Apartment owners at the Lacrosse building in Melbourne’s Docklands have been awarded millions of dollars in damages following a fire in 2014 that was fuelled by combustible cladding. The fire, ignited by a cigarette left on a balcony, led to Lacrosse’s owners seeking millions in damages during a month-long Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal case against the tower’s builder, LU Simon, which ended in October. While nobody died in the blaze, the tower fire sent...
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The Building Legislation Amendment (Consumer Protection) Act 2016(the Act) which was passed by the Victorian Government on 19 April 2016 imposes sweeping reforms in respect to a number of significant areas affecting residential construction in Victoria. By reason of a Proclamation published in the Victoria Government Gazette No. S 194 dated 21 June 2016, certain sections of the Act are to commence and ‘become live’ on 4 July this year. While the purpose of the...
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MORE and more television shows are advertising how to renovate or extend your home. I cringe when I see these types of programs that encourage home owners to undertake projects that are often too complex, dangerous and difficult for owner-builders to tackle. On the flip side, there are some home owners who have completed training and research that equips them with enough skills to complete standard projects. The programs that show how to totally gut...
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When looking to buy an investment property that will bring in a good rental return, location – in particular, proximity to public transport and the local shopping strip – is key. As is buying something that offers a sensible layout and, if you’re intending to lease it immediately, won’t require large capital works to bring it up to scratch. But once you’ve taken possession, what – apart from ensuring the property has been properly cleaned...
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THE Victorian government has released its vision for the Fishermans Bend precinct, with long-term plans for the urban renewal project including two underground train stations and the extension of the Collins Street tram over the Yarra River. The industrial area abutting Southbank and across the river from the Docklands has been earmarked for five new residential suburbs housing up to 80,000 people and will become the workplace for 40,000. A mixture of low-density, medium-density and...
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A HOUSE made almost entirely of recycled materials has sold for $1.27 million after its savvy owner converted a plain two-bedder into a four-bedroom masterpiece. Electrical engineer Paul Young poured his heart and soul into the project, at 59 Binalong Ave, Allambie Heights, after buying it as pole house in 1990. “I’d always been interested in building from recycled products,” Mr Young said. “Houses get knocked down and they have nice timber, which could be...
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INQUIRY rates for granny flats have soared this year and they’re not all planned as a home for older relatives. Specialist builders say there has been “a substantial increase” in the number of people asking about ancillary accommodation or “granny flats’’ since the State Government announced in March it would change legislation to allow the flats to be rented to non-relatives. Investment experts said the legislation changes, gazetted on August 2, would be a “game...
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NEW houses in Australia’s capital cities are being built on plots of land that are up to one third smaller than 10 years ago, says industry analyst BIS Shrapnel. BIS Shrapnel’s report, Outlook for Residential Land, says property developers are now producing smaller lots to encourage demand. The higher density of housing also boosts the developers’ revenues. “Median lot sizes have shrunk by between 14 and 32 per cent across the capital cities over the...
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