The change in government in Victoria in 2014 has led to changes in major infrastructure projects. The new government cancelled the East West Link road project and plans to privatize the Port of Melbourne to free up funds. Key infrastructure projects announced include the Melbourne Metro Rail Tunnel and removing 50 railway level crossings across Melbourne. Both projects are aimed at improving transport and reducing congestion, though short-term inconvenience is expected during construction. The cancellation of the previous government's long-term East West Link project underscores the challenges of fully delivering or making significant progress on major infrastructure within a single government term.

1. Victoria: new government, new priorities
The change of government in November 2014 has had a
significant effect on major public infrastructure projects in Victoria.
Following the decision by the new administration not to proceed
with building the first stage of the East West Link roadway,
spending is to be reallocated. In addition, the government plans
to privatise the Port of Melbourne, freeing up around AUD$6bn for
alternative infrastructure projects.1
To date, projects that have been announced include the planning
and construction of the Melbourne Metro Rail Tunnel, which
comprises two nine-kilometre tunnels and five new underground
stations connecting the north and south of the CBD. The project
is expected to employ more than 3,500 people during peak
construction and allow 20,000 more passengers to use the rail
network during peak hour.2
The new government has also announced the planned removal
of 50 railway level crossings across the Melbourne metropolitan
area, with the first 20 of those to be delivered within the next
four years.3
The good news for Melbourne property owners is that both
projects should improve the city’s liveability by easing road
congestion, although there may be some short-term
inconvenience while the level crossing removal works are
in progress.
What’s happening in VIC?
Sources:
1. ANZ Research, ANZ Victoria February 2015 Economic Update, anzlive.com, accessed
25 Mar 2015.
2. http://www.dtpli.vic.gov.au/transport/major-projects/melbourne-metro-rail-project/
about-the-project, accessed 29 Apr 2015.
3. http://ptv.vic.gov.au/projects/railway-crossings/removing-level-crossings, accessed
29 Apr 2015.
The cancellation of the previous government’s East West Link
roadway, a massive and long-term project, underlines the
challenges for a government to see through major infrastructure
programmes or at least make significant progress within a single
term of government. No doubt the new government will be aiming
for considerable advancement of its infrastructure projects by the
time of the next election in November 2018.
A quarterly property bulletin brought to you
by your local Mobile Lender – Bruce Franzen.
ANZ Property Solutions
Macedon Ranges | 2015, Issue 2
We come to you
ANZ was awarded‘Home Lender of the Year’by Money magazine in 2014.

2. Providing council.
Councils deal with everything from town planning to traffic and parking, rubbish
collection, swimming pools and a whole lot more. When it comes to property,
councils accept or deny applications for home renovations as well as developments.
While every state and territory has different applications and processes, here are a few
broad topics that could help with your impending development application (DA) and
provide counsel to support you on your way!
Taking a look around your local area
Look around the area of your proposed development to get an idea of style and what
could be permissible.1,2
If you’re looking to build a multi-storey house in an area where
all the houses are relatively low, there may be a reason for that.
Gather all the information for your Statement of
Environmental Effects (SEE) document
This document demonstrates how your project will comply with local, regional
and state building regulations. It predominately covers your project’s design and
environment impact and often includes:
• A description of the site and adjacent areas, including vegetation
• How the site will be used and what it was used for previously
• A list of any existing structures
• A detailed description of your plans
• Any possible impacts to the environment
• How these impacts have been identified
• Steps that will be taken to lessen any expected environmental harm.2
Decide if it’s something you can do yourself
Dealing with councils could be difficult, and while town planners are there to help,
there’s no shame in enlisting professional assistance if and when you need it. Whether
it be an architect or a draftsman, professionals could have a better understanding of
council procedures and help you adequately prepare your application.1,2
Adequately prepare to meet with the town planner
Before visiting the council’s town planner, be prepared with a detailed description of
your ideas and plans. Reading the Local Environment Plan (LEP), the Development
Control Plan (DCP) and the Regional Strategy Report could all prove invaluable, and
the council meeting minutes could also provide insights into previous developments
and questions that the council may have had on them.1,2
Overall, research and planning will be your greatest allies when dealing with the
council. The more information you include and the more detailed your plans, the
more likely you are to have a smooth development and application process.
Sources:
1. Chivers, Jo, “Tips on dealing with your council”, yourmortgage.com.au, accessed 2 Feb 2015.
2. Your Investment Property Magazine, “Your step-by-step development dealing with council – how to get
a DA fast” yourinvestmentpropertymag.com.au, accessed 2 Feb 2015.
Winter can take its toll on the monthly housing
bills – they tend to be higher as people may
spend more to stay warm and cosy. It has been
suggested that 40% of household energy use
relates to staying warm in winter.1
Here are a few
tips that could help thaw your winter heating bill:
• The heat is on – over 40% of heat can be lost
from uncovered windows, so once the sun goes
down, ensure all your windows are covered up.1
• Degrees of importance – some sources report
that every degree over 20 on your heater’s
thermostat could be adding 10% to your heating
bill;1,2
set them to a lower temperature overnight
or use timers to save money.
• Take advantage of low-flow showerheads –
the less water you use, the less water you’ll
have to heat1
.
• Out with the old – malfunctioning appliances,
such as a leaking hot water system, could add
to costs.3
• Insulate yourself from costs – insulation can help
reduce heating and cooling bills by up to 45%,4
so they could be worth the initial investment.
There are a lot of ways you could save money
around the home, and squirrelling away little
bits of money now could add up to big savings
in the future.
Why squirrelling
away isn’t nuts.
Sources:
1. RoyalAuto, “Stay Warm and Save Money in Winter”,
racv.com.au, 27 Feb 2015.
2. Lifestyle HOME, “15 Ways to Save Money This Winter”,
lifestyle.com.au, 27 Feb 2015.
3. Origin Energy, “Save Energy FAQS”, originenergy.com.au,
27 Feb 2015.
4. Environment Victoria, “Stay comfy, save money – draught proof
and insulate”, environmentvictoria.org.au, 27 Feb 2015.

3. For more helpful home loan tips and links, visit anzmobilelending.com.au
As the old adage goes “It’s the little things that make the difference”. When you’re selling your home,
it’s important to know how a few little things could make a big difference to the final sale price.
From little things, big things sell.
Low-maintenance landscaping
The view from the kerb can make a big
first impression. If your garden looks
unkempt and unmanageable, that could
be what sticks in your buyer’s mind.
Mowing the lawn, removing dead leaves,
planting vibrant flowers and plants can all
add to the outside aesthetics.3
Sources:
1. Paech, Venessa, “6 things to do before you list”, realesate.com.au, accessed 2 Feb 2015.
2. Paech, Venessa, “6 top tips for renovating for profit”, realestate.com.au, accessed 2 Feb 2015.
3. Real Estate View “Preparing your property for sale” realestateview.com.au, accessed 25 Mar 2015.
4. Findlay, Naomi, “The law of attraction vs. distraction”, realestate.com.au, accessed 2 Feb 2015.
Smell of success
Smell has been shown to have a huge
impact on buyers.4
While making your
house smell like freshly baked cookies is
an old trick, equally important is ensuring
there’s no lingering odours wafting from
your fridge, carpets or kid’s bedrooms.4
Bright way
Installing new, brighter light fixtures and
accentuating natural light could be a
huge attraction for buyers, while dark
and gloomy spaces could have the
opposite effect.4
New for old
Reanimating your house with a fresh coat
of paint, new door and window handles,
and new bathroom and kitchen fixtures
could all be relatively low cost ways to
add value to your home.1,2
Sweat the small stuff
Patch walls, fix cracks, replace tiles, buff
floors, wash windows – these relatively
simple tasks could make a difference to
your final sale price.1,2

4. Handy hints on tax deductions.
Sources:
1. Australian Taxation Office, “Rental property expenses”, ato.gov.au, accessed 2 Feb 2015.
2. Australian Taxation Office, “Expenses you can claim”, ato.gov.au, accessed 2 Feb 2015.
If you own a rental property you receive income from, you may be
entitled to claim on tax expenses associated with the running of that
property. From bank interest to repair and maintenance costs, there could
be thousands you could save every year. Here are a few handy hints you
might not have considered.
• Pest Control – if you spray or fumigate your rental property, that cost
could be tax deductible.1
• Travelling – if you own a rental property in another state or territory,
your travel expenses incurred to collect rent, inspect, or maintain that
property could be tax deductible.1,2
• Advertising – costs associated with the advertising of your property
could be tax deductible. This includes the costs of putting an ad in the
paper, advertising online, or with local real estate agents.1
• In-house audio and visual costs – if you pay for the installation of
Foxtel or another entertainment unit for your tenants, that cost could be
tax deductible.2
• Stationery and postage – any costs associated with postage or stationery
relating to your rental property could be claimed back on your tax.1
Tax for rental properties can be a complicated issue, and may not be
suitable to all people in all circumstances. Speak to your tax adviser before
making any decisions regarding your tax refund.
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Disclaimer: The information in this Guide is current as at 6 May 2015. The information is in summary form and does
not purport to be complete. It is intended as a general guide only and is not a substitute for professional advice.
The information does not take into account your personal needs and financial circumstances and you should consider
whether it is appropriate for you. MH ID: 177