Bypass or through road?

25.09.08 Last week I attended the latest Kenmore Bypass Community Reference Group (KBCRG) meeting to hear an update from Main Road on the technical investigations process to date. Over the past few weeks, various scientific studies have been conducted with a view to creating both a “base line” of what the current situation is in the area, and also to aid with creating a computer model that will enable the engineers to predict the impact of any proposed options. I was most impressed by the extent of the studies which were conducted across a broad spectrum of disciplines including Ecology (terrestrial flora and fauna surveys); Water Quality (historical data review and visual inspection); Ground Water (review of existing databases and physical identification) Hydrology and Hydraulic Modeling (review existing modeling, analyze impacts and investigate mitigation options); Soils, Geology and Topography (review of all geological units and identification of weathering and erosion concerns); Land Use (analyses of census, council and state data, and site visits); Air Quality (emissions model created from existing data and traffic counters around the area); and Socio-economic Analysis (Review of government data; 500m buffer; access and mobility patterns analyzed for cars, pedestrians, cyclists and public transport; and mitigation considerations). In addition to all of the above, there was also extensive explanation of the detailed noise monitoring that has been conducted right throughout the site and surrounding areas that may be impacted (taking into account such things as topography, etc.), and a summary of how they will create a computer model of the whole area which will provide noise levels and noise contours surrounding the corridor and incorporate noise treatments to address the noise criteria. The next KBCRG meeting will be towards the end of next month, when the details of the results of the investigations will be presented and the first draft options will be discussed. This is an important study for a transport option which, if implemented, will have a dramatic impact on the area well into the future. If you have a view on this, and would like me to pass it on, then please feel free to contact me any time on 1300 200 100. Until next week…

Fundamentally Great!

20.09.08 - Despite the world’s share markets taking a battering over recent months and particularly in the last week, the Real Estate market in the Western Suburbs remains as solid as ever, with strong price growth still occurring and opportunities still available for astute buyers to make the smart move here. So how is it that we are somehow sheltered from the economic storm lashing other parts of the country and the globe? Well, fundamentally it’s the fundamentals of the area! You have heard me talk about this many times before, but it has never been truer than now in these challenging economic times, that it is important to have confidence in the underlying fundamentals of property when buying and selling. One often hears the catch cry of “position, position, position”, and that is the key to the stability of the Western Suburbs as a whole. Homes in this area benefit from great schools, terrific shopping, improving transport infrastructure, wide open spaces, lovely parks, and all within close proximity of the city and easy access to the gold and sunshine coasts. These are the “fundamentals” that underpin the value of the area and the future is looking even brighter too, with further proposed infrastructure for roads, transport and amenities, which will only add to the livability and therefore the value of the area. So if you are looking to secure your future in the area, we are pleased to present a selection of quality properties for your attention, including a sensational land subdivision right in the heart of Kenmore (our “feature Property” this week) if you’re thinking of building your dream home. For more details about these properties or any other real estate matter, please feel confident to speak with me or any of the expert team here at CENTURY 21 Westside. Until next week…

It’s a Boy!

11.09.2008 We are delighted to announce the addition of a new family member at CENTURY 21 Westside! Last Friday evening Phill’s wife, Michelle gave birth to a healthy baby boy – Darcy Phillip Broom! After a brief stay at the state of the art Mater Mother’s Hospital, Phill, Michelle and Darcy have returned home to make a new life together as a family. For those of you have been fortunate enough to experience the miracle of bringing a new person into the world, you will no doubt join me for a collective “aaahhh” at the thought of the joy that Phill and Michelle must be feeling right now, and at how fortunate Darcy is to have been born into such a loving home. When I was speaking with Phill earlier, I asked if he had enjoyed any “fast-asleep-on-your-chest” moments with Darcy, and when he replied in the affirmative, I nearly shed at tear at the memory of such simple pleasures! I don’t think it matters who you have talked to or how many books you’ve read, nothing can prepare you for the roller coaster of emotions that the birth of your first child can evoke. As Phill so eloquently put it on the fourth day of Darcy’s life, “I think this is the most stressful thing I’ve ever done! If only I could negotiate with the little fella!” and for a man with an extraordinarily high tolerance for stress, that’s quite a statement! One of the benefits of being such a cohesive team, is that Phill has been able to step away from the office the instant Michelle went into labour, and the business has continued seamlessly. It’s one of the aspects of our business that we pride ourselves on - being able to deliver consistently to our clients through all weathers. We wish him and Michelle all the best as they get into a new routine in life, and we anticipate having Phill back on deck again towards the end of the month. So, on behalf of the whole team at CENTURY 21 Westside, a heartfelt congratulations to Phill and Michelle, and we look forward to seeing Darcy in a gold jacket at an open home soon! Until next week…

The father lode

Not so long ago a father was a success if he could put a roof over his family’s head. Now it takes a roof, deck, home theatre, teen retreat and pool. And that’s just the holiday house. These aren’t easy times to be a father, let alone a “good father”. Just as the world seems to be spinning faster than ever before, requiring us to work harder and for longer, not always fully comprehending why or what for, fathers are also trying to make better use of family time. To engage with their children. To empathise with their wife or partner. To not only lead but to inspire, comfort and understand. As far as job descriptions go, it’s fairly heady stuff. Working in the real estate business used to be about finding new owners for houses. Now, thankfully, we speak of families and “homes”. We don’t simply negotiate prices, draw up contracts and hand over keys. We help people move. I’m increasingly aware of the cost and time pressures placed upon modern families, not least of all because I feel them too. As fathers – I have three little girls, all being expertly groomed to look after me in my dotage! – we are all trying to do our best… and sometimes that’s even enough. I am fortunate to have a wonderful father whose ideals and practices I could do no better than to emulate. He strikes a nice balance between work and family, always with the understanding that when the see-saw comes to rest, it comes down on the family side. To my own father and to all fathers, best wishes for a great day on Sunday. You deserve it! !*!*!ALERT!*!*! As I write this, Phill Broom is not yet a father, but with his lovely wife Michelle, due to deliver any day now, please join with me in wishing him all the best for a long and successful “career” as a great dad! Until next week…