Inspired Living Magazine │ AUTUMN 2023 COASTAL EDITION

PERFECT HOUSE OR LOCATION - HOW DO YOU CHOOSE?

YOUR GUIDE TO BATEMANS BAYS BEST LOOKOUTS

EARTH DAY: HOW CAN YOU HELP SAVE THE PLANET

Blending authentic character with modern functionality, this intriguing family home with a HIA-winning extension radiates rustic European villa vibes. Artfully sourced vintage fixtures combine with contemporary elements to create a compelling and curated aesthetic that’s visually stunning.

Other repurposed pieces, including a colonial French door, battleship task lights, a barn door and Afghani tiles intermingle with polished concrete floors and top-of-the-line appliances, providing a masterclass on how to flawlessly meld past and present.

Sold Summer 2023

Front Cover Image - 22 La Perouse Street, Griffith

Welcome

Welcome to the Autumn 2023 issue of the Inspired Living Magazine. Brought to our community by Blackshaw to showcase and guide readers on current trends and topics surrounding homes, from the nation’s capital to the south coast region of Batemans Bay.

Inspired Living is all about discovering possibilities. Being inspired in life and in your home, and gaining insights into local causes and topics that matter. Providing our readers with a unique perspective from property enthusiasts and local talents. We are always on the look out to present collections from local designers, artists and more.

Our Autumn 2023 issue covers a range of topics including, Earth Day and what we can do to help, Tips to creating more storage space in your home, and where to go for some family friendly parks fit for all ages. In Batemans Bay, read up on the best lookout points for your next drive down.

In this issue we also prepare as the ‘new minimum energy efficiency standard comes into effect on the first of April.’ Our experts share some insights into the new insulation guidelines, and we tackle the age-old question—do you buy the right home or the right neighbourhood?

We invite you to take this home with you, share our stories, and find endless possibilities for your own inspired living.

Belinda Chamberlain, Managing Principal Blackshaw Real Estate

Earth Day: How you can help save the planet

Earth Day, held on April 22nd every year, is the world’s largest environmental movement. Each year, over 1 billion people participate in the initiative across 190 countries. Earth Day is about being more conscious of our climate, the environment and making sure we protect our planet for generations to come.

Here’s how you can get involved this year.

Photography by Filip Urban

LISTEN AND LEARN

The first Earth Day took place in 1970 and started an environmental revolution. Now, the initiative is igniting an education revolution to save the planet. The easiest way for you to get involved is to boost your literacy around climate change, sustainability and environmental preservation. According to the Earth Day campaign, climate and environmental literacy helps to “create jobs, build a green consumer market and allow citizens to engage with their governments in a meaningful way to address the climate crisis”. Not only can you increase your own knowledge, but you can also help to promote climate literacy initiatives in your community and on social media. Head to earthday.org for news, research, toolkits, fact sheets and to learn more about how you can make a difference.

GLOBAL CLEANUP

If you want to help create a waste-free world, get involved in The Great Global Cleanup, Earth Day’s worldwide campaign to remove waste and plastic from the outdoors and improve habitats, and prevent harm to wildlife and humans. To take part, you can host your own local cleanup on World Cleanup Day, which is celebrated on the third Saturday in September every year and has become the biggest waste collection day in human history. Head to earthday. org for more information about local and international cleanups events and helpful resources.

SUSTAINABLE FASHION

Did you know the fashion industry is responsible for over 8% of total greenhouse gas emissions? These days, fast fashion and cheap manufacturing occurs at the detriment of the environment. If we want to contribute to an ecologically and socially responsible clothing supply chain, then we need to get more life out of our possessions. Before you go and buy something new, consider second-hand or vintage clothes, repair clothes where possible, and always donate old clothes to charity to keep the cycle going.

Photography by OCS Saving The Ocean

Photography by Ayssa Strohmann

PLANT MORE TREES

Earth Day also includes The Canopy Project, an initiative that aims to improve the environment by planting more trees across the globe. More trees help with the absorption of greenhouse gasses, enhance biodiversity and soil nutrition, protect waterways, and provide buffers from natural disasters. Since 2010, The Canopy Project has planted tens of millions of trees and works to help reforest areas in dire need of rehabilitation, including some of the world’s communities most at risk of climate change and environmental degradation. The project also helps communities to replant trees after environmental disasters. The best way to get involved is to donate – as little as $1 can help fund future tree planting – or take part in tree-planting days or send a gift of trees to a friend or loved one.

BE PART OF THE CHANGE

Becoming a member of the Earth Day initiative is one of the most direct and meaningful ways you can support the environment. Your annual membership donation allows the campaign to advocate for individual, government and corporate action on climate change, sustainable food systems, sustainable fashion, as well as ending plastic pollution. Make the pledge today at earthday.org!

Photography by Casey Horner

Photography by Noah Boscher

Your guide to Batemans Bay’s best lookouts

There’s no better way to soak up the natural beauty of Batemans Bay than at one of the area’s breathtaking lookouts. Luckily, the coastline is peppered with stunning vistas, so you don’t have to go far to marvel at the region’s sparkling beaches and the blue-hued mountains of the luscious hinterlands. So if you want to catch a magnificent sunset or sunrise this autumn or pass a lazy afternoon by the water’s edge surrounded by panoramic views and wildlife, then add these top lookouts to your bucket list.

Photography by Porter Raab

NORTH HEAD

Take a relaxing 300-metre walk on a well-formed, undulating track and you’ll find one of the finest lookouts on the South Coast. Here you can admire the stunning cliffs along the Murramarang coastline with excellent views of the headland and ocean. If you’re lucky, you might spot some migrating whales during the winter, a pod of dolphins, or one of the 90 bird species that call the Murramarang National Park home, including sea eagles and peregrine falcons. Don’t forget your binoculars and camera!

HOLMES

If you’re looking for an impressive vantage point of the Clyde River, then head to Holmes lookout situated within the Benandrah State Forest. Located 5km west of Batemans Bay, Holmes lookout is perched high on the ridgeline offering fine views of the river’s entrance and Pacific Ocean to the east. To the west you can admire the winding river as it snakes up into the mountains and the Budawang Ranges. After taking your fill of the view, sit amongst the tall gum trees while enjoying a snack at one of the picnic tables, or cook up a hearty lunch at one of the barbeques.

Photography by Clyde D Souza

FOLDERS HILL

Just a short drive from Batemans Bay you’ll find Folders Hill lookout, situated on the northern bank of the Clyde River. Once here you’ll be spoiled with excellent views of the river, Batemans Bay town and glimpses of the gorgeous eucalypt forests and Budawang Ranges. This lovely lookout also has a small park, which is perfect for an afternoon picnic and a great spot to visit all year round.

Photography by Mitch Hodge

Photography by Maritt Thomas

Photography by Andy Wang

OBSERVATION HEAD

Observation Head is located high on the headland off Beach Road just east of Batehaven shopping centre. Surrounded by tall spotted gum trees, this super scenic lookout rises above the mouth of the Clyde River, boasting fine views over the beach, Batemans Bay, Malua Bay, Long Beach, North Head and out to the Pacific Ocean. Its high vista makes it a popular spot to watch the sunrise, as well as its fine display of Snapper and Tollgate islands. Hiking is also popular here, with walks leading around the headland and to the close by Corrigan and Casey beaches.

“A great spot to visit all year round.”

Photography by Daniel Salcius

MELVILLE POINT

Melville Point is a spectacular spot on the South Coast’s headland between Tomakin Cove and Barlings Beach. The lookout offers sweeping views over the beach and a fabulous vista of Mossy Point, Broulee Island, Guerilla Bay and the Great Dividing Range to the west. The lookout is a terrific place to explore rocky platforms, cliffs, caves and rock pools, all which form part of a recognised geological site. Between September and November, the lookout is a great vantage point to view humpback whales as they migrate to the Antarctic, so if you come during those months then don’t forget your binoculars!

Photography by Mitch Hodge

Photography by Raquel Moss

Photography by R M

Home storage hacks

No matter the size of your home, there’s always a clever way to optimise your storage solutions. Here are some simple hacks and tricks to inspire your home storage makeover.

Photography by Brina Blum

BEDROOM

One of the most effective ways to increase storage in your bedroom is to utilise the space underneath your bed. When shopping for a bed, opt for a frame with built-in drawers or an elevated frame with space to put items underneath and out of sight. When it comes to bedside tables, choose pieces with drawers, shelves or a combination of both to really amplify the storage available in your bedroom. If you’re in need of extra shelf space to store smaller items and decorative pieces, consider installing floating shelves on your walls. This idea also works with floating, wall-mounted clothing rails. Utilising the space behind your bedroom door is another great way to save floor space – you can store dirty clothes in a hanging hamper or install a rack, pegs or hooks to hang shoes, belts or bags.

BATHROOM

Bathroom wall space is precious so install hooks and rails wherever practical, including behind the door to hang bathrobes or towels. Likewise, the space above the top of the door frame is often overlooked but is actually a perfect spot to install a floating shelf to hold clean towels. Also consider floating shelves in your bathroom – they can be a stylish touch while providing additional space for folded towels and toiletries. If you have space under your vanity – i.e. the space between the floor and the unit itself –then you could add some decorative baskets to create more storage and prevent clutter. When it comes to storage on the vanity, consider a glass shelf under your mirror to hold your soap and toiletries. Alternatively, try suction bathroom storage containers – they work just as well, don’t take up any vanity space and don’t leave any damage, which can be handy if you’re renting.

KITCHEN

Boost storage in your kitchen by using dividers in your drawers and cupboards –dividers are not just handy for separating cutlery, but also utensils, lunch containers and cookware. What’s more, you can buy adjustable dividers to fit your space and adjust the sizes as you need, which will not only keep things tidy and organised, but help you fit more in too. Next, turn one cupboard shelf into two with portable shelves, which help to give you twice as much space for your crockery, lunch containers, as well as your pots and pans. If you can, hang a rack from your pantry door to organise herbs and spices. Racks are also helpful to hang on the inside of any cupboard door, whether it’s under the sink for cleaning materials, or near the stove to hang pots, pans and utensils. To give your kitchen more space, install some floating shelves around the walls to bring utensils, canisters, herbs, spices and oils off the bench and out of the way.

Photography by Jason Leung

Photography by Tu Tu

LAUNDRY

Fill unused wall space in your laundry by installing wall racks to air-dry clothes or hold freshly laundered items before they go into the wardrobe. You could also install two rows of racks, one closer to the ceiling and another underneath, around waist high, to double your hanging space.

Continue to maximise wall space in your laundry and install a pegboard against an empty wall or behind a door and hang cleaning items like brushes, dusters, or even the dog’s leash. Another way to put empty wall space to good use and create more storage is with floating shelves. Depending on your laundry’s layout, give yourself a functional workspace by adding a countertop above your washing machine and dryer if it’s not already under the bench – as it’s a great way to give you more room to sort and fold. Finally, make use of the space behind doors to hang items such as ironing boards, brooms, mops and longer items. All you need is some racks, hooks or pegs.

GARDEN SHED

Start your shed storage overhaul by sorting tools and garden items into categories based on their purpose or size, then everything will be easier to find and store when you need it. Empty walls should be put to good use, getting items off the floor and making the space cleaner and less hazardous. You could also add floating shelves or a pegboard to hang up all of your garden tools. A small pegboard next to or behind the shed door can be particularly useful to give you quick access to frequently used tools. Alternatively, put a pegboard over an entire wall and hang absolutely everything on it. Likewise, tool racks are a great way to store all of your long tools together and can be particularly helpful with a magnet attached to keep metal tools and paint brushes in place. Next, buy some clear storage boxes for loose items – they can be stacked and labelled so everything is easy to store and find when you need it. Finally, if you need a flat surface to work on or to store items temporarily, then consider a fold-down bench. They’re easy to install and you can bring it up and down in seconds.

“Install some floating shelves around the walls to bring utensils, canisters, herbs, spices and oils off the bench and out of the way.”

Photography by Annie Spratt

Kids play: The South Coast’s best outdoor parks

When it comes to outdoor play spaces across the NSW South Coast, we’re spoilt for choice. From nature reserves, adventure playgrounds and beachside parks, here’s a list of some of our favourites.

Photography by Hisu Lee

Photography by Jason Leung

CORRIGANS BEACH

The Corrigans Beach Reserve Park and Accessible Playground (also known as the Variety Inclusive Playground) is a grassy, level park on the water’s edge. This inclusive playground is a perfect place for all ages and all abilities to enjoy and has liberty swings, balancing beam and lots of fun, brightly coloured and kid-friendly equipment. The playground is fenced, and the site has a paved shared cycle and walking path, making it accessible for those with limited mobility and prams. Here you’ll also find bench seating, barbeque facilities, picnic shelters, lots of grassy areas, parking, and a toilet.

EUROBODALLA REGIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN

This fantastic play space inside the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens is the perfect spot for children to have fun and get creative. The playground combines music, motion and adventure with unique and interactive play equipment including a mud brick cubby house and slippery dip surrounded by lush gardens and bushland. The gardens also offer free, all-weather barbeques with lots of tables and seating, as well as ample green space to spread out a picnic blanket and relax with friends and family.

KORNERS PARK

The playground at Korners Park is located on the north foreshore of the Clyde River in Batemans Bay. This colourful open plan park has an in-ground trampoline, play trails, hopping logs, swings, climbing equipment and large slides, which are sure to keep the kids entertained for hours. The area is accessible to children of all ages and abilities, with ground-level activities and softfall rubber installed in fall zones.

Photography by Myles Tan

Photography by Martins Cardos

JBOONGAREE ROTARY NATURE PLAY PARK

The Boongaree Rotary Nature Play Park is a newly developed inclusive play space for all ages and abilities. This great precinct has so much to offer, including an early childhood space, youth zone, inclusive playground packed with nature and sensory play, a flying fox, bridges, tunnels, a cubby house, sand and water play areas, climbing nets, slides and other accessible play equipment. There’s even an exercise zone for adults, toilet facilities, a learn-to-ride facility, plenty of parking and a new pump track and skate park in the works.

NOWRA TREETOP ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND

Come and rediscover nature at the Nowra Treetop Adventure Playground located inside Shoalhaven Zoo along the banks of the Shoalhaven River. This exhilarating site is Australia’s first cliff-edge adventure park that will have you zipping through the air and scrambling along the rocks. Children and adults can climb, swing, leap, bounce and fly around in the treetops, which is sure to guarantee a fun and memorable day out. There are guided rope courses with experienced instructors to help children build skills and confidence. Bookings are essential.

FORD PARK PLAYGROUND

Ford Park Playground in Merimbula is a popular spot for families and children to have a fun and adventurous day out. This lovely park sits close to the beach, a fish-and-chip shop and a cafe and is complete with lots of play and climbing equipment, including a roundabout and swings for all ages, even a large cradle swing that adults can try. The park also boasts some shady areas and barbeques so you can make a day of it, and there are restrooms nearby too.

“Caters for everyone in the family, with separate play areas for toddlers, children, teens and adults.”

Photography by Matti Johnston

Photography by Markus Spiske

THE RESIDENCES Turner

MOLONGLO FALLS Coombs

EXTRA Throsby

TRAIN STREET Broulee

THE BROSNAN Strathnairn

JOYERO Dickson

PARKVIEW TERRACES Strathnairn

NORREBRO Watson

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Perfect house or location – how do you choose?

When it comes to buying your forever home, should you be looking for the property of your dreams or the perfect neighbourhood? Here are some things to consider to help you decide.

Photography by Nikola Knezevic

HOME OR LOCATION?

What do you envision your dream house to look like? If you’ve been house hunting for some time, you probably have a specific set of requirements that you’re hoping your future home will have. It can be hard to choose between home and location, especially if you can’t find (or afford) both. Let’s imagine you have finally found your perfect home, but the location is not ideal. We’re not talking about a terrible area versus a really good area, but instead comparing a very desirable location with an average location. What do you do? Alternatively, maybe you’ve found yourself a less-than-perfect home, one that doesn’t fit all of your requirements, but is in your dream neighbourhood. How would it feel to know the house itself doesn’t fit the bill, and is that worth the sacrifice of a great location?

Photography by Tom Rumble

ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS

If you can’t decide whether the home or the location is more important, then ask yourself these important questions before you start (or continue) your property search:

● Is your next home a forever home or something short term?

● What is driving your decision to move?

● What makes your ideal location so desirable?

● If you’ve found a great property in a less than ideal location, what can’t you change about the home that might be a deal-breaker?

● What are your must-haves vs your nice-to-haves?

● Would you rent a property in a less favourable area first, i.e. try before you buy?

Photography by Alex K

“Draw up a list of pros and cons for each home you inspect and its location.”

Photography by The Powercouple

Another way to approach this conundrum is to c. Take the time to do this properly, making sure you write absolutely everything down and ask yourself all the questions above.

STAY OPEN-MINDED

These days, it almost means more to shop for the dream neighbourhood than the dream house. A lot of people would choose location every time as a home can nearly always be improved. But are small improvements or heavy renovations something you have the time, energy and budget for? If you’re really stuck, then ask yourself: am I able to broaden my search to meet somewhere in the middle, i.e compromise for something between the ideal home and the ideal location?

Photography by Matt Bottinger

Photography by Jimmy Conover

DO YOUR RESEARCH

If you’re leaning toward location over home, then do some thorough research about the neighbourhoods you’re interested in. Firstly, start with past property prices. You only have to look into the past two or three years, but you’ll be in search of steady price growth as this indicates a stable area. A neighbourhood that suddenly increases in value probably might not remain popular for long. When you’re doing your research, also keep an eye out for new buildings going up. If new houses, apartment buildings or even restaurants are being constructed, that means this is likely an up-and-coming area. Likewise, the sign of an upcoming and growing neighbourhood typically has a lot of younger people in it and is likely near another popular part of town. These people will also attract those new infrastructure projects, so look out for new cafes and coffee spots.

Photography by J King

Photography by Lala Azizli

Essential elements when marketing

LOOKING

There are a range of advertising platforms and tools to consider when showcasing your property’s finest features, to ensure it makes an impact in the real estate market. Experience our professional perspective and see what we do, in the essential elements behind a successful property marketing campaign.

New energy efficiency standards for rentals

From April 1st 2023, ACT rental properties will be required to comply with a new minimum energy efficiency standard for ceiling insulation. Here’s what landlords and tenants need to know about the new rules.

Photography by Annie Grey

The ACT Government’s new energy efficiency standard will require rental properties with no insulation or existing ceiling insulation below an R-value of R2 to install or upgrade their insulation to a minimum R-value of R5.

At least 60% of Canberra’s homes are currently compliant with the new rules, leaving the remaining 40% until 30 November 2026 to be compliant, unless they are exempt.

From April 1st 2023, rental properties will be required to be compliant with the new standard within nine months of a new tenancy agreement being signed. From this date, landlords and rental agencies must also disclose in advertising and when entering into a tenancy agreement whether the rental property is compliant with the new regulation or has an exemption.

From December 1st 2026, all properties entering the rental market must meet the new standard within three months of signing a new tenancy agreement.

Photography by Scott Graham

Property owners must provide evidence of compliance in various forms. This includes a receipt for the installation work confirming that it meets the minimum standard, as well as an inspection report by a certified insulation installer, an Energy Efficiency Report by a registered building assessor, and a statutory declaration confirming the new insulation has been completed and is compliant. If the property was built after 1997 (when R3 became the standard in new homes), then a landlord will need a statutory declaration confirming that the existing insulation has not been disturbed.

Penalties may apply to landlords and rental agencies if these requirements are not met.

Insufficient insulation can allow up to 35% heat loss through the ceiling during winter as well as hot air to enter your home during summer (or cool, air conditioned air to escape). The higher the R-value, the better the ceiling insulation, which means an improvement to thermal comfort, a reduction in energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions, and an improvement to the property’s value, so the new standard will benefit both landlords and renters.

The new regulation is the result of the ACT Government’s pledge to increase the energy efficiency of rental properties across the territory and build a climate resilient city that can better withstand the impacts of climate change.

“The minimum energy efficiency standard comes into effect on the first of April.”

Photography by Maria Ziegler

KEY DATES

From April 1st 2023

The minimum energy efficiency standard comes into effect. Where a new lease is signed, the rental property will have nine months to be compliant. All rental advertising and new leases must disclose whether the property meets the standard,

By November 30th 2026

Properties will need to comply with the new standard, unless exempt.

From December 1st 2026

All rental properties entering the market on or after this date must comply within three months of signing a new tenancy agreement.

Photography byPatrick Thomass

Photography by Brett Jordan