It was a year that saw tax cuts, rising interest rates, phenomenal growth in house prices in Western Australia and Dracula's castle being returned to his blood relatives. We take a look at some of headlines from 2006...
2006 National Architecture Awards
A new house that questions our notions of the `Australian beach house' and offers `shelter from the ravages of coastal storms', an apartment block providing a `secluded refuge' in Bangkok, and a delicate structure providing sanctuary to an endangered species of wildlife were among key projects being honoured in this year's Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) 26th National Architecture Awards in November.
Green buildings get the go-ahead
Green buildings are no longer a niche occurrence, as demand grows at an unprecedented rate, particularly from the government sector and from large corporate building tenants and owners.
In fact, 84 per cent of Australian architects, contractors and building owners are now involved in green building, according to the Green Building Market Report 2006, released in October.
Dracula's castle returned to blood relatives
Six decades after it was seized by communists, Dracula's castle has been returned to its ancestral owners. The Transylvanian castle was handed back recently in a special ceremony to the Habsburg family whose ancestors ruled Romania in the late 17th Century. The castle has always been associated with Prince Vlad the Impaler, infamous for his cruelty and the inspiration for the fictional Dracula, and has become one of Romania's most popular tourist attractions.
New Building Regulations in force in Victoria
Homeowners and builders alike will be affected by the new Building Regulations 2006 which took effect in June.
The new regulations include standards for the construction and demolition of buildings, fire safety and safety measures and the accreditation of building products, construction methods, designs, components and systems connected with building work.
WA 'rips' into property taxes
Good news for WA homeowners in May, with tax relief measures announced in their State Budget including the abolition of stamp duty on mortgages. In addition, the Government promised further land tax relief, including raising the minimum threshold from $130,000 to $150,000 - freeing more than 17,000 taxpayers from land tax.
Residential recovery on the way
Residential construction spending is set to recover to a more normal level of activity, according to research released in November by the Construction Forecasting Council (CFC), an initiative of the Australian Construction Industry Forum (ACIF).
ACIF chairman Neil Marshall says the outlook for residential construction continues to be positive.
"The CFC now forecasts that spending growth on residential construction will be 6.4 per cent p.a. over five years and 6.0 per cent p.a. over seven years, which is still a positive outlook", Mr Marshall said.
E-conveyancing to streamline land purchases
A national electronic conveyancing system which would simplify land purchases is a step closer to being adopted after the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General agreed this week to continue monitoring a pilot program running in Victoria.
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said that a national system for electronic conveyancing will streamline settlements for individuals and businesses buying and selling land, including across State borders.
Young Australians underinsured
More than a quarter of young Australians (18-34) have had their current home broken into, but more than half of the same generation have no home and contents insurance, according to research by national insurer AAMI.
AAMI Public Affairs Manager Geoff Hughes, said that young people are most likely to leave their house keys in obvious places such as under doormats and potplants (20 per cent) and least likely to have good security habits, like leaving lights or television on when they go out.
Interest rates rise
The Reserve Bank (RBA) gave Australian homeowners and buyers a welcome break in December when it left interest rates on hold, keeping the official cash rate at 6.25 per cent.
It was not unexpected. When the RBA raised rates the month before, Governor Glenn Stevens indicated in his report that the Board would wait and see what impact the three rises this year - in May, August and November - were going to have on inflationary pressures. The Board next meets in February, 2007.
LG to compensate consumers
Up to $3.1 million was available in rebates for eligible consumers who bought five popular LG Electronics Australia Pty Ltd air conditioner models that did not comply with the energy efficiency values claimed on rating labels.
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Chairman Graeme Samuel said that LG had sold more than 15,000 mislabelled air conditioners between 2002 and 2005. It was found that energy consumption was greater, and the actual cooling output of some models of air conditioners was less than claimed, while one model was even below the rating required by the relevant Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS).
Garage band turns home into national treasure
In one of our favourite stories, you just never know which future rock stars are down there playing loud music in your garage today, or whether your house will become a shrine to their memory. The Casbah Coffee Club - created by the mother of drummer Pete Best in the coal cellar of her house in Liverpool - has this year been given Grade II heritage listing by the British Government because of its opening act, The Quarrymen. The venue was apparently decorated for opening night back in April 1959 by the band members, who also doubled up as barmen. Just who were her son's eager young friends? Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, who (with drummer Best) filled in for another act which failed to turn up at the last minute.
