Vet pleads for landlords to allow pets

A lack of pet-friendly accommodation is leading renters to give up their pets or have them put down.
Brisbane vet Michael O’Donoghue has seen too many people have to give up, or put down, their pets because they could not find a rental property that welcomed animals.

“It’s very heart-breaking, people euthanising their beloved pet because they can’t find accommodation,” he said.

The People and Pets veterinarian is pushing for more pet-friendly rental properties to be made available to encourage more families to adopt animals and stop the displacement of loved family members. Continue reading Vet pleads for landlords to allow pets

What happens when goods are left behind in a rental property?

Goods left behind in a rental property are a problem for the landlord, who can’t rent it out until the previous tenant’s things have been removed. It can also prove costly to tenants.

Between July and September 2011, Consumer Affairs Victoria dealt with over 900 cases of goods left behind in rental properties. Continue reading What happens when goods are left behind in a rental property?

Let’s keep Mudgee beautiful

KEEP MUDGEE BEAUTIFUL: Hugh Bateman is urging everyone to step up and stamp out littering in the Mid-Western Region.

Local identity Hugh Bateman is calling on the region to work together to stamp out littering and keep our area of the world beautiful.

“As a whole it’s not an untidy district, it’s just as much about prevention and creating awareness that littering won’t be accepted as the region grows,” Mr Bateman said. Continue reading Let’s keep Mudgee beautiful

Community Associations of today are the Neighborhoods of yesterday

An appeal from the Salvation Army for toys for needy families has resulted in an avalanche of gifts and donations from the community and local businesses.

Salvation Army Lieutenant Dean Clutterbuck made the appeal after wet weather affected donations to the annual Mudgee and District Bikers Club’s annual toy run. Continue reading Community Associations of today are the Neighborhoods of yesterday

Region to promote escape from coastal congestion

The Mid-Western region is being sold as an escape to beat “coastal congestion” this holiday season.

Mudgee Region Tourism Inc. CEO Lucy White said the region had plenty of greenery to admire, many museums to visit and an abundance of adventure experiences.

“For instance Mudgee has become a popular destination for cyclists and their families,” she said.

“You can cycle your way around the vineyards or other areas and not have to worry about coastal traffic.” Continue reading Region to promote escape from coastal congestion

RBA cuts interest rates for Christmas

The Reserve Bank has cut interest rates by 0.25 per cent.

The 25 basis point fall comes on the back of a similar cut last month. The reduction is good news for people paying off a mortgage. “This will put an extra $60 into the pockets of borrowers each month,” says Domain property expert Carolyn Boyd.

The official interest rate is now 4.25 per cent.

Each 0.25 per cent drop in interest rates slices about $60 off the monthly interest cost of an average Australian mortgage.

Boyd says, coupled with last month’s cut, the drop represents a double windfall for borrowers because if they can keep their repayments at the same level they will be able to pay down their mortgages faster.

“It’s a smart idea to keep your repayments at the same amount as you were paying before this cut, and the one on Melbourne Cup day,” she says. “That way you can pay your mortgage off sooner but have no less money in your pocket than you did last month. There’s plenty to gain here with no extra pain.”

Many lenders don’t automatically readjust repayments when rates are cut, meaning borrowers often have to simply sit back and watch their loan shrink faster when rates fall.

Tips to maximise your position should rates fall

The ongoing eurozone crisis may force the Reserve Bank to introduce further interest rate cuts before Christmas. So if this year the RBA decides to dress up as Santa instead of the Grinch, a leading property investment group says investors need to reconsider their financial position to make sure they capitalise on the move. Continue reading Tips to maximise your position should rates fall

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