New House & Land Spring 2014

2014 Spring Edition

new House&Land The best in home living

20 pages of New homes, Design ideas, Land releases and lifestyle opportunities proudly brought to you by

Growth corridor in full swing

MOOROOPNA WEST BOOMING... The Mooroopna West Growth Corridor is booming, with many lots snapped up and construction of new homes in full swing. Photos: Madeleine Caccianiga.

2014 Spring Edition

new House&Land Inside New House and Land Spring edition Discover what some of our local businesses and services have to offer;

Hear from industry experts about current topics as well as tips and ideas;

• National Tiles and Carpet Call, enjoy a greater level of choice............................Page 12

• Building confidence......................................................3 • Affordable Living.........................................................14

• Paint Place, painting made easy........................Page 13

• The latest building statistics........................................16

• Eureka Garages, a new approach to quality without compromise..............................Page 15

• Building activity........................................................... 17

• Thinking Solar, maximising your investment .....Page 17

Get some great advice on finance • NAB, Paying down debt..............................................Page 12

Hear from some of our building experts • Metricon, Still building on growth after 10 years................. Page 4 • Alatalo Bros, A place to call home........................................... Page 6 • Hotondo Homes, Spring time is a time for change......................... Page 8

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• GMCU, Getting pre-approved for a mortgage ...............Page 14

See how local housing developments are growing and progressing; • Golf Rise Estate, position, proximity, prestige..... Page 3 • Aerial Viewpoint, view some of the region’s most premier housing estate from the air...................Page 16

Enjoy some Spring gardening, workshops, tips and advice; • Step into Spring with DIY Workshops at Bunnings.......................................................Page 18 • How to, Spring maintenance and lawn care .....Page 18 • Spring time gardening tips and tricks................Page 19

2014 Spring Edition

new House&Land

GREAT LOCATION… Kevin Hicks Real Estate Director and Residential Agent, Rocky Gagliardi is urging interested members of the community to act fast on the latest land release, Golf Rise Estate.

Photo: Madeleine Caccianiga.

Golf Rise Estate... Position, proximity, prestige WITH earthworks already commenced on Shepparton’s latest land release, Golf Rise Estate is shaping up to be one of the premier lifestyle locations in Shepparton. And with a very limited number of lifestyle blocks available in this exclusive estate, Kevin Hicks Real Estate Director and Residential Agent, Rocky Gagliardi is urging interested members of the community to act fast.

“This is the closest and last available parcel of land in terms of proximity to the golf course and with a brand new club facility nearing completion, this is the ideal opportunity to act.

“Golf Rise Estate is ideally suited to families or individuals

who have established themselves in the housing market and are looking for something a little bit special.

“It’s a beautiful location with not only very close proximity to the Shepparton Golf Club but also nearby bushwalking tracks and Broken River and including good size blocks with sandy loam foundations.

“The proximity to the Golf Course is of course exceptional, the uninterrupted views and surrounding established high quality homes are also a major selling point.

“Golf Rise Estate is a great option for anyone interested in north Shepparton in a prestigious location.

“You don’t have to play golf to enjoy the facilities and this premium location.

“What sets this estate apart is its exclusivity. These are the last remaining blocks available for purchase this close to the golf course. You simply can’t get any closer to the golf course and this is an opportunity not to be missed.”

Titles for Golf Rise Estate are expected to be released soon. Blocks range in size from 805sqm to 855sqm and in price from $127,500 to $129,500. For more information, contact Kevin Hicks Real Estate at 228-232 Wyndham Street, Shepparton or phone 5821 8388.

Confidence lifts in building sector BUSINESS confidence in building and construction is the highest it’s been in six years since March 2008 according to a Master Builders National Survey of Building and Construction.

Master Builders Chief Economist, Peter Jones said, “The Survey for the March quarter 2014 finds that building activity in 2014 is set to continue its rebound on the back of improved confidence in residential building.

“Results for the March quarter show that we are beginning to see signs of the stronger confidence necessary to underpin a sustained recovery,” he said.

“We are seeing key indicators continue to strengthen while others have entered positive territory for the first time in years.

“For the first time in nearly three years, the proportion of builders reporting higher sales jumped above 20 percent and builders reported improved profitability of their own businesses.

“Builders confidence in the prospects for their own business rose for the third consecutive quarter. This is particularly reflective of the residential building sector’s response to low rates and is an encouraging trend indicating industry’s expectation that business activity will continue to rise over the next six months.

“The first green shoots marking a return of confidence in the commercial construction sector are also reported in the Survey with the best measure of current conditions since March 2011.

“The Survey highlights the need for the Government to foster business confidence through its Budget repair strategy in the forthcoming May Budget, in particular balancing the need to nurture economic growth and jobs while taking the necessary hard decisions to return the

CONFIDENCE HIGH… The Master Builders National Survey of Building and Construction have released results of a survey that states confidence in building and construction is at the highest it has been in six years. Photo: Madeleine Caccianiga.

Budget to surplus.

“While the findings of the Survey are largely positive, the underlying vulnerability of the building recovery remains. Road maps to stronger and sustained business confidence must be the priority of the Government in the upcoming Federal Budget,” Peter Jones said.

The Adviser, New House & Land – September 2014 – Page 3

2014 Spring Edition

new House&Land Metricon still building on growth after 10 years

HOME BUILDING ON THE RISE… Metricon is continuing to grow as the trends in people wishing to build their dream home keep rising. Pictured, the team at Metricon Regional North.

Photo: Supplied.

SHEPPARTON based home builder, Metricon, says business is still growing after 10 years in the region; despite talk of tough economic times, Metricon is seeing a continual rise in people wanting to build a brand new dream home.

Metricon, who directly employ more than 50 people in the region and contract in excess of 200 local trades, are committed to producing high quality homes delivered on or before

Page 4 – The Adviser, New House & Land – September 2014

time, so that Goulburn Valley customers have a great building experience.

Metricon’s General Manager of Regional Housing, Phil Barrett said that 2014 had been one of the busiest years yet for the homebuilder.

“We are having another busy year, even after 10 years the momentum just continues to increase. We expect it to continue to grow, mainly driven by our brand new and exciting Shepparton display centre, two Bendigo display centres, plus our four offices and Studio M, all servicing the region.

“Our local team of drafting, estimating and building staff, as well as our customer service and colour consultants and displays - need to be congratulated on their commitment to customer service and communication, particularly during these busy months, as do our local trades in our building areas whose commitment to building excellence never falters.

Recent independent customer surveys have given Metricon more than a 95 percent satisfaction referral rate.

“Our experienced, talented team of Shepparton-based locals offer every customer personalised and proactive customer service, backed by decades of industry experience and knowledge of the Goulburn Valley area.

“Our commitment doesn’t end there; via our Community Growth Program we support a range of community groups throughout the area, including the local Shepparton FootballNetball Club and the Shepparton Touch Association.

“At Metricon, we have a proud history of designing affordable, innovative, quality homes for a wide range of home buyers. We are committed to designing homes that offer sophisticated features, open plan spaces and the ultimate in indoor/outdoor living for the Australian family.

“We have a huge variety of designs to suit a wide range of home buyers, with homes ranging from 15 to 54 squares, so we find that our customers in the Goulburn Valley area range from first home buyers, to young families, families with teenagers right through to empty nesters.

“We are committed to ensuring the long-term growth of the Goulburn Valley area and are proud to support the region that has shown us so much support since 2004,” Phil said.

For more information, visit your nearest Metricon display centre, log on to www. metricon.com.au or call 1300 Metricon.

The Adviser, New House & Land – September 2014 – Page 5

2014 Spring Edition

new House&Land

A place to call home

A GREAT LIFESTYLE CHOICE… Pictured from left, Alatalo Bros Construction Supervisor, Malcolm Gorton and General Manager, Tony Moyle. Photo: Madeleine Caccianiga.

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ALATALO Bros may be a relatively new name to the Goulburn Valley area, but as a brand, they’ve developed a strong reputation for producing quality homes since 1975 from their home base in Wodonga.

The family owned and operated company has enjoyed a long standing working relationship with the Green Group Family, who are the Developers of Kensington Gardens Retirement Village at 80 Channel Road, Shepparton. This association was what brought Alatalo Bros to Shepparton in the beginning and now the team are excited to provide their expertise and range of quality home designs to families from across the Goulburn Valley.

Alatalo Bros General Manager, Tony Moyle said, “We’ve been in Shepparton since the inception of Kensington Gardens, we’re now up to 70 builds with another 230 homes to meet the 300 home capacity of Kensington Gardens Estate in Shepparton.

“We’re in it for the long haul here in Shepparton, we have a full time base from our permanent site office at Kensington Gardens and we are excited to be able to offer our services to the local community at large.

“We use local trades and local suppliers so we have made good connections in the local area since we arrived some five years ago. We have already constructed a number of homes in the local area outside of Kensington Gardens and are keen to grow and develop a name for ourselves in the Goulburn Valley area.

“Alatalo Bros is proud to be a big part of Kensington Gardens success but we’re also proud to showcase what we offer the broader community as well.

“We are here and we are excited to provide our quality homes to members of the local community.”

For more information, visit our website www.alatalobros.com.au or talk to the Alatalo Bros team, phone Malcolm Gorton on 0411 369 589 or Tony Moyle on 0419 339 303.

The Adviser, New House & Land – September 2014 – Page 7

2014 Spring Edition

new House&Land

Springtime is a time for change

BUILDING ANEW… Local Builders, Hotondo Homes can help you create a layout and aesthetically pleasing design to help give your home the look and feel you always wanted. Photo: Madeleine Caccianiga.

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ACCORDING to Hotondo Homes’ Builder, Colin Mintern, if you are unhappy with the layout and aesthetic of your home, building anew is the best way to get exactly what you want.

“A new home built by a good builder, not only offers the very best if you consider innovative building techniques, energy efficiency and quality,” says Colin.

“With a new home you can make sure you are choosing the quality fittings and fixtures you’re after, without compromising on your ideal home comforts.”

A new home is a fresh canvas and is the best place to start.

Given you choose the right builder, you can decipher the ideal layout, elect your chosen inclusions and sit back and watch your dream home come to life.

It can also save you money. In some cases, undertaking a complete renovation can cost far more than a knock down rebuild. If you are attempting to repurpose your home to ensure its structural integrity, sometimes the budget can be blown out.

If you start afresh, it is not only easier to layout your home the way you want it, but you are assured the foundations are sound.

For more information, contact Colin Mintern and the team at Hotondo Homes in Shepparton, 53 Canterbury Avenue, Shepparton, phone 5831 2250 or go online to hotondo.com.au.

The Adviser, New House & Land – September 2014 – Page 9

2014 Spring Edition

2014 Spring Edition

new House&Land new House&Land Getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage BUILDING A HOME… Pictured, GMCU Branch Manager Shepparton, Dallas Moore with Home Buyer, Phoebe Wonder. Photo: Madeleine Caccianiga.

THE first critical step to buying or building a home is figuring out how much you can afford to spend.

The Adviser spoke to GMCU’s Branch Manager in Shepparton, Dallas Moore to ask why a home buyer would need preapproval and how they would go about it.

“There are two main reasons to get preapproval” Dallas explained.

“The first is to find out how much you can afford to spend - taking into account the costs to buy a home and how much you can comfortably repay. This will make sure you are shopping for homes in the right price bracket.

“The second reason is about negotiating power. It doesn’t matter whether you are buying your first home, an investment property or upgrading, it is mighty powerful to make an offer that is not conditional on

approval of finance.

“Having pre-approval may just make the difference when it comes to sealing a deal with the seller.”

Dallas added “Getting pre-approval is simple. Just get in contact and we will go through the information we need from you.

It is quite simple and we will hold the preapproval for ninety days while you shop around. We do not charge a fee to give a pre-approval.”

Dallas can be contacted at GMCU’s Shepparton Branch in Fryers Street, or by phoning 5821 9033.

GMCU has qualified lenders in all its branches throughout central Victoria, including Mooroopna, Numurkah, Echuca and Kyabram. More details are available on their web page www.gmcu.com.au

Paying down debt NATIONAL Australia Bank (NAB) is encouraging home loan customers to take advantage of record low interest rates and get ahead on their mortgage after the Reserve Bank of Australia’s latest decision left the official cash rate on hold at 2.50 percent.

N A B G ro u p E xe c u ti ve Pe r s o n a l Banking, Gavin Slater said NAB was offering some of the lowest home loan rates in more than 20 years, making it a great time for homeowners to pay down more of their mortgage.

“We know about 85 percent of NAB home loan accounts are ahead on their mortgage repayments and customers have a great opportunity at the moment to get further ahead,” he said.

NAB is currently of fering leading packaged fixed home loan rates of the

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major banks across one, two, three, four and five-year terms as well as the lowest standard variable rate of 5.88 percent p.a.

“No other bank has done more than NAB to drive competition, and this has benefited all customers, not just ours,” Mr Slater said.

“At NAB, we have cut fixed rates on five separate occasions this year and offered the lowest standard variable rate of the major banks for more than five years, so customers know our track record speaks for itself.”

Last month NAB cut its Choice package fixed interest rate for the three-year term by 0.11 percent to 4.94 percent p.a, its four-year term by 0.45 percent to 4.99 percent p.a. and its five-year term by 0.70 percent to 4.99 percent p.a.

2014 Spring Edition

new House&Land

NEW LOCATION… Your local Paint Place has moved to its new location at 85 Benalla Road Shepparton. From left, Paint Place Assistant Manager, Paddy Kyne, Managing Director, Brett Archer and Administration, Kellie Lindsay. Photo: Madeleine Caccianiga.

Painting made easy...

New look, new location FROM their new location at 85 Benalla Road, Shepparton, the team at Shepparton Paint Place are continuing to provide their expertise and professional grade products to their customers, encompassing trade professionals and ‘do it yourself’ enthusiasts alike.

Paint Place prides itself on offering ‘Painting Made Easy’ solutions for local consumers with advice on all the right colours, paints and products to get the job done.

The latest Paint Place Spring Colour collection has recently been released and features trend themes designed to be usable in everyday Australian homes. The latest trend colours have been released in Paint Place’s exclusive ‘New Look’ brand of paint and are available in store.

Shepparton Paint Place Managing Director, Brett Archer said, “It’s great to be heading into the warmer weather conditions of Spring/Summer in our bigger, brighter new premises. Spring is traditionally the time of year when home owners become active about home maintenance including revamping weather warn decking or freshening up the home with a new coat of paint.

“The latest release trend colours lend themselves to a fresh new Spring look for both new and existing homes, whether you’re building from scratch, renovating or revamping.

“To coincide the Spring home maintenance season, our latest Catalogue Sale is out now with some great savings to enjoy and don’t forget the added benefits our ‘Yes Club’ members receive.”

For all of your painting supplies and colour inspiration, call in and see the team at Shepparton Paint Place, 85 Benalla Road, Shepparton, phone 5831 2522 or visit www. paintplace.com.au

The Adviser, New House & Land – September 2014 – Page 13

2014 Spring Edition

new House&Land Carpets, tiles, timbers

Enjoy a greater level of choice LOCALLY owned and operated, the team at National Tiles and Carpet Call in Shepparton pride themselves on their premium products and industry experience when it comes to all of your flooring solutions.

National Tiles and Carpet Call Shepparton Proprietors, Caroline and David Mohi work hard behind the scenes to ensure their customers have the best range of high quality flooring products at the best prices and also, the right people to assist them with all of their flooring needs.

Caroline said, “We have a wonderful team and when the opportunity to expand on our team arises we strive to ensure that the best possible candidate is selected for the benefit of our customers.

“With that in mind, we’re pleased to introduce and welcome our newest team member Sales Consultant, Lee Frost. With more than 10 years experience in the flooring industry, and with a particular interest in quality carpets, Lee makes an ideal addition to the National Tiles and Carpet Call team here in Shepparton.

“The high quality of our products together with our vast range and competitive prices provide our clients with the greatest level of choice.

“Our expert team are on hand to help and with the assistance of the latest in computerised technology, our clients are even able to visualise ideas on colour or texture through our high tech ‘Visualiser System’.

“The most important thing to us is ensuring that our customers enjoy the best possible service from initial consultation and product selection right through to installation and completion.”

National Tiles and Carpet Call are located at 8001 Melbourne Road, Shepparton, “Just look for the big 8001 on the front facade of the blue and yellow building!” Call in or phone 5823 5066.

CALL CALL CARPET CALL… From left, National Tiles and Carpet Call Proprietors, David and Caroline Mohi with their new team member Sales Consultant, Lee Frost. Photo: Madeleine Caccianiga.

Shepparton among most affordable and in-demand areas WORTHY OF INVESTMENT… According to Your Investment Property magazine, Shepparton is an affordable area to live and is worthy of investor attention.

Photo: Alicia Niglia.

PROPERTY prices in markets like Sydney and Melbourne may be skyrocketing past buyers on a budget but in a recently compiled list of Australia’s top Gle nfeand 50 most affordable in ve demand areas compiled by rrie Dri Your Investment Property magazine, Shepparton has been named as affordable and an area worthy of investor attention.

With the help of Real Estate Investar, Your Investment Property focused on 50 of the most affordable and most in demand areas around Australia. Affordable, yes. Large population, yes. Worth investigating further? Absolutely!

Managing Editor, Nila Sweeney says the majority of these suburbs are located within commuter markets and

vibrant regional centres with a strong service offering.

“Commuter markets can have quite boisterous real estate markets because of demand from city workers, however far away the nearest city may be, keeps pushing prices up. In this type of suburbs or areas, residents can have quite high incomes, despite living where property prices are very cheap.”

On the other hand, Sweeney adds that regional centres tend to be cheaper because they are far removed from a capital city, but robust economic drivers ensure that the housing market isn’t dominated by negative market forces such as widespread unemployment.

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2014 Spring Edition

new House&Land A new approach to

quality without compromise SHEPPARTON’S Eureka Garages and Sheds has recently welcomed new management, with husband and wife team, Richard and Hanna Hack proudly taking the reigns.

Hanna, who is originally from Shepparton East is returning to the area after 20 years living away in Perth, she is pleased to be back on home soil with husband, Richard and their family.

The opportunity to take over management of Eureka Garages and Sheds came along by chance, but with Richard’s extensive background in sales management together with Hanna’s experience in administration and bookkeeping, the pair felt they had the tools to embrace the challenge.

The pair said the opportunity gives them a chance to work together outside of what they normally do, as a family business.

“Eureka Garages and Sheds is, at its core, a family owned and operated business.

Being a part of the Eureka Garages and Sheds team gives us an opportunity together to be more involved with our family roles, while at the same time pursuing our goals and challenging ourselves in a new industry,” Hanna said.

Richard added, “What attracted us to Eureka Garages and Sheds was the fact that they are 100 percent Australian owned and Australian made, the diversity and flexibility of the range for all domestic, rural and commercial structures as well as their ‘quality without compromise’ ethics.

“Eureka Garages and Sheds have been around for over 25 years, they are committed to customer satisfaction and to continuing to grow and evolve to provide the best value for money opportunities. We are

EUREKA TEAM… Pictured from left, Eureka Garages & Sheds Shepparton Managers, Richard and Hanna Hack, feel they have made the right decision with taking on managing roles at Eureka Garages & Sheds. Photo: Madeleine Caccianiga.

excited to be a part of the Eureka Garages and Sheds family here in the Goulburn Valley and as a family operated business, we are committed to delivering the high standards in product and service that Eureka’ has come to be known for.”

Eureka Garages and Sheds specialise in all forms of garages, carports, rural

barns and machinery sheds, large scale commercial factories and storage sheds, garden sheds and workshops as well as alternative dwellings.

For more information or to meet with Richard and Hanna, visit Eureka Garages and Sheds at 7833 Goulburn Valley Highway, Kialla or phone 5823 5233.

Building forecast good for 2014 THE Housing Industry Association (HIA), the voice of Australia’s residential building industry, today released the latest edition of its Victoria Outlook, the state’s most comprehensive housing report card.

“The report card shows that new home building should bounce back in 2014 on the back of detached house commencements,” commented HIA Executive Director, Victoria, Gil King.

“New dwelling commencements, the key metric for the sector, are forecast to head back over the 50,000 mark this year, before dropping back again in 2015 and 2016,” Gil King said.

“Having substantially out-performed the rest of Australia in recent years, investment in renovations is forecast to peak in 2014 before easing back over the subsequent two years.”

New dwelling commencements in Victoria are forecast to increase by 8.7 percent in 2014 to just over 50,000, following a 9.9 percent decline in 2013. Commencements are forecast to decline in 2015 and 2016, bottoming out at about 42,850. Renovations investment is forecast to grow by 1.7 percent in 2014 to a record peak of $7.53 billion.

Investment in renovations is forecast to decline by 3.9 percent in 2015 and by 4.0 percent in 2016 to a value of $6.95 billion.

The Adviser, New House & Land – September 2014 – Page 15

2014 Spring Edition

new House&Land Shepparton and Mooroopna’s changing landscaping

KIALLA LAKES

ARCHER’S FIELD

CONNOLLY PARK

WESTWOOD RUN

GRAMMAR PARK

NORTHSIDE ESTATE

Page 16 – The Adviser, New House & Land – September 2014

2014 Spring Edition

new House&Land

Maximising your investment AS the warmer months approach us, now is the ideal time to consider a Solar Safety Inspection and Maintenance Service.

Think Solar Energy Sales and Installation Manager, Sam Stephens said, “Solar systems are like a car, they require regular maintenance to achieve their full potential.

“If you think there may be an issue, make the call.

“It is important to keep in mind that your solar system’s potential could be compromised by poor performance and low productivity.

“Visible shading issues, unit damage, obstructions, poor orientation or incorrect installation are all common problems which impact the effectiveness of your solar system.

“Here at Think Solar our fully trained professional team carry out safety checks and site evaluations on existing solar systems, including the full testing of solar panels and inverters.

“A safety and site evaluation can help to assess and reduce the risk of rooftop isolation failure or even, in worst case scenarios, the potential for fire. Early

detection of faults or cable damage is vital in preventing hazards such as moisture and water ingress, panel hotspots and electric shocks.”

Think Solar Energy specializes in all forms of solar and electrical contracting.

Locally owned and operated as a joint entity of Norvec Electrical Contractors, the Think Solar team has the resources, knowledge and equipment to deliver solar and electrical contracting services to both domestic and commercial customers.

The team at Think Solar are Clean Energy Council Accredited fully trained local professionals in maintenance and safety. Think Solar will issue a full report containing photo documentation outlining any issues that need to be addressed within your system. Therefore you can be assured the checks are thoroughly carried out and followed through.

For all of your solar energy and safety needs speak to the Think Solar Energy team about your solar needs, phone 1300 133 663 or email sam@thinksolarenergy. com.au or info@norvec.com.au

SOLAR SAFETY INSPECTION… As the warmer months approach, don’t be a victim of poor performance and low productivity from your solar system. Photo: Supplied.

Building forecast good for 2014 THE Housing Industry Association (HIA), the voice of Australia’s residential building industry, today released the latest edition of its Victoria Outlook, the state’s most comprehensive housing report card.

“The repor t card shows that new home building should bounce back in 2014 on the back of detached house commencements,” commented HIA Executive Director, Victoria, Gil King.

“New dwelling commencements, the

key metric for the sector, are forecast to head back over the 50,000 mark this year, before dropping back again in 2015 and 2016,” Gil King said.

“Having substantially out-performed the rest of Australia in recent years, investment in renovations is forecast to peak in 2014 before easing back over the subsequent two years.”

New dwelling commencements in Victoria are forecast to increase by 8.7

percent in 2014 to just over 50,000, following a 9.9 percent decline in 2013.

Commencements are forecast to decline in 2015 and 2016, bottoming out at about 42,850. Renovations investment is forecast to grow by 1.7 percent in 2014 to a record peak of $7.53 billion. Investment in renovations is forecast to decline by 3.9 percent in 2015 and by 4.0 percent in 2016 to a value of $6.95 billion.

New Home Building Activity Strengthened in December Quarter 2013 A RECENT Australian Bureau of Statistics release of housing data points to an ongoing new home building recovery according to the Housing Industry Association (HIA), the voice of Australia’s residential building industry.

In seasonally adjusted terms, the number of dwelling commencements increased by 8.2 percent in the final quarter of 2013. Detached house commencements declined by 0.7 percent in the December quarter of 2013 while multi-unit commencements increased by 21.3 percent in the quarter.

HIA Economist, Geordan Murray said, “The data provides confirmation of what leading indicators had been implying – the new home building industry rounded out 2013 on a strong note. Original figures show there were 47,326 dwellings commenced in the December quarter which was the strongest quarterly result since 2002, even surpassing the highs during the period impacted by the GFC stimulus.

“The most notable contributor to the strong growth in dwelling commencements in the December quarter was Victoria, where commencement numbers jumped 11.3 percent in the quarter owing to a 33 percent jump in multi-unit commencements.”

Over the December 2013 quarter, healthy gains in total commencements were evident in Victoria (up by 11.3 percent), Queensland (up by 15.8 percent) and South Australia (up 25.2 percent). The quarter also saw growth for New South Wales (up 2.8 percent).

The Adviser, New House & Land – September 2014 – Page 17

2014 Spring Edition

new House&Land Spring Gardening

Spring maintenance and lawn care SPRING is the time of year when the sun is warm, the breeze is cool, and the steady hum of lawnmowers once again fills the air.

But before you get out the equipment, you need to remember that a healthy summer lawn starts with spring maintenance.

Winter can alter soil pH, compact the soil, and create conditions friendly to weeds and disease, so it’s crucial that you properly clean, fertilize and mow your yard early in the season. Now is the time to break out the ‘weed and feed’ and carry out some simple measures to ensure a beautiful, lush summer lawn.

If your lawn is already well-maintained, all you need to do is give it a light raking once the ground has dried out. However, problem areas should be addressed quickly, as they can stress your lawn and make it more susceptible to weeds and disease.

One common problem is uneven ground.

Low spots cause poor drainage, while high spots are often scalped by the lawn mower.

Since these situations create poor growing conditions for grass, grab a shovel, cut away areas that are raised, and fill in those that are depressed.

Another issue that plagues lawns, particularly in high-traffic areas, is soil compaction. This occurs when the soil becomes densely packed, making it difficult for grass to take root and allowing hardier weeds to take over. To test your yard for this problem, stick a garden fork into the ground. If the tines fail to penetrate 5cm, your soil is compacted and should be loosened with an aerator.

You may also want to reseed parts of your lawn that are particularly bare or brown. This can dramatically improve the appearance of your grass, before choosing

a seed, determine which varieties will work best for your needs, then roughly estimate the size of the area where you plan to plant. Don’t ignore the grass once you’ve planted it. Water regularly to maintain soil moisture and fertilize with a slow-release, low-nitrogen product. Mow when the grass reaches 7 to 10 cm in height.

Once your grass is well-established, you can encourage its growth and discourage weeds by applying a combination of fertilizers and herbicides. Ultimately, the best way to discourage weeds is to have a thick, healthy lawn

Step into Spring this month with DIY Workshops

SPRING IS NEAR… Bunnings Warehouse Shepparton will be hosting free DIY Workshops and sharing their expert advice with local residents every Saturday and Sunday throughout September. Photo: Supplied.

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SPRING is just around the corner and Goulburn and Murray Valley residents are invited to make the most of their weekends by learning a range of handy DIY tips to use around the home and garden at Bunnings Warehouse Echuca and Bunnings Warehouse Shepparton.

Every Saturday and Sunday throughout September, team members from Bunnings Warehouse Echuca and Bunnings Warehouse Shepparton will host free DIY Workshops and share their expert advice with local residents.

The DIY Workshops cover a wide range of projects including outdoor entertaining and growing your own garden.

Garden to Plate Workshops will also run on Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 14 for children and adults. The workshops will teach Goulburn and Murray Valley residents how to make gardens thrive during Spring and will demonstrate how to grow quality herbs and vegetables for families to cook with and enjoy.

Free Kids DIY Workshops will also run each weekend throughout September and will include spring themed workshops, grow your own garden workshops and footy fever workshops.

Bunnings Warehouse Area Manager, David Goodman says the workshops provide a great opportunity for people to kick start their spring DIY projects.

“We encourage Goulburn and Murray Valley residents to come in store this month and learn the skills required to get Spring DIY projects started around the house and garden,” David said.

Workshops will operate on Saturdays and Sundays throughout September. Adult DIY Workshops will be held at 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm and Kids D.I.Y. Workshop times will vary.

For more information, contact Bunnings Warehouse Echuca, at 131 Ogilvie Avenue, phone 5482 0200 or Bunnings Warehouse Shepparton, at 225 Benalla Road, phone 5820 2200.

2014 Spring Edition

new House&Land Spring time gardening Bursts of

Spring Gardening

colour

THE beginning of Spring is finally here and now is the time to add some much needed life and colour to your garden. This can be done easily and quickly with the addition of colourful varieties of perennials such as nemesia, geranium, scabiosa, petuna and even gerberas. If you are wanting to continue a burst of colour into the summer months, make sure to select drought hardy varieties. You can also get active in your vegetable garden and direct sow lettuce, silverbeet, rocket and bok choy seeds for healthy greens, from mid spring when the soil has warmed.

Spring time

fertiliser

WHILE most of the garden ‘goes to sleep’ over winter, vegetables, bulbs and annuals that flower or crop during this season and into spring will benefit from an occasional application of plant food. Feeding the garden in early spring will ensure strong, healthy growth throughout the growing season. It’s best to feed all garden plants with a controlled release fertiliser. Keep fertilised plants watered. If using greywater, use plantfriendly washing detergent.

Pruning for new growth

MOST varieties of trees and shrubs benefit from annual pruning, it keeps them in good shape by allowing for the regeneration of new growth while ridding of dead and diseased wood.

Trim back camellias lightly to encourage bushiness, prune blossom trees and other late winter/early spring blooming trees and shrubs immediately after flowering has finished, prune passionfruit vines back to the main leaders, deadhead flowers of spring flowering bulbs then let foliage die off before removing it or lifting bulbs, you can also shape most trees and shrubs while still dormant.

Controlling garden

pests

THE easiest way to control garden pests and insect damage is prevention. By discouraging the pests in the first place you can save a lot of time and money. By simply removing dead or weak plants, building healthy soil, mulching and spraying you can easily minimise insect habitat. If infestation is a problem, you can deal with all the major insect pests on your ornamental plants with treatments from your local nursery, but start planning ahead early towards preventative measures in the future.

The Adviser, New House & Land – September 2014 – Page 19

Page 20 – The Adviser, New House & Land – September 2014