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The number of self-managed superannuation funds in breach of borrowing requirements increased over the past year, according to research by the Partners Wealth Group.
<a href="https://www.partnerswealthgroup.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2014-Partners-Wealth-Group-Audit-Survey.pdf" target="_blank">The research</a> is based on over 600 SMSFs across Australia audited in 2014 and found 23% of funds with a relevant breach were in breach as a result of borrowing requirements.
This is a significant increase from 12% of funds the year before.
However, overall the number of SMSFs requiring a contravention report to be lodged with the ATO has fallen over the past year in line with the past seven years.
<table style="width: 460px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="77">
Year
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
2014
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
2013
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
2012
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
2011
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
2010
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
2009
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
2008
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="77">
% funds in breach overall
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
5
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
5.3
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
5.3
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
5.5
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
3.4
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
7.2
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
11.3
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 
<table style="width: 460px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205">
Key breaches 
</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">
% of funds with relevant breaches in 2014
</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">
% of funds with relevant breaches in 2013
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205">
SMSF borrowings
</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">
23%     
</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">
12%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205">
Loan to members
</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">
23%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">
38%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="205">
In-house assets
</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">
20%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="205">
31%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Partners Wealth Group director of SMSF consulting and auditing, Martin Murden, attributes the increase in breaches to a misunderstanding of the rules.
SMSFs are entitled to borrow under limited circumstances in order to pay benefits, settle on investments and acquire investments via a limited recourse borrowing arrangement (LRBA).
“Because borrowing via a LRBA is relatively new and has been subjected to several rule changes since inception, my suspicion is that there has been confusion, resulting in some SMSF trustees thinking it was permissible to use their fund to borrow to overcome a short-term liquidity problem – much like a small business seeking a temporary extension to a bank overdraft in difficult circumstances,” Murden said in a statement.
Two other key areas of transgression highlighted by the Partners’ research came from funds taking personal loans for members and funds breaching the in-house assets rule.
Murden said, periodically, loans occur by mistake. For example, using the wrong cheque book (that of the SMSF) to pay a personal expense. On other occasions members are simply in need of money and there is no one to stop them from borrowing from the fund.
“However, it is important to remember that while the loan may appear small in dollar terms and when compared to overall fund assets, personal loans are simply not allowed under super legislation. They’re an absolute no-no and size is no excuse,” Murden said. 
Graeme Colley, director of technical and professional standards at the SMSF Professionals' Association of Australia (SPAA), said the spike probably means auditors are being more fastidious in analyzing the operation of SMSFs.
“Hopefully with requirements for the registration of auditors, the auditors that are left in the registration group are taking their jobs more seriously as they have greater obligations in reporting to ASIC,” he says.
“We may see an increase again simply because of the thoroughness of the audits that are conducted.”
Colley says the types of breaches identified by the Partners Wealth Group are not surprising.   
“The main issue is people taking money out of their funds, in-house assets which is next and then separation of assets,” he says.
“Mixing assets is really serious as it means SMSF trustees may be putting their hand into the operation of the fund.”
This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
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Spike in number of SMSFs in breach of borrowing requirement

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A woman charged over alleged involvement in one of Australia’s largest home loan frauds faced court in Melbourne last week on charges linked to an <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/legal/45172-arrests-follows-after-12-lenders-caught-in-alleged-100-million-myra-home-loan-fraud" target="_blank">alleged $110 million home loan fraud</a>.
Manija Zayee was charged after a lengthy investigation by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission into the activities of her mortgage broker partner Najam Shah and colleague Aizaz Hassan.
The fraud allegedly involved using fake documents to apply for at least 350 loans with numerous lenders, including the Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, ANZ, National Australia Bank and others.
ASIC alleges they submitted bank statements, pay slips, citizenship certificates and statutory declarations on behalf of clients from the now-defunct suburban Footscray company Myra Financial Services, where they worked, for loan applications between 2008 and 2011.
The company was registered in Zayee’s name.
Zayee has been charged with obtaining a financial advantage by deception by submitting false documents to secure a $136,000 loan from the Bank of Queensland.
Siobhan Hayden, chief executive of the Mortgage &amp; Finance Association of Australia (MFAA), said the MFAA only became aware of the fraud when Shah and Hassan were arrested.
Shah was a mortgage broker and previously registered with the MFAA but Hassan only acted as an introducer. 
“It appears that the fraud has been perpetrated around validating deposits and employment credentials,” Hayden says. 
“I’m keen like a lot of people to understand how it has been done, they have obviously used quite a sophisticated system. I would have to assume here the consumers were well aware of what is being structured for them so they could secure the loan.”
Hayden says from her discussion with the lenders involved she understands not one loan is in fault with only a few in slight arrears.
“$110 million has not been lost, it has been fraudulently acquired but the banks are still processing it,” she says.
Hayden says the MFAA did not have to cancel Shah’s registration as it had already expired two months prior to the exposure of the alleged fraud. 
“You can’t mitigate when someone chooses to be fraudulent,” she says.
Hayden says people should still have confidence in the integrity of mortgage brokers.
“Nearly 52% of loans introduced to lenders today are by brokers, so consumer confidence in brokers is still high,” she says.
“If any consumer ever feels uncomfortable about services provided they should contact the MFAA to raise a concern.”
ASIC has come under fire for its investigation of the alleged fraud after it was revealed Hassan was capable of writing loans until his accreditation was stopped on January 6, 2015. 
Hassan appeared before a bail justice on January 2, 2015. 
A spokesperson for ASIC defended the regulators role noting that the investigation into Myra Financial Services had been conducted over several years.
"It has necessarily been a long, complex and at times extremely sensitive operation,” the spokesperson said. 
"There are some important parts of the investigation which we are not able to divulge.”
The spokesperson said ASIC does not as a rule flag an impending arrest to an employer or to other related parties.
"To do so would increase the risk of the person of interest being tipped off, even if this was inadvertent,” the spokesperson said. 
"It would potentially place the employer in a compromised position. For example, the employer may wish to suddenly treat the employee differently – perhaps even sack them.”
A committal hearing for Zayee has been set for 17 April, the same date Shah and Hassan will next appear in court.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
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Mortgage broker faces court over alleged Myra Financial Services $110 million fraud

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A Federal Court judge has attacked superannuation breaks in the tax system as “totally skewed” in favour of the rich.
Justice Edmonds criticized Australia’s tax regime in a speech to the Australasian Tax Teachers Association conference at the University of Adelaide.
“I dare say that if the ordinary man in the street had any knowledgeable notion of what certain sections of the community were getting away with in this regard, any semblance of consensus would quickly disappear,” he said.
“The whole system of the taxation of superannuation in this country needs to be brought back to the table.”
But Justice Edmonds said the Abbott government has no “realistic prospect” of achieving structural tax reform.
“I fear time is now too short. Of course that may suit the government,” he said.  
<a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/finance/tax/25198-revealed-how-much-time-you-are-really-losing-to-tax-red-tape-each-year">Read more: How much time you are really losing to tax red tape each year</a>
“It will be to the detriment of our ‘common wealth’, if that ‘unique confluence of opportunities’ is not grasped by structural reform of our tax system, reform which implements a broader base upon which our income tax can operate, so as to facilitate a reduction of marginal rates of income tax across the board, but particularly at lower levels, which will be required to provide an equitable foundation to broaden the base of the GST, and, if necessary, increase its rate, without doing violence to the underlying criteria that need to be satisfied for the achievement of true tax reform.”
Professor Chris Evans, of the University of New South Wales, attended the conference and was in the audience for Justice Edmonds’ speech.
He told SmartCompany Justice Edmonds’ comments were “quite brave” and “eminently sensible”.
“He is spot on in the sense that it would be good to have structural tax reform. The government is leaving it really late and it does suit the government for there not to be real debate about structural tax reform,” he says.
Evans says if the government is serious about having a better tax system going forward it needs to look at broadening the taxation base by reevaluating superannuation, capital gains tax discounts, negative gearing and the rules surrounding gifts and bequests.
Evans says “there are so many subsidies” making the current tax system “massively inequitable”.
“While [the subsidies] benefit everyone relatively, they benefit those on higher income much more. When you can take literally hundreds of thousands of dollars in superannuation tax-free you have got to say it is skewed violently towards the rich and wealthy,” he says.   
Paul Drum, head of policy at CPA Australia, told SmartCompany CPA Australia has been saying for some time that superannuation requires a long-term vision and a clearly articulated direction.
“Constant rule changes only serve to undermine public confidence in the system,” he says.
 “The fact is that we are living longer and for many of us, despite having a good superannuation nest egg, there is the real possibility that we will outlive our savings.”
Drum wants a comprehensive review of the super system, including looking at ways to improve the de-cumulation phase as part of the broader tax reform process.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
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Judge slams “totally skewed” super tax breaks for rich

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Former chairman of BHP Billiton and chief executive of the National Australia Bank, Don Argus, is embroiled in a legal battle with the Australian Tax Office over his superannuation.
The ATO wants to charge tax on almost $1.2 million in income earned by the $15 million self-managed superannuation fund of <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/leadership/profiles/21793-20110906-the-selling-of-reform">the elder statesman</a> and his wife, Patricia.
Argus, who is now chairman of the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Australia Advisory Board, claims the income should be tax free.
On 16 April 2014 the Argus’s objected to the ATO’s assessment of income tax issued to their SMSF for the year ended 30 June 2010.
On 29 September 2014 the ATO disallowed the objection and so the Argus’s have now filed an application for the decision to be varied in the Federal Court.
The Argus’s are seeking an almost $1.2 million reduction on the tax paid by them for the 2010 tax year claiming the assessment of $2.25 million in tax is “excessive” because it wrongly concluded the SMSF did not pay out the minimum amount required.
Graham Colley, director of technical and professional standards at the SMSF Professionals’ Association, said with a $15 million fund value the minimum amount of pension to be paid should be around $900,000. 
“[SMSF trustees] need to make sure you pay the minimum amount of your pension for the year,” he says.
“You can do it simply by making sure you have direct debits into your bank account.”
Colley advises SMSF trustees also need to make sure the valuation of the investments are made so the calculation of the amount has been correctly done. 
“Even if you have underpaid a small amount the commissioner will exercise his powers of administration providing you make up the shortfall as soon as it is discovered,” he says.
“Make sure you know when your pension starts, make sure you know when it stops and one of the standards to qualify as a pension is to make sure you pay the minimum amount.”
<a href="https://www.afr.com/p/national/don_argus_takes_on_taxman_over_super_JwuiiKK4asPzKTku9UdW9K" target="_blank">Fairfax</a> reports the dispute is scheduled for a court hearing in Melbourne on 2 Februrary.
SmartCompany contacted Argus but did not receive a response prior to publication.  The ATO declined to comment.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
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Former BHP chairman Don Argus takes on the Tax Office over his $15 million SMSF 

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The flood of international retailers coming to Australia is set to continue apace, according to a report released today by Deloitte.
Deloitte’s 2015 Global Powers of Retailing Report identifies 37 of the world’s top 250 retailers now operating in Australia, an increase from 30 last year.
These include new entrants in 2014 such as H&amp;M, Fast Retailing (Uniqlo), Forever 21 and <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/technology/social-media/44933-the-final-c-ntdown-sephora-s-spelling-stuff-up-and-three-other-social-media-lessons-from-2014" target="_blank">Sephora</a> which have all established bricks and mortar stores alongside their online presence.
“With a weakening Australian dollar and ever increasing competitive pressures, we expect to see further interest by overseas retailers in the Australian retail market,” David White, Deloitte Australia partner and retail industry leader said in a statement accompanying the report.
“As major global players continue to enter the Australian market, and existing global retailers expand their store footprint, Australian retailers across all segments will continue to face significant challenges and increased competition.  “The ability to innovate, drive improved processes and to connect with the consumer will be critical in order to remain competitive.”
White says in 2015 a number of major international retailers are either expected to, or having formally announced, their intentions to set up shop in Australia. “British retail giants Marks &amp; Spencer are rumoured to be interested in the Australian market, whilst the likes of <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/growth/44658-us-furniture-giant-to-open-first-australian-store-in-december">Ashley Furniture</a>, one of the US’s largest furniture retailers, has already announced that they are setting up operations here,” White said.
But David Gordon, retail expert at Lowe Lippman, told SmartCompany while many international retailers find Australia attractive it can also be a tough market for them.
“Most of the big name retailers that have come here have had phenomenal launches and a strong initial period but then we have seen a reduction in their sales thereafter,” he says.
“Once the excitement of the new brand wears down, they then need to compete on a like for like basis, and that is not as simple as it seems.”
Gordon says Australia has specific requirements and tastes and an operational environment with high occupancy and wage costs makes the profit model very different to overseas and requires some local expertise. 
“The market here, like any mature market, requires innovation because of the multitude of local private companies in this space. It also requires constant hands on attention and often these large multinationals cannot give this consistently due to other priorities and due to distance,” he says.
“Highly branded overseas operators coming into Australia may sound frightening to local brands but they often do not have a lasting impact.” 
The Deloitte report identifies five major retail trends for 2015, which are shaped by the disruptive changes currently impacting the marketplace:
<ol>
<li>
Travel retailing Redefining notions of customer base and transforming the role airport retail plays in a company’s strategy. Around 15% of the global population travel each year, spending the equivalent of a trillion US dollars in the process 
</li>
<li>
Mobile retailing This is a rapidly growing business segment that is expected to approach US$640 billion in annual global sales within just a few years. Wearables will offer new opportunities to engage consumers and payments via mobile are of growing importance. 
</li>
<li>
Faster retailing Speed to market, speed to response and speed to deliver are all key. Millennials prefer fast response times and immediate gratification and successful retailers will cater to that through services such as same day delivery. 
</li>
<li>
Experience retailing Taking shopping and adding entertainment, emotion, deeper engagement, and sometimes even an entire environment. 
</li>
<li>
Innovative retailing Responding to market disruption with disruptive creativity of its own. This can involve continued blurring of sectors such as supermarkets acting as banks.
</li>
</ol>
This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
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Global retail invasion set to continue: The five major retail trends to shape 2015

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The Council of Small Business of Australia (COSBOA), Small Business Minister Bruce Billson and the Real Estate Institute of Victoria are embroiled in a dispute ahead of this weekend’s Victorian election.
The dispute started after Victoria’s real estate industry body slammed a Liberal election commitment to end underquoting as “unnecessary” and an “election stunt”.
In a statement released last week, COSBOA executive director Peter Strong backed the REIV, claiming the state government had "made a mistake by supporting the biggest landlords in Australia against the interests of small businesses and consumers".
The REIV then released advertisements accusing Victorian Premier Denis Napthine of jeopardising 60,000 jobs.
“The Liberals’ new real estate laws hurt small business and cost jobs,” the poster states.
“On November 29 vote them out.”
The poster includes the REIV, COSBOA and Real Estate Institute of Australia logo.
<img src="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/images/REIV%20poster.JPG" alt="">
But COSBOA claims it never authorised the use of its logo despite Strong’s statement supporting the REIV’s campaign.
Billson, whose federal electorate of Dunkley includes the marginal state seat of Frankston, says he stepped in after seeing the advertisement.
“I was flabbergasted by the tone and blatantly partisan nature of the ad which had COSBOA’s logo attached to it, an organisation which has long held the view that it is apolitical and focuses on policy and doesn’t get into the blatant politicking displayed in the ad,” he said.
Billson contacted COSBOA’s then chairman, Robert Mallett, who he was surprised to learn “knew nothing of it” and claimed the use of COSBOA’s logo was “without any authorisation”.
“They were horrified and thought it was done in a quite underhanded way and risked extraordinary reputational damage for COSBOA,” he says.
“I feel sorry for the chair and the board of COSBOA; this is a controversy not of their making. I don’t know what led the REIV to think this was an appropriate way to push its singular issue when the small business interests of Victorian enterprise is a much broader discussion.” 
The fallout at <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/finance/44777-cosboa-names-new-chair-and-deputy-chair-gwa-group-sells-dux-hot-water-for-46-million-midday-roundup" target="_blank">COSBOA has been immediate</a> with Mallett departing yesterday and Paul Nielsen appointed as chairman in his place.
COSBOA’s deputy chair, Amanda Lynch, who is chief executive of the REIA, was also replaced by Teresa Mitchell.
Nielsen issued a statement claiming the use of the COSBOA logo in the advertisements was placed unbeknown to COSBOA and without the authority of the COSBOA board.
“Any inference that these advertisements reflect the policy position of COSBOA is expressly denied,” Nielsen said.
Strong said despite his statement supporting the REIV he did not agree to the use of COSBOA’s logo on the posters.
“I would never try to tell people who to vote for,” he says.
Paul Bird, spokesperson for the REIV, says COSBOA’s claim it did not authorise the use of its logo is “an interesting approach”.
Bird says the REIV may comment further but at the time of publication no further response was available.  
SmartCompany also contacted the REIA but did not receive a response.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
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REIV locked in dispute with small business body over Victorian election advertising

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Engineering your end game and getting ready for mobile payments are both key <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/technology/online/33923-trends-in-online-and-store-retail-in-australia">global retail trends</a> for next year, according to Lorna Hall, head of market intelligence at WGSN.
Hall was the keynote speaker at the WGSN Live conference in Melbourne last week. 
She says retailers shouldn’t stop innovating but need to really focus on their customers and identify which trends they are ready for and what will pass them by. 
<img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-one.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;"> Universal carts
Universal carts allow customers to purchase from different online stores through the one website. Hall says universal shopping carts could transform marketplaces and affiliate-based businesses into a much more convenient place to shop.
“These sites may be much more important to retailers and brands. It’s not a big step to imagine a time when we all own our own mobile carts,” Hall says. 
<img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-two.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;"> Click and collect
Last Christmas in the United States was an “epic fail” for delivering gifts on time, according to Hall.
“As a result, retailers do not want to get burnt again. They are trying all sorts and it is really interesting to see,” she says.
Hall says the problem with traditional online shopping with home delivery is that it is not as convenient as we thought it would be.
“Most of the time we are not at home. The growth of click and collect is one of the ways of bridging that gap,” she says. 
<img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-three.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;"> Curbside pickup
Retailers are experimenting with other more convenient ways of delivering purchases beyond click and collect.
In Australia, The Iconic is going to allow ordering before 1pm and getting your goods after 5pm.
“In the US how you receive and return goods is a key battleground ahead of the holiday trading period,” Hall says.
Examples include department store Sears, which has launched an in-vehicle pickup. Customers wait outside the store and a staff member carries the order to their car. 
Meanwhile, Target is piloting a pickup service called Curbside where customers pick up from a tent outside the store.  The Curbside app uses geolocation technology. Customers don’t have to let the retailer know when they are ready to pick up. When their car is 30 minutes away from the store the retailer goes and gets your order ready for you. 
<img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-four.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;"> Click and commute
Hall says a growing trend is retailers introducing lockers and collection points into transport hubs.  
In the United Kingdom, department store John Lewis has opened a 3000 square metre store at London’s St Pancras station, which sells stock but also provides a venue for click-and-collect pick up. 
Fashion retailer French Connection recently opened its first “convenience store” at a tube station in London. It allows shoppers to pick up online orders on the same day if they place the order by 1pm and pick up at 5pm. 
<img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-five.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">A single view of inventory
Hall says the thing that unlocks many of these trends for retailers and shoppers is a single view of inventory, with 70% of the new technology and apps relying on a single view of inventory.
“If you are not working towards that in your business and making it a real focus then you are never going to be able to capitalise on a lot of the new technology,” she says.  
“This is where you get innovation for customers and you can achieve better margins for your business.”
<img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-six.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;"> Last touch service
Hall recommends retailers innovate around their end game to “elevate brand experience”. 
French company Darty has a physical help button that customers stick on their appliance. Customers pay a service charge and press it when something goes wrong and within one minute receive a call from a Darty service adviser.
In the United States, online jewellery retailer Baublebar adds a present into every purchase. There is no mention of the gift before purchase, it happens after purchase and is a surprise to engender goodwill. 
“I think we are likely to see much more of this post-purchase innovation ideas by retailers as they look to lock in loyalty post the purchase experience,” Hall says. 
This article continues on the next page. Please click below. 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
<img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-seven.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;"> Mobile payment
Hall says the <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/finance/43671-apple-pay-delay-for-aussies-but-will-small-businesses-benefit-from-iphone-tap-and-go">launch of Apple Pay</a> in the IPhone 6 has upped consumer awareness around mobile payments. 
“Mobile payments will unlock all sorts of innovation and change in retail and will change the way we shop,” she says.
“Millennials are already really willing to embrace new forms of payment.”   
New security features are allowing mobile checkouts to become faster and more convenient. 
In the United States, Venmo is providing a new payment option with peer to peer payments. Venmo is predicted to reach $90 billion in payments in the next three years. 
<img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-eight.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;"> Data-driven
“Learning algorithms are increasingly being used by retailers to guide the path to purchase,” Hall says. 
Amazon is the pioneer in this area but other examples include US fragrance retailer Scentbird, which tailors recommendations to customers, and the home and renovation app Houzz.
Houzz enables people who are renovating their houses to browse for inspiration. “In theory, the more you browse the service the better the recommendations get,” she says.
<img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-nine.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;"> Connecting customers 
“The process of buying something is becoming a learning journey on both sides,” Hall says.
UK pure play furniture retailer Made has launched Unboxed. It’s a social platform for existing customers to upload images from their own houses to show how they have used furniture and styled it.
“You can connect really satisfied customers because they are geo-located,” Hall says.
“At its simplest, Made doesn’t want to invest in expensive retail or showroom space.”
<img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-ten.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;"> Surprise and delight in-store
Hall says retailers need to surprise and delight in-store using technology.
“There is not enough of this going on but there is a real opportunity to do this,” she says.   
UK retailer The White Company has installed tiny digital projections in stores to animate products such as messages scrolling across pillows encouraging customers to touch them.   
“We are so caught up with technology that we almost forget how to charm and delight like this.” 
<img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-eleven.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;"> Visual search apps  
In the US, Macy’s and Target have launched visual search apps.  
Customers can pull up a photo of a friend wearing a necklace and then use the apps to find similar products.
“This technology is getting better all the time,” Hall says. 
<img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-twelve.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;"> Going hyper local with beacons
Hall has seen a “massive push” in terms of trial and innovation around beacons with Timberland, Apple and Macy’s all using beacons in stores. 
Hall cites research which shows 53% of customers are willing to share their current location in order to receive more relevant information.
“The question is how can retailers use beacons to impact the sale,” she says.
US department store Lord &amp; Taylor is using beacons to track dwell time and the beacons send push notifications to alert customers to deals.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
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The 12 top global retail trends for 2015

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Collapsed South Australian construction company Stellar Homes has been rescued from administration by the Scott Salisbury Group.
The construction and development business announced its acquisition of Stellar Homes on Friday. 
Stellar Homes <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/finance/44441-construction-company-collapses-owing-5-million">collapsed earlier this month</a> owing $5 million and leaving 36 homes and 173 tradies high and dry. 
The procurement process involved the Scott Salisbury Group working closely with both the administrators at Macks Advisory and the team at QBE to “derive a resolution that is beneficial for all parties involved”.
The sale price for Stellar Homes is undisclosed but is dependent on the performance of Stellar Homes post purchase.
Scott Salisbury Group is a 25-year-old South Australian construction company with 55 employees and a turnover of $50 million a year.
Scott Salisbury told SmartCompany he plans to deliver the projects already underway utilising and managing existing Stellar Homes trades and suppliers.
“The biggest reason for us to get involved in that was to help out in the industry and help those customers missing out in the trade and supplies,” he says. “Obviously there has to be some financial reward for us but we are not all that confident about that yet.”   
Salisbury says the reason for Stellar Homes’ collapse appears to be poor cost control.
“I think it is just poor financial management, some of the projects were sold too cheaply, there was quite a large overhead in the business,” he says.
“They are similar circumstances with builders around Australia when they go under it tends to be because they were too cheap. Builders traditionally get paid in advance so they have a lot of cash in the bank that isn’t actually theirs.”
Salisbury says the Scott Salisbury Group has experience in taking over jobs from companies which have been in administration.
“They are quite difficult jobs as there is a lot of emotion involved,” he says.
But Salisbury says industry-wide improvements are required to make sure a collapse like this doesn’t happen again.
“One of the reasons for doing this is the system needs to be cleaned up,” he says. “The industry knew six months ago that this was going to happen but nobody does anything about it.”
Salisbury says people weren’t being paid and there was talk in the industry that Stellar Homes was in trouble for a long period of time but despite this Stellar Homes was given a building award by the Housing Industry Association only six weeks ago.
“That gave people confidence that they were still viable,” he says.
Salisbury says there needs to be better recording for licensed builders.
“Builder’s licences need to be tied into their assets and financials,” he says.
“Organisations like the Master Builders Association have a code of conduct and if that was made stronger and we could report when trades weren’t being paid then that could be a solution. These things shouldn’t happen they are preventable.”
This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au">SmartCompany</a>.
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Scott Salisbury steps in to rescue collapsed construction company

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Home builder Stellar Homes has collapsed leaving many South Australian home owners with half-built homes.
Administrators were appointed to Stellar Homes last week and the business’ 20 staff were advised of <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/finance/cashflow/41542-10-collapses-10-lessons-how-to-avoid-your-business-going-under">the collapse</a>.
Peter Macks of Macks Advisory is the joint administrator of Stellar Homes and said there is stiff competition for work in the residential construction sector.
“It’s basically the difficult economic climate in South Australia for builders,” he says.
“It came down to a fall in sales which then resulted in a cash flow crisis.”
Stellar Homes was established by Darryn Peter in 2004 and has built more than 500 homes across Adelaide in the past 10 years. 
Around 36 homes are in various stages of construction and <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/video/watch/25401468/stellar-homes-collapses/">7 News reports</a> 173 tradies have been left in the lurch by the collapse and are owed $1.5 million. 
While Macks could not confirm these figures, he said over $3.4 million is owed to secured creditors and $1.5 million to unsecured creditors while staff entitlements have not yet been finalised.
Stellar Homes website has been shut down with just a holding site in its place but the company said in a statement the administration is in the best interests of all its creditors.
“It is a decision taken only with great personal anguish, and never lightly,” the statement said.
Ian Markos, director of policy at Master Builders Australia, said of the association’s 2,500 members in South Australia there have been collapses in the “double figures” in the state.
“In South Australia at the moment, unlike the eastern states, the housing sector is doing it really tough,” he says.
“This is not the first company that has been put into the hands of administrators, which is unfortunate.”
Markos says construction businesses want to build homes for the community but are drowning in paperwork.
“They are all small businesses with a husband and a wife running the company and the same amount of the hours in the day, dealing with a lot of red tape and paperwork.”
The first meeting of creditors will be held on 11 November in Adelaide.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
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Construction company collapses owing $5 million 

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Australian investors have benefited from almost $70 billion in dividends throughout 2013-2014 with $10 billion going to self-managed superannuation funds, according to analysis by Credit Suisse.
Fairfax reports the dividend haul is a record $67.8 billion, up from $61.3 billion in 2012-2013.
“This is what investors want now, especially ‘selfies’ [SMSFs] who are collecting more than $10 billion of dividends themselves,” Credit Suisse equity strategist Hasan Tevfik <a href="https://www.afr.com/p/business/companies/epic_billion_dividend_haul_for_investors_CbbhL0wc7v8D1UY6TWk4VK" target="_blank">told Fairfax</a>.   
Jordan George, senior manager of technical and policy at the SMSF Professionals’ Association of Australia told SmartCompany his research shows that as of the end of 2013 SMSFs held 11.5% of market capitalisation of the ASX.
“If you look at that in context of a $70 billion flow of dividend, $10 billion to SMSFs seems right,” he says.
“We know SMSF investors have a preference for franked dividends as it helps them provide an income stream in retirement and that’s important to consider when we know 35% of SMSFs are in pension stage and are taking an income stream.”
George says SMSF trustees at the pension stage need to generate cash flow to fund paying a pension so dividends are important to maintain that.
“But it’s important to recognise for all super funds there are the same incentives to invest in franked dividends, it is not just an SMSF issue,” George says.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.SmartCompanycom.au" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
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$70 billion dividend payout with $10 billion to SMSFs

The Gold Coast economy has grown by 25 per cent since 2020/21 to surpass $55 billion, but perhaps the more significant story is what sits behind the headline number.

For decades, the Gold Coast has been viewed through the lens of tourism, lifestyle and population growth. The latest State of the City Report suggests that perception is increasingly out of step with reality.

Released by Invest Gold Coast, the report ranks the Gold Coast as Australia's largest non-capital city economy and, perhaps more notably, second nationally behind Sydney for Economic Complexity, a measure that assesses the diversity and sophistication of an economy.

It's a result that places the Gold Coast ahead of Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, highlighting the extent to which the city's economic base has broadened beyond its traditional industries.

Today, the Gold Coast supports more than 350,000 jobs, is home to over 83,000 businesses and generates $19 billion in annual exports. Manufacturing now accounts for 62 per cent of international export growth, while sectors including health, education, advanced manufacturing, technology and professional services are becoming increasingly important contributors to the local economy.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the report confirmed the city's evolution into one of Australia's most significant economies.

"The Gold Coast economy continues to grow at an incredible pace. This is no surprise to those of us who have watched the evolution up close," Mayor Tate said.

"As one of the most entrepreneurial, investment driven and opportunity focused economies in the country our ambition has been realised and possibilities are endless.

"The Gold Coast has built a reputation as the city that says yes. We say yes to investment, yes to opportunity and yes to people who want to build something.

"It's this mindset helping us drive major growth across health, advanced manufacturing, screen production, marine, technology and the knowledge economy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360975]

While population growth has been one of the defining stories of the past decade, the report points to a broader economic transformation taking place.

The city's knowledge economy now contributes $7.9 billion annually and supports around 31,000 jobs, while the health and wellbeing sector contributes $5.2 billion and employs more than 42,000 people. Together, the six priority sectors identified in the report account for almost $24 billion in economic output and more than 145,000 jobs.

One of the strongest examples is the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct at Southport. The 200-hectare precinct now contains more than $5 billion worth of health, education, research and innovation infrastructure and supports over 16,000 jobs.

The report also highlights the growing role of advanced manufacturing, particularly in aerospace, defence and modular construction.

Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space Technologies recently became the first Australian commercial company to attempt an orbital launch, while companies including Modscape and ModnPods are helping establish the Yatala-Stapylton corridor as one of Australia's fastest-growing advanced manufacturing hubs.

The city's entrepreneurial culture is also translating into business growth.

Since 2019/20, the number of businesses operating on the Gold Coast has increased by 22 per cent, while firms employing more than 200 people have grown by 80 per cent. The report suggests the next challenge is converting more local start-ups and medium-sized businesses into nationally significant companies.

Development activity remains another key indicator of confidence.

There are currently more than $23 billion worth of major projects underway across the Gold Coast, supported by a record 75 active cranes, a figure that now exceeds Brisbane and represents a 150 per cent increase since 2016.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112024 project_image_fid=343235]

Importantly, the report notes the next phase of investment will need to extend beyond residential development.

While 93 per cent of crane activity is currently tied to housing, Invest Gold Coast argues future investment will increasingly need to focus on cultural, civic, infrastructure and industry-enabling projects that strengthen the city's long-term economic resilience.

Invest Gold Coast Chair Will Hodgman said the city was now benefiting from years of economic diversification.

"What is happening on the Gold Coast is the result of the city's economic base broadening, fuelled by industries with long-term, high-growth potential," Mr Hodgman said.

"This is no longer a secondary Australian economy, the Gold Coast is becoming a globally connected city with deeper capability across health, knowledge and creative industries, advanced manufacturing, technology and exports."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365786]

Looking ahead, the Gold Coast's population is projected to exceed one million residents by 2046.

For a city that was once largely defined by tourism and lifestyle, the latest figures suggest the Gold Coast is becoming something more significant, one of Australia's most diverse and economically sophisticated urban economies, and increasingly one that national and international investors can no longer afford to overlook.

Joel Robinson

75 cranes, $23 billion pipeline and a $55 billion economy: Inside the Gold Coast economic boom

Ron Bakir's Homecorp has sold more than 75 per cent of the apartments in its wellness-driven Florence Residences in Surfers Paradise following its first weekend release.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/florence-residences-24-monte-carlo-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">26-storey project on Monte Carlo Avenue</a>, which commenced construction earlier this year, has seen a flurry of buyers secure their slice of the Gold Coast's latest wellbeing-focused offering in one of the nation's most competitive property markets.

Since the pandemic, the Gold Coast's population has grown by more than 11 per cent, a rate approximately four times faster than Sydney's, driven largely by lifestyle changes and interstate migration. While buyer activity has moderated in some markets nationally, demand for newly built dwellings on the Gold Coast continues to gain momentum as purchasers increasingly prioritise lifestyle, amenity, wellbeing, liveability and long-term investment potential.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372743]

Homecorp CEO Ron Bakir says buyers today are looking for more than just a home.

"What we are seeing is a shift in how people define value in property," Bakir says.

"What attracts residents to new developments is a desire for more than just a residence. They are looking for a place that complements their lifestyle, supports their wellbeing and reflects the way they want to live into the future.

"Lifestyle, longevity, proactive health, wellbeing, connection and a sense of community are increasingly shaping purchasing decisions, particularly on the Gold Coast, where these factors continue to be a major drawcard."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372744]

Bakir says Homecorp is responding to this shift through an approach that places greater emphasis on design, amenity and experience working together to create places that feel considered, connected and enduring in value.

Inspired by Eastern European design, Florence Residences will comprise 120 apartments alongside a private residents-only wellness club featuring a resort-style rooftop pool, hot and cold plunge pools, a spa retreat, contemporary gymnasium, and a spacious yoga and Pilates studio.

The development will also feature a residents-only lounge with private dining facilities and a rooftop bar, premium outdoor entertaining areas, a hotel-style lobby lounge, generous bike parking, and pet-friendly amenities including a heated dog wash.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372742]

A limited number of apartments remain available, with an exclusive collection of four-bedroom sub-penthouses set to be released in the coming months.

Florence is one of the latest additions to Homecorp's expanding multi-billion-dollar property portfolio, which also includes plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/homecorp-lodges-plans-for-260-million-moroccan-bathhouse-inspired-tower-in-budds-beach">$260 million development in Budds Beach</a> tailored to the growing wellness market.

A development application has been lodged for a 27-storey, 156-residence tower at 8–10 Acacia Avenue and 25–27 Oak Avenue, featuring a residents-only Moroccan spa-inspired sanctuary.

Apartments at Florence Residences are priced from $1,249,000, with construction expected to be completed by late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150414]

Buyers rush to Homecorp's Florence Residences as Gold Coast wellness trend gains momentum

The NSW Government has expanded its $1 billion Pre-sale Finance Guarantee program, broadening access for affordable housing providers and smaller residential developments as it seeks to accelerate housing delivery across the state.

The Minns Government says the program has already helped bring forward more than 600 homes across Sydney and regional NSW since launching in September 2025, with similar models now adopted in South Australia and Western Australia.

The latest changes, announced by Treasurer Daniel Mookhey and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully, are designed to improve access to finance for projects that have planning approval but are struggling to secure funding.

Among the key changes is an expansion of support for community housing providers. The program will now support up to 100 per cent affordable housing projects valued at up to $30 million when delivered by not-for-profit providers, while support for larger affordable housing developments will increase for projects worth up to $80 million.

The government says the changes will help accelerate the delivery of housing for low-income workers, older people, people living with disability, and those at risk of homelessness, while reducing reliance on direct grants or subsidised loans to bridge funding gaps.

The eligibility criteria for smaller residential developments have also been broadened. The previous $5 million minimum project value threshold has been removed and replaced with a requirement that projects deliver at least four homes.

Support has also increased for projects delivering fewer than 20 homes, with the guarantee now able to cover up to 75 per cent of dwellings in a development, capped at $30 million per project.

The changes are expected to particularly benefit smaller-scale and regional developments, which often face greater challenges meeting pre-sale requirements imposed by lenders.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the scheme demonstrates how government can use its balance sheet to stimulate housing supply without relying solely on taxpayer-funded grants.

"The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee shows how this Government is using its balance sheet to reduce risk and unlock private investment, enabling new homes to move from design to construction faster," Mookhey said.

"This landmark reform allows us to deliver homes for working families at a lower cost to taxpayers, while also maintaining strong financial discipline."

Planning Minister Paul Scully said the program had already proven effective in bringing stalled projects to market.

"The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee has already proven it can unlock stalled projects and accelerate housing delivery by giving lenders the confidence they need to back good developments," Scully said.

"These changes will allow more affordable housing and smaller developments to access support so more homes can be built faster where communities need them most."

Housing Minister Rose Jackson said the expansion would help community housing providers overcome financing barriers that often delay projects.

"We know community housing providers are ready to build more homes, too often they're held back by barriers to finance," Jackson said.

"Expanding the Pre-sale Finance Guarantee helps remove those barriers so more affordable homes can get off the ground sooner."

The announcement was welcomed by the Property Council of Australia, which has long advocated for measures aimed at improving project feasibility and access to finance.

Property Council NSW Executive Director Katie Stevenson described the expansion as a practical intervention that addresses one of the most immediate constraints on housing delivery.

"This is exactly the kind of practical intervention we need right now, focused on getting projects out of the ground, not just approved," Stevenson said.

"It builds on a model the Property Council has worked closely with government to develop following calls for such a scheme ahead of last year's NSW Budget, so it's great to see it being expanded."

Stevenson said the reforms would help unlock projects that are ready to proceed but have been delayed by financing challenges. However, she noted that broader feasibility issues remain a significant barrier to increasing housing supply.

"The biggest challenge in NSW housing today is delivery. Too many projects have planning approval but are simply not financially viable to proceed under current settings," she said.

Speaking at the Property Council's NSW Housing Summit, Housing Minister Rose Jackson acknowledged that feasibility and financing pressures continue to constrain housing delivery, while reaffirming the government's commitment to work with industry on solutions.

Stevenson said the government's recognition of those challenges was encouraging ahead of next week's state budget.

"It's positive to see the government clearly recognising that feasibility pressures are now a binding constraint on supply," she said.

"With the Budget just days away, the focus must be on backing delivery, making sure projects stack up, finance can flow, and more homes can move from approval to construction."

The expanded Pre-sale Finance Guarantee forms part of the NSW Government's broader housing agenda, which also includes planning reforms, the NSW Housing Pattern Book, and a series of rezonings intended to increase housing capacity across the state.

NSW expands Pre-sale Finance Guarantee to unlock more affordable and regional housing

Design-led developer-builder Lowe Living has unveiled its latest residential development, Jardin House, marking its first foray into Melbourne's blue-chip City of Boroondara.

Located a short walk from Camberwell Junction, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/jardin-house-by-lowe-living-camberwell-335-camberwell-road-camberwell-vic-3124">Jardin House</a> has been designed to appeal to affluent local downsizers and established families seeking a low-maintenance alternative to the large homes that have long defined Camberwell and surrounding suburbs.

The project will comprise a collection of two and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 92 sqm to 280 sqm, alongside a limited number of penthouse residences featuring rooftop terraces spanning more than 100 sqm, with optional private pools.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372212]

Lowe Living Co-Founder and Managing Director Tim Lowe said Camberwell represented a natural next step for the developer as it expands into some of Melbourne's most tightly held residential markets.

"Jardin House is an important project for our team as it marks the next evolution of our portfolio into different well-established blue-chip pockets of Melbourne," Lowe said.

"Camberwell, with its incredible walkability, family-led neighbourhood feel and superb access to education and transport, makes it a natural choice for us."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372227]

Designed by Tristan Wong Architects, with interiors by Hecker Guthrie and landscaping by Acre, the development takes inspiration from the Art Deco architecture that remains a defining feature of many of Camberwell's established streets.

A curved facade, arched openings, textured brickwork and sculpted forms reference the suburb's architectural heritage, while extensive landscaping softens the building's presence and creates a strong connection to the surrounding tree-lined streetscape.

The project will be set behind a secure gated entrance, with residents arriving through landscaped gardens designed to create a transition between the public realm and private residences.

Inside, the residences feature natural stone and timber finishes, full-height glazing, Miele appliances and generous open-plan living areas designed for long-term owner occupation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372225]

While the apartments themselves have been designed to attract discerning owner-occupiers, it is the amenity offering that sets Jardin House apart from many other boutique projects currently launching across Melbourne.

The centrepiece is a 350 sqm private bathhouse curated in partnership with Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse founder Lyndall Mitchell.

The wellness precinct includes mineral pools, hydrotherapy experiences, a Himalayan salt room, sauna, steam room, cold plunge pools and dedicated relaxation spaces, creating what Lowe Living describes as a private wellness retreat exclusively for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372222]

The collaboration follows Lowe Living's recent partnership with Aurora at Maison Savoy in Brighton, although Jardin House is the first project to incorporate both indoor and outdoor wellness experiences.

Emma Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living, said wellness was becoming an increasingly important consideration for apartment buyers.

"Collaborating with Lyndall Mitchell from Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse for a second time is an intentional nod to creating residences that are more than just homes, but a way to enrich the lives of our residents through wellness and longevity," Lowe said.

The amenity offering is complemented by a Technogym fitness studio, residents' lounge, private dining spaces and concierge services.

The launch comes as developers increasingly target Melbourne's established eastern suburbs, where rising land values, ageing housing stock and growing downsizer demand are creating opportunities for boutique apartment projects.

Lowe said the company expects significant generational wealth transfer across suburbs such as Camberwell in coming years, creating further demand for luxury apartment living.

"Camberwell is a blue-chip suburb where homes regularly transact for multiple millions of dollars," he said.

"The generational change of wealth in these locations expected in the coming years is significant, so we see an opportunity to create exclusive residences that appeal to older families and downsizers in order to meet this demand."

Apartments at Jardin house start from $1,195,000. The project forms part of Lowe Living's near-$1 billion portfolio of new developments across Melbourne.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146717]

Lowe Living launches Jardin House in Camberwell

As <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/north-sydney-nsw-2060">North Sydney</a> continues its transition from a commercial centre into a more layered residential and lifestyle precinct, a new generation of apartment developments is reshaping expectations around scale, amenity, and long-term liveability.

Improved transport connections through the Victoria Cross Metro, continued investment in dining and public spaces, and a constrained supply of new luxury apartments have sharpened demand for homes that combine proximity to the CBD with the privacy and outlook traditionally associated with harbourside houses.

At 177 Walker Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aland">ALAND</a>’s new apartment development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-north-sydney-177-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> enters the market with a distinctly residential approach to high-rise living. The 30-level tower will deliver 161 residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to sub-penthouses and a full-floor penthouse, all oriented to capture uninterrupted views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and out toward the Pacific Ocean.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6395]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, the project takes advantage of the site’s natural topography and elevated position above the harbour. Rather than relying on density alone, the architecture focuses on outlook, orientation, and spatial flow, with every apartment occupying a corner position to maximise natural light and cross ventilation.

Rothelowman says the site itself shaped much of the architectural response.

“The site has a long history in terms of its inevitable transformation and when we came in, we took inspiration from the idea of reestablishing a sense of the site’s natural terrain and fall. Our scheme aims to integrate with the terrain and the landscape, using the undulating site to slowly reveal glimpses and views of the harbour. The rotation of the tower off grid means every apartment has a view and is naturally cross ventilated. The building's colour palette is quintessentially Sydney, with bronze and sandstone and a luminescent green colour in the glass, making it very earthy and grounded in its location.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6399]

Inside the residences, the emphasis moves toward larger-format living typically associated with standalone homes. Kitchens sit at the centre of the apartments, connecting directly to open-plan dining and living areas before extending outward into expansive winter gardens and balconies. Calacatta marble, bespoke joinery, integrated appliances, and custom metal detailing are used throughout, while three distinct interior palettes, Terrace, Opera, and Harbour, allow buyers to personalise the spaces without compromising the architectural consistency of the project.

The larger residences place particular attention on separation between entertaining and private zones. In many apartments, master suites occupy the outer corners of the floorplates, allowing bedrooms to benefit from floor-to-ceiling glazing and harbour outlooks independent of the living spaces. Dressing rooms and ensuites continue the material palette through fluted detailing, freestanding baths, and layered stone finishes.

Rothelowman says the design intent centred on creating homes that feel enduring rather than transient.

“Our philosophy is all about the way people live in these spaces, and we wanted to create homes that reflect the quality of life in this unique Sydney location. The apartments showcase expansive living spaces that are generous, sophisticated, and bold, with the ability to connect with views throughout each apartment.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=353235]

A separate four-storey amenity building known as The Pavilion expands the residential offering beyond the apartments themselves. Positioned alongside the tower, the building consolidates wellness, recreation, and social spaces into a dedicated resident retreat. Facilities include a 20-metre rooftop pool and sundeck, sauna, spa, ice bath, wellness studio, gymnasium, concierge service, wine cellar, residents’ lounge, private dining spaces, and dedicated co-working areas with meeting rooms and boardroom facilities.

The amenity mix reflects the buyer profile emerging in North Sydney, where owner-occupiers and downsizers are increasingly prioritising convenience, apartment scale, and long-term usability over purely investment-driven decisions.

The Walden also represents a significant milestone for ALAND, marking the company’s first major move into Sydney’s inner-city luxury apartment market after more than two decades delivering large-scale residential communities across Greater Sydney. Founder Andrew Hrsto says the Walker Street site stood apart because of both its positioning and its rarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6390]

“As a company, we had been searching for a site in one of Sydney’s blue-chip locations, spanning the Eastern Suburbs, the Sydney CBD and the North Shore, and when we had the opportunity to purchase this site, we immediately recognised that it could be something iconic.”

At launch, The Walden recorded more than $103 million in sales, with buyers drawn to the project’s harbour positioning, apartment scale, and proximity to the Metro, which now connects North Sydney to Barangaroo in three minutes and Martin Place in five.

ALAND has commenced construction, and is expecting a completion date in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134323]

Cara Waters

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