6 minute read
Halcyon proudly joins Stockland
NEW CHAPTER Helping Australians live their best lives
THE FUTURE IS LOOKING BRIGHT
Stockland Highlands Community in Craigieburn, Victoria
We are excited to bring together Halcyon and Stockland, two great Australian companies committed to growing the scale and quality of the over 50s lifestyle communities’ sector across the country, through a focus on customer experiences and creating places where communities feel a sense of belonging.
A little bit of background on Stockland, we are an ASX top 50 listed property group and Australia’s largest residential developer. With an almost 70 year heritage of community building, our brand is built on the quality of the places we have created around the country. We know that Halcyon is highly regarded as the market leader in the lifestyle community sector in Queensland, with a fantastic team, strong brand, deep sector knowledge and expertise. This is what attracted us to the Halcyon opportunity and has been reinforced as we have got to know a number of people from the Halcyon team over the past six months. We see lifestyle communities as complementary to our masterplanned communities business and believe this is a great way for those looking to downsize and make more time for themselves.
Our commitment to south-east Queensland will continue in the years to come as we deliver new communities and look to extend Halcyon nationally. The potential for the land lease business to reshape lifestyle living for the Baby Boomer and Generation X demographic is incredibly exciting. Australian over 50s are looking for well-designed, personalised housing, security, access to facilities and activities to maintain active lifestyles and foster connection. Through our discussions with Paul Melville and Dr Bevan Geissmann, it’s clear the legacy they leave for the Halcyon team and homeowners is very important to them, and this was one of the key considerations in choosing Stockland to continue growing the business. We also have great alignment with our shared views on purpose, vision and values. Combined with great people, projects, capability, scale and pipeline, this provides a strong platform for our future success. Halcyon’s homeowner-centric focus is a key part of Halcyon’s success and we’re keen to bring this approach interstate. We think Halcyon is the
Stockland Sienna Wood Estate in Hilbert, Western Australia
WATCH TO LEARN MORE HERE
best at what they do and we are excited for our shared future.
Indeed, Bevan told the Australian Financial Review that he welcomed Stockland’s commitment to Halcyon’s staff and 2500 homeowners during the integration of the two companies in August. “Stockland’s diversifi ed property experience, balance sheet, landbank and cultural fi t make it the perfect business to lead Halcyon on its next phase of growth,” he said. Unfortunately, due to the extended lockdown in Greater Sydney and NSW, I haven’t been able to come up and meet homeowners in person as I had planned, in the meantime, please watch the video to learn a little bit more about Stockland.
Andrew Whitson, Group Executive and CEO Communities, Stockland
Stockland Amberton Beach, Eglinton, Western Australia
STOCKLAND’S VISION, PURPOSE AND VALUES
Our vision is to be a great Australian real estate company that makes a valuable contribution to our communities and our country.
This approach is underpinned by our purpose – “we believe there is a better way to live” – and is brought to life by our employees who are guided by Stockland’s values of Community, Accountability, Respect and Excellence (CARE).
WELLNESS CENTRE NOW OPEN
BE THE FIRST TO EXPLORE OUR LUXURIOUS PRIVATE WELLNESS RETREAT.
Buderim’s only luxury lifestyle community, B by Halcyon, is surrounded by the rainforest yet minutes from the beach and is designed exclusively for over 50s.
At our upcoming Discovery Tours, you’ll have the opportunity to preview the first stage of our multi-million-dollar facilities.
The Wellness Centre is the perfect place to refresh, energise and soothe your mind, body and soul…where else would you rather B?
2 RETREAT DRIVE, BUDERIM, QLD, 4556 (OFF WHITES RD) – 1800 050 050
REGISTER FOR A DISCOVERY TOUR:
Ask the Expert -
Using the ‘Downsizer’ measure to boost your Super
The Australian superannuation system is one of the best in the world when it comes to saving for retirement.
Even though retirement savings mechanisms have been around Australia since 1900 the super system as we know it today was formed in 1992. The system has been evolving ever since and now Australia has one of the most well-funded retirement systems in the world. One recent change to super contributions took effect on 1 July 2018 and is known as the ‘Downsizer Contribution’. It is designed for those who have sold their principal place of residence and enables them to put a portion of the sale proceeds directly into their super account. It’s a great strategy for anyone who wants to top up their super and there are some rules you need to be aware of. Here are some of the biggies: • You must be 65 years old or older at the time you make the downsizer contribution and there is no maximum age limit. • The home must have been owned by you or your spouse for 10 years or more prior to the sale. • You must make the downsizer contribution within 90 days of receiving the proceed of sale. • If eligible, you can make a maximum of $300,000 (each) and the contribution amount cannot be greater than the total proceeds of the sale of your home. If you are thinking of downsizing or have recently done so, please seek professional advice before taking action. This is a great way to pump more money into what I believe in my professional opinion (as an American who moved to Australia around two decades ago) is the world’s best retirement system!
FIND MORE INFORMATION HERE
PJ is a financial planner and mortgage broker. Check out his company Keystone Financial or listen to his podcast Money Matters.
DOWNSIZERS SWAP WORK FOR AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST LIFESTYLE
Taking advantage of the government’s downsizing provisions Tony and Daphne McDade were able to retire early while being able to add $400,000 to their superannuation fund.
Tony said the pair had sought professional advice from a financial planner a few years ago as part of their plans to transition to retirement. “He was able to take us through a few different scenarios and give us some good advice to make the most of our money,” Tony said. The couple sold their longtime family home in Carindale and were able to buy a corner block at Halcyon Greens, where they were able to build a new home. “We were both able to put an additional $200,000 each into our super funds and it also meant we could retire earlier to Halcyon,” Tony said. The pair now spend their days enjoying the best the community has to offer. “Tony plays four games of golf each week and I’m really involved with the social club and doing crafts,” Daphne said. “It really is a great life, we love it.”
