The development of real estate has led to the rapid expansion of some towns in addition to providing social security to home owners. Any person with a burning desire to own real estate, whether for commercial or residential purposes should think of doing so in Townsville. It is a port city that offers beautiful scenery and attracts a big number of potential investors. Real estate Townville has undergone major changes to an extent that special firms have set up base to help the ever increasing number of interested home buyers. It is a town that provides a comfortable living atmosphere because of several factors.

Conducive Locality
Townsville is located at a strategic zone, thus enabling real estate owners to have a quick access to transport services. Being a port city, residents have a covetable opportunity to travel by sea to distant places along the sea within Australia. The presence of a major road network facilitates easy movement of both people and goods. The roads are well tarmacked, which means vehicles are guaranteed a long life span. A good number real of houses are constructed along the river banks that transverse the city. This means that the rivers could also offer alternate means of transport to the residents. Most of the magnificent estates are located near the parks away from the busy streets, thus providing dwellers with utmost peace and a chance to enjoy the natural fauna and flora.

Some estates are built along the coastal beaches thus providing a spectacular view from the balconies of the houses. The cool breeze emanating from the sea makes living in Townsville a memorable experience.

Availability of Home Loans
The ownership of real estate Townsville is not a preserve of the economically stable individuals. This is attributed to the entrance of firms that purchase real estate on behalf of individuals. The individuals will then repay the total amount accruing through affordable installments at very attractive interest rates. This mechanism has enabled a big number of residents to live a great life in modern housing units. Apart from housing units, there are numerous rental properties evenly spread throughout the City. This means that even those who are not permanent residents can still enjoy a great life in Townsville. Very friendly agents will facilitate the entire process on behalf of the potential tenant.They are available at pocket friendly rates and there is no reason as to why people should not give them a thought. For units for sale Townsville, visit Ian Clarke Real Estate.

Modern Designs
Investors in real estate in Townsville have incorporated modern housing designs and this has added to their fabulous look. They have all the latest security appliances installed. This includes closed circuit television that monitors the movements of intruders. Burglar proof alarm systems have been seconded to all the strategic places. Some homes have electric fences in addition to digitalized gates that do not necessitate the need of a home guard. These features ensure the dwellers live comfortably without much worry. Individual gated housing units are available at special localities whereas those who prefer living as a community can still find modern flats that can accommodate several tenants.

Some houses have state of the art swimming pools as well as a complete gym facility to ensure that owners retain their physical agility all the time.

Availability of Adequate Social Amenities
Townsville being a commercial city, it presents numerous and adequate social amenities to its residents. For instance, the presence of major banks in the town ensure the residents have unlimited access to their finances. This has also led to the establishment of improved health facilities thus subjecting residents to great life. The people in Townsville also have an opportunity to sample some of the best sea delicacies due the presence of a major water body nearby.

The water body offers an appropriate environment to undertake sporting activities such as water skating, boat riding and sand bathing in the summer weather.

Maximum Safety
Due the revenue generated by the development of real estate Townsville, the local authorities have put in place proper security measures in place by providing metropolitan police. They carry out regular patrols around the estates thus assuring dwellers of a great life free from security threats. The roads to the estates are also well lit at night courtesy of the local authorities’ security policy.

Are you dreading your next power bill? Starting to worry about how the increases in electricity prices are going to drain your household budget. Well you’re not on your own, so here is what you can do to reduce your fiscal stress and your bills.

Most of the time simple and easy common sense measures can shave hundreds of dollars fromyour bills just by following the following steps.

Top Ten Ways to Reduce Your Bills FOR FREE

1. Most people do not realise how much electricity a simple light bulb could be adding to the cost of their electricity bills. Turning off lights when you leave a room will make a big difference.

2. Try to avoid using the clothes dryer, if the weather is bad purchase a clothes rank that you can use inside.

3. If going on holidays, turn off your electric hot water system at the meter board to avoid the system constantly heating up water when it’s not being used.

4. If you have a peak smart enabled air conditioner you can connect your air-conditioning unit to Tariff 33 – which provides a guaranteed 18 hours of electricity at tariff 33 rates. You may not be able to turn on the system on during peak times, but this could be a good compromise to still enjoy your heating/cooling system without costing the earth. Energex are currently offering $250 reward for split system (peak smart enabled) and $500 reward for ducted systems (peak smart enabled). To see whether your air conditioner is eligible go to the Energex website.

5. An old inefficient pool pump could be costing you up to $640 annually to run on tariff 11. By connect your pool pump to Tariff 33 (if possible) could save you hundreds off your bill. Energex are currently offering a $250 reward for connecting your pool pump to Tariff 33.

6. Turn off additional refrigerators. Have a good think about how much you really use the other fridge. If it’s only for the occasional party switch it off in-between time or if it is to store extra food think whether you really need to store this much as you could be paying a fortune for “just in case you need it”.

7. When running your air conditioner set the temperature to 23 degrees in Summer, as every degree below this will cost you 10% more in running costs (eg. Running at 20 degrees will cost you 30% more than running it at 23 degrees) Or to save more open windows for ventilation rather than turning on the air conditioner in summer time.

8. Use cold water to wash your clothes. With the many washing detergents available today that are made for cold water washing it makes sense to use these rather using your electricity to heat up the water.

9. Once the weather starts to cool down, remember to close any windows that have been left open, use a throw blanket to snuggle up and keep warm whilst watching TV and get out the ugg boots. . If you do turn on the heater, keep the heat in the room you’re in by closing the door.

10. Using low flow showerheads in your shower usually consume less energy and provide the same amount of comfort.

All these free suggestions will reduce your energy usage and your power bills but they do take self discipline and children are often the worst offenders in leaving everything turned on. So if you don’t want to comprise on life style you can still reduce your bills by purchasing energy saving products such as a solar hot water system, solar power system, led lighting, skylights and monitoring systems. If you’d like to find out more visit www.anyenergy.com.au

Award-winning comedy writer, Ian Heydon (Kingswood Country, How Green Was My Cactus, The Samuel Pepys Show, The Year My Country Broke) recently took out an unexpected award – for writing about travelling with a disability.

In 2010 Ian was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. That led to the question – what does a writer who has a disability and who loves to travel write about? The answer was pretty obvious. Because Ian uses a cane for mobility assistance, he built a website called Cane & Able Travel and that site won the inaugural Business disAbility Award for Business Innovation in 2012.

Back in 2003, Ian had a travel book on Australia published called The Small Guide to A Big Country (Explore) and he subsequently bought a travel agent’s licence (Small Guide Travel). Much of Ian’s research for that book is still valid. As Ian says, “They haven’t moved the Sydney Opera House or most of Australia’s main attractions, so all I really needed to do was update where necessary and add the accessibility and disability facility information. It’s a bonus that the Small Guide Travel consultants can assist with itinerary advice and bookings.”

When Ian travels these days he uses both a cane and a wheelchair for getting around. “Before my diagnosis with MS I guess I felt a bit of pity when I saw other people in wheelchairs. I didn’t realise that wheelchairs give a person with a disability so much freedom. Mine allows me to get around much better at airports, especially when the boarding gate can be a fair distance from check-in, and it makes art galleries, museums and theatre so much more accessible and enjoyable.”

Ian first took his wheelchair on a trip to Dubai, London and Paris in 2012. While there are websites with attractions and disability information for those destinations in the pipeline, Ian’s first priority is writing about Australia. In late 2012 he visited Cairns and road-tested attractions like Skyrail and Quicksilver’s Great Barrier Reef as well as disabled-friendly accommodation. From this came the destination specific website, Cairns Disabled Travel.

The next cab of the rank was Canberra. According to Ian, Canberra is arguably Australia’s most rewarding destination for travellers with a disability. “There are flights from all other major cities and centres, they have an excellent public transport and wheelchair-assisted taxi system and all the major attractions are accessible, with many of them free. There’s excellent accommodation, terrific restaurants and bars and so much to see and do. It really is a fabulous tourist destination. Sure, after a couple of weeks there might be some thumb twiddling but for a few days away it is fabulous.” Ian visited Canberra in 2011 and 2013 to research accessible accommodation and attractions and the Canberra Disabled Travel website is now live.

Ian has a multi-destination itinerary on the drawing board for all Australian capital cities and major regional centres so you could see him soon in your part of the country. But the Kingswood? No, he won’t be taking the Kingswood!