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The developers of the $2 billion Central Park mixed-used residential project in Chippendale have signed an historic agreement for a new green energy infrastructure aimed at greatly reducing carbon emissions. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/retail/central-park-s-retail-precinct-set-to-launch-this-spring/2013032659989" target="_blank">Central Park</a> is a joint venture project between Frasers Property and Sekisui House Australia. It is being developed on 5.8 hectares of land that was formerly the Carlton &amp; United Breweries (CUB) site on Broadway.
Construction has commenced on the energy plant, which is touted as being about twice as efficient as a coal-fired power plant. 
It follows a $26.5 million Environment Upgrade Agreement (EUA) with the City of Sydney, <a target="_blank" href="companies/frasers-property-australia">Frasers Property</a>, and Eureka Funds Management.
{qtube vid:=4yw9Gt7rD1E}
This is the only the second such agreement to be signed in NSW, and the City of Sydney’s first EUA. 
The trigeneration plant could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 190,000 tonnes over the 25-year life of the plant, according to estimates from environment consultants WSP group. 
This has the same effect on combating greenhouse gas emissions as removing 2,500 cars from the roads every year for 25 years. 
The plant will run on gas and produce low-carbon thermal energy, providing heating and cooling for the 3,000 residences planned for Central Park and 65,000 square metres of retail and commercial space across 14 buildings in the development. 
Electricity produced by the plant also has the potential to be exported to neighbouring buildings offsite. 
Trigeneration is the simultaneous production of three forms of energy: electricity, heating and cooling. 
A trigeneration system can provide power, hot water, space heating and air conditioning from a single system. It captures heat otherwise lost when generators create electricity, and uses it to generate both hot and cold water. 
The hot water in turn generates an absorption chiller, which operates like a refrigerator. The chiller then creates water at a sufficiently low temperature to be used for air-conditioning. 
When completed, the development will consist of around 2,100 apartments across seven residential towers, student housing, and 50,000 square metres of commercial office space across two towers. 
An additional 20,000 square metres of retail facilities have also been planned, as well as the restoration of 33 heritage buildings. 
A 6,400-square-metre public park will also be part of the development. 
Central Park will be completed in stages, from May 2013 to 2018. 
The energy plant will be completed and commissioned by December 2013. It will be housed in a multi-level subterranean bunker, which is part of the existing historic Brewery Yard building. 
Frasers Property and Sekisui House are currently seeking expressions of interest for an owner/operator of the trigeneration plant, with the owner/operator to be in place prior to the commissioning of the plant in late 2013.
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Sydney’s Central Park residents to get energy efficient heating and cooling system

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The historic Victorian regional city of Ballarat is demonstrating above average capital growth in comparison to the rest of Victoria despite slugglish transaction activity, says a new a report from PRDnationwide. 
PRDnationwide <a target="_blank" href="/news">Ballarat</a> principal Neil Jens says developer and consumer confidence is currently very strong despite the drop in sales activity, with enquiries having increased since the start of 2013.
PRDnationwide research analyst Angus McLean says research indicates that sentiment in the region remains positive. 
"With increased consumer confidence the Ballarat area is witnessing a consistency in the housing market which will see home buyers and prospective investors return, setting the scene for a positive 2013," McLean said. 
According to McLean, while residential house and unit purchasers currently remain in a state of flux, the Ballarat Area rental market has become increasingly reliable for investors since June 2012 due to the simultaneous settlement drop in the housing and unit sales numbers. 
"This is in addition to an increase in local investment in the Ballarat Area with $156 million of development expected to be completed by July 2013."
In October last year, the Ballarat West Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) was granted approval by the state government with around 1,300 hectares to be transformed into residential property to support the region's growing population.
The project will see the development of road and community infrastructure to support the 30,000 people who will call the area home once completed.
McLean says the Ballarat area has witnessed consistent capital growth in all residential markets over the past 10-year cycle, although house and unit sales numbers have dwindled 18% and 30% respectively since October 2011.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/">Hotspotting.com.au</a>'s Terry Ryder picks  <a target="_blank" href="/news">Ballarat </a> and <a href="/news">Bendigo</a> as standout investment opportunities not only within the state of Victoria, but on a national basis.
"They rank nationally as boom towns with strong future prospects," Ryder wrote in a recent <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/ballarat-and-bendigo-provide-golden-opportunities-for-property-investors-terry-ryder/2013011658807">column for Property Observer.</a>
"The B cities have a lot in common: gold rush histories, strong local economies with ample diversity, proactive councils, plenty of infrastructure development, strong business communities, prosperous tourism industries, lots of real estate investment and generous supplies of affordable dwellings.
"Both have major redevelopments of their hospitals in prospect. Both have significant education sectors, and both have manufacturing businesses that are defying the national trend of downturn in that sector. New roads are being built and airports are being upgraded. National retailers are expanding in both places. There’s even impact from the resources sector, with gold mining undergoing a revival with the benefit of modern technology.
"Both have significant numbers of residents who commute to work in Melbourne. Both will be enhanced by the $5 billion Regional Rail Link, which will shorten the gap (in travelling times) between them and the state capital," he says.
According to PRDnationwide, the Ballarat Area vacant land market has also reportedly seen encouraging interest from developers since April 2012 despite a decline in sales figures.
"With these economic growth indicators as well as increase in enquiry levels in the Ballarat Area and the announcement of the Victorian government offering an additional $16,000 in potential savings for all potential Victorian first-home buyers, including existing homes, the increased likelihood of the Ballarat Area property market stabilizing with expected total sales and median price growth is predicted toward the end of 2013," McLean said.
Photographs of Ballarat courtesy of Tourism Victoria and Flickr.
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Positive sentiment buoys Ballarat property market: PRDnationwide

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Global commercial real estate group Jones Lang LaSalle has reported a big increase in productivity one year after moving to an activity-based working (ABW) environment in its Sydney CBD office at 420 George Street.
Nearly three-quarters (71%) of employees agreed that the new work model increased overall productivity, a <a target="_blank" href="companies/jones-lang-lasalle">Jones Lang LaSalle</a> survey of employees found. By comparison, only 24% of surveyed employees found the previous work environment increased their productivity.
ABW does away with a personal workspace for each employee, while providing different spaces for various work functions, including collaboration, learning, focusing, and socialising.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/03/jllmarch20five.jpg" width="470" height="370" alt="jllmarch20five">
It has become an increasingly popular option, with the GPT Group, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/trends/cbre-embraces-flexible-working-space-in-sydney-office/2013031259832?utm_source=po&amp;utm_medium=aida&amp;utm_campaign=trends">CBRE</a> and KPMG adopting the new model in their offices.
A Colliers International 2012 Office Tenant Survey also revealed that one in three organisations have implemented or are planning to implement ABW.
Jones Lang LaSalle uses an in-house designed ‘WorkSmart’ workplace model, which uses non-assigned desks to create multiple work settings. These include focus desks, ‘hush’ or quiet rooms, discussion pods and ‘touch and go’ areas for employees who go into the office for short periods.
<img alt="jllmarch20two2" height="351" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/03/jllmarch20two2.jpg">
 
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Australian head of corporate consulting and tenant representation, Tony Wyllie said the low productivity scores before the move to ABW and the high scores following the move demonstrate the value of ABW environments to business operations. 
<img alt="jllmarch20three" height="316" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/03/jllmarch20three.jpg"> 
“We have seen a number of organisations go down the path of ABW. The organisational benefits of productivity improvements, talent attraction and retention and brand differentiation, as well as the real estate benefits of increased flexibility, improved utilisation and cost efficiency over the long-term are some of the main drivers of this trend,” Wyllie said. 
A 2011 Colliers International White Paper on Activity Based Workplaces found that the trend towards adopting ABWs comes at the same time as companies re-evaluate the utilisation of their real estate assets.
It also found that ABW may be able to reduce the total floor space occupied by an organisation. As a result, companies have found savings of up to 30% from rent and outgoing costs.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/03/jllmarch20four.jpg" width="470" height="306" alt="jllmarch20four">
The white paper did raise some concerns with employees reporting the the ABW work model focused on the financials of the business, and may lead to a “perceived decrease of humanisation in the organisation.”
Rajiv Nagrath, director of corporate solutions at Jones Lang LaSalle, said its employee survey was a massive endorsement of its new range of workspace areas.
“One of the comments we received from the survey talked about the increased flexibility for the working week and how people are utilising different settings day-by-day depending on the work they need to complete,” he said.
Nagrath said the next evolution for Jones Lang LaSalle was to incorporate some of the feedback from the survey into new features for the WorkSmart concept.
These include the possibility of new technologies to complement their workspace, going beyond the current laptop and wireless environment.
“Facilities for Skype and virtual phones were seen as the next evolution,” Nagrath said.
 
 
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Jones Lang LaSalle reports big jump in productivity following move to activity-based working model

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A historic farm in Tuerong on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, is available for purchase for the first time since 1939, seeking offers in excess of $17 million.
The farm is an operating Angus stud and crossbred sheep farm, and is one of the last remaining large farms operating in the Mornington Peninsula.
There are a number of schools, as well as Toorak College and a TAFE close by.
In addition, there are a number of wineries, restaurants, galleries and golf courses in the <a target="_blank" href="/news">Tuerong</a> vicinity.
It is about an hour’s drive from Melbourne CBD, and the Mornington Freeway is within 4km. <a target="_blank" href="/news">Safety Beach</a> and <a target="_blank" href="/news">Point Leo</a> are minutes away from the property, while Sorrento and Portsea are a 20-minute drive away.
Moorunga Farm at <a target="_blank" href="https://sale.tuerong.com.au/">80 Old Moorooduc Road, Dromana</a>  is being sold in three stages.
The first stage up for sale is Males Block, a 133.85h (330 acre) block on one title, with possible subdivision into three separate 110 acre titles (STCA), for $6.6 million.
Males Block offers 200 acres of permanent pastures broken up into 11 paddocks, most of which are serviced by central graveled laneways. These paddocks are suitable for cattle, sheep, horses, goats, or vineyards.
This block also offers unobstructed views to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/birthplace-of-former-prime-minister-stanley-melbourne-bruce-listed-by-st-kilda-nuns/2012100556999">Port Philip Bay</a>, and contains a number of house sites.
No houses or dwellings have been constructed on the site, except for a hay shed.
Homestead Block, which spans 212 acres, will be for sale at the second stage for $5.5 million. It comprises a main house with five bedrooms and two cottages, four machinery sheds, a butcher’s shed, sheep yards, a shearing shed, a pump shed, and a netted fruit and nut orchard.
The final stage will see the 157 acre Irrigation Block being sold, which is asking for $5 million.
It is listed for sale by <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Sale/House/VIC/Tuerong/?adid=2010104888" target="_blank">Michael Phoenix from RT Edgar </a>on behalf of Moorunga Farm director and owner Bruce Brockhoff.
Moorunga farm is being sold because Brockhoff wishes to retire, and to take the opportunity to see his daughter compete in the upcoming Winter Olympics.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/03/tuerongmarch25one.jpg" width="470" height="311" alt="tuerongmarch25one">
Current Victorian farm offerings, including a <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.farmbuy.com/Listing_Display.aspx?ListingID=99510" target="_blank">180-hectare holding at Camperdown Victoria</a> (pictured above), 194 kilometres south-west of Melbourne. The farm is described by First National Real Estate agents as an "outstanding, high-productive, well-balanced dairy farm situated in prime tightly held area".  The property is for sale at $2,447,500, representing $5,500 per acre or $13,597 per hectare.
A 186-hectare irrigation dairy farm (pictured below) in Yarram District is rated a 300-cow farm. <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.farmbuy.com/Listing_Display.aspx?ListingID=102490" target="_blank">It's for sale at $3,600 per acre, or a total of $1,652,400</a>.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/03/tuerongmarch21two.jpg" width="470" height="310" alt="tuerongmarch21two">
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Historic Moorunga farm seeking $17 million-plus offers

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Woman have edged in front of men when it comes to Australian home ownership, according to figures compiled by the ABS from 2011 census data.

The data shows that 61% of women own their own homes compared with 58% of men who have embraced the great Aussie dream.
The gap is even wider among singles, with 65% of single-female households owning their own home compared with 55% of single-male households, the ABS figures obtained by the Herald Sun reveal. 
This has led to changes in the way estate agents are marketing properties given the rise in home ownership among the fairer sex. 
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Ferntree Gully</a> real estate agent Billy Schroeder told Property Observer that more vendors are staging properties as a result. 
“It’s more like a display. Especially in the kitchen, a lot more people are baking cakes and burning candles,” he said. 
The release of the ABS data comes as a new survey found that the kitchen was the most important room for all prospective homebuyers, but especially so for women.
Nearly 49% of 612 prospective homebuyers surveyed online by mortgage broker Loan Market picked the kitchen as the most important  room when attending an open home inspection.
Around 59% of female respondents picking the kitchen as their most important room in the house compared with 37% of men.
Conversely and not surprisingly, 56% of men picked the living room as their most important room in the house compared with just under a quarter of women.
Schroeder said female property buyers are distinctly different to male buyers, as they are “a little bit emotionally attached.”
He also noted that female buyers tend to focus more on the kitchen and outdoor entertaining areas, while male buyers tend to gravitate towards the living area – as highlighted in the survey.
Loan Market spokesperson Paul Smith says the results of the survey shed some important insight into the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/western-australia/perth-s-housing-market-is-reacting-to-pent-up-demand-david-airey/2013031359851">real estate market</a> as buying activity accelerates into autumn and as auction clearance rates continue their strong results.

“We’re seeing a steady stream of confidence return to the real estate and home finance market and with lots of great stock on the market buyers are going to be very selective on the properties they inspect,” Smith says.

Smith says many buyers wouldn't necessarily be assessing a property on its existing fixtures and features but rather its scope for renovations and improvements.

“Often when a buyer shows interest in a property it’s because of the potential they see in certain rooms of the house or unit. Today’s buyers have become astute at assessing how much effort and additional money may be required to get the property to that point,” he says.

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Kitchen appeal: Women outnumber men in home-ownership stakes

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Yagoona, the first suburb in Australia to get a McDonald’s restaurant in 1971, was the top performing unit market in Sydney in 2012, according to the Real Estate Institute of NSW (REINSW)’s latest quarterly report.
Located 20 kilometres southwest of the CBD, unit prices in Yagoona increased 22.7% to a median of $400,000 over 2012.
This was from 84 sales over the past year.
The average increase for unit prices in Sydney from 2011 to 2012 was 3.8%.
Professionals Bankstown agent Ross Gravaris says a new development along the Hume Highway could have pushed the median unit price up.
Gravaris told Property Observer the area is popular among first home-buyers as well as investors, as properties often see good rental returns.
He also says that properties in Yagoona are generally quite affordable, with many young families purchasing properties there.
“One side of Yagoona is very affordable, while the other side closer to Bankstown is a bit expensive,” he said.
A three-bedroom unit at <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Sale/Townhouse/NSW/Yagoona/?adid=2009918233" target="_blank">26 Brunker Road</a> (pictured below) sold for $395,000 this month.
<img alt="yagoonamarch21one" height="283" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/03/yagoonamarch21one.jpg">
It last sold for $167,500 in 1997, according to RP Data records.
Another recent sale was a two-bedroom apartment at 149 Auburn Road, which sold for $325,000 through Goldstar Partner Real Estate. It last sold for $284,000 in 2007.
Gravaris also noted that some buyers choose Yagoona as “Bankstown is a bit out of reach [in terms of prices]”.
Some areas of <a href="/news">Yagoona</a> are within walking distance to <a target="_blank" href="/news">Bankstown</a>, making it a popular choice amongst residents who enjoy the proximity to Bankstown without the extra price tag.
Gravaris cited Bankstown’s shopping and recreational facilities as a big draw for Yagoona residents. <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/retail/centro-buys-coffs-harbour-mall-from-syndicate-for-%24655-million/2013012358920" target="_blank">Centro</a> Bankstown is close by, while Bankstown Oval is a popular local sporting ground.
There are also a number of private and public schools in the area.
The 2011 Census showed that 18% of residents have a Lebanese background and 12.3% of residents have a Vietnamese background, indicating that Yagoona is a culturally diverse suburb.
Yagoona is also relatively accessible by public transport. Yagoona train station, situated next to Hume Highway, is part of the CityRail Bankstown line. A trip to Central Station in the Sydney CBD takes approximately 30 minutes.
The southwestern suburb of <a target="_blank" href="/news">Leumeah</a> experienced the second highest annual growth in unit prices with a rise of 15.7% to $248,000, followed by <a target="_blank" href="/news">Wentworthville</a> with a 11.8% increase in median unit prices to $369,000.
Sydney suburbs with an above-average increase were*:
<img alt="yagoonamarch21two" height="404" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/03/yagoonamarch21two.jpg">
Source: REINSW
*Suburbs which recorded less than 50 sales for the year were not included.
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Yagoona is top Sydney unit suburb with 22.7% growth in 2012: REINSW

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The push of global retail brands into Australian capital city malls and high streets continues this week with global retail brand Zara putting the finishing touches on its latest store in the expanded Highpoint Shopping Centre in Maribyrnong, which launched today.
Zara, UK fashion giant Topshop and David Jones are anchor tenants in the new Highpoint Fashion Mall, which complements the Fresh Food Market and Eco Mall which opened last year.
It is an Australian first for a shopping centre to house both Zara and Topshop under one roof.
Topshop opened its Highpoint store today with Zara to start trading from next week.
It is part of a $300 million redevelopment of the Centre, with the 30,000 square metre increase in retail space completed in two stages – all of which is now leased.
The completion of the redevelopment leapfrogs Highpoint from 12th biggest shopping centre in Australia to third biggest – behind the Chadstone Shopping Centre in Malvern East and Westfield Fountain Gate in Narre Warren.
The shopping centre, in Melbourne’s west, is co-owned by GPT and the Highpoint Property Group.
Zara forms part of Spanish retail company INDITEX and has more than 1,700 stores across 85 markets.
The other Zara stores in Melbourne are on Bourke Street Mall in the CBD, in Westfield Doncaster and in the Chadstone Shopping Centre.
Zara’s flagship store, which is in Westfield Sydney, opened in April 2011.
Amancio Ortega, the major shareholder of Zara with 60% of the business, was the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/amancio-ortega/">fastest mover on the annual Forbes magazine rich list</a> released this month.
With his net worth increasing by US$19.5 billion to US$57 billion, he is now the third richest man in the world, after Mexican telecoms mogul Carlos Slim and Microsoft’s Bill Gates.
Ortega also has a real estate portfolio worth about US$4 billion, with properties in Madrid, London, Chicago, San Francisco, and New York.
Born in Spain in 1936, his father a railway worker in Leon, Ortega opened his first Zara store in downtown A Coruña, Galicia, Spain in 1975.
The arrival of both brands to Melbourne’s inner west comes as Colliers International projected that international retail brands would open 300 stores in Australian capital cities in the next few years.
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Zara to open in Melbourne’s Highpoint mall as Amancio Ortega’s wealth hits $57 billion

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Dark and dreary workstations may be a thing of the past with the introduction of a new way of working that does not include a personal workspace.
Companies such as GPT Group, Macquarie Bank, Microsoft, and KPMG have jumped on the activity-based working (ABW) bandwagon.
A Colliers International 2012 Office Tenant Survey also revealed that one in three organisations have implemented or are planning to implement ABW.
Most recently, CBRE Sydney has adopted the ABW model, following in the footsteps of its Amsterdam office.
Other CBRE offices around the world are expected to adopt a similar fit-out model.
The ABW model abolishes assigned workstations, while embracing a broader workspace categorised according to activities, providing different spaces for collaboration, learning, focusing, and socialising.
CBRE Sydney, which has relocated to new offices within 363 George Street (pictured below), is Australia’s first CBRE office to take on the ABW model. Its new office boasts diner-style booths complete with plush cushioning, large windows with a gorgeous view of the harbour, and round wooden tables.
<img alt="cbremarch13one1" height="353" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/03/cbremarch13one1.jpg">
The interiors were designed by WMK Architecture in partnershp with CBRE.
John Andreas, director at WMK Architecture said CBRE’s new workplace went beyond ABW, but was a "tailored, real world solution which acknowledges what people actually do in the workplace and delivers a unique environment that combines a sophisticated business approach with a contemporary lifestyle flavour".
The fit-out has allowed CBRE to reduce its space requirements by over a quarter and cut down the number of work stations to 200, after finding that only two-thirds of staff are in the office at one time.
CBRE President &amp; CEO, Australia &amp; New Zealand, Tom Southern said the new office was a positive development in the evolution of CBRE Sydney.
“Our new workspace has given us the unique opportunity to increase collaboration, enable greater flexibility and instigate change in the way our people work,” says Southern.
“To meet our practical needs we have integrated a lot of clever ways to work, and we’ve invested in a range of new features and technology.”
“The activity-based workplace is a broad concept, and one on which every organisation has a differing definition. A tailored version of the ABW model, designed to suit our specific needs, has been applied to our new Sydney office.”
<img alt="cbremarch13two2" height="377" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/03/cbremarch13two2.jpg">
The colour scheme of CBRE’s new premises also reflects the vibrancy of the new working model. Neutrals like dark brown, grey, and black take centre-stage, while dollops of lime green keep things fresh and interesting.
“The design we have selected has a modern, progressive feel that truly reflects our business and our culture as well as providing an interesting take on the traditional corporate space,” says Southern.
The new office has also allowed the CBRE Global Corporate Services (GCS) operations to join the Sydney CBD office through a smarter management of technology and space.
As a global property services firm, CBRE’s NSW managing director James Patterson said it was important that CBRE was forefront of these types of changes.
He has witnessed a transformation in staffing operations despite the short time they have spent in their new office.
“During the course of a day, our people undertake many different activities that require different work settings with various levels of collaboration. The new office incorporates a variety of work spaces for staff to choose including work stations, think tanks, quiet rooms, meeting rooms, a CBRE Bar (known as the CBar) for client entertaining, and a substantial staff breakout area,” he says.
<img alt="cbremarch13three3" height="419" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/03/cbremarch13three3.jpg">
Jo-Anne Harrison, head of CBRE project management, says the change has been mostly well-received by staff, in spite of initial reservations about moving to the ABW model.
Sustainability was also a key consideration when planning for the new office commenced.
CBRE head of sustainability for Asia-Pacific Rebecca Pearce says they have reconsidered many of the company’s operating procedures to reduce carbon emissions.
“Energy efficiency improvements will be achieved through new lighting (with occupancy sensors) to office and client areas and new IT equipment that has been selected and set up for optimal energy savings both inside and outside the office, reflecting our new flexible working arrangements.”
“Our new fit out has been planned to optimise the Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) and the 363 George building management team continue to work on improving base building related IEQ measures,” she says.
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CBRE embraces flexible working space in Sydney office

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A women’s-only real estate group, ‘Women in Real Estate’ has been launched on real estate and property social network Housenet.com.au. 
While Housenet itself is open to both genders, this group is made private and applicants need to be approved before becoming a member. 
Men are not allowed. 
‘Women in Real Estate’ is moderated by women prominent in the industry, including mortgage broker Jane Slack-Smith, Sydney agent Claudine Gibson, and Lisa Goodwin from Smart Tours Property Videos. 
Jane Slack-Smith of Investors Choice Mortgages feels there is a need for such a group in a traditionally male-dominated industry. 
“A lot of the issues women face aren’t that different from men, but it’s how we deal with them that differs,” Slack-Smith told Property Observer. 
The group aims to be a support network for those in the industry. Any woman dealing with real estate can join, ranging from mortgage brokers, real estate agents, to investors. 
“It’s a safe place to ask the silly questions for newbies and not to be heckled, judged or somehow marked. We do things differently and genuinely want to support women in the real estate profession,” Slack-Smith says. 
Response has been enthusiastic since its inception, with more than 50 members already part of the group. Slack-Smith says she also receives daily email enquiries. 
“We’ve been getting a lot of interactions; the group’s very social,” she says. 
Popular topics of discussion include the safety of real estate agents, tips on maintaining work/life balance, as well as advice on advertising properties without a list price. 
Inner west agent for Planet Properties Claudine Gibson also feels that Housenet is a valuable online resource for building their businesses. 
“Housenet has been a great way for me to connect with others in the industry. I enjoy reading interesting blogs, keeping up with news and events relevant to my job. It’s a great stepping stone to building a successful online real estate profile,” she says.
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Women’s-only real estate group launches on Housenet.com.au

Camberwell Junction has long been the epicentre of amenity in Melbourne’s Boroondara region.

For nearly a century, it has drawn both locals and visitors, anchored by the Camberwell Sunday Market, which first operated in 1929 and quickly became a fixture of the suburb’s identity. Over time, the Junction evolved into one of Melbourne’s most established retail and lifestyle precincts, now comprising more than 400 stores and over 300 commercial businesses.

Despite that depth of amenity, one thing has remained notably limited: the supply of new apartments.

In a suburb defined by its heritage streetscapes and tightly held residential stock, new development opportunities have been scarce, particularly within the core of the Junction itself. That lack of supply has left a gap in the market for larger, design-led apartments suited to downsizers and owner-occupiers wanting to remain in the area.

Boutique developer Above Zero identified that gap when it secured a prime site on Burke Road, in the heart of Camberwell Junction.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4896 project_image_fid=368543]

The site has a long planning history. Various proposals have been put forward over more than a decade, many of which were knocked back by the City of Boroondara, with initial applications dating back to 2015. Above Zero acquired the site in 2022 and returned with a revised scheme, refining both the building’s height and its ground-level interface to better align with Council expectations.

That process has culminated in approval for Camberwell House.

The Cera Stribley-designed development will deliver 57 residences on a 1,950 sqm site within the Camberwell Activity Centre, placing it directly within one of Melbourne’s most established retail and transport hubs.

It is expected to be one of the only new apartment developments to launch in the Junction in recent years, reinforcing the rarity of new supply in the precinct. Currently, there are just a handful of projects on the market in Camberwell, underscoring the significance of a development of this scale and positioning.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4896 project_image_fid=368544]

Camberwell House has been conceived with a clear focus on larger-format apartments. The project will offer a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom residences, alongside a limited number of penthouses, targeting owner-occupiers seeking scale rather than volume-driven product.

The building’s vertical presence will also set it apart.

Positioned on Burke Road, the development is set to become one of the taller buildings in its immediate context, allowing for elevated outlooks across Melbourne’s CBD skyline and toward the Dandenong Ranges. In a precinct characterised by lower-scale built form, that height provides a point of differentiation, particularly for buyers seeking outlook and natural light.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4896 project_image_fid=368568]

Architecture has been led by Cera Stribley, with interiors by GOLDEN and landscape design by Florian Wild. The design approach centres on material consistency and restraint, with residences oriented to maximise light, ventilation and connection to outdoor spaces.

Full-height glazing and generous terraces form a key part of that strategy, allowing apartments to extend beyond their internal footprint and engage with the surrounding environment.

Beyond the private residences, a significant component of the project is its amenity offering.

Above Zero has positioned Camberwell House as a “complete living environment”, incorporating a full floor dedicated to resident facilities. At the centre of that is a wellness zone, including a 12.5-metre lap pool, spa, sauna and treatment spaces, alongside a gym and recovery-focused amenities.

This level of amenity is more commonly associated with inner-city developments, rather than established middle-ring suburbs like Camberwell.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4896 project_image_fid=368588]

Additional shared spaces include a private library lounge, dining and entertaining areas, and an indoor golf simulator. A self-contained guest suite has also been incorporated, allowing residents to accommodate visiting family or friends without impacting their primary living space.

The inclusion of these facilities reflects a broader shift in buyer expectations.

As more downsizers look to transition from larger family homes into apartments, there is increasing demand for developments that offer not just a residence, but a lifestyle. That includes access to wellness, social and entertaining spaces within the building itself, reducing the reliance on external amenity while still maintaining proximity to established precincts.

Camberwell House is positioned to benefit from both.

Its location places it within immediate walking distance of Camberwell Junction’s retail and dining offering, as well as public transport connections, including tram and train services. That combination of internal amenity and external convenience is central to its appeal.

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-150" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:55d7c6ac-8e6d-4881-ad49-0ed9bf66d1cc-74" dir="auto">
Jellis Craig Projects Director Stephen Bowtell is handling sales for the project and says Camberwell House offers a rare entry point into one of Melbourne’s most tightly held markets.

“Buyers are recognising that Camberwell House offers something they simply haven’t seen before in Boroondara,”&nbsp;Bowtell&nbsp;says.

“It combines a level of resident amenity and service typically associated with Melbourne’s premium inner-city developments, while being positioned right in the heart of Camberwell Junction.

“The response to the concierge offering has been particularly strong. Buyers appreciate not only the convenience, but also the sense of security and peace of mind that comes from having a dedicated presence in the building every day.

“When you combine that with the wellness facilities, the exceptional arrival experience, and panoramic views across both the CBD skyline and the Dandenong Ranges, it creates a lifestyle proposition that is genuinely unique within the local market.”
</section>

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4896]

Joel Robinson

Above Zero launches Camberwell House in undersupplied Camberwell Junction precinct

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/consolidated-properties">Consolidated Properties Group</a> (CPG) is approaching the launch of its latest Brisbane riverfront development, Castile, on the dress circle Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

VIP buyers are now being engaged, with a full public sales launch coming later this year.

Positioned as the final opportunity to secure a new absolute riverfront residence on the East bank of Newstead, Teneriffe or New Farm, Castile at 47 Skyring Terrace has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a> as a timeless addition to the Brisbane skyline.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371113]

The name Castile draws on themes of permanence, sophistication and legacy, reflecting a broader vision centred on enduring architecture and timelessness in the rarest of riverfront positions.&nbsp;

CPG Chairman and CEO Don O’Rorke said the project had been envisioned as a future Brisbane icon.&nbsp;

“With 47 metres of direct river frontage and never to be built out views, 47 Skyring Terrace is the definitive address on the Brisbane River,” O’Rorke said.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371114]

“Rather than following trend-based apartment design, Castile draws inspiration from Brisbane’s great heritage buildings, reinterpreting classical architecture into a contemporary riverfront landmark designed to stand proudly for the next 100 years,” he said.&nbsp;

The approved development will comprise 227 apartments across a 25-storey tower alongside a boutique six-storey riverfront building of just 12 residences.&nbsp;

Construction is scheduled to commence in September 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150489]

CPG unveils Castile Newstead ahead of upcoming sales launch

Australia’s online shopping habits have shifted dramatically over the last decade. As eCommerce volumes surged, so too did the frustrations that came with traditional parcel delivery: missed deliveries, long Post Office queues, parcel theft and the challenge of being home during business hours.

Australia Post’s Parcel Lockers emerged as one of the more practical responses to that changing consumer behaviour.

What started as a relatively niche delivery option has evolved into a nationwide network of more than 1,400 self-service Parcel Lockers positioned at train stations, shopping centres, supermarkets and Post Offices across the country. The system allows Australians to send, collect and return parcels 24 hours a day, fundamentally changing how many people interact with deliveries.

The appeal is relatively straightforward: flexibility.

Instead of waiting at home for a delivery driver or rushing to a Post Office before closing time, users can direct eligible parcels to a Parcel Locker location of their choice. Once the parcel arrives, Australia Post sends a notification with a collection code or QR access through the AusPost app, allowing customers to retrieve their package at any time within the collection window.

For apartment residents in particular, the system has become increasingly valuable.

Higher-density living has created logistical challenges around deliveries, especially in buildings without concierge services or secure parcel rooms. Missed deliveries are common, while parcel theft has become an increasing concern as online shopping volumes continue to rise.

Australia Post itself has repeatedly highlighted the growing issue of “porch pirates” during peak shopping periods, encouraging customers to use Parcel Lockers as a safer alternative to unattended home deliveries.

That security aspect is one of the key reasons the Australia Post Parcel Locker network has grown so rapidly.

Parcel Lockers are positioned as secure, monitored collection points that reduce the risk of theft while also improving delivery efficiency for Australia Post. Instead of multiple redelivery attempts, parcels can be consolidated into a single secure destination.

The Parcel Lockers themselves are free to use through a MyPost account and support a range of parcel sizes up to 16 kilograms and dimensions of approximately 35 x 44 x 61 centimetres.

Beyond receiving parcels, the system has increasingly become integrated into the broader eCommerce ecosystem.

Customers can now use Parcel Lockers to return online purchases, while retailers have embraced the model as a way to improve delivery success rates and reduce friction in the shopping process. Australia Post has actively expanded partnerships with major retailers and promoted Parcel Lockers as part of a broader out-of-home strategy.

The timing of that expansion aligns with broader changes in Australian shopping behaviour.

The acceleration of online retail during and after the pandemic placed enormous pressure on delivery infrastructure. Parcel volumes reached record highs, particularly during Black Friday and Christmas periods, with Australia Post delivering more than 100 million parcels during peak festive seasons.

That growth forced logistics providers to rethink the “last mile” of delivery, widely regarded as the most expensive and operationally difficult stage of the process.

Parcel Locker systems have increasingly been viewed as part of the long-term solution.

The concept itself is not unique to Australia. Parcel Locker networks have become common globally, particularly across Europe and Asia, where dense urban environments and apartment living create similar logistical challenges. But Australia’s geography and suburban sprawl made adoption slower initially.

Now, however, the convenience factor is driving mainstream usage.

For commuters, Parcel Lockers near train stations allow parcels to be collected on the way home from work. For apartment dwellers, they remove the uncertainty around access and missed deliveries.

The rise of the AusPost app has also streamlined the experience, centralising notifications, tracking and Parcel Locker access into a single platform. Australia Post has increasingly pushed customers toward app-based delivery management, partly as a way to combat phishing scams and fake delivery notifications, which have become more sophisticated in recent years.

The Parcel Locker model is also beginning to influence property development itself.

Parcel management has become a growing consideration in apartment building design, particularly as online shopping becomes embedded in everyday life. Many new residential developments are now incorporating dedicated parcel rooms or Parcel Locker systems into foyers and communal spaces.

For developers, parcel management is increasingly viewed as part of the broader resident amenity offering, alongside gyms, wellness spaces and communal work areas.

That reflects a wider evolution in how residential buildings are designed.

Apartment buyers are placing greater emphasis on convenience, security and operational functionality, particularly in higher-density urban environments. Parcel delivery, once considered a minor operational detail, has become an increasingly important part of that equation.

Australia Post’s Parcel Locker network sits at the centre of that behavioural shift.

What began as a simple alternative delivery option has evolved into a key piece of infrastructure supporting Australia’s growing eCommerce economy and changing urban lifestyles.

And as online shopping continues to expand, the role of Parcel Lockers is likely to become even more embedded in how Australians live, shop and receive goods.

How Australia Post Parcel Lockers changed parcel delivery convenience in Australia

Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Diane Leow

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