Hi Our company ‘Australian Sun Energy’ and ‘Warmboard Australia’ offers a full service for hydronic heating buyers including design, heat load requirements, heating systems and installation by our hydronic installers. There are many types of hydronic systems available, the 2 most common are in-slab and in-screed, in-slab heating the Pex piping is installed at the bottom of the concrete and attached to the reo mesh at 200mm centres, this system uses the concrete floor as a heat mass to retain heat for a longer period of time, pluses for this system are, once heated it only requires the boiler the add a small load to keep it at temperature, minus is that it takes a long time to heat up to temperature 5 days in some cases and can be an issues in Australia because we have such variable weather even in winter heating the house even on a warm days requiring the windows to be opened. In-screed the Pex piping is installed on top of the slab at 150mm centres then a screed of approximately 65mm is placed on top, this gives a faster heat up time but less mass to store the heat, minus is it’s more expensive to install due to 2 concrete pours. If your wanting polished concrete floors either of these systems will be suitable. Hydronic radiators and low to the floor wall systems heat the air space not the floor, as the heat rises from these units it heat the room from the top down meaning you can have a hot head but cold feet when it should be the other way round, pluses are usually a lower supply and install cost, minus are higher energy costs to run due to high water temperature and other factors. All gas boilers and heat pump heating systems specifically designed for hydronic heating are modulation systems meaning they adjust themselves down from peak load demand for example, 32kw to down to a low 3kw if this is all the heat required to keep the system at a stable heat. For more advice call Peter 1300 137 407

Look at Sydney Mixed Blue Gum or Tallowwood perhaps. A hardwood floor will look awesome no matter what species is chosen, you can't really go wrong.

Definitely depends if the ground floor is slab on ground or lightweight structure. If it is lightweight than concrete isn't an option anyway! Concrete is a hardy material, but it needs to be protected during construction. Timber integrates that warm natural feeling that can often make or break a home! What materials are being used for the remainder of the design. If there is already a lot of timber, it can be beneficial to incorporate concrete or tiles so that the timber isn't overbearing. If the remainder of the palette is simple white plasterboard, than the warm timber floor is often beneficial.

You can install real timber either direct stick to concrete or 'planks on ply'. Perhaps get a reputable timber flooring company to come out and advise. You don't necessarily have to get engineered or laminate