The Northern Rivers Times
November 2, 2023
40 REAL ESTATE
New Subdivisions in Brisbane Address Housing and Land Shortage Crisis The burgeoning housing and land shortage crisis in Brisbane is seeing a glimmer of hope as new residential subdivisions sprout across the city, offering eager buyers much-needed relief. These developments aim to provide prospective homeowners with an opportunity to secure their own piece of the property market in various parts of the city. One of the promising locations is Taigum, situated on Brisbane’s northside, where 36 blocks of land have become available, presenting a golden opportunity for buyers to claim a brand-new home for the reasonable sum of $800,000. Similarly, on the northside of Brisbane, prospective buyers can explore 13 available blocks in Bridgeman Downs and nine lots in McDowall. In the west, Fig Tree Pocket offers a unique opportunity for acreagestyle land, coupled with direct access to pristine
natural surroundings. This locale provides a serene escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. The driving force behind these developments is Brisbane-based developer Chapter Two, headed by Director Jon Quayle. Mr. Quayle emphasizes that many individuals hold the misconception that the only way to build a new home in Brisbane is by demolishing an older property in an expensive inner-city area. However, the reality is different.
Chapter Two is bringing more than 80 new blocks of land to the market by adopting an innovative approach to development. The company actively seeks out smaller subdivisions in established neighbourhoods, thus creating fresh opportunities for buyers. Chapter Two’s efforts have recently borne fruit with the approval, received in September, for 36 lots at Taigum, on a site originally planned for townhouses. By working closely
with the Brisbane City Council, the developer is now providing a unique chance for individuals to secure their piece of land. The anticipated lot sizes at Cordyline Taigum will average around 300 square meters, with house and land packages expected to start from a competitive $800,000. This represents significant value for the Brisbane property market. Moreover, Chapter Two has successfully completed a boutique
project in Fig Tree Pocket, with homes priced at $1.5 million. This development is strategically located near the Brisbane River, within walking distance of leading schools, expansive parklands, and equestrian fields. The inaugural Residential Land Report, a collaborative effort between digital property settlement firm PEXA and demography analysts Informed Decisions, reveals the challenges posed by a decrease in vacant land settlements
in Queensland, totalling 24,226 in the fiscal year 2023. This figure represents a substantial annual decline of 16.2 percent. Despite this decline, several key greenfield councils, particularly in South East Queensland, still lag behind forecasted dwelling growth. In summary, these new subdivisions and residential developments represent a positive step towards mitigating Brisbane’s housing and land shortage. With innovative approaches to development and collaboration with local authorities, developers like Chapter Two are making homeownership more accessible and affordable for eager buyers. This expansion of available properties provides hope for those seeking to enter the housing market and alleviates some of the pressures caused by the current housing crisis.
Revolutionizing Home Construction: 8-Star Rated Homes in Just Two Months Renowned developer AV Jennings, a prominent name in the Australian housing sector, is poised to revolutionize the construction industry with ground-breaking technology that promises to deliver homes in as little as two months, all while achieving an impressive eight-star energy efficiency rating. This innovative leap, hailed by Phil Kearns, CEO of AV Jennings, marks a pivotal moment
in the industry’s evolution. Kearns, a former Wallabies rugby union captain turned corporate leader, expressed his enthusiasm for the joint venture between AV Jennings and technology innovator Pro9. This collaboration aims to bring an energyefficient walling system to Australia, with production scheduled to commence around March next year. The new
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system is anticipated to dramatically reduce construction times, potentially down to a fifth of the current wait times. Already, it has contributed to the creation of one of the most energyefficient homes in the country, achieving an impressive rating of 9.4 under the Nationwide Housing Energy Rating Scheme (NaTHERS), in Brisbane. Kearns underlined the potential of this transformative technology, stating, “For us, in the short term, we’ll still employ some traditional construction methods. However, over time, we could see up to 100 percent of our homes being built using this revolutionary format. The results thus far in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne have been exceptional, with energy ratings in Melbourne exceeding 8.2, in Sydney, exceeding 8.5, and in Brisbane, an outstanding 9.4.”
This progressive move by AV Jennings and Pro9 promises to surpass the minimum 7-star requirement set by the construction code, scheduled to take effect in October 2023. Kearns emphasized that the methodology of house construction in Australia has seen little change for decades, but the collaboration with Pro9, initiated four years ago, has ushered in a new era of construction innovation. Kearns explained, “We’ve combined our expertise in construction with Pro9’s technological innovations in materials to deliver an exceptional housing solution. As we delved into the realm of prefab housing, we discovered that the materials used, and the construction process yield a remarkably sustainable and energyefficient outcome. We are truly delighted to have achieved energy efficiency, sustainability, and accelerated
construction all in one package.” While the cost of incorporating this new walling technology into homes has not been disclosed, Kearns anticipates that the manufacturing facility will initially produce sufficient material for over 1,000 homes per year on a singleshift basis. He also underscored that this represents just the beginning of their plans for future expansion. Gail Alvarez, who sold an eight-acre property on the Gold Coast, shared her enthusiasm for her new four-bedroom AV Jennings home at Riverton, Jimboomba, part of the minimum 8-star energy efficiency rated Stellar Collection. Alvarez was drawn to the energy efficiency gains in her new home, emphasizing the importance of sustainable living and the reduction of power consumption. AV Jennings’ Stellar
Collection, featuring the Pro9 walling system, consistently achieves energy efficiency ratings at least two stars above the national 6-star rating, positioning it one star higher than the upcoming building code changes scheduled for October 2023. In summary, AV Jennings’ collaboration with Pro9 heralds a transformative chapter in the Australian construction industry. With a commitment to sustainability and efficiency, these innovative technologies are set to reshape the way homes are built and bring energyefficient living to a wider audience. The move towards accelerated construction and enhanced energy efficiency is not only ground-breaking but also demonstrates a commitment to addressing the pressing issues of our time, such as climate change and sustainable living.
