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Property Observer Code of Conduct

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A 19th Century gothic palace in Ballarat is up for June 14 tender.
The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.prdballarat.com.au/displayproperty?c=26610&amp;t=R&amp;o=80">home of the first bishop of Ballarat Diocese at 1444 Sturt Street in Ballarat</a> previously had an asking price of $6.5 million.
The heritage-listed property, set on 14,500 square metres, was built in 1873 as the new headquarters for the Ballarat Diocese and its first bishop, Dr Michael O’Connor.
It was designed by Melbourne architect Joseph Reed of Reed and Barnes for £6000. Reed also designed the State Library of Victoria and the Collins Street Independent Church.
Despite being built almost 150 years ago, the two-storey bluestone mansion is in good condition, allowing its new owners to live in it “as is”, said Neil Jens at PRD Nationwide Ballarat.
“It’s only ever had the ecclesiastical church and this family that bought it from about 20 years ago so it’s been beautifully cared for over the years,” he said.
The house features original finishes such as mahogany balustrades on the staircase, a private chapel with an altar of Italian marble with the arms of the then-pope and a two-level cast iron verandah with ecclesiastical designs.
The heritage listed property includes a wine cellar, a formal dining room that seats 50, formal sitting room and library.
While the property’s former life is a piece of of history, the architecture of the property is not typical of its era.
“It’s quite an unusual design of the time...It was built in a gothic style but it was built in the Victorian times,” said Jens.
The six-bedroom six bathroom palace also has modern luxuries including a spa pavillion, barbecue area and home gym, which was formerly the maids’ living quarters.
The castle can be reached by a winding driveway through a lush garden on the three and half acre block. The grounds include a water feature, rotunda and cubby house on its open paddock.
The property is one block from Lake Wendouree which hosted the rowing and canoeing events for the 1956 Summer Olympics.
While there has been limited interest in the property so far, those that have been drawn to the palace has “fallen in love with the home” for residential purposes, not just for its history said Jens.
Jens and Rob McClure are seeking tenders until June 14.
Joseph Reed's buildings include the classical State Library of Victoria (1856), Collins Street Independent Church (1867), Frederick Sargood's Rippon Lea Estate (1868) and Melbourne Trades Hall (1873).
The median house price in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Ballarat</a> is $315,000.
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Bishop's Palace Ballarat: trophy home listing

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PRDnationwide has selected five townships in order to investigate property investment in Australia’s mining towns - with each town defined by diverse regional environments, population sizes, mining activities, level of infrastructure and services, proximity to regional service centres and community establishment.
Perhaps the only commonality shared between these mining towns is the shortfall of housing and the inadequate provision of infrastructure and planning mechanisms to accommodate an ever increasing workforce. The table below provides the list of townships that have been selected for the purpose of this investigation together with a snapshot of the individual housing markets performance during the six months to April 2011 and 2012.
<table width="372" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" rowspan="2" width="19%">
 
 
Township
</td>
<td valign="top" rowspan="2" width="12%">
 
 
State
</td>
<td valign="top" colspan="2" width="34%">
Apr-11 HY
</td>
<td valign="top" colspan="2" width="34%">
Apr-12 HY
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="21%">
Median Price
</td>
<td valign="top" width="12%">
Total Sales
</td>
<td valign="top" width="21%">
Median Price
</td>
<td valign="top" width="12%">
Total Sales
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="19%">
Moranbah
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="12%">
QLD
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="21%">
$459,500
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="12%">
84
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="21%">
$730,000
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="12%">
129
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="19%">
Dysart
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="12%">
QLD
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="21%">
$450,000
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="12%">
42
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="21%">
$545,000
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="12%">
38
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="19%">
Port Hedland
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="12%">
WA
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="21%">
$1,100,000
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="12%">
31
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="21%">
$1,235,000
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="12%">
23
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="19%">
Singleton
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="12%">
NSW
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="21%">
$345,000
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="12%">
82
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="21%">
$377,000
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="12%">
111
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="19%">
Karratha
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="12%">
WA
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="21%">
$767,000
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="12%">
45
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="21%">
$802,500
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="12%">
54
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="width: 470px;"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="21%">
 
 
Township
</td>
<td valign="top" colspan="2" width="39%">
Annual Change
</td>
<td valign="top" colspan="2" width="39%">
Avg. Annual Growth Rate
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="21%">
 
</td>
<td valign="top" width="21%">
Median Price
</td>
<td valign="top" width="17%">
Total Sales
</td>
<td valign="top" width="15%">
5yr Growth
</td>
<td valign="top" width="23%">
10yr
Growth
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="21%">
Moranbah, QLD
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="21%">
58.9%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="17%">
53.6%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="15%">
15.2%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="23%">
38.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="21%">
Dysart, QLD
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="21%">
21.1%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="17%">
-9.5%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="15%">
11.4%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="23%">
32.8%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="21%">
Port Hedland, WA
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="21%">
12.3%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="17%">
-25.8%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="15%">
17.1%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="23%">
20.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="21%">
Singleton, NSW
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="21%">
9.3%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="17%">
35.4%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="15%">
5.3%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="23%">
10.3%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="21%">
Karratha, WA
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="21%">
4.6%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="17%">
20.0%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="15%">
7.4%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="23%">
15.6%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 
Prepared by PRDnationwide Research: Source: PDS Live
Of the five mining towns, Moranbah achieved the highest median price growth during the April 2012 half-year period, recording an unprecedented 58.8% increase compared with the corresponding period in 2011. The town also led the way is sales activity, registering a total of 129 transactions during the April 2012 half-year period, representing an exceptional 53.6% uplift from the corresponding period in 2011.
Dysart failed to achieve this level of exponential growth, despite having a proximate median price to Moranbah in the April 2011 half-year period. Somewhat overshadowed, Dysart in fact performed extremely well, recording a median price of $545,000 to achieve 21.1% growth during the April 2012 half-year period. Sales volumes however, diluted 9.5% during the six months to April 2012, registering a total 38 transactions.
Port Hedland recorded a median house price of $1,235,000 in the six months to April 2012, undoubtedly the highest median price of all regional mining towns across Australia. With a median price of $1.1 million in the April 2011 half-year period, it is hard to believe that there was any scope in the market to inflate prices further, making the 12.3% increase all the more remarkable.
Singleton recorded a median house price of $345,000 in the April half-year period, making it the most affordable of the five mining towns. As a result the town is gaining momentum, with a 9.3% increase in median price and uplift of 35.4% in sales recorded during the six months to April 2012.
Karratha (including adjoining Nickol and Bulgarra) recorded a median price of $802,500 in the April 2012 half-year period, representing a 4.6% increase from the corresponding period in 2011. Again, while this rate is well below that achieved from the Queensland towns, Karratha is a more established township, and in relative terms, this level of growth from a median price of $767,000 in the April 2011 half-year period is nonetheless very impressive.
There is no doubt that regional mining towns across Australia are producing extraordinary investment opportunities for investors, particularly those with the financial capacity and risk appetite to enter the market. As with any property purchase or investment vehicle, lucrative returns from investing in these mining towns are directly proportionate to the overwhelming level of inherent risk.
The most prominent risk is the sensitivity of rental prices to change drastically over extremely short periods of time. Moranbah provides a perfect case in point, with anecdotal evidence suggesting weekly rental prices as at April 2012 have revised down as much as $800 since the late 2011/ early 2012 and possibly much more since then. Rental evidence provided by the Residential Tenancy Authority (RTA) states the median weekly rent for a three-bedroom house in the March 2012 quarter to be $2,000, compared with $550 recorded over the same period in 2010. This scenario has and continues to occur within the other mining towns, with the constant disequilibrium between housing supply and demand transpiring to excessive volatility in the rental market.
There are many factors that contribute to demand for housing, with the most obvious and most detrimental being the performance of the mine/mines that the town services. This is very much the case for Moranbah, with BHP Billiton-Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) issuing statements to overseas dependants that it will will fail to meet requirements as the mines experience limited production during what has been a bad wet season (November to April). This has been further exacerbated by rolling weekly strikes by miners as BMA goes hard on its enterprise agreement with the unions. BMA has taken advantage of the situation and has refused to sign any lease agreements since earlier in the year. Vacancies have thus increased and rents corrected accordingly, with only the fortunate investors with unexpired lease agreements unaffected at this point in time.
Another example, possibly more severe, was the closure of an underperforming mine (BMA’s Norwich Park) in April 2012 near Dysart, which sent shock waves throughout the local community, with 1,400 jobs threatened and the flow-on effects to the property market yet to be fully realised. Approximately 400 of these workers are residents of the Dysart community, and some will be redeployed to the Saraji mine, while others will likely relocate to other towns or centres in the region.
As an immediate result, it is anticipated that vacancy levels will increase, therefore correcting rental prices and subsequent capital values. Some investors will wear their losses and maintain their prospects for further growth while others will consolidate their earnings and opt to exit the market. Once again, as prices soften, opportunities will arise for investors to take advantage of high rental yields and enter a market they perhaps couldn’t afford previously. However, as has been the case for Moranbah, the influx of investors looking capitalise on such an opportunity will flood the market with more rental properties, putting further pressure on rental prices and ultimately diluting these supercharged yields.
Despite the sensationalist predictions of some media proponents, the size of pipeline expansions for existing mines in the Dysart area is likely to navigate the property market from an imminent bust. In fact, the number and size of mines planned to open or expand in the Isaac Region of Queensland in the future will surely prevent towns like Moranbah and Dysart experiencing a collapse in the market any time soon.
Perhaps the most significant problem facing mining towns in the future is the expansion of campsites to accommodate a growing fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workforce in order for mining companies to reduce their cost base. Basically, the benefit of this strategy to the resident community of the town is that it will effectively drive rents and subsequent capital values in the housing market down to more affordable levels, preventing non-mining workers who perhaps are renting from being priced out of the market and forced to relocate. However, on the other hand, the added strain on essential services caused by the lack of direct investment from mining companies and local governments into adequate community infrastructure and businesses, demonstrates a more cynical consequence.
The lure of higher pay packages offered by the mines is aggravating the problem as many business struggle to maintain enough staff to operate efficiently, if not at all. The implications of a growing FIFO workforce have been debated among industry, politicians, lobbyists and community for quite some time now. There are advocates both for and against increasing the proportion of FIFO workers in and around town, with the decision likely to be resolved with government intervention. Either way, this is yet another factor which must be closely monitored by would-be and existing investors of mining towns.
For investors with short-term investment horizons and an appetite for risk beyond the norm, then this may be the ideal time and asset class to invest. However, for a majority of would-be investors, perhaps the next best thing would be to consider the major regional centres that service these remote mining towns. Gains may not be as lucrative or as quick to come by, but the long-term sustainable growth prospects afforded by these multi-industry centres (most of which are independent of the mining boom though indirectly benefit from its growth and success) are perhaps the better weighted investment. Many spectators will be paying special attention to the towns of Moranbah and Dysart during 2012; using the benefit of hindsight to measure and validate the repercussions and extent certain events have on their property markets.
Aaron Maskrey is research director at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.prdnationwide.com.au/">PRDnationwide</a>.
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Property investors without an appetite for risk should consider major regional centres rather than mining towns

Builder-developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/graya">Graya</a> has secured a prime Newstead site from fellow developer Fraser, subsequently lodging plans for The Silo, a major mixed-use residential project in Newstead designed around a new public laneway linking the James Street precinct with the wider Gasworks and Newstead neighbourhood.

Proposed for the corner of Chester and Morse streets, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bureauproberts">Bureau^Proberts</a>-designed project places its strongest emphasis at ground level, where retail, landscaping and a new cobblestone pedestrian connection would open the site to the surrounding neighbourhood. The design team describes The Silo as “more than a residential building”, positioning the development as an extension of Newstead’s public realm rather than a standalone apartment tower.

“A new cobblestone laneway and landscaped connection between James Street and Gasworks unlock a missing pedestrian link, improving walkability and stitching together two of Brisbane’s significant urban destinations,” Bureau Proberts said in its Urban Design Report.

<img alt="First look: Graya plans The Silo as new pedestrian link between James Street and Gasworks" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0ea1b06a-75f5-40a5-b2c5-33c97bc86052" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/silo%20bldg.png?VersionId=KmjsAtNePu57_B31EM_DJ5T6KPJHtcmo" />

The Silo is planned as a mixed-use development incorporating apartments alongside a bar and centre activities including food and drink outlets, indoor sport and recreation, office and retail uses.

Architecturally, Bureau Proberts has conceived the building as a collection of vertically expressed, stepping forms rather than a single uniform tower. The composition rises from an articulated podium before being broken by a triple-height landscaped recreation level, with the upper section becoming more compact before terminating in a landscaped rooftop garden.

The project's name and architectural language draw directly from Newstead's industrial history. Patterned off-form concrete is proposed as the principal façade material, complemented by slender metal rod balustrades and extensive planting. The cylindrical and vertically ribbed elements give the building its silo-like expression, while curved balconies and planted edges introduce a softer subtropical layer.

“The Silo reinterprets its robust forms, scale and materiality through a contemporary subtropical architectural expression, creating a building that acknowledges its industrial legacy, while responding to the way the precinct is occupied today,” Bureau^Proberts said.

The recreation level is one of the defining breaks in the tower. Plans include a lap pool, mature subtropical planting and shared resident facilities within an elevated communal garden. Landscaping continues through the podium and onto the rooftop, where a further garden forms what the architects describe as a “subtropical crown” to the building.

<img alt="First look: Graya plans The Silo as new pedestrian link between James Street and Gasworks" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f8451036-35a4-49a9-8d88-2ef4438eba3d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Silo%20Lane.png?VersionId=h8N31_rYmCEqoNrpt4kbYVQhJGZn60LH" />

At street level, the development has been designed to establish a more permeable block. Retail and hospitality tenancies address the public realm, while landscaped pedestrian spaces lead into the new laneway connection. Renders in the design report show the proposed “Silo Lane” as a substantial opening through the podium, framed by cylindrical concrete forms with cascading planting above.

The Silo continues Graya's move into larger apartment developments after building its reputation across high-end residential projects in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Joel Robinson

Graya buys Frasers Newstead site, plans The Silo between James Street and Gasworks precincts

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/wickton">Wickton</a>’s completed Linacre Rise development in Hampton is giving Bayside downsizers the opportunity to move into a spacious apartment near the beach, with the developer covering stamp duty for a limited time.

The 27-residence development has been designed for buyers who want to simplify their living arrangements without giving up the space, warmth and quality associated with a long-term family home. Most apartments have already been secured by Bayside locals, leaving a select collection of two and three-bedroom residences and penthouses available.

Two-bedroom apartments are priced from $1.275 million, three-bedroom residences from $2.25 million and penthouses from $3.375 million, with the completed homes available to inspect and move into now.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95289 project_image_fid=366760]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/linacre-rise-hampton-8-10-linacre-road-hampton-vic-3188">Linacre Rise</a> occupies an elevated position on one of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/hampton-vic-3188">Hampton</a>’s quiet, tree-lined streets, around 250 metres from the bay and 500 metres from Hampton’s village centre. Its setting gives residents access to the beach, local cafés, shops and Hampton Train Station while retaining the feel of an established residential neighbourhood.

Architecture and interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a> draw on the warmth and permanence of traditional brickwork, with the building integrated into terraced landscaping by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/john-patrick-landscape-architects">John Patrick</a>. Ground-floor apartments are elevated above the street and include private garden courtyards, while several upper-level residences have generous balconies and outlooks toward the bay.

Inside, the residences favour natural materials and generous proportions. Herringbone-pattern European oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, premium joinery and Swiss V-ZUG appliances are among the key inclusions, while integrated storage has been incorporated across kitchens, bathrooms, studies and living areas.

The kitchens have been planned as practical spaces for both everyday use and entertaining, with substantial island benches, detailed cabinetry and adjoining dining and living zones. Full-height wardrobes, plush bedroom carpeting and carefully considered lighting reinforce the residential character Wickton sought to retain for buyers moving from larger homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95289 project_image_fid=366769]

A Linacre Rise purchaser said the completed apartment had delivered the space, outlook and construction quality they had been seeking.

“The unit is very light, has views to die for over the bay, all construction materials and fittings are premium quality, we have secure parking for three cars, EV charging at very competitive rates, the neighbours are friendly and there is just a lovely ambiance about the place,” the purchaser said.

Environmental features include solar panels, shared electric vehicle charging stations, rainwater harvesting for toilet flushing and landscape irrigation, double-glazed windows and water-efficient fixtures and appliances.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95289 project_image_fid=366762]

The development was built by Balmain &amp; Co, with Wickton managing the broader development process through its in-house team.

For downsizers, the project’s completed status removes much of the uncertainty associated with buying off the plan. Purchasers can inspect the finished apartments, understand their outlook and proportions, and move in without waiting for construction to conclude.

The remaining selection includes north-oriented balconies, corner configurations and penthouses with elevated bay views. The developer-paid stamp duty initiative is available for a limited time, with potential savings of up to $200,000 depending on the residence purchased.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=95289]

Limited-time stamp duty offer at completed Linacre Rise apartments in Hampton

Luxury apartment buyers have long prioritised design, space and finishes, but increasingly they're placing equal importance on something less tangible: how easily they can live without relying on a car.

At <a>Richmond Square</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis">Fortis</a> believes that convenience begins beyond the apartment itself, with the mixed-use precinct earning a near-perfect Walk Score of 99.

The development has been planned around the idea that some of the most valuable amenities aren't contained within a building, they're the restaurants, cafés, parks, transport connections and daily conveniences that can all be reached on foot.

Located just behind Swan Street and Church Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/richmond-square-1-wiltshire-street-richmond-vic-3121">Richmond Square</a> places residents within one of Melbo​u​rne's most established lifestyle precincts while offering a quieter residential setting removed from the busiest thoroughfares. East Richmond Station is moments away, trams run along both Swan and Church Streets, and the MCG, Melb​​ourne Park, Yarra River trails and the CBD are all within walking distance. At the same time, the precinct itself will introduce a curated mix of dining, retail, hospitality and wellness offerings, creating a destination that extends well beyond its residential buildings.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13181 project_image_fid=348530]

For Fortis, that combination of location and scale was what made the site unique.

"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/richmond-vic-3121">Richmond</a> is one of Melb​o​urne's most established and distinctive inner-city neighbourhoods, with a rare combination of dining, culture, recreation, public transport and proximity to the CBD," the developer said.

"The opportunity at Wiltshire Street was particularly compelling because the site sits slightly removed from the activity of Swan and Church Streets while remaining only moments from everything that makes the area desirable."

Rather than developing a standalone apartment building, Fortis consolidated 15 individual properties to create one of the larger development parcels assembled on Mel​b​ourne's city fringe in recent years. That allowed the team to deliver a genuine mixed-use precinct comprising 107 residences across Wiltshire House and Carmine House, premium office space, hospitality venues, retail, wellness offerings and a future 57-room hotel.

"The scale of the site allowed Fortis to think beyond a standalone apartment building," the developer said.

"Richmond Square could be planned as a complete lifestyle precinct, bringing homes, workplaces, dining, retail, hospitality and wellness together around a series of activated public spaces. The aim was to create a destination that feels connected to Richmond rather than separate from it."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13181 project_image_fid=348533]

The emphasis on walkability has also resonated with buyers.

Interest has been strongest from established owner-occupiers, particularly downsizers from Richmond and Melb​ourne's inner east who want to remain close to familiar restaurants, workplaces, family and social networks while moving into a more secure, lower-maintenance home. The project is also attracting Mornington Peninsula and interstate buyers seeking a Melb​ourne residence they can lock up and leave between visits.

Many are looking for generous living spaces, room to entertain, quality finishes and confidence in the project team, but location remains one of the biggest deciding factors.

"For many buyers, Richmond Square provides a way to simplify the practical side of home ownership without reducing the quality of their lifestyle," the sales team said.

"Location is also a major driver of interest. Buyers can remain connected to the CBD, major sporting events, the arts centres, local restaurants, cafes and bars and their family while living in a private and secure residence that is easy to lock up and leave for weekends or longer periods away."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13181 project_image_fid=348549]

The residences themselves have been designed with that buyer in mind. Award-winning architecture practice SJB and interior designers Hecker Guthrie have created spacious two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses that prioritise generous living areas, natural light, bespoke joinery and private terraces. Above, a rooftop sanctuary by Acre includes landscaped lawns, bookable dining rooms, barbecue facilities, wellness spaces and panoramic views across the CBD, the MCG and Port Phillip Bay.

Fortis believes Richmond Square reflects a broader evolution in apartment living, where the surrounding neighbourhood becomes just as important as the residence itself.

"Richmond Square introduces a different proposition: generously proportioned residences within a genuinely mixed-use, hospitality-led destination," the developer said.

"The project's location and Walk Score of 99 further support a lifestyle where residents can complete many everyday journeys without relying on a car."

Fortis has assembled an experienced team that includes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/hecker-guthrie">Hecker Guthrie</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/acre">Acre</a> and builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hacer-group">Hacer Group</a>, reflecting the developer's commitment to creating projects with enduring design quality and meaningful connections to the communities in which they sit.&nbsp;

Richmond Square is an expression of that philosophy, bringing together homes, workplaces, hospitality and wellness within one of Me​lb​ourne's most walkable neighbourhoods.&nbsp;

Construction is now almost complete, providing purchasers with growing confidence ahead of its expected September 2026 completion.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=13181]

Walk Score of 99 places Richmond Square at the heart of Melbourne's most connected lifestyle

<h3 data-end="19" data-section-id="1dvgwoe" data-start="0">Summary</h3>

<ul data-end="634" data-start="21">
	<li data-end="170" data-section-id="1o77v31" data-start="21">Walker Corporation has lodged plans for a second major residential development in the Maroochydore City Centre, a 29-storey tower known as Celeste.</li>
	<li data-end="327" data-section-id="1lb0y6t" data-start="171">The Plus Studio-designed proposal at Lot 30 Sunshine Coast Parade would deliver 208 apartments, including four four-bedroom sub-penthouses and penthouses.</li>
	<li data-end="487" data-section-id="za720" data-start="328">The application comes as Walker doubles down on Maroochydore following the strong sales campaign at SOL by Walker, where the first tower is nearing sell-out.</li>
	<li data-end="634" data-section-id="5sovec" data-start="488">Walker is a key partner in the transformation of the Maroochydore City Centre, which is expected to ultimately deliver at least 4,000 new homes.</li>
</ul>

Walker Corporation is doubling down on Maroochydore following the successful sales campaign at its first residential project in the emerging CBD.

The national developer has filed plans for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/celeste-30-sunshine-coast-parade-maroochydore-qld-4558">Celeste</a>, a new 29-storey apartment tower at Lot 30 Sunshine Coast Parade, just metres from its under-construction SOL by Walker development.

The plans, prepared by Plus Studio, would see 208 apartments delivered across a 100-metre tower on the 2,376 sqm site, which fronts Sunshine Coast Parade, First Avenue and Future Way within the Maroochydore Priority Development Area.

<img alt="Walker" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="17038209-6fea-4ed2-855d-fd4df65b3d02" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-10%20at%2010.24.16%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=iZD.oVXcQn.aLpUytDAW.CWjxP4puWMy" />

The proposed apartment mix comprises 36 one-bedroom apartments, 48 two-bedroom apartments, 72 two-bedroom apartments with an additional multipurpose space, and 48 three-bedroom apartments.

The upper levels would be capped by two four-bedroom sub-penthouses and two four-bedroom penthouses, taking the total apartment count to 208. The preliminary yield study also provides 262 car spaces, 114 resident bicycle spaces and storage for each apartment.

It represents Walker's next major residential move in the new Maroochydore CBD after the success of SOL by Walker, its $220 million two-tower project nearby.

SOL launched to market in early 2025 and has since seen strong demand, particularly from local owner-occupiers. By February this year, Walker said the first SOL tower was nearing sell-out, with a strong waitlist also emerging for its recently released penthouse collection.

Construction is already underway on SOL, with the first tower expected to be completed in late 2027 and the second to follow in early 2028.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147777 project_image_fid=319846]

<h2 data-end="2518" data-section-id="1b2dyo5" data-start="2459">Celeste to rise 100 metres over Maroochydore City Centre</h2>

Celeste would take a different form to the twin 19-storey buildings at SOL.

Plus Studio has designed a single 100-metre tower above an activated podium, with the architecture responding to the site's prominent position and three street frontages.

The podium would incorporate commercial tenancies and public art, with sweeping façade elements wrapping the street edges. The scalloped concrete podium has been inspired by the patterns created in sand at low tide, while extensive landscaping would continue vertically through the tower.

The ground level plans show three commercial tenancies addressing Sunshine Coast Parade alongside the residential lobby and landscaped public realm. The podium would then accommodate several levels of car parking before the residential tower rises above.

<img alt="Celeste" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="121f77b1-71c5-46d7-9b36-0a7d474211ca" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-10%20at%2010.24.47%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=MGrg9Hb7HgzLN0Lelq_xrXNAruVl77ia" />

Plus Studio said the tower had been designed to maximise views from each apartment, taking in the Maroochy River, Sunshine Coast hinterland, Cotton Tree and Maroochydore Beach and ocean.

Those views have also shaped one of the project's key features, with Walker proposing to put the primary resident amenity on Level 29 rather than lower within the building.

The rooftop would feature a 284.9 sqm pool area with an infinity edge, along with a cold pool, spa, sauna, 93.2 sqm gym, sunset lounge, BBQ and dining areas, pool deck and private dining space. Cabanas and day beds are also shown across the recreation level.

The two penthouses would extend across the upper levels and each feature private terraces and plunge pools.

<h2 data-end="4202" data-section-id="v5f4ix" data-start="4160">Walker's growing Maroochydore footprint</h2>

Celeste further reinforces Walker's commitment to the transformation of Maroochydore City Centre.

Walker is one of the key partners delivering the new CBD alongside Sunshine Coast Council and SunCentral Maroochydore, with the broader 62-hectare Priority Development Area occupying the former Horton Park Golf Course and surrounding land.

The precinct is ultimately expected to accommodate at least 4,000 new homes as Maroochydore evolves into the Sunshine Coast's principal commercial and residential centre.

When SOL secured approval in February 2025, Walker Managing Director and CEO David Gallant described it as the "first of many residential projects" the company planned for the Maroochydore City Centre.

Celeste now provides the clearest indication yet of what comes next.

The site sits immediately within the new CBD, with the design report identifying Sunshine Plaza and surrounding parkland within walking distance and Maroochydore Beach around a five-minute drive away.

For Walker, the timing of the application comes as its first residential bet on the new CBD appears to have been vindicated.

SOL has progressed from planning approval to construction while its first release has approached sell-out, giving Walker confidence to push ahead with another 208 apartments and take its residential pipeline in the Maroochydore City Centre to around 450 dwellings across the two projects.

Celeste remains subject to planning approval, with the architectural material describing the scheme as a preliminary yield study that may change through the assessment process.

Walker doubles down on Maroochydore with 29-storey Celeste apartment tower

For most Australians, buying an apartment is one of the biggest financial decisions they'll ever make

The location, floorplan and price are often the first considerations, but in recent years another question has become increasingly important: who is actually delivering the project?

A series of high-profile builder collapses, construction delays and defect concerns have fundamentally changed how many Victorians approach buying off the plan. The collapse of Porter Davis in 2023, which reportedly left around 1,700 homes unfinished, became one of the most visible examples of the risks that can emerge when a construction company fails. <a href="https://www.equifax.com.au/sites/default/files/lpassets/pdf/Final-Business-Market-Pulse-June-Sector-Deep-Dive-Report-2.pdf">Similar challenges across the broader construction sector</a> have left buyers asking more questions before signing a contract.

As Victoria continues encouraging higher-density housing to address supply shortages, transparency is becoming just as important as location or price.

One tool increasingly entering the conversation is the <a href="https://icirt.com/">Independent Construction Industry Rating Tool (iCIRT)</a>, an independent assessment framework designed to help buyers better understand the developer or builder behind a project. Originally developed by Equifax in consultation with government and industry as part of NSW's Construct NSW reforms, the system has since expanded nationally.

<h2 data-end="1519" data-section-id="7nmx3" data-start="1492">What is an iCIRT rating?</h2>

Most Australians are familiar with independent ratings in everyday life.

We compare ANCAP safety ratings before buying a car. We look at Health Star Ratings in supermarkets. Banks rely on credit assessments when lending money.

Until recently, however, there has been very little independent information available to help apartment buyers assess the business responsible for delivering a residential project.

That gap is what iCIRT was designed to address.

Builders, developers and other construction professionals with an iCIRT rating have demonstrated high-trust characteristics through an independent, evidence-based assessment across six criteria: Character, Capability, Conduct, Capacity, Capital and Counterparties. This involves a rigorous review of financial health, past project track record, and ethical conduct. Crucially, an iCIRT rating could help provide property buyers with confidence that they are working with a professional who has demonstrated the capability, capacity, and willingness to return and rectify issues.

Importantly, iCIRT is not a recommendation to purchase a particular property, nor is it a traditional credit rating. It is an independent assessment framework designed to provide objective information about a construction business using a <a href="https://icirt.com/sites/default/files/2025-08/iCIRT-Methodology-Issue1-May-2021.pdf">published methodology</a>.

The system has been widely adopted in New South Wales, where more than one-third of medium and large residential builders and developers now hold an iCIRT rating, representing over two-thirds of the state's residential building market by value as of 2025/26.

<h2 data-end="3126" data-section-id="h6ohtj" data-start="3084">Why buyers are doing more due diligence</h2>

For many buyers, particularly those purchasing off the plan, the biggest risk isn't whether they'll like the kitchen finishes.

It's whether the project will be delivered on time, to the expected quality, and by a company capable of completing the development.

<a href="https://icirt.com/sites/default/files/2026-07/iCIRT%202025%20Consumer%20Survey%20Report%20v05.pdf">Consumer research commissioned by iCIRT</a> found more than half of respondents believed current protections do not adequately safeguard buyers from builder insolvencies or defective projects. Other research found 88 per cent of prospective buyers would seek independent ratings or due diligence before purchasing, while 90 per cent said trust in construction professionals is essential.

That doesn't mean buyers should rely on a single rating alone.

Independent legal advice, understanding the contract, and seeking financial advice all remain important parts of the due diligence process.

However, an independent assessment can provide another source of information alongside those traditional checks.

<h2 data-end="4138" data-section-id="pquzxc" data-start="4094">Trust is becoming a competitive advantage</h2>

The conversation isn't only changing for buyers.

Developers are also recognising that trust has become an increasingly important part of the sales process.

Five years ago, purchasers typically asked about floorplans, finishes and settlement dates.

Today, sales teams are increasingly being asked about the developer's experience, financial stability, previous projects and construction partners.

For companies with strong governance and established delivery records, an independent iCIRT rating provides another way to demonstrate those credentials before buyers even visit a display suite.

According to Equifax, the assessment can also help businesses drive sales and <a href="https://icirt.com/resources-for-business/icirt-rating-helps-scion-secure-high-value-projects">secure high-value projects</a>, as well as identify operational improvements and <a href="https://icirt.com/resources-for-business/mirvac-reinforces-brand-trust-and-quality-independent-icirt-rating">attract top talent</a>.

<h2 data-end="4962" data-section-id="1j54ng5" data-start="4912">Beyond buyers: lenders are paying attention too</h2>

The influence of independent construction ratings is also extending beyond consumers.

According to Stamford Capital's Real Estate Debt Capital Markets Survey, an increasing number of lenders now incorporate iCIRT ratings into their due diligence processes when assessing residential development finance applications.

The survey found lender adoption has continued to rise, with many respondents saying independent assessments provide additional insight into governance, counterparties and delivery capability beyond traditional financial analysis. Some lenders also reported declining funding applications where businesses had poor or no ratings.

As construction costs remain elevated and access to development finance becomes more selective, demonstrating credibility is becoming increasingly valuable.

<h2 data-end="5801" data-section-id="1qazuxs" data-start="5772">What it means for Victoria</h2>

Victoria's apartment market is entering a new phase.

The state is seeking to accelerate higher-density housing while simultaneously introducing reforms aimed at improving confidence in residential construction.

For buyers, that means there are more tools available than ever before to research the businesses behind a project.

For developers, it signals that transparency is becoming another point of differentiation in an increasingly competitive market.

Buyers are asking more questions than ever before and increasingly expecting independent information, not just marketing material, before making one of the biggest financial commitments of their lives.

Find out how to get iCIRT rated <a href="https://www.icirt.com/sites/default/files/2025-08/iCIRT-Infographic-Assessment-Process-Final.pdf">here</a>.

<hr data-end="6469" data-start="6466" />
The information contained in this article is general in nature and does not constitute personal, financial, legal or tax advice. It does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Therefore, you should consider whether the information is appropriate to your circumstances before acting on it and, where appropriate, seek independent professional advice.

This article contains links to third-party websites. These links are provided for convenience only. Equifax Australia does not control and is not responsible for the content, accuracy or privacy practices of external sites.

Copyright © 2026 Equifax Australia Information Services and Solutions Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.

Aaron Maskrey

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