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Queensland police have recruited real estate agents to crack down on illegal drug laboratories, as reported by the ABC.

Rental property managers will undergo a training program which will teach them how to spot illegal activity, and potentially collect evidence during property inspections.
A detective from Brisbane’s drug squad Senior Sergeant Geoff Marsh says investigators have uncovered a record number of backyard drug labs this year in Queensland alone.
The ABC report added that the number of small-scale drug manufacturers operating from rental properties is increasing, so as to avoid having their own homes seized if apprehended by authorities.
Police say real estate agents are able to inspect these properties on a regular basis and are therefore encouraged to carry out some detective work on their behalf.
However, real estate agents worry about the repercussions of reporting their tenants.
They have been assured at training sessions that the information they provide is anonymous and the police “follow through discreetly”.
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:dleow@propertyobserver.com.au">dleow@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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Queensland police work with real estate agents to uncover backyard drug labs

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Flanked by beautiful beaches and a distinct suburban charm, the Mornington Peninsula property market has been doing well this year – possibly reaping the benefits of the Melbourne property market.
Australian Property Monitors senior economist Dr Andrew Wilson told Property Observer that Mornington is a “popular market”, as it is the gateway onto the Peninsula.
“It is a lifestyle market to a large degree, with many who choose to commute to the CBD,” he said.
He notes that the Mornington area’s individual characteristics are a draw. 
“It’s an old part of Victoria. Like Mornington Shopping Centre, it’s very quaint. There’s a charm about it that attracts particular buyers, and that sees healthy sales numbers,” he said.
Dr Wilson added that the Mornington area has seen some redevelopment projects.
“There are a lot of older properties there that have been redeveloped, and some medium density developments have gone into the area,” he said.
This unique old-meets-new mix has contributed to a “boutique wave” in Mornington, which has proven to be popular.
“The median house price is $500,000, and is at its peak level,” Dr Wilson said.
Barry Plant Mornington director John Karras told Property Observer the Mornington property market is “definitely improving”. Sales have increased since this time last year, and he notes that “spring has been very good”.
“There’s continued confidence in the marketplace, together with low interest rates, and prices of properties are at a good level. Buyers are more confident and prices are more acceptable,” he said.
He added that buyer activity is still primarily made up of private buyers, though there has been an increase in investor enquiries in the last 12 months. 
However, he disagrees with Dr Wilson’s assessment that the house market is at its peak.
“There’s definitely room for growth there, the demand will cause house prices to rise if anything,” he said.
Karras notes that the Mornington property market is usually synonymous with the Melbourne property market.
“Next year should be a good year – we should see an increase in prices. We’ll definitely see that in town, and it usually ripples down to Mornington,” he said.
“There’s going to be a good opportunity for both buyers and sellers. It’s a good market now. Consumer confidence is there, and more will take that next step to buy a nicer home,” he added.
As for suburbs to look out for, he believes Mornington has the infrastructure, medical facilities, and lifestyle that would attract buyers.
“With the Eastlink coming all the way down, it’s very accessible. Plus the cafes and restaurants in Mornington, it’s like a St Kilda down on the Peninsula,” he said.  
Next up on the list would be Mount Martha, as holidaymakers tend to purchase properties there. 
Stuart Cox of Jacobs and Lowe agrees that Mornington and Mount Martha are the suburbs to watch, though he thinks Safety Beach and Dromana are up next.
"Safety Beach and Dromana have a very high absentee ownership and we expect that these areas could become the next major growth areas as families who have held this land for generations realise the potential value," he said.
He also notes that the Mornington property market has picked up in the last two months, "particularly since the federal election". 
Cox added that there has been an excess of units on the market in Mornington, and not enough houses, causing unit prices to drop slightly on last year according to the <a target="_blank" href="/news">latest RP Data report</a>.
"We have had several homes which have recently sold with 1-2 days of reaching the market, and many of them with 2-3 competing buyers in a private sale situation," he said.
Cox also said that homes that reach 25-30 years of age are being knocked down for future development. 
"Land value in Mornington on the beachside of the highway averages approximately $1000 per square metre for developers to purchase and construct multiple units," he said.
According to the <a target="_blank" href="/news">latest RP Data report</a>, the median sale price for houses in Mornington is $513,500, up 0.5% on last year. The average discount required to sell a house is 7%, while private treaty sales average 87 days on market.
The median asking rent for houses in Mornington is $395 a week, while gross rental yield currently stands at 4%. 
The median sale prices for units in Mornington is $398,500, down 2.6% on last year. The average discount required to sell a unit is 5.9%, while private treaty sales average 82 days on market. 
The median asking rent for units in Mornington is $320 per week, while gross rental yield currently stands at 4.2%.
dleow@propertyobserver.com.au
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Suburb spotlight: Mornington market on the improve

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UDIA NSW's president and Urban Taskforce Australia have spoken out against proposed changes to New South Wales' Planning Bill.
At the UDIA NSW’s Annual Christmas Luncheon, UDIA NSW president Simon Basheer expressed his concern at the changes to the planning bill announced on Wednesday.
He believes the changes to the planning bill does not meet its original objectives, to benefit both the community and the industry.
“Once the strategic direction is set within the commmunity and local government…developments have the potential to be held up at the behest of local interest groups who lose sight of the bigger picture of responsible and balanced developments to support population growth and the economic prosperity of New South Wales,” he said. 
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) have projected that NSW will double its population in 50 years.
In response to the projected population growth, Basheer said, “For this to happen, managed and properly planned growth that provides certainty and delivery within an acceptable timeframes that brings all stakeholders along for the journey is required.”
He added that NSW has the most uncompetitive approval system nationally, directly affecting funding and infrastructure delivery as a result.
The UDIA is currently reviewing the changes “with a fine toothcomb” and will strive to work with all sides of the government to help achieve “the certainty of the community and industry”. 
Not-for-profit developer and equity financier peak body Urban Taskforce Australia said “an interim strategy is needed to keep the state’s housing supply increasing to match demand”.
“The frustration that all in the development and planning industry currently feel over the delay and possible shelving of the proposed Planning Bill must not let industry confidence collapse,” says Urban Taskforce’s chief executive Chris Johnson.
“An interim strategy is now needed to support approvals for new housing while the Government considers a new version of planning reform possibly after the next election in 2015,” he said.
In response, Urban Taskforce has proposed a seven-action strategy to retain confidence in new housing supply, and believe the actions can be achieved within the current planning framework.
Urban Taskforce notes that Sydney needs a pro-growth approach to planning so future generations need not worry about housing.
The interim strategy as produced by Urban Taskforce can be accessed <a href="https://www.urbantaskforce.com.au/images/stories/UTF-NSWNo.1-FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">online</a>.
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UDIA NSW president and Urban Taskforce speak out against proposed changes to NSW Planning Bill

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Farm and land managers will see amendments to two key areas in native vegetation clearing rules that will take effect tomorrow, following an announcement by Western Australian Environment Minister Albert Jacob today.
“Farmers and land managers will be able to increase the amount of clearing for what is known as limited clearing exemptions from one hectare to five hectares, per financial year,” Jacob said.
“This change reflects contemporary farming practices and the need for the removal of vegetation to accommodate larger machinery.  For example, existing vehicle tracks may need to be widened to allow for a larger combine harvester,” he said.
“The other change will mean farmers and land managers will have 20 years to maintain land previously cleared lawfully, without applying for a clearing permit. This is an increase from the current 10-year time frame,” he said.
“These changes are designed to make life easier for farmers and land managers, without resulting in any significant risk to the environment. They are intended to reduce regulatory burdens that prohibit future growth and success for land owners and managers, and help farmers get on with managing their land,” Jacob said.
It is expected that these changes will result in reduced administrative burdens for both farmers and land managers.
The amendments follow several reviews of the clearing provisions in the Environmental Protection Act 1986.
Jacob said he was confident the amendments would deliver improvements to the regulation of clearing without causing any significant risk to the environment.
“The State Government is also considering further amendments to the Act to streamline approvals and improve regulatory effectiveness, and is committed to a new biodiversity conservation act that will replace the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950,” Jacob said.
“The Department of Environment Regulation will ensure these changes are communicated to farmers and land managers via targeted education, compliance and enforcement programs,” he said.
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Land clearing changes in WA to reduce red tape

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Sydney’s North Shore has seen increased buyer activity over the last few months, according to local real estate agents, developers, and industry leaders.
The North Shore suburbs include: Roseville, Lindfield, Killara, Gordon, Pymble, St Ives, Turramurra, Warrawee, and Wahroonga.
Australian Property Monitors’ senior economist Dr Andrew Wilson told Property Observer that New South Wales’ middle and upper North Shore is a growth area, and has recorded “around 10% growth generally”. 
“Areas around the St Ives’ vicinity are a solid middle-prestige market. It has residential infrastructure in place, like schools, and are considered leafy suburbs,” he said. 
He added that the nature of the locality has attracted “strong interest from Chinese buyers”. This is likely interest from offshore Chinese buyers. 
Moving into 2014, Dr Wilson believes the North Shore area will continue to “show quite reasonable growth”.
“There should be around 5 to 7% growth in most of those areas, moving into next year. Those suburbs have an underlying popularity to them because of the infrastructure and the prestige element,” he said.
New development The Uptown, located in Roseville, has been popular since its launch. Property Observer <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/sydney-s-leafy-suburb-of-roseville-welcomes-technology-smart-the-uptown-development/2013100365492">reported</a> earlier this year that 80% of stage one apartments were snapped up at launch.
The Uptown’s developer Longton Property’s spokesperson told Property Observer that Roseville is an area that “not a lot of property comes up for sale”. 
“With limited real estate on the market, we’ve received quite a lot of enquiries. We get a good mix of enquiries across all nationalities, from Australian to European to Asian,” Longton’s spokesperson said. 
Andrew Taylor, co-CEO of international property portal Juwai.com, told Property Observer that the Ku-ring-gai area in particular is one of the really popular areas for Chinese buyers. 
“It’s got great schools, transport and services. It is wealthy, with about double Australia's median household income. And it offers a good mix of new construction apartments and existing single-family houses,” Taylor said.
“Ku-ring-gai is popular with both offshore Chinese buyers and Australians of Chinese descent. Already, Ku-ring-gai has a relatively big Chinese population, with 9% of its residents being of Chinese ancestry,” Taylor added.
Taylor also revealed that two Ku-ring-gai suburbs, Turramura and St Ives, are amongst the top ten most popular Sydney suburbs for Chinese buyers, according to activity on Juwai.com. 
“Chinese buyer interest in Ku-ring-gai is growing faster than in Sydney overall. Investor interest in Ku-ring-gai is up 579% so far this year, compared to a 266% increase for Sydney,” Taylor revealed.
Matthew Bourne from McConnell Bourne Lindfield said that while investor enquiries have increased especially from the Singaporean, Hong Kong and Chinese market, he has found only 24% of buyers are of an Asian background. 
"The majority is the market - 61% - is still made up of Australian buyers. The Australian market is upgrading into the local area. While there is an increased enquiry rate from Singapore, Hong Kong and Chinese-based market, when it comes to buying, only 1 in 4 of them do," he said. 
Bourne added that within the Ku-ring-gai area, he has found that 42% of buyers are either upgrading or downsizing their properties, and transaction values are up 30% compared to the previous calendar year, with increased activity in the last four months.
According to the <a href="/news">latest RP Data report</a>, the median house price in Roseville is $1,472,500, down 7.1% on last year. The average discount required to sell a house in Roseville is 5.2%, while private treaty sales average 91 days on market. 
The median asking rent for houses in Roseville is $950 per week, while gross rental yield currently stands at 3.4%. 
According to the <a href="/news">latest RP Data report</a>, the median unit price in Roseville is $692,500, up by 4.3% on last year. The average discount required to sell a house is 4%, while private treaty sales average 66 days on market. 
The median asking rent for units in Roseville is $660 per week, while gross rental yield currently stands at 4.5%. 
According to the <a href="/news">latest RP Data report</a>, the median house price in North Turramurra is $970,000, up 0.4% on last year. The average discount required to sell a house is 5.5%, while private treaty sales average 121 days on market. 
The median asking rent for houses in North Turramurra is $840 per week, while gross rental yield currently stands at 4.5%. 
According to the <a href="/news">latest RP Data report</a>, the median unit price in North Turramurra is $827,500, down 2.1% on last year. 
According to the <a href="/news">latest RP Data report</a>, the median house price in South Turramurra is $865,000, up 2.4% on last year. The average discount required to sell a house is 3.1%, while private treaty sales average 42 days on market. 
The median asking rent for houses in South Turramurra is $780 a week, while gross rental yield currently stands at 4.7%. 
According to the <a href="/news">latest RP Data report</a>, the median house price in St Ives is $1,120,000, up 6.7% on last year. The average discount required to sell a house is 6.1%, while private treaty sales average 85 days on market. 
The median asking rent for a house in St Ives is $1000 a week, while gross rental yield currently stands at 4.6%. 
According to the <a href="/news">latest RP Data report</a>, the median unit price in St Ives is $647,000, up 7.8% on last year. The average discount required to sell a unit is 5.3%, while private treaty sales average 117 days on market.
The median asking rent for a unit in St Ives is $640 a week, while gross rental yield currently stands at 5.1%.  
dleow@propertyobserver.com.au 
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Sydney's North Shore spotlight: Increased Asian interest

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A two-bedroom villa in Liverpool was Sydney’s most affordable auction over the past weekend, according to Australian Property Monitors.
Located at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-villa-nsw-liverpool-114933223">4/8 Reilly Street</a>, it sold for $320,000 through Century 21 Fairfield.
Prior to this sale, it last sold in 2009 for $235,000, according to RP Data records. It also sold in 2001 for $145,000, in 1999 for $126,000, and in 1998 for $118,000, according to RP Data records.
Listing agent Nickolas Dilles told Property Observer it was a “very good” auction, with about 25 people in attendance and six registered bidders. The auction saw “very spirited bidding”. 
Dilles revealed that the reserve price was $290,000, and the successful bidder was an owner-occupier.
He added that most of the registered bidders were investors, but “owner-occupiers will pay a premium”.
Dilles also said that the property market in the Liverpool, Fairfield and Cabramatta areas is “extremely busy” at the moment.
“It’s very very vibrant. Anything on the market’s sold in around 10 days,” he said.
He added that a shortage of stock and good returns were contributing factors to the areas’ popularity.
Dilles noted that there is a lot of investor activity in the area at the moment, and believes there is a “50/50” split between investors and owner-occupiers.
In the next six to 12 months, Dilles thinks the property market in Liverpool and its surrounds will continue to grow.
“It’s continuing to escalate, primarily because there’s no stock around. There are many properties being sold at their first open house,” he said.
According to Century 21 Fairfield’s estimated asking rent of $345 per week, the price reflects a 5.61% yield.
According to the <a target="_blank" href="/news">latest RP Data report</a>, the median sale price for units in Liverpool is $278,500, up 5.1% on last year. The average discount required to sell a unit is 6%, while private treaty sales average 64 days on market.
The median asking rent for units is $325 per week, and gross rental yield currently stands at 6.1%.
dleow@propertyobserver.com.au
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Cheap Liverpool, NSW villa sells for $320,000, reflects 5.61% yield

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Sitting on Sydney Harbour, Rushcutters Bay was home to the sailing events in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Located 3km from the Sydney CBD, it was previously referred to as “Rush Cutting Bay” in the 1800s because the swampy land was covered in tall rushes used by early settlers for thatching houses.
Fast-forward 200 years and Rushcutters Bay has been transformed into a prime waterfront site. According to the <a target="_blank" href="/news">latest RP Data report</a>, unit prices in the area have increased by 27.6% on last year, while rental yield currently stands at 5.6%.
Australian Property Monitors senior economist Dr Andrew Wilson told Property Observer that there are “continuing levels of demand” for the unit market in Rushcutters Bay, and “demand levels will continue in the area”.
“I believe there will be price growth again next year of around 5%. There’s a strong unit market there,” he said.
James Peach of Bresic Whitney Real Estate told Property Observer Rushcutters Bay is currently seeing a “big jump in buyers” especially for properties along Bayswater Road.
“Properties in the $500,000 range, and the studio and one-bedroom range, we’ve been seeing an increase in numbers and an increase in sale prices,” he said.
He noted that buyers were starting to move away from nearby suburbs such as Potts Point and Elizabeth Bay, and have been turning to properties in Rushcutters Bay. 
“With prices going so high in Potts Point and Elizabeth Bay, people are starting to look at the surrounding suburbs. There’s a lot of older people here, it’s one of the older suburbs, so it’s not really young and trendy,” he said.
However that is changing with the new Advanx East development that has brought an additional 132 units and a younger demographic to the area.
“Lots of restaurants have come in, and it’s brought a lot more people to the area,” Peach said. 
Peach has also noticed a jump in demand for art deco properties in Rushcutters Bay.
“A year ago, numbers were quieter. But it’s been much hotter in the last six to nine months,” he said.
He believes Rushcutters Bay will continue to grow in popularity, citing growth in Potts Point and Elizabeth Bay as examples.
“What we’re seeing in Rushcutters Bay now is more of a price correction; prices will go even higher, I think,” he said.
Richardson &amp; Wrench Elizabeth Bay/Potts Point property manager Leanna Levitt told Property Observer Rushcutters Bay is “doing very well”. 
She agrees that the Advanx East development has added a lot of apartment space to the area. As a result, there is a growing number of restaurants and cafes.
“It’s becoming like a small village,” she said.
She noted that the Advanx East property has likely influenced the median unit price in Rushcutters Bay.
“Generally with new developments, prices will go up, and that will be reflected in the next 12-18 months as properties are sold and resold,” she said.
Levitt has also noticed that tenants are considering purchasing their own properties as a result of the current low interest rates.
“With interest rates so low, renters are asking if they should be paying someone else’s mortgage. We can’t increase rent by 25 to 30% now, unlike two and a half or three years ago. It’s quite an interesting time,” she said. 
“Vacancy rates are quite low at the moment, though I think it’s more on the supply side than the demand side,” she added.
She expects that the property market in Rushcutters Bay will continue to do “very well”, as with suburbs within a five-kilometre range from the Sydney CBD.
According to the <a target="_blank" href="/news">latest RP Data report</a>, the median unit price is $472,000, up 27.6% on last year as mentioned earlier. The average discount required to sell a unit is 7.6%, while private treaty sales average 54 days on market.
The median asking rent for units in Rushcutters Bay is $510 per week, while gross rental yield currently stands at 5.6%.
dleow@propertyobserver.com.au 
 
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Suburb spotlight: Rushcutters Bay sees strong unit price growth

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Affordability and the outlook for commercial properties in 2014 were discussed at a panel at the Urban Development Institute of Australia (NSW)’s annual Christmas lunch this year.
The event followed proposed changes to the NSW Planning Bill. Industry leaders Tony Perich AM, managing director of Greenfields Development Company, Garry Rothwell, founder and principal of Winten Property Group as well as Lang Walker, executive chairman of Walker Corporation shared their insight and commentary on the effect the changes will have on the industry and the future of New South Wales.
Perich started the panel discussion by saying developers should resist putting prices up in order to maintain a stable market.
“We need to maintain a price everyone can afford – if you don’t do that, the market will crash again,” he said.
Walker agrees that affordability is one of the “big questions” that needs to be tackled. He believes Sydney has been “understocked for the last ten years”, and is of the view that the injection of overseas investors are making it “impossible” for first home buyers to enter the medium density market, though he acknowledges that this is not necessarily the case for the suburban areas.
Rothwell notes that apartment prices have gone up “dramatically”, and cited demand in North Sydney as an example.
“We built in North Sydney, off-the-plan apartments were $500,000 18 months ago, they’re now close to $600,000. That’s a major increase,” he said.
He attributes this increase to an influx of investors, where previously the industry relied on homebuyers or first home buyers. He also noted that the demand from Asia is now greater than the supply available.
Rothwell added that Sydney is now one of the world’s major cities, such as London, where young people cannot afford to purchase their own homes. As a result, affordability is now a “critical” issue.
A key issue for affordability is infrastructure and government costs that developers have to fork out. When government costs remain high, infrastructure is not present, and approvals take a long time, there is little competition in the property development industry, which will worsen the issue of affordability.
Rothwell noted that the issue with competition is urban planning in New South Wales, and the government needs to release more land in order to create competition. This has worked in Victoria and Western Australia.
Infrastructure is also a key concern for Perich.
“In the growth centres, you’re looking at about 300,000 going to be there. Even if you’ve released enormous amounts of land, we can only service so much. You’ve got to get services, infrastructure, roads and electricity in. It’s very hard to release more land if the government isn’t putting in infrastructure,” he said.
The panel discussion included a call for solutions to these issues that were raised.
The panel agreed that the main solution would be planning – including employment plans, and planning the infrastructure to encourage employment in growth centres such as Wilton.
Infrastructure costs were also raised. According to the panel, developers currently need to pay an infrastructure levy of $10,000 per block of land.
Rothwell also noted that a very small percentage of first homebuyers make up the buyer’s market at the moment. Investors make up the bulk of buyers, and within these, half are local investors while the other half are offshore investors.
“Again, this raises the question: Are we seeing the end of the first homebuyer?” he asked.
He added that first homebuyers are likely to move to outer west areas as a result of affordability, especially as first homebuyers tend to be families who want a bigger house.
Another solution to affordability that was raised was house size. Where two-bedroom, one-bathroom brick houses were popular in the past, the panel noted that large houses with extra fixtures such as cinemas were gaining popularity of late – adding to the problem of unaffordability.
The panel then moved to discuss the future of commercial property for 2014 and 2015.
Walker brought up the popularity of activity-based work models with large companies, and its effect on commercial properties.
“For a big user, they will need a 2000 square metre floor plate,” he said.
He added that he is claims of soaring vacancy rates as there are certain older buildings that should not have been included.
“By the time their time as a commercial building is finished, they will either be torn down for a development or (used for) a residential conversion. To compare vacancy rates with these buildings that are completely redundant is a complete misnomer,” Walker said.
In Sydney, Rothwell noted that the recovery in the commercial market has fallen short of expectations.
“Tenants are far and few between, they are all cautious about committing. There is still a shortage of space in Sydney long-term. It will recover, yields are coming down, and that’s a positive,” he said.
He reiterated the importance of getting good tenants and added that they are “not easy to get” in Sydney.
Overseas developers are competing for sites in Sydney, according to Perich.
“The medium density side in Sydney is going nuts. The market is generally very brittle,” he said.
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Developers urged to resist putting up prices: UDIA

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Located in New South Wales’ Hunter region, Cessnock is about 52km west of Newcastle and about 150km north of the Sydney CBD. Originally a wine region, it has progressed to a popular mining town.
Australian Property Monitors’ senior economist Dr Andrew Wilson told Property Observer Cessnock has recorded 4% growth in the last year, even though it has seen a softening in price growth over the last few weeks.
“Given that there’s some dollar recovery in the resources sector, Cessnock will continue to be a reasonable performer into 2014,” he said.
Dr Wilson added that the “strength of the local community” adds to Cessnock’s popularity.
Jurd Real Estate principal Alan Jurd told Property Observer Cessnock’s property market was “very good until about six weeks ago”.
“The mining downturn, the rationalisation in the mining industry has taken the zing off it a little. It is still fine, but it was very very strong up until six weeks ago,” he said.
He added that investors were fueling buyer activity in Cessnock at the moment, as opposed to homebuyers.
With the mining region winding down, Jurd notes that tenant demand remains if landlords have “realistic” expectations.
“Vacancies are now higher than they were a few months ago. A few months ago there were houses going for $600 per week that should be getting $450 per week. Now they’re getting $450,” he said.
Jurd mentioned that Cessnock would be a good place for investors with a long-term view.
“There was a property purchased in 1987 that resold recently that saw 600% capital growth. That’s the average over 25 years, with a 4% rental return over that period,” he said.
“Anybody looking to buy now and sell in two years and make a profit, I don’t recommend that. If you’ve got a ten-year view, I think Cessnock is as good as anywhere (for investments),” he said.
For investors looking to buy in Cessnock, he recommends purchasing house and land packages.
“You’re looking at typically 650 to 1000 square metres. You not only get rental return, but can also redevelop it in the future,” he said.
As for Cessnock’s future, Jurd noted that areas that have experienced the most amount of growth in the last decade have often seen population growth and major infrastructure projects.
“The Hunter Expressway extension will open in January. That’s a major infrastructure project that will reduce driving time from Sydney and Newcastle by 15 to 20 minutes. That may drive population growth too, but not immediately.”
“There are also a couple of large land releases that are coming closer, increasing the amount of product available and building activity – that will increase population. Even though there’s a downturn in mining, there’s a lot of major projects going on,” he said.
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Suburb spotlight: Cessnock over 2014

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If you are a wine connoisseur in the making, or if your wine collection is outgrowing your kitchen cabinet, it’s time to look at other wine storage options.
While wines are ideally stored in an underground cellar, Australia does not necessarily have the ideal climate for wine to mature. As temperatures vary too much between winter and summer, the likelihood of high humidity rotting wine corks and affecting wine quality is high.
Adding a wine cellar to your home could also increase its value. James Malone from Classic Cellars says if a prospective buyer is a wine collector, having a wine cellar could be a plus. 
However, Herron Todd White Melbourne director Craig Veljkovic warns that wine cellars do not necessarily increase the value of your property. 
"A wine cellar doesn't really tend to add value to a property. What it can do is add a feature that causes a purchaser to choose that property rather than another one," he said.
Here are our five favourite wine storage solutions – cellars or not – available in Australia and around the world. 
Eurocave
Eurocave has been offering wine storage solutions since 1976, first by inventing the wine cabinet. Since then, they have expanded to over 70 countries with some 350,000 wine enthusiasts entrusting their wine collection with Eurocave’s storage solutions.
Choose from standalone wine cabinets to compact solutions that will fit just under your countertop. You can even <a href="https://www.eurocave.com.au/wine-cabinets/furniture-range/">encase your wine fridge within furniture</a>, and install sliding shelves to properly manage your wine list.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/11/28/furniture-slider-nov-28-one.jpg" width="470" height="401" alt="furniture-slider-nov-28-one"> 
Photo courtesy of Eurocave. 
 
<a href="https://www.spiralcellars.co.uk" target="_blank">Spiral Cellars</a>
Imagine the floor opening up to a beautiful spiral staircase leading to your wine collection. Spiral Cellars has made that a reality.
Your very own Spiral Cellar can be installed anywhere you can dig a hole. Made from concrete, it is cylindrical and has a spiral staircase for access, as its name suggests. Choose from seven options – be it an all-white cellar that can store up to 1890 bottles, a weatherproof cellar in your garden, or a mini-version that uses a step-ladder rather than a spiral staircase, which still packs a punch at a capacity of 770 bottles.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/11/28/1378-original-sc-3.jpg" width="470" height="366" alt="1378-original-sc-3">
Photo courtesy of Spiral Cellars.
 
<a href="https://www.vintec.com.au/index.php?section=products&amp;id=63" target="_blank">Vintec</a>
 Vintec’s product range spans from equipment preserving the integrity of two bottles of wine to walk-in wine cellars that have a 4,140-bottle capacity. The walk-in cellars are temperature-controlled, are lockable for optimum safety, and have an alarm to alert you of high temperatures.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/11/28/linterieur-du-cavispace.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="linterieur-du-cavispace" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">Photo courtesy of Vintec.
 
Bookcase-turned-wine-cellar
Have cabinets that are not adding much to your space? Victoria-based <a href="https://www.classiccellars.com.au/custom-made-wine-cellars.php" target="_blank">Classic Cellars</a> can turn that into your very own wine cellar/cabinet, making the most of your available wall space. Classic Cellars’ wine cabinets are temperature and humidity controlled, ensuring the wine is optimally preserved.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/11/28/After-bookcase-wine.jpg" width="470" height="266" alt="After-bookcase-wine">
Photo courteys of Classic Cellars.
 
Wine cabinets
While not yet available commercially in Australia, <a href="https://www.vinotemp.com/View.aspx/2930/700-Monaco-B-Wine-Cellar-with-Bookshelves" target="_blank">Vinotemp’s wine cabinets</a> brings the best of both worlds – storing your wine at the right temperature and humidity, while offering extra space for clothes, books, or ornaments.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/11/28/bookshelf-wine.jpg" width="470" height="401" alt="bookshelf-wine">
Photo courtesy of Vinotemp.
<a href="mailto:dleow@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">dleow@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
 
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Five great wine storage solutions

<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]

Joel Robinson

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.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.

Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.

The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.

“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.

“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.

“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”

The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.

“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”

From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.

“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”

The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.

“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.

Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.

“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.

“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”

The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.

“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.

Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.

&nbsp;

Diane Leow

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