Property

The federal government will add $455 million to its coffers after Treasurer Jim Chalmers moved swiftly to double foreign investment application fees. Labor’s election promise will become reality from this Friday. Foreign purchasers buying a residential property worth $1 million will be slugged an application fee of $13,200, up from $6,600. The same will apply to foreign buyers acquiring agricultural assets worth $2 million, and commercial assets worth $50 million ... “Australia welcomes foreign investment that is in Australia’s interests,” Chalmers said.

With Australian biodiversity under significant threat, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is urging the federal government to look to investment and collaboration with farmers. The call from the NFF comes after the recent release of the State of the Environment Report which revealed biodiversity across the country is experiencing a massive decline and currently remains under threat of further deterioration.

Cape York Traditional Owners have reconnected with their land, culture and history as part of four historic determinations which saw nearly 1.5 million hectares of land recognised under native title ... “Knowing that elders can go back on country, knowing that it’s theirs and they will be able to live and work on the country. There is a lot of closure in that”: Joanne Nelson ... Native title is recognised over more than 536,000 square kilometres of land in Queensland, with about 305,000 square kilometres currently subject to native title claims.

Chris Oldfield. Of the 132 Naracoorte Lucindale Council rate notices with 20 per cent increases, or higher, 78 per cent are residential or commercial property owners. Residential and commercial ratepayers also represent 80 per cent of the 93 assessments with rate increases of 10 to 20 per cent rate. Of the 2348 assessments with 5 and 10 per cent rate hikes, 97 per cent are rural landowners – mostly farmers.

Council took the first step to address Wellington’s acute housing shortage, paving the way to facilitate the development of around 1600 new housing lots. Four planning decisions were supported by Council, which will allow major housing developments to progress in Wurruk, north Sale and Longford.

Sheryl Lowe. Millicent will benefit from an estimated nine million dollar investment by the K & S Corporation following their purchase of the previously Council owned Adelaide Road Service Station, according to information received by The News. The investment will provide a refurbished site on Adelaide Road and a new facility on Billy Goat Corner.

Chris Oldfield. Almost $4 million on road construction, $70,000 on swimming pools, $268,000 on buildings and $1.4 million on industrial estates these are a few of the projects listed in the Tatiara District Council’s 2022 23 draft budget and business plan... Other spending includes $675,000 on worker accommodation which is jointly funded with the Federal Government.