Property

Kersten Gentle, CEO, FTMA. The debate on the “right” materials to use when building homes in bushfire-prone areas often sparks fierce opinions and misguided claims. While some advocate for alternative materials, timber framing remains a viable, safe, reliable and effective option when designed and built in accordance with modern practices.

Businesses from all sectors in the Tatiara District—whether trades, diesel mechanics, car dealers, agricultural machinery and supplies, manufacturing, or engineering—with five or 500 staff are unable to grow, or in some cases operate at capacity, because there is no accommodation available to house the staff they need to attract. This is the situation facing the district, council chief executive officer Anne Champness has told The [Naracoorte] News.

This story starts in about 1880 when the residents of the small rural community of East Laen, about 10km southwest of Donald, decided to build themselves a Methodist Church. Not much is known about this Church, but we can assume that it was a small wooden building, probably with a galvanised iron roof.

All agricultural land in Victoria should be mapped and strategic land use planning established to protect farmland in major areas such as Gippsland, according to a landmark report by a Victorian parliamentary committee. This was one of 33 recommendations and 29 findings in a report ‘Securing Victoria’s Food Supply’ by the Legislative Assembly Environment and Planning Committee.

The Betts/Barbour/Hume family’s 157-year-old agricultural and biodiversity conservation property is at a critical point. It may not survive this latest challenge to its viability. If it fails, it will take with it decades of labour and investment expended on protecting an extremely environmentally, historically, agriculturally and culturally important area.

An application to have Maldon listed on the National Heritage register has not been successful. Michele Waddington, owner of Fairbank House accommodation, completed the laborious application process and has been in discussions with heritage officers from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water for over 12 months.

After remaining dormant for several years, there are signs of life for the landscape-changing Fernleigh estate at Westbrook. Fernleigh is a master planned community on the northern side of Shoesmith Road in Westbrook, designed by Hallmark Property to deliver 1,500 residential lots.

In the early 2000’s White Cliffs residents were told that their dugouts would be exempt from the Native Title claim being made at the time by the [Barkindji Board] ... White Cliffs resident Dick Wagner organised a meeting ... to inform everyone of the current state of new lease agreements ...

Alex Morrison. The Prime Minister has begun an anti-bullying campaign. It’s welcome. He could start right at home with his own government who are allowing TCV to bully farmers in this district into accepting the power lines that come with wind turbines. Their treatment of affected landholders along VNI West power line route is a disgrace, the so-called negotiations and compensation offers are a farce.

NSW Crown Lands has employed the NSW Department of Works to create a Cloud Point Survey via Photogrammetry using drones, GPS Satellite terrestrial laser scanning within five millimetres of accuracy in preparation for major restoration works at the historic Dome Pavilion at the Narrandera Showground.

Regional Australia is the nation’s ‘destination of choice’ according to the latest Regional Movers Index (RMI) report, with data showing that while city dwellers are continuing to relocate out of metropolitan areas, regional Australians are increasingly staying put. Regional Australia Institute (RAI) CEO Liz Ritchie said data from the September 2024 quarter report shows city-to-regional relocations are now sitting at 19.8 per cent above the pre-Covid average...  

Volunteers of the Pelican Playhouse Committee are calling on the Clarence Valley community to assist them as they actively seek grant funding opportunities to restore and rebuild the iconic property in South Grafton. Following the devastating bushfires during 2019 and 2020, which impacted a number of theatre members, and the Covid-19 pandemic which forced the cancellation of several auditions and rehearsals, the Pelican Playhouse sustained significant structural damage during 2022 when devastating flooding occurred throughout Northern NSW.

Sarah Herrmann. Regional South Australia’s rental market is bucking national trends. October’s PropTrack Market Insight Report revealed regional SA had the highest rental vacancy rate, offering renters more choice than a year ago ... Planning law changes allowing larger granny flats will improve accessibility and create more housing options, SA Housing Minister Nick Champion says.

Farmers who hold properties in self-managed super funds (SMSFs) have had a win, with Labor delaying its shocking SMSF tax policy until after the next election.

Once people start moving onto the Summerland Estate at Fairy Hill, near Casino, how many will want to relocate their home? ... The first four relocated homes from the 2022 floods will be moved to Mount Pleasant Estate in Goonellabah. It is part of the largest assisted relocation program in Australian history.

A property leased by the Victorian Goldfields Railway (VGR) is being sold by the Victorian Government, raising questions about zoning and community consultation around the sale of a heritage asset that has been a green buffer around Maldon Station since the gold rush era. The Tarrangower Times ... requested information from Mount Alexander Shire Council (MASC) to ask about the zoning for 14 Reef Street, which was understood to have been changed to make way for the sale ...

New research commissioned by the Regional Australia Institute (RAI) shows the number of city-dwellers looking to relocate to the regions has doubled over the past 18 months, demonstrating an urgent need for solutions to regional pressure points. The results of a nationwide survey shows 40 per cent of capital city residents are considering a move to regional Australia – up from 20 per cent in May 2023.