<html><body>
Small business owners will be among the more nervous observers of today’s interest rate decision, with new research showing that more than a quarter of Australian SMEs use their mortgage to finance their business. 
A survey of 1,043 sole traders and small companies by MYOB found that 28% use their home loan to keep their business afloat, by utilising the line of credit, increasing the amount of the loan, redrawing against the amount already repaid on the loan or by accessing cash funds sitting in the loan account. 
Just one in 10 small business owners said that they aren’t very interested in today’s interest rate decision, with 22% placing a critical importance upon the Reserve Bank’s announcement. 
Analysts are split on whether the RBA will again lower the cash rate from its current level of 3.75%. Westpac chief economist Bill Evans has predicted a lowering to 3.5%, while a survey by mortgage provider Loan Market of its 20-strong network of brokers found that 55% expected no change. 
MYOB’s study found an interesting variation in mortgage use based on geography, with 31% of Queensland small businesses using home loans for finance – the highest in the country. 
By comparison, just 20% of Western Australian SMEs use their home loan to prop up their enterprises. 
Tim Reed, chief executive of MYOB, says: “Unfortunately for property owners and business operators alike, the vast majority of lenders didn’t pass on last month’s cash rate cut in full. This was a double whammy for a large proportion of Australians.” 
“For many business owners, even those without commercial finance, an interest rate move doesn’t just affect their ability to repay the family home loan.” 
“For too many, home loan interest rate moves also affect their ability to keep their livelihood on an even keel.” 
“Business conditions are still sluggish and one quarter of SMEs expect their revenue to drop between March this year and March 2013.” 
“It would make a real emotional and financial difference to the public if the Reserve Bank dropped the cash rate again now and lenders followed suit with both home loan and business loan interest rates.”
This article originally appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.startupsmart.com.au/">StartupSmart</a>.
</body></html>

cknowlton-QnEa6ntUYP

One in four Australian small businesses use mortgages for finance: MYOB

<html><body>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/developments/lend-leases-docklands-project-forte-will-be-worlds-tallest-residential-timber-building/2012052554840"><img src="/images/stories/2012/05/10.gif"></a>
The number of storeys <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/developments/lend-leases-docklands-project-forte-will-be-worlds-tallest-residential-timber-building/2012052554840">planned for Lend Lease development Forté</a>. It will be the world's tallest timber residential building. The building will rise to 32 metres and will be built with prefabricated wooden panels made from cross-laminated timber (CLT) and will feature 23 apartments.
 
<hr>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/kooeloah-byron-bay-s-%2415-million-balienese-listing-title-tattle/2012052554844"><img src="/images/stories/2012/05/15m.gif"></a>
 
The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/kooeloah-byron-bay-s-%2415-million-balienese-listing-title-tattle/2012052554844">price hopes for Kooeloah</a>, the Broken Head, Byron Bay retreat away from the fast lane overlooking Seven Mile Beach from its lagoon and lap pools complete with two bales. It has eight bedrooms and 11 bathrooms and was designed by Christine Vadez.
 
<hr>
 
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/leisure/fitzroy-s-night-cat-lands-on-its-feet-and-sells-to-neighbour-at-auction/2012052554846"><img src="/images/stories/2012/05/4point63m.gif"></a>
The price neighbouring property owner Andrew Demetriou (not the AFL boss)<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/leisure/fitzroy-s-night-cat-lands-on-its-feet-and-sells-to-neighbour-at-auction/2012052554846"> paid for Fitzroy bar The Night Cat</a>, which he will retain as a bar. “It was the most vicious battle I’ve ever seen at an auction,” says Night Cat operator Max Bella.
 
<hr>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/perth-nigerian-scam-estate-agent-faces-disciplinary-action-for-lack-of-diligence-in-%24410000-sale/2012052854867"><img src="/images/stories/2012/05/410k.gif"></a>
The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/perth-nigerian-scam-estate-agent-faces-disciplinary-action-for-lack-of-diligence-in-%24410000-sale/2012052854867">price Nigerian scammers secured for a Perth property they did not own</a>. Following the fraudulent sale last year the department has lodged an application with the State Administrative Tribunal to hear the case against Samykannu Pty Ltd, trading as LJ Hooker Mirrabooka, and licensee John Samykannu.
 
<hr>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/time-running-out-for-first-home-bonuses-and-stamp-duty-concessions/2012052854863"><img src="/images/stories/2012/05/13k.gif"></a>
The value of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/time-running-out-for-first-home-bonuses-and-stamp-duty-concessions/2012052854863">Victorian government's first-home bonus</a>, which is available for first-home buyers who purchase before June 30 this year. It will not be renewed after this date.
 
<hr>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/new-home-sales-mounted-partial-recovery-in-april-buoyed-by-victorian-first-home-bonus-deadline-hia/2012052954883"><img src="/images/stories/2012/05/6point9percent.gif"></a>
The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/new-home-sales-mounted-partial-recovery-in-april-buoyed-by-victorian-first-home-bonus-deadline-hia/2012052954883">increase in the total seasonally adjusted new home sales in April</a>, according to the HIA. Detached house sales rose by 6.4%, while multi-unit sales were up by 10.3%.
 
<hr>
 
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/toni-collette-faces-a-supreme-court-non-performance-claim-for-the-%24850000-difference-on-abandoned-paddington-purchase/2012053054902"><img src="/images/stories/2012/05/850k.gif"></a>
The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/toni-collette-faces-a-supreme-court-non-performance-claim-for-the-%24850000-difference-on-abandoned-paddington-purchase/2012053054902">quantum of the claim against Toni Collette and husband David Galafassi</a>, after the Paddington terrace that they allegedly agreed to buy for $6.35 million sold for about $5.5 million to Ian Ball, the Ernst and Young accountant.
</body></html>

The 7 must-know numbers of the week, starting with the planned height of the world's tallest timber residential building

<html><body>
Cargo Lane, a new development in the Sydney suburb of Alexandria, is offering owner-occupiers and investors one- and two-bedroom options that fall below the NSW government’s $600,000 stamp duty exemption threshold.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/cargolane.jpg">
The NSW government’s <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/time-running-out-for-first-home-bonuses-and-stamp-duty-concessions/2012052854863">home builders’ bonus</a> provides full exemption on stamp duty for new homes valued under $600,000 and expires on July 1 this year.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/cargolane2.jpg">
The BridgeLane Property Group development will comprise one-bedroom apartments from $475,000 and two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments ranging from $599,000 to $700,000. Some have car spaces, and some of the one-bedroom units include studies.
Sales started about a week ago, and 12 deposits have been taken so far.
BridgeLane Group head of property development Anthony Andreatta says the buyers have primarily been young couple owner-occupiers, with a few investors. The project is being marketed by CBRE.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/cargolane4.jpg">
"We have had an overwhelming response," Andreatta says.
"We are providing a high-quality boutique apartment building, located nearby to Alexandria Park, which in the current market it is a rarity in the inner east, which is dominated by large-scale high-rise projects." 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/cargolane5.jpg">
The 34-apartment development is three kilometres from Sydney CBD and is within an easy stroll of Danks Street, transport and Alexandria Park. It will also include eight prestige three-bedroom multi-level terraces, yet to launch, which include lap pools and landscaped courtyards (pictured below). These eight all include garage parking.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/cargolane3.jpg">
Cargo Lane’s façade will have a distinctive vertical garden and timber screens.
</body></html>

Alexandria development Cargo Lane offers one- and two-bedders below $600,000 threshold

<html><body>
12 Korff Street, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/korff.jpg" width="470">
A remarkable 8.7% gross rental yield is possible for this Coffs Harbour property, which consists of a main three-bedroom residence and a separate self-contained two-bedroom flat with its own entrance. The residence has recently been rented out at $250 per week and the flat has been recently tenanted at $150 per week, though both are vacant now. The property is on the edge of Coffs Harbour CBD.
Nolan partners agent Scott Nolan <a href="https://www.nolanpartners.com.au/buying/NSW/Mid-north-Coast/COFFS-HARBOUR/House/39P0736" target="_blank">is marketing the property</a> with price hopes in the "mid-$200,000s", and if it sells for $240,000, that would secure an investor a gross rental yield of 8.7%, well above the gross indicative yield of 5.3% for Coffs Harbour houses and 5.6% for Coffs Harbour units, 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 $3,000 and over five years to be $7,000.
The median house price in Coffs Harbour fell 6.9% in the past year, according to RP Data.
The property will be open for inspection Saturday, June 2 at 10.45am and will go to auction Thursday, June 14 at 6pm.
For more about prices and yields in Coffs Harbour, see the RP Data suburb page.
For another investment prospect open for inspection this weekend, see page 2.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
49 Dundas Street, Rye, VIC, 3941
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/dundas.jpg">
This three-bedroom house on 892 square metres is leased at $330 per week until September this year, and<a target="_blank" href="https://www.stockdaleleggo.com.au/details.asp?internetid=259512&amp;OFFICE_ID=&amp;order=&amp;suburb=4416&amp;surround=&amp;price1=0&amp;price2=9999999&amp;category=&amp;bedrooms=&amp;bathrooms=&amp;garages=4&amp;propertyType=&amp;OFFICE_GROUP_ID=&amp;offset=&amp;st="> listing agent Glenn Key of Stockdale &amp; Leggo</a> says it would be suitable to be let out as holiday rental property or on a long-term rental. It includes a large, high-roofed garage or workshop with lighting and power, which Key says would be perfect for a car enthusiast. It includes a full-width rear covered deck, and the three double bedrooms include built-in wardrobes.
Key says there has been interest "in the early to mid $400s", but he hopes to secure a bit more for the property.  If it sells for $450,000 that would secure an investor a gross rental yield of 3.8% at its current rent. 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 href="https://calc.washingtonbrown.com.au/wbdcalculator/calculator.aspx?RID=HPCAZOPTTT" target="_blank">Washington Brown</a> estimates the first-year tax depreciation deduction to be $5,000 and over five years to be $11,000.
The property will be open for inspection Saturday, June 2 at 1pm and will go to auction Saturday, June 23 at 2pm.
 
 
 
 
</body></html>

Friday form guide: Yields of up to 8.7% in Coffs Harbour

<html><body>
The R. Corporation’s Cheltenham development Central Park is selling briskly as first-home buyers seek to purchase a property under $600,000 before the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/time-running-out-for-first-home-bonuses-and-stamp-duty-concessions/2012052854863">Victorian government’s $13,000 first-home bonus expires on June 30</a>.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/chelt1.jpg">
The 208-townhouse development launched in late March, and 40 of the 52 in the first stage have sold. Just over half of the townhouses sold in the first three days.
<img src="/images/stories/cheltcentralpark1.jpg">
The majority of the offerings in Central Park are priced under the all-important $600,000 threshold. There are five styles of townhouse offered in this release, all named after flowers. Buyers of the three-bedroom offerings Gardenia (135 square metres, from $630,000) and Orchid (170 square metres, from $825,000) will not be eligible for the government’s first-home bonus, but the other styles are under the threshold. These include the three-bedroom Camellia (117 square metres, from $595,000), three-bedroom magnolia (138 square metres, from $592,000) and two-bedroom Jasmine (121 square metres, from $530).
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/chelt2.jpg">
“For first-home buyers now is the perfect time to buy,” says R. Corporation marketing manager Rohan Ames.
<img src="/images/stories/cheltcentralpark4.jpg">
“With as little as $45,000 [deposit], access to the first-home buyers’ extra $13,000 for new homes and their first-home buyers’ grant … Central Park townhouses offer a modern and affordable way into home ownership in the bayside area.”
The median sale price for houses in Cheltenham, which is about 20 kilometres south-east of Melbourne CBD, is $605,000, according to RP Data.
 
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
 
<img src="/images/stories/cheltcentralpark2.jpg">
The development was initially marketed at the second-home buyer market, but Ames says first-home buyers are finding they can afford several of the offerings.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/chelt3.jpg">
“Our sophisticated product and considered design aesthetic is, most importantly, attainable.  First-home buyers will be genuinely surprised that they can afford to live in an R. Corporation townhouse,” says Ames.
<img src="/images/stories/cheltcentralpark3.jpg">
All of the townhouses have two bathrooms, and they all include landscaped courtyards, balconies or gardens. Every property also comes with a carport or garage.
 
</body></html>

First-home buyers buying sub-$600,000 townhouses in Cheltenham’s Central Park project

<html><body>
Half of the apartments in the Pyrmont development Harbour Mill, on the former Edwin Davey &amp; Sons Flour Mill are at the junction of Allen and Jones streets, have sold off the plan when they launched this past weekend.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/harbourmill10.jpg">
About 65% of the 136 units in the Ceerose development are priced under $600,000, and owner-occupiers and investors who buy these offerings before July 1 this year will be entirely exempted from stamp duty under the NSW government's home builders’ bonus.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/harbourmill2.jpg">
CBRE, which is marketing the project, says about 60% of the 70 units sold so far have sold to investors.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/harbourmill1.jpg">
The two interlocked buildings in Harbour Mill will comprise 32 studio apartments ranging in size between 40 and 69 square metres, with prices starting from $395,000. The 51 one-bedroom apartments will range from 55 to 75 square metres and start from $495,000. There will be 45 two-bedroom apartments, ranging from 80 to 98 square metres, and they will not qualify for the stamp duty exemption, as they start from $725,000. The eight largest apartments, of three bedrooms each, will range from 100 square metres to 122 square metres and will come with extensive roof terraces. They begin at $1 million.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/harbourmill4.jpg">
The site began its life as a jam factory and in the early 1900s was converted into the Edwin Davey &amp; Sons Flour Mill, which closed in 1996. Most of the buildings have been demolished since the mill’s closure, but the façade has endured and is incorporated into Grimshaw Architects’ Harbour Mill design.
Continued and more images on page 2
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/harbourmill5.jpg">
Ceerose bought the 3,100-square-metre site last year from developer Mike Boulos, who had intended to build a seven-storey mixed-use development on the site, but the plans never came to fruition. Boulos had bought the site in 1996 for $3.38 million.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/harbourmill12.jpg">
The development application for Harbour Mill is currently before Sydney City Council, with approval expected in mid-June. The council was involved in Ceerose’s contest to find an appropriate design for the site and is understood to be very supportive of the Harbour Mill plans.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/harbourmill6.jpg">
Ceerose founder Edward Doueihi wanted to preserve as much as possible of the existing building, as he has a strong attachment to the flour mill. His father ran a bakery on nearby Cowper Street, and as a child Doueihi often visited the Edwin Davey &amp; Sons mill to buy supplies.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/harbourmill7.jpg">
“I’ve been emotionally attached to the mill since my childhood,” says Doueihi. “Unfortunately most of it has been torn down. Now that I own the site I’m going to build something that reflects the mill’s proud history and my fond memories.”
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/harbourmill8.jpg">
Doueihi plans to display photos of storyboards of the site’s history in Harbour Mill.
One of the buildings in Harbour Mill will be four storeys and include the heritage façade, and the second 10-storey building is designed to “step up and over it”.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/harbourmill9.jpg">
“The design respects the heritage of the mill and the place it has played in the history of Sydney, whilst acknowledging and fitting in with the modern trend coming through in the Pyrmont-Ultimo area,” says Andrew Cortese of Grimshaw Architects. “The old and new aspects of the building blend and work together, delivering an unique building.”
<img src="/images/stories/2012/05/harbourmill3.jpg">
 
The building will include a communal atrium with ventilation from the outside instead of air-conditioning, a café on the ground floor and a communal gym.
</body></html>

Edwin Davey Flour Mill rises again as Harbour Mill as investors rush to secure stamp duty-exempted units

<html><body>
Canadian coffee chain Esquires Coffee House is expanding into Australia following an entry to the New Zealand market, spearheaded by a high-tech store concept. 
Founded in 1993 in Vancouver, Esquires has established a presence in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, China, Fiji and even New Zealand. 
In New Zealand, there are 47 Esquires stores. 
Now the franchise has turned its attention to Australia, confirming it will open its first flagship store in Sydney next week. The store will be located in the affluent suburb of Mosman. 
The company-owned store will be the model for future Australian outlets, with additional stores planned for not only NSW but also Queensland and South Australia. 
Esquires is part of the Retail Food Group family, which is also the local licensee of Donut King, Brumby’s Bakeries, Michel’s Patisserie, bb’s café and, most recently, Pizza Capers. 
RFG’s brand manager Khim Puseman admits it is “a little bit unusual” Esquires entered the New Zealand market prior to the Australian market.
 “It’s a brand that’s been out there for a little while... A couple of guys in New Zealand actually bought the rights to the New Zealand market, but it is a little bit unusual,” Puseman says. 
Puseman is quick to point out the store in Mosman is not the first Esquires store in Australia – there’s another store in Tweed – but it is the first concept store. 
“The Mosman store is the first concept store in that it embodies the new brand position of Esquires Coffee House,” Puseman says. 
In addition to a self-serve kiosk and free WiFi, each new store will be equipped with iPads for customers to use. 
“We’re really trying to embody more of a high technology standpoint. We’ll be launching online ordering, mobile orders, and we have self-serve kiosks,” Puseman says. 
“We are leaning towards targeting a younger age group but really anyone who has an appreciation for technology.” 
According to Puseman, a love of technology is also important among the chain’s franchisees, which are currently being sought out. Of course, franchisees also need to care about coffee. 
“It’s a high-tech brand but it’s also a coffee brand. We’re looking for franchisees or people who have a great passion for coffee,” she says. 
“They need to be focused on the utmost quality of the coffee and the service of the coffee.” 
“We want them to be able to speak to the target market, and align themselves with the brand in terms of the high-tech offering. Essentially, they need to be enthusiastic.” 
Puseman isn’t concerned the popularity of the brand will be compromised because it is foreign. 
“The whole range has been adapted to be best targeted to Australia. We haven’t just brought in an international brand, plopped it in an Australian suburb and hope it does well,” she says. 
“All our products have been custom picked and chosen because of local palates and local taste… For example, we’ve added more cold beverages because it gets a bit warmer [in Australia].” 
Meanwhile, Queensland-based coffee franchise Zarraffa’s Coffee has announced its plans to expand into NSW. Zarraffa’s currently has 52 stores. 
A drive-through site in the suburb of Fairfield will be the company’s flagship location in NSW, as part of a plan to open at least 11 new franchises this year throughout Queensland and NSW. 
Zarraffa’s chief executive Kenton Campbell told Franchising the company is moving away from traditional shopping centre locations to more suburban retail sites. 
“Developing a successful drive-through store model has been critical to these plans,” Campbell said. 
“Our primary focus is on building the financial health of all our stores, and delivering value and support to our franchisees.” 
“Expansion has always been executed in a financially responsible way, and 2012 is the right time for this move.” 
The news comes less than two weeks after a franchisee couple was <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.startupsmart.com.au/franchising/billy-baxters-franchisees-win-%241.22-million-in-damages/201205156300">awarded $1.22 million in damages</a> after a successful appeal against franchisor Billy Baxter’s. 
Billy Baxter’s is a chain of licensed coffee houses, cafés and restaurants. 
Ross and Sue Pollard operated a Billy Baxter’s greenfield site in the Adelaide suburb of Glenelg, but did not achieve the turnover anticipated by the franchisor’s representative, Phillip Mauviel. 
A Victorian Supreme Court of Appeal decision found there were no reasonable grounds for Mauviel to make the representations regarding turnover, resulting in a $1.22 million payout.
This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.startupsmart.com.au/" target="_blank">StartupSmart</a>.
 
 
</body></html>

Canadian coffee chain Esquires looks to Australia following NZ success

<html><body>
Choosing a business name may be a mundane experience that provides a perfunctory label for your product or service, or it can be an inspired piece of branding that will help fast-track your business into consumers’ minds. 
Whatever the merits of your business name, from May 28 the process of registering it in Australia has undergone a significant change. 
The new <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.asic.gov.au/asic/asic.nsf/byheadline/Business+names?openDocument" target="_blank">Business Name Register</a>, administered by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, sweeps away the need to document your brand in each state when you launch. 
So what does this change mean for you? 
<h3>What’s happening exactly? </h3>
As part of the Business Names Registration Act 2011, ASIC has become responsible for registering all Australian business names in a national, rather than state-by-state, basis. 
Until now, each state and territory has had its own business name system. This has meant plenty of administrative – and cost - headaches if you want to extend your brand beyond state borders. 
For example, if you’re starting up in Brisbane, you previously had to register with Queensland Office of Fair Trading. If you plan to operate this business under the same name in, say, Sydney, you also had to register it with NSW Office of Fair Trading. 
The new National Business Name Register does away with this state-based system. Your business will now be listed on an Australian-wide database. 
<h3>My God. So I need to contact ASIC as soon as possible to keep my name then? </h3>
Whoa, hold your horses. Your business name hasn’t vanished from the records in a puff of smoke. 
As ASIC points out on its website: “If your business name was registered in a state or territory before May 28, 2012, you do not need to do anything until it is time to renew your business name.” 
“Your business name will be automatically transferred to the national register, provided it is not subject to an appeal or other outstanding matter.” 
So far, ASIC has transferred a mind-boggling 80 million business name records from the states and territories to the national register. This includes 1.6 million existing business names and 17 million address records. 
This list is rather more inclusive than some of the state and territory regimes, some of which didn’t allow certain ventures to hold a business name. 
In contrast, the ASIC database will include unincorporated entities that are entitled to hold an ABN, including partnerships, trusts and joint ventures. 
ASIC will let you know a couple of months in advance of your business name expiry, when you’ll deal exclusively with them, rather than lots of different state bodies. 
If you haven’t registered or even decided upon a name for your start-up yet, you can search for business name availability and <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.asic.gov.au/asic/ASIC.NSF/byHeadline/Registering%20a%20business%20name">apply online here</a>. 
<h3>What if there are multiple names on the register? </h3>
Good question. 
There’s a decent chance that you’ve registered your business’ name in several different states. In this case, each one has been transferred to the ASIC database. 
You may wish to renew and keep all of these identical names or, more likely, cancel all of them except one.
You can do this without incurring a fee. The best first step is to check that your details have transferred correctly to the ASIC database <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.asic.gov.au/asic/ASIC.NSF/byHeadline/Checking%20your%20business%20name%20on%20the%20register">by going here</a>.
More on pages 2 and 3
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
 
<h3>No, no, no – I’m more worried about another business in another state having the same name as mine. Will they steal my amazing moniker from under my nose? </h3>
Well, they won’t steal your name, but identical names of different businesses will be transferred across to the new national register. 
If your name clashes with another business, you won’t have to change it, but you will have to live happily on the register next to them. 
If you’ve operated across state lines until now, then it doesn’t really make any difference to the branding challenge you have in luring customers. 
The only change is to the register itself. Helpfully, ASIC says that it will place extra information on the register to distinguish each same-named business. 
So your location, for example, may be added to your business name to separate it from another entity. 
<h3>Thievery! </h3>
Well, no, not really. 
ASIC says this extra added information doesn’t actually form part of your business name, it is merely to distinguish it from others. Just relax, will you? 
<h3>What if I haven’t registered my business name anywhere yet? </h3>
Then it’s best if you use the <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.asic.gov.au/asic/asic.nsf/byheadline/Business+name+availability?openDocument">ASIC business name availability tool</a> to see if another business has your moniker. 
The new national register obviously increases the chances of a clash, but ASIC is open to appeals and human interaction on the issue. 
Plus, you have the opportunity to reserve a business name for $42 if you’re not quite ready to go to market with your start-up. 
<h3>Great. I’m going to call my business the Non-Sh-t Anzac Don Bradman Corporation – I’ve checked and no one else has it. The public will love it. </h3>
Okay. So the reason no one else has this wonderful title is that it breaks multiple rules on the words you can use in your business name. 
Your business’ name can’t be identical to another entity, it can’t be offensive, it can’t contain restricted words and it may be barred if an identical name is under consideration by ASIC bigwigs. 
<h3>What are restricted words? </h3>
There’s a whole list of them, ranging from fire brigade and ambulance to GST and RSL. The aim, obviously, is to prevent the public being misled or confused. 
A full list <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.asic.gov.au/asic/asic.nsf/byheadline/Business+name+availability?openDocument">can be found here</a>. 
You also cannot claim that a person or organisation endorses your business by using them in the name, unless they explicitly agree. So your Don Bradman Anzac idea is pretty much a non-starter.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
<h3>Fine. Whatever. What will this all cost me? </h3>
New business name registrations and subsequent renewals cost the same – $30 for one year and $70 for three years. 
That is a big improvement upon the current near-$1,000 cost, plus all the associated bureaucracy, of registering in each state. 
<h3>Indeed. So does this mean I don’t have to worry about trademarks anymore? </h3>
No, not quite. Let’s turn to the lawyer on this one. 
“All (a business name register) does is comply with state-based legislation, which requires a disclosure of who is operating under a business name,” says James Omond, founder of commercial law firm Omond &amp; Co. 
“The only way to secure a ‘proprietary interest’ in a name that you are using [i.e. an ownership interest] is to register it as a trademark.” 
“This not only means that other people cannot stop you from using that name, it also allows you to assert your ownership rights in the name against someone else.” 
<h3>But it’s my business name! I’m the first one to have it and by using it surely I’m protected? </h3>
Omond again: “Using a business name will give you ‘common law’ rights to that name, but if you want to sue someone else for using the same or a similar name, you can only succeed if you can prove that you have built a reputation in the name, and suffered actual damage as a result of the other person using it.” 
“This can be a very difficult and expensive exercise in court. These requirements do not have to be fulfilled if you have a trademark registration. 
“So let me bang the drum again – you need to register your business name as a trademark if you want to truly own it, and be able to protect it.” 
<h3>Do you really think a mere 22 million people in Australia will be interested in my business? I’m after brand recognition from a global market here. What do I need to do? </h3>
The internet has effectively bashed down the doors of international trademarks, making the application of territorial trademarks more complicated than before. 
However, you still need to be covered if you hope to take your business name beyond Australian shores. 
Omond explains: “There is an international treaty involving 80 or so countries, called the Madrid Protocol, which allows you to file a single application from your home country (i.e. Australia) that nominates all of the different participating countries where you want to register your trademark.” 
“As well as benefits such as the ability to file one notice to update a change of address across all countries, and one payment to renew all your overseas registrations in one go, you are also able to make all your payments in Australian dollars.” 
“The basic filing cost is about $800 and you then pay a different fee for each country where you want your trademark registered.” 
“For some countries (e.g. France and Germany) this is as low as $100. Other countries (e.g. the UK and the USA) charge from $300 to $400.” 
“You can also nominate the whole of the EU, for example, for just $1,400. If you use a trademark attorney to do all of this for you (which is advisable), you will also have to pay their fees. (My charge for doing this, for example, is $395 + GST.)”
This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.startupsmart.com.au/" target="_blank">StartupSmart</a>.
 
 
 
 
</body></html>

The National Business Name Register: All you need to know

<html><body>
Lend Lease Docklands development Exo, which launched in July of last year, is about 70% sold.
It was half-sold within the first three weeks of its marketing and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/developments/docklands-development-exo-almost-two-thirds-sold/2011111652400">had sold 60 of the 96 units by November</a>. Now about 65 of the units are spoken for.
<img src="/images/stories/exo2.jpg">
Exo is aimed at the more affordable segment of the market, with prices starting from $395,000 for one-bedroom apartments, which would qualify for the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/time-running-out-for-first-home-bonuses-and-stamp-duty-concessions/2012052854863">Victorian government's $13,000 first-home bonus until the scheme concludes June 30</a>. To be eligible for the scheme, a property has to be priced under $600,000.
The building will comprise 32 one-bedroom apartments of about 55 square metres. It will have 64 two-bedroom apartments, which range from 79 square metres to 93 square metres and start at $665,000.
Exo will be have a distinctive perforated white façade, with its irregular holes designed to bring to mind river rocks or forest paths. It was designed by Lend Lease Design’s architectural team.
<img src="/images/stories/exofacade.jpg">
“Exo is the latest in a line of commercial and residential projects adding panache to Melbourne’s Victoria Harbour precinct – a unique fusion of city and water,” says Lend Lease Victoria Harbour project director Claire Johnston.
The development will back onto <street>Collins Street</street>, and although its address is technically <street>Merchant Street</street>, Lend Lease aims for it to be “characteristically <street>Collins Street</street>”.
<img style="font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" src="/images/stories/exo3.jpg">
“The design demonstrates an innate understanding of the need for sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of urban life, with each apartment purposely designed to maximise space and minimise noise, allowing residents to reside in the heart of the city without having to compromise on their quality of living,” says Johnston.
For more on the past, present and future of Docklands, download our free eBook. 
</body></html>

Prices start at $395,000 in Lend Lease Docklands development Exo

<html><body>
The major banks' share of the mortgage market is increasing, particularly since the major banks' acquisitions of smaller lenders, according to Credit Suisse.
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/csmay241.gif"><img src="/images/stories/csmay241thumb.gif"></a>
 
 
</body></html>

Major banks' share of mortgage market increasing: Credit Suisse

Sydney developer Hyecorp's roots on the Lower North Shore stretch back three generations, and that deep understanding of the market continues to shape where and how it develops today.

From high-rise towers to boutique apartment projects, the family-run developer has built its reputation by focusing on a part of Sydney it knows intimately. Founded by Michael Abolakian in the early 1990s, Hyecorp is now led by his sons Stephen, Troy and Patrick.

Stephen Abolakian, joint managing director alongside Troy, has spent more than two decades in the business, overseeing development, planning, finance, marketing and sales.

Abolakian says the developer's disciplined focus on where it chooses to operate has been, and continues to be, one of Hyecorp's greatest strengths.

“We know the buyer profile exceptionally well,” Abolakian says.

“The demographics between places like Willoughby, Chatswood, St Leonards and Roseville are very similar. There are nuances between suburbs and projects, but culturally and from a buyer perspective, there’s a strong overlap.”

That buyer has historically been overwhelmingly owner-occupier driven.

Unlike many Sydney apartment developers that have traditionally relied heavily on investor demand, Hyecorp’s projects have typically attracted downsizers, upsizers, rightsizers and family owner-occupiers seeking long-term homes rather than short-term investments.

“Historically, investors have been a much smaller portion of our demand profile,” Abolakian says.

“We design for owner-occupiers. We don’t design for yield, we design for comfort, amenity, family living and long-term usability.”

That philosophy extends well beyond apartment layouts.

From landscaping and communal gardens to shared amenities and circulation spaces, Hyecorp’s developments are designed around how people actually live, something Abolakian believes has become increasingly important in Sydney’s apartment market.

“There was probably a period where having an approved project in market was enough,” he says.

“There wasn’t as much competition and if you built it, buyers would come. That’s no longer the case.”

“There’s more supply in the pipeline now, particularly with TOD precincts and low and mid-rise reforms opening up opportunities across Sydney. Buyers have more choice, so if you get the product wrong, they’ll simply go elsewhere.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110379 project_image_fid=311393]

The shift has forced developers to become more sophisticated in how they approach apartment design, particularly as owner-occupier expectations continue to rise.

For Hyecorp, that means thinking beyond who the buyer is today and designing for who they may become in five or 10 years' time.

“People buying now often aren’t moving in for several years,” Abolakian says.

“You might have a young couple buying today, but by the time they move in they may have children, older children, or changing lifestyle needs. You’ve got to think about how families evolve.”

That thinking also shapes Hyecorp’s approach to amenity, which positions wellness at the forefront.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149594 project_image_fid=362634]

While resort-style facilities have become increasingly common marketing tools across Sydney apartment developments, Abolakian says the challenge is ensuring amenities are genuinely usable and appropriate for the scale of the project.

“If amenities are done right, they can materially improve the living experience,” he says, adding however that if you&nbsp;overdo it or get it wrong, you can end up with facilities nobody uses that simply create ongoing strata costs.”

That balance is something Hyecorp is aiming to strike with projects like Roseville Avenue, one of the group's upcoming Lower North Shore developments, which Abolakian describes as bringing a resort-style living experience into a metropolitan setting.

“It’s about creating something that feels special without being excessive,” he says.

“Good gardens, quality apartments, thoughtful amenity. Creating that resort feeling in a metro location.”

<img alt="Hyecorp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="13c4c0f3-b1b7-44cf-9344-0b3d1d07797a" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-02%20at%2012.14.57%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=9OLWjyj2bYkDV35F78WJnyMSPfc2bJ2z" />

The focus on owner-occupier product comes as Sydney’s apartment market continues to navigate a difficult development environment.&nbsp;For Hyecorp, maintaining an in-house operating model across construction, sales, marketing and development management has become increasingly important in navigating that environment.

“We’ve always believed in keeping a lot of the process in-house,” Abolakian says.

“It creates efficiencies, but it also creates quality control. You can make faster decisions and ensure the end product stays aligned with the original vision.”

Despite the challenges, Abolakian believes demand for quality owner-occupier apartments across Sydney remains strong beneath the surface, particularly across established Lower North Shore suburbs where downsizers continue to seek new housing options close to existing communities.

“There are definitely people waiting,” he says.

“Once some of the broader uncertainty settles, whether that’s the global environment or some of the local economic noise, I think the right projects will perform very strongly.”

Hyecorp currently has three residential developments on the market across Sydney’s Lower North Shore.&nbsp;Audrey, St Leonards, positioned opposite Newlands Park, is nearing completion and preparing to welcome its first residents, with the project now almost sold out.

Hyecorp has also recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/celine-chatswood-37-archer-street-chatswood-nsw-2067">Celine Chatswood</a>, an architectural tower, while continuing to deliver&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/juliet-roseville-64-pacific-highway-roseville-nsw-2069">Juliet Roseville</a>, a more boutique scale of development with just 34 apartments.

Joel Robinson

Why Hyecorp continues to back Sydney's Lower North Shore apartment market

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.

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.

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-150" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:55d7c6ac-8e6d-4881-ad49-0ed9bf66d1cc-74" dir="auto">
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.

Cassidy Knowlton

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News