Motoring & Property

Why Didn’t the RBA Cut Interest Rates?

Local real estate agent and finance professional Ian Pepper looks at the Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to keep interest rates on hold at 4.1 per cent after the board’s April 1 meeting. Inflation is Back in Target – So What’s the Problem?...

Ian Pepper

April 2025

Partner content

Budget 2025 Update – Real Estate Implications

The Budget was presented last night and below are some of the announcements from Labor that will impact our real estate market: First Home Buyers Help to Buy Scheme Expanded The program involves the government providing eligible home buyers with an...

Ian Pepper

March 2025

Motoring & Property

Diary of an EV Driver: Charging Away Simplified

Part 12 in Peter Aubourg’s column, Diary of an EV Driver It turns out that it is quite a social affair at the charging stations, with people sharing their experiences, and generally helping each other. On the subject of planning the trip, another...

Peter Aubourg

March 2025

Opinion

Ladies and Gentrification: A tale of two suburbs

The dictionary defines gentrification as “the process whereby the character of a poor urban area is changed by wealthier people moving in, improving housing, and attracting new businesses, often displacing current inhabitants in the process”. It...

Ben Wollen

March 2025

Media release

March Traffic blog: Education precinct changes

News from Transport for NSW Windang Bridge improvement work continues Transport for NSW will continue improvement work on Windang Bridge next month to ensure the bridge remains safe now and into the future. Transport for NSW Regional Director South...

Transport For NSW

March 2025

Motoring & Property

Driven: 2025 GWM ORA GT

One of the major issues plaguing EV usage in Australia – that is, the lack of reliable EV-charging infrastructure – is being addressed, with the Federal Government recently announcing that Australian EV charging company EVX Australia will install 250 kerbside chargers

Marcus Craft

February 2025

Partner content

Interest rate cut of 0.25% today

At its first meeting of 2025, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) reduced the cash rate by 0.25 per cent, from 4.35 to 4.10 per cent, a move that was widely tipped by the markets and economists across the country.

Ian Pepper

February 2025

Motoring & Property

Fan the flames: Why housing materials matter

By architect Ben Wollen The world has all gone topsy-turvy. I know that might seem pretty obvious to most of us who can’t help but to follow the news or happen to click on the wrong link on our socials. I’m mostly referring to the bushfires...

Ben Wollen

February 2025

Spotlight On...

Top 5 time-savers for Christmas entertaining

Brought to you by Raine & Horne Helensburgh

Tracey Seghabi

November 2020

Media release

February Traffic Updates: Works at Windang

News from Transport for NSW Night work on the M1 Princes Motorway between Waterfall and Helensburgh Motorists are advised of night closures from this weekend on the M1 Princes Motorway southbound between Waterfall and Helensburgh for road...

Transport For NSW

January 2025

Motoring & Property

Fire Safety and Property: What every Illawarra buyer should know

By local planning and design expert Andy Sharp Each summer, the picturesque suburbs of the Illawarra, including my own postcode 2515, face the heightened reality of bushfire risk, a challenge shared by many communities along the escarpment. This...

The Illawarra Flame

January 2025

Motoring & Property

Driven: 2025 Abarth 500e

Can an EV replicate the hot-hatch thrills of the original ICE (internal combustion engine) version on which it’s based? We drive the 2025 Abarth 500e Turismo to see if it’s as much fun as it’s hyped up to be – and to see if it can serve as...

Marcus Craft

November 2024

Motoring & Property

Driven: 2025 Toyota HiLux Rogue 48V

This is the new HiLux Rogue with V-Active Technology, which is a combination of a motor generator, 48-volt battery and DC/DC converter aimed at improving performance and fuel efficiency and reducing noise, vibration and harshness levels, compared to...

Marcus Craft

November 2024

Partner content

Rates on hold for Christmas and New Year

At its final meeting of 2024, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) maintained the cash rate at 4.35 per cent, a move that was aligned with expectations as headline inflation continued to ease. Current indicators suggest a potential cash rate...

Ian Pepper

December 2024

Motoring & Property

Driven: Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GSR

Hybrid vehicles are currently a great choice as a happy compromise between driving a car with an internal combustion engine (ICE) or driving an EV. A hybrid vehicle – i.e. one with a traditional fuel source (petrol or diesel) and electric power...

Marcus Craft

December 2024

Opinion

Trumped Again

I was out on a multi-day hike when the US election played out. It was glorious to hear nothing but bird song and cicadas and nothing on the debacle of US politics for 5 days deep in the Aussie bush. The stars at night were crazy bright and immense...

Diary of an EV Driver: Watt about Horsepower

Like today, back in the 1780s there was a change in the way machines were being powered. Then it was from horse power to steam power, for driving pumps to take water out of mines. Young James Watt had trouble convincing industrialists that his steam...

Peter Aubourg

November 2024

Motoring & Property

How to date an architect

No, I don’t mean in a romantic relationship! That’s not to say you shouldn’t date an architect. I mean, many of us make great partners and can show you how to pack a dishwasher like an obsessive-compulsive pro! Jokes aside – how do you find...

Ben Wollen

November 2024

Partner content

Rates on hold again and local market performing well

Interest rates remained on hold again this week following the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) meeting on Melbourne Cup Day. Inflation has now dropped to within the target range between 2-3%, however, the RBA are wary of a number of factors. These...

Ian Pepper

November 2024

Partner content

5 Factors That Influence Your Home’s Value

Ever wonder what factors influence the value of your home? Here are a few key elements that can have a significant impact: 1. Location: Proximity to beaches, schools, parks, public transport, and amenities. 2. Views: Ocean, Escarpment, Treetop...

Ian Pepper

November 2024

Partner content

Here are 5 Fixes To Make (Or Not To Make) Before Listing Your Home

When it comes to listing your home, there’s no single set of black-and-white rules that apply to every property and every seller. But check out these things to think about as you walk through your home with an agent or stager. 1. PAINT Fix! There’s...

Ian Pepper

October 2024

Partner content

Real Estate Update: Rates on hold – next move down

Interest rates remained on hold again today, June 18, following the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) meeting. This is despite other countries cutting their rates recently – Sweden, Switzerland, Canada and the European Union have all cut their...

Ian Pepper

June 2024