Owners Corporations of NSW strata title buildings may have as little as a year to prepare a ten-year sinking fund expenditure plan or risk facing a Tribunal order to meet its obligation. Bill Debney, managing director of Strata Finance which provides non-mortgage loan funds said under new rules, buildings built between 1985 and 1995 must [...]

Dog attacks have jumped sharply in NSW as councils become more vigilant about reporting incidents – but the public still only gets half the picture. Recently released Local Government Department figures reveal councils recorded 873 attacks in 2004-05. While german shepherds, cattle dogs and rottweilers carried out the most attacks in 2004-05, the pitbull terrier [...]

Water restrictions are here to stay despite recent heavy rain filling Sydney’s dams to 57%. Restrictions were tightened when dam levels dropped to 40 per cent but Water Utilities Minister Nathan Rees said there would be no change unless dam levels hit 65 per cent. He said experts would look at the impact each restriction [...]

Water restrictions are here to stay despite recent heavy rain filling Sydney’s dams to 57%. Restrictions were tightened when dam levels dropped to 40 per cent but Water Utilities Minister Nathan Rees said there would be no change unless dam levels hit 65 per cent. He said experts would look at the impact each restriction [...]

Beware of dodgy tradesmen arriving on your doorstep unannounced. That was the advice Inspector Frank Gilroy of Hornsby Police gve to a group of seniors at Turramurra senior’s centre last Wednesday. “On Monday we had a man claiming to be from Origin Electricity knock on a resident’s door asking to enter,” Insp Gilroy said. “The [...]

It has been noted that in the strong regional centre of Hornsby purchasers will also be attracted to developments that incorporate lifestyle alternatives with infrastructure including retail, schools community centres, golf, tennis and other recreational facilities. For the investor, what should they be looking for? Our experience is that most property investors prefer to buy [...]

A recent report from the Westpac Bank (13/07/07) noted that on the supply side, housing approvals rose 3.3% in April – the third consecutive monthly rise. However, on the demand side, the number of finance commitments to build or buy a new owner-occupied dwelling fell 1.7% in April (following a 2.9% increase in March. The [...]

The Australian Bureau of Statistics stated the value of dwelling finance commitments, excluding lending for alterations and new additions, increased by 1.4% in May. The value of owner-occupied housing commitments increased by 1.3% for the month, while the value of investment housing commitments increased by 1.7%.

As part of the Winter Campaign the Australian Red Cross Blood Service is launching its annual Winter Blood Challenge, calling for organisations across the country to get together and take part in a national three month challenge. Signing up for the inaugural Winter Blood Challenge will make a huge difference as each and every blood [...]

Hornsby, Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury City Councils have launched the latest edition of the Hawkesbury Regional Map. This second edition map is the latest venture between Hornsby and neighbouring councils, which aims to boost tourism in the region. Hornsby Mayor Nick Berman said, “By joining forces, the three councils are combining their time, effort, skills [...]