<html><body>
Property Observer has been speaking to buyer’s agents, developers, economists, researchers, and other property experts to find out how they find their best growth locations – and how you can too. 
We spoke with Sydney buyer’s agent <a target="_blank" href="https://buyersagent-sydney.com.au/">Tracey Chandler</a>, who has 28 years’ experience in the property market and focuses on the property as much as the location. 
She first looks out for popular areas, such as Sydney's <a target="_blank" href="/news">Parramatta</a> and <a target="_blank" href="/news">Balmain</a>, but always looks out for the two suburbs away from it as well. 
Her top pick of the moment is <a target="_blank" href="/news">Merrylands</a>, which is close to Parramatta. She notes that while Parramatta has long been a popular area, Merrylands “never really got there”. 
While properties in the area cost around $300,000 earlier this year, she notes that they are now worth about $350,000 to $360,000 on average, reflecting an increase of $50,000 to $60,000 in six months. 
“You would not have made $50,000 to $60,000 in Parramatta in the last two years,” she said. 
She notes that two-bedroom apartments in Merrylands were already enjoying a healthy rental yield since earlier this year. 
“Rent back then was about $400-420 per week, which is excellent if the price was about $315,000.” That reflects a yield of over 6.7%. Chandler expects rents to continue to increase as demand continues to go up. 
Chandler added that Stockland had invested $120 million for a shopping centre in the area, and the council was spending money on the streetscape – showing that the area had potential. 
In Sydney’s west, Chandler looks out for two-bedroom apartments for her investor clients. 
“A one-bedder’s not worth it, and a three-bedder has too much holding costs,” she said. 
Conversely, for inner-city suburbs and the east, she recommends purchasing a studio or one-bedroom apartment as it will rent quicker or sell quicker, depending on your investment goal. 
Price is an important factor as well. She prefers middle-of-the-road properties, nothing too cheap or overly expensive. 
“I always tell my clients: if you buy a bargain, you’ll sell a bargain,” she said. Chandler also favours smaller, boutique blocks over massive developments, as this translates to lower strata costs. 
“I would never buy anything with a concierge or gym. Why should I pay for my tenant’s concierge? I’d rather put my money in a small boutique block with lower strata costs, and it’s got more street appeal,” she said.
Street appeal is another factor Chandler looks out for. 
“I don’t want anything dark and dingy. If it’s got no street appeal; no balcony, tenants are not going to stay there. Rent is going to be pretty abysmal,” she said. 
Location is also especially important if the property is close to public transport or near the water. 
She also recommends factoring in both yield and capital growth when purchasing an investment property. Budget is also a huge consideration.
“If a client’s budget is around $800,000, I might recommend he get two properties instead of just the one,” she said. 
Lastly, she also looks out for work that the property may need, especially small cosmetic work which won’t be too much hassle for her clients.
</body></html>

dleow-BGaNPbHWyK

Hotspot the property as well as the location: Tracey Chandler

<html><body>
Property expert and host of Relocation Relocation Australia and Location Location Location Australia Bryce Holdaway sat down with Property Observer to discuss his love for property, his top tips for purchasing an investment property, and shares some valuable insights through his experience.
{qtube vid:=zzYUQV4z8ic}
Holdaway’s interest in property started some 19 years ago while he was an accounting student in Perth. Not wanting to go through the motions of being a stock-standard accountant, he one day chanced upon the best-selling book Building Wealth Through Investment Property. Since then, he was set on making a career out of property.
After graduating from university, he started work as an accountant while building a property business on the side. Fast forward a few years and he is a buyer’s agent and director of property advisory firm Empower Wealth in addition to his role on television.
He advises every investor to view property investment as a process, not an event. His five steps to ensure a successful investment are:
<ul>
<li>Clarify</li>
<li>Evaluate</li>
<li>Plan</li>
<li>Implement</li>
<li>Manage 
</li>
</ul>
“In practice, I’ve found that if you don’t do it in that order, chances are it might not be ideal,” he said.
Holdaway also implements three “scarcity filters” before selecting an asset.
“If it’s a house, there’s got to be scarcity of land,” he said. “In nice areas it’s good to have the lifestyle options – transport, or the local restaurant or school, and have no availability of fresh land.”
He also cites scarcity of architecture and, especially when it comes to apartments, scarcity in number.
“I would ignore probably about 95-98% of apartments. I like established properties, less than 20 in a block with no pool – typically a 1930s style art deco or a 60s-70s style apartments that’s a bit bigger. They are smaller in number, and surrounded by all these beautiful homes, that will drive up the price,” he says.
As for large developments, he said, “Quite often people are seduced by the allure of shiny taps and brand new facilities, which I think is a false economy.”
He believes that one should not "buy depreciation" – but instead add value with either cosmetic or structural renovations.
“In the cities we are price takers, not price makers. If you're in a regional town you can be a price maker, but in the city you're a price taker. If you get the location right, you can do some things to the property to add value to it,” he said.
In addition, Holdaway recommends avoiding properties that are built for investors – such as student accommodation or hotels. Instead, he prefers properties that have some owner-occupier appeal.
“They (owner-occupiers) actually buy property on emotion; they have their heart invested in the property; they are more likely to throw logic out of the window and overpay – and that's what I want,” he said.
He also believes in striking a balance between capital growth and income.
“If you need more income early on in your portfolio, you still need some growth; if you're chasing growth, you still need to get the balance of income right,” he said. 
He recalls purchasing his first investment property in 1999: a Perth apartment that cost $199,940 at the time, when the median price was $158,000.
The building was mostly occupied by renters, not owner-occupiers, and he purchased the property in partnership which meant he was joint and severally liable for the loan. He owned a portion of the property but was liable for 100% of the debt.
“I actually had borrowing capacity constraints when I went to buy my second and subsequent property,” he said.
Consequently, he realised the development consists of three towers, but his unit was in a tower with no lift – yet he was paying body corporate costs.
“It still went up in value, but I could have made a better decision,” he said.
An interesting point he raised was that most Australians don’t purchase investment property.
“I went to the ATO and asked them how many people lodged tax returns who have a rental property. Only eight out of 100 Australians buy an investment property, and out of that vey small percentage, 73% stop at one,” he said.
“I think it's actually hard to get that first property right. If people don't get that first property right they don't generally move forward.”
His last tip for property investors: constantly review your portfolio and look for opportunities to comfortable add another property to it.
“Most people don't have the resource or the capacity to keep monitoring what they've done. That's where the real opportunity lies,” he said.
</body></html>

Behind the scenes with Bryce Holdaway

<html><body>
A three-bedroom unit in Wiley Park was the weekend’s most affordable auction sale in New South Wales, according to Australian Property Monitors.
Located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-nsw-wiley+park-114542143">7/5 Defoe Street</a>, the unit sold for $362,000 through Knapton &amp; Co Pty Ltd Lakemba.
Listing agent Luke Knapton told Property Observer that the auction went “very very well”. About 30 people attended, with 9 registered bidders.
The successful bidder was an investor.
The reserve price was set at $370,000, but the vendors were happy with the outcome.
“It was a fair bit more than we originally appraised it at,” Knapton said.
Knapton added that demand in Wiley Park's property market is “very strong” at the moment.
“Three-bedrooms are the rarest entity, with one every few months popping up,” he said.
The property market in Wiley Park has been seeing a mixture of buyers, with local and interstate investors as well as owner occupiers showing interest, according to Knapton.
The estimated asking rent for this unit is $450 per week, reflecting a rental yield of 6.46%.
The same unit was last listed for rent in 2010 at an asking price of $270 per week, according to RP Data records. Knapton cites population growth in the area, as well as strong demand and limited supply, for the sharp increase in asking rent.
Prior to this sale, the unit last sold in 2011 for $301,000, according to RP Data records.
According to the <a target="_blank" href="/news">latest RP Data report</a>, the median price for units in Wiley Park is $275,000, up by 5.8% on last year. The average discount required to sell a unit is 6.8%, while private treaty sales average 62 days on market.
The median asking rent for units in Wiley Park is $340 per week, while gross rental yield currently stands at 6.4%.
</body></html>

Wiley Park cheapie sells for $362,000 reflecting 6.46% yield

<html><body>
Rising unemployment and the unwinding of the mining investment boom could contribute to one more cut for the RBA cash rate, according to the latest report by ANZ.
ANZ forecasts the rate to be cut further by 25 basis points to 2.25% in the last quarter of this year, and expects the rate to hold steady for 2014.
The report also notes that Australia is nearing the end of the easing cycle with policy rates already at very accommodative levels.
A further rate correction could present a medium-term opportunity for borrowers to lock in lower-term rates.
With the expectation that the US 10-year bond yield to end the year at around 3%, ANZ also forecasts that yields will be pushed above 3.5% by the end of 2014. ANZ also forecasts US economic growth to be around 3.1% for next year.
With a recovering global market, local market rates can expect to be driven higher. As such, ANZ expects the cash rate to rise in 2015.
</body></html>

One more cut expected for RBA cash rate: ANZ

<html><body>
A one-bedroom unit in Dallas was the weekend’s most affordable auction sale in Victoria, according to Australian Property Monitors.
Located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-vic-dallas-114523003" target="_blank">5/18 King Street</a>, the unit sold for $140,500 through Barry Plant Glenroy.
Listing agent Chris Vallis told Property Observer that about 20 people attended the auction, with three registered bidders but “two genuine bidders”.
Vallis added that the market in Dallas has picked up over the last six to eight weeks due to the lower interest rates. 
“About 90% of the market has realised that the prices of the homes are steady for awhile. If you don't get in while interest rates are low, you’re looking at quite a different price,” he said.
He also noted that both first-home buyers and investors are purchasing properties in Dallas at the moment.
According to the <a href="/news">latest RP Data report</a>, the median asking rent for units in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Dallas </a>is $293 per week.
</body></html>

Dallas cheapie sells for $140,500

<html><body>

Harrington Grove, a premium residential community in Harrington Park, NSW was awarded the Residential Development of the Year (2013) award by the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) at the Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner on 26 July.

Harrington Estates managing director Terry Goldacre told Property Observer he was “very very honoured” to receive the award. The Harrington Grove development has a strong focus on community by organising community programmes, events, and functions exclusively for residents.
<img alt="harrington_grove_aug_30_onw" height="353" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/09/10/harrington_grove_aug_30_onw.jpg">

<img width="470" height="280" alt="harrington-grove-aug-30-two" src="/images/stories/2013/08/harrington-grove-aug-30-two.jpg"> The developers have also invested around $20 million dollars to build a country club which will be “the heart of the community”. 

Facilities include four tennis courts, two swimming pools, a gymnasium, a restaurant, bar, and function rooms. Goldacre added that sales have been “very very strong”, with owner-occupiers showing particular interest.

“The development is being developed to service and attract the upper end of the executive housing market in south-west Sydney, which generally does not attract investors,” he said. Harrington Grove will comprise 1400 large homesites over six precincts. 

The smallest home site measures 700 square metres. Over half of the estate has already been developed, and expected completion is in four to five years. Land prices in Harrington Grove start from $280,000, while home and land packages will cost upwards from $600,000. Lot 61 in the Magnolia precinct (pictured below) has been <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-residential+land-nsw-harrington+park-200581439" target="_blank">listed</a> with a price of “from $300,000” on realestate.com.au.

<img width="470" height="353" alt="harrington_grove_aug_30_onw" src="/images/stories/2013/08/harrington_grove_aug_30_onw.jpg"> Harrington Park was acquired by Sir Warwick Oswald Fairfax in 1944. He dreamed of turning it into an exclusive, private estate but did not live to see its realisation. His wife, Lady Mary Fairfax, then took over the development of the suburb. <img alt="harrington-grove-aug-30-two" height="280" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/09/10/harrington-grove-aug-30-two.jpg">  

Harrington Park now has 2000 homes, a primary school, and a shopping centre, amongst other facilities.

According to the <a target="_blank" href="/news">latest RP Data report</a>, the median sale price of houses in Harrington Park is $546,850, up 0.3% on last year. The average discount required to sell a house is 4.9% and private treaty sales average 81 days on market.

The median asking rent for houses in Harrington Park is $520, while gross rental yield currently stands at 4.9%.
</body></html>

Harrington Grove scores top marks at UDIA Residential Development Awards

<html><body>

Long-term city renters in New South Wales will be offered $7000 and skilled workers will be offered $10,000 if they relocate more than 100 kilometres to a NSW region, as part of an overhaul to the NSW government's regional relocation grant scheme.

The revisions were announced as part of the government’s response to the final report of the NSW Decentralisation Taskforce earlier this month.
The original scheme only applied to city homeowners purchasing new property in regional areas.

“The grant will support efforts to ease Sydney’s tight rental market and help to boost population growth in regional areas to meet the expected increase in demand for jobs being driven by our investment in regional infrastructure and business growth,” said Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services Andrew Stoner.

Applicants for both grants will need to move more than 100 kilometres to be eligible under the revisions. 
The changes will be implemented from next January.
Applications for both grants will be subject to annual caps, which stands at $10.4 million for 2013-2014.

The government has also set a target to move 1500 public sector jobs from metropolitan Sydney to regional areas by 2021.


The regional relocation grant scheme was an important part of the Coalition’s 2011 election campaign, promising a “decade of decentralisation” in NSW.
It offers $7000 to homeowners in Sydney, Newcastle, and Woollongong who are willing to sell their property and purchase a regional property worth up to $600,000 to use as their principal place of residence.

Despite initial budget targets of 7000 grants a year, to a cost of $49 million per year over four years, only 2351 homeowners have taken up the grant since July 2011.
The revised scheme draws upon recommendations from a taskforce commissioned by the government to review its decentralisation policies. 

The taskforce’s main criticism of the grant was that it was too low. It recommended raising the grant to $10,000 and extending it to renters willing to purchase property in regional areas.


The government has since agreed to extend the $7000 grant to renters in addition to the new $10,000 employment-based incentive.
City renters will need a minimum of two consecutive years’ rental history to be eligible for the $7000 grant.


The new skilled worker grant will not be tied to home ownership. However, two years’ residence in Sydney, Newcastle of Woollongong and proof of offer of employment at least 100 kilometres away will be required for eligibility.

“The NSW Government is delivering on its commitment to generate growth in regional economies, manage the State’s predicted population growth and deliver greater opportunities for local decision-making to regional communities,” Mr Stoner said.

A Fairfax report stated that opposition rural and regional affairs spokesman Mick Veitch said the scheme had been ''a dud from the start'' He added that the revisions to the scheme were an admission it has failed.
The Taskforce report and the government's full response is available <a target="_blank" href="https://www.business.nsw.gov.au/doing-business-in-nsw/nsw-governments-decentralisation-efforts">online</a>.
 
<hr>
 
 
Photo courtesy of Lina Hayes/flickr.
</body></html>

Sydney tenants offered incentive to leave rental market and move regional

<html><body>
The SmartCompany – Crowe Horwath Smart50 awards recognise Australia’s fastest-growing SMEs in 2012-13. The awards are based on average annual revenue growth over the past three years, and entrants had to have revenue over $500,000 and show positive growth each year to be eligible.
The top prize, number one on the Smart50 list, is awarded to the business with the highest growth over that period.
This year, two property businesses were awarded the Smart50 awards.
Coming in at number 36 is housing construction company Exactus Homes, which provides building services in Perth’s inner suburbs.
Launched in 2010, the co-founders Sandra and Ralph Brewer recognised that older-style homes in the area were fit for renovation or rebuild. After identifying their niche, they saw this opportunity to provide specialised building services for this purpose. They currently have a revenue of over $1 million and growth of 52%.
In a tough economy, the pair stands out from their competition by being transparent when communicating with clients.
Click through to their <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/smartcompany-smart50-awards-2013/057366-36-exactus-homes">profile on SmartCompany</a> for more on their entrepreneurial journey.
Queensland’s Calibre Real Estate comes in at 43, with a revenue of over $1 million and growth of 46%.
Founders Alice and Justin Hagen started Calibre Real Estate after purchasing their first home and investment property and was disappointed with the experience.
They believe in putting people first, and strives to take the confusion out of property for sellers, buyers, renters, and landlords. Customer service is naturally a huge part of their approach.
Calibre Real Estate currently operates in Brisbane and Ipswich, and the team wishes to open eight more offices throughout south-east Queensland in the near future.
To read about their entrepreneurial journey, click through to their <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/smartcompany-smart50-awards-2013/057359-43-calibre-real-estate">profile on SmartCompany</a>.
</body></html>

Exactus Homes and Calibre Real Estate awarded Smart50 Awards

<html><body>
Hotspotting, or finding the best suburb in which to purchase an investment, is a crucial skill of every property investor. With the market heating up, it's only natural that competition in finding these locations has started to skyrocket.  
Property Observer will be heading to buyer's agents, developers, economists, researchers and other property experts to find out how they find their best growth locations and how you can too.
This week, we spoke with Rich Harvey, managing director of independent buyer’s agency <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertybuyer.com.au">propertybuyer.com.au</a>.
Harvey is a licensed real estate buyer’s agent, experienced property investor and professional economist. The propertybuyer.com.au team has purchased over 1,100 properties in total.
Before zooming into a particular area, Harvey says he first identifies areas experiencing urban renewal.
“The word hotspot can mean it’s hot, then it goes cold. We’re usually cautious about it and look for areas with a long-term future,” he said.
Continual hotspots include areas that are close to any city's CBD.
“The middle and inner rings of Sydney always do well. Places like Alexandria and Redfern aren’t fully-priced and have the ability to move upwards in price,” he said.
“In Melbourne, St Kilda’s always been popular.”
He highlights areas that used to be “industrial wastelands”, or areas that have undergone rezoning.
Other factors to note are areas that have a limited ability for mass development, or have large infrastructure projects in progress.
“We look for areas that do not have a massive amount of supply about to come on,” he said.
Yet areas with projects such as hospitals, train lines, or universities could potentially become hotspots as well.
“Gladstone was a major hotspot. Obviously that has come down a bit, but it will come back in time. Over in Darwin they have the LNG gas plant. The North West Rail Link in Sydney – that’s going to be phenomenal. That’s starting to move the north-west market,” he said.
Demographics are also important. An area has a rising population can translate to strong rental demand.
Outside of metropolitan areas, Harvey notes that strong and growing employment opportunities need to be present.
“Without stable employment opportunities, prices aren’t going to move,” he said.
He also mentions the ripple effect, by looking at suburbs that have taken off and looking into its surrounding areas.
“Areas like Balmain, it’s a fantastic spot that’s always high in demand. But some buyers can’t afford $3 million, so they look at its surrounding areas. You might get some flight noise but it’s still a great area,” he said.
Harvey’s strategy starts with something he calls “ground-truthing” – conducting an assessment of an area by delving into statistics. By comparing data from various sources, including RP Data, APM, and Residex, as well as supply-demand ratios, his team then shortlists areas.
Thereafter, he looks at recent auction results and what has recently sold.
To verify the information on hand, he then visits the areas personally to speak with real estate agents and locals.
Here are some questions he asks:  
<ul>
<li>
What are the key drivers of the local market?
</li>
<li>
What property types are in the highest demand?
</li>
<li>
What price points are optimal?
</li>
<li>
What is the average yield and growth?
</li>
<li>
What streets should I avoid?
</li>
<li>
What has changed in the area in the last ten years?
</li>
<li>
What is likely to change in the near future?
</li>
<li>
What are the clear tractions that bring people to this suburb?
</li>
</ul>
While statistics are useful, he says locals are able to provide pertinent information about an area that might not be available otherwise. As such, it is important to conduct an on-the-ground assessment in addition to statistical research.    
</body></html>

Hotspotting tips to get you ahead of the pack: Rich Harvey

<html><body>
Property investors now place a greater emphasis on rental yield in addition to capital growth, according to buyer’s agent Rich Harvey.
Harvey, who is the managing director of independent buyer’s agent propertybuyer.com.au, says he has been seeing investors looking to improve their yield on their investment.
“We do it by adding a granny-flat to a property,” he said.
Property Observer recently reported that <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/granny-flats-worse-investments-than-vending-machines-gavin-mcpherson/2013090264738?utm_source=po&amp;utm_medium=aida&amp;utm_campaign=news&amp;utm_source=Property+Observer+List&amp;utm_campaign=ae09f508a4-June_21_1_29_2013&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_a523fbfccb-ae09f508a4-245359313">granny-flats are worse investments than vending machines</a>. Harvey feels this claim is a generalisation.
“It depends on how you do it and the area – not all areas will suit a granny-flat,” he said.
He added that it would not make sense to build a granny-flat on a high value property in areas like Double Bay, but in areas where the price point is relative to rental, an additional granny-flat could enhance a property’s value.
“For example, we are getting excellent yield in Western Sydney. A one-bedroom costs $80,000, with a rental return of $230 per week. A two-bedroom costs $100,000, with a rental return of $290 per week.”
“The total yield with an existing home would be around 8.5%. That’s positive cash flow, and a total return of $8000 to $10,000 per year. There’s also the added benefit of capital growth on the property,” he said.
</body></html>

Investors looking to grow yield in addition to capital growth: Buyer’s agent

<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

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News