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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

<html><body>
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

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/broadbeach-qld-4218">Broadbeach</a> offers plenty of reasons to live vertically, but moving from a substantial family home into an apartment can expose the compromises of high-density living. Privacy, room for guests and usable living space tend to matter more when an apartment is intended as a permanent home rather than an occasional coastal base.

A typical residential floor at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-eveleigh-broadbeach-7-9-surf-parade-broadbeach-qld-4218">The Eveleigh</a>, on Surf Parade,&nbsp;contains just four apartments. The 94-residence development by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hirsch-faigen">Hirsch &amp; Faigen</a> is predominantly made up of expansive three-bedroom homes, with a limited collection of half-floor penthouses above.

Across the apartment floors, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> has used the relatively limited number of residences to give each home greater access to natural light and outlook. Living spaces extend towards full-height glazing, while a series of bay windows frame selected views across the Pacific Ocean, city and hinterland rather than treating the building edge as a continuous wall of glass.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360965]

“The apartment floors deliver a collection of homes that embrace controlled outlook via a series of bay windows deliberately framing moments of view,” Rothelowman Director Kim Lowman said.

From outside, those projecting forms contribute to the tower’s faceted profile. Strong horizontal and vertical elements establish its proportions, while the changing position of the sun alters the light, shadow and reflection across the façade throughout the day.

The same attention moves inside the apartments, where the material palette combines warm timber, natural stone, metallic detailing and softer curved forms. Kitchens sit within the main living zone, with stone island benches, integrated joinery and European appliances, before the living areas extend towards the glazing and the outlook.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360981]

Three genuine bedrooms provide room to accommodate family and guests, while two secure car spaces and storage address some of the practical considerations that can become more noticeable when moving from a larger home. Feedback from the display suite has centred on the warmth and restraint of the interiors, with buyers commenting that the residences feel like homes rather than conventional coastal apartments.

A limited collection of half-floor penthouses occupies the upper levels, increasing the scale of the living spaces and adding private balconies and elevated finishes. From this position, the outlook extends between the ocean and hinterland.

Outside the private residences, The Eveleigh separates its shared spaces between the podium and rooftop. The podium is centred on wellness, with subtropical landscaping surrounding a swimming pool and pool terrace, yoga garden, private gymnasium, sauna and hot and cold plunge facilities. Landscaped retreats and pavilions provide additional places to sit away from the main recreation areas.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360966]

Higher in the building, a rooftop pavilion and private dining suite sit alongside resident lounge, barbecue and outdoor dining areas, opening towards panoramic views across the ocean, city and hinterland.

“Buyers are no longer just looking for an apartment, but a lifestyle where they can relax, reset, and enjoy a balanced way of living,” Hirsch &amp; Faigen Director of Sales Matt George said.

Interest to date has come from established owner-occupiers and interstate lifestyle purchasers, including buyers planning a future move to the Gold Coast. Many are coming from larger homes and want to reduce ongoing maintenance without giving up space for family and guests, privacy, two car spaces or the ability to entertain at home.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360969]

Much of that daily life can also take place beyond the building without requiring a drive. Kurrawa Beach and Pratten Park are an easy walk from Surf Parade, while Pacific Fair, Oracle Boulevard, The Oasis, restaurants, cafés, entertainment and public transport are also within walking distance.

The Eveleigh is Hirsch &amp; Faigen's fourth Gold Coast development since entering the market in 2021, following The Hemingway at Palm Beach, The Emerson at Kirra and Yves at Mermaid Beach. Each of the preceding projects sold out before completion.

“Broadbeach had been on our radar throughout our time operating on the Gold Coast,” the developer said. “Following our projects in Palm Beach, Kirra and Mermaid Beach, Broadbeach represented the natural next step for the business.”

The Surf Parade site brought together proximity to the beach, protected coastal outlooks and walkability to dining, shopping and recreation. Hirsch &amp; Faigen also identified the street as an emerging premium residential address, with enough separation from Broadbeach's busier destinations to retain a quieter environment at home.

The Eveleigh is now under construction by Maxcon, with completion forecast for mid-2028. Three-bedroom residences are currently available from $2.87 million.

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Joel Robinson

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

A long-stalled Campbelltown development site is back in play, with new plans for 139 apartments set to supersede a mixed-use scheme approved almost a decade ago but never built.

The new proposal for 28 Cordeaux Street would deliver 116 market and 23 affordable apartments in a part 14-storey building, bringing a substantial new project into a Campbelltown market where new apartment supply remains limited.

Plans have been filed over the 3,092 sqm corner site at Moore-Oxley Street, around 600 metres from Campbelltown Railway Station and the city-centre retail core.

The site already carries a mixed-use residential approval dating to 2016. Doroch Architects has now been engaged on a larger replacement scheme, which is progressing as a State Significant Development Application following a Housing Delivery Authority determination in August 2025.

The apartment mix comprises 39 one-bedroom, 72 two-bedroom and 28 three-bedroom residences. Two-bedroom apartments make up just over half of the project, while three-bedroom homes account for 20 per cent.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="136dd5b9-3791-4da6-9e31-76f533f5b4de" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da2.png?VersionId=LgOSy9nwf5u.MGswBBwaGGxuX8QpHSl_" />

Of the 139 apartments, 23 will be delivered as affordable housing under the in-fill affordable housing provisions of the Housing SEPP. The affordable component represents 15 per cent of the residential gross floor area and will be managed by a registered Community Housing Provider.

Doroch has sought to break the scale of the building into two distinct elements, with a masonry podium of around four storeys establishing the street edge before the residential tower steps back above.

The corner position has shaped that approach. Cordeaux Street faces toward the commercial and civic centre, while Moore-Oxley Street leads into the lower-scale residential neighbourhood to the south, and the design verification report describes the site as "bridging the commercial core to the north and established residential areas to the south."

The podium will be expressed predominantly in face brick, while the upper levels shift to brushed and grooved concrete cladding with darker metal detailing. Recessed sections, deep balcony edges and landscaping break down the upper form, with an approximately 11.8-metre setback to the northern boundary addressing the adjoining St Peters Anglican School.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c8b3d2d3-c561-4bfc-a5d9-a68c0c10dac1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da1.png?VersionId=AeAEyJU02Gk2k5noUj2StziCvdQ7fW4B" />

Campbelltown has been starved of new residential developments in the last decade.

The only other notable development set to come to market this year is ALAND's Queen Square, a mixed-use precinct on over two hectares that will comprise apartments above a vibrant ground-level retail and hospitality dining precinct.

First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site

First Look: Sherlock Construction pitches apartments for low-rise Deception Bay

Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

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Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]

Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

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Cassidy Knowlton

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