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Returns for investors in green star-rated offices in the Sydney CBD were significantly higher than returns for the office market as a whole in 2011-12, according to IPD. 
Green star-rated offices secured returns of 12% for Sydney investors, compared with 9.2% for the office market as a whole.
Environmentally sustainable offices also outperformed the sector as a whole in Melboure, but the gap was narrower (11.9% vs 10.9%). 
However, in Perth the situation was reversed, with "green" offices returning 11.1%, compared with 14% for the office market as a whole. 
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Sydney and Melbourne green offices outperformed standard market in 2011-12: IPD

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The number of residential properties on the market in Queensland the week ending August 5, according to RP Data. Of these, 10,737 were listed in the last month. There were 84,127 total listings in the same week last year.
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The number of residential properties on the market in NSW the week ending August 5, according to RP Data. Of these, 11,543 were listed in the last month. There were 67,184 total listings in the same week last year.
 
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The number of residential properties on the market in Victoria the week ending August 5, according to RP Data. Of these, 10,056 were listed in the last month. There were 50,233 total listings in the same week last year.
 
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The number of residential properties on the market in Western Australia the week ending August 5, according to RP Data. Of these, 4,637 were listed in the last month. There were 4,637 total listings in the same week last year.
 
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The number of residential properties on the market in South Australia the week ending August 5, according to RP Data. Of these, 2,580 were listed in the last month. There were 17,035 total listings in the same week last year.
 
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The number of residential properties on the market in Tasmania the week ending August 5, according to RP Data. Of these, 1,012 were listed in the last month. There were 9,451 total listings in the same week last year.
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The number of residential properties on the market in ACT the week ending August 5, according to RP Data. Of these, 515 were listed in the last month. There were 1,615 total listings in the same week last year.
 
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<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/1834.gif">
The number of residential properties on the market in Northern Territory the week ending August 5, according to RP Data. Of these, 354 were listed in the last month. There were 1,963 total listings in the same week last year.
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Canberra's residential listings up 30% in past year, plus state-by-state analysis: RP Data

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A Wollongong property that was recently renovated on popular LifeStyle property reality show Selling Houses Australia is set for televised auction in early September. 
A short walk to the Wollongong CBD, the three-bedroom cottage last sold for $185,000 in 1999 and was on the market briefly in 2006, according to RP Data. The Selling Houses Australia team added new paint throughout, new blinds, new doors, new light fittings, new taps and a revamped kitchen and outdoor entertainment area. Listing agent Michele Lay of Ray White says it could attract a rental of up to $460 per week. In 2009 it was listed for rent for $400 per week. 
Lay is marketing the property with price hopes of $399,000 plus, and if it sells for $399,000 and rents for $460, that would secure an investor a gross rental yield of 6%, above the indicative gross rental yield of 4.7% for Wollongong houses, according to RP Data. The gross rental yield does not consider the costs of maintaining the property, including council rates and other fees such as water bills and managing agent fees. <a target="_blank" href="https://calc.washingtonbrown.com.au/wbdcalculator/calculator.aspx?RID=HPCAZOPTTT">Washington Brown</a> estimates the first-year tax depreciation deduction to be $4,000 and over five years to be $8,000.
The median house price in Wollongong fell 9.9% in the past year but rose 10.5% in the past five years, according to RP Data.
The property will go to auction Monday, September 3 at 6pm. The property will be open for inspection on September 3, with the television crew from the TV show present to capture potential buyers' opinions of the house's makeover. 
For more about prices and yields in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Wollongong, see the RP Data suburb page.</a>
For real-life property lessons from reality TV shows, download our free eBook <a target="_blank" href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/ebooks/free-ebook-lessons-from-the-block-and-other-property-reality-television-shows">Lights, Camera, Auction!</a>
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Wollongong house renovated on Selling Houses Australia set for auction

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Unit prices are pricier in the property investment hotspot Gladstone, Queensland than ever before, with units over $500,000 now representing more than a quarter of all unit sales, compared with 3% for this price point two years ago.
The percentage of units sold priced between $450,000 and $500,000 also increased dramatically over the past two years, from 5% to 20% of units in the region, according to PRDnationwide. 
"Unprecedented growth in both sales activity and capital values during [thje past five years] has driven the market to a full recovery, bucking the nation’s unrelenting trend of diminishing sales volumes and softening capitalvalues since the onset of the global financial crisis," says the PRDnationwide analysis.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/prdaug9.gif">
The PRDnationwide report also shows that after slumping during the GFC, Gladstone unit sales volumes have recovered to pre-GFC levels. This is not the case for <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/queensland/gladstone-house-and-land-prices-rising-but-sales-volumes-below-pre-gfc-peak-prdnationwide/2012080755900" target="_blank">Gladstone house and land sales</a>, as they are yet to return to their pre-GFC peak.
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For more, download our free eBook <a target="_blank" href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/ebooks/free-ebook-property-investing-in-queenslands-resources-boom">Residential Property Investment Amid Queensland's Resources Boom.</a>
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Units pricier than ever in Queensland hotspot Gladstone

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Sydney's prime retail property market for rentals is at 12 o'clock on the "property clock", between the quadrants "rental value growth slowing" and rental values falling", according to Jones Lang LaSalle.
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Sydney's prime retail rental market at 12 o'clock and about to fall: Jones Lang LaSalle

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The number of properties available for rent in Victoria for the week ended August 5, according to RP Data. Of these, 13,857 were listed in the last month. There were 24,462 listings during the same week last year.
 
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The number of properties available for rent in New South Wales for the week ended August 5, according to RP Data. Of these, 12,727 were listed in the last month. There were 21,948 listings during the same week last year.
 
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The number of properties available for rent in Queensland for the week ended August 5, according to RP Data. Of these, 11,032 were listed in the last month. There were 24,575 listings during the same week last year.
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The number of properties available for rent in Western Australia for the week ended August 5, according to RP Data. Of these, 3,870 were listed in the last month. There were 8,204 listings during the same week last year.
 
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The number of properties available for rent in South Australia for the week ended August 5, according to RP Data. Of these, 3,403 were listed in the last month. There were 5,732 listings during the same week last year.
 
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The number of properties available for rent in Tasmania for the week ended August 5, according to RP Data. Of these, 999 were listed in the last month. There were 1,591 listings during the same week last year.
 
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The number of properties available for rent in ACT for the week ended August 5, according to RP Data. Of these, 439 were listed in the last month. There were 462 listings during the same week last year.
 
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The number of properties available for rent in Northern Territory for the week ended August 5, according to RP Data. Of these, 499 were listed in the last month. There were 915 listings during the same week last year.
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Victoria's 30,842 homes for rent lead the nation: A state-by-state analysis: RP Data

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<a href="https://www.thehomepage.com.au/" rel="nofollow">Thehomepage.com.au</a> was founded three years ago by Morry Schwartz, who recognised an opportunity to revamp how real estate agents do business.
Thehomepage.com.au enables real estate agents to reach more buyers, in what Schwartz says is a quicker, cheaper and more attractive way.
Schwartz, who is the chairman of property development firm Pan Urban, is also the publisher of politics and current affairs publications Quarterly Essay and The Monthly.
The website belongs to start-up company Dog No. 7, which, according to Schwartz, is designed to reflect the fact that it is always one step ahead of the game.
Schwartz, who has since been joined in the business by friends Mark Copley and Vicki Williams, talks about how Thehomepage.com.au is attempting to get in front of the competition.
<h3>What prompted you to launch Thehomepage.com.au? What niche did you identify?</h3>
I launched Thehomepage.com.au and its sister site Millionplus.com.au because, in my real estate development business, I was amazed at how expensive it was to advertise on the existing real estate listings portals.
Using the existing real estate portals as a consumer, I also found them to be slow to load, cluttered with advertising and ugly to look at.
I wanted to create something that was different from what was already available in all of those ways: it would be free to advertise basic listings and less expensive for premium listings.
It would be fast to load. And it would be clean and attractive to look at.
Both Thehomepage.com.au and Millionplus.com.au belong to our start-up company, Dog No. 7. We picked that name because the CEO of our biggest competitor had said that Dog No. 7 is the one he worries about.
He compared the business to a dog race and said that Dog No. 2 always follows what Dog No. 1 does, and Dog No. 3 follows in the footsteps of Dog No. 2.
But Dog No. 7 is so far behind that he realises he can’t beat the top dogs by following in their footsteps.
Instead, he decides to win by cutting across the middle of the arena. The moral of the story is to always watch out for Dog No. 7.
<h3>How did you fund the business and what were your start-up costs?</h3>
I lent money to the business to fund its start-up. I’ve invested about $1.5 million so far.
<h3>How many staff do you have?</h3>
We have seven excellent people on our team. That includes myself, our CEO and an editor, a social media and advertising manager, a salesperson and two web developers.
Every one of them is on top of their game. I’m proud to have them working with me.
<h3>How do you promote the business?</h3>
Our business depends on consumers being able to find as many real estate listings as possible when they come to our site.
We are currently focused on acquiring more of that listings content and then driving web users to them. We are not doing much brand and awareness advertising as yet.
We put a lot of effort into being found online because we are an online business. That means search marketing and search optimisation are the biggest line items.
<h3>How do you stand out in the market? What’s your point/s of difference?</h3>
I already mentioned that we provide free basic listings and much less expensive premium advertising to real estate agents.
I also mentioned that we focus on being cleaner to look at, faster loading and more enjoyable to the consumer.
When we tested speed earlier this year, our web pages loaded twice as fast as our big competitors’ pages. That’s better for the consumer.
In addition, our key strength is the fact that we refuse to do priority listings.
When you type in a property search on our competitors’ sites, they return a bunch of listings results, but they don’t show you the most recent listings first by default.
Instead, they take money from agents to promote certain listings above others, and then they make sure you see all those “priority” listings first.
We decided to give people a break and always put the most recent listings first, so that you don’t have to scroll through listing after listing just to get to the ones that you haven’t seen yet.
After all, when you’re searching for property you can find yourself checking the site for new listings several times a day.
People tell us that our system is much more productive and enjoyable to use, and it is one of the things that brings them back to the site for repeat visits.
<h3>What are your revenue projections for 2012/13?</h3>
We don’t share our revenue numbers, but it’s fair to say our primary focus in 2012 is to acquire content. Revenue is a secondary focus right now, although it is growing.
What’s the biggest risk you face?
We’re growing steadily and quickly in content, traffic and revenue, so we are confident we will hit our growth targets.
I suppose the biggest risk is that online technology is getting cheaper and easier every day. That lowers the bar and makes it easier for new competitors to pop up.
We are confident, however, because launching a website is the easy part. Building relationships with agents and consumers is much harder.
<h3>Is there anything you would have done differently?</h3>
It’s not that we’re perfect, but we have learned from the mistakes we’ve made. No one mistake stands out as a horrible error that I would go back in time to correct.
<h3>What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?</h3>
Invest in good people and reward them. Building a business is all about people and relationships.
This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.startupsmart.com.au/" target="_blank">StartupSmart</a>.
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Why developer Morry Schwartz started thehomepage

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Sydney's prime office capital values market has moved from about seven o'clock to about eight o'clock on the property clock between the first and second quarters of 2012, according to Jones Lang LaSalle.
The real estate services firm puts Sydney's prime office capital values market in the "capital value growth accelerating" quadrant of its property clock, alongside the prime office capital values markets of Los Angeles, Frankfurt and Atlanta. 
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Sydney's prime office rental market also progressed from about seven to about eight o'clock on the property clock, according to Jones Lang LaSalle.
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Sydney prime office values and rents rising as it moves forward on the property clock: Jones Lang LaSalle

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42 Apex Street, Dandenong North, Vic 3175
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/apex.jpg">
This four-bedroom house in the centre of Dandenong North is within close proxminity of the Monash and EastLink freeways, Dandenong Market and shops. It is solar powered and has polished floorboards. McDonald Real Estate agent Harry Li says it could be expected to rent for $350 per week. 
Li<a href="https://www.ljhooker.com.au/JN5F8B" target="_blank"> </a>is marketing the property with price hopes of $300,000 plus, and if it sells for that price and is rented for $350 that would secure an investor a gross rental yield of 6.1%, well above the gross rental yield for Dandenong North houses of 4.4%, according to RP Data. The gross rental yield does not consider the costs of maintaining the property, including council rates and other fees such as water bills and managing agent fees. 
The median house price in Dandenong North fell 7.4% in the past year but rose 45.9% in the past five years, according to RP Data.
<a target="_blank" href="https://calc.washingtonbrown.com.au/wbdcalculator/calculator.aspx?RID=HPCAZOPTTT">Washington Brown</a> estimates the first-year tax depreciation deduction to be $5,000 and over five years to be $10,000.
The property will be open for inspection Saturday, August 11 at 2pm and will go to auction Saturday, September 1 at 2.30pm.
For more information about prices and yields in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Dandenong North, see the RP Data suburb page.</a>
 
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Friday form guide: Yields of up to 6.1% in Dandenong North

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<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/queensland/gladstone-property-hotspot-facing-headwinds-with-investor-demand-grossly-outstripping-owner-occupier-demand-prdnationwide/2012080655882" target="_blank"><img src="/images/stories/2012/08/69b.gif"></a>
The amount of money currently invested<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/queensland/gladstone-property-hotspot-facing-headwinds-with-investor-demand-grossly-outstripping-owner-occupier-demand-prdnationwide/2012080655882" target="_blank"> in mining projects in the Queensland mining town of Gladstone</a>. Gladstone ranked third in Your Investment Propertymagazine’s 2012 list of Top 100 suburbs and was ranked second last year. The town is home to the world’s biggest alumina refinery, Australia’s biggest aluminium smelter and the country’s largest cement operation. However, PRDnationwide says investors in the town face headwinds due to an expanding fly-in, fly-out workforce and investor demand grossly outstripping owner-occupier demand.
 
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<a target="_blank" href="/news"><img src="/images/stories/2012/08/309point2m.gif"></a>
The height of the<a target="_blank" href="/news"> 95-storey London skyscraper The Shard</a>, which officially opened on July 5 with a massive laser show. It is the tallest building in Europe. From the top it’s sometimes possible to see the English Channel, 80 kilometres away. 
 
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<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/22b.gif">
The amount by which NAB has grown its loan book from February 29, 2011 to June 30, 2012, <a target="_blank" href="/news">APRA figures show</a>. This translates into mortgage growth of 20% over this time period and comes as NAB revealed that it <a href="/news">would</a><a href="/news"> sign up its one millionth new customer – since the start of the 'break-up' campaign that launched on Valentine's Day last year – this week</a>.
 
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<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/26.gif">
The number of consecutive months the Australian construction industry has contracted. The construction industry failed to rebound despite successive rate cuts in May and June.
 
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<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/15mpounds.gif">
The price hopes for Kenwood, John Lennon's former home in the United Kingdom, where his first marriage ended. The six-bedroom 1920s stockbroker Tudor-style house outside Weybridge, Surrey, is 24 miles (39 kilometres) south-west of London.
 
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<a href="/news"><img src="/images/stories/2012/08/16m.gif"></a>
The amount (in US dollars) that <a href="/news">Nicole Kidman secured for her redundant New York apartment</a>. The high-rise apartment has a nine-metre-wide entrance gallery with sweeping views of the Hudson River
 
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<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/oracle-commercial-precinct-on-broadbeach-listed-with-%2450-million-hopes-with-gold-coast-office-vacancy-rate-at-215/2012080855906"><img src="/images/stories/2012/08/21point5percent.gif"></a>
The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/oracle-commercial-precinct-on-broadbeach-listed-with-%2450-million-hopes-with-gold-coast-office-vacancy-rate-at-215/2012080855906">office vacancy rate on the Gold Coast</a>. The Gold Coast office vacancy rate tightened marginally in the first six months of the year from 22% to 21.5%.
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The 7 must-know numbers of the week, starting with the billions in mining in Gladstone

South East Queensland’s apartment market is entering a new phase defined by rising prices, constrained affordability, and mounting pressure on the construction pipeline, according to RPM Group’s latest SEQ Apartments &amp; Townhomes Market Report.

The May 2026 report highlights a widening divide between what buyers can afford and what developers can viably deliver, with detached house prices continuing to push more buyers toward apartments across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast.

RPM says Brisbane’s median house price has reached around $1.5 million, accelerating the shift toward higher-density housing as buyers are increasingly priced out of the detached market.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135094 project_image_fid=356540]

Median unit prices rose across all three major SEQ markets in the March quarter. Brisbane City recorded the strongest annual growth, with median unit prices climbing 21 per cent to $862,000, while the Gold Coast reached the highest overall median at $950,000, up 17 per cent year-on-year. The Sunshine Coast followed at $870,000, representing annual growth of nine per cent.

RPM noted the affordability gap between houses and units remains significant, with detached homes commanding premiums of 67 per cent in Brisbane and 68 per cent on the Gold Coast relative to apartments.

The report suggests this price disparity is increasingly consolidating buyer demand within the apartment market, particularly among downsizers and owner-occupiers.

“Demand is real. Supply is moving. But they’re operating on different timelines and the gap between what’s being built and what buyers can afford is the defining tension in this market right now,” RPM Queensland and NSW Managing Directors Peter Neale and Clinton Trezise said in the report.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150787 project_image_fid=366230]

While approvals and commencements are strengthening, RPM argues the delivery pipeline remains constrained by construction costs, labour shortages, and extended build timelines.

Apartment approvals across Queensland increased 86 per cent over the year to February 2026, reaching 12,682 approvals, the highest level recorded since 2016. Brisbane overtook the Gold Coast as the state’s most active apartment approval market, with nearly 5,000 apartments approved over the past 12 months.

Unit commencements also strengthened considerably, rising 48 per cent year-on-year to 5,453 commencements in the December 2025 quarter, the highest level since 2018.

However, RPM’s research found apartment delivery timeframes have expanded sharply compared to the previous cycle. Projects are now averaging around 30 months from approval to completion, compared to roughly 20 months a decade ago.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143932 project_image_fid=367515]

The number of units under construction has climbed to approximately 31,530 dwellings, nearing the previous 2016 peak, though projects are remaining in the pipeline for considerably longer.

Construction costs continue to weigh heavily on feasibility. RPM found the average apartment construction cost in Greater Brisbane reached $630,000 per dwelling in 2025, exceeding both Sydney and Melbourne. Coastal Queensland markets, including the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, were even higher at an average of $817,418 per apartment due to the prevalence of larger premium product.

The report also points to increasing pressure from Olympic-related infrastructure spending ahead of Brisbane 2032, with labour competition expected to intensify over the next several years.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370960]

ANZ Associate Director of Property Daniel Gradwell said the underlying demand drivers across South East Queensland remain strong, supported by interstate migration, downsizers, and population growth.

“The challenge is bringing enough supply to market to meet that demand, and nothing on the horizon makes that straightforward,” Gradwell said.

RPM’s analysis found the affordability challenge is becoming more pronounced in the new apartment market itself, with only three per cent of surveyed new apartments priced below $1 million.

Instead, the market is increasingly concentrated in higher price brackets, with the most common new apartment price band across SEQ sitting between $1.5 million and $1.75 million. Around half of all new apartment stock surveyed is priced below $2 million.

The report suggests developers are not necessarily avoiding lower price points by choice, but because current construction economics make delivering affordable apartments increasingly difficult at scale.

Rental conditions also remain tight across the region. Median rents for one-bedroom apartments rose 12 per cent in Brisbane over the past year to $580 per week, while Gold Coast one-bedroom rents increased nine per cent to $630.

Despite rising rents, RPM noted bond lodgements have generally trended downward over the past five years, indicating more apartments are being absorbed by owner-occupiers rather than retained as investor-held rental stock.

Looking ahead, RPM expects projects targeting the mid-market owner-occupier segment between $1.25 million and $2 million to remain the most viable part of the market, while premium projects in highly constrained coastal or riverfront locations continue to attract demand.

“Construction costs are rewriting the feasibility rulebook across Greater Brisbane, and with little relief in sight, only projects in the right price band, right location, and with presales secured early will make it through,” the report concludes.

Joel Robinson

SEQ apartment demand outpacing affordable supply as construction timelines stretch: RPM

Camberwell Junction has long been the epicentre of amenity in Melbourne’s Boroondara region.

For nearly a century, it has drawn both locals and visitors, anchored by the Camberwell Sunday Market, which first operated in 1929 and quickly became a fixture of the suburb’s identity. Over time, the Junction evolved into one of Melbourne’s most established retail and lifestyle precincts, now comprising more than 400 stores and over 300 commercial businesses.

Despite that depth of amenity, one thing has remained notably limited: the supply of new apartments.

In a suburb defined by its heritage streetscapes and tightly held residential stock, new development opportunities have been scarce, particularly within the core of the Junction itself. That lack of supply has left a gap in the market for larger, design-led apartments suited to downsizers and owner-occupiers wanting to remain in the area.

Boutique developer Above Zero identified that gap when it secured a prime site on Burke Road, in the heart of Camberwell Junction.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4896 project_image_fid=368543]

The site has a long planning history. Various proposals have been put forward over more than a decade, many of which were knocked back by the City of Boroondara, with initial applications dating back to 2015. Above Zero acquired the site in 2022 and returned with a revised scheme, refining both the building’s height and its ground-level interface to better align with Council expectations.

That process has culminated in approval for Camberwell House.

The Cera Stribley-designed development will deliver 57 residences on a 1,950 sqm site within the Camberwell Activity Centre, placing it directly within one of Melbourne’s most established retail and transport hubs.

It is expected to be one of the only new apartment developments to launch in the Junction in recent years, reinforcing the rarity of new supply in the precinct. Currently, there are just a handful of projects on the market in Camberwell, underscoring the significance of a development of this scale and positioning.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4896 project_image_fid=368544]

Camberwell House has been conceived with a clear focus on larger-format apartments. The project will offer a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom residences, alongside a limited number of penthouses, targeting owner-occupiers seeking scale rather than volume-driven product.

The building’s vertical presence will also set it apart.

Positioned on Burke Road, the development is set to become one of the taller buildings in its immediate context, allowing for elevated outlooks across Melbourne’s CBD skyline and toward the Dandenong Ranges. In a precinct characterised by lower-scale built form, that height provides a point of differentiation, particularly for buyers seeking outlook and natural light.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4896 project_image_fid=368568]

Architecture has been led by Cera Stribley, with interiors by GOLDEN and landscape design by Florian Wild. The design approach centres on material consistency and restraint, with residences oriented to maximise light, ventilation and connection to outdoor spaces.

Full-height glazing and generous terraces form a key part of that strategy, allowing apartments to extend beyond their internal footprint and engage with the surrounding environment.

Beyond the private residences, a significant component of the project is its amenity offering.

Above Zero has positioned Camberwell House as a “complete living environment”, incorporating a full floor dedicated to resident facilities. At the centre of that is a wellness zone, including a 12.5-metre lap pool, spa, sauna and treatment spaces, alongside a gym and recovery-focused amenities.

This level of amenity is more commonly associated with inner-city developments, rather than established middle-ring suburbs like Camberwell.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4896 project_image_fid=368588]

Additional shared spaces include a private library lounge, dining and entertaining areas, and an indoor golf simulator. A self-contained guest suite has also been incorporated, allowing residents to accommodate visiting family or friends without impacting their primary living space.

The inclusion of these facilities reflects a broader shift in buyer expectations.

As more downsizers look to transition from larger family homes into apartments, there is increasing demand for developments that offer not just a residence, but a lifestyle. That includes access to wellness, social and entertaining spaces within the building itself, reducing the reliance on external amenity while still maintaining proximity to established precincts.

Camberwell House is positioned to benefit from both.

Its location places it within immediate walking distance of Camberwell Junction’s retail and dining offering, as well as public transport connections, including tram and train services. That combination of internal amenity and external convenience is central to its appeal.

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Jellis Craig Projects Director Stephen Bowtell is handling sales for the project and says Camberwell House offers a rare entry point into one of Melbourne’s most tightly held markets.

“Buyers are recognising that Camberwell House offers something they simply haven’t seen before in Boroondara,”&nbsp;Bowtell&nbsp;says.

“It combines a level of resident amenity and service typically associated with Melbourne’s premium inner-city developments, while being positioned right in the heart of Camberwell Junction.

“The response to the concierge offering has been particularly strong. Buyers appreciate not only the convenience, but also the sense of security and peace of mind that comes from having a dedicated presence in the building every day.

“When you combine that with the wellness facilities, the exceptional arrival experience, and panoramic views across both the CBD skyline and the Dandenong Ranges, it creates a lifestyle proposition that is genuinely unique within the local market.”
</section>

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4896]

Above Zero launches Camberwell House in undersupplied Camberwell Junction precinct

<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, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, 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]

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;

Cassidy Knowlton

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