Our most recent Property Projects & Development articles are listed below:
14 May 2008
Significant infrastructure aspects of the 2008 Australian Federal Budget
As expected, this year’s Federal Budget has significant infrastructure related aspects, including an allocation of $40 billion from the 07/08 and (projected) 08/09 budget surpluses to be invested in three newly-established nation building funds.
29 May 2007
Taxation Review announces more changes to affect land holders in WA
The Western Australian State Taxation Review has announced further details of significant changes affecting companies, trusts and partnerships that hold land in Western Australia.
02 April 2007
Lease arrangements for green commercial buildings
This paper focuses on the problems, and possible solutions, for achieving consensus between a landlord and tenant on introducing ecologically sustainable development principles into commercial leasing arrangements. This is discussed in the context of new building projects and retrofitting existing buildings.
08 February 2007
Lyndhurst given a life: The ongoing saga of hazardous waste in Victoria
Following the Victorian State Government’s recent abandonment of the proposal to develop a waste containment facility at Nowingi in north-west Victoria, coupled with the announcement of increased landfill levies aimed at reducing industrial waste, the issue of hazardous waste disposal in Victoria is a very topical issue.
28 July 2006
Changes to the building industry security of payment regime in Victoria
The Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment (Amendment) Act 2006 (Vic) was passed last week. The amendments will apply to construction contracts entered into after the formal commencement of the legislation which is to be no later than 30 March 2007.
03 February 2006
Recent decision reduces risk of delay for approval of proposals undergoing environmental assessment
A recent decision of the Western Australian State Administrative Tribunal has confirmed that decision-makers should not stop their assessment of a proposal when it is referred to the Environmental Protection Authority for assessment under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986.
19 January 2006
WAPC approval for long-term leases in Western Australia — red tape to be cut
The Planning and Development Act 2005 (WA) received royal assent on 12 December 2005 and will commence on a date to be proclaimed. Current indications are that the commencement date will be some time in March/April 2006.
04 January 2005
The High Court's decision in WAPC v Temwood
On 9 December 2004, the High Court overturned a decision of the Full Court of the Supreme Court of Western Australia, and in doing so, endorsed the Western Australian Planning Commission's practice of imposing conditions on subdivision approvals requiring landowners to cede reserved land free of cost.
The decision means that owners of reserved land in such circumstances no longer have a guaranteed right to compensation.
28 July 2004
St Aubin Power Project
Financial close was recently achieved on the St Aubin Power Project on the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. Freehills' Brendan Quinn, Partner, Kate Hart-Smith, Senior Associate, Joanne Crew, Senior Associate and David Quinn, Solicitor, advisers to the sponsors on this deal, review some of the key aspects of this project.
02 July 2004
National Water Initiative — COAG agreement
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) held its 14th meeting on 25 June 2004. At that meeting, the Federal and all State and Territory Governments except for Western Australia and Tasmania agreed to a National Water Initiative (NWI). The NWI, which is set out in a document comprising some 40 pages, contains a number of actions to be implemented as priorities by signatory governments over the next 10 years.
07 February 2002
Queensland debates Subcontractors' Charges Amendment Bill 2001
The Queensland State Government is proposing further amendments to the Subcontractors' Charges Act (Act), which are intended to expand the application of the Act. Developers, contractors, subcontractors and project managers within the building and construction industry should be aware of the latest round of proposed amendments to the Act.
04 October 2001
ACT unit title law overhauled
The new ACT Unit Titles Act 2001 (Act) commenced on 6 October 2001.
02 June 2000
Queensland Retail Shop Leases Amendment Bill 2000
The Queensland Retail Shop Leases Amendment Bill 2000 was tabled in Parliament on 18 May 2000. It is expected that the Bill will be passed in late June 2000 before the commencement of GST legislation. This article summarises the most important issues arising from the Bill.
03 April 2000
GST and construction contracts
On 14 September 1999, the Australian Taxation Office issued a GST Bulletin (GSTB 1999/2) outlining its approved valuation methodology for construction work-in-progress.
11 November 1999
Recent Decisions - misleading and deceptive conduct by landlords
Landlords need to be aware that failure to disclose information to prospective tenants may constitute misleading and deceptive behaviour.
