iIf you are in the process of purchasing your new home there are a number of things to take into consideration. With the first home owners grant ending purchasers must:

•HavetheircontractexecutedbyJune30,2009

•Ensureconstructioncommenceswithin26weeksofJune30,2009

•Havetheircertificateofoccupancyissuedbytheendof2010

Failuretofulfiltheabovecriteriawilldeempurchasersineligibletoreceivethegrant.

Burbankhowever,ispleasedtobeabletoofferaguaranteedcontractwithin5weeks. Soifyouareinthemarket,makesureyoutakefulladvantageofthegrantwhilstitlasts.

In this issue...• First home owners grant ending soon

• What drives sustainable design?

• Denton Mills from above

• Home tech tips

• The display experience [Part I]

• Product review Technika

• Wine review

• In search of greener pastures

• A ‘Victory’ for first home buyers

• 10 years of service

• Recipe - tastebud tantalisers

It can be quite hard for first time buyers to get a foothold on the home ownership ladder.Thankfully,variousgovernmentgrantsandconcessions(upto$29,000)havebeenhelpingthousandsoffsetsomeofthestart-upexpenseswhenenteringthepropertymarket.However,allgoodthingsmustcometoanendandunlessanextensionisannouncedbythegovernmentsoon,theassistancetofirsthomeownerswillfinishonJune30,2009.

first home owners grant ending soon

Call 13 BURBANK (13 2872) www.burbank.com.au

Issue 14 - April 09

Burbank GroupNewsletterBURBANK VIEWS

what drives innovation in

sustainable design?

The renewable energy industry is a good example of how government financial incentives can complement regulation and stimulate industry growth. Rebates for solar hot water systems and solar electric (photovoltaic) systems resulted in a significant increase in the uptake of these products, which provide triple bottom line benefits (social, economic and environmental). Moreover, the rebates have stimulated industry innovation with many new technologies and products becoming commercially available.

sSustainability has become a high priority in Australian households as our changing climate and rising cost of commodities take hold. Add to this the current global financial crisis and the need for a solution isintensified.Butwhataretherealdriversofsustainabilityandwhatstimulatesprogressandinnovationinthiscriticalfield?Governmentregulationisoneapproach,financialincentivesandeducationallplay a significant role in actioning change.

The5-StarStandard,introducedinJuly2005,isclearlyanexampleofwherewell-researched, proportional regulation has led to a flourishing sustainable housing industry. It helped stimulate growth andinnovationinsustainability,asevidencedbythedevelopmentofnumerousnewsustainablebuildingproductsandthefactseverallargevolumebuildersarenowvoluntarilyoffering6-Starhomesasstandard.BurbankAustraliahasgoneonestepfurtherandisnowofferingarangeofleading7-Starhomes.TheStandardhasalsoledtothecreationofmanysuccessfulindustryprogramsandpartnerships,suchastheHIA’sGreenSmartprogram.

Therenewableenergyindustryisagoodexampleofhowgovernmentfinancialincentivescan complement regulation and stimulate industry growth. Rebates for solar hot water systems and solar electric(photovoltaic)systemsresultedinasignificantincreaseintheuptakeoftheseproducts,whichprovidetriplebottomlinebenefits(social,economicandenvironmental).Moreover,therebateshavestimulatedindustryinnovationwithmanynewtechnologiesandproductsbecomingcommerciallyavailable.

Burbank’saimistoprovideasoundplatformwhichhelpsbridgethegapbetweenregulatorystandards,moreambitiousvoluntaryprograms(e.g.HIAGreenSmart)andthehighestlevelsofsustainability. Byofferinghomebuyersinformedchoice,clientscanselectthelevelofsustainabilitytheywouldliketoincorporateintotheirnewhome.Burbank’s‘Edge’ColourSelectionStudioshowcasesthelatestbuildingproducts,allowsclientstoselectsustainableproductsfortheirhomebasedontheirneeds,philosophiesandbudget.Itemssuchasrenewableenergysystems,recycledmaterialsandhighefficiencyproducts areondisplaywiththeinformationneededtoeducateclientsontheirenvironmentalcredentials,tohelpthemmakeamoreinformeddecision.Acustomercanchoosethebasic5-Starlevel,ortheycanupgradetheirhometo7-Starsandbeyond–thechoiceistheirs.

Thecurrentglobalcrisis,bothfinancialandenvironmental,demandsmoresustainablebuildingswhichprovideloweroperatingcostsandasmallerenvironmentalfootprint.Inachievingthis,thedrivers,aswellasthebarriersandobstacles,aremany.Sustainabilityisfundamentallyaboutpeoplewantingtomakebetterandinformedchoices.Acoordinatedapproachwheregovernment,industryandthecommunityworktogetherandwhereconsumerchoiceispreserved,islikelytoprovidethemostdesirableoutcomes.

A customer can choose the basic 5-Star level, or they can upgrade their home to 7-Stars and beyond – the choice is theirs.

BURBANK VIEWS AUTUMN 2009

7-Starenergy rating Burbank’s Future Collection

Burbank’s Fern Leaf logo represents sustainable product

Darwin - Chelsea facade

denton mills from above

wWeallknowMelburnianshavemanychoices whenitcomestoapartmentdevelopments,butDentonMills,situatedinaleafystreetinAbbotsford, isTHEchoicemadeby57buyerssofar!

Inasuperblocation,justoffVictoriaStreetandonlyashortstrollfromtheYarraRiver,DentonMillsfeatures61apartmentsandterracessurrounding acentralcourtyardandwillhaveacafé/restaurant,officesatstreetlevelandsecureundercoverparkingfor all.

The central courtyard will be reminiscent of an enclosedEuropeanlaneway,linkingtheheritagebuildingtoarowofcontemporarytwo-storeyterraces facing the courtyard.

57ofthe61apartmentsandterracesweresoldrelativelyquicklywhenreleasedinmid-2007;now we are pleased to release the three modern apartmentsatthesouthernendofthedevelopmentfacing onto Nicholson Street. Offering fabulous cityskylineoutlooksfromtheupperfloors,theseapartmentsaresuretopleaseeventhemostdiscerningbuyers!

Inaddition,wehaveoneofthe3bedroom terracesavailable–offeringatownhouselifestylewith the added security afforded by an apartment development.

Under construction now and due for completion laterthisyear,theseapartmentsandterracesrepresentanopportunitywhichdoesn’tcome alongoften–toenjoyabrandnewhomeinone ofMelbourne’sboutiquesuburbs.

The offices on the ground floor are also to be released shortly. “I’m on top of the world, looking down on creation...”

Or at least that’s how the song goes... Have a look at this amazing view from the top of the chimney at Denton Mills, looking down on the site and across the city skyline.www.dentonmills.com.au

thome tech tipsThere was a time where wiring a new home meant allowing for a power point in every room, one phone socket and perhaps two TV aerial sockets. However in today’s world we should consider home networking, video distribution and audio wiring. Now whilst it is not possible to predict every potential room layout well into the future, having the cable infrastructure pre-installed can save you money, time and hassle down the track.

BURBANK VIEWS AUTUMN 2009

“I’m on top of the world, looking down on creation...” Or at least that’s how the song goes... Have a look at this amazing view from the top of the chimney at Denton Mills, looking down on the site and across the city skyline.

Home Telephone WiringTherewasatimewherenobodyconsideredtelephonewiring,noteventheelectricianwiringyourhouse.Youwouldcallyourtelephoneprovider,andtheywouldcomeoutandinstallyourlinewithonesocketonly,anymorewereadditional.Thesedayshavingtheflexibilitytopluginaphone,faxormodemintoanyroomallowsfortheneedsoftoday’sfamilies.Foryour newhomewerecommendhavingaphoneoutletineachroom,wired back to a central distribution panel.

Home Data WiringALocalAreaNetwork(LAN)isanabsolutenecessityinamodernhome.Awiredhomenetworkismoresecure,reliableandfasterthanawirelesssolution. Phone cabling and data cabling should be considered together. Inalmostallcases,theexactsametypeofcableisusedtocarryvoiceandnetworksignals.BurbankElectricalcanruntwoofthesecablesintoeachroom,makingoneforphoneandonefordata,allwhichleadbacktoacentraldistributionor‘patch’panel.

Video DistributionYourvideosourcecouldbeadigitalsignalfromanantenna,payTV,or evenfromasecuritycamera.HavingaflatscreenTVonthewallisalltherageatthemoment,soevenifyoudon’tyetownoneormoreflatscreenTV’s,considerwhereyoumaywanttheminthefuture.

Home Network - WiredIfyouhavefollowedthesuggestionsabove,youcanhaveyourmodem/router/networkswitch(usuallyallintheoneboxthesedays)sittinginthesamecentrallocationwhereallyourwiringmeets–usuallyalaundrycupboard,wardrobeorshed.Yourmodem/routertakesthebroadband fromyourphonelineandsharesitouttoallthenetworkpoints,allowing all the computers in your household to browse at the same time.

Home Network – WirelessThepopularityofwirelessnetworkshassnowballedoverthelastcoupleofyears. Quite often a wireless network is the easiest solution for people in establishedhomeswhodonothavethecablinginfrastructureinplacetosuittheirneeds.Andevenifyoudohavetheappropriatecablingineachroom,sometimeslayingonthecouch(orbed!)withthenotebookcanbe a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

This article was kindly provided by Daniel Church, Managing Director of DJC Systems. For all your computer support, I.T. consulting, web design and hosting requirements, contact DJC Systems on (03) 9001 5385 or visit www.djc.com.au

If you plan on having wireless available in your house, we recommend the following:

•DisableSSIDbroadcasting.

•Usethehighestencryptionavailable.WPA encryptionprovidesmuchbetterprotection thanWEP.

•UseMACfilteringforaccesscontrol.

•Reduceyourwirelesstransmitterpower. You only need wireless to work in or around yourhome,nothalfwaydownthestreet.

Thebottomlineisthatwiththerighttools,dedicationandtime,anexperiencedusercouldcompromiseyourwirelessnetwork.Howeverbytakingthestepsabove,chancesareanybodyattempting to break into your network will moveontoaneasiertarget.

Features•600mmMultifunctionelectricoven•5Cookingfunctions•Mechanicalcontrol•Removeabledoor•Easycleanremovablesideracks

•Automaticcutofftimer•Cavitycoolingsystem•Autosafetycutoffswitch•Tripleglazeddoor•Closeddoorgrilling

product review

Technika, brings tomorrow’s technology to the kitchen today...

t

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ThenewBellissimoTB60FSS-2fromTechnikabringsthelatestincookingtechnologyandstateoftheartEuropeanlookstoyourkitchen.Cooltouchdoor,fanforced,energyefficientareallfeaturesofthisbrandnewBellissimoelectricoven.TheTB60FSS-2canbeinstalledinawalloventowerorasanunderbenchtoaccommodatespaceaswellaslooksandpracticality.

“Heyitwasfantastic!!!!Ihadanabsoluteballandhadagreat time. There was so much to choose from and it was really good astheyhadtheexactcolourbricksIwanted!”

“IamSOOOOOexcited-itallseemstobefallingintoplace.Iwas veryimpressedthatIthinkIchosestandardinclusionsinalmost everything,althoughwentalloutonthepowerpointsandinthe endwentforairconditioningaswell.”

“...Didn’tgetagoodphotoofthekitchentrim,buthavechosen the‘wavywhite’tileswithadarkbrownmarblefinishtrim. The dark brown will match the kitchen cupboards. The kitchen benchesandthebathroomtopslookwhiteinthephotobelow, butitisacreamy,speckledcolourwiththespecklesbringingout thedarkbrowncupboardsandthegrey/beigecarpet.”

Caroline Burge, a very happy Burbank homebuyer, recently sent Niki Rookledge this glowing report after her visit to the Edge Colour Selection Studio.

happy home buyer

We’ll follow the progress of Caroline’s experience in a future issue.

www.technika.com.au

600mm Bellissimo Stainless Steel Oven

Functions•Ovenlight(forcleaningpurposes)•Defrost•Fanforcedelement•Grillelement

gwhat it’s all about...the display experience [part i]

GlendaRumble,SalesConsultantatReflections,seesmanydisplayhomevisitorsunsureofwhattoexpectas“itisimportanttogaugehowtheyfeelimmediatelyandmakethemfeelwelcome,”shesays.“Offeringbrochures,askingisthereanythinginparticulartheywouldliketosee…ideally,anddependingonhowbusyitis,Iliketowalkthrough andoffersomeinformationaswego.”

NikiRookledge,attheWallanValleyEstate,findsbuyers are often initially reluctant to approach sales staff.

“IdoenjoymeetingpeopleandiftheyindicatetheyhaveagenuineneedorinterestIpourmyenergy intothem,listeninghearingandaskingquestions… I need them to feel heard.“

AsRoyMangos,SalesConsultantatTaylorsPark,Burnsideexplains,“Idon’tsellhouses,Igivethem(prospectivehomeowners)options.”

Glenda Rumble adds the importance of presenting our homes at their best is also high priority.

“Ittakesabout6hoursaweekpreparingandshuttingthedisplayseachday,openingwindows,switchingonandoffevaporativecoolersandlighting,”shesaid.

BURBANK VIEWS AUTUMN 2009

bBurbankispleasedtoannouncetheAustralianCleanskinGrouphavejoinedustoprovideregularwinereviewsandspecials.ACGoffersAustralia’sbestpricedcleanskin(unlabelled)winesfromtheworld’sbest wine regions. These wines are purchased unlabelled directly from boutique wineries in plain outer packaging,enablingACGtoconsistentlypurchaseandselltheproductatpricingwellbelowthatofequalquality labelled wines. Their focus is to strictly purchase wines from premier boutique wineries that will be consistentvintagetovintageinsupplyandqualityaswellasbeingextremelypricecompetitive.AlltheirwinesaregradedbyapanelofexpertswhoseknowledgeandyearsofexperiencewithintheindustryensuretheircleanskinrangeisthemostdiverseandboutiquerangeinAustralia.

RichmondShop1,198-200

Swan Street

South Yarra91ToorakRoad

St Kilda80BAclandStreet

Collingwood290SmithStreet

Abbotsford68MollisonStreet

Barossa Valley2008 Shiraz

Sourced from mature vines from Barossa Valley, this Shiraz Has Beenseasoned French Oak barrels. The nose is full of black cherry, coffee, Satsuma plums and star anise, backed up by a rich, full bodied palate with soft tannins.

*CASE BUYS ONLY

$6.67*per bottle

Save $51.88 per case

*CASE BUYS ONLY

$6.67*per bottle

Pale straw Colour with green hues. Intense aromas of passionfruit, grapefruit and gooseberry. A crisp wine showing flavours of passionfruit with underlying gooseberry tones. This wine has mouth watering acidity and an intense minerality.

Marlborough - NZ2008 Sauvignon Blanc

Save $41.88 per case

AUSTRALIAN CLEANSKIN GROUPr e g i o n a l w i n e s o f t h e w o r l d

RichmondShop 1 198 - 200 Swan Street Richmond 3121

South Yarra91 Toorak Road South Yarra 3141

St Kilda80B Acland Street St Kilda 3182

Collingwood290 Smith Street Collingwood 3066

Abbotsford Wine Warehouse68 Mollison Street Abbotsford 3067

Marlborough 2008 Sauvignon BlancPale straw colour with green hues. Intense aromas ofpassionfruit,grapefruitand gooseberry. A crisp wineshowingflavoursofpassionfruit with underlying gooseberry tones. This wine has mouth watering acidity and an intense minerality. Atonly$80,youwouldbecrazytoonlybuy1case.Normally$121.

Barossa Valley 2008 ShirazSourcedfrommaturevinesfromBarossaValley,thisShirazhas been seasoned in French Oak barrels. The nose is full of blackcherry,coffee,Satsumaplumsandstaranise,backedupbyarich,fullbodiedpalatewithsofttannins,whichkeepsyou reaching for more. Lucky it’ssoaffordable!Onspecialnowforonly$80percase.Normally$131.

The nose is full of black cherry, coffee, Satsuma plums and star anise... which keeps you reaching for more.

For more information visit www.acgwine.com.au

wine review

wWithinterestrateshavingfallendramaticallyoverthepastfewmonthsnoborrowerwould be alone in wondering whether their home loan still offered the best rate.

TheReserveBankofAustralia(RBA)hasnowloppedthreepercentofftheofficialcashrate injustfourmonths-whichequalsaround$600-650offtherepaymentdueeachmonthon a$300,000mortgage.

Howevertheamounteachbankandmortgagelenderhaspassedbacktotheborrowerhasvariedsothereisnoguaranteeyourlenderstilloffersthebestrateonthemarket.

Whilethereismoretotherightmortgagethansimplytheinterestrate,there’severychanceyou can still find a cheaper loan that still has all the features you need. But before you start searchingforabetterdeal,considerthefollowingpoints:

Read the fine print If you decide to switch lenders you may face some hefty break costs if your loan is only a few years old.

Beforemakinganydecisionscallyourbrokertofindoutwhatcostsyou’relikelytobehitwithshouldyoudecidetogoelsewhere.It’sessentialtoensureanysavingyoumakeonacheapermonthlyrateisnotcancelledoutbyexcessivefeesorcharges.

Fixed versus variablePlentyoflendersnowoffersomeveryattractivefixedrates.Howeverit’sworthconsideringthat we are in a downward rate cycle and there may well be more rate cuts to come.

Thebigplusforafixedrateloanisthesecurityofknowingexactlywhatyourrepaymentsareeachmonthduringthefixedperiod.Ifyoudopickafixedinterestloanrememberyouwillhavetostickwithitevenifratesfallfurther.

More to your loan than rate alone Noteveryhomeloanisthesameandsoit’simportanttolookbeyondtheinterestratewhenthinkingaboutmovingtoanotherlender.

The rule of thumb is the more bells and whistles a loan has the higher the interest rate. While featureslikeredrawfacilitiesandoffsetaccountscanbepowerfultoolsforsomeborrowers,theymaynotsuiteveryone.Ontheflipsideit’simportanttokeepinmindalowrateloanmayoffer little or no features.

To quickly identify whether there’s a better loan package available call National Pacific Finance on 1300 367 721 or email enquiries@npfs.com.au. We will be able to tell you if you still have the most appropriate product on the market and if not, whether it makes sound financial sense to swap.

BURBANK VIEWS AUTUMN 2009

The hunt is on for a better deal as interest rates finally come down.in search

of greener pastures

The success of Burbank’s latest product, the Victory, is the result of meeting the current market demands with common sense. As part of the Genesis Collection, these 15 or 18 square homes are designed to suit a minimum 12.5 lot width. The great news is, the Victory range was designed as a practical, affordable solution for first home buyers, investors and empty nesters from less than $100,000*.

*Terms and conditions apply. PricingsubjecttoFHOG.Formoreinformationpleasecontactasalesconsultant.

ta ‘victory’ for first home buyersTheFirstHomeOwnersGranthasprovidednewpossibilitiesforfirsthomebuyersacrossVictoria. MrDavidBorg,Burbank’sDirectorofSalesisdelightedwiththesuccessoftheVictory since its launch.

“Thedefinitionofa‘firsthomebuyer’isverybroadwhenyouincludeestablishedfamilieswhohave seentheincreasedFirstHomeOwner’sGrantasthedecidingfactorbetweenrentingandbuyinga home,”hesaid.

“TheVictoryisapractical,contemporarydesignwhichcanbetailoredtosuitthemanydifferentfamily units now looking for a first home with options of up to 4 bedrooms and a plethora of choice including nolessthan8façadedesigns.”

Itssleepingwingislocatedatthefrontofthehome.Acrosstheentry,yourfourthbedroomcouldeasilybecomeastudyorhomeofficeforwork-from-homeprofessionals.

Awalk-inrobeservicesthemasterbedroomandshouldalargerparents’retreatbeonyourhighprioritylist,thereisanoptiontoaddanensuite.Thefloatingvanityunitandporcelainroundbasin inthebathroomandensuiteofferafresh,spaciousfeelwithahintofluxuryyou’llenjoy.

Thelight-filled,open-planlivingandmealsareaoffersampleroomforthenumerousactivitiesofabusyfamily. The Victory1800includestheadditionofaseparatelounge,cateringforthebreak-awaycrowd.Entertainingfromhomecouldneverbemoreenjoyablewithanumberofalfrescooptionsavailable.

QualityofworkmanshipisalsothehighestpriorityineveryhomebuiltbyBurbankandtheVictory is noexception.TheAdvantagerangeoffittingsincludestainlesssteelappliancesandchrometapware,complementingthesleek,linearkitchendesignandcontemporarylaminatefinishes.

The GenesisCollectionisoneofBurbank’sfourCollectionsofHomes,designedtosuiteverylifestyle.The CompleteCollectionoffersastreamlinedbuildingexperience,theFutureCollection demonstrates howsustainabilityandstylewon’tcosttheearth,theIdealCollectiongivesyouanexperienceofopulence at its best and the GenesisCollection,designedastheperfectsolutionforfirsthomebuyers,emptynestersandinvestors.

BURBANK VIEWS AUTUMN 2009

Victory - Modern facade

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Burbank Business Park AberdeenRoadAltonaVic3018AustraliaBurbankAustraliaPtyLtdABN91007099872t +61393280333f +61393280222e build@burbank.com.au w www.burbank.com.au

recipeBarbecued Garlic PrawnsServing size: Serves 4Cooking time: Less than 15 minutes

Ingredients1kglargegreenprawns,peeled,deveinedwithtailslefton2tbsoliveoilsea salt100gbutter4clovesgarlic,finelychopped1/2cupbasilleaves,tornmixedleaves,toservecrustybread,toserve

MethodPlaceprawnsintoalargebowlwitholiveoilandseasalt. Toss to combine.

Cookprawnsonpreheatedbarbecueplatefor2-3minutes, turningoverhalfway.

Meanwhile,spoonbutterandgarlicoverprawnsandtoss tomix.Scatteroverbasil.

Serveimmediatelywithlotsoffreshcrustybread.

For all new home and apartment enquiries

13 BURBANK (13 2872)

For all your finance and mortgage requirements

1300 367 721

For all your self storage needs(03) 9315 9888

For all your plumbing needs1300 734 652

For all your electrical needs

(03) 9315 0887

10 years of service mark bisby CongratulationstoMarkBisby,ManagingDirector,BurbankElectrical&MaintenancePtyLtd,who hasrecentlycompleted10yearswithBurbank.

“MyfirstBurbankjobwasoutat‘thePavillions’@WaterfordGreenMaribyrnong,Istartedoutthere thesamedayTroyCampbellfromBurbankPlumbingdid,”saidMark.

“ThatweekIsawonefelladriveuptositeinaflash,greenBMW,jumpoutandthrowsomework bootsonandstartedtosweepdowntheroad.Ithoughttomyself“howgoodisthisplace,lookhow muchtheyarepayingthelabourers!!

“IquicklylearneditwasactuallyEddiePuhar,andfromthatdayonmyeducationstartedabouthow thingsaredoneatBurbank–therearenofreelunchesandifsomethingneedsdoing,getitdone.

“BurbankElectricalstartedup3yearslater,withthe2Eddiesandmyselfatthereins,andtimehas absolutelyflown.Wearecurrentlyemployingaround20staff,completingover1000projectsayear andcertainlydonotlooklikeslowingdown.”