Go Green and Save Money

In delivering property solutions, many of our clients are starting to think and act 'green', especially our commercial clients. Colette Quelhurst and her team can help business owners improve bottom-line results by adopting a green focus, which is appealing to an ever growing number of environmentally discerning clients.

Below is a recent article explaining their services in a little more detail. If you would like more information, contact Colette on 0431 699 771 or 3203 8232. Their website is packed full of interesting facts and information - http://www.greenbizcheck.com/

Pictured: Peter Sobchuk from Goodlife Accounting with Colette Quelhurst from GreenBizCheck.

MOST businesses can make changes to become more environmentally responsible. And GreenBizCheck franchisee Colette Quelhurst says a green credentials assessment can also help cut costs.

The Scarborough resident has been running the North Brisbane branch for the past few months and said the audit process was recognised globally.

‘‘Businesses having a certain level of sustainability will become mandatory in a couple of years so we are getting them ahead of legislation,’’ Ms Quelhurst said. ‘‘I am finding that at this stage many people don’t understand what the process is but I am here to talk them through the benefits of an assessment.’’

GreenBizCheck provides businesses with a 260-point online assessment, with immediate reporting and action planning. The process was designed to help businesses reduce their impact on the environment, by reducing waste, energy and water use.

Ms Quelhurst said apart from the obvious benefits of pollution reduction and cost saving, other benefits for organisations to go green included saving money, motivating staff, attracting ecosavvy customers and utilising green credentials for marketing and PR.

‘‘We offer a 100 per cent moneyback guarantee if clients do not save at least the cost of certification,’’ she said.

More Efficiency Disclosures - This time for Commercial Office Buildings

The following message is from Quinn & Scattini Lawyers:

Commercial real estate agents in particular should be aware that the Building Energy Efficiency Disclosure Bill 2010 (“the Bill”) has been introduced to the Commonwealth Parliament.

The Bill is intended to promote the disclosure of information about the energy efficiency of buildings. It introduces a mandatory disclosure scheme for corporate owners and head tenants of certain commercial office buildings with a net lettable area of more than 2000 square metres.

The owner or tenant must register a Building Energy Efficiency Certificate (“BEEC”) before it offers to sell or lease the building. The Building Energy Efficiency Register will be established as a central registry to register and hold records of all BEECs.

Any advertisements for the sale or lease of a building must contain the energy efficiency rating for that building.

The BEEC must disclose the following:-
1. The energy efficiency rating;
2. An assessment of energy efficiency of any lighting;
3. Guidance as to how the energy efficiency of the building may be improved.

The owner or tenant of certain buildings may apply for an exemption. Exemptions may be available where the building is used for police/ security operations or the characteristics of the building prevent an appropriate assessment or if the building falls into a class to be prescribed by the regulations as being exempt (likely to include new buildings and buildings that have had recent major refurbishments).

Penalties for non-compliance may be up to $110,000 for each breach.

It is likely that the legislation will commence on 1 July 2010 however the obligations imposed by the legislation will only commence on the implementation day (within 6 months of commencement).

There is also to be a transition period of 12 months from the implementation day which means that an owner or tenant can use an existing energy efficiency rating issued by a recognized issuing authority (such as NABERS) during this time in place of a BEEC.

If you would like to ask any question about this or any other similar issue, Richie Muir may be contacted on 3821 2766 between 8.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday or email rmuir@quinnscattini.com.au

Tug of war between koalas and development

Council warns of crowding

MORETON Bay residents will pay more for houses and live in more crowded suburbs under the State Government’s proposed koala protection plan, Moreton Bay Regional Council has warned.

Regional planning manager Peter Rawlinson told this week’s MBRC co-ordination committee meeting it could mean a shortfall of about 20,000 dwellings.

Mr Rawlinson said the urban footprint might not be big enough to accommodate growth and could force the State Government to look beyond it.

The draft South-East Queensland Koala Conservation State Planning Policy requires at least 30 per cent of land in the top five of 10 koala habitat categories to be preserved.

A council report said analysis of five of the most significant growth areas in the region Morayfield, Narangba east, Dakabin, Mango Hill and Griffin found that 80 per cent of those areas could not be developed under the protection plan. Cr Chris Whiting said he did not expect Deception Bay to be affected.

The report said to offset this loss more intense development in areas not covered by the plan might be needed.

Mayor Allan Sutherland questioned if the consequences would be accepted.

Source: Redcliffe Herald (4 March 2010)

If you're interested in learning more about the Koala protection zones, visit the Department of Environment and Resource Management's website for more details. http://tinyurl.com/ykn8dk8

To talk more about the potential implications this may have for your property investment or development project, call Morpheus Property on 1300 911 576.

Sustainability Declarations - Your voice in parliament!!

An e-petition exists for the removal of the Sustainability Declarations required to be completed by anyone selling their property.

The backlash has come from a variety of people and is now being heard through an e-partition on the State Government website. The description of the e-partition is as follows:

Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House that the mandatory sustainability declaration imposed by the Queensland Labor Government restricts the rights of ordinary Queenslanders.

We believe that this form is nothing more than a “nanny state” approach, adding more layers of bureaucratic red tape resulting in increased costs.

All this can be avoided by educating not regulating property owners.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to direct the Queensland Government to immediately withdraw the mandatory sustainability declaration.

If you agree with the sentiment of this e-petition, feel free to visit the website, log on and register your name. The closing date for signatures is 5 Feb 2010.

Get More Info >>

REIQ request for delayed implementation

Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) Managing Director and Cheif Executive Officer, Dan Molloy sent a letter to the Hon Ms Anna Bligh asking for a delay in implementing the Mandatory Sustainability Declaration, siting several issues, including:

• The lack of consultation in relation to the specific drafting of the
legislation
• The rushed passage of the legislation through the House on 12
November
• The short lead time until implementation
• Limited opportunity
for education
• The complexity of the declaration form

The short timeframe has led to a hasty implementation and desperate rush by real estate agencies to meet the 1 January deadline and comply with the already complex legislation surround property purchases.

To read the letter from REIQ, follow this link

Get More Info >>

Sounds Of Then - GANGgajang

I love this song (also called "This is Australia"). So very Australian with some great lyrics. You might recall the verse that starts, "The block is awkward - it faces west, With long diagonals, sloping too."

When I first heard this song (MANY years ago), it didn't occur to me that GANGgajang were into property, but there you go!

Take a page out of their book and avoid property with poor orientation to the sun's path. With the increasing costs of electricity and the sustainability juggernaut moving as quickly as it is, you could suffer from owning a poorly positioned property in more way than one.

This is just one area we cover in our comprehensive MPA Reports. If you have a property in mind, get your Buyer's Agents to give it a thorough once over and inspection. You'll be pleased you did!

- Comprehensive MPA Report + Site Visit - $660
- Comprehensive MPA Report (no site visit) - $440
- MPA Lite - $220
Note: All prices are GST inclusive

Now! For any GANGgajang fans out there, here's a YouTube video of their song Sounds of Then (This is Australia):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ML9h3I5Uktw

Or go to their website to buy their ablum:
http://www.ganggajang.com/

Get More Info >>

Sustainability Declarations now in effect

As of 1 January, the new Sustainability Declarations came into effect. If you're selling property, make sure you complete the form or risk the maximum penalty of $2,000 for individuals and up to $10,000 for agents.

Despite the warning of large fines for failure to comply with the legislation, the government has announced a grace period until 1 March, while they bed down the first forms.

If you have any questions about the impact this has on buying property or have been presented a Sustainability Declaration form and want to know what this means for you, contact your Buyer's Agent at Morpheus Property on 1300 911 576.

Get More Info >>

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! from Morpheus Property

HAPPY NEW YEAR

A quick THANK YOU to our clients, colleagues, suppliers and staff members.

Morpheus Property enjoyed another growth year in 2009 and we're poised to take advantage of strong market growth in 2010 and beyond.

TIP #1: As the market continues to warm up, keep an eye on your equity levels and improved cash flow. Increases in equity and rental repayments will put you in a position where you're ready to buy your next investment property. Talk to us when you're approaching this point (2 months before is ideal), so we can be ready to add another high performing property to your portfolio.

TIP #2: Buying property in a seller's market needs to be handled quite differently to our current market. Given our experience in previous seller's markets, Morpheus Property is prepared to take them on. Make sure you're ready!

TIP #3: Many things have changed today - 1 Jan 2010. Some of these changes include: the FHOG boost no longer available (FHOG remains), Sustainability Declarations are now required by vendors, Pool legislation changes, hot water system phasing out in Queensland areas supplied with gas, electricity submetering required for certain types of property, $3,000 grant proposed for remote relocations (on top of FHOG).

Don't forget, we're only a phone call away - 1300 911 576. As always, we're looking forward to helping you achieve your goals.

Enjoy the holiday break.

Drive safely on the roads.

Speak to you soon! : )

Get More Info >>

Hot water system phase-out

From 1 January 2010, existing Queensland houses and townhouses (class 1 buildings) located in a reticulated natural gas area must install a greenhouse efficient hot water system (gas, solar or heat pump) when the existing electric resistance system needs replacing. Householders will not need to replace their existing hot water systems that are in good working order.

This requirement does not apply to homeowners in existing units (class 2 buildings).

To find out whether your property is within a reticulated natural gas area, either call 1800 007 427 or go to https://www.smartservice.qld.gov.au/services/property/natural-gas-reticulation/search/postcode

If you own an investment property, check to ensure your Property Manager is aware of this new legislation.

Want more info? Fact Sheet

Do you have your power monitor?

During your ClimateSmart Home Service, a licensed electrician will visit your home, install a wireless energy monitor for you to keep and conduct an energy audit of your home.

Where suitable, the electrician will supply and install a free water and energy efficient showerhead, and supply and install up to 15 free energy efficient light globes - all in less than an hour.

You'll also receive a customised Energy and Water Efficiency Plan for your home and access to My ClimateSmart Home, a customised online resource for more energy and water savings.


To book your ClimateSmart home service appointment, go to http://www.climatesmarthome.com/index.html



To get your rebate from the Brisbane City Council, go to http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:CITY_SMART::pc=PC_5357


We recommend getting this done, especially before selling or letting your property.

Get in quick, before the offer disappears!!

Sustainability Declarations - 1 Jan 2010

A sustainability declaration is a compulsory checklist that must be completed by the seller (vendor) when selling a house, townhouse or unit. It will be required as part of the sale from 1 January 2010.

The checklist will identify the property's environmental and social sustainability features in four key areas:

• energy
• water
• safety
• access.

If you're thinking of selling and need help understanding the implications of this report or who to contact, give us a call at Morpheus Property - 1300 911 576.

If you are buying a property and need to know how to interpret one of these reports and what this means for the property's value in the long term, we'll happily talk you through it.

Electricity sub-metering due 1 Jan 2010

As of 1 Jan 2010, it will be mandatory for all new multi-unit residential (class 2) and office (class 5) buildings to install an electricity sub-meter for each individual unit in a multi-residential building or each storey in an office building (where individual net lettable areas have not been identified at the time of the building development approval). Previously, costs may have been shared based on floor area or another mechanism.

The concept is designed to create greater awareness of energy consumption, which may lead to more people having greater incentive for reducing their energy use and costs.

Get More Info >>