#Land Development Projects in Melbourne

[shpdau]

Reimagining Tomorrow: How Melbourne's Visionary Builders are Crafting the Future of Luxury Living

"Home" is an idea that is always evolving. It's not just about shelter; it's about creating spaces that enhance our lives, reflect our personalities, and adapt to our changing needs. In Melbourne, a city known for its sophisticated style and innovative spirit, the future of luxury living is being actively shaped by a cohort of visionary builders. These are not just construction companies; they are creators of bespoke environments that push the boundaries of design, technology, and sustainability. This blog post explores how Luxury Home Builders Melbourne are revolutionizing the way we live, creating homes that are both functional and aspirational.

The concept of luxury is changing quickly. Today’s discerning homeowners are seeking more than just high-end finishes and expansive spaces. They desire homes that are thoughtfully designed, meticulously crafted, and deeply personalized. These are homes that seamlessly integrate technology, prioritize sustainability, and provide a sense of tranquillity and well-being. The leading luxury home builders Melbourne understand this shift, pushing creative boundaries and embracing cutting-edge technology to bring these visions to life. They are architects of lifestyle, creating homes that are as unique and individual as their owners. Their focus is not just on building houses, but on creating spaces that enhance the quality of life and offer a genuine sense of place. It’s about creating homes that reflect your story.

The process of creating a truly unique luxury home requires a collaborative approach. The top Luxury Home Design & Build companies in Melbourne work closely with their clients, architects, and interior designers to translate their aspirations into reality. The design process begins with a deep understanding of the client’s lifestyle, needs, and preferences. From there, the team develops a bespoke design plan that considers every aspect of the home, from the flow of space to the selection of materials and finishes. By working together, we can make sure that the client's vision is reflected in every aspect. This level of care and collaboration ensures that every element is seamlessly integrated into a harmonious and functional whole, creating a home that is not just luxurious but also deeply personal. It’s not just building a house; it’s building a home tailored specifically to you.

The option of Knockdown rebuild Melbourne provides a special route to realizing one's ideal home for people looking to completely revamp their living areas. This approach allows homeowners to maximize their existing property without having to move, especially if they are fond of their current location and neighbors. With a knockdown rebuild, you are not limited by the constraints of an existing structure. You have the freedom to create a new home that is precisely tailored to your requirements, whether it’s a larger home for a growing family, or a modern, stylish abode for a discerning individual. It allows homeowners to create a house that is both personalized and perfectly suited to the block, allowing you to create a home that is precisely how you envision it to be.

Technology and home construction are closely intertwined. Smart home systems, energy-efficient appliances, and automated features are becoming standard in luxury homes. Melbourne’s forward-thinking builders are integrating these technologies seamlessly into their designs, creating homes that are not only beautiful but also incredibly convenient and energy-efficient. Imagine controlling your home's lighting, temperature, security, and entertainment systems with the touch of a button or through voice commands. This level of technological integration enhances the living experience and contributes to a more sustainable future. The homes of tomorrow will be responsive, intuitive, and incredibly energy efficient. They will adapt to the needs and preferences of their occupants, creating a truly personalized and seamless living environment.

The importance of sustainability has grown beyond that of a fad. Victorian high-end home builders are at the forefront of green building trends, including the use of sustainable materials, energy-efficient architecture, and other Eco-friendly techniques. From using recycled materials to incorporating solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems, these builders are committed to reducing their environmental impact and creating homes that are both beautiful and eco-conscious. They are not just building homes for today, but for future generations as well. It’s about leaving a positive legacy and ensuring that our homes are not just luxurious, but also sustainable and responsible.

The future of luxury living in Melbourne is bright, innovative, and deeply personal. Visionary builders are pushing the boundaries of design, technology, and sustainability to create homes that are not just places to live, but sanctuaries that enhance our well-being and reflect our unique lifestyles. They are not just constructing buildings, but shaping communities and helping clients realize their most cherished dreams. By focusing on collaboration, personalization, and innovation, these builders are ensuring that the future of luxury living in Melbourne is not only impressive but also deeply meaningful. For innovative, cutting edge designs and visionary homes look to the team at Southern Hemisphere Development. They are committed to crafting homes that are exceptional.

[gatheringbones]

[“Though Seattle has its own ugly history of redlining, which deserves far more attention than it currently receives, the process of segregation started much earlier, with the founding of the city itself in the mid-nineteenth century, and did not involve the federal government. At that time, white settlers removed the Duwamish people and segregated them in the southern fringes of the city, eager to take their lands but also to make them available as workers. Settlers even blocked efforts by the federal government to create a reservation for the Duwamish on their ancestral homelands because it would interfere with the city’s access to a steady labor supply. Seattle did not have reliable land-based transportation until the late nineteenth century, and even then water remained a primary mode of transportation, making the Duwamish and other Coast Salish peoples a valuable source of labor.

Marked as a disorderly slum, the south end became a container for all of the city’s racialized and marginalized populations, which, in turn, served to further mark them as undesirable and unworthy for inclusion into urban society. This included Asian migrants, who were also restricted south of Yesler Way, and single male laborers, whose deviation from normative family life also made them racially suspect in the eyes of the settler elites. Seattle’s urban landscape developed around this north-south orientation, with the north as a “residence district” for white families and the south as a stigmatized slum district for the city’s heterogeneous workforce.

This example reveals the colonial roots of racial segregation, as well as the function of racial segregation in forming the urban and regional economy. The south end was not a stable district with a racially defined population, but one that constantly changed according to the needs of the broader economy and the kinds of workers available at that particular moment. In this way, Seattle shares historical commonalities with Vancouver, Melbourne, and other cities across the Anglophone Pacific world that developed in the mid-nineteenth century around resource-based economies reliant upon Indigenous lands and the mass influx of Asian and European labor. In these contexts, segregation occurred as part of a colonial project to remove the Indigenous inhabitants and establish the city as a pure space of white domestic life.

As Asian and European migrants, many of them single men, arrived to work in extractive economies, spaces such as reserves and slums served to contain Indigenous and racially mixed populations and mark them as unruly, troublesome, and antithetical to modern urban life. As sociologist Renisa Mawani has discussed in the case of Vancouver, settlers relied upon a racially mixed workforce to build the economy but also feared the possibility of the interracial solidarities and alliances this mixing could generate. She calls this the “deep paradox” of a colonial society rooted in both capitalist accumulation and racial purity. In Seattle, the north-south spatial orientation served to smooth over this tension between, on one hand, racial heterogeneity as demanded by capitalist accumulation and the ever-expanding search for labor and, on the other, racial purity as envisioned by white settlers. It allowed settlers to maintain an exclusionary white district while also accommodating an Indigenous and racially mixed labor force.”]

megan asaka, from seattle from the margins: exclusion, erasure, and the making of a pacific coast city, 2022

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

New SpaceTime out Monday

SpaceTime 20250120 Series 28 Episode 9

Starship explodes during its seventh test flight

There’s been a spectacular ending to SpaceX’s seventh Starship test flight with the Super Heavy booster being caught by the launch tower's 'chopstick' arms during an amazing text book landing – while moments later the Starship upper stage exploded in a fiery blast as it was ascending to orbit.

The maiden flight of Blue Origin's New Glenn mega rocket

The third of America’s trio of new mega rockets Blue Origin’s New Glen has successfully undertaken its maiden flight.

Uncovering the source of mysterious stellar pulsations from deep space

Astronomers may have discovered the source of a mysterious extreme astrophysical event known as long-period radio transient – a strange regular pulse of energy emanating from deep space.

The Science Report

Groundwater projected to warm by up to 3.5°C by the end of the century.

Sugary drinks could be responsible for 1 in 10 new type 2 diabetes cases.

Study shows New Zealand’s ancient Moa birds ate truffles.

Skeptics guide to New Jersey’s mysterious drones -- they’re suddenly all gone!

SpaceTime covers the latest news in astronomy & space sciences.

The show is available every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through Apple Podcasts (itunes), Stitcher, Google Podcast, Pocketcasts, SoundCloud, Bitez.com, YouTube, your favourite podcast download provider, and from www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com

SpaceTime is also broadcast through the National Science Foundation on Science Zone Radio and on both i-heart Radio and Tune-In Radio.

SpaceTime daily news blog: http://spacetimewithstuartgary.tumblr.com/

SpaceTime facebook: www.facebook.com/spacetimewithstuartgary

SpaceTime Instagram @spacetimewithstuartgary

SpaceTime twitter feed @stuartgary

SpaceTime YouTube: @SpaceTimewithStuartGary

SpaceTime -- A brief history

SpaceTime is Australia’s most popular and respected astronomy and space science news program – averaging over two million downloads every year. We’re also number five in the United States.  The show reports on the latest stories and discoveries making news in astronomy, space flight, and science.  SpaceTime features weekly interviews with leading Australian scientists about their research.  The show began life in 1995 as ‘StarStuff’ on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s (ABC) NewsRadio network.  Award winning investigative reporter Stuart Gary created the program during more than fifteen years as NewsRadio’s evening anchor and Science Editor.  Gary’s always loved science. He studied astronomy at university and was invited to undertake a PHD in astrophysics, but instead focused on his career in journalism and radio broadcasting. Gary’s radio career stretches back some 34 years including 26 at the ABC. He worked as an announcer and music DJ in commercial radio, before becoming a journalist and eventually joining ABC News and Current Affairs. He was part of the team that set up ABC NewsRadio and became one of its first on air presenters. When asked to put his science background to use, Gary developed StarStuff which he wrote, produced and hosted, consistently achieving 9 per cent of the national Australian radio audience based on the ABC’s Nielsen ratings survey figures for the five major Australian metro markets: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth.  The StarStuff podcast was published on line by ABC Science -- achieving over 1.3 million downloads annually.  However, after some 20 years, the show finally wrapped up in December 2015 following ABC funding cuts, and a redirection of available finances to increase sports and horse racing coverage.  Rather than continue with the ABC, Gary resigned so that he could keep the show going independently.  StarStuff was rebranded as “SpaceTime”, with the first episode being broadcast in February 2016.  Over the years, SpaceTime has grown, more than doubling its former ABC audience numbers and expanding to include new segments such as the Science Report -- which provides a wrap of general science news, weekly skeptical science features, special reports looking at the latest computer and technology news, and Skywatch – which provides a monthly guide to the night skies. The show is published three times weekly (every Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and available from the United States National Science Foundation on Science Zone Radio, and through both i-heart Radio and Tune-In Radio.

[mordorintelligencemarketresearch]

Exploring the Australia Construction Industry and Market Trends in 2025

1. Market Overview

The Australian construction industry is a significant sector of the economy, encompassing residential, non-residential, and civil engineering works. The Australia construction market size is estimated at USD 180.90 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 230.89 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 5% during the forecast period (2025-2030). Key drivers of this growth include increased investment in infrastructure, government projects, the rise in population and urban development, and a focus on sustainable building practices.

The residential construction sector continues to be a major contributor to the market, driven by strong demand for housing due to population growth, especially in major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Meanwhile, civil engineering and infrastructure projects, fueled by government investments, are expected to be a central focus in the coming years.

2. Residential Construction: Demand and Challenges

Australia’s residential construction sector has witnessed significant growth in recent years, with a focus on building new homes to accommodate the rising population. The demand for housing, particularly in metropolitan areas, is expected to remain strong through 2025, driven by factors such as:

Population Growth: Australia’s population continues to grow, spurred by immigration and natural population increase. This growth drives the need for new housing, particularly in urban centers where infrastructure development is expanding.

First-Time Homebuyers: Government incentives aimed at first-time homebuyers, such as grants and subsidies, have spurred demand for residential properties. As house prices rise in major cities, these programs are expected to continue supporting market activity.

Urbanization: The trend of urbanization and migration to cities is increasing demand for multi-family housing and apartment developments. High-rise residential buildings and mixed-use developments are becoming more common in large metropolitan areas.

However, challenges such as high land prices, regulatory complexities, and rising construction costs due to supply chain disruptions may affect the pace of residential construction projects in some regions.

3. Commercial Construction: Growth and Trends

The commercial construction sector in Australia has been experiencing a recovery, especially as businesses adapt to post-pandemic work models. Office spaces, retail centers, and hospitality buildings are being developed to meet new demands in the market.

Hybrid and Flexible Workspaces: With the rise of hybrid and remote working models, commercial office buildings are shifting to cater to changing needs. Businesses are looking for spaces that are flexible, with collaborative areas, shared workspaces, and advanced technology infrastructure.

Retail and Hospitality Revival: As the country recovers from the pandemic, the retail and hospitality sectors are showing signs of recovery. Demand for new retail spaces, particularly experiential retail formats, and hotels catering to domestic and international tourists are growing.

Sustainability: Commercial developers are focusing increasingly on sustainable construction practices, seeking green building certifications (such as Green Star) and integrating energy-efficient technologies in new builds. Environmentally-conscious office buildings, which incorporate energy-efficient heating and cooling, solar panels, and sustainable materials, are gaining popularity.

The commercial sector is also seeing a rise in adaptive reuse projects, where old industrial buildings are repurposed for commercial or residential use. This trend supports sustainability goals and the efficient use of existing resources.

4. Infrastructure and Civil Engineering: Major Government Projects

Government spending on infrastructure continues to be a major driver for the Australian construction market. With a growing population and increasing demand for robust infrastructure, civil engineering projects are expected to see significant investment in the coming years.

Transportation Projects: Major transportation infrastructure projects, such as new roads, railways, airports, and public transit systems, are driving civil engineering growth. Key projects include the Sydney Metro, Melbourne's Level Crossing Removal Project, and Brisbane's Cross River Rail.

Urban Development: Increasing urbanization calls for investment in new infrastructure in regional areas as well as metropolitan hubs. Major urban renewal projects, including the development of new suburbs, are underway to cater to the growing population.

Renewable Energy and Sustainability: Australia is focusing on green infrastructure, including renewable energy projects like solar farms and wind energy. Investment in green infrastructure, water management systems, and waste recycling facilities is on the rise, aligning with the country’s climate goals.

The federal and state governments have committed to significant funding for these projects, which are expected to continue to grow the civil and infrastructure construction sectors over the next few years.

5. Technology and Innovation in Construction

The Australian construction industry is becoming increasingly technology-driven, with digital innovations improving efficiency, safety, and sustainability. Key trends include:

Building Information Modeling (BIM): BIM technology is gaining momentum in the Australian construction industry, enabling better project visualization, improved planning, and streamlined collaboration among stakeholders. The use of BIM is helping reduce errors, save time, and cut costs on construction projects.

Automation and Robotics: Automation is becoming more prevalent in construction activities, from robotic bricklaying to automated machinery for earth-moving and excavation. These technologies are expected to boost productivity and reduce labor costs, addressing some of the industry’s labor shortages.

Drones and AI: Drones are being used for surveying and monitoring construction sites, while artificial intelligence (AI) is aiding in project management, risk assessment, and predictive maintenance.

Sustainable Materials: With sustainability becoming a key focus, the construction industry is also shifting towards using greener building materials, such as recycled concrete, timber, and low-carbon steel, which help minimize environmental impacts.

These technologies are improving the overall construction process, leading to more efficient, safer, and environmentally-friendly construction projects.

6. Sustainability and Green Building Trends

Sustainability is at the forefront of the Australian construction industry, with increasing pressure from the government, developers, and consumers for environmentally responsible practices.

Green Building Certifications: There is a growing emphasis on obtaining green building certifications for new developments. Buildings that meet sustainability standards, such as energy-efficient systems, renewable energy integration, and sustainable construction materials, are becoming more attractive to both investors and tenants.

Energy-Efficient Designs: Architects and builders are increasingly focusing on creating energy-efficient buildings, with features like passive heating and cooling systems, smart lighting, and advanced insulation techniques. This trend is expected to grow as energy efficiency becomes more important to both builders and end-users.

Circular Economy: The construction industry in Australia is also moving toward a circular economy approach, which focuses on reducing waste by reusing and recycling materials from demolished buildings or from the construction process itself.

The commitment to sustainability and green construction practices is expected to grow, with the construction industry aligning with Australia’s broader climate goals.

7. Challenges Facing the Australian Construction Industry

Despite the positive growth trends, the Australian construction industry faces several challenges:

Labor Shortages: Skilled labor shortages continue to be a problem, particularly for tradespeople and project managers. This shortage is being exacerbated by increased demand for construction projects and border restrictions affecting the influx of migrant workers.

Rising Material Costs: The cost of construction materials has risen due to supply chain disruptions, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. This has led to cost overruns and project delays.

Regulatory Compliance: The complex regulatory environment in Australia, including zoning laws, environmental regulations, and safety standards, can present challenges for construction companies, especially when navigating approvals and permits.

Despite these hurdles, the Australian construction industry remains resilient, with numerous growth opportunities in infrastructure, residential, and commercial sectors.

Conclusion

The Australian construction industry is poised for significant growth in 2025, driven by robust infrastructure investment, the demand for residential housing, and an increasing focus on sustainability. While challenges like labor shortages and rising material costs remain, the adoption of new technologies and a shift toward sustainable building practices offer exciting opportunities for developers and investors. As the market continues to evolve, staying ahead of trends such as hybrid workspaces, green infrastructure, and technological innovation will be key to success in Australia’s dynamic construction landscape. For a detailed overview and more insights, you can refer to the full market research report by Mordor Intelligence https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/australia-construction-market

[homebuildersau]

Reasons to Work with Experienced Home Builders in Melbourne for Custom Homes

Among many other things and services offered, home builders in Melbourne may create unique homes that meet the needs of their clients in terms of both indoor and outdoor area. Developers may create the structure to meet the specifications, and qualified consultants can design the building that will be built. When choosing a team, it's crucial to keep in mind that seasoned developers and builders usually have a sizable portfolio in which they may display their work. Experts always advise having a bespoke home built rather than buying a mass-produced one, if one has the funds.

Services Provided by the Top Home Construction Companies:

Knockdown Rebuild: Knockdown and rebuild services in Melbourne go hand in hand when rebuilding a living area since it enables a house to be rebuilt in the same spot. The last phase is to demolish any existing buildings and build a new home on the land. From securing permits to finishing construction, builders oversee the whole process. Remodelling houses to fit a client's vision and lifestyle offers the most options when it comes to demolition and reconstruction projects.

Custom Homes: These are often the preferred option for most individuals and provide the highest level of personalisation for owners. These are residences where a resident may completely customise their living area to suit their needs and preferences. The top builders specialise in creating unique houses that are very distinct from mass-produced ones. Careful planning and design are necessary at every step of the process, from the first consultation until the project's conclusion. Custom homes are the greatest option for anyone looking for a one-of-a-kind residence since every element of them, including the interior finishes and design, may be altered as per the individual’s wishes.

In terms of construction, bespoke homes are better than ready-built ones as they are made with the owners' comfort and functionality in mind. Ask the top businesses providing custom home construction services for an estimate and build your dream home.

Source

[4spheres]

Understanding Site Classifications and Land Capability Assessments in Melbourne

Site classifications and land capability assessments play a crucial role in sustainable land development, especially in a bustling and expanding urban area like Melbourne. These processes provide essential information to ensure land is used effectively while considering environmental, structural, and societal needs. For those navigating land development, understanding these concepts is vital. In this blog, we delve into the importance of site classifications in Melbourne and the significance of aland capability assessment for various projects.

What Are Site Classifications?

Site classification is a method used to determine the type of soil and ground conditions on a particular plot of land. This information is essential for designing building foundations that are safe, durable, and cost-effective. In Melbourne, site classifications are typically guided by the Australian Standard AS 2870, which outlines different soil types and their properties.

Types of Soil Classifications

Class A (Stable Soil): These soils are mostly sand and rock, with minimal ground movement. They are ideal for construction as they pose the least risk of damage to structures.

Class S (Slightly Reactive): These soils may contain clay and have slight ground movement due to changes in moisture content.

Class M (Moderately Reactive): These soils exhibit moderate movement and require tailored engineering solutions for stable foundations.

Class H (Highly Reactive): High clay content in these soils causes significant movement, which demands specialized design and materials for foundations.

Class E (Extremely Reactive): These soils have extreme movement potential, posing challenges for construction projects.

Class P (Problem Site): These sites may have abnormal conditions, such as fill material or groundwater issues, requiring comprehensive analysis and solutions.

Each classification impacts the way buildings are designed and constructed, highlighting the importance of professional assessments.

The Importance of Site Classifications in Melbourne

Melbourne’s diverse geological landscape includes sandy coastal soils, clay plains, and rocky terrains. Given this variation, site classifications are integral to:

Ensuring structural integrity.

Minimizing risks of foundation movement.

Reducing construction and maintenance costs.

Meeting local building regulations.

For example, properties in Melbourne’s western suburbs often encounter reactive clay soils, making site classification a crucial first step in development.

What Is a Land Capability Assessment?

A Land Capability Assessment (LCA) is an evaluation process used to determine the suitability of a piece of land for specific uses, such as agriculture, construction, or wastewater management. This assessment considers various factors, including soil type, topography, drainage, and environmental impact.

Key Components of an LCA

Soil Analysis: Examines the soil’s texture, structure, permeability, and nutrient content.

Topography: Assesses slope, elevation, and stability.

Hydrology: Evaluates water availability, drainage, and risk of erosion or flooding.

Environmental Impact: Considers the effects of land use on surrounding ecosystems.

Infrastructure Needs: Reviews access to utilities and resources required for the proposed use.

Why Land Capability Assessments Matter

Land capability assessments are essential for:

Identifying the best land use options.

Preventing environmental degradation.

Supporting sustainable development.

Guiding decision-making in planning and zoning.

For instance, in Melbourne’s peri-urban regions, LCAs are often required to determine the feasibility of on-site wastewater systems for rural properties.

The Process of Conducting a Site Classification or LCA

Both site classifications and LCAs follow a systematic approach to ensure accuracy and reliability. Here’s an overview of the process:

1. Initial Consultation

Professionals meet with property owners or developers to understand the project’s scope and objectives.

2. Field Investigation

Soil samples are collected, and the land’s physical characteristics are examined on-site. Advanced tools like penetrometers and moisture meters may be used.

3. Laboratory Testing

Soil and water samples undergo detailed analysis to determine their properties.

4. Data Analysis and Reporting

The collected data is analyzed to classify the site or assess its capability. A detailed report is then prepared, outlining recommendations and guidelines.

5. Implementation

Developers use the report’s findings to design and execute the project while adhering to regulations and best practices.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Challenge: Reactive Soils

Reactive soils can cause foundation movement, leading to cracks and structural instability.

Solution: Engage geotechnical engineers to design foundations suitable for the soil type.

Challenge: Poor Drainage

Waterlogging or insufficient drainage can limit land use.

Solution: Implement effective drainage systems and choose appropriate land uses.

Challenge: Environmental Constraints

Some sites may have sensitive ecosystems or protected species.

Solution: Work with environmental consultants to minimize impact and comply with regulations.

The Role of Professionals in Site Classifications and LCAs

Engaging qualified professionals is vital for accurate site classifications and LCAs. They bring expertise in geotechnical engineering, soil science, and environmental planning, ensuring:

Compliance with Melbourne’s local and state regulations.

Use of advanced tools and techniques for precise results.

Practical solutions tailored to the project’s needs.

How ‘The 4 Spheres’ Can Help

At The 4 Spheres, we specialize in site classifications in Melbourne and land capability assessments tailored to your unique project requirements. Our team of experts is dedicated to:

Providing comprehensive reports for informed decision-making.

Ensuring compliance with all relevant standards and regulations.

Supporting sustainable and cost-effective land development.

Conclusion

Understanding the intricacies of site classifications and land capability assessment is essential for successful land development in Melbourne. These processes provide critical insights into soil conditions, land suitability, and environmental impact, paving the way for safe, sustainable, and efficient projects.

Whether you’re planning to build a new home, develop a commercial property, or manage agricultural land, starting with a thorough assessment ensures long-term success. Trust The 4 Spheres for expert guidance and support in all your land evaluation needs.

[marbofmoorock]

Here is an alternate version of the TADC Swap AU.

Exposition for the Circus:

In the mid-90s, C&A, a company headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, hired this japanese tech genius to make a competitor to the Virtual Boy, a game device that used an older version of VR that was the latest and greatest in the 90s. Hanji Lokohanda was his name and was a personal rival of Miyamoto and Nintendo, as supposedly they were enemies and classmates. Lokohanda, along with a large team of programmers and game developers, successfully innovated beyond the Virtual Boy with the C&A CC(Corolite Console), a virtual prototype console installable to your computer that had not been publicly announced. But what he made turned into a horror story as many people were trapped inside the vr game he made after they were transported into the game through putting on the headset. He had created an all-in-one kid's game where people could play together all over the world while wearing the headsets. He called it the Amazing Digital Circus, a game for children of all ages to immersively enjoy many lighthearted adventures in a fantasy land where anything could happen (except for swearing).

With the horrors of those who wear the headset end up, the company board panics about what to do, keeping it secret from the public. Then, the CEO of C&A, Gregory Hamilton, has the whole thing shut down in an executive decision with the board, declaring it a failure to the public after hinting its release 6 months before, covering the story with a headline to the press that Lokohanda had gone crazy, paying him off to live a rich secluded life back in Japan as he breached his contract, and a new one was written in exchange to avoid getting the law involved. Lokohanda, afraid of going to prison for what he had done, takes the plea deal of the board, vowing to find a way to free the folks inside by having a network set up in his new house and bring them back.

Sadly, Lokohanda died shortly after of a heart attack days later, before they could even start moving the devices, and without Lokohanda, the project to free the people trapped in the Circus would be next to impossible, as Lokohanda was the only person who understood all of his own complicated schematics and manuals to keep up with the program written in barely legible Japanese. Hamilton shut down all operations of their video game wing, and had only a small team of experts to update the game overtime as the windows 95 computers used to run the digital circus slowly got discontinued. They board hired experts and kept some of the original employees, and started building updates to Windows 95 and the circus within their local network, the operation continued for years until one day, years after Hamilton stepped down, only a small portion of the company remembered the travesty from the 90s. Alex Lomer, C&A'S new CEO after Kerry Morgan, who replaced Hamilton, thought this idea of someone trapped in a video game to be utter conspiracy, and decided to have the expensive allocations for the amazing digital circus and secret updates to windows 95 shut down and hidden behind walls, but one employee, instructed by the board in secret, decided to keep the computers running anyway covertly even without, remembering the 90s and knowing they're still alive in there and they needed to do something about it. As a result, the game stays active and working, but starts to glitch up, in spite of its updates patching many bugs and glitches, rendering it in this somewhat decayed, suspended state the players live in now. Nobody knows how many people are trapped in the Circus, but the headset was still there, and anyone could put it on and be sent to the circus, hence why it is locked away, Caine discovering it on accident.

-----

A quick Overview of the characters:

1. Caine: The Main Protagonist, still fairly silly and confident, but now in Pomni's place as the newest member of the amazing digital circus. In the 90s, C&A hired this tech genius to make a competitor to the virtual Boy, a game device that used a prehistoric version of VR in the 90s. Lokohonda was his name, and was a personal rival of Miyamoto and Nintendo, as supposedly they were enemies and classmates. Lokohonda successfully innovated beyond the Virtual Boy, but what he made turned into a horror story as many people were trapped inside the vr game he made, the Amazing Digital Circus, a game for Children of all ages to immersively enjoy many lighthearted adventures in a fantasy land where anything could happen except for swearing. Caine is a wind up chew toy guy when he enters. Caine, in this version of the AU, put on the headset wanting a true escape from his own life, for he had been mocked for having a long face in real life, with his teeth and mouth being bigger than the rest of his face. Once an office worker, his coworkers humiliated him at the Christmas party, which lead him to run out crying, where he found himself in a darker unused part of the C&A building where he worked, where he discovered the headset and a secret set of rooms filled with computers from another era in a door hidden in a wall, likely to keep the mystery of employees hidden. He enters the Circus, and instead of being scared, he was delighted. He would no longer be humiliated by his coworkers, nor continue the job he hated, he could enjoy a new world where anything could happen! He loves to draw bees, drink water, and have fun on Adventures Pomni sets up, his optimism secretly annoying Pomni.

Pomni: Taking on Caine's position as the Ringmaster of the Amazing Digital Circus, Pomni is taller with supernatural powers inside the amazing digital circus. Unlike Caine, however, Pomni is more competent, yet resentful. She is disgusted by the complaints of the cast, and didn't like the people she made adventures for, despite being programmed to do so, often subjecting them to painful experiences that she would secretly laugh about and eat popcorn to while watching. Despite this sinister side, she comes off bubbly and positive to the cast.

Bubble: Bubble is a pink Bubble ai that instead of being an assistant to Caine/Pomni is like a mindless NPC helper and assistant with a caring nature, as opposed to Bubble's original indifferent and sassy persona being Caine's right hand man.

Gangle: Gangle is super theatrical and dramatic, with her comedy mask as her permanent mask. Gangle was usually rather flexible, and was uncovered by Ragatha's teasing, even though she would pretend to get hurt, putting on many different masks through changing her facial expression to humor her and the rest of the contestants, easily broken by Ragatha. Gangle, originally a girl named Bella Lessington, was originally a young McDonald's employee and artist obsessed with manga, whom got a letter in the mail randomly from C&A, being offered a position as a beta tester for the amazing digital circus. She was offered one day of work on a Saturday, her day off, for 2000 dollars. She couldn't pass it up and showed up, and she, like the others, was sucked into the circus the moment she put on the headset. Wanting to get out, yet not knowing how, she makes the most of her time, often dancing and laughing, much to Pomni's frustration.

Zooble: Known as a girl who struggled with knowing her identity, Martha Paulings was adrift between jobs having become a college dropout. She was also offered the opportunity of being a beta tester like Gangle, and was also brought into the circus this way. Unlike the Zooble of the original digital Circus, Zooble became quite comfortable with herself and her new body in the Digital Circus, enjoying the hodge podge of parts her body had available, looking forward to a new adventure every day despite wanting to leave, being super close friends with Gangle.

Kinger: A Programmer part of Lokohanda's original Team named Melvin King, he was one of the first people to enter the digital circus, and is Considerate and friendly to all of the other cast members. Pomni secretly likes Kinger more than the rest of the cast, as he would offer Pomni the most valuable feedback to her adventures, as he was secretly the most sane of the circus members even though he acted a little eccentric, which earned him Gangle's respect and friendship. Kinger has been looking for a way to get everyone out since day 1, braving all of Pomni's antics, in honor of Queenie, to continue to grind, and secretly code his way to a solid plan to get everyone out, and maybe even Pomni as well, as he also wanted to like Pomni despite how much she hurt everyone with her desire for control, power, and admiration, seeing Pomni as sad instead of angry, which secretly was true.

Ragatha: Unlike the original Ragatha, who is a sweet, considerate, and thoughtful ragdoll, Ragatha is a playful and childish tomboy who is sassy and always looking for trouble, sort of like Raggedy Andy. She was a farm girl named Raina Meyers, who came from a poor family with lots of animals on the farm, her favorite was the horse they had, named Dusty. While Ragatha had a good heart deep down, she keeps herself emotionally distant from the entire cast because of how traumatizing it was to lose people. She was sick of how awful Pomni treated everyone; her creepy sinister laughs echos through their minds sometimes as they try to sleep, subjecting their old friends to fates worse than abstraction. Ragatha felt so broken inside after Pomni sent Queenie to a White Dimension with a snap, where she was isolated and completely alone, far away from Kinger, which seemed like a worse fate than abstraction, as Pomni programmed all of the characters to be unable to abstract and just sending them isolated worlds where they would be alone forever in a place surrounded by their greatest fears if they disobeyed. Ragatha copes with this by taking on the role of a prankster/gatekeeper, bullying others into doing what Pomni wants so that they're not subjected to the same fate. She's sort of like Jax in the original Circus, as she wears a t-shirt under overalls instead of a dress. She came to the digital circus when she was desperate for a job, and didn't hesitate to put the headset on with the desire of having enough money to buy loads of toy horses she secretly desired most.

Jax: Jax is known in the real world as a tall Lanky guy named Jackson Burrows, who worked as a janitor for C&A. While cleaning the computer area, he had overheard about the headset and decided to try it on after hours while cleaning, fascinated by the odea of a dogital world. In an istant, he disappears into the circus. Jax has a similar personality to Ragatha from the original tadc, as he was considerate, thoughtful, and also knew of a few secrets of the circus that the rest of the cast didn't, working his way around, yet frustrated over how poorly Ragatha treated everyone. He had a super compassionate side that everyone liked, except for Pomni, as she secretly hated Jax the most, wanting to hate him, but had no concrete incentive to do so, which really annoyed her, so she often tries to embarrass and to trip Jax up.

Kaufo: As a struggling stand-up comedian named Nate Bowers, Kaufmo thought he had a chance for a big break, thinking his type of humor would be perfect for kids on a new interactive game. Eagerly putting on the headset after being offered a job working as a member of the circus staff, he discovers he's in the circus and can't get out, which leaves him wanting to leave. Kaufmo's obsession over the exit leads Pomni to torment him privately, causing him to go insane. He has an private meltdown and outburst that earns him a place in a world of a city similar to New York that was lit up and everything, but there's no one there to see him perform, yet he could go to any of the theatres around the city if he wanted to, performing his routine act with only himself. But the other members think he abstracted because Pomni placed an abstracted glichy monster there she made herself to fool the members into thinking abstraction was real in order to manipulate them into going on the adventures out of fear they would be abstracted. Kaufmo copes with his new reality, by performing his act for stuffed animals he found in a toy store by walking to the different theatres in the city with them in a bag, the city resembling an abandoned gmod server, dead and empty except for his voice and some ambient noises part of the programming, as well as his footsteps and other movements, as well as the voices he gave the stuffed animals and objects he turned into his imaginary friends. Pomni watches his performances from the comfort of her office, laughing at Kaufmo's corny jokes and puns, often reusing them as she greets the cast.

[linuxgamenews]

Get Ready for Batography: The Free Photography Platformer Game

Batography is a unique and cozy photography platformer game coming to Linux, Mac, as well as Windows PC. Thanks to SporkTank for bringing their creative magic to life. Due to make its debut on Steam. Melbourne’s SporkTank is about to drop something pretty special for all the platformer fans. Their new photography platformer Batography is landing on Steam right in time for the Lunar New Year — January 29th. And it’s a completely free. In Batography, you step into the wings of a curious little bat who’s on a mission to snap the ultimate photo of the moon. Sounds simple? Not so fast. You’ll need to run, climb, glide, and of course, click that camera at just the right moment. Along the way, expect to bump into a bunch of quirky neighborhood characters who bring a little sass to your moon-chasing adventure. Here’s the best part — SporkTank is basically one guy, Martin Stradling, who made Batography as a side project. His reason? He wanted to get his younger cousins involved in development. How wholesome is that? While Martin was deep in the trenches working on his main project, Rita (which, by the way, got selected for the PAX Aus Indie Showcase), he thought, why not make something fun and light for the whole family?

Batography - OFFICIAL TRAILER

“While working on Rita, I thought it would be nice to actually get a project made with family up on Steam,” Martin shared. “So here it is, a beautiful little side-scroller with sassy characters and some hidden extras. I hope you enjoy!” Batography isn’t trying to be some massive, sprawling game that eats up your weekends. It’s a short and sweet experience, the kind of game you fire up when you want something fun and lighthearted. But don’t let that fool you — there are a few sneaky challenges hiding in there for the explorers at heart. Oh, and the best part? It’s dropping on all the major platforms — Linux, Mac, and Windows PC. So you're due to have native support on day-one. Mark your calendars for January 29 and keep an eye out for Batography on Steam. Whether you’re in it for the cute bat, the moon photography, or just want to see what Martin and his cousins cooked up in this platformer, it’s worth checking out. Plus, it’s also free. So you really can’t go wrong. Coming to Linux, Mac, and Windows PC. Time to channel your inner bat photographer and snap that moonshot!

[24dailyblog]

Property Spruiker Henry Kaye's Associates Face Public Grilling over Land Scams

Liquidators on behalf of the corporate regulator will publicly examine 10 key players behind two failed development schemes proposed for Melbourne's outer west and Bendigo and were part of a network land-banking scams across Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia, revealed by The Age in early 2015.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is now seeking to untangle the complex web of companies, trusts, loans and properties behind the schemes as part of its ongoing probe of land banking.

Among those to be examined are senior lawyers from the firm formerly known as Clamenz Evans Ellis which is also linked to the alleged Plutus tax fraud syndicate scam in NSW along with Adam Cranston, the son of Australian Tax Office deputy commissioner Michael Cranston.

Clamenz's Sydney-based tax lawyer Dev Menon was one of 10 people arrested this month over an allegedly fraudulent scheme that skimmed $165 million in taxes through a network of payroll businesses.

Other Clamenz lawyers summonsed for public examination in land-banking case are Daniel Clarke from Sydney and Darren Eliau from Melbourne.

Clamenz Evans Ellis lawyers were central to the land banking operation including as directors of key companies involved.

Kaye's sister Julia Feldman, who often oversaw the marketing of the schemes, as well as long-time Kaye associates lawyer Colin Adno and project manager Michael Grochowski also face questioning.

So too does Sydney accountant Ian Stephens. He was a director of one of the Melbourne-based land-banking companies and also is a director with Adam Cranston of the private equity company Synep in Sydney. Mr Stephens has not been charged in relation to the alleged Plutus fraud and there is no suggestion he was in any way involved.

Kaye – whose role in the scams was hidden behind secretive trusts and financial deals – has not yet been called for public examination. However, the court has also ordered lawyers to produce an array of documents including communications with lenders to the projects, which would include Kaye.

The Belarus-born Kaye amassed a fortune from get-rich seminars in the early 2000s. His wealth education empire collapsed in 2003 owing 3500 investors up to $60 million.

Some of that money is believed to have been sunk into Melbourne's sprawling western fringe where Kaye and his associates worked up their new strategy for fleecing gullible real estate investors – high-risk "options" on yet-to-be-developed housing projects.

In manipulative seminars from 2011 to 2014 they flogged glamour development projects like Foscari (an "iconic architectural masterpiece") and Veneziane (the "Toorak of the West").

Years after it was first marketed, the Foscari site in Truganina remained a disused rubbish dump, the Veneziane site paddocks in Melton.

In April 2016 ASIC succeeded in having two of the land-banking companies wound up, arguing the companies were insolvent.

In his findings Federal Court Justice Beach identified Kaye as a beneficiary behind the Foscari scheme, reaping up to 60 per cent interest from loans he had made via a company called Bourke & Queen Mortgages. Clamenz lawyer Darren Eliau is listed as an original director of the company.

Investors sunk tens of millions of dollars into the schemes, much of which now appears lost in an impenetrable maze of secretive trust accounts. The land-banking scams highlight the widespread use of trusts in Australia to both avoid tax and reduce transparency.

[investment-scam]

Judge lifts lid on Henry Kaye's secret windfall from land bank scam

Notorious property spruiker Henry Kaye reaped up to 60 per cent interest from a discredited land banking scam into which mum and dad investors from across Australia have tipped tens of millions of dollars.

On Friday morning Federal Court Justice Beach named Kaye and his sister Julia Feldman as beneficiaries behind the scheme, known as Foscari, in Melbourne's outer west, which was a key focus of a Fairfax Media investigation in 2015.

Through 2013 and 2014 Foscari was marketed as an "iconic architectural masterpiece" to unsophisticated investors as part of a network of land-banking schemes across Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia.

Fairfax Media estimates that hundreds - possibly thousands - of investors have sunk more than $100 million into the schemes, much of which may now be lost.

In reality the Foscari site in Palmers Road, Truganina remains a contaminated and disused rubbish dump.

On Friday Justice Beach agreed to a request by the corporate regulator to liquidate Foscari and a similar project, Hermitage in Bendigo, noting that millions of dollars had been "misappropriated" and, possibly, lost.

The Belarus-born Henry Kaye headed a get-rich-quick property empire that targeted unsophisticated investors.

It collapsed in 2003 owing 3500 investors up to $60 million.

He was later found by the Federal Court to have breached the Trade Practices Act, and in 2010 was barred from managing companies for five years.

In a breakthrough finding, Justice Beach outlined how Kaye acted as a silent money man behind the Foscari scheme.

He found that Henry Kaye and his sister had charged interest of up to 60 per cent on $1 million plus loan to Foscari.

Kaye is not listed as the owner or director of the company behind the loan, Bourke & Queen Mortgages.

Rather, according to Justice Beach, its ownership was hidden through small Melbourne law firm Evans Ellis with a lawyer at that firm, Darren Eliau, listed as an original director.

It has now been passed on to Brendan Maletto, a manager at a Nick Scali furniture store in Sydney's south-east. He declined to comment.

Concern has mounted since the Fairfax revelations that the massive outlays - including life savings in many cases - had disappeared into an impenetrable maze of secretive trust accounts tied to wealth spuiker Kaye.

The Federal Court findings are a significant breakthrough in the tracking of the money.

The ruling was a response to a wind-up request in December by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission which is concerned that the companies behind the two schemes were insolvent, and that investors who had bought lots or options may have been misled.

Justice Beach agreed to the request and appointed liquidators Nicholas Martin and Craig Crosbie.

His decision follows a clamp down last year on another Kaye associate, controversial spruiker Jamie McIntyre.

In December an ASIC statement noted that the two schemes were not close to completion and "appeared to be incapable of completion due to the financial position of the development companies".

The ASIC inquiry followed Fairfax revelations last year about Foscari and a sister Melbourne project, Veneziane ('the Toorak of the West') in Melton, and a string of projects linked to Kaye, Feldman and McIntyre.

In manipulative and misleading seminars, Market First spruiked the involvement in the Foscari scheme of big name architects and planners as well as high-profile lawyers, Slater and Gordon.

In 2015 Fairfax revealed that the scheme's promoter, Market First, had recommended Slater & Gordon as legal representative to customers buying into projects in the two schemes in outer Melbourne.

The law firm later withdrew after an internal probe raised concerns about the secrecy around the individuals behind the schemes, and had warned investors that they may have overpaid and been misled.

In December ASIC highlighted its concern that lawyers recommended by scheme promoters were "not independent enough to provide the best advice".

Justice Beach found it was likely investors had been "lured" into buying options the schemes by "misleading representations or misleading or deceptive conduct" by the promoters.

He said that long-time Kaye associate, Michael Grochowski - a key figure in most of the land banking schemes - "had acted and continues to act as a shadow director of Bilkurra and Foscari".

But he said it was "wishful thinking" for investors to imagine fully recovering their money.

As part of the wider probe, ASIC in August also moved against companies linked to McIntyre's 21st Century group and five land banking schemes.

In October, the Federal Court made orders appointing provisional liquidators to the companies which operated the McIntyre schemes.

In December, the court also made wind-up orders for failed land banking company Midland Hwy, another McIntyre-promoted scheme managed by Grochowski.

[asic24]

Dead Men Sign Deals in Bizarre World of Henry Kaye

The dead tell no tales says the adage, but in the twilight world of property hustler Henry Kaye, they do run companies.

In that world, rubbish dumps are also glamorous lifestyle neighbourhoods, lawyers represent both sides of a transaction, companies that don't exist buy property, and hard cash and those holding it are inclined to vaporise.

John Wood was drawn into Kaye's web because he owned land on the outskirts of Bendigo. In Kaye's hands the site would be marketed as a future luxury housing estate, and naive investors would be lured by the promise of windfall gains from turning an ordinary farm into upmarket housing.

In his final months, Wood was a director of a company ultimately run by Kaye's associates as part of a land-banking racket across Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia exposed by ASIC in early 2015.

Almost six months after his death, Wood's signature even appeared on a contract allowing property to be used as security for a Kaye-linked loan.

Wood's graveyard instructions were just one of the bizarre stories heard in Federal Court in recent weeks as liquidators explored the labyrinth of companies, trusts and transactions that hid Kaye from public view as he fleeced small investors of tens of millions of dollars between 2010 and 2015.

The hearings were public examinations of 10 key players in just two of the schemes – "Foscari" in Melbourne's outer-west, and "Midland" in Bendigo – by liquidators along with the corporate regulator, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Both schemes were wound up in 2016 because of insolvency.

It is now clear the regulator views Kaye – infamous in Australia for his wealth-creation seminars in the early 2000s – as the mastermind behind of what Jonathon Moore, QC, described in court as a "scam".

In the hearings, Moore detailed how Kaye directed, and profited from, every major transaction within and across the schemes, reaping millions of dollars for himself, his sister Julia Feldman, and his long-term allies including "project manager" Michael Grochowski, and lawyer, Colin Adno.

"You know don't you that this whole scheme was Henry Kaye promoted and driven from start to finish?" Moore asked of Kaye's lawyer Darren Eliau, a partner of Melbourne-based law firm Evans Ellis, formerly Clamenz Evans Ellis.

Moore accused Eliau of helping "hide" Kaye behind layers of secretive trusts, so that his involvement would not deter potential investors.

Eliau, whose firm was a key player in the land-banking schemes, eventually conceded the complex trust structures were intended to "conceal" Kaye who was also banned from managing corporations for five years in 2010.

The court heard how Kaye and his cronies moved millions of investors' dollars across ostensibly unrelated projects in undocumented and unsecured loans, transactions described by barrister Moore as money effectively "stolen".

He put to Eliau that his firm had been "hopelessly negligent" in facilitating such transactions.

Among the firm's senior lawyers examined was Daniel Clarke, who is also linked to the alleged $165 million Plutus tax fraud syndicate scam in NSW along with Adam Cranston, son of former Australian Taxation Office deputy commissioner Michael Cranston.

The Sunday Age understands that Victoria's legal profession watchdog, the Legal Services Commission, is now investigating Evans Ellis in relation to the Kaye land-banking scam.

The court also heard:

That a company ultimately controlled by Kaye, Bourke & Queen Mortgages, loaned money to a development company Foscari Holdings, at the extraordinary interest rate of up to 60 per cent. How Kaye dictated terms including a direction that his Bourke & Queen Mortgages would loan money to the Foscari and then, later, that it would increase the level of the loan. That Kaye's sister, Julia Feldman, also profited by lending money to Foscari though her company, Step Forward Investments. Kaye and/or Feldman controlled the marketing and real estate companies that siphoned off one-third of the investor payments on Wood's Bendigo land. Kaye associate and project manager Michael Grochowski concede that most of the investors' $24 million outlaid on the Bendigo project was eaten up in commissions or undocumented "loans" to other entities. The Belarus-born Kaye amassed a fortune from get-rich seminars in the early 2000s. His wealth education empire collapsed in 2003 owing 3500 investors up to $60 million.

It appears that some of that money was spent on sites in Melbourne's sprawling outer-west where Kaye road tested his new business – urban fringe land-banking.

In manipulative seminars from 2011 to 2014, Kaye, his sister and their offsiders, flogged projects such as Foscari (an "iconic architectural masterpiece") and Veneziane (the "Toorak of the West").

Similar schemes were rolled out on the fringes of Melbourne, Bendigo, Shepparton and Townsville.

ASIC has estimated that as much as $100 million may have been outlaid by investors across about 10 such schemes.

But years after the projects were spruiked and options sold, not one sale has been finalised nor brick laid. In some cases, investors were literally buying options where Kaye's team only had options – an options on options, in other words.

An important element of the Kaye swindle was to wrap it in credibility by promoting the involvement – usually fleeting and often unpaid – of big brand names including architects Fender Katsalidis, lawyers Slater and Gordon and, even, the Victorian government.

Kaye's ingenuity stretched to winning a $520,000 grant from the Napthine government for innovative stormwater catchment; this, for a project never started, much less completed.

While Kaye was not among the 10 witnesses called for public examination, The Sunday Age understands that this is because ASIC is hoping to build a case against him before acting.

But the regulator has a problem. Kaye appears to have disappeared. It's likely that much of the land-banking riches are with him.

He is understood to have left Australia in the wake of ASIC revelations and the official investigations that followed, including by ASIC, a Senate committee and the Victorian Legal Services Commission.

If Kaye has absconded, and no one is held to account for ripping off thousands of investors, ASIC faces a potential embarrassment.

It will soon be three years since ASIC revealed the land-banking scam and pointed to the involvement of Kaye and his family. To date, no one has been held responsible. The land banking scam has been a top investigative priority for ASIC since.

If the regulator falls short in its pursuit of Kaye and his cronies it will be the second time it has done so. Its first attempt failed spectacularly almost a decade ago.

Kaye's sister Julia Feldman was summoned for public examination but did not appear, claiming she was too ill.

In the court, Kaye's accomplice Michael Grochowski blamed the deceased John Wood for many of the failings of the Bendigo scheme.

There are is now real concern among investors and others seeking justice that, in the case of the Bendigo scam at least, the buck may yet rest with the one man unable to defend himself, or pay up.

[shpdau]

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[federalcourtjustice]

Property Spruiker-linked Land Banking Companies wound up

A group of companies linked to notorious property spruiker Henry Kaye’s failed land banking schemes, that fleeced millions of dollars from mum and dad investors, have been successfully shut down by Australia’s financial watchdog.

Federal Court orders issued this week will wind up, “in the public interest,” five companies used by Kaye, his lawyers and business associates to scam investors of as much as $100 million.

All five companies were linked to the slickly-promoted land banking schemes in Melbourne's outer west and Bendigo, part of a network of scams across Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia, revealed by The Age in early 2015.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) successfully applied for Federal Court orders to wind up Brookfield Riverside, Bilkurra West, Bilkurra South, and Gillies Road, claiming the companies were insolvent.

Money raised from investors was transferred between the companies without any concern for the investors and had largely disappeared, ASIC claims.

The regulator is still untangling a complex web of companies, trusts, loans and properties that were behind the schemes as part of its probe into land banking.

None of the scheme’s many investors, who were sold “options” over empty farms and rubbish dumps, have had any of their missing millions returned.

A fifth company, Project Management (Aust) which was used to control the other companies, was also wound up.

Its directors Michael Grochowski and Ian Stephens will face court in September after ASIC sought to have them disqualified from managing corporations.

In 2016, the financial watchdog obtained 10-year banning orders against another pair of notorious spruikers, brothers Jamie and Dennis McIntyre, who promoted the land banking scams.

Over a period of several years from 2011, Kaye and his associates flogged the high-risk "options" on yet-to-be-developed housing projects to gullible real estate investors, before making off with millions.

One Kaye associate and senior lawyers from the law firm formerly known as Clamenz Evans Ellis, which helped facilitate the land banking operation, have also been linked to the alleged Plutus tax fraud syndicate in NSW along with Adam Cranston, son of Australian Taxation Office deputy commissioner Michael Cranston.

Other Clamenz lawyers, Daniel Clarke, Darren Eliau and Ben Skinner, were summonsed last year for public examination in the land-banking case. There is no suggestion they were linked to the Plutus syndicate.

The Belarus-born Kaye amassed a fortune from get-rich seminars in the early 2000s. His wealth education empire collapsed in 2003 owing 3500 investors up to $60 million.

ASIC is hoping to build a case against Kaye but it appears he has disappeared, taking much of the land-banking riches with him.

[evvegroup]

Dual Occupancy Builders Melbourne | Evve Group

Are you searching for reliable and experienced dual occupancy builders Melbourne? Look no further than Evve Group, the experts in creating modern, functional, and beautiful living spaces that maximize your property’s potential. Whether you’re looking to build a townhouse or a duplex, our team is here to help bring your vision to life.

Why Choose Dual Occupancy Homes?

Dual occupancy homes, such as townhouses or duplexes, are a smart choice for Melbourne homeowners. They offer several benefits, including:

Increased Property Value: Building an additional dwelling on your property can significantly boost its market value.

Rental Income: Dual occupancy homes provide an opportunity to generate rental income from one or both dwellings.

Efficient Land Use: With Melbourne’s rising property prices, dual occupancy developments make the most of your land.

Whether you’re an investor or a homeowner, dual occupancy projects can deliver long-term financial and lifestyle benefits.

Evve Group: Your Trusted Dual Occupancy Builders

At Evve Group, we specialize in designing and constructing dual occupancy homes tailored to your needs. As experienced townhouse builders in Melbourne, we understand the local regulations, zoning laws, and market trends, ensuring a seamless building process.

Our services include:

Project Management: From permits to construction, we handle every step of the project with precision and care.

Quality Construction: We use high-quality materials and the latest building techniques to ensure durability and style.

Why Choose Evve Group?

Expertise: With years of experience in Melbourne’s building industry, we know how to deliver results.

Transparency: We provide clear communication and detailed quotes, so you know what to expect at every stage.

Let’s Build Your Dream Home

If you’re ready to explore the possibilities of dual occupancy living, Evve Group is here to help. Contact us today to discuss your project and discover why we’re the preferred choice for dual occupancy builders Melbourne. Let’s transform your property into a modern, functional space that fits your needs and lifestyle.

Call Evve Group now or visit our website to get started!

[qwikblog]

The Future of Real Estate in Geelong

As Geelong continues to grow in popularity, its real estate market is evolving to meet the demands of an expanding population. With its unique blend of coastal charm, urban convenience, and proximity to Melbourne, Geelong is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for homebuyers, investors, and renters alike. The future of real estate in Geelong looks promising, with several trends shaping the market and offering exciting opportunities for both residents and investors.

Growth in Suburban Development: As the city’s population grows, Geelong’s suburbs are experiencing significant development. Areas like Highton, Armstrong Creek, and Corio are seeing increased infrastructure investment, including new schools, parks, and transport links, making them even more desirable for families and professionals. This growth in suburban development is expected to continue, with new housing estates and community projects further enhancing the appeal of Geelong’s outer suburbs. With affordable land and space to grow, these areas offer long-term investment potential.

Increased Demand for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Homes: The demand for sustainable living is on the rise, and Geelong is no exception. Buyers and renters alike are increasingly looking for energy-efficient homes with eco-friendly features such as solar panels, rainwater tanks, and sustainable building materials. This trend is likely to continue as both government initiatives and consumer preferences push for greener, more sustainable housing solutions. Developers and homeowners are expected to prioritize these features, making Geelong an attractive destination for environmentally conscious buyers.

Growing Popularity of Short-Term and Vacation Rentals: As Geelong becomes a popular tourist destination, the demand for short-term and vacation rentals is on the rise. With its proximity to Melbourne and beautiful coastal attractions, Geelong offers plenty of opportunities for investors to tap into the short-term rental market. Properties near the waterfront, in the city center, and in tourist-friendly neighborhoods are seeing increased interest from both domestic and international visitors. This shift creates a diverse rental market that accommodates both long-term residents and short-term guests, offering flexibility for homeowners and investors alike.

Qwik Real Estate is positioned to help buyers, renters, and investors navigate the changing landscape of Geelong’s real estate market. With a focus on local knowledge, expert insights, and a comprehensive range of property listings, Qwik Real Estate ensures that you can make informed decisions as you plan for the future in this vibrant and growing city.

[lidarsolutionsaus]

Pros of Applying 3D Scanning in Melbourne for Precision Landscape Survey!

Utilising LiDAR technology for 3D scanning in Melbourne has become an indispensable tool in construction and land development projects, making the procedure flawless, effortless, time-saving, and highly effective when professionals conduct landscape surveys.

In addition to advanced technology, Melbourne wind radar systems provide critical real-time data on wind speed and direction, which can affect the accuracy and stability of scanning equipment.

Survey teams can strategically plan their scanning operations to avoid disruptions caused by unfavourable weather conditions by utilising wind radar, ensuring consistent and high-quality results and contributing to more precise and reliable landscape assessments.

This procedure enables survey teams to minimise weather-related delays that could impair data quality and preserve the stability of scanning equipment, select the best periods for scanning, producing more accurate and reliable results.

Significance of Wind Radar in 3D Scanning and Precision Landscape Surveys:

When developers utilise advanced LiDAR technology for 3D scanning, the combination of detailed laser mapping and real-time environmental data from wind radars optimizes survey accuracy. The integration of this data ensures that 3D scanning operations run smoothly, even in challenging environmental conditions, leading to dependable and high-quality landscape assessments.

This advanced technology provides highly accurate and detailed 3D models of the terrain, ensuring better planning and decision-making. The precision of 3-dimensional scanning reduces the margin for error significantly, minimizing potential costly mistakes during the development process.

Construction teams can identify exact topographical features, underground utilities, and other crucial land details efficiently by utilising this cutting-edge technique. This enables a streamlined approach to project management and ensures compliance with local regulations, setting the foundation for successful construction projects.

When combined with wind radar, LiDAR ensures comprehensive data collection, accommodating environmental challenges and enhancing survey reliability. Using providers equipped with LiDAR allows land developers to benefit from accurate topographic maps, improved safety in planning, and reduced project timelines.

Investing in such advanced technologies ensures that land developers can minimize risks, anticipate challenges, and make informed decisions. The result is smoother project execution, higher accuracy in land measurements, and a significant boost in the overall efficiency of land development projects.

Therefore, land developers should adopt LiDAR technology for 3D scanning and wind radar solutions to push the boundaries of innovation and precision and get the benefits of reliable construction outcomes.

Source