Developer David Devine's luxury Burly Residences in North Burleigh Heads is one step closer to being realised.

Construction firm Gowdie Management Group has started the build phase of the $535 million apartment development on a prime beachfront site at The Esplanade.

The 25-level apartment development will have just over 100 high-end apartments, serviced by a full suite of facilities unseen in the exclusive pocket of North Burleigh.

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GMG, responsible&nbsp;for delivering a whole range of developments over the past 20 years nationally, expects to complete the build in 2027.

GMG is headed by John Gowdie who has more than 30 years experience in the Australian construction industry. Gowdie’s early years were spent working for some of Australia’s major construction companies, including Lend Lease and Walter Corporation, before establishing GMG in 2004.

DD Living CEO David Devine said it was exciting to see GMG on site bringing Burly Residences to life.

“Much has happened since we formally launched <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/burly-residences-north-burleigh-264-268-the-esplanade-burleigh-heads">Burly Residences</a> to the market, and I am very proud of the progress we have made to date and I am proud to announce our selection of Gowdie Management Group as the builder for the project,” Devine said.

“We are pleased to be working with a construction company of such high calibre for the delivery of Burly Residences to the elite standard we designed."

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Burly Residences will comprise two, three and four-bedroom apartments with two full levels of facilities including several swimming pools, a gym with Peloton room, steam room, sauna, yoga and Pilates lounge, a private cinema, barbecue area, casual and formal dining, kitchen, teppanyaki bar, private office, executive lounge and a bar.

Legendary Japanese architect Koichi Takada designed Burly Residences, and the interiors were handled by the equally regarded interior practice, MIM Design, led by design doyenne Miriam Fanning.

The two-bedroom apartments start from 116 sqm and the four-bedrooms reach 743 sqm.

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Adrian Parsons of TOTAL Property Group says&nbsp;Burly is completely unique and beyond anything else currently available on the market in North Burleigh.

“Large prestigious apartments enjoy 40 metres of beach frontage overlooking North Burleigh Beach and two whole levels of six-star resort and lifestyle amenities that are on par with the world’s most luxurious resort hotels," Parsons says.

"These facets and the exceptional location within walking distance of Burleigh Heads place Burly as a unique opportunity for large home-sized apartments right on the beach with six-star luxury and amenity.”

Prices start from just over $2.4 million.

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Joel Robinson

Construction commences at Devine's luxury Burleigh tower, Burly Residences

The First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) is a government initiative designed to help eligible first-time home buyers by offering financial assistance towards the purchase or construction of a new home.

While the FHOG is a nationwide program, it is administered separately by each state and territory, meaning the eligibility criteria, grant amounts, and property requirements can vary depending on your location. This means that the amount available and the conditions attached to the grant will differ, so it is important to check the specific guidelines for your state or territory.

It’s important to note that the FHOG is just one of several incentives available to first home buyers. In most states and territories, the grant is not linked to stamp duty exemptions or concessions, with the exception of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The FHOG is typically a one-off payment, reducing the overall cost of purchasing or building a new home before any stamp duty concessions are applied.

Below, we provide a breakdown of the First Home Owner Grants available across Australia, outlining the specific details for each state and territory.

<h2>New South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $600,000. For land purchases and owner-builders, the threshold extends to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Benefits: Provides full stamp duty exemption for homes valued up to $800,000, with concessions available for properties up to $1 million.

<h2>Victoria South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Provides a $10,000 grant for first-home buyers purchasing or building new homes valued up to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Benefits: Offers full stamp duty exemption for properties up to $600,000, with concessions available up to $750,000.

<h2>Queensland First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers $30,000 for contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2025. The FHOG applies to new homes valued up to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Concessions: Provides additional concessions for properties valued up to $800,000.

<h2>Western Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

&nbsp;

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $750,000 in the southern regions and up to $1 million in the northern regions.

Stamp Duty Concessions: Available for homes valued up to $600,000 for transactions entered into on or after 9 May 2024.

<h2>Australian Capital Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Replaced by the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, offering full stamp duty concessions for eligible buyers.

<h2>South Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Provides up to $15,000 for new homes, including houses, apartments, and townhouses. As of 6 June 2024, there is no property value cap for eligibility.

Stamp Duty Relief: Available for new homes and vacant land purchases.

<h2>Tasmania First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes and off the plan purchases.

Stamp Duty Exemption: Between 18 February 2024 and 30 June 2026, first home buyers of established homes valued up to $750,000 receive a full exemption on property transfer duty.

<h2>Northern Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: The Northern Territory provides a $10,000 grant for new homes only. Additional government grants and concessions are available for first home buyers.

Stamp Duty Exemption: The only stamp duty exemption available to property buyers is the House and Land Package Exemption (HLPE).

Eligibility criteria and application processes differ across states. Prospective buyers should refer to their respective state revenue offices for full details on grant availability, conditions, and additional concessions.

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

Sales have launched at Hali Dromana, the rare beachside townhouse development by Samuel Property on the Mornington Peninsula.

Samuel Property, led by Illan Samuel, once again partnered with the architectural excellence of Cera Stribley, one of Melbourne's most sought-after architecture firms, to design the 70 three and four-bedroom townhouses. The two worked together on Louise, Samuel's other development just off St Kilda Road.

Samuel says <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-townhouses/hali-dromana-105-111-point-nepean-road-dromana-vic-3936">Hali Dromana</a> is a homage to the beloved 1960s holiday home where Australian summers were defined.

"Hali will give <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/dromana-vic-3936">Dromana</a> a fresh identity that will stand the test of time," Samuel says.

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There have been three distinct buyer groups since the project launched, according to Blair Property Group Director Darren Blair.

The most active group has been those who already live on the Mornington Peninsula and are looking for lower-maintenance living, closer to the beach.

"These buyers have been locals for years, whether from Rosebud, Safety Beach, or Red Hill," Blair says.

"They want to rid themselves of maintaining a 1,000-plus sqm block and downsize to something brand new, closer to the beach. They're approaching retirement and want a more connected, lock-up-and-leave lifestyle—they don't want to get in their car and drive to the beach anymore."

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There's also been interest from those living in Melbourne's affluent eastern suburbs, who are planning for both a weekender and, potentially, a future beachside retirement home.

"These buyers will likely rent the home in the short to medium term and use it as their weekender throughout the year, but they're buying for a future permanent bolthole on the Mornington Peninsula."

What’s notable is that most of those who have shown interest have a significant connection to Dromana, Blair says.

"They either holidayed or grew up in Dromana as children, and they have historic ties to the area. Hali gives them the opportunity to buy something of this quality, which was previously unavailable anywhere on the Mornington Peninsula."

Samuel recently secured the permit for the near two-hectare block that was formerly the Kangerong Holiday Park. The few buildings that were on the prime site have started to be demolished, and civil works on the land will begin in the coming months. Completion of Hali is slated for mid-2027.

Buyers are already walking through the display suite at 9 Pier Street, 700m from Hali.

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Buyers are already walking through the display suite at 9 Pier Street, 700m from Hali

Hali Dromana strikes a chord with locals and Melbourne buyers looking for low maintenance beachside living

The European origins of the Hunter Valley date back to the early 1820s when the first small vineyard plots of about 20 acres were planted on the northern banks of the Hunter River trade route. Fast forward over two centuries and the Hunter Valley has grown to become one of the most popular regional destinations for foodies, wine lovers and golfers.

Despite the high level of interest in both living and visiting the Hunter Valley,&nbsp; development of new residential offerings has been limited. The Hunter Valley is traditionally known for its charming country homes, many of which have been in place for over a century and sit on larger rural blocks of land.

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-townhouses/lovedale-farm-1184-wine-country-drive-lovedale-nsw-2325">Lovedale Farm</a>, the new residential, resort, and golf community from Capital Corporation, brings a new residential offering to those seeking the Hunter Valley lifestyle. The opportunity has not been lost on those from Sydney and Newcastle, who have already snapped up over 60 per cent of the first release.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eUNxE5XQX8w?si=deCOe1eLBXwFfvFA" title="YouTube video player"></iframe>

In the heart of the Hunter Valley between Pokolbin and Rothbury, Lovedale Farm is a masterplanned golf development that will span an almost unrepeatable 240 hectares.

Every detail has been designed to be in keeping with the character of the local region, from half of the site being dedicated to green open spaces, bush restoration and recreation, to the design of three and four-bedroom residences, crafted as a rural retreat for 21st-century living.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/capital-corporation">Capital Corporation</a> has worked hand in hand with Cessnock Council and NSW Government for the best part of two decades to realise the vision for Lovedale Farm.&nbsp; The first release of residences will be accompanied by an 18-hole golf course designed by Darius Oliver, the designer known for projects like Cape Wickham on King Island.&nbsp; The masterplan includes a wider residential community, a boutique, high-end resort, destination dining precinct and apartments.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Buyers now have the chance to secure a slice of Lovedale Farm. Lot sizes range from 550 sqm up to 3,000 sqm. Prices for turnkey residences start from $1.35 million for three-bedroom homes on 550 sqm lots, lower than Sydney’s median house price of around $1.4 million.

The residences have been custom-designed exclusively for the development, balancing contemporary architecture with the traditional character of the Hunter Valley, with landscaping by Moir Studio.

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The golf-first design principle ensures the course remains a focal point, with a British heathland-style layout providing both strategic play and scenic views. Complementing the community will be an epicurean dining precinct featuring farm-to-table dining and a mix of local producers. The boutique resort will include luxury amenities such as a swimming pool, fitness facilities, and leisure spaces.

With seven kilometres of walking trails and a landscape inspired by the area’s natural beauty, Lovedale Farm is designed to provide both residents and visitors with an authentic rural lifestyle experience.

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Capital Corporation is officially unveiling its display suite at nearby Hunter Valley Gardens on March 15. The event, Gather on the Green, will feature local food, wine, and entertainment.&nbsp;

Capital Corporation has an enviable track record for creating large-scale, masterplanned communities across urban regeneration and greenfield sites. They’ve been behind the development of Woolooware Bay Town Centre at Cronulla Sharks Shark Park.&nbsp; More recently they are working on a multi-stage development in Wahroonga, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/the-residences-at-wahroonga-estate-169-fox-valley-road-wahroonga-nsw-2076">The Residences</a>, which will bring the first-ever large-scale development to the popular Upper North Shore suburb.

Last year they completed The Bond, working in tandem with the Bondi Junction RSL Club to develop 80 high-end apartments above a brand new RSL Club on Gray Street Bondi Junction.

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Inside Lovedale Farm, Hunter Valley’s newest landmark destination

There's no slowing down the popular, design-driven Melbourne apartment developer Milieu.

Currently working on <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/elsternwick-gardens-by-milieu-8-gordon-street-elsternwick">Elsternwick Gardens</a>, a garden community in Elsternwick, and nearing completion of the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/plant-street-by-milieu-malvern-1-plant-street-malvern">Plant Street Malvern project</a> later this year, Milieu is preparing to launch its sixth project in <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/brunswick-vic">Brunswick</a> project, one of Melbourne's trendiest suburbs.

The developer has secured approval for a nine-level, mixed-use development on the corner of Dawson and Saxon Street, just off Sydney Road and next to the famous Brunswick Baths.

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The new project, to be known as <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/saxon-street-by-milieu-10-dawson-street-brunswick">Saxon Street by Milieu</a>, will provide much-needed housing stock to the area, with apartments to be incorporated into the Jackson Clements Burrows Architect-designed building located in Brunswick’s Major Activity Centre.

The new building, with 78 apartments, will replace The Brosnan Centre, on an irregular shaped, but prime 1,764 sqm site in an area known as the civic and cultural epicentre of Brunswick, also adjoining councils brand new arts precinct known as Balam Balam Place.

<img alt="Milieu Brunswick" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b172aa05-75e1-4ec0-9494-1f94615a0847" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202024-03-15%20at%202.09.49%20pm.png?VersionId=SOFldlPMDi.4ZIaJUw5OT4.60qGHee6s" />An image from the town planning submission: Image Credit: JCB Architects

The gas-free building will be made up a diverse mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments&nbsp;over two levels of basement bar parking.

Milieu says&nbsp;the design, which includes landscaping by Oculus and interiors by Design Office, centres on sustainable initiatives that will reduce the cost of living.

"Designed with the future in mind, this project has been considered for its positive impact on the local community," Milieu says.

"Alongside the homes, the project will enhance the precinct through substantial improvements to public infrastructure and pedestrian access."<img alt="Milieu" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="887fd8f0-c41d-4157-bfc5-e35874f6a56b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202024-03-15%20at%202.10.01%20pm.png?VersionId=lkLmPhE6jcSq60dAZS3Yy5bPPzOx3aEa" />An image from the town planning submission: Image Credit: JCB Architects

The developer, founded in 2010 and led by Michael McCormack and Shannon Peach, said the&nbsp;Merri-bek Arts and Culture Precinct&nbsp;continues to evolve, fostering the arts and promoting health and wellness throughout the area.

In the design documents submitted to the Merri-Bek Council, JCB said the proposed building serves to sites neighbouring architectural heritage and substantially improve the public realm.

"Informed by neighbouring arched windows, a curved language is introduced to canopies, floor plate edges and parapets. This language is then exaggerated with introduction of semi-circular protruding balconies contrasting with the building’s otherwise rational façade."

<img alt="Milieu" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ee02a473-0e3b-47cb-b302-7f3e0868e245" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202024-03-15%20at%202.10.13%20pm.png?VersionId=ffuDtieMREIweTkVklIknTIaNsBD8vcT" />An image from the town planning submission: Image Credit: JCB Architect 
 
JCB said a&nbsp;key move made to improve the precinct is a 3.7-metre ground plane setback from Saxon Street widening an existing compromised narrow footpath.

"This significant urban gesture strengthens the physical connection between Dawson Street and Siteworks, a key Merri-bek cultural amenity," they said.

Saxon Street by Milieu is expected to launch in the coming months.

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Tight yields to drive retail property investors

Michael Crawford

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