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The Beechworth Gaol governor's house, built in 1864 and first inhabited by John Buckley Castieau, most famous as the government representative at the hanging of Ned Kelly, is up for sale
The house was built using prison labour and granite from the onsite quarry behind the Beechworth Gaol. Castieau lived at the 1,374-square-metre property until 1869, when he left Beechworth to become governor of Pentridge Prison in Melbourne. Interestingly, Ned Kelly spent two months in Beechworth Gaol in 1869 on remand on a charge of being an accomplice of Harry Power.
Kelly spent two more stints in Beechworth Gaol in the three years following, a few months in 1870 for assault and lewd behaviour, and an 18-month term beginning in 1871 for receiving a stolen mare. The 18 months was part of a three-year sentence, and Kelly was transferred to Pentridge, then under the governorship of Castieau, for the remainder. 
During Castieau's tenure between 1856 and 1869, Beechworth Gaol was known as “Castieau’s Castle”. He met his wife, Polly, in 1858 at a church bazaar, and the couple lived in the Beechworth property with the first of their 10 children once it was built.
Castieau was the goverment representative at Kelly's hanging on November 11, 1880 as he was governor of Old Melbourne Gaol by then.
Subsequent governors lived in the property before a home was built inside the gaol itself. Beechworth Gaol was closed in 2004, and the property has been vacant since the gaol's closure. 
In the 1940s the property was divided into three separate homes, and they can be bought together or separately. It is being marketed by LJ Hooker agent Dean Lupson in conjunction with Hodges Real Estate agent Andrew Boyce, who have $747,500 hopes for the property as a whole, or between $235,000 and $285,000 for each house individually.
The elegant <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/elegant-1800s-east-melbourne-art-gallery-terrace-with-rich-history-and-ned-kelly-connection-listed/2012041854335">East Melbourne terrace that was home to Robert Ramsay</a>, the chief secretary who authorised the trainload of police who went to Glenrowan in 1880 after Ned Kelly, is also on the market. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Ned Kelly hanging witness and Beechworth Gaol governor John Castieau's 1864 home on the market

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Founder(s): Stuart Berens, Amy Berens  Revenue: $4.35 million Started: 2007 Head Office: Victoria Employees: 6 Website: <a title="www.youpack.com.au" href="https://www.startupsmart.com.au/weblink?cid=5811&amp;fid=36&amp;ord=1">www.youpack.com.au</a>
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Moving house, we are often told, is one of the most stressful things that you will do in your lifetime. 
Stuart and Amy Berens saw the whole process of moving possessions, especially interstate, was causing undue anxiety to people, so went about remodelling the traditional proposition. 
You Pack Removals delivers a container to clients, allowing them to pack up as they see fit. The business then moves the container to the new location and gives you 12 days in which to unload it before it is picked up again. 
This seemingly simple change was a little confusing to some people but the concept has gained traction and You Pack Removals is now generating healthy revenue. 
Stuart Berens said: “I identified a niche in the market place and that there was a need for a non-conventional removalist to give people another option in the removals market.” 
“Offering a self-pack option would also stop people getting ripped off with extremely high removal costs.” 
“As self-pack removals was a new concept there was no business model to compare to. Every concept, idea and process was brand new which meant some trial and error to put a complete end-to-end solution together.” 
“I had to draw on my previous transport experience and knowledge to help with starting up the business.”
This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.startupsmart.com.au/" target="_blank">StartupSmart</a>.
 
 
 
 
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StartupSmart Awards 2012: You Pack Removals

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The property at 99 Windsor Crescent (pictured below), in the Melbourne suburb of Mont Albert, drew a big crowd at its weekend auction, with the vendor securing a strong result.
<img src="/images/stories/windsorcres.jpg">
It was one of the properties featured on website <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertytycoon.com.au/">www.propertytycoon.com.au</a>, where punters can guess auction results in Melbourne and Sydney, with no outlay. It's mostly about testing your market knowledge with a small cash prize as a sweetener.
“In Melbourne a big crowd turned out to watch the auction of 99 Windsor Crescent, Mont Albert, and it was clear from the very beginning that the opening bidder wanted the property,” says Mark Armstrong of Property Tycoon.
“She stuck with the auction from start to finish before securing the property for $1.46 million, more than $100,000 over the average tip.”
But it was a different story for the Sydney property featured on Property Observer, 77 Annandale Street, Annandale (pictured below).
<img src="/images/stories/annandalest.jpg">
The property sold for just above its price quote, says Armstrong.
“The property was purchased in 2007 for $870,000 and has had a major renovation.”
 
 
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Melbourne auction tipping competition property fetches high price at auction, but Sydney fails to deliver significant competition

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Founder(s): Larissa Robertson Revenue: $1.76 million Started: 2009 Head Office: New South Wales Employees: 35 Industry: Property and business services Website: <a href="https://www.startupsmart.com.au/weblink?cid=5824&amp;fid=36&amp;ord=1" title="www.trimandproper.com.au">www.trimandproper.com.au</a>
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<img style="float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/larissa.gif">
There's nothing especially glamorous or high-tech about Trim and Proper Property Services. They provide gardening and handyman services to private and government clients such as Housing NSW. 
But behind the steady buzz of lawnmowers and the fixing of leaky taps is a remarkable story about one woman's vision and belief, and the capacity of work to empower and change people's lives. 
Many of the people employed by Trim and Proper Property Services have grown up in family and community environments blighted by entrenched and generational unemployment. In extreme cases this can involve three generations of unemployed people in a family. 
When 31-year-old Larissa Robertson took the first big steps in 2009 to start Spectrum Community Focus - the parent company of Trim and Proper - she knew it was not going to be easy. 
While many business experts caution against letting emotion get in the way of commercial judgement, Robertson saw a proposition in which good business could also mean good community outcomes.
“I couldn't sit by and watch hundreds of people lose their jobs because of bad management, so I decided to take a huge gamble and save as many jobs as I could,” Robertson says, recounting her thinking behind starting the business. 
"Many of the people we employ, initially have had no work experience.” 
Trim and Proper Property Services is a business unit of Spectrum Community Focus Ltd, established in 2009 after founding director and chief executive Robertson bought out the failing not-for profit Spectrum Employment Services Cooperative Limited, which was in liquidation. 
Robertson set out to continue the mission of SES to alleviate poverty through employment and, in doing so, also saved over 180 jobs by purchasing the assets of SES and establishing SCO Recruitment and Trim and Proper Property Services. 
Robertson combined dogged resolve and business acumen to salvage the remains of the failed enterprise and put the new enterprise on a solid commercial footing. Today, Trim and Proper employs 35 full-time staff and had $1.76 million revenue last financial year.
One of the main purposes of Trim and Proper is to act an employment incubator, a place where people can develop work skills and habits to help make them more employable.
"This area of the community is greatly in need of assistance, though it is often overlooked by the wider community and other charities," Robertson says.
This article originally appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.startupsmart.com.au/">StartupSmart</a>.
 
 
 
 
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StartupSmart Awards 2012: Trim and Proper Property Services

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The 10 suburbs where house prices fell the most during the past year are Williamstown, Beaumaris, Flemington, Windsor, Balwyn North, Tullamarine, Moonee Ponds, Brunswick East, Brighton and Prahran, according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria.
The 10 suburbs where unit prices fell the most during the March quarter are Fitzroy, South Melbourne, Flemington, Windsor, Heidelberg Heights, Richmond, St Albans, West Footscray, Mornington, Caulfield North.
The 10 suburbs where unit prices rose the most during the past year are Canterbury, Maidstone, Black Rock, Bentleigh East, West Melbourne, Abbotsford, Bentleigh, Malvern, Caulfield South and Malvern East.
The 10 suburbs where unit prices rose the most during the March quarter are Blackburn, Balwyn, Donvale, Mount Eliza, Bentleigh, Greensborough, Malvern, Brighton, Niddrie and Kensington.
The REIV suggests more than 30 sales are necessary in order to get an informed view of the suburb's median house price, but even with that number there will be distortions in quarterly median prices given the composition of sales during the period.
 
<table width="362" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0">
<colgroup>
<col width="159">
<col width="69">
<col width="84">
<col width="50">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="39">
<td width="159" height="39"></td>
<td width="69">Mar-12 Median</td>
<td width="84">Quarterly Change</td>
<td width="50">Annual Change</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">ABBOTSFORD*</td>
<td>$665,000</td>
<td>11.4%</td>
<td>27.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">AIRPORT WEST*</td>
<td>$443,000</td>
<td>-0.7%</td>
<td>-10.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">ALTONA NORTH*</td>
<td>$480,000</td>
<td>4.3%</td>
<td>-12.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">ALTONA*</td>
<td>$400,000</td>
<td>-8.0%</td>
<td>-12.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">ARMADALE*</td>
<td>$592,000</td>
<td>-0.8%</td>
<td>11.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">ASCOT VALE*</td>
<td>$435,000</td>
<td>-1.7%</td>
<td>-11.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">ASPENDALE*</td>
<td>$595,000</td>
<td>12.1%</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">AVONDALE HEIGHTS*</td>
<td>$448,250</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">BALWYN NORTH*</td>
<td>$675,000</td>
<td></td>
<td>-22.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">BALWYN*</td>
<td>$743,000</td>
<td>22.3%</td>
<td>2.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">BAYSWATER NORTH*</td>
<td>$312,500</td>
<td>-2.6%</td>
<td>-9.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">BAYSWATER*</td>
<td>$390,000</td>
<td>9.9%</td>
<td>1.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">BEAUMARIS*</td>
<td>$678,000</td>
<td>0.9%</td>
<td>-30.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">BENTLEIGH EAST*</td>
<td>$673,500</td>
<td>-3.8%</td>
<td>21.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">BENTLEIGH*</td>
<td>$671,250</td>
<td>23.6%</td>
<td>29.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">BLACK ROCK*</td>
<td>$739,000</td>
<td>7.9%</td>
<td>21.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">BLACKBURN SOUTH*</td>
<td>$569,000</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">BLACKBURN*</td>
<td>$632,000</td>
<td>20.8%</td>
<td>13.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">BONBEACH*</td>
<td>$355,000</td>
<td>-9.0%</td>
<td>-7.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">BORONIA</td>
<td>$362,000</td>
<td>2.0%</td>
<td>-0.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">BOX HILL NORTH*</td>
<td>$525,000</td>
<td>5.0%</td>
<td>-5.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">BOX HILL SOUTH*</td>
<td>$564,750</td>
<td>9.2%</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">BOX HILL*</td>
<td>$409,400</td>
<td>3.2%</td>
<td>-7.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">BRIGHTON</td>
<td>$876,000</td>
<td>30.7%</td>
<td>-18.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">BRIGHTON EAST*</td>
<td>$767,000</td>
<td>-5.9%</td>
<td>12.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">BRUNSWICK</td>
<td>$438,250</td>
<td>10.3%</td>
<td>-2.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">BRUNSWICK EAST</td>
<td>$399,000</td>
<td>-3.9%</td>
<td>-18.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">BRUNSWICK WEST</td>
<td>$395,000</td>
<td>1.3%</td>
<td>12.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">BUNDOORA*</td>
<td>$378,000</td>
<td>11.7%</td>
<td>7.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">CAMBERWELL</td>
<td>$600,000</td>
<td>-11.8%</td>
<td>-7.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">CANTERBURY*</td>
<td>$750,000</td>
<td>12.8%</td>
<td>20.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">CARLTON</td>
<td>$275,000</td>
<td>-11.3%</td>
<td>-10.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">CARNEGIE</td>
<td>$430,000</td>
<td>-4.4%</td>
<td>-4.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">CARRUM*</td>
<td>$409,500</td>
<td>8.5%</td>
<td>-3.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">CAULFIELD NORTH*</td>
<td>$473,500</td>
<td>-14.3%</td>
<td>-2.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">CAULFIELD SOUTH*</td>
<td>$751,000</td>
<td>1.7%</td>
<td>39.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">CAULFIELD*</td>
<td>$515,850</td>
<td></td>
<td>-1.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">CHADSTONE*</td>
<td>$470,000</td>
<td>-8.2%</td>
<td>-14.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">CHELSEA*</td>
<td>$415,000</td>
<td>19.4%</td>
<td>5.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">CHELTENHAM</td>
<td>$462,750</td>
<td>5.5%</td>
<td>-1.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">CLAYTON SOUTH*</td>
<td>$435,500</td>
<td>42.7%</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">CLAYTON*</td>
<td>$435,000</td>
<td>13.7%</td>
<td>-5.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">COBURG*</td>
<td>$451,000</td>
<td>-8.9%</td>
<td>1.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">CRAIGIEBURN*</td>
<td>$335,000</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">CROYDON</td>
<td>$363,500</td>
<td>1.0%</td>
<td>-1.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">DANDENONG NORTH*</td>
<td>$332,250</td>
<td></td>
<td>-3.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">DANDENONG*</td>
<td>$300,000</td>
<td>-3.8%</td>
<td>-10.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">DEER PARK*</td>
<td>$342,000</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">DOCKLANDS</td>
<td>$645,000</td>
<td>-9.3%</td>
<td>-8.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">DONCASTER EAST</td>
<td>$600,000</td>
<td>9.3%</td>
<td>16.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">DONCASTER*</td>
<td>$532,500</td>
<td>-11.8%</td>
<td>-0.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">DONVALE*</td>
<td>$542,510</td>
<td>22.9%</td>
<td>-4.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">EAST MELBOURNE*</td>
<td>$445,500</td>
<td>-5.0%</td>
<td>-12.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">ELSTERNWICK*</td>
<td>$520,000</td>
<td>7.9%</td>
<td>7.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">ELTHAM*</td>
<td>$440,000</td>
<td>-8.3%</td>
<td>-5.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">ELWOOD</td>
<td>$531,500</td>
<td>3.2%</td>
<td>-5.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">EPPING*</td>
<td>$300,000</td>
<td>-3.6%</td>
<td>-15.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">ESSENDON</td>
<td>$464,000</td>
<td>3.1%</td>
<td>10.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">FAIRFIELD*</td>
<td>$405,000</td>
<td>-8.0%</td>
<td>8.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">FERNTREE GULLY*</td>
<td>$378,000</td>
<td>-8.4%</td>
<td>3.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">FITZROY*</td>
<td>$532,500</td>
<td>-25.0%</td>
<td>-4.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">FLEMINGTON*</td>
<td>$308,000</td>
<td>-21.5%</td>
<td>-30.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">FOOTSCRAY</td>
<td>$342,500</td>
<td>8.4%</td>
<td>-15.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">FOREST HILL*</td>
<td>$419,000</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">GLEN HUNTLY*</td>
<td>$561,000</td>
<td>16.9%</td>
<td>18.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">GLEN WAVERLEY*</td>
<td>$563,800</td>
<td>9.5%</td>
<td>-10.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">GREENSBOROUGH*</td>
<td>$457,500</td>
<td>26.4%</td>
<td>4.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">HAMPTON</td>
<td>$700,000</td>
<td>16.9%</td>
<td>9.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">HAWTHORN</td>
<td>$490,000</td>
<td>5.6%</td>
<td>-3.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">HAWTHORN EAST*</td>
<td>$541,550</td>
<td>-10.2%</td>
<td>3.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">HEIDELBERG HEIGHTS*</td>
<td>$406,000</td>
<td>-18.1%</td>
<td>-8.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">HIGHETT*</td>
<td>$460,000</td>
<td>-7.8%</td>
<td>-12.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">HILLSIDE*</td>
<td>$330,000</td>
<td></td>
<td>-7.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">HUGHESDALE*</td>
<td>$470,000</td>
<td>-1.1%</td>
<td>-7.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">IVANHOE*</td>
<td>$551,000</td>
<td>-3.3%</td>
<td>-10.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">KEILOR EAST*</td>
<td>$535,500</td>
<td>2.0%</td>
<td>-17.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">KENSINGTON</td>
<td>$527,000</td>
<td>35.1%</td>
<td>16.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">KEW</td>
<td>$609,750</td>
<td>8.2%</td>
<td>8.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">LANGWARRIN*</td>
<td>$310,000</td>
<td>1.6%</td>
<td>-4.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">MACLEOD*</td>
<td>$437,500</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">MAIDSTONE*</td>
<td>$503,500</td>
<td>8.9%</td>
<td>20.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">MALVERN EAST*</td>
<td>$655,000</td>
<td>6.0%</td>
<td>74.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">MALVERN*</td>
<td>$678,500</td>
<td>30.4%</td>
<td>37.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">MARIBYRNONG*</td>
<td>$460,000</td>
<td>3.7%</td>
<td>6.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">MELBOURNE</td>
<td>$420,000</td>
<td>-3.0%</td>
<td>-7.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">MENTONE</td>
<td>$480,000</td>
<td>3.2%</td>
<td>2.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">MILL PARK*</td>
<td>$312,500</td>
<td></td>
<td>-12.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">MITCHAM*</td>
<td>$461,000</td>
<td>1.3%</td>
<td>-8.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">MONTMORENCY*</td>
<td>$429,000</td>
<td></td>
<td>-15.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">MOONEE PONDS*</td>
<td>$439,000</td>
<td>-2.6%</td>
<td>-19.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">MOORABBIN*</td>
<td>$492,500</td>
<td>11.4%</td>
<td>2.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">MORDIALLOC*</td>
<td>$470,500</td>
<td>-0.9%</td>
<td>4.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">MORNINGTON</td>
<td>$387,500</td>
<td>-15.3%</td>
<td>-2.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">MOUNT ELIZA*</td>
<td>$392,500</td>
<td>23.1%</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">MOUNT MARTHA*</td>
<td>$410,500</td>
<td></td>
<td>-16.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">MOUNT WAVERLEY</td>
<td>$558,750</td>
<td>-6.0%</td>
<td>-12.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">MULGRAVE*</td>
<td>$402,000</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">MURRUMBEENA*</td>
<td>$570,000</td>
<td>9.6%</td>
<td>4.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">NEWPORT*</td>
<td>$514,000</td>
<td>-7.5%</td>
<td>-10.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">NIDDRIE*</td>
<td>$685,000</td>
<td>34.3%</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">NOBLE PARK</td>
<td>$284,950</td>
<td>-3.8%</td>
<td>-7.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">NORTH MELBOURNE</td>
<td>$485,500</td>
<td>-1.9%</td>
<td>9.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">NORTHCOTE*</td>
<td>$515,000</td>
<td>4.1%</td>
<td>-8.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">OAK PARK*</td>
<td>$425,000</td>
<td></td>
<td>-5.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">OAKLEIGH EAST*</td>
<td>$521,559</td>
<td></td>
<td>-5.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">OAKLEIGH SOUTH*</td>
<td>$460,000</td>
<td>0.7%</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">OAKLEIGH*</td>
<td>$399,950</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">ORMOND*</td>
<td>$500,000</td>
<td>-1.8%</td>
<td>-13.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">PARKDALE*</td>
<td>$485,000</td>
<td>6.6%</td>
<td>4.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">PASCOE VALE</td>
<td>$426,000</td>
<td>-2.1%</td>
<td>3.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">POINT COOK*</td>
<td>$361,500</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">PORT MELBOURNE</td>
<td>$690,000</td>
<td>3.0%</td>
<td>-2.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">PRAHRAN</td>
<td>$445,000</td>
<td>0.2%</td>
<td>-18.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">PRESTON*</td>
<td>$380,000</td>
<td>-5.0%</td>
<td>-11.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">RESERVOIR</td>
<td>$365,500</td>
<td>1.5%</td>
<td>-6.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">RICHMOND</td>
<td>$493,500</td>
<td>-16.7%</td>
<td>0.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">RINGWOOD</td>
<td>$385,500</td>
<td>5.6%</td>
<td>-6.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">RINGWOOD EAST*</td>
<td>$385,000</td>
<td>2.4%</td>
<td>-1.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">ROSANNA*</td>
<td>$466,500</td>
<td></td>
<td>-11.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">ROSEBUD*</td>
<td>$308,000</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">ROWVILLE*</td>
<td>$420,100</td>
<td>-10.2%</td>
<td>3.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">SANDRINGHAM*</td>
<td>$610,000</td>
<td>8.0%</td>
<td>-15.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">SEAFORD*</td>
<td>$320,000</td>
<td>-1.5%</td>
<td>-11.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">SOUTH MELBOURNE*</td>
<td>$555,250</td>
<td>-23.9%</td>
<td>-2.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">SOUTH YARRA</td>
<td>$565,000</td>
<td>2.7%</td>
<td>1.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">SOUTHBANK</td>
<td>$540,000</td>
<td>4.9%</td>
<td>-0.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">ST ALBANS*</td>
<td>$275,000</td>
<td>-15.8%</td>
<td>-8.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">ST KILDA</td>
<td>$476,000</td>
<td>1.9%</td>
<td>-0.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">ST KILDA EAST</td>
<td>$452,000</td>
<td>-3.4%</td>
<td>-5.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">ST KILDA WEST*</td>
<td>$440,000</td>
<td>1.1%</td>
<td>-10.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">SUNBURY*</td>
<td>$277,500</td>
<td></td>
<td>-14.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">SUNSHINE*</td>
<td>$263,000</td>
<td>-6.1%</td>
<td>-2.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">SURREY HILLS*</td>
<td>$635,000</td>
<td>9.7%</td>
<td>0.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">SYDENHAM*</td>
<td>$320,000</td>
<td>-5.0%</td>
<td>-4.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">TEMPLESTOWE LOWER*</td>
<td>$604,500</td>
<td>12.9%</td>
<td>-0.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">TEMPLESTOWE*</td>
<td>$570,000</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">THORNBURY*</td>
<td>$432,000</td>
<td>13.2%</td>
<td>7.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">TOORAK</td>
<td>$652,750</td>
<td>-2.6%</td>
<td>-7.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">TULLAMARINE*</td>
<td>$292,500</td>
<td>-14.1%</td>
<td>-19.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">WERRIBEE*</td>
<td>$250,000</td>
<td>-1.0%</td>
<td>-10.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">WEST FOOTSCRAY*</td>
<td>$354,000</td>
<td>-15.7%</td>
<td>1.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">WEST MELBOURNE*</td>
<td>$598,250</td>
<td>-6.5%</td>
<td>24.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">WILLIAMSTOWN*</td>
<td>$445,000</td>
<td>5.1%</td>
<td>-32.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">WINDSOR*</td>
<td>$400,000</td>
<td>-19.4%</td>
<td>-29.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">YARRAVILLE*</td>
<td>$530,000</td>
<td>1.0%</td>
<td>12.1%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Source: Real Estate Institute of Victoria
*Indicates that fewer than 30 sales were recorded during the quarter
For more property research and latest sales, visit the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reiv.com.au/">REIV website.</a>
 
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Melbourne unit prices – how your suburb went in the 2012 March quarter: REIV

Melbourne house prices – how your suburb went in the 2012 March quarter: REIV

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<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/sunbury-tops-list-of-most-traded-hotspots-with-more-than-house-sold-a-day/2012040354106" target="_blank"><img src="/images/stories/1point6.gif"></a>
The average number of homes sold per day <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/sunbury-tops-list-of-most-traded-hotspots-with-more-than-house-sold-a-day/2012040354106" target="_blank">in the Victorian hotspot of Sunbury</a>. In total there were 604 sales in Sunbury in 2011, making it one of just eight locations out of Smart Investor magazine’s 601 hotspots that managed an average of at least one sale a day over the course of 2011.
 
<hr>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/queensland/property-values-on-the-rocks-in-1770-site-of-captain-cooks-second-landing/2012040454170"><img src="/images/stories/20percent.gif"></a>
The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/queensland/property-values-on-the-rocks-in-1770-site-of-captain-cooks-second-landing/2012040454170">decrease in land values last year in the Queensland locality of 1770</a>, the only municipality within the booming muicipality of Gladstone to record a decrease in land values. Land values in the ugly duckling locality decreased 20%, while neighbouring towns increased by an average of 19%, with Bororen, 40 kilometres east, increasing a stellar 70%.
 
<hr>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/hotspots/regional-victorian-towns-dominate-list-of-mainland-hotspots-under-%24300000-but-melbourne-off-the-menu/2012040454176"><img src="/images/stories/56.gif"></a>
The number of mainland suburbs selected in a list of 601 hotspots by Smart Investor magazine that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/hotspots/regional-victorian-towns-dominate-list-of-mainland-hotspots-under-%24300000-but-melbourne-off-the-menu/2012040454176">have a median house price of under $300,000</a>. There are 28 in Victoria, 17 sub-$3000,000 hotspots in NSW, six in South Australia, three in Queensland and two in the Northern Territory.
 
<hr>
<a target="_self" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/land/construction-industry-contracts-for-22nd-straight-month-in-march-due-to-weak-residential-sector-aig/hia/2012041054203"><img src="/images/stories/22.gif"></a>
The number of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/land/construction-industry-contracts-for-22nd-straight-month-in-march-due-to-weak-residential-sector-aig/hia/2012041054203">consecutive months the construction sector has contracted</a>, according to the latest Australian Industry Group Performance of Construction Index released in conjunction with the Housing Industry Association. There was particular weakness in the residential building sector.
 
<hr>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/jennifer-hawkins-sells-coogee-townhouse-after-five-months-on-market/2012040954193"><img src="/images/stories/2point22m.gif"></a>
The price model and former Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/jennifer-hawkins-sells-coogee-townhouse-after-five-months-on-market/2012040954193">secured for her Coogee residence</a>. She paid $2.27 million for it. 
 
<hr>
 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/south-australia/adelaide-mistakenly-overlooked-by-investors-as-projects-get-under-way-terry-ryder/2012041154211" target="_blank"><img src="/images/stories/50b.gif"></a>
The approximate value of mining projects <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/south-australia/adelaide-mistakenly-overlooked-by-investors-as-projects-get-under-way-terry-ryder/2012041154211" target="_blank">currently under way in South Australia</a>, according to Hotspotting.com.au director Terry Ryder. Ryder says the state is Australia's most under-rated economy and could be a good prospect for investors.
 
<hr>
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/campbelltown-mandurah-toowoomba-and-south-eatern-victoria-%E2%80%93-the-worst-10-postcodes-in-each-state-for-insolvencies/2012041154209" target="_blank"><img src="/images/stories/227.gif"></a>
The number of insolvencies in Sydney's Campbelltown last year. The <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/campbelltown-mandurah-toowoomba-and-south-eatern-victoria-%E2%80%93-the-worst-10-postcodes-in-each-state-for-insolvencies/2012041154209" target="_blank">2056 postcode had the most insolvencies in Australia</a>.
 
 
 
 
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The 7 must-know numbers of the week

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Nine properties on RP Data's list of the top 10 sales of the week last week were in NSW, with the 10th in Canberra’s long-established Forrest.
The ACT property, priced at $1,950,000, came in midway through the list at number five.
1. 1403/81 Macleay Street, Potts Point, NSW, 2011 three-bedroom unit, sold on April 5 for $2,950,000 by Richardson &amp; Wrench Elizabeth Bay/Potts Point. 
2. 12 Toocooya Road, Hunters Hill, NSW, 2110 four-bedroom home, sold on April 3 for $2,700,000 by McGrath Estate Agents. 
3. 246 Glenmore Road, Paddington, NSW, 2021 three-bedroom home, sold at auction on April 3 for $2,500,000 by Di Jones Real Estate. 
4.  48 Cook Road, Centennial Park, NSW, 2021 four-bedroom home, sold on April 3 for $2,125,000 by Di Jones Real Estate. 
5. 86 Arthur Circuit, Forrest, ACT, 2603 six-bedroom home, sold on April 3 for $1,950,000 by Peter Blackshaw Real Estate. 
6. 9 Leura Road, Double Bay, NSW, 2028 two-bedroom home, sold prior to auction for $1,900,000 by BHR Group. 
7. 3/3 Bradley Avenue, Bellevue Hill, NSW, 2023 three-bedroom unit, sold on April 3 for $1,525,000 by Bradfield &amp; Prichard Double Bay. 
8. 68 St James Road, Bondi Junction, NSW, 2022 three-bedroom home, sold at auction on April 4 for $1,460,000 by Ray White Unlimited. 
9. 42 Connelly Way, Kellyville, NSW, 2155 six-bedroom home, sold on April 3 for $1,390,000 by McGrath Estate Agents.
10. 123a Eastern Road, Tarramurra, NSW, 2074 four-bedroom home, sold on April 4 for $1,353,000 by Belle Property.
 
 
 
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Top 10 sales of the week: RP Data

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<div>
Founder(s): Bill Huynh Revenue: $1.3 million Started: 2009 Head Office: Victoria Employees: 4 Website: <a href="https://www.startupsmart.com.au/weblink?cid=5818&amp;fid=36&amp;ord=1" title="www.interiorsecrets.com.au">www.interiorsecrets.com.au</a>
</div>
<div>
WINNER OF THE START-UP HERO AWARD
<img style="float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/billhuy.gif">
If you’ve ever walked into a designer furniture store that stocks those especially sleek and sexy Scandinavian lounge chairs you’ll soon know that high-end aesthetics equals high-end prices. 
Bill Huynh certainly noticed the desire among shoppers for these sorts of fine design objects and thought he could source similar products but at a lower price. 
Ploughing $20,000 of his savings into the venture, Huynh took a trip to China - that great and vast source of so many modern consumer products – and started to feel his way through the tricky business of negotiating product supply lines with reputable manufacturers who could make good quality replicas of European design classics. 
Huynh candidly admits he was walking relatively blind into a world he knew little about. 
“I had no business knowledge, little money and took the risk to quit my 9 to 5 job at 24 years of age,” the 26-year-old says. 
“Money was initially the first motive. Then it was about beating the competition and ultimately maximising customer value.” 
Huynh had cannily noticed the rising demand for “lifestyle living” and that many furniture and interior wares stores seemed to be stocking the wrong sort of furniture. 
His aim was simple: “To provide designer lifestyle living at affordable prices, even to the average Joe renting or buying their first home.” 
Interior Secrets’ online store offers shoppers replica versions of such interior design classics as Eames lounge chairs, the Le Corbusier chaise lounge, and the classic ‘Egg’ chair.
Taking the plunge and starting his own business has been a thrilling experience for Huynh, a mixture of amazement that he has managed to make it work so far and exhilaration at the sense of liberation it has brought him. 
“Every day that I go to work; I no longer miserably look at my computer screen and question, 'What the hell am I doing here?' 
“I now go to work knowing the sky is the limit.”
This article originally appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.startupsmart.com.au/">StartupSmart</a>.
 
 
 
 
</div>
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StartupSmart Awards 2012: Interior Secrets

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2/48 Willis Street, Kingsford, NSW, 2032
<img src="/images/stories/willisst.jpg">
The tenant of this two-bedroom unit is paying $520 per week and is on a lease until November this year. The property is close to shops, restaurants, cafes, public transport, the University of NSW and beaches, and both bedrooms have built-in wardrobes. 
LJ Hooker agent Anthony Rizzo <a target="_blank" href="https://maroubra.ljhooker.com.au/P9SFA0">is marketing the property </a>with price hopes in the "early $500,000s", and if it sells for $510,000 that would secure an investor a gross rental yield of 5.3%, substantially above the median indicative gross rental yield of 4.6% for Kingsford 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 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 $5,500 and over five years to be $16,500.
The median unit price in Kingsford rose by 3.5% in the past year, according to RP Data.
The property will go to auction on Thursday, April 26 at 6.30pm and is open for inspection Saturday, April 14 at 1pm.
For more about prices and yields in Kingsford, see the RP Data suburb page.
For another investment prospect going to auction this weekend, see page 2.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
14/13 Ormond Road, West Footscray
<img src="/images/stories/ormondroad.jpg">
The tenant of this one-bedroom West Footscray unit is paying $802 per month and is on an expired lease. The property includes a laundry and has a car park on its title. 
Sweeney Real Estate agent Ruby Sweeney<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sweeneyestateagents.com.au/profile.php?clientid=sweencp&amp;cat=sales&amp;propertyid=3824075"> is marketing the property</a> with price hopes of $180,000 plus, and if it sells for that price at its current rent it would secure an investor a gross rental yield of 5.4%, well above the indicative gross rental yield of 4.1% for West Footscray 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. The median asking rent for West Footscray is $260 per week, or $1,127 per month.
<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 $4,500 and over five years to be $12,500.
The median unit price in West Footscray rose 10.5% in the past year, according to RP Data.
The property will be open for inspection on Saturday, April 14 at 1.30pm and will go to auction on Saturday, May 12 at noon.
For more about prices and yields in West Footscray see the<a target="_blank" href="/news"> RP Data suburb page</a>.
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Friday form guide: Yields of up to 5.3% in Kingsford

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.

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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.

Cassidy Knowlton

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