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A new report released by the Victorian National Parks Association (VPN) has detailed the impact of urban development on Victoria’s coastline.
According to the "Coast is Unclear" report, authored by marine and coastal environment consultant Chris Smyth, the urbanised coast has expanded by 15% over the last 20 years and now makes up about 17% of Victoria’s total coastline. Population growth, climate change and a "development-focussed government" are all identified in the report as sources of further degradation of Victoria’s 2000 kilometre coastline.
In the report’s key findings, Smyth writes that Victoria’s narrow strips of coastal crown land are "squeezed" between the sea and developed land, and encroaching development coupled with rising sea levels are threatening protected areas. The report also found that in addition to climate change and the urbanisation and industrialisation of the coast, other threats include pressure from visitors, introduced weeds and pests such as cats and foxes, and grazing.
The report recommends that to reverse the decline in coastal nature, coastal conservation estates should be expanded, coastal nature conservation programs should receive greater resources, and ongoing comprehensive scientific monitoring programs should be implemented to assess the health of coastal environments. Other recommendations include the provision of resourcing to community education and engagement programs, funding for weed control programs, an independent review of infrastructure in and around crown reserves and a new Coastal Private Land Conservation Program to support conservation on private land bordering conservation areas.
The report cites the development of a new breakwater, boat ramp and beach road at Bastion Point, Mallacoota as a significant example of the "dash for development" approved by successive Victorian governments. In approving the development, Smyth writes in the report, the Victorian government also approved "the burial of a significant landscape, the town’s only safe swimming beach, archaeological sites and a rare surfing break beneath tonnes of concrete, asphalt and rubble."
"The Coast is Unclear" goes on to comment that the current Victorian government is "also driving fundamental changes to the way planning works" in the state, "weakening planning zones and native vegetation management, and approving contentious development proposals in the face of community opposition."
The previous Labor government, the report notes, also approved development projects such as canal development at Lonsdale Lakes, wind turbines at Cape Bridgewater, the Wonthaggi desalination plant and a coast road at Point Gellibrand, which it claims have all impacted the coast.
The full report can be found <a href="https://vnpa.org.au/admin/library/attachments/PDFs/Reports/coast_is_unclear_29-February%202014-italics%20fix-smallest.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au">jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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jrichardson-uRX5hFdKfN

Urban development threatening Victoria's coast: VNPA

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There was a lot to look at in the first room reveal of  The Block: Fans v Faves. The teams’ guest bedrooms threw weird lamps, a transformer bed, stairs that went to (almost) nowhere and a barn door at the judges and viewers. But what stood out to the team at Property Observer was each team’s differing use of art to add (or, unfortunately, subtract) from their room’s décor.
As we said in our recap of The Block’s Manhattan loft challenge, <a target="_blank" href="/news">art is everything</a>. So here are four lessons to take away from The Block’s guest rooms.
Shape up
It’s best to get this out of the way up top: <a target="_blank" href="https://prod.static9.net.au/~/media/a53c02bc256f4214baf238b870142fbc.ashx">Brad and Dale</a> had the best use of art of any team in the first room reveal, by a clear margin. Their circular abstract aerial piece by Barwon Heads artist <a target="_blank" href="https://meganweston.com.au/">Megan Weston</a> (pictured below) was a terrific choice, for many reasons. The first of which was its shape.
<img src="/images/stories/2014/02/13/block_feb_14_one.jpg" width="470" height="264" alt="block_feb_14_one">
Photo courtesy of Channel 9
It is a painful truth learned quickly in property styling that when choosing art for a home, a painting or photograph is simply more economical, both fiscally and with regards to space, than a sculpture or installation.
If you have the room or the money for an interesting, impactful sculpture in your home, like adman Nick Condon's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/1899-malvern-home-listed-by-former-adman-nick-condon/2014021067691">oversized hand sculpture</a> (pictured below), go for it. But if a wall-hanging piece is what you have to work with, don’t neglect the shape.
<img src="/images/stories/2014/02/13/malvern_0007_10.jpg.jpg" width="470" height="313" alt="malvern_0007_10.jpg">
Rooms all over Australia are filled with squares and rectangles – room corners, bricks, windows, and beds. Why add to the monotony with your art? Brad and Dale’s room was no exception to the square trend, which was particularly evident with their minimalist styling.
But the “blokes” were smart enough to choose a circular art work that softened the room without sacrificing its clean aesthetic. The circles were mimicked throughout the room with woollen throw pillows and Billy Buttons (which, while we’re at it, both added some textural intrigue), the circular bedside tables and the team’s loopy lamps.
Article continues on next page. Please click below.
 
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Colour coding (don’t do it)
While the amorphous shapes in <a target="_blank" href="https://prod.static9.net.au/~/media/25afd000675048fab00f4d0f51f7e925.ashx">Kyal and Kara</a>’s Christopher Cayetano <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theblockshop.com.au/store/single/christopher-cayetano-untitled1-ltd.-ed.-3-1000mm-x-1000mm">framed prints</a> (pictured below) were attractive, we at Property Observer cringed at the team’s clumsy colour matching.
<img src="/images/stories/2014/02/13/block_feb_14_two.jpg" width="470" height="264" alt="block_feb_14_two">
Photo courtesy of Channel 9
The dove grey of the room’s walls was a dead ringer for the art, while matching off-white and muted sea foam throw pillows picked up the prints’ accent colours to seal the deal. Unsubtle colour matching deadens the impact of artwork, reducing it to a decoration. Kyal and Kara should have just sprayed some cookie-flavoured air freshener if they wanted to push the lifeless display home angle.
<a target="_blank" href="https://prod.static9.net.au/~/media/bc1b093814fa413ba6a3407ca5f533e6.ashx">Alisa and Lysandra</a> did the same thing, matching their <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theblockshop.com.au/store/single/indigo-deer">dreary deer artwork</a> to the drapes. To their credit, at least the curtains were sheer, allowing some variation in light and texture to the matte canvas.
<img src="/images/stories/2014/02/13/block_feb_14_three.jpg" width="470" height="264" alt="block_feb_14_three">
Photo courtesy of Channel 9
<a target="_blank" href="https://images.9msn.com.au/resizer.aspx?width=545&amp;height=306&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F~%2Fmedia%2Fe2c069f030234d5c99d515fba1f9e853.ashx">Chantelle and Steve</a> were guilty of over-zealous colour matching as well, with the brown cow-hide rug, red decorative canisters and army-green books (of which there were far too many) all mimicking tones in their vintage “Melbourne” print.
<img src="/images/stories/2014/02/13/block_feb_14_four.jpg" width="470" height="264" alt="block_feb_14_four">
Photo courtesy of Channel 9
In the room reveal episode, Brad and Dale lamented that the judges hadn’t noticed that their throw pillow picked up colours in the art work. But to our mind, that’s a good thing – rather than choosing obvious violet or turquoise furnishings, they picked a single, small item to echo a secondary colour in the artwork. Erring on the side of subtlety allowed the soft furnishings to lend the room a sense of cohesion, without seeming ham-fisted. Remember, a whisper, not a shout.
Article continues on next page. Please click below.
 
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Places, please
As in all things, when positioning your artwork, try to avoid the obvious. A medium sized square print, inoffensive in both content and colour, centred over the bed? That’s exactly what Alisa and Lysandra chose to do, and the results were as boring as you might expect. The twins may have won the challenge thanks to their innovative use of space, but their use of art was wholly unremarkable. With such great variety in the textures room’s textures – the oak feature wall and door, the drapes and the exposed brick – it was a shame that the art was such a letdown.
Alisa and Lysandra’s placement of their artwork against the exposed brick wall was one of their major problems. The team described the art as a central feature of their room, with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theblockshop.com.au/blog/alisa-lysandra-were-definitely-feeling-the-pressure">Alisa saying that</a> "Without it, we couldn’t have been able to pull that room off... It was affordable and perfect for the loft feel we were going for. The rest just fell into place around it."
But to Property Observer, the artwork’s dark colour and size meant that it became an uninteresting interruption to the wall’s texture, rather than a focal point of the room. The twins would have been better off with a hanging plant in the place of the art to juxtapose with the wall’s industrial feel and tie into the room’s other organic elements.
Consider too how inhabitants and guests are going to interact with the space in your home. Take a look at the way art is displayed in the home of art collectors Sandra Powell and Andrew King (pictured below), otherwise known as the <a target="_blank" href="/news">Saatchis of street art</a>.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2014/01/22/alb]}
The position of the large black and white photograph of two women bathing over the home's staircase allows viewers to see the entire piece when standing back in the upper-level's walkway, or to view it up close while travelling along its length as they walk up or down the stairs. Though you might get an immediate impact when you walk in the door, if an art work is placed in the obvious spot over the bed-head, there are often few other perspectives from which to enjoy the work.
Article continues on next page. Please click below.
 
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Light and dark
The vintage <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theblockshop.com.au/store/single/melbourne-vintage-poster">“Melbourne” poster</a> from Printism used by Chantelle and Steve was a nice choice, even if it did veer dangerously close to kitsch in the art-deco building, and displayed as a blind felt a touch self-conscious when paired with their other transformer feature, the convertible shelf/bed. We especially appreciate the print’s scale – Chantelle and Steve were the only team to make a statement with the size of their art.
But such a large piece deserves to be featured in a space where it won’t blend in. By positioning an artwork with such warm tones, hard lines and dense detailing, it offers no relief for the eye set against the room’s exposed brick. The poster would have done better in a bright and airy space, contrasted against a light coloured wall.
Another alternative would have been to use Printism’s much brighter <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theblockshop.com.au/store/single/sydney-retro-poster">“Sydney” poster</a>, which would offer considerably more contrast against the exposed brick and open up the room. But we at Property Observer understand that when it comes to city loyalty, sometimes one’s hands are tied.
Incorporating art into your living spaces offers the opportunity to elevate a room from functional to emotional. Eschew the obvious, aim for intrigue over ornamentation, and go boldly.
jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au
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Art styles for apartment décor: Lessons from The Block

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The Western Australian Department of Commerce has announced the finalists for its 10th annual Consumer Protection Awards.
The awards ceremony, which will be held on March 21, will recognise the contributions of individuals and the media to consumer protection in Western Australia.
Anne Driscoll, the commissioner for Consumer Protection, congratulated the finalists, which were chosen from a list of 22 nominees.
"It really is an accolade to get to this stage considering the calibre of the nominations," she said. "It is a milestone as we mark ten years of the Awards. I am very much looking forward to us once again acknowledging the outstanding efforts of consumer advocates."
This year, the Consumer Protection’s Media Award has been renamed the Ruby Hutchison Media Award, recognising the first woman elected to the state’s Legislative Council.
The shortlisted finalists:
Rona Okely Award (for individuals)
<ul>
<li>Gavan Forster of the Master Builders Association, WA has been raising awareness of consumer building issues via a Q&amp;A newspaper column for more than 15 years.</li>
<li>Sandra Brown assisted consumers during her 18 years at the Citizens Advice Bureau and since retiring in 2011 has continued to give community talks about consumer and tenancy rights.</li>
</ul>
Richard (Dick) Fletcher Award (for organisations)
<ul>
<li>Advocare helps receivers of health and aged care services to know their rights and make necessary complaints.</li>
<li>Consumers' Association of WA is a non-profit, voluntary organisation which successfully campaigned for a product safety ban and the introduction of a service to tell car-buyers if there is any money owing on vehicles.</li>
<li>Consumer Credit Legal Service (WA) provides legal advice on consumer credit, banking and finance; particularly to those who are on a low income, vulnerable, disadvantaged or speak English as a second language.</li>
</ul>
Kidsafe WA Award (any contributor to advancement of injury prevention for children)
<ul>
<li>RAC bstreetsmart – a road safety initiative to reduce fatality and injury rates among young people.</li>
<li>Samantha Menezes petitioned for laws to prevent the supply of alcohol to minors without parental permission.</li>
</ul>
Media Award (for journalists and media outlets)
<ul>
<li>David Weber of ABC Radio has produced property scam and romance fraud stories.</li>
<li>Natalie Bonjolo from Today Tonight has exposed dodgy tradespeople and businesses.</li>
<li>Rashelle Predovnik at The Echo Newspaper reports on consumer affairs, including investigations into service providers and safety warnings for shoppers.</li>
</ul>
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au">jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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Property professionals among consumer protection award finalists

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The bushfires that travelled through New South Wales’s Blue Mountains in October last year went nowhere near the region’s tourism hubs. Nevertheless, in December the Blue Mountains Economic Enterprise estimated that as a result of the negative media attention around the bushfires, which contributed to a downturn in the region’s tourist visitations, the region’s economy is down by $71 million.
Donald Luscombe, the Blue Mountains Economic Enterprise chairman, said that although none of the region’s attractions were affected, tourists stayed away.
“As a result of lost tourism visitation over the first 42 days after the bushfire emergency, the total impact to economic output (revenue) for the Blue Mountains was $71.3 million,” he said.
“The data indicates a decrease in wages and salaries of up to $17 million over that 42 day period. Obviously, the flow-on impact of that in terms of consumption and expenditure is significant.  The total impact to the economy of the fires is yet to be calculated but as you can see, the impact from the tourism sector alone has had a truly significant effect.”
Tourist properties have also weathered the impact of poor media coverage. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.fntourism.com.au/buy-commercial-real-estate/business-accommodation-tourism-blackheath-nsw-41120130153">Federation Gardens Lodge</a> (pictured below) was prepared to list in October last year through First National Tourism. But according to broker Nick Brook, although the property was unaffected by the bushfires themselves, the vendors and First National Tourism decided to hold off on listing the property.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2014/02/11/blue]}
“We did all the preliminary work, including the research, and were ready to put it on the market. But because of the fires, we held off. We’ve only just listed the property this month,” he said.
The Clarendon Guesthouse in Katoomba (pictured below) sold late last year, with market sources suggesting that the hotel went for close to $2 million.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2014/02/11/kat]}
The sale was handled by Paul Kapiris and Andrew Jackson of CBRE Hotels. Although he says it is too early to draw conclusions from market values, Kapiris has noticed interest in the area recently, including from foreign investors.
“Interestingly, there’ve been a few sales in the area,” says Kapiris. “Whether it’s reflected in the values is probably unclear. But there has been a little bit of movement, particularly in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Katoomba</a>.”
Kapiris points to foreign investors and tourists as a possible source of revival for the region.
“We’ve seen a mix of local buyers seeking assets and foreign buyers, particularly those that have connections to tourism.
“The Australian dollar should have an impact – a lowering Australian dollar should help regional tourism. But how long that will take would be anyone’s guess.
“And the lowering Australian dollar and the growing Asian middle class are part of the reason that we’ve had such an increase in interest from Asian groups.”
Meanwhile, the Blue Mountains Economic Enterprise has launched a number of initiatives to strengthen the region’s economy, including a “Creative Industries cluster”. With research suggesting that creative industries provide 8% of the region’s available jobs – close to double the state average – the range of events and advocacy initiatives will seek to consolidate the area’s reputation as a creative hub.
While the holidays brought some relief to the Blue Mountains, Luscombe says that sustained interest is what the region needs.
“We saw a lift in visitation over the Christmas period, which is traditionally a peak time but the best way for Australia to assist this region continue its recovery is to visit and savour the cooler weather, glorious local food and world-class tourism attractions,” he said.
“We are absolutely open for business.”
jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au
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After bad bushfire press, the Blue Mountains works to regain its footing

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The Real Estate Institute of New South Wales (REINSW) has released a statement criticising Fair Trading NSW for its dispute resolution process.
According to the statement released, NSW Fair Trading has requested additional funding for its non-binding dispute resolution process, which the REINSW claims is a waste of taxpayers’ money.
An extract from the REINSW statement reads:
"The Minister for Fair Trading’s application for additional funding for a dispute resolution service at NSW Fair Trading is a misguided use of public money, according to the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales.
REINSW President Malcolm Gunning said additional resources should be directed toward the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT), which replaced the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal (CTTT) from 1 January 2014.
'The NSW Fair Trading service is a waste of time for all parties involved,' Mr Gunning said.
'This service will not work because there won’t be a binding resolution to disputes.
'All it is going to do is increase time. There is no compulsion, participants don’t have to take the advice and in the end most will end up at NCAT anyway.'"
In a phone interview, Gunning stated that the service would add another level of bureaucracy and time to the resolution process.
"It’s an unnecessary expense – we have a system that is well developed and works. [The service is] a gross waste of money for the tenant, the landlord, and the agent, who all spend time and their own resources trying to resolve their issues," he said.
"The agent looks to resolve the issue on the behalf of the landlord and tenant, so if the issue goes further, it means the relationship between the managing agent and the tenant or landlord has already broken down. And the managing agent is usually very experienced, and understands the landlord and tenancy act very well."
In response to REINSW’s statement, a spokesperson from Fair Trading NSW has said that its dispute resolution service helps the parties involved sidestep the cost of taking their issue to NCAT.
"Far from adding another layer of red tape, this process obviates the need for the more expensive step of lodging a claim with the Tribunal," a Fair Trading NSW spokesperson wrote via email.
"Simply, this is an additional option available to landlords, property agents and tenants to resolve a dispute and does not impede a party going directly to the Tribunal.
"Almost 60% of matters handled by Fair Trading since 1 January 2014 have resulted in the offer and acceptance of a resolution in less than 14 days."
According to Fair Trading NSW, negotiation through its dispute resolution service is generally undertaken via phone or email, unlike a tribunal hearing, which requires all parties to be physically present at a venue, saving business time and travel costs. Fair Trading NSW did not respond to questions regarding any additional funding that may be required for the service.
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au">jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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REINSW claims Fair Trading's dispute resolution service a "misguided use of public money"

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All 86 properties that were under the hammer sold at a single mega-auction at Victoria's Gippsland Lakes this weekend through John H Castran.
The properties were sold to recover funds for the collapsed Gippsland Secure Investments, which was a principal lender to Riviera Properties, the former land owners.
Around 1,400 people registered for the auction, hosted by the Metung Hotel. The most expensive sale was for a 18 hectare, 10 marina berth lot, which sold to a buying syndicate for $2.45 million. A mix of commercial lots, marina berths, cove allotments and single dwelling residential plots were sold at the auction. Included amongst them was 76 Beach Road (pictured below).
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2014/02/11/met]}
According to Metung LJ Hooker branch manager Peter Cook, the sale attracted a great deal of attention, with his team fielding enquires five weeks before the event.
"I think there were a lot of people looking for bargains. The diversity of the blocks and the prices that were advertised meant that the auction was open to everyone, from developers to small buyers," he said. There was no reserve set for any of the Metung properties auctioned on Saturday, with a reported five per cent discount on most of the properties sold with a 30 to 60 day settlement. 
Of reports that some Gippsland Lakes residents were worried that the super sale would devalue property in the area, Cook said that the majority of residents saw the benefit of the interest in the former Riviera properties.
"There are always people like that in smaller towns - there are about 1,000 people in Metung. Generally when something like this happens, you’re going to have people who are going to boo-hoo it, and there are going to be people who are going to be for it," he said of the divided sentiment.
Ian Lockwood, the branch manager of Elders Metung, agreed that the auction was good for Metung.
"It's a mixed bag, but I would say it's a great result for Metung. Some properties have sold for a higher prices than what were previously advertised by the previous agent. Other house lots, which were around 700 square metres, sold for about fair average price," he said. "I thought the commercial property, of which there was one in Metung, sold quite cheaply."
Lockwood, who was a referring agent for the auction, said roughly half of the buyers he referred were from Melbourne and half were locals. 
"The biggest value from the auction is that we've had a stream of people through our door that have seen the advertising, never heard of Metung, arrived two or three days before the auction and bought property," he said.
"The one question I keep getting is, 'Why haven't I heard of Metung before?'"
Cook notes that before the auction, marketing for the properties had been sluggish.
"Those lots were sitting empty for a long time," he said. "Initially there were only two agents handling the properties, Riviera and King and Heath, and they should have opened it to other agents to handle some of the properties."
It seems that some shareholders in the collapsed Gippsland Secure Investments agreed, with rumours that some shareholders were discussing the possibility of a class action suit in the auction tent on Saturday. Riviera Properties was the company's largest debtor before it was liquidated. Following the auction, shareholders are reportedly set to receive 80c in the dollar.
While most of the properties sold were located in <a href="/news">Metung</a>, about a quarter of the properties auctioned on Saturday were located in <a href="/news">Paynesville</a> and <a href="/news">Bairnsdale</a>. 
<a href="mailto:jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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Victoria's Gippsland Lakes mega-auction sees 100% clearance

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The Australasian section of Century 21’s global property website, century21global.com, was launched today.
Property listings in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea will now be automatically promoted in 74 countries, in 16 languages. Currency conversions will also be available on the new website, which allows international buyers to view Century 21’s full Australasian listings.
According to Century 21 Australasia chairman and owner, Charles Tarbey, the website will allow vendors to access a larger pool of buyers, though the company expects that most transactions will still occur within the property’s country.
“For example, a buyer in Europe can view properties for sale in Australia, in their local language and currency, and communicate with the relevant Century 21 agent via the site,” said Tarbey, who claims the website may give local vendors a competitive advantage over other sellers who are not promoting their properties in foreign markets.
The website will also include pages with localised content to assist foreign buyers. It has localised maps, with property listings and agent contact information.
Century21global.com also features automatic translation services, allowing buyers and agents to communicate in the buyer’s language of choice.
Upon entering the website, buyers are able to click on a continent on the interactive map, which will then list the available countries where Century 21 operates. Buyers are then taken to a page listing general demographics for the country as well as market information including foreign buyers’ legal and tax obligations. From there, a buyer can look at the properties listed in that country, using all the search engine tools available on Century 21’s local website.
The company’s Australian and New Zealand offices will receive 'global kits' this week, containing advice and advertising materials to assist them in marketing properties on the website.
jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au
 
<hr>
 
YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
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<hr>
 
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Century 21 launches global real estate portal

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Wilston, located 3 kilometres out of Brisbane’s CBD, is a small prestige suburb with a recovering market. Sandwiched between Newmarket and Windsor and bounded at the south by Enoggera Creek, the suburb has a population of 3,872 people, according to the 2011 ABS census.
Kedron Brook Road, Wilston’s main retail strip, has seen significant redevelopment in recent years, pre-empting Brisbane’s urban renewal project.  The suburb is serviced by buses, and trains at Wilston Train Station. It is also close to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s hospital.
Wilston contains a mix of new units and older “Queenslanders”. According to Andrew Wilson, senior economist at Property Monitors, the suburb's strongest growth over the last 12 months can be seen in its mid-range properties.
"The median price in Wilston is around $800,000, making it a prestige inner-city suburb. But in the top end of the market, while there's been some signs of revival, it's certainly been patchy," he said.
"The homes in the $500,000 to $600,000 band have been doing well in the last year, after some weakness from the year before."
Ray White Wilston principal Alistair Macmillan agrees that the suburb's prestige homes have seen a downturn in recent years.
“Post-GFC we have experienced a lot of prestige buyers exiting the market. This meant that home owners wanting to sell were experiencing very little interest and offers, often resulting in homes being sold well under owners expectations,” he said.
“Over this time frame we saw a lot of homes on the market with very few selling. From 2008 to 2013 we have seen very little change in the median sale price, ranging from $400,000 to $500,000. The main reason for this was the lack of prestige homes that were sold, unlike the height of the market in the early 2000's where we say the median price increase to well over $1,000,000.”
But according to Macmillan, the prestige market has been strengthening over the last year. The buyers he encounters are mostly young families with professional occupations, drawn to the suburb's schools.
“The most encouraging signs recently have been a large number of homes selling over the past 12 months in the higher price ranges showing an increase in buyer confidence in this prestigious market.
“Over the past year there have been 9 homes sold in Wilston over $1,200,000, with the most number of sales being homes from $700,000 to $800,000. This is a great sign of consumer confidence not only in real estate but Wilston in particular. Last year Ray White Wilston sold the highest priced property on a 405 square metre block, which was $2,020,000.”
However, Wilson says that he is yet to see evidence of a sustained revival of the top end of Wilston's property market. 
"There's no sign of a sustained revival of prices in the prestige market," he said.
According to Wilson, Wilston's overall market will be seeing growth in later years. 
"Wilston's revival will happen at the later stages of Brisbane's momentum, once the market is up and running. We'd have to see a strong revival in the state's economy, which is on the cards. The trend will be up - but not quite yet."
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au">jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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Suburb Spotlight: Wilston, a recovering market

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The Tenants Union of NSW has called for parents and carers to take action following a toddler's death in northwest Sydney. 
The 15 month old girl was found unconscious in her cot last Tuesday. She was brought to hospital by paramedics and later died. After initial investigations, police suggested that she became entangled in a blind cord. Hers was the second blind cord related death in a single week in Sydney. A 16 month old girl in Hornsby died on January 30 in similar circumstances.
The Tenants Union has published a post on their blog reiterating warnings they had released after an 18 month old boy died last year in a blind cord accident.
"Keep cots, beds and other furniture away from blind cords," the post reads.
"Keep cords out of reach, by winding them on a hook or clipping them to the blind. Look out especially for older cords that are looped, or knotted or otherwise joined at the tassels. In most cases these can be made less dangerous by cutting the loop or the join, and fixing new tassels on the cut ends. In some cases a blind might require a continuous loop of cord to work. These cords can be made less dangerous by keeping the loop taut through a cleat fixed to the floor or wall.
 "Cutting through cords and fixing cleats like this are alterations to the property, for which you should properly seek your landlord's consent. As minor alterations, your landlord cannot refuse consent unreasonably. And it is hard to think of any good reason for refusing consent for you to do these very simple things to make your home safer for children."
According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, at least 11 children died between 2001 and 2008 in blind cord related accidents. All new blinds are required by law to include safety warnings, and instructions on how to safely install cords to prevent accidents.
The ACCC's safety fact sheet on blind cord safety can be found <a href="https://www.productsafety.gov.au/content/item.phtml?itemId=995161&amp;nodeId=9d34104d6131a76659f644fc367e732d&amp;fn=Blind+and+curtain+cords+-+Safety+alert.PDF" target="_self">here</a>.
Landlords and property managers might also consider sending out an alert to their tenants, as well as <a target="_blank" href="/news">considering if there are any safety risks within the properties</a>.
jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au
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Two children die in one week in blind cord accidents: TUNSW calls for caution

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An application to annul the bankruptcy of Jacqueline Mulhearn, the wife of former Queensland property magnate Richard Mulhearn and co-director of the Mulhearn Group, has been dismissed.
After one unsuccessful attempt to have her bankruptcy put aside in 2012, Mulhearn again attempted to have her bankruptcy annulled. The Bank of Queensland applied to have her annulment dismissed on the grounds that it was an abuse of process, in a case that was heard simultaneously in the Federal Court.
Jacqueline Mulhearn’s husband, Richard Mulhearn, once headed the Mulhearn Group, employing around 250 staff. Their properties included a Gladstone shopping centre and the Dicey Reilly pub chain.  As a client of the Bank of Queensland, the Mulhearn Group’s debts at one stage neared $57 million.
In May 2010, five days before the Bank of Queensland appointed receivers to the Mulhearn Group, Jacqueline Mulhearn withdrew $480,000 from the group’s accounts, placing the money in her personal account. The Bank of Queensland froze Mulhearn’s assets, an order which Mulhearn unsuccessfully fought in the courts.
That year, the Bank of Queensland also appointed receivers to the assets of Richard Mulhearn, and he was bankrupted.
A warrant was issued for Richard Mulhearn’s arrest in 2011, following his alleged failure to co-operate with bankruptcy trustees, leaving the country twice without permission. Mulhearn has commented in court and to the press that the trustees were “invalidly” appointed. At the time, allegations were also raised that Mulhearn used an alias, “Derek O’Malley”, which Mulhearn denied.
Jacqueline Mulhearn also left the country in May of that year, living in New York for around 12 months before moving to Northern Ireland to obtain medical treatment.
In January 2012, Richard Mulhearn was arrested at Sydney Airport. His passports were confiscated, causing Mulhearn to miss his father’s funeral in Ireland. That year, Jacqueline Mulhearn was ordered to pay the legal costs of the receivers of the Mulhearn Group after they successfully applied to recover the money she withdrew from the group. As a result of the $24,181 payment, she was rendered bankrupt.
According to the Bank of Queensland, she was served the bankruptcy notice at her New York address and by email. But Mulhearn argued that she had left New York by that date, and no longer used that email address. As a result, she did not comply with the notice, committing an act of bankruptcy.
In October 2012, Mulhearn applied to have the bankruptcy annulled, arguing that the notice was not properly served to her. She also argued that she did not reside in Queensland, so the state’s courts had no jurisdiction to make an order against her, as a non-resident of Australia. The judge dismissed her application at that time, noting that the Mulhearns provided no verifiable details of their financial assets to the courts. He also commented that in June 2012 (around three weeks after the date of bankruptcy), Mulhearn had provided a Queensland address as her place of business, placing her under the state’s jurisdiction.
In the most recent hearing before the Federal Court, which took place late last year, Mulhearn again attempted to have her bankruptcy annulled. However, the court found that she presented no new evidence, and, by attempting to have a “second bite of the same cherry”, had committed an abuse of process.
In his concluding statements, the judge noted that Mulhearn’s application for annulment “could not have succeeded on its merits and in any event was doomed to failure as an abuse of process.”
<a href="https://mce_host/jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au </a>
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Wife of former Queensland property magnate's application for annulment of bankruptcy dismissed

The new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/yarraville-green-42-stephen-street-yarraville-vic-3013">Yarraville Green</a> development in Melbourne's inner west is showing that landscaping can be just as influential as architecture, with buyers responding strongly to the garden-first approach adopted from the outset by developer Excelon Projects and the project's design team.

Excelon appointed Six Degrees Architects and landscape architects SBLA to work collaboratively on the development, with a brief to create "a sustainable, design-led building with a focus on community."

That approach has resonated with buyers. According to Next Chapter Director Tom Hirini, who is leading the sales campaign, the landscaped communal garden has become one of the project's defining features, alongside its boutique scale and European-inspired cluster housing concept.

Local downsizers, right-sizers and established families already living in Yarraville and surrounding suburbs have accounted for the majority of purchasers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297740]

Yarraville Green will comprise 53 homes, including apartments and townhomes, arranged around the shared central garden to maximise connections to the landscaped open space. Parking has been moved underground, allowing the ground plane to be dedicated to greenery, pedestrian movement and communal spaces.

The landscape extends well beyond passive planting. Productive garden beds, a pergola, communal gathering spaces, garden sheds and a pet wash have all been integrated into the masterplan, creating spaces designed to encourage everyday interaction between residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297741]

The interiors continue Excelon's focus on craftsmanship, incorporating bespoke elements by Melbourne artisans including leadlight detailing by Adadaz, hand-turned timber hardware by Auburn Woodturning and blown-glass lighting by Ruth Allen.

Sustainability has also been embedded throughout the project, with Yarraville Green targeting an average 7-star NatHERS energy rating through passive design principles, rooftop solar servicing common areas and rainwater harvesting for landscape irrigation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297735]

Construction continues to progress at Yarraville Green, with structural works well underway and framing works approaching completion under builder Balmain &amp; Co. The project remains on track for completion in mid-2027.

Apartments at Yarraville Green are currently priced from $625,000, while townhomes start from $1.4 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=144913]

Joel Robinson

Garden-led design drives buyer demand at Yarraville Green

National diversified developer Fortis has officially launched Crest &amp; Walker, its latest Brisbane apartment development, with construction now underway on the 20-storey Newstead project.

Award-winning builder BINAH has commenced construction on the Bureau^Proberts-designed building, which will deliver a limited collection of 65 two and three-bedroom apartments on Kyabra Street.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373556]

The project marks Fortis' fourth active residential development in Brisbane, following River House, which is nearing completion, alongside projects in New Farm and Hamilton as the national developer continues to expand its South East Queensland pipeline.

Fortis General Manager – Development Queensland Dan Boman said Crest &amp; Walker reflects the developer's long-term commitment to delivering design-led residential projects in Brisbane's established inner-city suburbs.

"We're proud to be strengthening our presence in Brisbane with Crest &amp; Walker, particularly in such a sought-after lifestyle destination as Newstead," Boman said.

"Every Fortis project is shaped by its context, and we approach each one with the respect and care it deserves.

"Our focus is always on creating places that feel connected to their neighbourhood and elevate the everyday experience for residents. Newstead continues to evolve as one of Brisbane's most sought-after urban communities, and Crest &amp; Walker reflects our ambition to contribute meaningfully to that story."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373559]

Positioned between Gasworks Plaza and James Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-walker-newstead-12-kyabra-street-newstead-qld-4006">Crest &amp; Walker</a> has been designed as a boutique residential address offering privacy and generous living spaces within one of Brisbane's most established lifestyle precincts.

The building features a contemporary brick podium softened by integrated landscaping, while the upper levels are characterised by restrained architecture and enduring materiality. Interiors have been designed to maximise natural light, acoustic performance and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373583]

Residences comprise spacious two and three-bedroom floorplans, with two-bedroom apartments priced from $1.55 million and three-bedroom, half-floor residences from $3.95 million.

Residents will have access to a wellness-focused rooftop featuring a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, landscaped dining spaces and outdoor lounge areas overlooking Newstead and the Brisbane CBD.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373571]

Sales are being managed by Slaite Projects, with Fortis expecting strong demand from owner-occupiers seeking a high-quality, design-focused apartment in one of Brisbane's most tightly held inner-city suburbs.

Completion of Crest &amp; Walker is slated for late 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145922]

Fortis expands Brisbane pipeline with launch of Crest & Walker in Newstead

The enormity of delivering a true skyscraper in Australia's new development market is often overlooked.

It has taken the best part of a decade since plans for Chevron One were first unveiled, but the 41-storey tower is now complete, with residents collecting their keys and moving into what has become one of the Gold Coast's most recognisable new landmarks.

Rising 127 metres above Chevron Island, Chevron One stands almost twice as high as any other building on the island. Its scale places it alongside the trio of towers at Jewel, arguably the last truly significant addition to the central Gold Coast skyline when they were completed around six years ago.

While there are several developments underway around a similar height to Chevron One, they are more concentrated within clusters of the highest towers in the city. The fact Chevron One sits within a developing precinct, looking back at the other high-rise developments in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, makes it a different proposition altogether. It will certainly become a reference point on the Gold Coast skyline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68833]

Developer Bensons Property Group is behind the 41-storey tower, which has 229 apartments, along with an exhaustive list of resident amenity spread across what is the largest development site ever assembled on Chevron Island.

The tower has been the talk of the town for years, says Ray White Projects Gold Coast agent Caitlin Rosenboom, who is selling the remaining apartments.

"People have been watching Chevron One go up for years," Rosenboom says, adding that many prospective buyers have been surprised by the scale of the views once they step inside.

"It's only when they walk through a completed apartment that they truly understand the position of the building," Rosenboom says.

"The views are jaw-dropping. Whether you're looking east over the ocean, across Surfers Paradise, along the river systems or out to the hinterland, every level offers something different but equally impressive."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=360215]

One of Chevron One's defining advantages is its location on the eastern side of Chevron Island on Stanhill Drive, a position which protects the views forever.

"There's only one row of houses between Chevron One and the water, and the height restrictions along the river means views from Chevron One can never be built out,"&nbsp;Rosenboom says.

While new apartment developments continue to emerge across the Gold Coast, Rosenboom says opportunities to secure a completed apartment with this level of outlook are becoming increasingly rare.

"The size of the site is something that would be incredibly difficult to replicate today," she says.

"That's allowed Chevron One to deliver the sort of amenity, open space and resident facilities that very few projects can offer. There are not many completed apartment buildings on the Gold Coast right now that can compete with the combination of scale, quality and amenity."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68839]

There's around 2,000 sqm of amenity solely for the use of residents of Chevron One. Club One features a uniquely shaped swimming pool that mirrors the footprint of the building itself, set within a extensively landscaped gardens. There's also an indoor pool and spa, a fully equipped gym with a Pilates room, a yoga garden, a bookable private dining area and lounge that can host up to 30 people, and a 24-hour concierge service.

As for the buyers, Rosenboom is fielding enquiry from everywhere: Sydneysiders and Melburnians looking at the new and off-the-plan market following the changes in the Federal Budget, as well as those looking to relocate, through to South East Queenslanders seeking either a permanent home or a weekender bolthole.

"The Gold Coast lifestyle continues to resonate with people relocating from the southern states, and when they see the views and the quality of what's been delivered at Chevron One, it becomes very easy for them to understand the appeal," Rosenboom says.

A diverse mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments remain available, with each offering "something a little different", be it the orientation and views, configuration, or level, to suit a wide variety of buyers.

The remaining apartments are ready to inspect in person, by appointment.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6515]

A decade in the making: Residents to move into Chevron One as construction wraps up

A general rule of thumb in new apartment developments is that the penthouses get the rooftop.

It's a formula that's become commonplace across Australia's apartment market. Residents might have access to a pool, gym or barbecue facilities on a dedicated lower level, but the most desirable outdoor spaces are typically reserved for the highest-priced homes at the top of the building.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Property Group</a> has taken the opposite approach.

Rather than dedicating the rooftop to a handful of buyers, the Gold Coast developer has made it the centrepiece of its Flourish collection, creating expansive shared spaces from the best vantage point in the building.

The philosophy has reached its most ambitious expression at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a> in Palm Beach, where two rooftop precincts connected by a skybridge will deliver one of the most extensive lifestyle offerings seen in a residential apartment project on the Gold Coast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374053]

"We're seeing a clear move toward developments that offer more than just an apartment," Sherpa Group founder Christie Leet said.

"People want spaces that support how they actually live, whether that's working from home, staying active, or spending time with family and friends.

"That's where amenity becomes critical. It's not just about what's included, but how those spaces are designed to be used every day."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374052]

The breadth of amenity has already attracted buyers across multiple demographics. Younger first home buyers have been drawn to Soleira's one-bedroom apartments, a product rarely delivered in Palm Beach, while families have responded to practical inclusions such as the shallow children's pool adjoining the main lap pool and the extensive communal recreation areas.

Instead of a single rooftop, Soleira delivers two distinct lifestyle zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

The southern rooftop has been dedicated to wellness, featuring a gym, yoga and Pilates studio, work-from-home facilities, a wellness centre, spa, and hot and cold plunge pools.

The northern rooftop focuses on recreation and entertaining, incorporating a heated resort-style pool, private dining rooms, pizza ovens, barbecues, a golf simulator, children's recreation areas, and what is expected to be the Gold Coast's first rooftop basketball court, which will also double as a squash court.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374054]

Beyond the rooftops, Soleira will introduce 1,500 sqm of curated retail beneath the towers, creating one of Palm Beach's first genuinely mixed-use lifestyle precincts where cafés, restaurants and convenience retail become part of residents' everyday lives.

Sherpa has also retained management rights across the development, allowing it to oversee the long-term operation of the building through a 24-hour concierge model. The developer is also exploring additional revenue streams within the precinct aimed at helping offset ongoing body corporate costs for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370962]

While Soleira is the largest project Sherpa has delivered, the rooftop-first philosophy has been evolving for several years.

It began with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>, the first project released under the Flourish brand. Rather than competing at the ultra-luxury end of the market with oversized half-floor and full-floor residences, Sherpa focused on creating lifestyle-driven apartments supported by resort-style shared spaces.

Amargo introduced more than 800 sqm of rooftop amenity, combining wellness facilities, heated pools, entertaining areas, cabanas, pizza ovens and private dining spaces into what was designed as an extension of residents' homes rather than a facility used only occasionally.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146527 project_image_fid=366550]

That approach continued with Flourish Oasis, where the same amenity-led philosophy was refined into a more boutique development. Strong demand from Sherpa's growing VIP database saw much of the project sold before it reached the broader market, reinforcing buyer appetite for apartment communities centred around shared lifestyle experiences.

Flourish Amargo is slated for completion mid-way-through next year, with Oasis to be delivered by late 2027. Flourish Soleira is expected to complete in 2030.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

Sherpa takes amenity to the sky as Flourish Soleira captures booming Palm Beach demand

As apartment living continues to evolve across Sydney's growth corridors, the quality and distribution of shared spaces is increasingly shaping how residents experience home. Rather than functioning as add-ons, amenities are being embedded into the daily rhythm of a building, supporting everything from quiet retreat to social interaction, often within a single vertical community.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aeris-melrose-park-nursery-street-melrose-park-nsw-2114">Aeris</a> in Melrose Park, this approach is resolved through a layered amenity offering that unfolds from ground level through to its upper podium. Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sekisui-house-australia">Sekisui House Australia</a> in partnership with Hankyu Hanshin Properties, the project introduces 468 apartments across two towers and a mid-rise building, positioned at the highest point of the broader masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=359199]

The amenity experience begins at street level, where two courtyards sit within a landscaped setting that connects residents to the wider network of parks and green spaces. These green spaces are not isolated pockets but part of a wider pedestrian network that links Aeris to the surrounding <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Park</a> precinct, including Central Park, future schools, and the Town Centre opening in July 2026. The result is a transition that moves from public to private without abrupt boundaries, allowing residents to pass through shaded, tree-lined environments before reaching the building itself.

Moving upward, the focus shifts to the level five podium, where the primary communal facilities are concentrated. This space brings together a 16-metre swimming pool, outdoor seating areas, and a communal BBQ zone arranged to take advantage of elevated outlooks. Seating is positioned beneath pergolas, creating pockets of shade that extend the usability of the space throughout the day. The pool edge aligns with views toward the wider district, reinforcing the sense of elevation that defines the project’s positioning.

In the adjacent building, this is complemented by quieter, more contemplative spaces, including an outdoor cinema set within the same level. Positioned to operate primarily in the evening, it introduces a different tempo to the shared environment, shifting from daytime activity to after-hours use without requiring separate zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360299]

The podium also accommodates an intimate private resident gym. Located on the lower levels, it gives residents convenient access to fitness facilities without leaving the building.

Above, the elevated podium sky deck extends the amenity offering, providing additional open-air spaces with elevated outlooks across the surrounding landscape. While more restrained in program, this upper level reinforces the project’s vertical progression, from ground-level greenery to elevated outlook, allowing residents to move between distinct spatial conditions within a single address.

This distribution of amenities reflects a deliberate response to how residents use space across the day. Sekisui House Australia Sales and Marketing Director Peter Kalaf points to the role these shared areas play in shaping buyer demand. Aeris has been conceived as more than a collection of apartments, with the podium pool, gym and outdoor cinema forming part of a broader lifestyle offering that extends the home beyond each individual residence.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360300]

What distinguishes Aeris is not the inclusion of these elements individually, but how they are arranged in relation to one another. Active, social, and passive spaces are layered vertically rather than separated, allowing residents to choose between them without leaving the building or moving far from their apartment. This proximity supports both routine use, such as a morning swim or evening workout, and more occasional gatherings, whether around the BBQ area or within the cinema setting.

The amenity design also sits within a broader framework of connectivity across Melrose Park. The Melrose Park Town Centre, anchored by Coles and Dan Murphys, features a mix of retail, dining, health and lifestyle offerings, bringing everyday convenience closer to residents. By the end of the year, more than five hectares of parks and open space, equivalent to around seven football fields of green space on residents' doorstep, will further enhance the precinct, allowing the internal facilities at Aeris to operate as an extension of the wider neighbourhood rather than a substitute for it.

Construction at Aeris continues to gather momentum, with ground floor slabs expected to be completed in late 2026 before the first sections of the buildings begin to rise above ground.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=426]

Jessie Richardson

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