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More business bodies have called for a deferral of harmonised occupational health and safety laws, with the Housing Industry Association and Master Builders Australia arguing for a further six months to prepare, and calling for more information on their cost to the housing industry.
HIA general manager Graham Wolfe says the January 1, 2012 deadline is unlikely to be met, with Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania yet to pass the relevant legislation.
"It's been a long journey, and I just don't think that now we're at the 11th hour we should rush in the application."
"The real issue here is: are the states ready to adopt it in due course, and if they do, what period of time do the sectors need to adapt?"
Wolfe argues there should be a moratorium until the regulation is subject to a cost-benefit analysis.
Master Builders Australia chief executive Wilhelm Harnisch says the MBA isn't seeking to thwart the legislation, because it supports harmonisation, but more time is needed.
Harnisch says with 21 codes still to be tabled and finalised, of which seven deal with the building and construction industry, the MBA is concerned there won't be enough time to digest the big changes.
Second, Harnisch says the January 2012 deadline comes at a difficult time for the building and construction sector, which typically shuts down two weeks before Christmas and throughout January.
"It's not a hidden agenda, it's about a phasing in," Harnisch says.
And assuming a deferral isn't granted, Harnisch predicts a "mad scramble" by the industry to try to adapt, "with all the attendant risks of a poor implementation."
But Jessica Fletcher, senior associate at Hall &amp; Wilcox, says the law firm has been advising its clients to prepare for the 2012 deadline, irrespective of comments by Western Australia that it will not take on all elements of the nationalised laws. Victoria, led by Liberal Premier Ted Baillieu, has also indicated it is seeking more time.
Fletcher says the delays raised by the housing bodies seem to have fed into concern about the changes.
But Fletcher points out that legislation enacted in New South Wales and Queensland matches elements of the harmonised OH&amp;S files, that many companies support nationalised laws because they operate across the country, and the new laws simply meet best practice.
"They put into the spotlight, do we have appropriate contractor management systems in place? And appropriate structures to ensure managers can manage safety risks?" Fletcher says.
"We're all trying to achieve safe work places and putting the right systems in place, there's no downside."
Independent Contractors Australia has also argued the laws should be put on hold until key issues are addressed.
The ICA argues the harmonised laws will mean employers will unfairly assume responsibility for the behaviour of their employers, rather than leaving individuals responsible for their own conduct. It has also raised alarm over the stripping of employers of their right to silence, and the ability of OH&amp;S authorities to seize businesses and their property without court oversight.
This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/economy/20110913-housing-industry-bodies-throw-weight-behind-deferral-of-harmonised-oh-s-laws" title="SmartCompany" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
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cknowlton-QnEa6ntUYP

Housing industry bodies throw weight behind deferral of harmonised OH&S laws

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/september13wahlberg]}
Oscar-nominated actor Mark Wahlberg has listed his Beverly Hills, CA home for sale with price hopes of US$13,995,000. The seven-bedroom, 10-bathroom property includes a boxing gym, where Wahlberg reportedly trained for his role as Micky Ward in the 2010 Oscar-nominated film The Fighter.
Wahlberg listed the property in 2008 with price hopes of US$15.9 million but withdrew it from the market after the birth of his fourth child with girlfriend Rhea Durham.
The Former New Kid On the Block and Funky Bunch member bought the house for $4.95 million in 2001 through Marley Realty Trust, accorting to blockshopper.com. The property has a full tennis court and dramatic canyon views, and it includes extras befitting a Hollywood star, including a 35mm home theatre. It is within a gated estate, a private enclave of the rich and famous. 
The property is  listed through <a target="_blank" title="Hilton &amp; Hyland" href="https://www.hiltonhyland.com/property/2227/9694-Oak-Pass-Road">Hilton &amp; Hyland </a>agent Felix Pena.
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Mark Wahlberg lists in Beverly Hills

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Marinas in Queensland, once the subject of frenzied buying activity, have had a rough trot.

Horizon Shores on the Gold Coast, has fallen into the control of receivers McGrath Nichol. Its owner, Meridien Marinas, says it's business as usual for the marina, which has approvals in place to almost double its berth numbers to 2,000. About half the berths are occupied at the moment.
Meridien Marinas says the "combination of the ongoing GFC and strong Australian dollar has created difficult trading conditions for Australia's boating industry".
But Colin Bransgrove, chief executive office of industry body Marina Industries Association of Australia, says he's not heard of other businesses in the tightly held marina sector in trouble.
"Things have been tougher post-GFC, but because of the general shortage of marina berths in Australia, most are holding up reasonably well," Bransgrove told SmartCompany this morning.
"It's disappointing but not the norm."
There are 356 marinas in Australia, Bransgrove says, and most are owned by smaller companies or family companies. Leases tend to be quite regionalised, with Western Australia holding up better than Queensland, which was hit hard by the summer's natural disasters.
Of four marinas across Queensland, just one of Meridien Marinas' assets is not in administration: its marina in Port Douglas, which is said to be unaffected by troubles in the industry.
The Abel Point marina, which is part of the $750 million Port of Airlie project, is also in receivership, as is the Port of Airlie marina.
According to its website, Horizon Shore was "destined to become Australia's largest world-class marina, home to over 1,400 berths ranging in size from 9m-20m."
"Just 20 minutes from the Gold Coast and 30 minutes from Brisbane, it's at the heart of a boating paradise, right on the doorstep of South Stradbroke Island, Jumpinpin Bar and the Gold CoastSeaway."
Meridien Marinas managing director Russell McCart describes the appointment of receiverships to Horizon Shores and Abel Point Marinas as "very unfortunate" and says the company will be "working closely with the administrators in a concerted effort to return the business back to profitability."
"Abel Point and Horizon Shores Marinas are both excellent assets and have a great future and will continue to trade very well," McCart says.
"The receivers have re-employed all marina staff and will continue to operate as usual, without disruption."
"Meridien has committed over $75 million into Horizon Shores and the majority of infrastructure works are now completed."
The collapse also follows the collapse of Queensland boat builder Riviera in 2009, on the back of debts and the GFC.
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Queensland marina in receivership as strong Aussie dollar bites

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Industry group Tourism Whitsundays expects the tourism mecca will shrug off the appointment of receivers to key projects in the region.

Abel Point Marina at Airlie Beach and the Port of Airlie development have both been handed over to receivers McGrathNichol, after Bank of Scotland International pulled the plug.
Tourism Whitsundays chief Peter O'Reilly says the $750 million Port of Airlie project, promoted as a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, ran into a long series of troubles.
These included the GFC reducing the risk appetite of its lenders and unseasonal rain during development leading to delays, which then gave buyers the opportunity to contest their acquisitions given a slump in property prices nearby.
But O'Reilly says it's business as usual at the Port of Airlie and the troubles haven't had a huge impact locally despite the project being only partly completed. In fact, Whitsundays tourism is seeing some positive signs.
"The youth adventure backpacking market is soft, but the mainstream is there," he says. "Operators who are good marketers have got business."
"Some say they have had five months of consecutive growth on last year, but last year was an ordinary year as a base."
"It's coming back, but it's challenging, especially the international market."
"But the Townsville, Mackay market has been reasonable, as well as Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne."
Still, the Port of Airlie development was seen as one that would "raise the bar for the whole of Airlie Beach," O'Reilly says.
"We're not going to see the hotel development and the other retail development go ahead, which is unfortunate," he says.
This article originally appared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/business-travel/20110908-whitsundays-tourism-developments-in-receivership-but-industry-hopes-region-can-recover" title="SmartCompany" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
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Whitsundays tourism development in receivership

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17 Dunloe Avenue, Norlane, VIC, 3214
<img src="/images/stories/dunloe.jpg">
This three-bedroom, one-bathroom house in the Geelong suburb of Norlane is currently tenanted at $280 per week. The property has been recently renovated and has a new laundry, new wardrobes, new roof, insulation, plumbing and wiring, and new carpets and paint job. It is 400 metres to Norlane Primary School and within walking distance of Bell Post Shopping Centre and a leisure centre. <a href="https://www.fletchers.net.au/Property-Details.php?p=2600616" title="Fletchers Geelong" target="_blank">Fletchers Geelong</a> agent Duncan Skene is marketing the property with price hopes of $220,000 plus, and if it had sold at that price that would have been a gross rental yield of 6.6%, considerably higher than the indicative gross rental yield for houses in Norlane of 5.8%, 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 property was passed in on a vendor's bid of $255,000 on Saturday, September 10.
For more information about prices and yields in Norlane, see the RP Data suburb page.
For other investment prospects going to auction this weekend, see pages 2 and 3.
 
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6A Arthur Street, Belmont,VIC, 3216
<img src="/images/stories/arthurst.jpg">
This three-bedroom property in the inner-Geelong suburb of Belmont could appeal to investors, as it is tenanted at $280 per week until July 2012. It is close to parkland and five kilometres from Geelong CBD. <a href="https://www.barryplant.com.au/property.cfm?propertyId=1835788&amp;trapfour=y_num" title="Barry Plant South Barwon" target="_blank">Barry Plant South Barwon</a> agent Nathan Ashton is marketing the property with $270,000 plus hopes. If it sells for $270,000 that would mean a gross rental yield of 5.4%, well above the indicative gross rental yield for houses in Belmont of 4.8%, 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 property will go to auction on Saturday, September 10 at 1.30pm.
For more information about indicative gross rental yields and prices in Belmont, see the RP Data suburb page.
 
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48 South Kiama Road, Kiama Heights, NSW, 2533
<img src="/images/stories/kiamaheights.jpg">
A rental assessment of this two-bedroom property by selling agent Angela Bennett of<a href="https://www.ljhooker.com.au/Q7H82" title="LJ Hooker" target="_blank"> LJ Hooker Kiama</a> estimates that this property could be rented out for between $320 and $330 per week. Bennett is marketing the property with price hopes of $340,000 plus, and if it sells for $340,000 and is rented for $330 a week, that would equate to a rental yield of 5.7%, far higher than the indicative gross rental yield for Kiama Heights of 4.6%, 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. This property goes to auction on Saturday, September 10 at 2pm.
For more information about gross rental yields and prices in Kiama Heights, see the RP Data suburb page.
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Friday Form Guide: Yields of up to 6.6% in Norlane

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The first stage of a new townhouse development in Melbourne’s outer suburbs has sold out within a month, with owner-occupiers and “mum and dad investors” the main buyers.
Developer Sunland Group has sold all 22 two-bedroom townhouses in stage one of its new Eton Terraces development in the Melbourne suburb of Bundoora four weeks after they launched in July, and it hopes to get a similar result when it brings the 27 townhouses in stage two onto the market next week.
Eton Terraces is within the Chancellor masterplanned community within the precinct of <a target="_blank" title="Bundoora" href="/news">Bundoora </a>known as University Hill, close to the campuses of RMIT and La Trobe University and about 40 kilometres from Melbourne CBD.
Sunland Group marketing manager Alexandra Stuart-Robertson  says the proximity to the universities was a boon for attracting a wide range of buyers.
“We had a lot of owner occupiers, a lot of first home buyers and a lot of professional couples,” she says. “We’ve got university students, and we’ve got mum and dad investors looking for a property that would suit their children as they grow up, especially when they are in university.”
The 49 townhouses ranged in price between $425,000 and $465,000, and all will be 82 square metres. Construction is set to begin in the next month and is expected to be completed in July or August 2012.
Stuart-Robertson says the design of the townhouses was a major selling point.
“This is the latest showcase of the Sunland designs – our architects have really considered the design aspects to make these properties as liveable as possible,” she says. “The inclusions and fixtures in these homes are very elegant and modern and will appeal to a wide variety of people.”
She adds that the location, which is connected by tram to Melbourne CBD, also attracted different types of buyers.
“It is one of those areas that will appeal to a wide variety of people for many years to come.”
Other developments in the Chancellor community include refurbished apartment building Heritage.
Gold Coast-based Sunland Group also developed the Balencea and Yve buildings on St Kilda Road, and was behind luxury development Q1 at Surfer’s Paradise.
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Mum and dad investors snap up Bundoora townhouses

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/september7michaelbay]}
Action movie director/producer Michael Bay has listed his Montecito, California mansion with $6.8 million hopes. The 502-square-metre, four-bedroom house has an infinity pool, one-bedroom guest house and lush landscaping. It is being marketed by <a target="_blank" title="Sotheby's" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.sothebyshomes.com/Santa-Barbara-Real-Estate/sales/0113519">Sotheby's </a>agent Suzanne Perkins.
Bay, the director of Hollywood blockbusters such as the Transformers franchise, Pearl Harbour and Armageddon, bought the Jan Hochhauser-designed property in 1997.
Bay's net worth has been estimated at $500 million, thanks almost entirely to explosions, Ben Affleck, Shia Labeouf and pretty girls on motorcycles. 
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Michael Bay looks to transform his portfolio as his Montecito mansion explodes onto the market

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/september6rodney]}
1049 Rancho Drive, Ojai, California
Architect Rodney Walker built this glass-walled, four-bedroom house for himself in 1959. Walker, who designed three homes for Art &amp; Architecture magazine's Case Study project, was an early proponent of indoor-outdoor living, and his striking residence brings the outside in and vice versa. Cuttinge-edge for its time, the house on 1.4 hectares offers 270-degree panoramic views over the Ojai Valley. 
Like Frank Lloyd Wright, Walker used equilateral triangles in many of his designs, including a sweeping overarching triangular roof on this property.
The house is being marketed by<a href="https://walkerresidence.com/index.php" title="Crosby Doe" target="_blank"> Crosby Doe</a> Associates with price hopes of US$3.95 million plus. 
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Architect's glass house for sale

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One year after the snappy sale of 106 apartments in the Hampton hotel redevelopment in Potts Point, the developers have been unable to repeat its success with a further nine offerings.
The four cheaper offerings – the studio and three one-bedroom apartments – did sell at recent auction, but below the prices the listing agents Ballard Property group had hoped to secure.
All five two-bedroom apartments were passed in, though Ballard senior sales executive Charlie Brendon-Cook says there is interest in them.
The two-bedroom apartments were passed in at prices between $1.1 million and $1.29 million, with three of them passed in on a vendor’s bid.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/developments/hampton-hotel-redevelopment-offers-nine-more-units-a-year-after-buy-up-frenzy/2011082651303" target="_blank">Before the auction</a> Brendon-Cook said Ballard hoped to secure about $400,000 for the one studio offering, but it sold for $376,000. In last year’s release of the 112-apartment initial offering, which Brendon-Cook suggested were of a similar fitout standard, the pricing for studios began at $385,000. He says the results were very reasonable considering the current Potts Point market.
“There are studios around here that go for $280,000,” Brendon-Cook says. “Not many go up in the fours.”
Prices for the one-bedroom apartments ranged at last month’s auction from $455,000 to $650,000. Brendon-Cook says “the vendor was happy to sell for that price”.
The Hampton hotel was owned by the Nemeth family, who released the original 112 through CBRE and retained 13, including the four penthouses, in June last year.
The Nemeth family entered into a joint venture with residential developer Toga Group on the project. More than 2,000 buyers lodged expressions of interest for the Bayswater Road apartments. By the end of the launch in June 2010, 106 had been sold. Some 70% were sold last June to investors.
The family decided to release the nine non-penthouse apartments through Ballard, and they were auctioned by Sydney auctioneer Damien Cooley last month.
The Toga Group paid $17 million earlier this year for the Mansions Hotel, set diagonally opposite, with plans to build apartments above the pub.
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No sellout for Hampton development's second offering

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/september5alley]}
Actress Kirstie Alley has listed her five-bedroom, four-bathroom cottage in rural Maine with $2.35 million hopes. The Dancing With the Stars contestant and Fat Actress star bought the house, which has a flowery pink interior design, in 2003 for $1.15 million. <a href="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/eng/sales/detail/180-l-910-4305533/living-room-islesboro-me-04848" title="Sotheby's" target="_blank">Sotheby's International </a>agent Jackie Hall is marketing the 190-square-metre cutesy cottage, whose interiors somewhat resemble a life-sized dollhouse.
The 6.5-hectare property includes a private wooden dock for flower-festooned (or otherwise) boats and includes lush English-style gardens. It also has beach frontage.
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Kirstie Alley thinks pink in Maine retreat

For most new apartment buildings, the Owners Corporation starts life with little more than a bank account and the first quarterly strata levies.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/9-gay-street-castle-hill-9-gay-street-castle-hill-nsw-2154">9 Gay Street</a> in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/castle-hill-nsw-2154">Castle Hill</a>, it starts with around $7 million in reserve.

It's an unusual legacy of what was once one of Sydney's highest-profile apartment remediation projects. When the development, originally known as Skyview and built by disgraced developer Top Place, came under scrutiny by then NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler, an $11 million remediation bond was negotiated to ensure any building defects could be fully rectified.

The building underwent an 18-month remediation program, during which around $4 million of that bond was spent bringing the building up to the standard it should have been in from the outset.

After extensive inspections, all active rectification orders have been lifted. What's more, around $7.2 million remains secured for the Owners Corporation for the next 15 years.

In a twist few would have predicted, what began as a significant concern for purchasers has left the building with something almost unheard of in the apartment market: a multi-million-dollar financial reserve from day one.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359136]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a> Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said the structure offers buyers a level of certainty that is difficult to replicate.

"The $11 million bond established for the Skyview Castle Hill development represents exceptional value, providing genuine financial security for purchasers," Huxley said.

"Unlike a standard insurance policy, this bond consists of real funds held in trust for the Owners Corporation, offering a tangible layer of protection and added peace of mind."

The apartments themselves have been designed with a focus on practical, contemporary living. Interiors feature Smeg appliances, stone benchtops, tiled living areas, carpeted bedrooms, 2.7-metre ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glazing, and ducted heating and cooling throughout.

Residents also have access to a range of shared amenities, including two rooftop barbecue areas, a swimming pool, children's playgrounds, secure building access, storage cages, and visitor parking.

The location continues to be one of the project's strongest drawcards. Castle Hill Metro Station sits virtually on the doorstep, providing direct connections across Sydney's expanding Metro network, while Castle Towers offers extensive retail, dining, entertainment, and service amenities within walking distance.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359127]

The building, now named after its location at 9 Gay Street, comprises a diverse mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments starting from just under $600,000.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett said demand in the Hills District continues to be driven by buyers seeking convenience and connectivity.

"Interest from both owner-occupiers and investors in Castle Hill remains exceptionally strong, with buyers consistently prioritising developments in close proximity to the Metro station and Castle Towers Shopping Centre," Hamblett said.

"There is a clear trend in the market, with purchasers seeking convenient access to transport and lifestyle amenities that support a seamless, low-maintenance way of living."

On top of the long-term protection afforded by the remaining $7.2 million bond, Equitifund is offering a limited-time stamp duty rebate on selected apartments.

Eligible purchasers can also secure finance options, including a 3.99 per cent two-year variable rate, loan-to-value ratios of up to 90 per cent, and interest-only lending options through EquitiCredit.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=147685]

Joel Robinson

Why this Castle Hill apartment building starts with a $7 million advantage

For much of the past few years, conversations about Australia's property market have centred on the rapid growth seen in Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Perth. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3004">Melbourne</a> has followed a different trajectory.

That relative underperformance is now encouraging some buyers to reassess the city, particularly those willing to look beyond short-term market movements and focus on quality property in established locations, along with the long-term growth prospects of a city expected to overtake Sydney as Australia’s most populous.

John Bekiaris, Research &amp; Market Insights at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Projects by Equitifund</a>, said Melbourne's current position is attracting increasingly sophisticated purchasers.

"Melbourne continues to present one of Australia's strongest long-term investment stories," Bekiaris says.

"While other capital cities have experienced stronger recent growth, that relative underperformance is exactly what's attracting sophisticated counter-cyclical investors."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363268]

Equitifund isn't just commenting on Melbourne's property market, it's investing in it.

The Sydney-headquartered capital partner has taken over the remaining apartments at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/victoriana-melbourne-20-queens-road-melbourne-vic-3004">Victoriana</a>, the recently completed glass-encased development opposite Albert Park Lake in Melbourne's tightly held St Kilda Road precinct.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and built by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hickory">Hickory</a>, Victoriana places residents between one of Melbourne's most recognised parklands and the CBD, offering oversized two and three-bedroom apartments aimed at owner-occupiers seeking a genuine alternative to a traditional family home.

The development comprises 232 completed residences alongside a suite of resident amenities, including a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, landscaped entertaining areas, resident lounges, EV charging, secure basement parking and a concierge-style arrival experience.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363229]

The apartments have been designed with owner-occupiers firmly in mind.&nbsp;Open-plan living and dining areas flow onto generous balconies framing views across Albert Park Lake, Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Melbourne skyline.

Kitchens feature Gaggenau appliances, stone benchtops and generous preparation space. Bedrooms include built-in robes, while bathrooms feature full-height textured tiling. Hardwood flooring and ducted air conditioning complete residences designed for long-term living.

Rothelowman's architecture takes its cues from the landscape opposite the site. Sweeping horizontal glazing references the movement of Albert Park Lake, while generous balconies and expansive glazing strengthen the connection between the apartments and the surrounding parklands. The result is a building designed to deliver the scale and amenity expected of luxury apartment living, while offering the larger floorplans increasingly sought by owner-occupiers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363284]

The location is one of Victoriana's defining characteristics. Positioned on Queens Road, residents are directly opposite Albert Park Lake and within easy reach of Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens, South Melbourne, St Kilda Road and the CBD. With few comparable development opportunities remaining in the precinct, buyers are increasingly placing value on outlooks that are unlikely to be interrupted by future construction.

Greg Huxley, Founder of Equitifund, believes those qualities become even more valuable over time.

"Premium real estate has always rewarded buyers who take a long-term view," Huxley said.

"Victoriana represents the kind of asset that's increasingly difficult to recreate today, particularly in an established location like Queens Road."

He said rising construction costs are also changing the way buyers assess completed developments.

"When you combine an irreplaceable location with thoughtful architecture and premium finishes, you create something that becomes increasingly difficult to reproduce as construction costs continue to rise."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363228]

According to National Sales Director Ben Hamblett, enquiry has been driven largely by Melbourne downsizers and buyers upgrading from smaller apartments.

"Interest in Victoriana continues to build, with strong buyer focus on the larger owner-occupier residences within the development," Hamblett says.

"Enquiry is increasingly driven by local buyers who recognise the rarity of what's on offer: park-facing apartments in an established neighbourhood where new development opportunities are becoming increasingly scarce. At Victoriana, the view is not just a feature; it's an appreciating asset in its own right."

He said interstate enquiry has also strengthened as buyers reassess Melbourne's position within the national property cycle.

"Melbourne currently stands as the most compelling entry point of any major Australian capital, and discerning buyers are beginning to recognise what those who move early always understand: the best opportunities are taken before the price rise confirms them."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=1979]

Why now is the time to buy in Melbourne's premium apartment market

Developers and apartment buyers have a narrowing window of opportunity before Brisbane's Olympic infrastructure pipeline begins competing directly with residential construction, pushing up costs, tightening labour supply and making new projects increasingly difficult to deliver.

While Brisbane's apartment market continues to benefit from strong population growth and limited housing supply, industry research suggests the years leading up to 2027 could prove to be the most important period for developers looking to secure builders and buyers hoping to purchase before the next wave of price increases.

A new Colliers report, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Creating Solutions, highlights the scale of the challenge. While thousands of new homes are planned across South East Queensland, the Brisbane Olympic Athletes Village alone will deliver more than 10,500 beds during the Games before being converted into around 1,750 to 2,000 apartments. Equivalent to almost two years of typical inner-city apartment supply, the project will also absorb a significant share of the construction workforce and building materials.

The broader construction pipeline paints an even clearer picture.

Construction Skills Queensland's Horizon 2032 report forecasts Queensland's annual construction pipeline will average $69 billion over the coming years before peaking at $75 billion in 2027-28. Demand for construction workers is expected to increase by 17 per cent to almost 150,000 people, with the industry facing an annual shortfall of around 19,000 workers that could blow out to as many as 35,000 during the peak construction period.

The Olympic venues, athletes village and supporting infrastructure will account for billions of dollars worth of work across South East Queensland through to 2032, creating intense competition for labour at a time when Australia's residential construction sector is already under pressure.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=373834]

Colliers Queensland Residential Director Andrew Scriven said the convergence of these projects is creating a clear window of opportunity for both developers and buyers.

"From 2027 onwards, the market will shift dramatically," Scriven said.

"Labour will increasingly be locked into government-led infrastructure and Olympic projects, which means private residential developments will face higher costs and tighter margins. The developers who move now are the ones most likely to get projects off the ground."

Scriven said the same dynamic would also affect buyers, with fewer apartment projects expected to launch once construction capacity tightens.

"If you're looking to change your lifestyle over the next five years, now is your window of opportunity to buy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150713 project_image_fid=373827]

Developers are already positioning themselves ahead of that window.

Following the success of Monarch at Toowong, Consolidated Properties is preparing to launch two new Brisbane apartment projects in the second half of 2026. They include <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gloriette-30-bedivere-street-yeerongpilly-qld-4105">Gloriette</a> at Yeerongpilly Green, a 25-storey tower within one of Brisbane's key Olympic precincts, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, a recently approved 25-storey riverfront development at 47 Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

Hutchinson Builders will deliver both projects, with early works already underway at Yeerongpilly and Newstead expected to commence later this year.

The timing comes as Brisbane's fundamentals continue to strengthen, with strong interstate migration, population growth and vacancy rates remaining below 1.5 per cent.

Colliers Queensland researcher Pragya Sharma said Greater Brisbane is forecast to require around 40,000 new apartments between 2021 and 2031.

"There's a real mismatch emerging between when housing is needed and when it will be feasible to build," Sharma said.

"As a result, the period leading up to 2027 presents a key window of opportunity for developers to secure approvals, funding and construction capacity, while buyers will have greater choice before supply constraints intensify."

Colliers research outlines a critical pre-2027 window to start residential projects before labour squeeze: now is the time to buy

Developers, buyers on watch in South East Queensland ahead of construction crunch: Colliers

It's taken less than nine months for developer Sherpa Property Group to sell out all 51 apartments in its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-oasis-palm-beach-7-9-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Oasis</a> development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a>, over a year before its anticipated completion.

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Located at 7-9 Sixth Avenue, the $67 million development has resonated strongly with both local owner-occupiers and downsizers seeking high-quality apartments within walking distance of the beach, dining precincts and everyday amenities.

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Christie Leet, Founder of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Group</a>, said the sell-out reflected both the strength of the Palm Beach market and the success of Sherpa's community-first approach to development.

"The sell-out of Oasis is a fantastic outcome and reinforces the strong demand we're seeing for thoughtfully designed apartments in lifestyle locations," Leet said.

"From the outset, our vision was to create a development that genuinely enhanced the Palm Beach community while providing residents with exceptional homes and wellness-focused amenities.

"We've been incredibly encouraged by the level of local support throughout the campaign, 72.5 per cent of buyers are locals, with a significant proportion of purchasers choosing Oasis as their future home rather than an investment."

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Construction is now progressing following development approval, with trusted builder LPS Group delivering the project and completion anticipated in Q3 2027.

Oasis forms part of Sherpa Group's successful Flourish collection, which has become recognised for its focus on wellness, community and elevated coastal living.

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Residents will have private access to a rooftop amenity space featuring a pool, gym, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, spa and barbecue facilities.

"The success of Oasis demonstrates that buyers continue to prioritise quality, location and lifestyle," Leet said.

"We are proud to have delivered a project that has resonated so strongly with the market and look forward to bringing Oasis to life for our future residents."

Sherpa recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a>, its third instalment of the Flourish brand in Palm Beach following Flourish Oasis and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>.

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Sherpa sells out Flourish Oasis in booming Palm Beach

Urban Property Group's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-vera-macquarie-park-94-talavera-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">La Vera</a> is leading the next phase of Macquarie Park's residential evolution, with the new apartment development set to become the first of several new apartment projects in the precinct to complete.

The 169-apartment building has now topped out ahead of its scheduled completion in the third quarter of 2026, as new residential investment continues to reshape one of Sydney's largest employment hubs into a true mixed-use precinct.

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Cox Architecture has designed La Vera to capture the best of its unique positioning on Talavera Road, orienting the building towards Lane Cove National Park.&nbsp;The building features a sculpted northern façade with flowing curves inspired by the surrounding landscape, while its city-facing elevation adopts a more structured architectural expression to maximise skyline views.

"The vision for the project was to conceive a building that adopted an organic and curvilinear form to the northern portion that faces the Lane Cove National Park," <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> Director Felipe Miranda said.

"The residents that reside in the northern portion of the building benefit by having beautifully crafted curved balconies that speak to the natural context and heighten the relationship of their internal living spaces to the external balconies."

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La Vera offers a diverse mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom configurations, with prices currently starting from $740,000. Buyers so far have been a mix of Sydney-based investors,&nbsp;metro commuters, owner-occupiers and downsizers from surrounding North Shore suburbs.

Both investors and owner-occupiers have been drawn to La Vera's proximity to Macquarie University, Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie Centre and the Sydney Metro, infrastructure that supports both strong rental demand and a convenient lifestyle for residents.

The apartments feature full-height glazing, timber flooring throughout living areas, stone kitchen benchtops, SMEG appliances, floor-to-ceiling bathroom tiling and ducted air conditioning.

Residents will have access to a rooftop recreation level featuring a swimming pool, sauna, barbecue facilities and landscaped relaxation areas, complemented by additional communal space at ground level. Many apartments enjoy uninterrupted views across Lane Cove National Park, reinforcing the project's connection to its natural setting.

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<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>, a family-owned developer and builder with nearly four decades of experience, holds a 4.5-star iCIRT rating and was Australia's first developer to introduce 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI). La Vera is the first apartment development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a> approved to offer the additional insurance protection, alongside a five-year warranty on SMEG appliances.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said the additional protection reflects changing buyer expectations in the off the plan market.

"Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been. Having LDI is a tool to portray the confidence that we have in our product, and a confidence we want buyers to share," Elias said.

Following completion of the building later this year, buyers will move into their apartments well before Christmas.

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Cassidy Knowlton

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