luton living - issue 8 - 2016

LIVINGPractical

LifestyleArticles

ORGANICSDon’t always

believe the label

FEDERAL BUDGETHow you are affected

ISSUE 8, 2016

+ Market Updateproperties for sale and rent at luton.com.au

INTERIOR5 Interior Design Hacks

WINTER SPORTLots on offer in Canberra

WINTER PET CARE

RECIPEMulled Wine

> SECTION

MARKET UPDATE

The Canberra market has continued to perform well with days on market remaining low particularly in the Weston Creek and Woden Valley districts, and auction clearance rates have been similarly high over the Autumn quarter. The number of people coming through exhibitions has remained consistently high and we have a lot of clients still searching for their dream home.

After a busy Autumn period in the real estate market we now enter what is traditionally a quieter time of year because when the mercury drops, so does the amount of new properties coming onto the market. Of course this year we also have an election to contend with and this has, in the past, meant less stock as well. The timing of the election, right in the middle of Winter, will mean that we will likely see a huge increase in the amount of new listings hitting the market which means competition will be high for sellers.

Here at Luton we can see a real opportunity for sellers wanting to get the jump on those hanging out to get their homes on the market in Spring. With supply low and buyer demand remaining high the chance of competition from buyers with less properties to choose could potentially mean a better result whether it be less time on the market, a better than expected price or better still, both of these scenarios.

If you are thinking of selling in the next 6 months, why not give us a call and we can discuss the many options available to you.

- Tim Burke & Justine Burke

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LIVINGWhat’s Inside

5 Interior Design Hacks............ pg. 4 Everyone loves a hack and in this article you’ll learn some easy to use hacks that will help you make the most of your home and space.

Don’t Always Believe The Label.. pg. 6The art of reading labels is becoming increasingly important for those of us who wish to maintain a healthy lifestyle and home.

Federal Budget 2016-17............ pg. 8 No doubt you have all been bombarded with information on the budget, so we have summarised the key announcements, with further details regarding the tax changes.

CBR Winter Sport................... pg. 10 The subzero temperatures are here again and the cooler, crisp air and Winter sun make it a perfect time of the year to exercise outdoors or enjoy some local sport.

Winter Pet Care...................... pg. 12 Stiff mornings, slow to get moving, tired and sore after a walk ...... Does this sound like your pet?

A Home Promising Quality ..... pg. 15 Leaving you wanting for nothing more, this stunning, contemporary home is positioned in an elevated position affording views to Black Mountain and Telstra Tower, and is surrounding by established and lush gardens.

LIVING ISSUE 8, 20164

> INTERIOR

get a visual. Invite a friend to join you, hanging art is a two person job; one person to hold the art and one to stand back and direct.

2. How to get those phone chargers out of sight.

They are a necessary evil and if your household is anything like mine,

1. Create your own personal art gallery at home.

Today’s houses boast full length feature windows to bring the outdoors in, bathing the room in natural light. There’s only one drawback - it doesn’t leave us enough wall space to hang our art.

The solution: Create a gallery wall at home. A gallery wall is a cluster of art, hung together in a random arrangement. A gallery wall should be fun, random and interesting, filled with art or interesting pieces you love. There is no hard or fast rule for how to create a gallery wall, but here are my tips to make it easier: Start by arranging the art on the floor, move pieces around so you can begin to

5 Interior design hacks

5LIVING ISSUE 8, 2016

it’s not one charger that needs to be hidden, but multiple chargers that seem to be in constant use.

The solution: Hide the cables inside a drawer unit. Mount a power board to the outside or inside of a cabinet and thread the charger cord through the back of the drawer unit. Make sure you have enough cable length for when the draw is open. Here, we specifically sourced a piece of furniture for the purpose of being able to hide and store phone chargers. We were also able to set it up so each family member had their own draw with the right charger. No more unsightly chargers and phones out on display.

3. The perfect indoor plant.

Indoor plants are back, and don’t they look fantastic in all the design magazines. The lush green foliage brings a feeling of softness and freshness to a room. However even the most ‘hardy’ indoor plant needs love and work and for some of us born without green thumbs, it just feels like another daily chore.

The solution: Fake it. Ferns, Arecas, Palm Trees or Snake Plants can be purchased from many of the popular decorator stores such as Oz Design, Freedom or Ikea. They can be expensive, but the year round benefit of never having to water (or just trying to keep a plant alive) is worth every cent.

4. Hard to reach cupboards.

Storage in the home is one of the biggest issues we designers come across, especially storage that is hard to reach and difficult to access. You don’t have to redesign an entire kitchen to make a useless cupboard accessible.

The solution: Retro fit drawers. There are multiple products as well as companies that provide the service of retro fitting draws into your hard

to reach cupboards. Ask for full extension runners to get the most out of the space. You will be surprised how much more you can fit into a drawer unit.

5. Renewing a non-working fireplace.

There are a lot of reasons owners choose to have the traditional wood fire heater removed but what is left behind can be an unattractive hole in the wall. It can be expensive to have a builder completely patch the space but there are ways to give the hole in the wall a new life that still offers ambiance and style.

The solution: Fill the space with a selection of candles. Choose different styles and heights to create a cosy glow that will remind you of the real thing. Use flameless candles that are made from real wax and flicker to give a natural appearance.

by Nicole Heins, DirectorImpressions Property Styling

0405 420 [email protected]


> ORGANICS

2. The middle third of the label constitutes about 4–12% of the product and is made up of oils, actives, emulsifiers, fillers and surfactants.

3. The bottom third of the label makes up around 1–8% of the product and consists of preservatives, fragrances, stabilisers and label claims.

Greenwashing is a practice in which a brand or company makes claims to be “green” and

“natural” through advertising and marketing rather than implementing practices that minimise environmental impact.

The art of reading labels is becoming increasingly important for those of us who wish to maintain a healthy lifestyle and home.

What makes up a personal care label?

If you imagine the label is divided into approximately three parts, the ingredients are listed in descending order based on the quantity of the ingredient in the product:

1. The top third of the label lists the ingredients that constitute the majority of the product. These ingredients usually make up around 80-95% of the product and the common ingredient you’ll find here is water, or aqua.

DON’T ALWAYS BELIEVE THE LABEL!


There is much deception and greenwashing in the personal care, health and beauty industries. Personal care products are not required to comply to the same stringent labeling standards that govern organic foods, so it’s easy for some companies to label their products ‘organic’. But, once you look at the ingredients, some ‘organic’ products are a far cry from being truly organic, healthy or environmentally friendly at all!

Don’t be fooled by misleading marketing or label claims. Some common misleading claims may include tactics such as:

• The use of earth-friendly pictures or colours on a product, despite the fact that it may have no correlation with containing actual earth-friendly ingredients.

• • Claiming a product is “100%

natural”, “non-Toxic”, “healthy” or “environmentally friendly”. Verify these claims prior to purchase through the company website and by reading the labels as these can be generic claims with little or no endorsement or support. You can also look for a seal or certification mark from an independent third party to verify product claims.

• • Listing ingredients as coming

from a botanical source. There is no regulation covering this labeling and it can mean anything as the ingredient may well have been part of a plant long ago before it was manipulated in a laboratory. Companies often list an unpronounceable ingredient and follow it by the words ‘botanical source’ which is a warning sign that the ingredient is not in its original plant form.

This greenwashing has the potential to destroy consumer confidence in organic products. Many products claim to be ‘natural’, and ‘organic’, but how do you know which products are the real deal? Look for products that:

• are certified to independent third-party organic standards (ACO, USDA, BFA).

• contain no toxic synthetics with unpronounceable or unidentifiable names

• contain 100% active ingredients, with no fillers or bulking agents

• list truly pure botanicals by their Latin name, for example certified organic aloe vera is listed on Miessence products as Aloe barbadensis.

• are high in quality which is often reflected in the price. Water costs about 80 cents a litre, so products made up mainly of water will be cheaper than products that are predominantly plant based, which cost 10 to 20 times more to produce.

Another important thing to remember, is that if it’s truly a great product, the company will proudly stand by their claims, openly list their product ingredients on their labels and their website and answer any questions regarding ingredients.

To receive your copy of Smart Shoppers Guide to Cosmetic Toxins email your details to [email protected] and Take the Toxic test today.

Proudly brought to you by Tamzara Organics.

Michelle Tulley, owner of Tamzara Organics, is an independent Miessence representative who has a passion for all things organic. Miessence products are free of toxic chemicals, cruelty free & made in Australia. They are Pure, Potent and Fresh Certified Organics, which are designed for your health, home and body. Find us www.tamzaraorganics.miessence.com or www.facebook.com/tamzaraorganics

Michelle Tulley ~ Tamzara Organics

Senior Associate - Independent Miessence RepresentativeMiessence Cert.OrganicAustUnrivalled purity, potency and freshnessMobile: +61 447 722 200Phone/Fax: +61 2 61563116Email: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.tamzaraorganics.miessence.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/tamzaraorganicsTwitter: https://twitter.com/TamzaraOrganics

> SECTION


• Foreign residents will also receive the threshold increase from $80,000 to $87,000

• The cap for Division 293 (the additional 15% contributions tax) has come down by $50,000 to $250,000. If your taxable income plus investment losses, fringe benefits, and superannuation contributions exceed $250,000, your super contributions will be hit with an additional 15% tax, taking the tax on your contributions to 30%.

• The temporary budget repair levy of 2% that was payable on an individual’s taxable income above $180,000 will finish as scheduled on 30 June 2017.

Superannuation

• The concessional contributions cap will be lowered to $25,000 from 1 July 2017 (concessional contributions are contributions for which you can claim a tax deduction. For example, the 9.5% super guarantee, salary sacrifice super). The table below outlines of the current and future concessional contribution caps:

Income Year Age and applicable Cap amount2015-16 <49: $30,000 49+: $35,0002016-17 <49: $30,000 49+: $35,0002017-18 All Ages: $25,000

Recently, the staff here at Vivid Chartered Accountants had their (pretty/handsome) faces pressed to their TV screens while they listened to Scott Morrison deliver

his budget speech.

No doubt you have all been bombarded with information on the budget, so we have summarised the key announcements, with further details regarding the tax changes following.

Small Business

• The government has changed the definition of a small business by increasing the turnover threshold (gross sales excluding GST) from $2 million to $10 million.

• Small businesses will continue to have access to the $20,000 instant asset write-off until30 June 2017

• The company tax rate for small business entities will be reduced (28.5% in 2016) to27.5%. The rate is set to reduce further to 27% in 2024-25 and then by 1 percent per year until it reaches 25% in 2026-27

• Unincorporated businesses (sole traders and partnerships) will receive an increase in the tax discount (5% in 2016) to 8% on 1 July 2016. The maximum value of the discount is capped at $1,000

Individual Tax Payers

• The 37% personal income tax threshold will be increased from $80,000 to $87,000 from 1 July 2016 to address bracket creep. The new tax rates will be as follows:

> FINANCE

federal budget 2016-17

Personal income tax rates and thresholds2015-2016 2016-17

Threshold Rate Threshold Rate

1st rate $0-18,200 0% $0-18,200 0%

2nd rate $18,201-$37,000 19.0% $18,201-$37,000 19.0%

3rd rate $37,001-$80,000 32.5% $37,001-$80,000 32.5%

4th rate $80,000-$180,000 37.0% $80,000-$180,000 37.0%


• If you have less than $500,000 in superannuation, from 1 July 2017 the government will allow additional concessional contributions (see definition above) for “unused cap amounts” from previous years. For example, if you only use $15,000 of your cap in 2017-18, you can contribute $35,000 ($25,000 + $10,000) in 2018-19. Unused cap amounts will becarried forward on a rolling 5-year basis, starting with unused amounts accrued from 1 July 2017.

• From 1 July 2017, superannuation funds will be limited to a cap of $1.6 million in tax-free pension accounts, with balances above this amount returned to accumulation accounts and earnings taxed a 15%. The $1.6 million cap will be indexed in $100,000 increments in line with CPI. Subsequent earnings in the pension accounts will not be considered when calculating caps. Members already in retirement phase with balances in excess of the cap on 1 July 2017 will need to either transfer excess amounts back into accumulation accounts, or withdraw the excess amount from the superannuation fund.

• The tax exemption on earnings on transition to retirement pensions will beremoved as of 1 July 2017. Under the changes, the earnings will be taxed as at 15%.

• The government will introduction a lifetime cap of non-concessional contributions cap of $500,000 from budget night (3 May 2016). (Non-concessional contributions are personal contributions that you make after tax)

The cap will take into account all non-concessional contributions made after 1 July 2007. Contributions made before last night cannot cause you to breach the cap, however you will no longer be able to make any future non-concessional contributions.

• From 1 July 2017, Government will allow all individuals up to the age of 75 to claim a tax deduction for personal superannuation contributions. Previously, only self-employed individuals under the age of 65 (or 74 if you passed the working test) could claim tax deductions for personal contributions. This change will remove the work test for those aged between 65 and 74.

If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact our office.

James WattPartner: Vivid Chartered Accountants 02 6171 [email protected]


The subzero temperatures are here again and I don’t know about you, but I look forward to

this time of the year in Canberra. The cooler, crisp air and Winter sun make it a perfect time of the year to exercise outdoors.

The less crowded walkways around the lake are a perfect place for to enjoy the sunshine.

For the parents out there, Children’s winter sport also offers a great opportunity to exercise during training time. Walking laps of the ovals while training is on with other parents is a great way to get some fitness and catch up on the latest gossip!

I know it’s harder as the weather drops but it’s still important to get out and support Canberra’s professional sporting teams. The big crowds bring out the best in players and keep the clubs viable and in Canberra!

After a tumultuous off-field season so far the Brumbies playing group look like they have been able to put that all to the side and continue their great form from 2015.

Despite your opinion on the off-field dramas the playing squad battle their hearts out every single game and this

will pay off in late July, as the Brumbies will again represent the capital in the Super Rugby finals.

The Raiders, aahhhh, the Raiders. Life as a Raiders supporter is an emotional rollercoaster. The highs are high, and the lows … well hopefully the lows will be few and far between as the season progresses.

The Raiders have a team to make the finals this year and if the stars align could be a real surprise packet in the 2016 final series. On their day they can beat any team with ease, however consistency will be the focus from here on in.

The Giants have begun their rise to the top of the AFL ladder and expect them to hang around there for years to come.

The most pleasing thing about the Giants in 2016 is their increased presence and focus on Canberra. They have invested more effort into establishing themselves in Canberra in response to the great crowds and support the Capital gives them. Expect this mutually beneficial relationship to bloom in the coming years.

Whatever code you follow make sure you get out and be a part of the action!!

> SPORT

WINTER 2016by Nathan Minerds, DirectorPLAY Magazine0452 220 [email protected]


that opens up a whole range of treatment options for the arthritic pet from massage, home stretching and exercise programs through to TENS therapy and dry needle therapy. There is huge range of treatment options to manage the pain or arthritis and a greater ability to tailor a treatment program to each pet’s needs.

And did you know that it’s not only dogs and cats that can suffer from arthritis? We treat lots of rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, birds and even reptiles that suffer in the colder months. The signs of arthritis can be quite subtle in these species as they are often not going for regular leash walks that will quickly show up reluctance to move in many dogs. Look for reduced movement around the enclosure, sitting in the one spot or position, less consistent grooming or perhaps a drop in interaction from your pet. If your pet, regardless of species, seem uncomfortable this Winter please come in and see us at the Inner South Veterinary Centre and let’s get them moving and happy!

Winter is upon us now with the cold weather setting in. Older pets are very likely to start to feel the bite of arthritis. Stiff mornings, slow to get

moving, tired and sore after a walk...... Does this sound like your pet? Here at the Inner South Veterinary Centre we are passionate about keeping pets comfortable. For the older pet this often means developing a plan to manage arthritis, individualised to your pet’s needs.

At Inner South Veterinary Centre we use a combination of medical, dietary and neutrapsutical therapies to give relief from the pain of arthritis. Options include Synovan injections to support cartilage health and to reduce inflammation in joints and anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce swelling in swollen joints or other forms of pain relief. Special dietary formulations such as Hills J/d can play an important role in supporting aging joints as can supplementation with neutrapsuticals such as glucosamine and other similarly helpful produces. We now also offer physiotherapy as part of a treatment plan. This is an exciting new development

> PETS

WINTER PET CARE


Inner South Veterinary Centre47 Jerrabomberra AveNarrabundahACT [email protected] us on Facebook

Older pets are very likely to start to feel the bite of arthritis.


Ingredients

• 1 whole nutmeg, for grating• 6 cloves• 4 cardamon pods, bruised• 2 star anise• 2 cinnamon sticks• peel of 1 orange• juice of half an orange• 75g caster sugar• 750ml red wine (cabernet varieties work well)• 100ml port

Method

In a medium sized pot, finely grate about a third of the whole nutmeg (about two pinches), and add the rest of the spices, orange peel and juice along with the sugar. Add just enough red wine to cover the spices.

Cook on medium heat, stirring, till the sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil and keep boiling for about five minutes until it forms a syrup. (This boiling allows the spices to release their flavour while only cooking away a small amount of alcohol.)

Add the rest of the wine and the port. Bring up to drinking temperature but do not let boil. Can be held at this temperature until needed.

Enjoy!

By Ben Harrison, executive chef and owner of home plate—a personal chef service providing fine dining dinner parties in the comfort and privacy of your own home. For more information, visit www.homeplatedining.com.au or call 0402 507 291.

> FOOD

Cooking with home plate

Mulled Wine


49 Alan Watt Crescent, Casey$869,000EER: 5.5

Leaving you wanting for nothing more, this stunning, contemporary home is positioned in an elevated position affording views to Black Mountain and Telstra Tower, and is surrounding by established and lush gardens.

Offering a very functional floor plan ideal for family living, the home is spread over 210m2 (approximately) of living space with the multiple, segregated living spaces downstairs and the four bedrooms upstairs. Living areas consist of a separate lounge room, separate rumpus/media room and a light-filled, open-plan family and dining area which flows out onto the covered alfresco area overlooking the private, landscaped back garden.

The family-sized kitchen is well-appointed with quality appliances, double thickness stone bench tops, an island bench with waterfall edge and breakfast bar, fully integrated fridge, induction cooktop, double drawer dishwasher and excellent storage. The kitchen has easy access to the outdoor entertaining area and looks out to the back garden, so you can keep an eye on the kids whilst you are inside.

Equally as impressive upstairs, there are three bedrooms all with built-in wardrobes plus the sizeable master bedroom which features a walk-in wardrobe and expansive views. The bathroom and ensuite look like they have come straight out of the pages of a Home Beautiful magazine, with a striking decor and quality inclusions.

Located in an area that has so much to offer families in terms of lifestyle, and with the opening of the Casey shopping precinct expected in May, everything you need it at your doorstep.

> INVEST

A home that promises quality, comfort and views

> SECTION


> COMMUNITY

We are participating in the Allhomes Clothing Appeal to help build better futures for the many Canberran’s who are doing it tough. For many who are unemployed, on low incomes or who have experienced a life changing event, it can be a real struggle to meet the cost of suitable clothing for a job interview, a parent-teacher meeting or to start new employment. Communities@Work’s clothing program provides men and women in need with quality, dressy, special occasion, work clothes, accessories and shoes.

Communities@Work needs good quality business attire and accessories, including: suits for men and women, dresses and skirts, ties, jackets and pants, shirts and tops, handbags and accessories.

We are also contributing to the Winter Warm-up Appeal to keep vulnerable people warm this Winter. Do you have spare blankets, sleeping bags, jumpers, scarves, beanies and gloves you’d like to donate? At Luton Properties Weston Creek, our staff will be donating and we have also registered as a collection destination. If you have items you would like to donate, you can drop them to our office at 27-31 Brierly Street, Weston until COB Thursday 16 June. Make sure to say hi if you do pop in!

On Friday 17 June, Allhomes & Communities@Work will collect your donations, which will go directly to Communities@Work to assist vulnerable members of our community to build a better future.

Supporting Canberra


The Winter Warm-Up AppealAllhomes & Communities@Work

Donation CollectionFriday 17 June

TIM BURKEDirector, Licensed Agent and Auctioneer0411 878 [email protected]

JUSTINE BURKEDirector and Licensed Agent

0411 481 [email protected]

27-31 Brierly StreetWESTON ACT 2611

P 02 6287 1600 / F 02 6287 1611www.luton.com.au / [email protected]

www.ratemyagent.com.au/real-estate-agent/tim-and-justine-burke-bx857/reviews

www.instagram.com/luton_westoncreek

luton living - issue 8 - 2016

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