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Offshore investors remain keen on the Australian hotel market even as domestic institutional investors continue their exodus from the sector, according to Colliers research.
Singapore’s Ascendas entered the Australian market for the first time, but local companies Commonwealth Property and Mirvac are selling off their hotel assets.
“Strong demand from overseas investors is expected to continue in 2012, despite the strong Australian dollar,” says Colliers director of research Nora Farren.
“Offshore investors still see value in Australian assets and view the market, particularly those assets with exposure to business travellers, as safe, long-term investments.”
The hotel sector gave the greatest return of all commercial assets for 2011, showing a return of 17.8%. Office, retail and industrial assets all showed returns of around 10%.
The strong returns were driven by a lack of new supply and a rising corporate travel market.
CBD hotels enjoyed strong capital returns of 9.3% during 2011 driven by increasing occupancies and room rates.
Of the $1 billion of sales identified by Colliers, the biggest transaction was the $310 million sale of the Mirvac hotel portfolio to an Asian consortium.
There were $1.25 billion of hotel sales in 2010.
The Mirvac acquisition includes Mirvac Hotels and Resorts, a management company of 48 hotels (including two owned hotels) representing 6,100 rooms as well as a stake in the Mirvac Wholesale Hotel Fund, which owns seven of the hotel assets.
The Perth hotel market is likely to continue to outperform other domestic locations in the near-term, buoyed the strongest growth in revenue per available room (RevPAR) at 18% and healthy investment and construction activity.
Australia’s average RevPar growth was 5%, with Adelaide and Gold Coast both recording decreases.
Across Australia, the average room rate increased by 4.8%, with Perth up 9%.
“Asian buyers are showing a keen interest in the Perth market, seeking exposure to the city as it benefits from the mining boom,” writes Farren.
“Construction activity in the Perth hotel sector is expected to gather pace, with a hotel to be included in the Perth Waterfront project, and the expansion of the Crown Perth casino to potentially include a five-star hotel and entertainment complex.”
The number of Chinese visitors arriving each year is increasing 12%, according to the ABS, and they will contribute one-third of the growth in Australia’s tourism export earnings until 2020, says Colliers. In 2011 there were 60% more overseas trips by Australians than five years previous.
 
 
 
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Offshore investors see potential in Australian hotels as local companies exit sector: Colliers

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The total land value of the City of Canterbury increased 22% from 2008 to 2011, according the NSW Valuer-General Philip Western.
The land value of the 33,188 properties in the city was found to be $16.093 billion in July 2011, up from $13.104 billion in 2008.
Residential land values in the area showed a strong increase over the three years, Western found.
Year-on-year median residential land prices increased 5% to $403,000 in 2011 from $385,000 in 2010.
Commercial land values generally increased moderately, with larger-than-average increases for commercial land on prime retail strips such as Beamish Street and those with mixed-use development potential.
From 2010 to 2011, commercial land prices increased 4% to $368,000 from $354,000.
Industrial land values in Canterbury remained steady of the three years and had a 0.5% increase from 2010 to 2011.
Landowners and rate-paying-lessees received a notice of valuation this month.
The valuations are used to determine rates and land taxes on investment properties.
Typical residential land values were:
<ul>
<li>481 square metres at Adelaide Street, Belmore valued at $375,000 </li>
<li>441 square metres at Amy Street, Campsie valued at $430,000 </li>
<li>563 square metres at Beauchamp Street, Wiley Park valued at $310,000 </li>
<li>780 square metres at Collingwood Avenue, Earlwood valued at $760,000 </li>
<li>500 square metres at Karne Street, Roselands valued at $335,000 </li>
<li>427 square metres at Merrick Avenue, Lakemba valued at $325,000</li>
</ul>
Typical commercial land values were:
<ul>
<li>233 square metres at Beamish Street, Campsie valued at $1,300,000 </li>
<li>259 square metres at Burwood Road, Belmore valued at $360,000 </li>
<li>511 square metres at Clissold Parade, Campsie valued at $580,000 </li>
<li>304 square metres at Haldon Street, Lakemba valued at $550,000 </li>
<li>259 square metres at Homer Street, Earlwood valued at $475,000 </li>
<li>234 square metres at The Boulevarde , Punchbowl valued at $380,000</li>
</ul>
Typical industrial land values were:
<ul>
<li>6,088 square metres at Garema Circuit, Kingsgrove valued at $2,050,000 </li>
<li>1,500 square metres at Garema Circuit, Kingsgrove valued at $830,000 </li>
<li>626 square metres at Leedham Place, Riverwood valued at $455,000</li>
</ul>
 
 
<ul></ul>
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Canterbury land values increased 22% in past three years: NSW Valuer-General

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The total land value of the Richmond Valley municipality was $1.856 billion in July 2011, up 6% from 2008, according to NSW Valuer-General Philip Western.
In 2008 the 10,106 properties in the area were worth $1.749 billion.
Western’s report showed residential land values generally had a moderate increase in value over the three years, while residential land in the towns of Broadwater, Evans Head, Coraki and Woodburn had just a slight increase in value.
Year-on-year the median residential land value increased 2% from $99,000 in 2010 to $101,000 in 2011.
Prime commercial land in the town of Casino generally experienced a slight increase in value, while fringe commercial land generally had a moderate increase in value. Commercial land in Coraki, Woodburn and Broadwater had slight increases in land value.
From 2010 to 2011 the median commercial land value increased 4% from $111,000 to $115,000.
Industrial land values in Casino had a moderate increase in value, while coastal industrial land in Evans Head experienced moderate to strong increases in value.
<img src="/images/stories/richmondvalleymap.png">
Industrial land values in the area increased 3%, from $168,000 in 2010 to $173,000 in 2011.
Rural residential land and hobby farms increased slightly in value over three years, with the exception of rural-residential land closer to the coast but west of the highway, which decreased slightly in value.
Rural land values remained steady over the three years despite falling 3.5% from $171,000 in 2010 to $165,000 in 2011.
Landowners and rate-paying lessees received a notice of valuation last month.
The valuations are used to determine rates and land taxes on investment properties.
Typical residential land values were:
<ul>
<li>858 square metres at Fergusson Street, Casino valued at $84,000 </li>
<li>1,161 square metres at Lakeside Drive, Casino valued at $130,000 </li>
<li>832 square metres at McAuliffe Street, Casino valued at $96,100 </li>
<li>790 square metres at Booyong Street, Evans Head valued at $260,000 </li>
<li>717 square metres at Ocean Drive, South Evans Head valued at $400,000 </li>
<li>1,011 square metres at Richmond Street, Woodburn valued at $120,000 </li>
<li>685 square metres at Thomas Crescent, Coraki valued at $87,500</li>
</ul>
Typical commercial land values were:
<ul>
<li>500 square metres at Barker Street, Casino valued at $93,600 </li>
<li>651 square metres at Centre Street, Casino valued at $115,000</li>
</ul>
Typical industrial land values were:
<ul>
<li>1,125 square metres at Sir Valston Hancock Drive, Evans Head valued at $200,000 </li>
<li>2,116 square metres at Cassino Drive, Casino valued at $117,000</li>
</ul>
Typical rural land values were:
<ul>
<li>70.2 hectares at Bruxner Highway, Woodview valued at $300,000 </li>
<li>73.4 hectares at Mongogarie Road, Leeville valued at $400,000</li>
</ul>
Typical rural residential land values were:
<ul>
<li>2 hectares at Sextonville Road, Casino valued at $134,000 </li>
<li>5,000 square metres at Hereford Drive, North Casino valued at $128,000 </li>
<li>1.4 hectares at Casuarina Drive, Swan Bay valued at $165,000</li>
</ul>
Typical hobby farm land value was:
<ul>
<li>17.8 hectares at Avenue Road, Myrtle Creek valued at $130,000</li>
</ul>
 
 
 
<ul></ul>
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Richmond Valley land values up 6% in three years: NSW Valuer-General

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A 400-hectare sheep and crop farm in NSW that has been in the same family since about the 1860s has been put up for sale for the first time.
The Corowa district property has been in the Brown family since selection.
The only remaining members of the family are two nephews who live in Melbourne and have no interest in continuing the farm. 
Full knowledge of the history of the purchase of the Buraja property was lost with the death of Arthur Brown in September 2011.
Rosemount comes with an old four-bedroom weatherboard house and all the requisite infrastructure for farming, including a three-stand woolshed, steel sheep yards, cattle yards, machinery sheds and silos.
Though not the original, the house has been around for a long time. Arthur Brown was born in the house and lived there until he died in his 80s.
The house has been renovated during its life and comes with an electric kitchen, a formal lounge and a meals area.
Behind the house are the remnants of the original homestead, including a workers’ quarters and the old kitchen and bathroom.
The 11-paddock property can run 1,000 ewes and is also used for cereal and oilseed crops.
The Brown family used to run a blacksmith forge on site, the remnants of which still remain. This was used to forge and maintain equipment and look after working horses.
The land is being sold in one block, though there is the chance it may be split up into three lots.
If buyers are quick they also can bid on a collection of antiques associated with the property including a full blacksmith ensemble, old wagons, a piano and beds, all from the 1800s.
The land is 15 kilometres north of Corowa and 60 kilometres north west of Albury/Wodonga.
Agent Reg Coulston from Elders Albury has price hopes of about $1.4 million for its March 30 auction.
 
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Corowa farm up for sale for the first time since 1860s

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The total land value of the 2,475 properties in Harden was $535 million according to NSW Valuer-General Philip Western.
The figure slipped 0.5% from the 2008 valuation of $538 million.
Residential land prices in the twin towns of Murrumburrah-Harden had a moderate decrease.
This decrease includes a median residential price drop of 5% from 2010’s figure $25,700.
Commercial land prices also experienced a moderate decrease over the three years but from 2010 to 2011 business land prices remained constant.
Industrial land in the area had a slight decrease since the last valuation although prices remained constant from 2010 to 2011.
Rural and hobby farm land prices in Harden Shire remained generally steady over the three years, although hobby farms towards the southern part of the shire had a moderate increase in value, while larger hobby farms towards the north and west of the  shire experienced a slight decrease.
<img src="/images/stories/hardenmap.gif">
Year on year, rural land prices in Harden increased 5% from $177,000 in 2010.
Village land values generally remained steady except for a slight increase in Galonga and a strong increase in Wombat.
Landowners and rate-paying-lessees received a notice of valuation this month.
The valuations are used to determine rates and land taxes on investment properties.
Typical residential land values were:
<ul>
<li>1,012 square square metres at Binalong Street, Harden valued at $22,600 </li>
<li>1,897 square square metres at Ward Street, Harden valued at $32,400 </li>
<li>1.993 hectares at Doolan Road, Harden valued at $67,500</li>
</ul>
Typical commercial land value was:
<ul>
<li>550 square metres at Neill Street, Harden valued at $17,700</li>
</ul>
Typical industrial land values were:
<ul>
<li>2,023 square metres at Vernon Street, Murrumburrah valued at $28,500 </li>
<li>7,653 square metres at Jack Ward Drive, Harden valued at $17,700</li>
</ul>
Typical rural land values were:
<ul>
<li>529 hectares at Bogolara Road, Berremangra valued at $582,000 </li>
<li>211 hectares at Fairview Road, Galong valued at $644,000 </li>
<li>242 hectares at Cullinga Mines Road, Harden valued at $663,000 </li>
<li>157 hectares at Back Demondrille Road, Murrumburrah valued at $576,000 </li>
<li>303 hectares at Jugiong Road, Harden valued at $670,000 </li>
<li>224 hectares at Moppity Road, Young valued at $680,000</li>
</ul>
Typical rural residential land values were:
<ul>
<li>6.8 hectares at Hume Highway, Jugiong valued at $38,100 </li>
<li>2 hectares at East Street, Harden valued at $80,000 </li>
<li>2 hectares at Barwang Road, Harden valued at $55,000 </li>
<li>8.4 hectares at Race Creek Road, Wombat valued at $96,800</li>
</ul>
Typical hobby farm land values were:
<ul>
<li>40.1 hectares at Jugiong Road, Harden valued at $194,000 </li>
<li>49.4 hectares at Ellerslie Road, Wombat valued at $260,000</li>
<li>25.5 hectares at Currawong Road, Murrumburrah valued at $208,000 </li>
<li>63.4 hectares at Kalangan Road, Galong valued at $200,000 </li>
<li>14.4 hectares at Cunningar Road, Galong valued at $50,000</li>
</ul>
Typical village land values were:
<ul>
<li>1,100 square metres at High Street, Galong valued at $16,500 </li>
<li>2 hectares at Stapylton Street, Jugiong valued at $38,400 </li>
<li>1,366 square metres at Parkes Street, Jugiong valued at $17,200 </li>
<li>1,265 square metres at Rose Street, Wombat valued at $23,300</li>
</ul>
 
 
<ul></ul>
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Land values flat in NSW region of Harden in past three years: NSW Valuer-General

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The 2,031 properties in the NSW region of Hay had a total land value of $151 million in July 2011, according to NSW Valuer-General Philip Western.
The figure was down 4% from $157 million in 2008.
Residential land values experienced a slight decrease over the three years.
Rural land values also experienced a slight decrease over the three years while year-on-year median prices decreased 3.5% from a median of $64,200 in 2010.
<img src="/images/stories/haymap.gif">
Western found rural residential land in the Hay Irrigation Area and village land in Maude and Booligal had a generally strong decrease in price.
Commercial land also experienced a slight decrease over the three years.
Industrial land values increased slightly from 2008 levels.
Hay landowners and rate-paying lessees received a notice of valuation this month.
The valuations are used by councils to determine rates and taxes for investment property purchases.
Typical residential land values were:
<ul>
<li>2,023 square metres at Lang Street, Hay valued at $29,800 </li>
<li>928 square metres at Meakes Street, Hay valued at $20,600</li>
</ul>
Typical commercial land value was:
<ul>
<li>799 square metres at Lachlan Street, Hay valued at $36,400 </li>
</ul>
Typical industrial land value was:
<ul>
<li>1,447 square metres at Murray Street, Hay valued at $30,000</li>
</ul>
Typical rural land values were:
<ul>
<li>237 hectares at Murrumbidgee River Road, Hay valued at $88,200 </li>
<li>4,079 hectares at Alma Road, Booligal valued at $264,000 </li>
<li>1,621 hectares at Toopuntul Road, Maude valued at $119,000</li>
</ul>
Typical hobby farm land value was:
<ul>
<li>12.8 hectares at University Road, Hay South valued at $68,400</li>
</ul>
Typical village land values were:
<ul>
<li>1,518 square metres at Hay Street, Booligal valued at $2,470 </li>
<li>2,023 square metres at Waratah Street, Maude valued at $3,980</li>
</ul>
 
 
 
<ul></ul>
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Land values drop 4% in NSW region of Hay in three years: Valuer-General

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Rosslea has the fastest-selling houses in Queensland, with houses taking an average of just 27 days to sell, according to RP Data. It just edged ahead of Mornington and Pallarenda. Property Observer notes there were just 12 sales over the last year in Rosslea.
<table width="331" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="91">
Locality
</td>
<td width="240">
Average number of days on market
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Rosslea</a>
</td>
<td width="240">
27
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Mornington</a>
</td>
<td width="240">
28
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Pallarenda</a>
</td>
<td width="240">
28
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Millmerran</a>
</td>
<td width="240">
31
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Sun Valley</a>
</td>
<td width="240">
41
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">The Gap</a>
</td>
<td width="240">
42
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Basin Pocket</a>
</td>
<td width="240">
45
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Dysart</a>
</td>
<td width="240">
46
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">North Booval</a>
</td>
<td width="240">
46
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="91">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Spring Hill</a>
</td>
<td width="240">
46
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 
Source: RP Data
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Rosslea leads fastest-selling localities in Queensland: RP Data

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Mt Barker tops the list of WA's slowest-selling localities, with houses taking an average of 231 days to sell, according to RP Data. It takes more than 200 days to sell houses in five WA localities. Property Observer notes  there were just 13 sales in Mt Barker last year.
 
<table width="341" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="114">
Locality
</td>
<td valign="top" width="227">
Average number of days on market
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="114">
Mt Barker
</td>
<td valign="top" width="227">
231
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="114">
Highgate
</td>
<td valign="top" width="227">
228
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="114">
Herne Hill
</td>
<td valign="top" width="227">
225
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="114">
San Remo
</td>
<td valign="top" width="227">
217
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="114">
Augusta
</td>
<td valign="top" width="227">
216
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="114">
York
</td>
<td valign="top" width="227">
194
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="114">
Oakford
</td>
<td valign="top" width="227">
187
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="114">
Broome
</td>
<td valign="top" width="227">
186
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="114">
Burns Beach
</td>
<td valign="top" width="227">
186
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="114">
East Perth
</td>
<td valign="top" width="227">
178
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 
Source: RP Data
Property Observer readers can secure free tickets for the Perth Home Buyer and Property Investor Show by <a href="https://www.homebuyershow.com.au/special-offers/propertyobserver-ticket-offer/" target="_blank" style="font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">clicking here</a>.
 
 
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Mt Barker properties take longest to sell in WA: RP Data

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American housing prices continued to fall in January, slipping 3.1% on a year-over-year basis. This was their sixth consecutive monthly decline, according to CoreLogic’s latest report.
When the report excluded distressed sales, it found prices fell just 0.9% year-on-year.
Illinois, Nevada, Delaware, Alabama and Georgia were hardest hit by the declines, each falling 7.5% or more over the year, including distressed sales.
Since peak values in 2006, prices in Nevada have fallen the most out of the states surveyed, down 60.1%.
Nationally prices are down 34% from peak values in April 2006, including distressed sales and down 24% excluding distressed sales.
Of the 100 most populated areas surveyed, 71 had year-over-year declines in January, eight fewer than in December.
Including distressed sales, the five states that had the greatest year-on-year increase in prices in January were South Dakota, North Dakota, West Virginia, Montana and Michigan. Prices increased 3% or more in all five.
CoreLogic’s chief economist says housing prices are not far from 2002 levels.
 
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US house prices fell for sixth straight month in January: CoreLogic

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The total land price of the 2,587 properties in Gundagai in July 2011 decreased 3% from 2008, while rural land prices dropped 12% in a year, according to NSW Valuer-General Philip Western.
Western found the total land price was $505 million, down from $515 million 2010.
Residential land values decreased slightly over the three years, although large residential lots on the western fringe of Gundagai fronting Punch Street experienced a strong increase.
From 2010 to 2011, the median residential land price increased 1% from $40,000.
Gundagai ‘s commercial strip fronting Sheridan Street had a moderate increase in value over the three years including a 4% increase from 2010 to 2011.
<img src="/images/stories/gundagaimap.gif">
Broad acre farming and grazing property land prices the shire generally remained stable while forest land values and forest lease had a moderate decrease.
Western found rural residential and hobby farm land prices remained steady or had a slight increase, while the value of land in the villages of Coolac, Muttama and Nangus experienced a slight to moderate decrease due to the limited demand for these more remote villages.
From 2010 to 2011 rural land prices fell 12%.
Landowners and rate-paying-lessees received a notice of valuation this month.
The valuations are used to determine rates and land taxes on investment properties.
Typical residential land values were:
<ul>
<li>974 square metres at Hanley Lane, Gundagai valued at $32,800</li>
<li>2,023 square metres at Luke Street, Gundagai valued at $48,700</li>
</ul>
Typical commercial land value was:
<ul>
<li>1,132 square metres at Sheridan Street, Gundagai valued at $34,300</li>
</ul>
Typical rural land values were:
<ul>
<li>282 hectares at Bethungra Road, Nangus valued at $486,000 </li>
<li>125 hectares at Bethungra Road, Nangus valued at $384,000 </li>
<li>154 hectares at Tarrabandra Road, South Gundagai valued at $550,000</li>
</ul>
Typical rural residential land values were:
<ul>
<li>1,315 square metres at Adelong Road, Tumblong valued at $12,700 </li>
<li>4.1 hectares at Burra Road, Gundagai valued at $88,400.</li>
</ul>
Typical hobby farm land value was:
<ul>
<li>21.7 hectares at Nangus Road, Nangus valued at $128,000</li>
</ul>
Typical village land values were:
<ul>
<li>4,097 square metres at Mount Street, Coolac valued at $14,400 </li>
<li>5,562 square metres at Nea Street, Muttama valued at $11,200 </li>
<li>2,428 square metres at Nangus Road, Nangus valued at $16,500</li>
</ul>
 
 
 
 
 
<ul></ul>
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Land values fell 3% in NSW region of Gundagai in three years, led by sharp decrease in rural land prices

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/consolidated-properties">Consolidated Properties Group</a> (CPG) is approaching the launch of its latest Brisbane riverfront development, Castile, on the dress circle Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

VIP buyers are now being engaged, with a full public sales launch coming later this year.

Positioned as the final opportunity to secure a new absolute riverfront residence on the East bank of Newstead, Teneriffe or New Farm, Castile at 47 Skyring Terrace has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a> as a timeless addition to the Brisbane skyline.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371113]

The name Castile draws on themes of permanence, sophistication and legacy, reflecting a broader vision centred on enduring architecture and timelessness in the rarest of riverfront positions.&nbsp;

CPG Chairman and CEO Don O’Rorke said the project had been envisioned as a future Brisbane icon.&nbsp;

“With 47 metres of direct river frontage and never to be built out views, 47 Skyring Terrace is the definitive address on the Brisbane River,” O’Rorke said.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371114]

“Rather than following trend-based apartment design, Castile draws inspiration from Brisbane’s great heritage buildings, reinterpreting classical architecture into a contemporary riverfront landmark designed to stand proudly for the next 100 years,” he said.&nbsp;

The approved development will comprise 227 apartments across a 25-storey tower alongside a boutique six-storey riverfront building of just 12 residences.&nbsp;

Construction is scheduled to commence in September 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150489]

Joel Robinson

CPG unveils Castile Newstead ahead of upcoming sales launch

Australia’s online shopping habits have shifted dramatically over the last decade. As eCommerce volumes surged, so too did the frustrations that came with traditional parcel delivery: missed deliveries, long Post Office queues, parcel theft and the challenge of being home during business hours.

Australia Post’s Parcel Lockers emerged as one of the more practical responses to that changing consumer behaviour.

What started as a relatively niche delivery option has evolved into a nationwide network of more than 1,400 self-service Parcel Lockers positioned at train stations, shopping centres, supermarkets and Post Offices across the country. The system allows Australians to send, collect and return parcels 24 hours a day, fundamentally changing how many people interact with deliveries.

The appeal is relatively straightforward: flexibility.

Instead of waiting at home for a delivery driver or rushing to a Post Office before closing time, users can direct eligible parcels to a Parcel Locker location of their choice. Once the parcel arrives, Australia Post sends a notification with a collection code or QR access through the AusPost app, allowing customers to retrieve their package at any time within the collection window.

For apartment residents in particular, the system has become increasingly valuable.

Higher-density living has created logistical challenges around deliveries, especially in buildings without concierge services or secure parcel rooms. Missed deliveries are common, while parcel theft has become an increasing concern as online shopping volumes continue to rise.

Australia Post itself has repeatedly highlighted the growing issue of “porch pirates” during peak shopping periods, encouraging customers to use Parcel Lockers as a safer alternative to unattended home deliveries.

That security aspect is one of the key reasons the Australia Post Parcel Locker network has grown so rapidly.

Parcel Lockers are positioned as secure, monitored collection points that reduce the risk of theft while also improving delivery efficiency for Australia Post. Instead of multiple redelivery attempts, parcels can be consolidated into a single secure destination.

The Parcel Lockers themselves are free to use through a MyPost account and support a range of parcel sizes up to 16 kilograms and dimensions of approximately 35 x 44 x 61 centimetres.

Beyond receiving parcels, the system has increasingly become integrated into the broader eCommerce ecosystem.

Customers can now use Parcel Lockers to return online purchases, while retailers have embraced the model as a way to improve delivery success rates and reduce friction in the shopping process. Australia Post has actively expanded partnerships with major retailers and promoted Parcel Lockers as part of a broader out-of-home strategy.

The timing of that expansion aligns with broader changes in Australian shopping behaviour.

The acceleration of online retail during and after the pandemic placed enormous pressure on delivery infrastructure. Parcel volumes reached record highs, particularly during Black Friday and Christmas periods, with Australia Post delivering more than 100 million parcels during peak festive seasons.

That growth forced logistics providers to rethink the “last mile” of delivery, widely regarded as the most expensive and operationally difficult stage of the process.

Parcel Locker systems have increasingly been viewed as part of the long-term solution.

The concept itself is not unique to Australia. Parcel Locker networks have become common globally, particularly across Europe and Asia, where dense urban environments and apartment living create similar logistical challenges. But Australia’s geography and suburban sprawl made adoption slower initially.

Now, however, the convenience factor is driving mainstream usage.

For commuters, Parcel Lockers near train stations allow parcels to be collected on the way home from work. For apartment dwellers, they remove the uncertainty around access and missed deliveries.

The rise of the AusPost app has also streamlined the experience, centralising notifications, tracking and Parcel Locker access into a single platform. Australia Post has increasingly pushed customers toward app-based delivery management, partly as a way to combat phishing scams and fake delivery notifications, which have become more sophisticated in recent years.

The Parcel Locker model is also beginning to influence property development itself.

Parcel management has become a growing consideration in apartment building design, particularly as online shopping becomes embedded in everyday life. Many new residential developments are now incorporating dedicated parcel rooms or Parcel Locker systems into foyers and communal spaces.

For developers, parcel management is increasingly viewed as part of the broader resident amenity offering, alongside gyms, wellness spaces and communal work areas.

That reflects a wider evolution in how residential buildings are designed.

Apartment buyers are placing greater emphasis on convenience, security and operational functionality, particularly in higher-density urban environments. Parcel delivery, once considered a minor operational detail, has become an increasingly important part of that equation.

Australia Post’s Parcel Locker network sits at the centre of that behavioural shift.

What began as a simple alternative delivery option has evolved into a key piece of infrastructure supporting Australia’s growing eCommerce economy and changing urban lifestyles.

And as online shopping continues to expand, the role of Parcel Lockers is likely to become even more embedded in how Australians live, shop and receive goods.

How Australia Post Parcel Lockers changed parcel delivery convenience in Australia

Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.

Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.

The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.

“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.

“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.

“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”

The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.

“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”

From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.

“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”

The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.

“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.

Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.

“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.

“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”

The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.

“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.

Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.

&nbsp;

Alistair Walsh

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