<html><body>
GUEST OBSERVER
If you’ve owned your home for a number of years, it’s likely you’ve racked up some impressive gains in home equity – that’s the difference between the property’s market value and the balance of your home loan.
This means there’s a whole stash of cash just waiting to be tapped into either through a home loan refinance or a loan top up. While it’s tempting to spend up big, treating your home as an ATM isn’t healthy. We share some smart, sensible, and downright frivolous ways to use your home equity.
Smart moves
Use equity to renovate your existing home – Quality home improvements can add to your lifestyle; save on the cost and hassle of relocating to a new home, and best of all the renovations can increase the market value of your home.
Invest in a rental property – Using your home to grow wealth? Now that’s a smart move. Tapping into equity may even mean you don’t need to save for a cash deposit.
Sensible – with strings attached
Consolidating personal debt – If you’re juggling a few credit cards, a personal loan and maybe a car loan, consolidating the lot into your home loan can streamline your finances. It means just one monthly repayment to manage, and as home loans usually have a lower rate, you’ll save on interest costs.
But – and it’s a big but – you could be turning short term debts into a long term debt and end up paying more than necessary in long term interest. Use the savings on monthly repayments to make extra home loan repayments and keep a lid on interest costs while you whittle away the loan.
ME’s 10th biannual Household Financial Comfort Report shows that more households ‘paying off or owning a home’ reported to be drawing on their home equity to ‘pay off debt’ and ‘to make ends meet’ during the first half of 2016.
Think twice 
Here today, gone tomorrow purchases – using home equity to fund a round the world vacation, a new designer wardrobe, or any purchase with no real lasting value calls for some serious soul searching. Not only will you be whittling away precious equity, you are adding the cost of long term interest to the purchases.  
The time may come when you really need that equity for must-haves rather than luxuries. So think twice and weigh up other finance options like, say, a personal loan, which will allow you to pay off big ticket purchases buys in just a few years.
Patrick Nolan is head of home loans for industry super fund-owned bank ME. You can contact Patrick <a href="https://www.mebank.com.au/personal/home-loans/home-loans/" target="_blank">here</a>. 
 
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

The good, the bad and the ugly of dipping into home equity: Patrick Nolan

<html><body>
GUEST OBSERVER
The CBD office markets of Australia are in the midst of an unusual dynamic.
Sydney and Melbourne are in full rental growth and vacancy decline mode, while the other CBDs have low or negative rental growth, and vacancy rates in the double digits.
This is the first time since records began that the office markets have diverged to such an extent, and is reflective of the wider demographic and trends being felt in each state. That is, strong migration growth and employment growth in Sydney and Melbourne, and slowing population growth in the other states. 
Sydney 
The Sydney CBD office market is transitioning and opportunistic landlords have aggressively increased rents and reduced incentives as available office space diminishes. Almost 150,000 sqm of space will be withdrawn from the market by the end of 2017, as a result of the Sydney Metro project, as well as residential conversions. Over the short term tenant demand will outweigh net supply, maintaining downward pressure on vacancy rates until 2019. 
<img src="/images/2016/08/22/Colliersofficemarket.jpg" alt="">
Adelaide 
Despite the weakness in the Adelaide leasing market, there are signs that there is a pick-up in demand over the next 12 months. Enquiry has begun to improve and we are heading into a period of several large lease expiries which may be the catalyst for tenants to move. Access Economics are also forecasting an improvement in white collar employment during the first half of 2017. Most of which is likely to be through growth in small to medium enterprise. 
Perth 
The rise in vacancy in the Perth CBD – from 16.6 per cent in June 2015 to 21.8 per cent in June 2016 – combined with soft demand, continued to put pressure on landlords to reduce rents and offer higher incentives. Despite these efforts by landlords, net absorption remains subdued. This is a reflection of depressed business confidence and white collar labour market conditions. However, greater affordability has underpinned growth in demand from CBD and suburban tenants aspiring to migrate to a CBD address. This is expected to have a positive impact on net absorption going forward. 
Canberra 
Investor appetite in the Canberra CBD has improved, with a greater mix of investors generated by a high proportion of new entrants to the market. Recent lease deals indicate a slight shift of bargaining power toward landlords as tenant choice has decreased in some areas and sub markets. An increase in leasing activity and net absorption has placed downward pressure on vacancy and we expect vacancy levels to fall from 13.0 per cent currently to 11.0 per cent by July 2017. 
Melbourne 
Unusually for Melbourne, there were no new developments completed in the rst half of 2016, which resulted in the vacancy rate tightening by 80 basis points to 7.0 per cent during this period. Tenants looking for quality assets will have limited options over the next three years, given that the new wave of CBD core supply is only expected to come through in 2019/2020. Nearly all new supply being completed over the 2nd half of 2016 is spoken for by pre-committed tenants. 
Brisbane 
It is expected that Brisbane will continue to be a tenant’s market for the foreseeable future given the volume of vacant and sublease space available. The State Government has been increasingly active taking advantage of the favourable leasing conditions. Leasing enquiry has remained soft in the CBD market however, despite the soft leasing conditions, institutional investors have been active over the last 12 months, fiercely competing for prime stock when it has been brought to market. 
This article by Anneke Thompson appeared as part of Colliers International's CBD Office Research &amp; Forecast Report H2 2016. She is the national director of Research and can be contacted <a href="https://www.colliers.com.au" target="_blank">here</a>.
 
 
</body></html>

Divergence in Australia’s CBD office markets unprecedented: Colliers

<html><body><div id="story-description">
There was definitely no risk of a national housing bubble, Alan Kohler, the Australian columnist and publisher of The Constant Investor, has suggested in his latest column.
Is there one in Sydney?
"Perhaps," he wrote in The Australian.
"Sydney just happens to be where people want to live and invest and, at the moment, there’s a lack of supply. 
"Maybe there’ll be a crash if supply catches up and interest rates rise.
"Big ifs," he suggested.
He noted the surge in Sydney’s auction clearance rate over the weekend to 86.4 per cent should lay to rest the myth that the housing market has stopped responding to lower interest rates and, secondly, that government decentralisation policies are worthwhile.
The weekend's preliminary clearance rate in Sydney was 10 percentage points higher than a year ago, and also 10 percentage points higher than the next highest result the 76 percent in Melbourne.
 
</div></body></html>

Alan Kohler says perhaps there's a Sydney housing bubble

<html><body>
A woman whose Canberra house was stolen by overseas scammers has sued the ACT government to recoup her money.
She was awarded $546,268 compensation yesterday.
"The evidence of the plaintiff in the present case was that she intended to keep the property and ultimately leave it to her children," he said in his decision.
The international fraudsters pocketed $430,000 when they sold the four-bedroom Canberra house in 2014 in a sophisticated scam spanning several months and countries, including South Africa, Australia and Indonesia.
The owner lived in South Africa at the time.  
The ACT Supreme Court has been told the thieves went to elaborate lengths to steal the MacGregor home, conning real estate agents, lawyers and a bank.
The fraudsters are yet to be caught two years after the fraud came to light after its 2014 sale. 
It was only the third time an Australian property has been sold fraudulently with two successful sales in 2011 and six attempted property frauds in Western Australia.
"I have never given instructions to anyone to sell the property on my behalf. I never had any intention of selling the property as I wanted to keep it for as long as I could and then pass it on to my children," the victim said in an affidavit obtained by Fairfax Media.
The fraud stripped the victim of any right to the property, which was legally transferred to the innocent purchaser couple.
Registered real estate purchases made in good faith are protected by the ACT Land Titles Act.
The woman is now suing the ACT government for statutory compensation, seeking damages for the property value, stamp duty and legal costs along with lost rental income.
The government disagrees that she is entitled to recover damages from the government.
"The plaintiff has a remedy against the fraudster under section 154 of the Act and must first take action against him or her before she may take action against the defendant," the government said in its submission.
Associate Judge David Mossop has reserved his decision.
The international fraudsters pocketed $430,000 when they sold the four-bedroom Canberra house in 2014 in a sophisticated scam spanning several months and countries, including South Africa, Australia and Indonesia.
The owner lived in South Africa at the time. 
The ACT Supreme Court has been told the thieves went to elaborate lengths to steal the MacGregor home, conning real estate agents, lawyers and a bank.
The fraudsters are yet to be caught two years after the fraud came to light after its 2014 sale.
"I have never given instructions to anyone to sell the property on my behalf. I never had any intention of selling the property as I wanted to keep it for as long as I could and then pass it on to my children," the victim said in an affidavit obtained by Fairfax Media.
The fraud stripped the victim of any right to the property, which was legally transferred to the innocent purchaser couple.
Registered real estate purchases made in good faith are protected by the ACT Land Titles Act.
The woman is now suing the ACT government for statutory compensation, seeking damages for the property value, stamp duty and legal costs along with lost rental income.
The government disagrees that she is entitled to recover damages from the government.
"The plaintiff has a remedy against the fraudster under section 154 of the Act and must first take action against him or her before she may take action against the defendant," the government said in its submission.
Associate Judge David Mossop has reserved his decision.
</body></html>

ACT Government ordered to pay compensation after Nigerian scam gets house

<html><body>
Seven's new food show Zumbo's Just Desserts premiered last night as the most watched entertainment show of the night.
The show has amateur dessert cooks put through their paces by pastry chefs Adriano Zumbo.
It drew a metro audience 1.081 million, beating The Block, which dipped slightly from its debut audience of 1.074 million metro viewers to 961,000 average million viewers.
Channel 10's Survivor slipped to the 14th most-watched show of the night with 734,000 metro viewers, a drop of 50,000 viewers from Sunday's premiere.
Zumbo's Just Desserts and The Block continue tonight
</body></html>

Zumbo's Just Desserts take the cake in debut ratings over The Block

<html><body>
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/64216/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
GUEST OBSERVER
Bill Shorten is continuing to press for a banking royal commission by highlighting rising bank profits and escalating consumer complaints in recent years.
Shorten said the tribunal that some government MPs – including Liberal Warren Entsch and Nationals John Williams – are urging be set up to consider grievances would not solve the problem.
The backbenchers want the tribunal to be a forum to give redress without victims facing expensive legal costs; they say it should also be able to impose fines. The government, under pressure from Shorten’s campaign for a royal commission, has indicated it will consider the proposal.
But Shorten said there was already the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), a not-for-profit, non-government organisation for dispute resolution that provides a free service for applicants.
In 2008-09 there were 19,107 new complaints to FOS; by 2014-15 this had risen to 31,895, a 60% increase. Credit card complaints rose by 145%, from 6731 in 2008-09 to 16,458 in 2014-15.
The Commonwealth Bank’s net profit went from almost A$4.8 billion in 2006 to nearly $9.2 billion in 2015. The figures of the other banks were: Westpac, about $3.9 billion in 2006 to nearly $8.3 billion in 2015; ANZ, almost $4.5 billion in 2006 to more than $7.8 billion in 2015; and NAB, from about $3.6 billion in 2008 to about $5.8 billion in 2015.
Shorten said that the tribunal that the backbenchers advocated “simply won’t cut it”. “There is already an Ombudsman in place but the number of people getting ripped off has been going up and up.
“While the banks have been getting richer, the rip-offs and rackets have been getting worse. The Coalition MPs who say they want to stop these rip-offs have a duty to stand up to Mr Turnbull and tell him anything less than a royal commission is just another cop out,” Shorten said.
Meanwhile the government on Monday morning will release its draft legislation to protect the Victorian Country Fire Authority (CFA) and similar volunteer organisations from union power. Malcolm Turnbull promised the legislation after the issue blew up dramatically before the election, with a push from the United Firefighers Union (UFU) through a new enterprise agreement.
Turnbull and Employment Minister Michaelia Cash say in a statement: “As enterprise agreements are governed by federal legislation – the Fair Work Act – we are intervening to amend the act to ensure that these agreements cannot be misused to undermine volunteer emergency services organisations”.
They say the proposed CFA agreement discriminates against volunteers and provides the union with an unwarranted amount of control over volunteer operations.
The legislation “will invalidate terms in enterprise agreements that undermine the capacity of firefighting or state emergency service bodies to properly manage their volunteer operations”.
It will also give volunteer organisations the right to make submissions to Fair Work Commission agreement approval proceedings – a right they presently do not have.
“This long-running debacle has now resulted in the resignation of the Victorian emergency services minister and the CFA CEO as well as the sacking of the CFA board, who refused to capitulate to the militant United Firefighters Union’s demands. We will not stand by and let the discriminatory and offensive terms of this agreement undermine the effective use of the CFA’s volunteer firefighters,” the statement said.
Michelle Grattan is professorial fellow, University of Canberra and author for The Conversation. She can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michelle-grattan-20316" target="_blank">here</a>.
</body></html>

Shorten says grievance tribunal would not stop bank ‘rip-offs’

<html><body><div class="article__content">
<div class="parsys parsys-article-content-top">
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
The private residential land developer Satterley has acquired another 68 hectares in Donnybrook, 50 kilometres north of Melbourne CBD for $34 million.
It will be another house and land project for the BRW rich lister Nigel Satterley, following the sale of its project, Riverstone at Plenty River in Doreen, also in Melbourne's north. 
Donnybrook will consist of about 1000 lots with a variety of residential housing products including land, house and land, and townhouses.
It will be available for sale in 2018.  
</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
"There is still good demand for housing in Melbourne and land is becoming scarce," he said.
The Donnybrook purchase is Satterley's eighth landholding in Melbourne. 
Other residential communities include: Coburg Hill, Coburg; Riverstone at Plenty River, Doreen; True North, Greenvale; Springtime at Mickleham, Mickleham; Arcadia, Officer; Upper Point Cook, Point Cook; and Habitat on Davis Creek, Tarneit. 
 
</div>
</div>
</div></body></html>

Satterley buys more at Donnybrook on Melbourne's outskirts

<html><body>
Homebuyers in the 55-plus age group looking at community title projects have clear values, preferences and attitudes that largely reflect the lifestyle they desire.
The final report from Grey Matter Research and Consulting in the United States show that boomer buyers value the first impression of a community and feeling welcome.
Amenities are also huge draws, the Inman report noted. So clubhouses, pools and walking trails, plus the essentials of proximity to restaurants, shopping, entertainment.
Proximity to medical services also ranks as an important factor, according to research conducted by Hanley Wood, a real estate media firm, and national homebuilder and developer Taylor Morrison.
The following are favored design elements and features among boomers:
<ul>
<li>Open floor plans</li>
<li>High ceilings</li>
<li>Natural light</li>
<li>Integrated indoor and outdoor space</li>
<li>Sheltered areas</li>
<li>Native plants</li>
<li>Sustainable and energy-efficient technology</li>
<li>Sufficient storage</li>
</ul>
The top three factors that influence the purchase of a home are:
<ul>
<li>Area/location (50.2 percent)</li>
<li>Price/affordability (37.4 percent)</li>
<li>The layout of the home (19 percent)</li>
</ul>
These factors also led the way for buyers building or shopping for a new home:
<ul>
<li>Quality of construction (9 percent)</li>
<li>Safer neighborhood (8.4 percent)</li>
<li>Better floor plans (8.2 percent)</li>
<li>Architecture/overall design (8.1 percent)</li>
</ul>
The top three most important rooms or areas in a home include:
<ul>
<li>Kitchen (82.8 percent)</li>
<li>Master bedroom (59.2 percent)</li>
<li>Great room (36 percent)</li>
</ul>
Baby boomers would prefer a mid-size home rather than a smaller property
The results of these studies will inform the design and development of the entirely customizable <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://form.jotform.com/60818219261152">“NEXTadventure” model home</a>, which is set to debut at the International Builders Show in Orlando, Florida, in January 2017.
</body></html>

Babyboomers seeking community when they look to downsize a little

<html><body>
Ivy Grange, one of Kew's most significant landmarks, is back up for sale.
Built in 1864 by architect Charles Vickers and constructed from bluestone, Ivy Grange operated as a successful guest house for nearly 40 years.
Original features include etched and hand-painted windows, marble fireplaces and servants' bells and cellars.
Set on 1665 sqm, the massive 41 bedroom mansion at <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.jelliscraig.com.au/property-details-3-Malmsbury-Street-Kew/241685" target="_blank">3 Malmsbury Street</a> also has grand reception rooms, a conservatory room and nursery and servants' quarters. 
A double storey tower with 360 degree views of the city skyline added to the original building in 1877.
Jellis Craig agents Mark Savant and Belinda Anderson have the listing.
It had previously been for sale in 2013, but couldn't find a buyer after 474 days on market.
</body></html>

Ivy Grange, Kew, the 41 bedroom heritage back for sale

<html><body>
The ever-popular Barwon Heads on the Bellarine Peninsula recorded the highest median house price in regional Victoria, at $835,000 – significantly higher than the metropolitan Melbourne median of $725,000.
It was typified by a <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-barwon+heads-121253138" target="_blank">five bedroom cottage that sold at $835,000</a> (below) earlier this year having been listed at $900,000 last November. It last sold at $585,000 in 2009 and in 1999 at $189,500.
<img src="/images/2016/08/23/Screen%20Shot%202016-08-23%20at%209.41.42%20AM.png" alt="">
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-barwon+heads-122147970" target="_blank">A pretty Barwon Heads weatherboard</a> (below) recently sold having been listed with $820,000 hopes.
<img src="/images/2016/08/23/Screen%20Shot%202016-08-23%20at%209.42.52%20AM.png" alt="">
With a median house price of $780,000, the Ballarat suburb of Lake Wendouree also exceeded the state’s capital.
The suburb has experienced significant price growth of more than 25 per cent over the year, according to the REIV.
High median house prices were also recorded in a number of coastal towns within commuting distance of Melbourne. 
In the 12 months to June 30, Lorne on the Great Ocean Road was also popular with buyers, recording a median house price of $750,000 – more than double the statewide median of $347,000.
Still on the Surf Coast, Anglesea and Torquay also made the list of most expensive towns in regional Victoria, with median house prices of $685,000 and $680,000 respectively. Both locations have experienced double-digit price growth in the past year. 
Nearby Jan Juc was another strong performer with a median house price of $615,000.
</body></html>

Barwon Heads tops Victoria's priciest regional towns

The long-awaited redevelopment of the former Eastlakes Shopping Centre site has reached a major milestone, with Conquest's plans for a new mixed-use precinct officially placed on public exhibition.

The State Significant Development Application would transform the 1.7-hectare site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/19a-evans-avenue-eastlakes-nsw-2018">19A Evans Avenue</a> into one of Sydney's largest urban renewal projects, delivering 736 apartments above a new shopping centre anchored by Woolworths, alongside specialty retail, dining, commercial space and new public open spaces.

The public exhibition marks the next chapter for the project after <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/conquest">Conquest</a> acquired the stalled Stage Two development from Crown Group, who completed the first stage across the road prior to their voluntary liquidation.

<img alt="First look: Conquest unveils plans for 736-home Eastlakes Shopping Centre redevelopment" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5fca22c5-d1ed-4e2c-8801-03f7df1eafc8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/eastland%20podium.png?VersionId=uomwr41nF8CmLUZRDcu3mHQechlbxucS" />

&nbsp;

Designed by DKO Architecture, the proposal comprises four residential buildings ranging from 14 to 18 storeys above a two-level retail podium. The development would deliver 736 apartments, including 74 affordable homes, 215 Build-to-Rent apartments and 521 market residences. Provision has also been made for dual-key apartments, which could increase the total number of dwellings to 877.

At ground level, the shopping centre has been designed as the suburb's new meeting place, anchored by a full-line Woolworths and complemented by a curated mix of fresh food retailers, cafés, restaurants, health services and everyday convenience shopping. Generous pedestrian links and landscaped public spaces will connect the retail precinct through to Jack Mundey Reserve, creating a more walkable and connected neighbourhood.

Conquest CEO Michael Akkawi said the redevelopment was about far more than replacing a shopping centre.

"Eastlakes has been overlooked for too long, and this is the community’s moment. We are building a shopping centre and homes, a genuine heart for the suburb, and we genuinely want locals to help shape it."

"We enrich communities through the creation of homes, places, and experiences designed for life, built to last, and owner for generations. That starts with listening, so we warmly encourage everyone with a connection to Eastlakes to view the plans and share their thoughts."

<img alt="First look: Conquest unveils plans for 736-home Eastlakes Shopping Centre redevelopment" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="22f6fb20-54fb-4bd7-8a92-48fafdd00608" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/eastland.png?VersionId=cugp7s9hrMHGJJdYzkeAkrFoQgnF4GXf" />

DKO said the design had been shaped by the site's landscape setting and surrounding open space.

"Our vision for the site embraces its unique Bidjigal identity by blending the residential living with generous landscaping and a material palette inspired by the Bidjigal locality, and celebrating the panoramic views to Botany Bay and the wetlands reserves."

"Taking cues from Country, we seek to harmonise built form with the landscape and lightly touch the earth. By reconnecting, retaining and regenerating existing ecology, and weaving in natural elements, we can deepen our connection to Country."

The landscape strategy extends across the podium and rooftops, incorporating communal gardens, children's play areas, lawns, community gardens, family gathering spaces and extensive tree planting. New landscaped links will also strengthen the connection between the precinct and Jack Mundey Reserve, while publicly accessible open spaces have been integrated throughout the development.

The proposal builds on Conquest's broader placemaking strategy for the site. Through an ongoing partnership, local artist Joe Rashbrook has been appointed Urban Art Curator, working alongside young residents to transform the project's site hoardings into a public art gallery that allows the community to engage with the redevelopment before construction is complete.

Conquest has rapidly expanded its development pipeline since acquiring the Eastlakes site, with more than $6 billion worth of mixed-use projects now in planning across Sydney, including Stanmore, Castlecrag and Waterloo.

Conquest CEO Michael Akkawi said the redevelopment was about far more than replacing a shopping centre.

Joel Robinson

First look: ‘Far more than replacing a shopping centre’ as Conquest unveils 736-home Eastlakes redevelopment

Abadeen has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for one of Mosman's largest apartment developments in recent years, seeking approval to transform the former Honeysuckle Garden and Midas site on Military Road into a 100-apartment mixed-use development.

The SSDA, lodged with investment partner Phoenix Property Investors, proposes around $230 million worth of new housing on the prominent <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/494-516-military-road-mosman-nsw-2088">494-516 Military Road</a> site.

The proposal comes as Mosman Council continues to progress its recently endorsed Masterplan, which identifies the precinct for increased housing density while maintaining the suburb's established character.

Designed by DKO Architecture, the development would comprise 100 apartments above ground-floor retail, with a rooftop wellness precinct including a gym, sauna, entertaining areas and landscaped communal spaces.

Rather than pushing to the full 12-storey height identified in Council's Masterplan, the proposal ranges between five and nine storeys, stepping down towards Hale Road. A tenth level would accommodate resident amenities rather than additional apartments.

The project has been designed to appeal to a broad range of buyers, from first home buyers and young professionals through to families and local downsizers looking to remain on the Lower North Shore.

<img alt="Mosman" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5dada03f-5b4c-43ba-ba62-2868add31440" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-27%20at%209.57.55%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=7LBy0B.Jo8_iWAFJsClcV7Q3UnXrv49r" />

Abadeen Executive Chairman Justin Brown said the apartments had been designed as genuine long-term homes rather than investor-focused stock.

"The apartments have been designed as genuine long-term homes, with efficient floorplans that maximise usable living areas, generous storage, natural light and strong connections between indoor and outdoor spaces," Brown says."

"We've focused on creating homes for a broad range of buyers, from first home buyers and growing families through to downsizers who want to remain in Mosman."

The rooftop wellness offering forms a key part of the proposal, with residents set to have access to a gym, sauna, outdoor entertaining spaces, communal dining areas, landscaped gardens and a multi-use recreation court overlooking Sydney Harbour.

<img alt="Mosman" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d37c2d6b-583a-4a0f-b7a9-9f46b893d2f4" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-27%20at%209.58.06%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=FPoa5FCm2RtzjhAh2w5FTWJbV6GHfY8D" />

DKO drew heavily on the site's natural and cultural history, undertaking a Connecting with Country process with local Aboriginal Elders to inform the architectural and landscape design.

Senior Associate Matthew Ritchard said the design sought to create a building that responded to both the site's landscape and its cultural significance.

"The architectural language of the project is a deep expression of Connecting with Country, where the materiality and colour palette serve as a bridge between the site's geological history and its future as a residential sanctuary."

The proposal also retains the site's established blue gum tree as the centrepiece of the communal landscaped gardens, while introducing activated retail fronting Military Road to strengthen the connection between Mosman and Cremorne villages.

If approved, the project would deliver 100 new homes within walking distance of shops, public transport, schools and local amenities, adding to the limited pipeline of new apartments on the Lower North Shore.

<h2>Project Snapshot</h2>

Project: Honeysuckle Garden Redevelopment

Address: 494-516 Military Road, Mosman

Developer: Abadeen and Phoenix Property Investors

Architect: DKO Architecture

Lead Architect: Matthew Ritchard

Value: $230 million

Residences: 100 apartments

Key features:

<ul>
	<li>
	Ground-floor retail
	</li>
	<li>
	Rooftop wellness precinct
	</li>
	<li>
	Gym and sauna
	</li>
	<li>
	Outdoor entertaining and BBQ areas
	</li>
	<li>
	Landscaped communal gardens
	</li>
	<li>
	Multi-use recreation court
	</li>
	<li>
	Retained mature blue gum tree
	</li>
	<li>
	Connecting with Country design process
	</li>
	<li>
	Harbour, CBD and Balmoral views from upper-level apartments
	</li>
</ul>

Abadeen Executive Chairman Justin Brown said the apartments had been designed as genuine long-term homes rather than investor-focused stock

First look: Abadeen plans 100 apartments on former Honeysuckle Garden site in Mosman

The wave of apartment proposals sweeping through Mosman shows no signs of slowing, with another major residential development lodged through the NSW Government's State Significant Development pathway.

Developer First Quadrant Properties, which recently completed Willoughby Grounds and has several projects in planning across the North Shore, has unveiled plans for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/cove-on-ourimbah-40-56-ourimbah-road-mosman-nsw-2088">Cove on Ourimbah</a>, a 63-apartment development on Ourimbah Road, adding to the growing pipeline of projects reshaping one of Sydney's most tightly held harbour suburbs.

The proposal would consolidate nine properties at 40-56 Ourimbah Road into a part eight, part nine-storey apartment building, continuing the momentum created by the NSW Government's accelerated planning pathways that have seen several significant developments emerge across Mosman over the past 12 months.

Designed by Doroch Architects, the project would deliver 63 apartments, resident wellness facilities including a gym, pool and sauna, landscaped communal spaces and basement parking, while using recessed upper levels, generous setbacks and extensive planting to reduce the perceived scale of the building.

<img alt="First look: First Quadrant Properties eyes nine-storey Mosman apartment project under State Significant pathway" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="32ee68e4-141e-4a10-8f83-48e961a5e71e" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Ourimbah%20Road%2C%20Mosman%20a.png?VersionId=CUeILFc6APlwXPc.iplElbxHvREKwjig" />

Doroch Architects said the building had been designed to reinforce Mosman's established character.

"The building's aesthetic is grounded in the existing residential character of Ourimbah Road and the broader Mosman context," the architect noted in the planning documents submitted to the NSW Government.

The design adopts a contemporary material palette of natural stone, textured concrete and brown concave metal cladding, complemented by integrated planters and deep balconies. The podium incorporates softened curved concrete forms, while increased setbacks have been provided adjacent to the heritage-listed property at 60 Ourimbah Road to create a more sympathetic transition.

The site sits around 330 metres from Mosman Town Centre, placing it within the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy area, where increased residential density is being encouraged close to shops, transport and services.

The proposal follows a string of major apartment projects lodged or declared State Significant in Mosman in recent months, including Abadeen's 100-apartment Honeysuckle Garden redevelopment on Military Road and several other developments across Awaba Street, Redan Street and Muston Street from the likes of Time &amp; Place, HELM and Prosker Property.

&nbsp;

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/time-place-to-take-on-mosman-apartment-market">Time &amp; Place to take on Mosman apartment market</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-abadeen-plans-100-apartments-on-former-honeysuckle-garden-site-in-mosman">First look: Abadeen plans 100 apartments on former Honeysuckle Garden site in Mosman</a>

&nbsp;

First look: Another major apartment proposal signals Mosman's development boom

A new State Significant Development Application (SSDA) could reshape a prominent vacant site in Gosford's CBD, with Ming Tian Real Property proposing a mixed-use precinct that combines affordable housing, retail activation and a new public plaza.

The proposal for 43-45 Beane Street and 2 Keevers Lane would deliver a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/43-45-beane-street-gosford-nsw-2250">two-building development</a> comprising a 26-storey residential tower and a five-storey affordable housing building above ground-floor commercial space. A key focus of the project is the delivery of dedicated affordable housing alongside new public domain improvements designed to transform Keevers Lane into a more active urban destination.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/tony-owen-partners">Tony Owen Partners</a>, the development would provide 130 apartments, including 20 affordable housing dwellings managed by a registered community housing provider for at least 15 years. The market housing component comprises 110 apartments across a mix of one, two and three-bedroom residences, while the affordable housing includes six one-bedroom, 13 two-bedroom and one three-bedroom apartment. The proposal also incorporates 416 sqm of ground-floor retail, three basement levels accommodating 140 car spaces, 42 bicycle spaces, communal open space and extensive landscaping.

<img alt="First look: Ming Tian Real Property plans landmark affordable housing tower for Gosford city centre" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9b858791-9060-4ee7-9178-44cb9e640a85" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Beane%20Street%20b_0.png?VersionId=_jbY0mqPEs7.jBZxozR7d6T4u85FoPmb" />

The affordable housing component has been distributed across both buildings, with four apartments located within the main tower and a dedicated five-storey building delivering a further 16 affordable homes. The project also includes 12 adaptable apartments and 24 dwellings designed to Silver Level Liveable Housing Guidelines.

The architectural design draws inspiration from Indigenous storytelling.

"The design is based on the indigenous motif of the Rainbow Serpent," Tony Owen Partners said in the Design Verification Statement.

"The Rainbow Serpent is a traditional totem of coastal eastern Australia. It represents natural forces, creation, change, and rebirth and is often associated with bodies of water. This motif can be seen in the undulation of the balconies rising on the building," Tony Owen Partners said in the Design Verification Statement.

Beyond the residential offering, the proposal seeks to revitalise the surrounding public realm, particularly Keevers Lane.

"The ground floor streetscape includes a commercial and dining precinct which will significantly improve the amenity of the area. This strategy transforms a currently inhospitable laneway into a thriving centre of urban renewal and day and night time activation to compliment the new adjoining UNC facilities," the architects said.

<img alt="First look: Ming Tian Real Property plans landmark affordable housing tower for Gosford city centre" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="36b0ca6b-af15-424c-81db-9f3049c07b0c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Beane%20Street%20podium.png?VersionId=QCAv7bCitrg3zIGZUHI2z_HR8qVfKbp1" />

The Environmental Impact Statement notes that the project aims to "improve the provision of diverse housing options within Gosford City Centre, enhancing the mixed-use precinct by delivering high quality residential development, whilst concurrently providing a diverse range of housing choices through the provision of affordable housing, which is in growing need within the Gosford City Centre."

The site occupies approximately 2,070 sqm in the Gosford city centre, around 250 metres from Gosford Railway Station and within walking distance of Gosford Hospital, Mann Street's retail precinct and the University of Newcastle's Gosford campus currently under construction. The currently vacant site previously received approval for a lower-scale residential development, with the new proposal leveraging the NSW Government's in-fill affordable housing pathway to increase density while introducing dedicated affordable housing.

First look: Rainbow Serpent inspires bold new Gosford apartment tower

Developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/bottega-property-group">Bottega House</a> has secured council approval for its first Brisbane project - a $270 million luxury residential development on an absolute riverfront site in leafy St Lucia.&nbsp;

The 15-storey project, known as <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/st-lucia-by-bottega-house-180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">St Lucia by Bottega House</a> , will occupy a prime north-facing site at 178-180 Macquarie Street, directly fronting the Brisbane River in the established inner-west suburb known for its rowing clubs, golf courses and sprawling University of Queensland campus.&nbsp;

St Lucia by Bottega House will feature a suite of amenities including dedicated wellness spaces, a mineral pool and cold plunge. The project has been positioned to attract affluent owner-occupiers seeking high-quality, house-sized apartments.&nbsp;

Bottega House has been set up by co-directors Nick Malloch, Louis Mennes and Craig Marsh.

Malloch said the project drew inspiration from its Brisbane River setting and leafy inner-west surrounds, while responding to the demands of discerning locals looking to transition from freestanding homes into apartment living.&nbsp;

"With an expansive river frontage and lush green surrounds, we knew we had to create something special that reflects the natural beauty of the location while offering residents masterfully crafted homes," said Malloch.&nbsp;

"Our intent was to complement the project's quiet, private setting by introducing residences that offer a calm retreat and sanctuary from the everyday. The result is a harmonious blend of architecture, interiors and amenity that emphasises wellbeing, comfort and beauty without excess."&nbsp;

Malloch added that project consultants had been carefully selected in alignment with Bottega House's commitment to care, quality and attention to detail. The design team includes architects <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a>, interiors practice <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and landscaping by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/urbis">Urbis</a>.&nbsp;

Three-bedroom apartments are expected to start around $5 millio. Selling agents Keenan &amp; Byrne said the pricing strategy for the project was anticipated to achieve upwards of $25,500 per square metre.&nbsp;

The project's development approval this week follows the success of Bottega House's inaugural Queensland project - a 22-storey collection of full-floor sky homes at Broadbeach on the Gold Coast which included the sale of a two-storey penthouse at a record price for a beachside residence.&nbsp;

St Lucia by Bottega House is expected to launch to market in November, with construction anticipated to be completed mid 2029.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151826]

Jonathan Chancellor

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News