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With bushfire disasters seen recently in South Australia and Victoria, Terri Scheer Insurance’s insurance executive manager Carolyn Parrella is warning landlords to seek appropriate coverage now.
Parella said there has been widespread loss, from property loss to stock loss, and that it will take a while to examine the full extent of the damage.
“It’s often in times like these when insurance becomes front of mind, in terms of whether there is adequate insurance in place, or whether a homeowner is covered at all,” said Parella.
She warned that while price is often the first consideration for insurance, affordability should not be the only thing that investors look at when considering their coverage.
In fact it’s more about looking at the level of coverage, and considering the potential “what ifs”.
“This includes the location of the property and whether you live in a high risk bushfire zone or flood prone area, as the relevant building codes may alter the level or type of coverage required,” she said.
“My message to landlords is – don’t wait until it’s too late when it comes to insurance coverage.”
When submitting a claim, she warned that you don’t want to be discovering that you don’t have the cover you thought that you did or to find excesses that you hadn’t considered.
“It is a good idea to regularly review your policy and ensure appropriate coverage is in place.”
Here are some points to remember:
<ul>
<li>It’s worth reading your policy wording, including terms and conditions, to ensure you are covered for what you think you are. 
</li>
<li>Ensure your policy is up to date – an expired cover leaves you uninsured. 
</li>
<li>Suitable building insurance policies should be checked for fire coverage and can cover rental income if the property is damaged and can’t be tenanted for a period of time. 
</li>
<li>Specialised landlord’s insurance may be worth considering.</li>
</ul>
Source: Terri Scheer Insurance
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Bushfires prompt insurance warning: Terri Scheer Insurance

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Husband and wife duo team Sam and Phil Hargrave have launched a new agency in Queensland's Pomona hinterland: Hargrave Real Estate.
Sam has worked in the area since 2003 and has 25 years of real estate experience, having begun her career in Sydney's Lower North Shore luxury real estate market in 1990. The couple moved to Noosa hinterland in 2003.
Launching in December 2014, Sam Hargrave also made the CoreLogic RP Data 'A List', recognising the top 150 real estate performers in Queensland.
Emily Kindred, A-List spokeswoman, said that the list recognises professionalism, enthusiasm, skill, drive, passion and personality.
Phil Hargrave, principal of the agency, recognised the boost of confidence the award provided them to start their own business.
"Phil and I will use the best of our combined knowledge to present clients with a reasoned perspective and stress-free experience when listing, marketing, and selling their home," she said.
"It is my knowledge, experience and personal service, combined with a relentless energy and enthusiasm that will give you the advantage when buying and selling your home."
They service Pomona, Cooran, Cootharaba, Boreen Point, Cooroy and Lake Macdonald.
Hargrave Real Estate service Pomona; Cooran; Cootharaba; Boreen Point; Cooroy and Lake Macdonald.
 
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Hargrave Real Estate opened in Queensland’s Pomona hinterland

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Mirvac seems to be adding a royal touch to their developments at Yarra's edge, having recently installed a structure on the rooftop of their apartment tower Array.
Next door, the T5 apartment tower is often called the "King" of Yarra's Edge, according to Mirvac group executive residential development John Carfi.
Naturally, this theme has been continued, with Array now featuring a regal sculpture on level 40 - a 65 tonne steel crown, which took 12 weeks and 20 separate modules to install that can be seen from the skyline.
Carfi explained that the vision is to elevate the sight-lines down the busy streets of Melbourne with clever architecture.
"When people peer down Flinders Street they will now see, framed by the city's mix of heritage and contemporary architecture, these two unique buildings crowned in sculptural steel," said Carfi.
Currently, 85% of Array's 203 homes have been sold, with residents to move in during the first half of 2016. It features one, two, three and four bedroom apartments, and includes twin multi-level penthouses.
The East Penthouses has been designed by Megan Hess, using her homewares and artwork. She is best known as the Sex and the City cover designer, the project that launched her career.
"A large proportion of Array purchasers are empty nesters keen to downsize from more demanding properties in the suburbs. Array's location, expansive apartment sizes and diversity of floor plans have been hugely appealing to buyers, with around 60% of purchasers planning to own and occupy," Carfi said.
"This area is forecast to be one of the fastest growing inner-urban areas in Victoria over the next 10 years, and Array purchasers are buying into an exclusive waterside lifestyle in a neighbourhood of award-winning homes with their own full service marina right on their doorstep," he said.
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Mirvac waxes lyrical over their 'King' of Yarra's Edge

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Everyone is keen to know how the property markets will fare over 2015, but it seems that Queensland is on many investors' radars.
Raine &amp; Horne real estate agents have shared their predictions of where the best areas of the state may be.
General manager Queensland, Steve Worrad, said that market conditions are improving in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, however noted that the "smart money" is looking further afield.
"Major hubs such as Toowoomba are set to benefit from major infrastructure improvements, while smaller centres such as Woodford and Kingaroy will enjoy the benefits of factors such as lower interest rates and the breaking drought," he said.
"Once we get past the Queensland election, which was called by the Premier this afternoon for 31 January, homeowners and investors considering the sale of a regional property in Queensland can expect excellent selling conditions in 2015," said Worrad.
Toowoomba Source: Andrew Lynch (principal, Raine &amp; Horne Toowopomba)
Expectation:
<ul>
<li>Growth from 5% to 8% over the year</li>
<li>Major driver: The recent launch of the Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport is likely to have a positive impact on the economy and real estate, being a first for Toowoomba.</li>
</ul>
Signs of change:
<ul>
<li>Large number of commercial developments have attracted enquiries from businesses considering relocating from Brisbane due to the airport.</li>
</ul>
Features of the town:
<ul>
<li>Multi-industry town with strong service and healthcare businesses, plus a robust agricultural sector.</li>
<li>Strong education hub that is also a big employer for local people.</li>
</ul>
Suburbs to consider:
<ul>
<li>Charlton, which isn't far from the airport.</li>
<li>Rangeville and Centenary Heights – both tightly-held owner occupier suburbs on the eastern side priced around $400,000. Currently in strong demand.</li>
<li>Darling Heights and other west side areas close to USQ, which are already popular with yield chasing investors. There are some new developments in the area.</li>
</ul>
Moreton Bay Source: Jill Garth (principal, Raine &amp; Horne Woodford)
Major driver:
<ul>
<li>Demographic shift in the area</li>
<li>Low interest rates</li>
<li>Has hit the bottom of the cycle with only a positive outlook available</li>
</ul>
Signs of change:
<ul>
<li>First time buyers are re-emerging in the area, potentially due to lower interest rates</li>
<li>Higher number of investors have already been seen</li>
</ul>
Investment features:
<ul>
<li>High yields available in excess of 6%.</li>
</ul>
South Burnett region Source: John Allery (co-principal, Raine &amp; Horne Kingaroy)
Expectation:
<ul>
<li>Up to 5% growth over the year</li>
</ul>
Major driver:
<ul>
<li>Increase in rainfall has been good for the agricultural area.</li>
</ul>
Features of the town:
<ul>
<li>A number of piggeries and grain producers.</li>
<li>Swickers Kingaroy Bacon Factor employs 500 people and is one of Australia's most significant pork abattoirs</li>
<li>Famous for peanuts.</li>
<li>2.5 hours north west of Brisbane</li>
<li>Stanwell Power Station employs 450 locals</li>
</ul>
Investment features:
<ul>
<li>Due to the 2014 drought, real estate is currently affordable in the area</li>
<li>A number of entry-level homes sub-$200,000</li>
<li>Currently a buyer's market</li>
</ul>
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Queensland 2015 predictions: Raine & Horne's top areas to watch

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It’s a new year and unsurprisingly home buyers are gearing up to get back into the market looking for a property to buy.
Here are five tips for all home buyers looking to get on the ladder this year.
Pre-approval
If you’ve stopped looking since the close of 2014 then you may be through, or close to, the end of your pre-approval period (or you may not have obtained one yet). While a pre-approval isn’t the same as an actual loan, it will give you the peace of mind to have a guide to what you can actually borrow.
Here’s a <a href="/expert-insights/finance/a-quick-guide-to-home-loan-pre-approval">quick guide to home loan pre-approval</a>. 
Ensure you can afford the repayments
Getting pre-approval for a loan is one thing, but are you sure you can actually afford to repay the amount required each fortnight or month? It’s critical to go through your finances, especially in the new year when changes may be planned, to consider whether different circumstances may lead to hardship later on. Be honest with yourself about your job plans and general stability. It may be worth practicing putting the money aside for repayments to ensure you have the discipline to pay back the loan.
To prepare yourself for debt, here are <a href="/expert-insights/buying/preparing-yourself-for-debt-10-things-to-do-now-to-make-home-ownership-easier">10 things that you can do to make it easier</a>.
Research
If "research" isn't a message that's drilled into you yet, then you may not quite be ready. Research is important! Understanding what properties are worth in the market you are considering, knowing how to negotiate with private treaty sales or the process for bidding at auction – all of this is critical if you want to purchase well.
You can read here the <a href="/expert-insights/how-we-research-when-property-buying-realestateview-com-au">techniques that other buyers tend to use when researching property</a>.
For those still looking for an area, the Finding section will come in handy.
Due diligence
Many of our <a href="/expert-insights/buying/10-first-time-buyer-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them">top 10 first home buyer mistakes and how to avoid them</a> are as a result of being rushed or not understanding what is considered due diligence.
Remember, you want to make sure that you purchase a property with open eyes, aware of the nature of the asset and ready for any necessary improvements.
Usually, there are three main things to consider: ensuring the home is structurally sound, undertaking the correct legal checks on the contract so you know what you’re buying and ensuring that you are able to pay a fair price.
If you’re not sure on what counts as due diligence, here’s <a href="/expert-insights/what-is-due-diligence-investment-terms-explained">a quick two minute explanation</a>.
Know your limitations
Lastly, it’s something many of us are poor at – knowing our limitations. While,  it can be easy enough to determine your financial limitations after speaking to a broker, knowing your personal limitations can be harder.
Will you truly be able to commute that far?
Is renovating the home DIY-style really in your skillset?
Can you really put up with not having a car space?
Ask yourself the often uncomfortable questions to ensure that you’re not convincing yourself into the purchase.
What tips do you have for budding first home buyers?
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Five tips for those buying their first home in 2015

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At the close of 2014, the big topic was whether the Reserve Bank (RBA) would actually cut rates this year, with an increasing number of experts forecasting the board would do just this.
It seems consumers may be responding to the speculation, according to Mortgage Choice spokesperson Jessica Darnbrough, who said their statistics show more borrowers choosing variable rates.
“At the beginning of December last year, speculation was rife that the Reserve Bank of Australia could cut the cash rate throughout 2015,” Darnbrough said.
“Ongoing weakness in the Australian and global economy has encouraged some analysts to change their cash rate forecasts to include up to two further rate cuts,” she said.
“While future cash rate cuts are purely speculation at the moment, it would seem the chatter has been enough to encourage more home buyers to take out a variable rate mortgage.”
Victorians are those most keen on variable rates, totalling 85.79% of all home loans written in December. South Australia and Western Australia totalled 82.81% and 82.11% respectively for variable rate loans.
New South Wales borrowers, at the bottom of the pile for variable rates, saw fixed rate demand strong at 30%.
“Australia’s lenders are offering some very sharply priced products at the moment, so regardless of what type of home loan product you eventually decide upon, now is a good time to be a home buyer,” said Darnbrough.
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RBA speculation sees borrowers turn to variable: Mortgage Choice

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A new collaboration of six of Australia’s property experts has created Your Property Team, a group who are warning that the spruikers are out in force in the current hot market.
The <a href="https://www.yourpropertyteam.com.au" target="_blank">Your Property Team</a> group includes Destiny Financial Solution’s Margaret Lomas, Australian Property Monitors’ Andrew Wilson, consumer advocate Lisa Montgomery, BMT’s Bradley Beer, Bishop Collins’ Ian Rodrigues and Block Strata’s Michael Teys.
Lomas says that the main problem facing the industry is a lack of regulation and a failure on behalf of the federal government to recognise property investing as an industry.
“I’ve been lobbying the government, both Liberal and Labor, for around eight years now, to step up to the plate and provide supervision and control to prevent the often spectacular financial losses  by hapless property investors who fall prey to spruikers,” she said. 
“I’ve seen some really sad cases of every day Australians losing all they have worked for and having nowhere to turn and no laws to back them up.”
To counter a number of questionable seminars, they’re making their own.
She selected the team, from regular guests on her show Your Money Your Call, to create a one day national workshop series under the slogan ‘Nothing to sell except their expertise’.
“We hope to go some way toward making it hard for the spruikers who offer ridiculously expensive ‘boot camps’ and workshops to get business,” Lomas said. 
“There’ll be no upgraded course costing tens of thousands of dollars on offer and definitely no property to sell at the end – just a full day of current information, from six highly skilled experts, to help you make the most of 2015.”
The cost of one adult ticket is $410, with 400 available, according to the Your Property Team website, with Sydney Property Intensive 2015 being their first event. Melbourne and Brisbane will also see the team visit, with the possibility of visiting other capitals.
Topics covered include growth drivers, the national state of the market, financing your portfolio, depreciation strategies and strata titled property.
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Property experts warn that spruikers out in force in hot market

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Swimming pools contributed to 15% of total preventable drownings for Australians last year, according to the Royal Life Saving’s National Drowning Report, with Archers Body Corporate warning residents and bodies corporate to review their pool hygiene and safety systems. 
With more drownings occurring in summer, due to more pool activity, Archers’ compliance manager Joel Carkeet is encouraging everyone to check the pool area regularly to ensure it stays safe.
“It is important to ensure the pool area is always left tidy, all toys are picked up and the gate is latched properly to avoid any children accessing the pool area unattended,” Carkeet said.
“Residents should also be vigilant in supervising children, and be able to access CPR and first aid procedures in the pool area.”
Up to date safety certificates are required legally, but also serve to reassure guests and residents.
Bodies corporate should also be watching hygiene and filtrations, suggests Carkett.
“The pool filtration system should be operated every six to eight hours of the day, and sanitiser levels should be regularly checked, preferably daily,” he said.
Here are Archers Body Corporate’s three swimming pool tips:
<ul>
<li>Ensure pool rules are enforced for all residents and guests including opening hours and glass restrictions. 
</li>
<li>Keep pool hygiene up-to-date – Operate the pool filtration 6-8 hours a day and have the pool checked by a professional every two weeks in summer. 
</li>
<li>Ensure pool rules and CPR signage is clearly visible to all residents and guests using the pool area.</li>
</ul>
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Bodies corporate and residents need to focus on pool safety this summer: Archers

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Strong investor interest in the caravan park and retirement village market is continuing, with Sea Wings Village at Anna Bay sold for $6,993,000. It is an over 55s resort at Frost Road, Anna Bay.
The sale of the Port Stephens located village was negotiated by Ray White Commercial Burleigh’s Sam Johnson on behalf of a private seller. It is just one of four caravan parks sold in the Tweed region this year already, with the transactions totalling more than $12 million.
“This latest transaction was conducted off market,” said Johnson.
Multiple offers were achieved on the back of his database within 48 hours of sending out information about the property.
It includes 150 manufactured houses, a manager’s office and residence, swimming pool, tennis court and community hall. The business earns a gross annual income of $1 million per annum.
“Caravan parks and manufactured housing estates are playing an increasingly important role in meeting the housing requirements of the ageing population in Australia,” he said.
“Both institutional investors and cashed up private investors are entering this sector of the market, chasing the secure income afforded by these assets.”
The new owner is a Sydney-based private fund.
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Investors entering caravan and retirement village markets: Ray White

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Construction is underway on Brookfield Residential Properties’ Portside Wharf development, with Pinnacle, the riverfront apartment building, set to be completed by mid year.
<a href="https://www.pinnacleportside.com.au" target="_blank">Portside Wharf</a>'s Pinnacle spans 15 levels and has obtained $85 million worth of sales, now more than 65% sold with one penthouses, six river terraces, two three bedroom apartments and a mix of two bedroom apartments remaining. The two bedroom apartments are priced from $590,000.
Link will be complete in early-2015, with their 32 one bedroom apartments sold out for more than $13.5 million. Construction is currently at level four and the development features 522 square metres of retail space.
Regional director for Brookfield Residential Properties Lee Butterworth said that construction will now be focused on the external façade and landscaping.
"The buildings are quickly taking shape and buyers can see that the standard of build and fittings are top quality," he said.
"We have opened our first display in Pinnacle so buyers can experience first hand what it would be like to live directly on the river in a vibrant precinct like Portside Wharf.”
Pinnacle is the premier apartment building in the development, featuring a rooftop infinity pool, bbq and entertainment area, gym and onsite security.
"We expect sales will ramp up as construction nears completion and buyers realise the wait to move into their brand new apartment is quickly nearing the finish,” Butterworth said.
The river terraces include al fresco living and entertaining with terraces spanning up to 54 square metres. A number have private access to the wharf.
<img src="/images/2015/01/06/pinnacle-jan-6-two.jpg" alt="">
"The owner occupier market has really taken off and sales have ramped up as buyers look for a riverfront location with access to everything," he said.
"In terms of position, Portside Wharf is unmatched when it comes to accessibility to its retail plaza, as well as its proximity to the CBD, airport, the CityCat and motorways including direct access to Kingsford Smith Drive, which is set to become a six lane boulevard under new state government plans.”
Within the precinct, 35 retailers are now in residence.
"Our retail precinct continues to grow, with the current retail space almost completely occupied and more in the pipeline upon the completion of both Link and Pinnacle," he said.
"Portside Wharf offers a great mix of fine dining, cafes, beauty, entertainment, services and conveniences, including a Dendy Cinema, IGA supermarket, Ella Bache, barber shop and dentist.”
Apartment buildings Promenade, Loft, Infinity and Flare are already complete, with just one apartment in Promenade priced at $635,000 for a two bedroom, two bathroom option.
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Pinnacle, Portside Wharf gearing up for mid-year completion

Local developer Harridan is seeking to turn its Woolloongabba apartment project into the first stage of a broader transformation of Burke Street, using a new 16-storey mixed-use building to establish a greener pedestrian connection toward the rapidly evolving Boggo Road transport and knowledge precinct.

The South East Queensland developer has filed plans for 154 apartments on the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/4-burke-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">southern side of Burke Street</a>, where its proposal has been designed alongside a wider vision by LatStudios for the street.

That vision positions the southern side of Burke Street for buildings of 15 storeys and above, while envisaging lower-rise development of up to five storeys on the northern side to transition into Woolloongabba's existing character housing. It also proposes wider pedestrian verges, deep planting, new street trees and upgrades to the pedestrian approach to Boggo Road Station.

The Harridan development itself has been designed by Brisbane-based Arqus Design and will comprise 154 apartments across 16 storeys. The mix is weighted heavily toward two-bedroom apartments, with 121 proposed alongside 10 one-bedroom and 23 three-bedroom residences. There will typically be around 14 units per floor.

A lower-ground car park and three podium levels will accommodate 156 resident parking spaces, along with visitor and commercial parking. There will also be 154 resident bicycle spaces and 40 visitor bicycle parks.

&nbsp;

Harridan is a family-owned developer and part of the Holmwood Highgate Group, with more than three decades of development activity across South East Queensland. Its portfolio spans residential, commercial and industrial property, with current residential projects including Riverbank on Byron in Bulimba, Esperance Residences in Carina and The Precinct at Kinross Road in Thornlands.

Wooloongabba has been popular for apartment developers, particularly since the announcement of the 2032 Summer Olympics games in Brisbane.

While there have been a lot of development applications, it has failed to materialize into real supply.&nbsp;

Sarazin has been the major player in the area. They are under construction at Murcia Residences, on the fringe of East Brisbane and Woolloongabba. They have just launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-stanley-residences-woolloongabba-8-trafalgar-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">The Stanley Residences</a>, in Woolloongabba on Trafalagar Street. They also have Nuage coming soon on the nearby <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nuage-woolloongabba-14-wellington-road-woolloongabba-qld-4102">Wellington Road</a>.

Joel Robinson

First look: Harridan plans Burke Street transformation beside Boggo Road transport hub

IN BRIEF

<ul>
	<li>
	Just three double-storey Sky Homes sit at the top of The Waterline, each with its own private marina berth and rooftop terrace.
	</li>
	<li>
	Construction on The Waterline is complete, with the first residents expected to move in from mid-October.
	</li>
	<li>
	Sky Homes range from 282 sqm to 367 sqm and are priced from $3.65 million.
	</li>
</ul>

<hr />
Lewis Land has opened the first completed sky home for inspection at Harbour Shores, giving buyers their first opportunity to step inside one of just three double-storey residences crowning The Waterline.

Each sky home comes with its own private marina berth, rooftop terrace and Broadwater views, combining the scale of a larger home with direct access to the boating lifestyle that underpins the wider <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/harbour-shores-biggera-waters-564-oxley-drive-biggera-waters-qld-4216">Harbour Shores</a> masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=366708]

Lewis Land Head of Development Michael Long said the inclusion of a berth with every Sky Home had become increasingly valuable as marina access across the Gold Coast tightened.

“Marina berths are becoming increasingly difficult to secure across the Gold Coast, so including one with every Sky Home makes this a genuinely rare offering,” Long said.

“The private 70-berth marina will accommodate boats up to 12 metres in length and is positioned just 2.5 kilometres from the Broadwater, placing the open ocean only 15 minutes away.

“Being able to step out of your home onto your boat is a rare luxury, and it’s something residents here can look forward to when it opens later this year.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=366709]

The display opening comes as construction completes on The Waterline, with the first residents expected to move in from mid-October.

The three Sky Homes range from 282 sqm to 367 sqm and each feature three bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living zones, expansive kitchens with butler's pantries and large balconies taking in the Broadwater outlook.

Each residence also has three secure basement car spaces and additional storage.

“This is the first opportunity the Gold Coast has had to step into Harbour Shores and see, touch and feel what we’re bringing to life here,” Long said.

“There are only three Sky Homes within The Waterline, ranging in size from 282sqm to 367sqm, with each residence featuring three large bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living zones, expansive custom-built kitchens with butler’s pantry, and large balconies capturing Broadwater views.”

<img alt="Harbour Shores" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bab65e10-4fab-45e1-92d8-fc56e2ab98ff" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-25%20at%202.00.16%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=XT8q76LsPkw3cYTsvN3JfFDaPLud90PN" />

Residents of The Waterline will have access to a private pool, along with Harbour Shores' wider collection of amenity including a lagoon pool, social clubhouse, tennis court, gym, yoga facilities and sauna.

Lewis Land partnered with Studio Collective to furnish the completed display, with the interiors designed to demonstrate how the residences could function as permanent homes rather than simply as show apartments.

Studio Collective Director Melissa Park said the surrounding waterways informed the interiors, but in a more restrained way than a traditional coastal scheme.

“We drew inspiration from the canals and coastal surrounds, but our approach was to interpret that subtly through layered materials and a grounded palette of earthy tones, rather than literal coastal references,” Park said.

“We introduced hero moments of green and teal to reference the surrounding waterways, while mirrored elements help reflect natural light.

“The result is a residence that feels elevated yet comfortable, somewhere buyers can genuinely imagine themselves living, entertaining and unwinding.”

Sky Homes are priced from $3.65 million.

Lewis Land is also offering private marina berths with The Residences, its limited collection of three and four-bedroom villas positioned directly along the Harbour Shores waterfront boardwalk.

Three-bedroom villas are priced from $2.99 million, while four-bedroom residences start from $3.19 million.

Harbour Shores is being marketed by Colliers International.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=113271]

Lewis Land opens sky home display as The Waterline completes at Harbour Shores

St Vincent de Paul Society Housing Australia has filed plans for a major mixed-use housing precinct on the southern edge of the North Sydney CBD, adding another significant proposal to a pocket around North Sydn​ey Station that is quickly becoming one of the LGA's busiest development zones.

The State Significant Development Application covers a 5,990 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/1-19-mackenzie-street-lavender-bay-nsw-2060">1-19 MacKenzie Street and 211 Blues Point Road in Lavender Bay</a>, immediately south of Nor​th Sydney Station and between the commercial core and the lower-rise Lavender Bay Heritage Conservation Area.

Designed by Wardle, the proposal would deliver a new residential tower comprising 88 build-to-sell apartments and 19 affordable apartments, alongside a separate co-living building with 57 rooms and a building manager's studio.

It would also see the significant restoration and upgrade of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, the adaptive reuse of the former school building, new parish facilities, retail, a new public square and around 1,000 sqm of publicly accessible open space.

<img alt="Vinnies North Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d5dd7f87-a617-463e-b577-17541e01f0e9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.10.13%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4R8TsFN3P_LrrXO2HswTOIrx2blil8lh" />

The project is seeking a concurrent rezoning of the site to R4 High Density Residential and an increase in the maximum building height to allow a tower reaching RL120, or up to 20 storeys. The proposal was progressed through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The build-to-sell component will be weighted toward larger apartments, with just six one-bedroom apartments compared with 31 two-beds, 43 three-beds and eight four-bedroom residences.

The 19 affordable apartments will comprise two studios, 15 one-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom apartments, taking the total apartment component to 107 residences before the 58 co-living rooms are included.

<img alt="Vnnies" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7d568ca5-cb90-4e18-96c6-d9795dba0c56" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.10.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=GY2R5M9VtQh0EKy1vajaea19PSLOPuRD" />

Wardle's design for the Vinnies site has sought to negotiate that emerging high-rise context while retaining the lower-scale character of MacKenzie Street and the adjoining heritage conservation area.

The main building adopts a three-storey podium and tower arrangement, with the podium aligned to the ridgeline and front setback of St Francis Xavier Church.&nbsp;Wardle has designed the podium with colonnades, seating, recessed entries and active ground-floor frontages, with sandstone-toned precast concrete and face brick referencing the materiality of the existing church.

The tower then steps back eight metres to the south and six metres to the north before rising in a sculpted form comprising four interlocking quadrants. Wardle has also introduced rounded forms and chamfered corners to reduce the tower's perceived bulk and improve view sharing with neighbouring development sites.

Resident facilities and outdoor areas are planned at the separation between the podium and tower at Level 3, oriented toward Sydney Harbour and the CBD skyline.

The tower itself will feature a glass reinforced concrete facade, with recessed balconies and deep reveals used both to provide shading and privacy and frame views toward the harbour and city. The lower levels take a different architectural approach, using brick and sandstone-toned finishes intended to establish a stronger relationship with St Francis Xavier Church. The Church itself will be conserved and upgraded for its continued use, while the former school building will be adaptively reused as part of the co-living component.

<img alt="Lavendar Bay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2d4418ad-90aa-4d49-af93-c80b140aea80" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.09.47%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Kv4gzbsACaGvZSRuaqcfGC54jEJRXIDJ" />

&nbsp;

The proposal adds to an increasingly concentrated pipeline of residential development around Blue Street, MacKenzie Street and Lavender Bay.

Just west of the site, Central Element lodged plans earlier this year for one of the most significant residential developments proposed in Lavender Bay in recent years.

Central Element's SJB-designed scheme at 64-66 Lavender Street and 3-7 Middlemiss Street would deliver 163 apartments across two towers rising 23 and 32 storeys, replacing five existing apartment buildings containing 32 homes. The project also forms part of the Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-central-element-reveals-lavender-bay-apartment-plans?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener" target="_blank">First look: Central Element reveals Lavender Bay apartment plans</a>

Immediately around North Sy​dney Station, another two significant proposals have emerged at 5 and 15 Blue Street.

Zurich Australian Insurance Properties is seeking to adaptively reuse its longstanding commercial building at 5 Blue Street, directly above North Sydney Station, rather than demolishing the structure.

Its SSDA proposes converting the building into a 14-storey mixed-use development with 62 apartments and 86 co-living rooms, together with ground-floor retail and a major refurbishment of Blue Street Plaza. The application is currently at the Response to Submissions stage.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-zurich-targets-north-sydney-office-conversion-with-148-unit-proposal-above-metro-station">First look: Zurich targets North Sydney office conversion with 148-unit proposal above Metro station</a>

&nbsp;

First look: Vinnies files for 20-storey Lavender Bay apartment tower as North Sydney housing pocket heats up

When the opportunity arose for South Australian developer Palumbo to return to Kent Town, where it had previously delivered East Park Apartments and the East 
Rundle Apartments, it wasn't one the longstanding developer-builder was going to pass up.

The decision was quickly vindicated, with more than 30 apartments sold within the first month of launching <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/royal-apartments-kent-town-2-8-north-terrace-kent-town-sa-5067">Royal Apartments</a> to the market.

The 206-apartment development, which will bring significant new supply to Adelaide's tightly held eastern city fringe, also gives <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/palumbo">Palumbo</a> the opportunity to bring new life to one of Kent Town's most recognisable watering holes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376073]

Royal Apartments incorporates the historic Royal Hotel, a venue Palumbo Managing Director Daniel Palumbo said has a longstanding connection with the local community.

"Everyone in the area has history with the Royal Hotel," Palumbo told Apartments.com.au.

"It was quite an active pub and social gathering place for locals. We want to bring it back to its former glory."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376072]

The wider development will comprise two residential towers alongside the restored hotel, sitting on North Terrace opposite the Adelaide Park Lands.

For Palumbo, the project also marks a return to familiar territory.

The developer completed East Park Apartments next door more than a decade ago and jumped at the opportunity to develop in Kent Town again when the Royal Hotel site became available.

"The opportunity emerged, and we moved to secure the site," Palumbo said.

"We were approached by the previous landowner, who said they had extensive commitments in Sydney and weren't in a position to deliver the project.

"We took over the site and within six months recut the design scheme to be more in keeping with the type of development we want to bring to Adelaide.

"Now we're on the market and those changes have really resonated with local buyers."

That has translated into a strong start to sales, with 33 apartments transacting in the project's first 35 days.

Palumbo said the early purchaser profile had been consistent with the group's traditional focus on owner-occupiers rather than investor-led apartment stock.

"Local owner-occupiers have always been our market," he said.

"There are always some investors, but we've never developed what would be called traditional development stock. Owner-occupiers are very much our market."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376068]

The buyer mix has been diverse so far, with downsizers and younger professionals both accounting for a significant portion of early sales.

South Australia's current stamp duty settings, which allow&nbsp;eligible homeowners in South Australia aged 60 savings of up to $103,830 on stamp duty when they downsize to a new property valued at up to $2 million,&nbsp;have helped encourage downsizer activity, while younger buyers in their late 20s and early 30s have been attracted to the opportunity to live immediately outside the CBD while still being able to walk into the city.



Location has been a major part of the proposition for both buyer cohorts.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376075]

Royal Apartments sits on North Terrace directly opposite the Adelaide Park Lands, with residents able to walk through the parklands toward the East End, Rundle Street and Rundle Mall.

Apartments have been positioned to capture views across the parklands, Adelaide skyline, Botanic Gardens and Adelaide Hills.

Palumbo believes the scarcity of developable land along this section of the Park Lands makes the site particularly difficult to replicate.

"There's very few allotments on that side that can be developed," he said.

"If this location was in New York and you were sitting on Central Park, you'd be talking about a $60 million apartments."

Royal Apartments will offer a broad mix of residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to four-bedroom sub-penthouses and penthouses.

Current listings include one-bedroom apartments from $680,000, while larger three and four-bedroom residences are priced around $2.5 million.

Residents will have access to a swimming pool, gym, barbecue and recreation areas, residents' lounge and dining space, and a communal deck.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376067]

The apartments will feature generous balconies, while secure parking, bicycle storage and storage cages will also be provided.

A porte-cochère-style arrival and drop-off area has also resonated with buyers, particularly those attracted to being able to walk into the CBD during the day while retaining secure vehicle access at home.

Palumbo is acting as developer, architect and builder on Royal Apartments, continuing the vertically integrated model it has used across its South Australian portfolio.

The group was also behind the $150 million Sofitel Adelaide, the 251-room five-star hotel and residential tower which opened in 2021.

Palumbo said Royal's launch had come at an interesting time for the broader Adelaide apartment market.

Buyer confidence had initially been impacted by uncertainty surrounding the Federal Budget and broader economic conditions, but Palumbo believes sentiment is beginning to improve against a backdrop of significant investment flowing into South Australia.

He pointed to increased activity across defence and resources, including Olympic Dam, as potential long-term drivers of the state's economy and housing market.

"Money is starting to flow into Adeliade, significant amounts as Adelaide bucks the trend of the rest of the country.," Palumbo said.

"There's a lot of activity in the economy over the next decade. I think more investment will come into this market."

Early works on Royal Apartments are expected to commence this year, with major construction activity and cranes anticipated on site from early next year.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6109]

Palumbo's return to Kent Town strikes early chord with buyers

Go-to builder-developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/graya">GRAYA</a> is continuing to bulk out its already impressive and diverse apartment portfolio across South East Queensland. Their latest milestone is securing development approval for Silk, its boutique riverfront apartment development in St Lucia.

The approval clears&nbsp;the way for the team to begin construction planning for the 22-residence project.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/silk-st-lucia-16-18-sandford-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">Silk</a> will rise 15 levels from an 810 sqm site at 16-18 Sandford Street, occupying a prominent bend of the Brisbane River with a prized northern aspect across Orleigh Park toward the Brisbane CBD.

The approved scheme will comprise 16 split-floor and six full-floor residences, continuing GRAYA's move into larger-format apartment developments targeting Brisbane's prestige owner-occupier market.

The project has been designed around the site's broad river frontage and dual-direction views, with GRAYA prioritising larger residences, privacy and outlook over apartment yield.

<img alt="Silk St Lucia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aa5c2349-f96c-4914-a812-1f2cd6827af8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%208.25.44%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=WY0vEU_7vYjeRJKQHiCwFdMxu8PvFh52" />

GRAYA Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Rob Gray said the project had been shaped around local homeowners wanting to remain in St Lucia without maintaining a traditional family home.

"St Lucia is one of those suburbs people do not want to leave," Gray said.

"They know the river, the trees, UQ, the golf course, Toowong and Indooroopilly, and that familiarity is hard to replace.

"True riverfront opportunities here are exceptionally scarce. What we have designed at Silk is a way to stay in the suburb people love, with the scale and privacy of a private home and far less to maintain.

"This is not typical apartment product. It is a proper home on the river, and that is exactly what this market has been missing."

The approval comes as new apartment development continues to increase across the St Lucia and neighbouring Toowong corridor, although direct riverfront sites remain considerably more tightly held.

GRAYA Co-founder and Managing Director Andrew Gray said securing the approval had removed a significant element of development risk from Silk.

"Genuine riverfront sites of this quality in St Lucia are not something that comes up regularly," Gray said.

"The approval removes a substantial layer of execution risk, and the location underwrites demand in a way very few inner-city sites can.

"The fundamentals here are as strong as anything we have assessed in Brisbane."

<img alt="Silk St Lucia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d0f3d734-65e1-48e8-8ed3-2e0715ffcdd9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%208.25.56%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sOLSs_jdHkXLWbBKzRyayf5BfTb2vPsD" />

Silk will see GRAYA return to a stretch of the Brisbane River where it already has recent construction experience. The vertically integrated group recently completed ARC in neighbouring Toowong as builder for developer Spyre, delivering the riverfront project on a constrained site.

GRAYA will take a different role at Silk, controlling the project from design and development through construction and aftercare under its vertically integrated model.

The development will include a gym and resident leisure areas at ground level, integrated with the river's edge.

Silk joins a growing pipeline for GRAYA across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, which includes Enclave, The Gallery, Coral and Ripple.

The developer-builder has also recently lodged plans for its largest project to date, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-silo-19-chester-street-newstead-qld-4006">The Silo</a>, a proposed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/graya-buys-frasers-newstead-site-plans-the-silo-between-james-street-and-gasworks-precincts">$700 million mixed-use development</a> in Brisbane's James Street precinct.

Silk is expected to predominantly target local owner-occupiers and prestige buyers seeking a permanent riverfront home in Brisbane's inner west.

Registrations of interest are now open, with further details on the project and construction program to be released as it progresses.

<hr />
<h2>SILK PROJECT FACTS</h2>

Developer-builder: GRAYA

Project: Silk

Location: 16-18 Sandford Street, St Lucia

Apartments: 22

Built form: 15 levels

Site: 810 sqm riverfront holding

Mix: 16 split-floor and six full-floor residences

Status: Development approved

Next step: Construction planning underway

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152168]

Jennifer Duke

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