne per hectare and even the cool climate vineyards in the Orange area would aim to produce at least 8 tonnes per hectare.
“You will never see large plantings of vineyards in the Hilltops area due to the reasons I have mentioned above. However you will and already can see extraordinary and beautiful wines from this area. I do not know if this area will ever become a tourist attraction like other wine regions and I don’t know if I want that to happen.
“It is very calm here today the cellar door has been shut for a few weeks and I think I like that, the orders come in over the email and a lot of small and large independents have helped us move all the stock we have. “Wines from the Hilltops have been winning many awards, many more awards than a small region like ours probably should win and for lots of different varieties and styles. This makes it difficult for our region to be earmarked for a particular style. I can’t understand why this matters. Can’t we simply be earmarked as a great grape growing region?.”
As well as the words, Brian sent some wines and notes on them:
Grove Estate Sommita nebbiolo 2008. Sommita is Italian for Hilltops which reflects the grape varieties’ origins in the Piedmont region … the 2008 shows lovely floral notes and a mix of dark berry fruit flavours and savoury spice with balanced tannins . (Likely price around $45).
Grove Estate The Italian sangiovese barbera 2008. The dominant savoury flavours of the sangiovese are well balanced with the richer sweeter fruit style of the barbera. ($20).
The Cellar Block shiraz viognier 2007, a medium to full bodied red with the substance to age well. ($38)
Well worth a look, all of them.
Top blues the prize ... with cigar!
MY SHOUT with Ivor Thurston
Queensland Festival of Blues
Jubilee Hotel St Pauls Terrace, Valley Saturday July 17 and Sunday July 18
Tickets: Saturday $35 at the door
Sunday $20 at the door
2 day prepurchased via Oztik: $30
2 day prepurchased via Juke Joint $27
Inquiries: jukejoint@live.com.au
My loyal readers would know that my greatest love – well, after a soothing Dakota pimms with citrus peel at the end or start of a long day, that is – is music. Uber-eclectic are my tastes, and many a female acquaintance has been more than impressed when shown my collection of 12 inches.
For me vinyl is still king, and I have them all: from the great musicals of Hollywood and Broadway, to the World War 11 songs of Vera Lyn, to the thumping works of probably the greatest composer of all time, John Philip Sousa. Da darrr, da darrr, da da darrr. Magic!
And then there’s the greatest genre of them all – blues. Even typing that word on my Remington 12 easyglide has gotten the old hushpuppies a-tapping. Not bad considering they’re up in an upstairs closet as I write this.
For that reason alone, I am more than happy to give a plug to the upcoming Queensland Festival of Blues at arguably one of my favourite watering holes, The Jubilee on St Pauls Terrace in the Valley. That’s where journalists used to go and drink, when they used to drink and before they took redundancy packages. I can’t promise to be there both days but make sure you set aside Saturday July 17 and Sunday July 18 and if you spot me – some people say I’m hard to miss – please say hello!
In what promises to be an awesome two days of high quality blues, the festival kicks off on the Saturday at 1.30pm and rocks through until midnight, and features some of the who’s who of Australian blues, headlined by the one and only Bondi Cigars. I’m told it’s been a while since the Cigars last appeared in Brisbane – not that they would be unfamiliar with Fortitude Valley – and I reckon it will be well worth the wait.
Pugsley Buzzard, (pictured above) and touted as Australia’s own growling, snarling, piano thumping hoodooman, makes the trek north to show Queensland blues fans what all the fuss is about. And Tasmania’s crown king of the jump blues guitar Pete Cornelius will be dropping by to showcase his amazing vintage guitar chops. And speaking of the Apple Isle, Kate Meehan and Skip Landy should have just moved into their new Tassie digs before flying up to get all Koko Taylor on us with their Wise Fools. The superb Mojo Webb keeps the vintage groove bubbling with a set from his hot 4 piece band, whilst Blind Lemon must surely now join Mojo as a “must see” live Australian blues act after another amazing weekend at Broadbeach, and a hot new CD, Drinkers Lament…
The traditional blues flame will continue to burn with sets by Brisbane’s own Natural Ball, the very good close friend of mine Blind Dog Donnie, and Natural Born Lovers. The Sunshine Coast has not been forgotten, with sets to be performed by Triple Shot and Kath Williams and the Housesitters. I’m told that’s 11 quality blues acts on two big stages, over more than 10 hours And If you can recover from that within 11 hours, then come back – or come to somewhere out the back – for the inaugural Queensland Blues Showcase on the Sunday. J
uke Joint, the festival’s organisers, have inviting a number of blues venue bookers, festival organisers, and record company managers from locally and interstate to view around 15 of our great local acts.
This commendable new event will take place over six hours from 11 am, so come along to show your support of our great local blues music talent. I might bring the spoons and join in for a set or two, but only if invited, of course.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Clearway ‘will hurt local traders’
NEWS
City Council plans to make Ann Street a seven-days-a-week daytime clearway through Fortitude Valley will hit local traders hard, the local councillor and business chamber believe.
In a 16 June letter to local business owners and traders, the council said it wanted the permanent clearway introduced to “reduce congestion and delays in Ann Street on weekends for traffic including buses”.
“It is anticipated that the changes to the clearway times will be undertaken by the end of July 2010.” Ann Street, which is one-way inbound through the inner-north, has had a permanent daytime clearway on its left side to help traffic turn left into Brunswick Street.
But the right hand side has been a clearway only between 7am and 7pm on weekdays, and it’s the extension of this to the weekends that will affect traders, according to local councillor David Hinchliffe (Central Ward) and the Fortitude Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Local traders in recent months have pleaded with council to police a two-hour weekend limit to help keep their customer numbers up and prevent weekend Valley malls stallowners and shoppers parking there for many hours, especially seeing council has admitted it no longer policies the two-hour rule.
Some traders would have even accepted parking meters as a solution to achieving a regular turnover of motorists – and potential customers – in the area.
Cr Hinchliffe said of the council letter: “This does not sound like a consultation process. They’ve made a decision and said ‘lump it’. “Council should have consulted genuinely with property owners and traders instead of just announcing that a clearway will be installed in a month’s time. That’s not cons
ultation. This will hit traders hard from the Emporium through to the Valley Heart.” Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO Carol Gordon said: “Why this is happening when the new [Clem7] tunnel and Inner City ByPass are suppose to reduce through traffic in the heart of the Valley.
“The chamber does expect BCC to continue to support the ‘day economy’ in the Valley yet they are taking away what little parking there is in the Valley at the very time it is most needed.
“It would appear BCC has not even considering putting in parking metres as an option – if they have, who did they consult? “The retail and other businesses in Ann Street between Montpelier Road and the heart of the Valley when this is introduced will just be able to wave goodbye to the people who will now just drive by at 60km a hour.”
Council in its letter to locals earlier this month said its review had identified that peak weekend traffic volumes were only 20 per cent less than weekday peak volumes. Parking at the weekends also reduced Ann Street to only two free-flowing lanes, and bus travel times down Ann Street during peak times increased from under three minutes on weekdays to more than seven minutes on Saturday.
Councillor Hinchliffe showed The Independent photos he had taken of Ann Street on the weekends and argued they showed that traffic congestion was not a problem at busy times over the weekend.
City Council plans to make Ann Street a seven-days-a-week daytime clearway through Fortitude Valley will hit local traders hard, the local councillor and business chamber believe.
In a 16 June letter to local business owners and traders, the council said it wanted the permanent clearway introduced to “reduce congestion and delays in Ann Street on weekends for traffic including buses”.
“It is anticipated that the changes to the clearway times will be undertaken by the end of July 2010.” Ann Street, which is one-way inbound through the inner-north, has had a permanent daytime clearway on its left side to help traffic turn left into Brunswick Street.
But the right hand side has been a clearway only between 7am and 7pm on weekdays, and it’s the extension of this to the weekends that will affect traders, according to local councillor David Hinchliffe (Central Ward) and the Fortitude Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Local traders in recent months have pleaded with council to police a two-hour weekend limit to help keep their customer numbers up and prevent weekend Valley malls stallowners and shoppers parking there for many hours, especially seeing council has admitted it no longer policies the two-hour rule.
Some traders would have even accepted parking meters as a solution to achieving a regular turnover of motorists – and potential customers – in the area.
Cr Hinchliffe said of the council letter: “This does not sound like a consultation process. They’ve made a decision and said ‘lump it’. “Council should have consulted genuinely with property owners and traders instead of just announcing that a clearway will be installed in a month’s time. That’s not cons
ultation. This will hit traders hard from the Emporium through to the Valley Heart.” Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO Carol Gordon said: “Why this is happening when the new [Clem7] tunnel and Inner City ByPass are suppose to reduce through traffic in the heart of the Valley.
“The chamber does expect BCC to continue to support the ‘day economy’ in the Valley yet they are taking away what little parking there is in the Valley at the very time it is most needed.
“It would appear BCC has not even considering putting in parking metres as an option – if they have, who did they consult? “The retail and other businesses in Ann Street between Montpelier Road and the heart of the Valley when this is introduced will just be able to wave goodbye to the people who will now just drive by at 60km a hour.”
Council in its letter to locals earlier this month said its review had identified that peak weekend traffic volumes were only 20 per cent less than weekday peak volumes. Parking at the weekends also reduced Ann Street to only two free-flowing lanes, and bus travel times down Ann Street during peak times increased from under three minutes on weekdays to more than seven minutes on Saturday.
Councillor Hinchliffe showed The Independent photos he had taken of Ann Street on the weekends and argued they showed that traffic congestion was not a problem at busy times over the weekend.
Fast food, loud music: will the Valley Mall one day have anything else?
NEWS
Fast food chain outlets are growing in the Valley Mall like topsy – and the trend is one that should be resisted according to long-term local councillor David Hinchliffe.
Several years ago, the central Valley area had no specifically designated fast food chicken outlets. By the end of last year, there were two: Country Chicken under McWhirters on Wickham Street and Nandos in Licorice Lane in the TCB.
In recent weeks Oportos has opened a flash outlet in the mall, and the fitout for the new Red Rooster outlet just a few doors up the mall in the defunct Fortitude Valley bakery building is gathering pace.
The Independent understands that KFC is eager to open a shopfront on the mall, and has looked at the empty Commonwealth Bank site mid mall, although a very limited lease of several years makes that option unattractive. And Hungry Jack’s has been looking at the vacant The Music Shop premises in McWhirters, although a legal stoush with McDonalds might follow any attempt to move there.
Cr Hinchliffe told The Independent this week: “Unfortunately, council doesn’t have any legal power to restrict the type of commercial premises in the Brunswick Street mall. It will be very sad to see the Brunswick Street mall over-run with Hungry Jacks, Red Rooster, KFC and McDonalds.
“These private property owners are looking only for the big bucks and sadly don’t seem to care about the Valley retaining its individual character. I also fear that this tsunami of takeaways will see a spike in rubbish.
“This mall will end up looking like any other mall in Australia. It is a curse and a disease and it seems councils are powerless to prevent it.”
Top: A Red Rooster outlet is coming to the Valley Bakery site.
Newest suburb lets its hair down
NEWS
The amazing diversity of Teneriffe will be on display when a writer’s breakfast kickstarts the inaugural Teneriffe Festival on Saturday week (3 July).
The breakfast will run for an hour from 9am on the grassy banks outside Aqua Linea restaurant. Join award-winning speculative writer Trent Jamieson, together with Anthony Brown, who penned The Boys from Ballymore and Vicki Bridgestock, author of the historical work, Tides of Teneriffe.
Come along and listen to three Brisbane authors who dared to dream and have now become successful authors. Are you a secret scribbler? Do you have a story you are wanting to tell, but don’t know how to begin? Or are you already happily writing and looking for like-minded people with whom to share your passion? This could very well be the inaugural meeting of The Teneriffe Writers Group!
The breakfast will be followed by the “Walking of the Sheep” through Ethel Street and the official opening of the festival by the Queensland Governor Penelope Wensley.
Teneriffe Festival committee chairman Richard Bodle says everyone is welcome to attend the festival.
“Teneriffe, the most charming heritage suburb of Brisbane, recently had its official suburb status returned by the Queensland Government, after a decision decades earlier to incorporate it into Newstead.
“This newfound independence is enough reason to celebrate our past and the present while welcoming change for the future.
“Teneriffe has more than 100 years of history, no better expressed than in the charming wool stores along the bank of the Brisbane River. They have been renovated to the highest standard to make Teneriffe a thriving cosmopolitan community with restaurants, boutique offices and home to thousands.
“We in Teneriffe look forward to having you join us to celebrate the inaugural Teneriffe Festival.”
For more information on the festival and relevant road closures, go to www.teneriffefestival.org
THE DAY’S ACTIVITIES
• Governor officially opens Festival approx 11am.
• Running of the Rams' (featuring Teneriffe Gym 'Jocks' dressed in white, parodying the 'Running of the Bulls' in Pamplona)
• Sheep Muster' (organised by Roy Potticary, an Oakey sheep farmer who puts on shows involving sheep dog work and shearing displays at the Jondarayan Woolshed) .
• Wool fashion displays (featuring some of Teneriffe's most exciting designers) .
• Jan Power's Farmers Markets and Peter Hackworth's Arts & Crafts.
• Steinway on the Street' (classical pianists play on a Steinway grand piano in Vernon Tce) .
• OMNI BUS tours around Teneriffe Woolstores and Teneriffe Hill with local historians
• Judging of the best dressed "Ram" from the 'Running of the Rams" down Ethel Street • Cooking with Lamb demonstrations
• Knitting demonstrations and competitions
• Spinning and weaving demonstrations
• Sculptor working on 'Teneriffe Sheep Sculpture'
• Sheep Shearing demonstrations (organized by Roy Pottica)
• A theatrical enactment of the History of Teneriffe - with a narrative from the book 'The Tides of Teneriffe'
• The Outdoor Picture Show - featuring the first film directed by Charles Edward Chauvel in 1926 - The Moth of Moonbi - Filmed in Moreton Bay and at the Orchids around Teneriffe House.
* Male Grooming 101
• The Bean and Barista Championship
• Old footage on the Winchcombe Carson Wool Store - with soundtrack accompanied by a collective of classically trained pianists (screened at night on the side of the woolstore)
Sub made a total mass of himself
LETTERS
Dear Editor
We enjoyed your latest issue, including the front-page typo which surely qualifies for a revered spot in the Pantheon of Freudian Slips, namely “ass-produced trinkets”. We couldn't agree more that there are lots of useless, ass-produced things around these days!
Gloria and Gerard
4/1 Newstead Avenue
Newstead
Editor’s comment: Yes, that was a howler, wasn’t it? And our apologies to Cr David Hinchliffe, who was talking about “mass-produced trinkets”. The error was made in the production process and the subeditor involved – from our graphic design/subediting Pod 3 on Pre-Production Mezanine Level 4 – has been issued with an official warning, his 23rd.
Of hype and helmets
Dear Editor
I was furious when I read the “Questions answered about bike scheme” in your last issue. Talk about politician's answers ... completely ignoring the questions and putting out the same old hype we have suffered through all the time..
I am particularly concerned about the question of helmets, which was not even mentioned. Last I read “Can Do” said he was still looking into the question, I suspect it is in the too hard basket and we the ratepayers will end up with massive compensation owed to JCDecaux, because the scheme is unworkable from a safety viewpoint.
Of all the countries in the world in which this scheme is operating, not one has a mandatory helmet wearing law. Please again broach this subject with “Can Do” or someone who will address this question.
Philippa Webb
via email
Dear Editor
We enjoyed your latest issue, including the front-page typo which surely qualifies for a revered spot in the Pantheon of Freudian Slips, namely “ass-produced trinkets”. We couldn't agree more that there are lots of useless, ass-produced things around these days!
Gloria and Gerard
4/1 Newstead Avenue
Newstead
Editor’s comment: Yes, that was a howler, wasn’t it? And our apologies to Cr David Hinchliffe, who was talking about “mass-produced trinkets”. The error was made in the production process and the subeditor involved – from our graphic design/subediting Pod 3 on Pre-Production Mezanine Level 4 – has been issued with an official warning, his 23rd.
Of hype and helmets
Dear Editor
I was furious when I read the “Questions answered about bike scheme” in your last issue. Talk about politician's answers ... completely ignoring the questions and putting out the same old hype we have suffered through all the time..
I am particularly concerned about the question of helmets, which was not even mentioned. Last I read “Can Do” said he was still looking into the question, I suspect it is in the too hard basket and we the ratepayers will end up with massive compensation owed to JCDecaux, because the scheme is unworkable from a safety viewpoint.
Of all the countries in the world in which this scheme is operating, not one has a mandatory helmet wearing law. Please again broach this subject with “Can Do” or someone who will address this question.
Philippa Webb
via email
Million-plus price tags becoming passe?
PROPERTY NEWS
Recent prestige property market research compiled by rpdata.com senior analyst Cameron Kusher reveals that a property with a median house price of around $1million is not necessarily a big deal in today’s market – especially when stacked up against Peppermint Grove in WA which now boasts a median house price of $4,537,500.
Mr Kusher said that with the premium residential market recording the highest capital gains over the last 12 months, the number of suburbs with a median price of at least $1 million have become more common.
For the 12 months to February 2010, rpdata.com confirmed that 165 suburbs nationwide recorded a median price of at least $1 million for either houses or units.
In comparison, during the previous 12 months there were 147 suburbs nationally with a median price of at least $1 million, indicating that the number of $1 million suburbs has increased by 12 per cent over the last year.
Mr Kusher said that despite the jump in million dollar suburbs, there are still fewer than what was recorded prior to the Global Financial Crisis.
Recent prestige property market research compiled by rpdata.com senior analyst Cameron Kusher reveals that a property with a median house price of around $1million is not necessarily a big deal in today’s market – especially when stacked up against Peppermint Grove in WA which now boasts a median house price of $4,537,500.
Mr Kusher said that with the premium residential market recording the highest capital gains over the last 12 months, the number of suburbs with a median price of at least $1 million have become more common.
For the 12 months to February 2010, rpdata.com confirmed that 165 suburbs nationwide recorded a median price of at least $1 million for either houses or units.
In comparison, during the previous 12 months there were 147 suburbs nationally with a median price of at least $1 million, indicating that the number of $1 million suburbs has increased by 12 per cent over the last year.
Mr Kusher said that despite the jump in million dollar suburbs, there are still fewer than what was recorded prior to the Global Financial Crisis.
What buyers go to water over
PROPERTY NEWS
A poll released by PRDnationwide shows 4 per cent of home hunters believe a flood prone property is the biggest deterrent in purchasing a home. Thirty per cent of respondents said they would be most deterred by position on a main road, while 16 per cent would not purchase a property based on poor reputation of a suburb.
PRDnationwide managing director Jim Midgley said only small numbers of buyers were put off by too much renovation needed (9 per cent) or poor landscaping (4 per cent) “A flood prone property is often cheaper than other houses in a suburb and can take a long time to sell as it is the most common deterrent for buying a home,” Mr Midgley said.
“Floods can cause great destruction of property and it’s just not worth the risk for most people,” he said.
PRDnationwide research director Aaron Maskrey said houses on main roads were often down-valued. “Traffic noise is a real turn-off for owner occupiers – but often these properties sell to investors,” Mr Maskrey said.
“As cars become quieter, a main road position may not be so much of an issue in the future,” he said. “But for the moment – more than a third of house hunters would not buy property on a main thoroughfare,” he said.
Mr Maskrey said the real estate mantra ‘location, location, location’ still holds true.
“People are prepared to renovate or work in the garden to improve a property, but there’s not much you can do about main road noise or a rough neighbourhood,” he said.
Queenslanders urged to check balcony standards
PROPERTY NEWS
Vendors and real estate agents should avoid the risk of unwittingly selling or renting a home with an unsafe balcony which could collapse, killing or injuring people, by having scheduled maintenance checks.
That’s the advice of Ian Agnew, Queensland state manager of Archicentre, who says people buying properties with large decks, or high balconies, especially Queenslanders and those in coastal areas, should request a copy of the building permit for the structure and an independent current assessment of its safety by a registered inspector from a reputable organisation.
Mr Agnew said it is important people purchasing homes have access to appropriate building permits to gain an understanding of when the deck was built and approved by the local council.
Archicentre's pre-purchase home inspection statistics show that approximately 6 per cent of Australian homes have a timber balcony or deck and that about 2 per cent of these (8000) are potentially fatal. Following another balcony collapse in New South Wales recently, where 12 teenagers were injured, Mr Agnew said selling a house with an unsafe balcony could be compared to selling a car with no brakes.
In recent times in Queensland we have seen a tragic incident where a balcony floor gave way causing a baby to be dropped resulting in a death.
“The potential for multiple law suits against agents and vendors of homes sold with illegally built or unsafe balconies is a very real issue given the fact that many of the collapses can happen with large numbers of people on the deck.
“Anyone who purchases a home with a balcony that is in disrepair and which collapses injuring people or themselves could find themselves in no man’s land with insurance claims as they are responsible for maintaining their home in good order."
Archicentre stresses there is a need for people to continually inspect their decks and balconies for rotting timbers and rusty corroding steel fittings which could lead to life threatening balcony collapses.
Mr Agnew said in the last few years, balcony collapses in several states have resulted in a number of injuries and deaths with Queenslanders and coastal properties in the high risk categories because of the harsh environment and salt damage to metal fittings.
“As a safety measure, all homeowners should continually thoroughly check the timbers, fixings and structure that support and attach the deck to the home, and check the bracing members and support beams of the deck, timber posts and steel columns looking for soft, spongy sections of compressed timber and rusting steel.”
“If people find faults they should take immediate action to repair them and if they are not sure to seek professional advice of an architect, engineer or registered builder.”
Vendors and real estate agents should avoid the risk of unwittingly selling or renting a home with an unsafe balcony which could collapse, killing or injuring people, by having scheduled maintenance checks.
That’s the advice of Ian Agnew, Queensland state manager of Archicentre, who says people buying properties with large decks, or high balconies, especially Queenslanders and those in coastal areas, should request a copy of the building permit for the structure and an independent current assessment of its safety by a registered inspector from a reputable organisation.
Mr Agnew said it is important people purchasing homes have access to appropriate building permits to gain an understanding of when the deck was built and approved by the local council.
Archicentre's pre-purchase home inspection statistics show that approximately 6 per cent of Australian homes have a timber balcony or deck and that about 2 per cent of these (8000) are potentially fatal. Following another balcony collapse in New South Wales recently, where 12 teenagers were injured, Mr Agnew said selling a house with an unsafe balcony could be compared to selling a car with no brakes.
In recent times in Queensland we have seen a tragic incident where a balcony floor gave way causing a baby to be dropped resulting in a death.
“The potential for multiple law suits against agents and vendors of homes sold with illegally built or unsafe balconies is a very real issue given the fact that many of the collapses can happen with large numbers of people on the deck.
“Anyone who purchases a home with a balcony that is in disrepair and which collapses injuring people or themselves could find themselves in no man’s land with insurance claims as they are responsible for maintaining their home in good order."
Archicentre stresses there is a need for people to continually inspect their decks and balconies for rotting timbers and rusty corroding steel fittings which could lead to life threatening balcony collapses.
Mr Agnew said in the last few years, balcony collapses in several states have resulted in a number of injuries and deaths with Queenslanders and coastal properties in the high risk categories because of the harsh environment and salt damage to metal fittings.
“As a safety measure, all homeowners should continually thoroughly check the timbers, fixings and structure that support and attach the deck to the home, and check the bracing members and support beams of the deck, timber posts and steel columns looking for soft, spongy sections of compressed timber and rusting steel.”
“If people find faults they should take immediate action to repair them and if they are not sure to seek professional advice of an architect, engineer or registered builder.”
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