<html><body>
The 10 lowest earning postcodes in Victoria have been revealed by a Property Observer review of the Australian Tax Office's Taxation Statistics 2010-2011 report.
The suburbs with the lowest mean taxable income are rural localities in the east of the state.
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" style="width: 470px;">
<colgroup>
<col width="64">
<col>
<col width="754">
<col>
<col width="64">
<col>
<col width="145">
<col>
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20">
<td width="64" height="20"></td>
<td width="754">Suburbs/Localities</td>
<td width="64">Postcode</td>
<td width="145">Mean Taxable Income ($)</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">1</td>
<td>Bellbird Creek/Bemm River/Cabbage Tree Creek/Club Terrace/Combienbar/Errinundra/Manorina</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">3889</a></td>
<td align="right">23,683</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">2</td>
<td>Double Bridges/Stirling/Tambo Crossing</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">3893</a></td>
<td align="right">24,510</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">3</td>
<td>Kinypanial/Korong Vale</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">3520</a></td>
<td align="right">24,603</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">4</td>
<td>Durham Ox</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">3576</a></td>
<td align="right">25,705</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">5</td>
<td>Glenaire/Hordern Vale/Johanna/Lavers Hill</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">3238</a></td>
<td align="right">25,772</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">6</td>
<td>Tempy</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">3489</a></td>
<td align="right">26,503</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">7</td>
<td>Tresco</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">3583</a></td>
<td align="right">26,517</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">8</td>
<td>Koetong</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">3704</a></td>
<td align="right">26,896</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">9</td>
<td>Ada/Baw Baw/Baw Baw Village/Gentle Annie/Icy Creek/Loch Valley/Noojee/Piedmont/Tanjil Bren/Toorongo/Vesper</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">3833</a></td>
<td align="right">27,420</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">10</td>
<td>Gladfield/Jungaburra/Loddon Vale/Mincha/Mologa/Pyramid Hill/Sylvaterre/Terrick Terrick/Yarrawalla</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">3575</a></td>
<td align="right">27,782</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</body></html>

awalsh-7Ub9EypybQ

Bellbird Creek ranks as lowest earning postcode in Victoria dominated eastern rural localities

<html><body>
New South Wales' lowest earning postcodes have been revealed by a Property Observer review of the Australian Tax Office's Taxation Statistics 2010-2011 report.
The list is populated primarily by rural localities with two student dominated university postcodes making the list. 
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" style="width: 470px;">
<colgroup>
<col width="64">
<col>
<col>
<col>
<col width="446">
<col>
<col>
<col>
<col width="64">
<col>
<col>
<col>
<col width="145">
<col>
<col>
<col>
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20">
<td width="64" height="20"></td>
<td width="446">Suburbs/Localities</td>
<td width="64">Postcode</td>
<td width="145">Mean Taxable Income ($)</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">1</td>
<td>Gwabegar</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">2356</a></td>
<td align="right">22,993</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">2</td>
<td>Delungra/Gragin/Myall Creek</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">2403</a></td>
<td align="right">23,768</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">3</td>
<td>Perisher Valley</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">2624</a></td>
<td align="right">24,221</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">4</td>
<td>Norfolk Island</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">2899</a></td>
<td align="right">24,350</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">5</td>
<td>Ashford/Atholwood/Bonshaw/Limestone/Pindaroi</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">2361</a></td>
<td align="right">25,368</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">6</td>
<td>Aberdeen/Baker's Creek/Bundarra/Camerons Creek</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">2359</a></td>
<td align="right">25,556</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">7</td>
<td>UNSW Sydney</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">2052</a></td>
<td align="right">26,246</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">8</td>
<td>Callaghan/Newcastle University</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">2308</a></td>
<td align="right">26,720</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">9</td>
<td>Koraleigh</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">2735</a></td>
<td align="right">27,551</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">10</td>
<td>Speewa</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">2371</a></td>
<td align="right">28,033</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</body></html>

Student dominated university postcodes sits amid lowest earning postcodes in NSW

<html><body>
Victoria's highest earning suburbs have been revealed by a Property Observer review of the Australian Tax Office's Taxation Statistics 2010-2011 report.
Toorak predictably tops the list. There were two postcodes not within Melbourne - they encompassed Flinders, Wye River and Wongarra.
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" style="width: 470px;">
<colgroup>
<col width="64">
<col>
<col width="446">
<col>
<col width="64">
<col>
<col width="145">
<col>
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20">
<td width="64" height="20"></td>
<td width="446">Suburbs</td>
<td width="64">Postcode</td>
<td width="145">Mean Taxable Income ($)</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">1</td>
<td>Hawksburn/Toorak</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">3142</a></td>
<td align="right">145,580</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">2</td>
<td>Portsea</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">3944</a></td>
<td align="right">133,605</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">3</td>
<td>Brighton/Brighton North/Dendy</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">3186</a></td>
<td align="right">110,462</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">4</td>
<td>Albert Park/Middle Park</td>
<td><a href="/news">3206</a></td>
<td align="right">108,833</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">5</td>
<td>Kooyong/Malvern/Malvern North</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">3144</a></td>
<td align="right">105,932</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">6</td>
<td>Camberwell East/Canterbury</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">3126</a></td>
<td align="right">102,204</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">7</td>
<td>East Melbourne</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">3002</a></td>
<td align="right">99,281</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">8</td>
<td>Flinders</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">3929</a></td>
<td align="right">92,589</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">9</td>
<td>South Yarra</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">3141</a></td>
<td align="right">92,032</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">10</td>
<td>Wye River/Wongarra</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">3234</a></td>
<td align="right">91,089</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</body></html>

At $145,000-plus incomes, Hawksburn and Toorak top Victoria's highest earning postcodes

<html><body>
The Australian Tax Office has released detailed data from the 2010-2011 financial year. Property Observer has reviewed the taxation statistics report to find the ten highest earning postcodes in New South Wales.
<table style="width: 470px;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<colgroup>
<col width="64">
<col width="446">
<col width="64">
<col width="142">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20">
<td width="64" height="20"></td>
<td width="446">Suburbs/Localities</td>
<td width="64">Postcode</td>
<td width="142">Mean taxable income ($)</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">1</td>
<td>Darling Point/Edgecliff/Point Piper/HMAS Rushcutters</td>
<td><a href="/news">2027</a></td>
<td align="right">170,114</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">2</td>
<td>Mosman/Spit Junction</td>
<td><a href="/news">2088</a></td>
<td align="right">136,751</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">3</td>
<td>Hunters Hill/Woolwich</td>
<td><a href="/news">2110</a></td>
<td align="right">136,550</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">4</td>
<td>Dover Heights/HMAS Watson/Rose Bay North/Vaucluse/Watsons Bay</td>
<td><a href="/news">2030</a></td>
<td align="right">133,892</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">5</td>
<td>Bellevue Hill</td>
<td><a href="/news">2023</a></td>
<td align="right">130,503</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">6</td>
<td>Northbridge</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">2063</a></td>
<td align="right">122,075</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">7</td>
<td>Woollahra</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="/news">2025</a></td>
<td align="right">119,946</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">8</td>
<td>Coasters Retreat/Great Mackeral Beach/ Palm Beach</td>
<td><a href="/news">2108</a></td>
<td align="right">110,066</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">9</td>
<td>Double Bay</td>
<td><a href="/news">2028</a></td>
<td align="right">108,807</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">10</td>
<td>East Killara/Killara</td>
<td><a href="/news">2071</a></td>
<td align="right">103,254</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</body></html>

Postcode 2027 tops New South Wales' 10 highest earning suburbs

<html><body>
Five localities in Tasmania had median price increases above 20% for the March quarter, according to the Real Estate Institute of Tasmania.
The median house price in East Devonport grew 38% over the March quarter to $248,750 though there were only eight sales recorded by the REIT.
Prices in Legana increased 23.1%, 22.9% Ranelagh, 20.8% in Scottsdale and 20.4% in Mornington.
REIT president Adrian Kelly says after ending 2012 on such a positive note, house sales for Tasmania levelled out recording a 0.2% increase for the March quarter.
The top five most expensive suburbs were Acton Park, Mount Nelson, Sandy Bay, Seven Mile Beach and Kettering, while the top five most affordable suburbs were Queenstown, George Town, Smithton, Shorewell Park and Acton.
<img alt="tasmaniaapril30chartone" src="/images/stories/2013/04/tasmaniaapril30chartone.jpg" width="470" height="251">
 
<img alt="tasmaniaapril30charttwo" src="/images/stories/2013/04/tasmaniaapril30charttwo.jpg" width="470" height="190">
</body></html>

Top 10 price growth localities in Tasmania

<html><body>
Lend Lease has sold 75% of the first stage of its redevelopment of the former channel nine studios in Richmond Victoria.
Construction is underway at the site, which is the former home of the Heinz factory and a piano factory.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/stories/2013/04/studionineapril29one.jpg" alt="studionineapril29one" width="470" height="298">
Lend Lease says the 27 freehold townhouse properties have sold well and are now under construction and due to be completed in September 2013.
Lend Lease’s Ben Coughlan says there has been a strong uptake from the local owner occupier market since the development launched.
“While the project overall has appealed to a broad demographic, we have seen a number of young families purchase the larger townhouse product as a unique inner city family home,” Coughlan says.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/stories/2013/04/studionineapril29two.jpg" alt="studionineapril29two" width="470" height="257">
Lend Lease say that there is approximately a 50-50 split between investors and owner occupiers in the development.
Construction has also started on the first release of the apartments in the development.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/stories/2013/04/studionineapril29three.jpg" alt="studionineapril29three" width="470" height="260">
On completion, Studio Nine will also comprise new public open space, a small retail offering, on-site community facilities and extensive landscaped gardens.
</body></html>

Lend Lease's Studio Nine split evenly between investors and owner-occupiers as construction continues

<html><body>
Leading Sydney estate agent John McGrath says Brisbane buyers are increasingly swayed by the proximity of cafe culture to potential properties.
He says the desire for the cafe lifestyle is one the strongest trends attracting buyers.
“While affordability will always be a factor in our property decisions, lifestyle is the fundamental key in our marketplace today,” McGrath wrote on Switzer.
He says cafe culture is an affordable alternative to beach culture traditionally sought after by buyers.
He quotes statistics which says over-65s are leading the trend towards spending more time in cafes. They have doubled the visits they make to cafes since 2008. Next is the under-25s who have increased their visits by a third.
“Given the strength of this trend, it’s no wonder that properties within walking distance of the local café village are increasingly on buyers’ ‘must have’ lists.,” McGrath wrote.
“I think this is particularly so among buyers living on their own in smaller properties. Living alone is a growing trend in Australia and the opportunity to stroll up the road to visit their favourite café for a coffee or a meal is particularly important to them.”
He gives a list of nine areas in Brisbane sought after by buyers seeking a cafe culture.
He recently opened up his <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/industry-news/mcgrath-estate-agents-opens-another-brisbane-office/2013022559555" target="_blank">fourth McGrath Brisbane office</a> in nine months. Three of his strategically position office locations actually feature on his Brisbane hotspot list.
<a target="_blank" href="/news">The Valley</a>
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Kelvin Grove</a>
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Ascot &amp; Hamilton</a>
<a target="_blank" href="/news">New Farm</a>
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Bulimba &amp; Bayside</a>
South Bank
<a target="_blank" href="/news">West End</a>
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Toowong</a>/<a target="_blank" href="/news">St Lucia</a>/<a target="_blank" href="/news">Chapel Hill</a>
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Paddington</a>/<a target="_blank" href="/news">Rosalie</a>/<a target="_blank" href="/news">Milton</a>
He also published a list of <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/hotspots/john-mcgraths-nine-cafe-society-home-buying-hotspots/2013042960823?utm_source=po&amp;utm_medium=aida&amp;utm_campaign=news" target="_blank">Sydney cafe culture hotspots</a>.
</body></html>

John McGrath’s nine cafe culture home hotspots in Brisbane

<html><body>
Leading Sydney estate John McGrath says nearby cafe culture is one of the major factors affecting home buyers.
He says the desire for the cafe lifestyle is one the strongest trends attracting buyers.
He quotes statistics which says over-65s are leading the trend towards spending more time in cafes. They have doubled the visits they make to cafes since 2008. Next is the under-25s who have increased their visits by a third.
“Given the strength of this trend, it’s no wonder that properties within walking distance of the local café village are increasingly on buyers’ ‘must have’ lists.,” McGrath wrote on Switzer.
“I think this is particularly so among buyers living on their own in smaller properties. Living alone is a growing trend in Australia and the opportunity to stroll up the road to visit their favourite café for a coffee or a meal is particularly important to them.”
He gives a list of nine areas in Sydney sought after by buyers seeking a cafe culture.
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Lane Cove</a>
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Elizabeth Bay</a>/<a target="_blank" href="/news">Potts Point</a>
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Mosman</a>/<a target="_blank" href="/news">Neutral Bay</a>
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Manly</a>
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Bondi Beach</a>
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Paddington</a>/<a target="_blank" href="/news">Woollahra</a>
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Surry Hills</a>/<a target="_blank" href="/news">Redfern</a>
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Newtown</a>/<a target="_blank" href="/news">Erskineville</a>
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Leichhardt</a>/<a target="_blank" href="/news">Annandale</a>
</body></html>

John McGrath’s nine cafe society home buying hotspots in Sydney

<html><body>
House prices in Hobart fell 1.4% over the last quarter as the number of sales dropped 4.6%, according to the Real Estate Institute of Tasmania.
The median house price drop was most strongly felt in the outer suburbs where prices fell 8% to $322,000. Sale numbers dropped 4.5% to 107 sales.
Inner Hobart house prices increased by just 0.1% to $455,000, but sales numbers dropped 9.1% to 130.
Middle Hobart house prices increased 5.2% to $326,000 as sales figures dropped 1.5% to 202.
For other dwellings prices increased 1% across Hobart over the quarter while sales numbers dropped 1.7%.
Middle Hobart had a surge in sales of other dwellings, up 34% to 63 sales. Median prices slipped 1.3% to $265,000.
Strong gains in prices for other dwellings were felt in outer Hobart where median prices increased 9.4% to $290,000 though sales numbers dropped 29.6% to 19 sales.
And in Inner Hobart, other dwellings increased in price by 4.7% to $335,000. Sales numbers dropped 21.7% to 36 sales.
Most buyers in Tasmania over the quarter were 2nd home buyers, making up 56% of sales. This was followed by first home buyers at 19% and investors at 12%. There were just 4 developer sales recorded by the REIT.
<img alt="hobartapril29onethumb" height="74" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/04/hobartapril29onethumb.gif">
</body></html>

Hobart house prices slip 1.4% over the March quarter

<html><body>
The Victorian state government has significantly expanded and increased its levy on car parks in Melbourne’s CBD.
The levy has increased 37% from $950 per year to $1300 per year and will now include short-term parking-bays for the first time.
The levy previously only applied to long-term or all-day parking slots.
Residential, hospital, disabled and charity parking spaces are exempt from the levy.
It now covers an estimated 60,000 parking spaces.
The changes should increase revenue from the tax from $46.8 million in the 2013 financial year to about $91 million in the 2014 financial year.
The government said it will fund further investment in public transport infrastructure.
“The Coalition Government has already announced more than $300 million of new investment in public transport projects in this year’s Budget,” treasuer Michael O’Brien said.

“We can only afford to invest in new trains, level crossing upgrades and new stations through responsible economic management."

Car park operators have said they will pass on the fee to customers but Victorian state treasurer Michael O'Brien says  it would be the equivalent of less than $1 a day extra per space.
Sydney’s parking levy is $2160 per year per space, the result of a 2009 budget decision by the Nathan Rees Labour Government which doubled the then levy from $950 to to $2000 a year. 
The NSW  Government levy is charged to car-park owners for every off-street space within the central business district, Milsons Point and North Sydney that is not used for residential purposes.
The Victorian levy was introduced by the Steve Bracks government in 2005 to discourage driving into the city. The Coalition, then in opposition, describing it as a "flat-out tax grab".
Tony Crabb from Savills, told the The Australian Financial Review the changes would not deter commercial property construction in Melbourne, but it was unwelcome.
“Every time the budget is under a bit of strain you go back to commercial property?.?.?.?it’s very cynical,” he said.
</body></html>

Melbourne CBD drivers hit with parking levy increase

For most new apartment buildings, the Owners Corporation starts life with little more than a bank account and the first quarterly strata levies.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/9-gay-street-castle-hill-9-gay-street-castle-hill-nsw-2154">9 Gay Street</a> in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/castle-hill-nsw-2154">Castle Hill</a>, it starts with around $7 million in reserve.

It's an unusual legacy of what was once one of Sydney's highest-profile apartment remediation projects. When the development, originally known as Skyview and built by disgraced developer Top Place, came under scrutiny by then NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler, an $11 million remediation bond was negotiated to ensure any building defects could be fully rectified.

The building underwent an 18-month remediation program, during which around $4 million of that bond was spent bringing the building up to the standard it should have been in from the outset.

After extensive inspections, all active rectification orders have been lifted. What's more, around $7.2 million remains secured for the Owners Corporation for the next 15 years.

In a twist few would have predicted, what began as a significant concern for purchasers has left the building with something almost unheard of in the apartment market: a multi-million-dollar financial reserve from day one.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359136]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a> Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said the structure offers buyers a level of certainty that is difficult to replicate.

"The $11 million bond established for the Skyview Castle Hill development represents exceptional value, providing genuine financial security for purchasers," Huxley said.

"Unlike a standard insurance policy, this bond consists of real funds held in trust for the Owners Corporation, offering a tangible layer of protection and added peace of mind."

The apartments themselves have been designed with a focus on practical, contemporary living. Interiors feature Smeg appliances, stone benchtops, tiled living areas, carpeted bedrooms, 2.7-metre ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glazing, and ducted heating and cooling throughout.

Residents also have access to a range of shared amenities, including two rooftop barbecue areas, a swimming pool, children's playgrounds, secure building access, storage cages, and visitor parking.

The location continues to be one of the project's strongest drawcards. Castle Hill Metro Station sits virtually on the doorstep, providing direct connections across Sydney's expanding Metro network, while Castle Towers offers extensive retail, dining, entertainment, and service amenities within walking distance.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359127]

The building, now named after its location at 9 Gay Street, comprises a diverse mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments starting from just under $600,000.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett said demand in the Hills District continues to be driven by buyers seeking convenience and connectivity.

"Interest from both owner-occupiers and investors in Castle Hill remains exceptionally strong, with buyers consistently prioritising developments in close proximity to the Metro station and Castle Towers Shopping Centre," Hamblett said.

"There is a clear trend in the market, with purchasers seeking convenient access to transport and lifestyle amenities that support a seamless, low-maintenance way of living."

On top of the long-term protection afforded by the remaining $7.2 million bond, Equitifund is offering a limited-time stamp duty rebate on selected apartments.

Eligible purchasers can also secure finance options, including a 3.99 per cent two-year variable rate, loan-to-value ratios of up to 90 per cent, and interest-only lending options through EquitiCredit.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=147685]

Joel Robinson

Why this Castle Hill apartment building starts with a $7 million advantage

For much of the past few years, conversations about Australia's property market have centred on the rapid growth seen in Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Perth. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3004">Melbourne</a> has followed a different trajectory.

That relative underperformance is now encouraging some buyers to reassess the city, particularly those willing to look beyond short-term market movements and focus on quality property in established locations, along with the long-term growth prospects of a city expected to overtake Sydney as Australia’s most populous.

John Bekiaris, Research &amp; Market Insights at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Projects by Equitifund</a>, said Melbourne's current position is attracting increasingly sophisticated purchasers.

"Melbourne continues to present one of Australia's strongest long-term investment stories," Bekiaris says.

"While other capital cities have experienced stronger recent growth, that relative underperformance is exactly what's attracting sophisticated counter-cyclical investors."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363268]

Equitifund isn't just commenting on Melbourne's property market, it's investing in it.

The Sydney-headquartered capital partner has taken over the remaining apartments at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/victoriana-melbourne-20-queens-road-melbourne-vic-3004">Victoriana</a>, the recently completed glass-encased development opposite Albert Park Lake in Melbourne's tightly held St Kilda Road precinct.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and built by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hickory">Hickory</a>, Victoriana places residents between one of Melbourne's most recognised parklands and the CBD, offering oversized two and three-bedroom apartments aimed at owner-occupiers seeking a genuine alternative to a traditional family home.

The development comprises 232 completed residences alongside a suite of resident amenities, including a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, landscaped entertaining areas, resident lounges, EV charging, secure basement parking and a concierge-style arrival experience.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363229]

The apartments have been designed with owner-occupiers firmly in mind.&nbsp;Open-plan living and dining areas flow onto generous balconies framing views across Albert Park Lake, Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Melbourne skyline.

Kitchens feature Gaggenau appliances, stone benchtops and generous preparation space. Bedrooms include built-in robes, while bathrooms feature full-height textured tiling. Hardwood flooring and ducted air conditioning complete residences designed for long-term living.

Rothelowman's architecture takes its cues from the landscape opposite the site. Sweeping horizontal glazing references the movement of Albert Park Lake, while generous balconies and expansive glazing strengthen the connection between the apartments and the surrounding parklands. The result is a building designed to deliver the scale and amenity expected of luxury apartment living, while offering the larger floorplans increasingly sought by owner-occupiers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363284]

The location is one of Victoriana's defining characteristics. Positioned on Queens Road, residents are directly opposite Albert Park Lake and within easy reach of Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens, South Melbourne, St Kilda Road and the CBD. With few comparable development opportunities remaining in the precinct, buyers are increasingly placing value on outlooks that are unlikely to be interrupted by future construction.

Greg Huxley, Founder of Equitifund, believes those qualities become even more valuable over time.

"Premium real estate has always rewarded buyers who take a long-term view," Huxley said.

"Victoriana represents the kind of asset that's increasingly difficult to recreate today, particularly in an established location like Queens Road."

He said rising construction costs are also changing the way buyers assess completed developments.

"When you combine an irreplaceable location with thoughtful architecture and premium finishes, you create something that becomes increasingly difficult to reproduce as construction costs continue to rise."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363228]

According to National Sales Director Ben Hamblett, enquiry has been driven largely by Melbourne downsizers and buyers upgrading from smaller apartments.

"Interest in Victoriana continues to build, with strong buyer focus on the larger owner-occupier residences within the development," Hamblett says.

"Enquiry is increasingly driven by local buyers who recognise the rarity of what's on offer: park-facing apartments in an established neighbourhood where new development opportunities are becoming increasingly scarce. At Victoriana, the view is not just a feature; it's an appreciating asset in its own right."

He said interstate enquiry has also strengthened as buyers reassess Melbourne's position within the national property cycle.

"Melbourne currently stands as the most compelling entry point of any major Australian capital, and discerning buyers are beginning to recognise what those who move early always understand: the best opportunities are taken before the price rise confirms them."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=1979]

Why now is the time to buy in Melbourne's premium apartment market

Developers and apartment buyers have a narrowing window of opportunity before Brisbane's Olympic infrastructure pipeline begins competing directly with residential construction, pushing up costs, tightening labour supply and making new projects increasingly difficult to deliver.

While Brisbane's apartment market continues to benefit from strong population growth and limited housing supply, industry research suggests the years leading up to 2027 could prove to be the most important period for developers looking to secure builders and buyers hoping to purchase before the next wave of price increases.

A new Colliers report, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Creating Solutions, highlights the scale of the challenge. While thousands of new homes are planned across South East Queensland, the Brisbane Olympic Athletes Village alone will deliver more than 10,500 beds during the Games before being converted into around 1,750 to 2,000 apartments. Equivalent to almost two years of typical inner-city apartment supply, the project will also absorb a significant share of the construction workforce and building materials.

The broader construction pipeline paints an even clearer picture.

Construction Skills Queensland's Horizon 2032 report forecasts Queensland's annual construction pipeline will average $69 billion over the coming years before peaking at $75 billion in 2027-28. Demand for construction workers is expected to increase by 17 per cent to almost 150,000 people, with the industry facing an annual shortfall of around 19,000 workers that could blow out to as many as 35,000 during the peak construction period.

The Olympic venues, athletes village and supporting infrastructure will account for billions of dollars worth of work across South East Queensland through to 2032, creating intense competition for labour at a time when Australia's residential construction sector is already under pressure.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=373834]

Colliers Queensland Residential Director Andrew Scriven said the convergence of these projects is creating a clear window of opportunity for both developers and buyers.

"From 2027 onwards, the market will shift dramatically," Scriven said.

"Labour will increasingly be locked into government-led infrastructure and Olympic projects, which means private residential developments will face higher costs and tighter margins. The developers who move now are the ones most likely to get projects off the ground."

Scriven said the same dynamic would also affect buyers, with fewer apartment projects expected to launch once construction capacity tightens.

"If you're looking to change your lifestyle over the next five years, now is your window of opportunity to buy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150713 project_image_fid=373827]

Developers are already positioning themselves ahead of that window.

Following the success of Monarch at Toowong, Consolidated Properties is preparing to launch two new Brisbane apartment projects in the second half of 2026. They include <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gloriette-30-bedivere-street-yeerongpilly-qld-4105">Gloriette</a> at Yeerongpilly Green, a 25-storey tower within one of Brisbane's key Olympic precincts, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, a recently approved 25-storey riverfront development at 47 Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

Hutchinson Builders will deliver both projects, with early works already underway at Yeerongpilly and Newstead expected to commence later this year.

The timing comes as Brisbane's fundamentals continue to strengthen, with strong interstate migration, population growth and vacancy rates remaining below 1.5 per cent.

Colliers Queensland researcher Pragya Sharma said Greater Brisbane is forecast to require around 40,000 new apartments between 2021 and 2031.

"There's a real mismatch emerging between when housing is needed and when it will be feasible to build," Sharma said.

"As a result, the period leading up to 2027 presents a key window of opportunity for developers to secure approvals, funding and construction capacity, while buyers will have greater choice before supply constraints intensify."

Colliers research outlines a critical pre-2027 window to start residential projects before labour squeeze: now is the time to buy

Developers, buyers on watch in South East Queensland ahead of construction crunch: Colliers

It's taken less than nine months for developer Sherpa Property Group to sell out all 51 apartments in its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-oasis-palm-beach-7-9-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Oasis</a> development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a>, over a year before its anticipated completion.

&nbsp;

Located at 7-9 Sixth Avenue, the $67 million development has resonated strongly with both local owner-occupiers and downsizers seeking high-quality apartments within walking distance of the beach, dining precincts and everyday amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357458]

Christie Leet, Founder of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Group</a>, said the sell-out reflected both the strength of the Palm Beach market and the success of Sherpa's community-first approach to development.

"The sell-out of Oasis is a fantastic outcome and reinforces the strong demand we're seeing for thoughtfully designed apartments in lifestyle locations," Leet said.

"From the outset, our vision was to create a development that genuinely enhanced the Palm Beach community while providing residents with exceptional homes and wellness-focused amenities.

"We've been incredibly encouraged by the level of local support throughout the campaign, 72.5 per cent of buyers are locals, with a significant proportion of purchasers choosing Oasis as their future home rather than an investment."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357463]

Construction is now progressing following development approval, with trusted builder LPS Group delivering the project and completion anticipated in Q3 2027.

Oasis forms part of Sherpa Group's successful Flourish collection, which has become recognised for its focus on wellness, community and elevated coastal living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357469]

Residents will have private access to a rooftop amenity space featuring a pool, gym, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, spa and barbecue facilities.

"The success of Oasis demonstrates that buyers continue to prioritise quality, location and lifestyle," Leet said.

"We are proud to have delivered a project that has resonated so strongly with the market and look forward to bringing Oasis to life for our future residents."

Sherpa recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a>, its third instalment of the Flourish brand in Palm Beach following Flourish Oasis and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151449]

Sherpa sells out Flourish Oasis in booming Palm Beach

Urban Property Group's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-vera-macquarie-park-94-talavera-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">La Vera</a> is leading the next phase of Macquarie Park's residential evolution, with the new apartment development set to become the first of several new apartment projects in the precinct to complete.

The 169-apartment building has now topped out ahead of its scheduled completion in the third quarter of 2026, as new residential investment continues to reshape one of Sydney's largest employment hubs into a true mixed-use precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=368645]

Cox Architecture has designed La Vera to capture the best of its unique positioning on Talavera Road, orienting the building towards Lane Cove National Park.&nbsp;The building features a sculpted northern façade with flowing curves inspired by the surrounding landscape, while its city-facing elevation adopts a more structured architectural expression to maximise skyline views.

"The vision for the project was to conceive a building that adopted an organic and curvilinear form to the northern portion that faces the Lane Cove National Park," <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> Director Felipe Miranda said.

"The residents that reside in the northern portion of the building benefit by having beautifully crafted curved balconies that speak to the natural context and heighten the relationship of their internal living spaces to the external balconies."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=358802]

La Vera offers a diverse mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom configurations, with prices currently starting from $740,000. Buyers so far have been a mix of Sydney-based investors,&nbsp;metro commuters, owner-occupiers and downsizers from surrounding North Shore suburbs.

Both investors and owner-occupiers have been drawn to La Vera's proximity to Macquarie University, Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie Centre and the Sydney Metro, infrastructure that supports both strong rental demand and a convenient lifestyle for residents.

The apartments feature full-height glazing, timber flooring throughout living areas, stone kitchen benchtops, SMEG appliances, floor-to-ceiling bathroom tiling and ducted air conditioning.

Residents will have access to a rooftop recreation level featuring a swimming pool, sauna, barbecue facilities and landscaped relaxation areas, complemented by additional communal space at ground level. Many apartments enjoy uninterrupted views across Lane Cove National Park, reinforcing the project's connection to its natural setting.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=364551]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>, a family-owned developer and builder with nearly four decades of experience, holds a 4.5-star iCIRT rating and was Australia's first developer to introduce 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI). La Vera is the first apartment development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a> approved to offer the additional insurance protection, alongside a five-year warranty on SMEG appliances.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said the additional protection reflects changing buyer expectations in the off the plan market.

"Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been. Having LDI is a tool to portray the confidence that we have in our product, and a confidence we want buyers to share," Elias said.

Following completion of the building later this year, buyers will move into their apartments well before Christmas.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134951]

Alistair Walsh

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News