This Month
Lifestyle Communities’ fees show land lease is Frankenstein’s monster
At its peak, the model looked like innovation. A tribunal decision in Victoria shows it is where financial engineering meets a complete lack of housing policy.
Lifestyle Communities risks debt breach over exit fees
Analysts warn that a potential slowdown in sales and the refunding of lucrative exit fees could push the company into breaching its loan covenants.
Lifestyle’s exit fees loss puts retirement estates on notice
Following a judgment that found its lucrative exit fees were invalid, the listed property developer’s shares tumbled.
Lifestyle Communities to appeal ruling that scraps lucrative exit fees
The retirement village operator will challenge a decision that it must scrap exit fees – worth $250 million of its assets – which were found to be invalid.
Lifestyle Communities’ exit fees ruled invalid in win for residents
A tribunal has ruled that the housing provider’s exit fees for some of its residents breached tenancy laws and in some cases were “harsh”.
August 2023
Double duty risks for property fund capital raisings in Victoria
At a time when there is much focus on the need for new housing, impediments to raising capital for residential developments should be removed.
Vic housing scheme part of Andrews’ planning ‘takeover’
Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto has accused Premier Daniel Andrews of wanting to stage a takeover of planning powers and sideline local communities.
November 2022
Teals claim victory in ‘sorry’ battle with electoral commission
A trio of Victorian teals has won the right to hand out how-to-vote cards that do not preference any other candidates.
Victorian teal how-to-vote cards rejected
Teal candidates are set to take legal action against the Victorian Electoral Commission after their how-to-vote cards were rejected.
April 2022
Boss ordered to pay $10,000 for buttock-slapping harassment
A tribunal has awarded a female staffer $10,000 after finding she was slapped on the bottom and harassed by her older boss, but rejected the idea of ‘high end’ damages.
May 2020
State to intervene 'more often' if councils drag heels
Victorian Planning Minister Richard Wynne says there needs to be a pipeline of construction work to help the economic recovery
July 2019
Steller's stamp duty stuff-up
Experienced developer repeated a 'silly mistake' – and has to pay an extra $3.8 million to revenue authorities.