The draft National Construction Code provisions on energy efficient residential buildings was an important step towards more healthy and comfortable homes for Australian families.

Minimum energy efficiency standards for housing haven’t shifted substantially for over a decade, Professor Ken Maher from the The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) noted this week.

Maher was welcoming the release by the Australian Building Codes Board of the NCC public consultation draft as an important step change towards more healthy and comfortable homes for Australian families.

“Australia’s homeowners and tenants need certainty that they are gaining the health, comfort, efficiency and environmental benefits that they could reasonably expect.”

 “Low energy homes can provide great outcomes in terms of reducing energy bills and emissions, whilst also delivering much more,” added Professor Tony Arnel, chair of ASBEC’s Building Quality Taskforce. 

“More energy efficient buildings offer more resilience to extreme weather, better comfort and reduce stress on the electricity grid.”

“At a time when bill savings and consumer empowerment are more important than ever, we welcome the Australian Building Codes Board’s actions to facilitate improved home energy for NCC 2022,” Professor Arnel said. 

The research in ASBEC’s publication, Built to Perform, shows that delaying cost-effective changes to the Code by just three years (for example, implementing changes in the 2025 Code instead of 2022) could cost $2 billion in household energy bills between now and 2030. 

The delay would also lock in 9 million tonnes of emissions to 2030 and 22 million tonnes to 2050.

“If we are serious about reducing emissions, saving money and increasing resilience of our buildings, we need to continue the momentum towards stronger energy performance – and this 2022 step change for residential buildings is an important part of the process,” said ASBEC’s interim executive director, Alison Scotland.

“Buildings offer one of the most cost-effective, jobs-rich opportunities for energy savings and emissions abatement, with broader benefits that we can’t afford to ignore.” said Prof Maher. 

“The Government’s commitment to energy productivity for households is the right priority right now and there is a big opportunity to do much more in coming years.”

More energy efficient houses provide a win-win-win opportunity said ASBEC’s president, Professor Ken Maher

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Energy efficiency standards for housing need to shift: ASBEC

Landmark Group has paid Landcom more than $135 million for a 1.8-hectare high-density site at Lachlan&#39;s Line at Macquarie Park.

The inner north-west site was likely t have up to 950 units across six to nine buildings over the next decade.

The sale by Landcom, the NSW government&#39;s land and property development organisation, was cnfirmed by Landcom&#39;s executive general manager projects, Tasha Burrell.

It was one of the largest high-density land sites sold in Sydney in the past two years.

The site, at 2-5 Halifax Street in the Lachlan&rsquo;s Line precinct at Macquarie Park, was purchased by Landmark Group in a deal facilitated by Knight Frank.

&quot;Landmark Group has demonstrated its capacity to deliver quality outcomes and we are confident they will deliver on the vision for Lachlan&#39;s Line,&quot; Ms Burrell said.

&quot;With the completion of the major infrastructure that now supports the area, and the sale of stages two and three, Landcom will consider the sale of stage four, which is 17,918sq m and will support 826 dwellings.&quot;

Frasers Property Australia was the first to buy at Lachlan&#39;s Line in 2013, then in late 2014, Greenland Australia secured a 1.2-hectare, mixed-use site.

It has so far developed 584 apartments, eight townhouses and 4500sq m of retail, including a Coles supermarket.

Landmark&#39;s site is zoned R4 High Density in accordance with the Ryde Local Environment Plan, with a total allowable gross floor area of 82,212sqm with buildings heights of between 33 and 99 metres.

Head of development at Landmark Group, Joseph Scuderi said they were attracted to the site because we see it as a &quot;fantastic opportunity to be able to provide the market with a high-quality residential product, at an affordable price point, in an area that will require greater supply.&quot;

&ldquo;Landmark Group will be able to leverage off the many improvements to the Lachlan&rsquo;s Line precinct already delivered by Landcom, including all lead infrastructure and services, high-quality public domain spaces, completed regional road infrastructure and the Lachlan&rsquo;s Line &lsquo;helix&rsquo; pedestrian and cycle bridge,&rdquo; Mr Scuderi said.

&ldquo;The precinct will become a vibrant community close to the city, providing jobs and sought-after amenities.

&ldquo;Macquarie Park is one of the most accessible and sought-after residential development locations in Sydney, being close to major amenities and we are proud to be involved in this project.&rdquo;

Landcom's executive general manager projects, Tasha Burrell, said it was one of the largest high-density land sites sold in the city in the past two years

Landmark Group spends $135 million for Lachlan's Line, Macquarie Park apartment site

Australia faces a social housing timebomb, with a looming shortfall of almost 200,000 homes by 2031 unless the Federal Government begins investing now.

A report released today by Compass Housing Services finds state governments have limited capacity to house the people on their respective waiting lists and no capacity to cater for future demand.

Report lead-author Professor David Adamson said despite good intentions the states had lost control of the issue and the problem was now too big for them to handle with 196,000 new social housing units needed by 2031.

“There are approximately 169,000 households on social housing waiting lists across Australia and under the current system most of them will never be allocated a property,” he said.

“Over the next decade the states and territories are planning to build just 66,000 social housing properties. Even if they hit their targets, they will have undershot the existing level of demand by 60%, or more than 100,000 homes.

“If you include the additional demand from population growth over the period in question the shortfall increases to more than 196,000 homes.”

Report co-author Martin Kennedy said the problems facing the social housing system were part of a broader housing crisis that had been building for 30 years.

“Home ownership rates have collapsed, the share of renters in housing stress is increasing and social housing waiting lists are out of control,” he said. “The Commonwealth insists social housing is a state responsibility, but that arrangement isn’t working.”

“If we keep expecting the states to fix a problem that is clearly beyond them, an increasing proportion of the population will experience socially damaging levels of inequality and financial hardship.

Everybody’s Home national spokesperson, Kate Colvin, said federal intervention was urgent.

“The federal-state blame game is arid and gets us nowhere. A ballooning number of Australians on low and middle incomes simply cannot compete for housing in the booming private sales and rental market.

“We need a breakthrough in co-operation quickly, otherwise Australia will confront a social catastrophe. State governments simply do not have the fiscal firepower to build enough social housing. Unless the Federal Government steps up, homelessness services and other health and welfare services will be overwhelmed.

The report calls on the Commonwealth to take the lead on a national partnership between all levels of government, community housing organisations, and the private sector.

"We have used a target rate of 6 per cent of dwellings as social housing. 

"This relates to the OECD average of 5.7 per cent but compares unfavourably with other OECD nations."

For example, the UK has a 17.5 per cent share, the Netherlands 32 per cent , Denmark 20 per cent and France 17 per cent.

It advised caution should be exercised with  international comparisons due to different cultural expectations, historical development of housing  policy and different definitions and data categories. 

The report calls on the Commonwealth to take the lead on a national partnership between all levels of government, community housing organisations, and the private sector

Federal Government needs to be investing in social housing: Compass Housing Services 

A Mont Albert North townhouse topped Melbourne&#39;s weekend online results selling at $1,324,500.

The price guide had been $1,100,000 to $1,210,000 by its McGrath listing agents.

The 2/37 Boondara Rd town residence came with four bedrooms and three bathrooms.

There was a double auto garage.

Melbourne apartment vendors secured an 22 percent success rate at weekend auction given a high withdrawal rate.

According to CoreLogic, there was an $626,000 median price for its apartments/townhouses.

There were 196 results, with some 112 results yet to be advised.

Melbourne houses saw a 38 percent success rate.

Nationally units had a 45 percent preliminary success rate, with an $852,500 median price, while houses had a 58 percent success rate an a $1.14m median.

It was set in the Koonung Secondary College zone

Mont Albert North townhouse tops Melbourne's weekend online results

A $2.895m apartment sale in Sydney&#39;s Birchgrove topped weekend auction results.

The three bedroom, two bathroom apartment sold through BresicWhitney.

The 17/26 Grove St offering was listed for online auction.

The 1970s apartment last sold in 2017 at $2.3m.

The 190 sqm apartment, with north-facing water views, came with a tandem-car garage and a single garage.

It also came with a fireplace.

Sydney apartment vendors secured an 80 percent success rate at weekend auction.

According to CoreLogic, there was an $1,180,000 median price for Sydney apartments/townhouses.

There were 397 national results, with some 160 results yet to be advised.

Houses saw a 58 percent success rate, and units had a 45 percent preliminary success rate, with an $852,500 median price.

The Birchgrove apartment sale topped weekend results

Birchgrove $2.895m apartment sale tops weekend results

A three bedroom, three bathroom Brisbane riverfront apartment was sold last week for $5 million through Adcock Prestige.

The 4/91 Moray St, New Farm sale was in Pietra, a Tom Dooley Developments building completed in 2011.

It first sold at $3.5m in 2010 to a family member.

It has city views and bridge views. It features a balcony with BBQ, back patio, and two-car carpark, plus storage.

Pietra comprises seven whole floor residences and one two-level riverhouse.

Tom Dooley Developments targeted the site because it enjoys outstanding views of the city and Story Bridge, which are spectacular at night.

It has been a rental over recent years at around $2300 a week.

The Pietra sale was the highest apartment in Queensland last week

Tom Dooley Developments' Pietra New Farm $5m luxury apartment resale

The billionaire Harry Triguboff expects apartment prices in Sydney to rise given the looming lack of supply.

Triguboff, the founder of Meriton, says he is building fewer apartments.

It has dropped to less than 30,000 apartments in Sydney for the first time in years.

“We developed almost 43,000 units only a few years ago,” he told The Australian.

“That is a 30 per cent drop … which is a concern as apartments provide more than two-thirds of Sydney’s housing supply.”

He believes less apartments will be built as developers are intent on finishing existing projects.

Big apartment projects are getting more expensive with more risks so fewer are being started. 

“This means that prices must go up.”

Forced to shut down multiple construction sites across Sydney, Meriton is focusing more on Queensland, the Sydney-based Mr Triguboff said in an interview in July.

Triguboff has been buying more land on Queensland’s Gold Coast and Brisbane to build some 2000-3000 more apartments.

Meriton is finishing the 700-unit Ocean apartment tower in Surfers Paradise and building a second tower on another site.

Billionaire Harry Triguboff expects apartment prices in Sydney to rise

ANZ has updated its property price forecasts in response to the market’s resilience in the face of extended lockdowns.

"We’ve bumped up our 2021 house price forecasts," Felicity Emmett, its senior economist advised, joining the other major banks in predicting big jumps in house prices by the end of the year.

"Since March we’ve been forecasting house price gains of between 15-20% across the capital cities, but recent performance has been stronger than we expected. 

"We now forecast average capital city housing prices to rise just over 20% in 2021 and 7% in 2022."

 "The rise in Delta COVID cases and extended lockdowns don’t seem to have impacted the market significantly, but they have increased the uncertainty about the outlook," Emmett said.

The report advised housing affordability has deteriorated across all metrics and all states, as buying or renting a home had become less affordable.

Housing construction activity is rebounding sharply, and there is still a substantial amount of work in the pipeline, but the impact of the federal HomeBuilder program is now unwinding, and approvals are falling rapidly, it noted.

"Houses have been the main beneficiary of the strength. 

"Very low interest rates and continued fiscal support for home buyers should underpin housing demand going forward, although slow population growth will be a headwind.
• While building approvals have turned down, there is still a significant amount of construction activity in the pipeline. 

"Reduced capacity on building sites in NSW and Victoria given social distancing requirements may push some activity from 2021 into 2022. 

"Once that pipeline dries up, construction activity looks set to decline, although ongoing low mortgage rates and a rise in apartment approvals should cushion the fall," it suggested.

Housing construction activity is rebounding sharply, and there is still a substantial amount of work in the pipeline, but the impact of the federal HomeBuilder program is now unwinding, and approvals are falling rapidly. A large pipeline of activity will underpin strong growth in housing construction through to mid-2022, before activity brought forward by government incentives dries up.

Credit growth is accelerating, and this is likely to keep the regulators on alert. We expect the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) to step in with macroprudential controls, although heightened uncertainty around the impact of the third wave of COVID and associated shutdowns may delay implementation until 2022.

ANZ now forecast average capital city housing prices to rise just over 20% in 2021 and 7% in 2022

Heightened uncertainty around third wave of COVID, but prices tipped to rise: ANZ

A Collingwood develpment site has been listed by Gray Johnson in conjunction with Nelson Alexander Commercial.

ffers fr the development opportunity in Collingwood close September 21.
 
Located at 73-77 Sackville Street the property has thirty metres of frontage to Sackville Street.

The 916 sqm site is being marketed as a "strategically located property" judged to have significant residential development potential.

Positioned between Wellington and Gold Streets the site is only minutes away from Smith Street judged in a recent international survey as “the coolest retail and entertainment street in the world.” 

It is a single level clear span office warehouse tenanted by Easy Living Hire which pays a current annual rental of $122, 003 net, plus outgoings. 

The tenant holds a three year lease until May 2024 with one further three year option, with three percent fived annual rental increases. 

However, the lease includes a demolition clause should the purchaser seek to create a development on the site.

Gray Johnson director Matt Hoath says that under the City of Yarra Planning Scheme the property is zoned Commercial 1.

The 73-77 Sackville Street site is in an area which has seen multiple high profile new developments over recent years including the BPM project at 4-6 Gold Street.

“The offer of this property deserves the attention of builders and developers even land bankers given the lease tenancy with its demolition clause."



The site currently is a tenanted single level clear span office warehouse

Collingwood apartment development site listed with $6.5m expectations

The NSW government will permit investors to inspect property in person during lockdown.

The state government amended the wording of the public health orders on Wednesday.

The orders previously stated a person could only leave home to inspect a potential new place of residence for that person.

Most agents had been limiting one-on-one inspections to owner-occupiers and limiting investors to virtual inspections based on the previous orders. 

But legal interpretations - and even state government health department interpretations - of the prior orders had seen them as permitting investor inspections.

Investors must comply with pandemic safety rules along with any bans on movement between lgas and the city and regions to look at properties.

The NSW government will permit investors to inspect property in person during lockdown

NSW investors allowed to inspect property in person during lockdown

For most new apartment buildings, the Owners Corporation starts life with little more than a bank account and the first quarterly strata levies.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/9-gay-street-castle-hill-9-gay-street-castle-hill-nsw-2154">9 Gay Street</a> in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/castle-hill-nsw-2154">Castle Hill</a>, it starts with around $7 million in reserve.

It's an unusual legacy of what was once one of Sydney's highest-profile apartment remediation projects. When the development, originally known as Skyview and built by disgraced developer Top Place, came under scrutiny by then NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler, an $11 million remediation bond was negotiated to ensure any building defects could be fully rectified.

The building underwent an 18-month remediation program, during which around $4 million of that bond was spent bringing the building up to the standard it should have been in from the outset.

After extensive inspections, all active rectification orders have been lifted. What's more, around $7.2 million remains secured for the Owners Corporation for the next 15 years.

In a twist few would have predicted, what began as a significant concern for purchasers has left the building with something almost unheard of in the apartment market: a multi-million-dollar financial reserve from day one.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359136]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a> Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said the structure offers buyers a level of certainty that is difficult to replicate.

"The $11 million bond established for the Skyview Castle Hill development represents exceptional value, providing genuine financial security for purchasers," Huxley said.

"Unlike a standard insurance policy, this bond consists of real funds held in trust for the Owners Corporation, offering a tangible layer of protection and added peace of mind."

The apartments themselves have been designed with a focus on practical, contemporary living. Interiors feature Smeg appliances, stone benchtops, tiled living areas, carpeted bedrooms, 2.7-metre ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glazing, and ducted heating and cooling throughout.

Residents also have access to a range of shared amenities, including two rooftop barbecue areas, a swimming pool, children's playgrounds, secure building access, storage cages, and visitor parking.

The location continues to be one of the project's strongest drawcards. Castle Hill Metro Station sits virtually on the doorstep, providing direct connections across Sydney's expanding Metro network, while Castle Towers offers extensive retail, dining, entertainment, and service amenities within walking distance.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359127]

The building, now named after its location at 9 Gay Street, comprises a diverse mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments starting from just under $600,000.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett said demand in the Hills District continues to be driven by buyers seeking convenience and connectivity.

"Interest from both owner-occupiers and investors in Castle Hill remains exceptionally strong, with buyers consistently prioritising developments in close proximity to the Metro station and Castle Towers Shopping Centre," Hamblett said.

"There is a clear trend in the market, with purchasers seeking convenient access to transport and lifestyle amenities that support a seamless, low-maintenance way of living."

On top of the long-term protection afforded by the remaining $7.2 million bond, Equitifund is offering a limited-time stamp duty rebate on selected apartments.

Eligible purchasers can also secure finance options, including a 3.99 per cent two-year variable rate, loan-to-value ratios of up to 90 per cent, and interest-only lending options through EquitiCredit.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=147685]

Joel Robinson

Why this Castle Hill apartment building starts with a $7 million advantage

For much of the past few years, conversations about Australia's property market have centred on the rapid growth seen in Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Perth. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3004">Melbourne</a> has followed a different trajectory.

That relative underperformance is now encouraging some buyers to reassess the city, particularly those willing to look beyond short-term market movements and focus on quality property in established locations, along with the long-term growth prospects of a city expected to overtake Sydney as Australia’s most populous.

John Bekiaris, Research &amp; Market Insights at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Projects by Equitifund</a>, said Melbourne's current position is attracting increasingly sophisticated purchasers.

"Melbourne continues to present one of Australia's strongest long-term investment stories," Bekiaris says.

"While other capital cities have experienced stronger recent growth, that relative underperformance is exactly what's attracting sophisticated counter-cyclical investors."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363268]

Equitifund isn't just commenting on Melbourne's property market, it's investing in it.

The Sydney-headquartered capital partner has taken over the remaining apartments at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/victoriana-melbourne-20-queens-road-melbourne-vic-3004">Victoriana</a>, the recently completed glass-encased development opposite Albert Park Lake in Melbourne's tightly held St Kilda Road precinct.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and built by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hickory">Hickory</a>, Victoriana places residents between one of Melbourne's most recognised parklands and the CBD, offering oversized two and three-bedroom apartments aimed at owner-occupiers seeking a genuine alternative to a traditional family home.

The development comprises 232 completed residences alongside a suite of resident amenities, including a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, landscaped entertaining areas, resident lounges, EV charging, secure basement parking and a concierge-style arrival experience.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363229]

The apartments have been designed with owner-occupiers firmly in mind.&nbsp;Open-plan living and dining areas flow onto generous balconies framing views across Albert Park Lake, Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Melbourne skyline.

Kitchens feature Gaggenau appliances, stone benchtops and generous preparation space. Bedrooms include built-in robes, while bathrooms feature full-height textured tiling. Hardwood flooring and ducted air conditioning complete residences designed for long-term living.

Rothelowman's architecture takes its cues from the landscape opposite the site. Sweeping horizontal glazing references the movement of Albert Park Lake, while generous balconies and expansive glazing strengthen the connection between the apartments and the surrounding parklands. The result is a building designed to deliver the scale and amenity expected of luxury apartment living, while offering the larger floorplans increasingly sought by owner-occupiers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363284]

The location is one of Victoriana's defining characteristics. Positioned on Queens Road, residents are directly opposite Albert Park Lake and within easy reach of Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens, South Melbourne, St Kilda Road and the CBD. With few comparable development opportunities remaining in the precinct, buyers are increasingly placing value on outlooks that are unlikely to be interrupted by future construction.

Greg Huxley, Founder of Equitifund, believes those qualities become even more valuable over time.

"Premium real estate has always rewarded buyers who take a long-term view," Huxley said.

"Victoriana represents the kind of asset that's increasingly difficult to recreate today, particularly in an established location like Queens Road."

He said rising construction costs are also changing the way buyers assess completed developments.

"When you combine an irreplaceable location with thoughtful architecture and premium finishes, you create something that becomes increasingly difficult to reproduce as construction costs continue to rise."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363228]

According to National Sales Director Ben Hamblett, enquiry has been driven largely by Melbourne downsizers and buyers upgrading from smaller apartments.

"Interest in Victoriana continues to build, with strong buyer focus on the larger owner-occupier residences within the development," Hamblett says.

"Enquiry is increasingly driven by local buyers who recognise the rarity of what's on offer: park-facing apartments in an established neighbourhood where new development opportunities are becoming increasingly scarce. At Victoriana, the view is not just a feature; it's an appreciating asset in its own right."

He said interstate enquiry has also strengthened as buyers reassess Melbourne's position within the national property cycle.

"Melbourne currently stands as the most compelling entry point of any major Australian capital, and discerning buyers are beginning to recognise what those who move early always understand: the best opportunities are taken before the price rise confirms them."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=1979]

Why now is the time to buy in Melbourne's premium apartment market

Developers and apartment buyers have a narrowing window of opportunity before Brisbane's Olympic infrastructure pipeline begins competing directly with residential construction, pushing up costs, tightening labour supply and making new projects increasingly difficult to deliver.

While Brisbane's apartment market continues to benefit from strong population growth and limited housing supply, industry research suggests the years leading up to 2027 could prove to be the most important period for developers looking to secure builders and buyers hoping to purchase before the next wave of price increases.

A new Colliers report, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Creating Solutions, highlights the scale of the challenge. While thousands of new homes are planned across South East Queensland, the Brisbane Olympic Athletes Village alone will deliver more than 10,500 beds during the Games before being converted into around 1,750 to 2,000 apartments. Equivalent to almost two years of typical inner-city apartment supply, the project will also absorb a significant share of the construction workforce and building materials.

The broader construction pipeline paints an even clearer picture.

Construction Skills Queensland's Horizon 2032 report forecasts Queensland's annual construction pipeline will average $69 billion over the coming years before peaking at $75 billion in 2027-28. Demand for construction workers is expected to increase by 17 per cent to almost 150,000 people, with the industry facing an annual shortfall of around 19,000 workers that could blow out to as many as 35,000 during the peak construction period.

The Olympic venues, athletes village and supporting infrastructure will account for billions of dollars worth of work across South East Queensland through to 2032, creating intense competition for labour at a time when Australia's residential construction sector is already under pressure.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=373834]

Colliers Queensland Residential Director Andrew Scriven said the convergence of these projects is creating a clear window of opportunity for both developers and buyers.

"From 2027 onwards, the market will shift dramatically," Scriven said.

"Labour will increasingly be locked into government-led infrastructure and Olympic projects, which means private residential developments will face higher costs and tighter margins. The developers who move now are the ones most likely to get projects off the ground."

Scriven said the same dynamic would also affect buyers, with fewer apartment projects expected to launch once construction capacity tightens.

"If you're looking to change your lifestyle over the next five years, now is your window of opportunity to buy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150713 project_image_fid=373827]

Developers are already positioning themselves ahead of that window.

Following the success of Monarch at Toowong, Consolidated Properties is preparing to launch two new Brisbane apartment projects in the second half of 2026. They include <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gloriette-30-bedivere-street-yeerongpilly-qld-4105">Gloriette</a> at Yeerongpilly Green, a 25-storey tower within one of Brisbane's key Olympic precincts, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, a recently approved 25-storey riverfront development at 47 Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

Hutchinson Builders will deliver both projects, with early works already underway at Yeerongpilly and Newstead expected to commence later this year.

The timing comes as Brisbane's fundamentals continue to strengthen, with strong interstate migration, population growth and vacancy rates remaining below 1.5 per cent.

Colliers Queensland researcher Pragya Sharma said Greater Brisbane is forecast to require around 40,000 new apartments between 2021 and 2031.

"There's a real mismatch emerging between when housing is needed and when it will be feasible to build," Sharma said.

"As a result, the period leading up to 2027 presents a key window of opportunity for developers to secure approvals, funding and construction capacity, while buyers will have greater choice before supply constraints intensify."

Colliers research outlines a critical pre-2027 window to start residential projects before labour squeeze: now is the time to buy

Developers, buyers on watch in South East Queensland ahead of construction crunch: Colliers

It's taken less than nine months for developer Sherpa Property Group to sell out all 51 apartments in its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-oasis-palm-beach-7-9-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Oasis</a> development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a>, over a year before its anticipated completion.

&nbsp;

Located at 7-9 Sixth Avenue, the $67 million development has resonated strongly with both local owner-occupiers and downsizers seeking high-quality apartments within walking distance of the beach, dining precincts and everyday amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357458]

Christie Leet, Founder of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Group</a>, said the sell-out reflected both the strength of the Palm Beach market and the success of Sherpa's community-first approach to development.

"The sell-out of Oasis is a fantastic outcome and reinforces the strong demand we're seeing for thoughtfully designed apartments in lifestyle locations," Leet said.

"From the outset, our vision was to create a development that genuinely enhanced the Palm Beach community while providing residents with exceptional homes and wellness-focused amenities.

"We've been incredibly encouraged by the level of local support throughout the campaign, 72.5 per cent of buyers are locals, with a significant proportion of purchasers choosing Oasis as their future home rather than an investment."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357463]

Construction is now progressing following development approval, with trusted builder LPS Group delivering the project and completion anticipated in Q3 2027.

Oasis forms part of Sherpa Group's successful Flourish collection, which has become recognised for its focus on wellness, community and elevated coastal living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357469]

Residents will have private access to a rooftop amenity space featuring a pool, gym, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, spa and barbecue facilities.

"The success of Oasis demonstrates that buyers continue to prioritise quality, location and lifestyle," Leet said.

"We are proud to have delivered a project that has resonated so strongly with the market and look forward to bringing Oasis to life for our future residents."

Sherpa recently launched <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>, its third instalment of the Flourish brand in Palm Beach following Flourish Oasis and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151449]

Sherpa sells out Flourish Oasis in booming Palm Beach

Urban Property Group's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-vera-macquarie-park-94-talavera-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">La Vera</a> is leading the next phase of Macquarie Park's residential evolution, with the new apartment development set to become the first of several new apartment projects in the precinct to complete.

The 169-apartment building has now topped out ahead of its scheduled completion in the third quarter of 2026, as new residential investment continues to reshape one of Sydney's largest employment hubs into a true mixed-use precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=368645]

Cox Architecture has designed La Vera to capture the best of its unique positioning on Talavera Road, orienting the building towards Lane Cove National Park.&nbsp;The building features a sculpted northern façade with flowing curves inspired by the surrounding landscape, while its city-facing elevation adopts a more structured architectural expression to maximise skyline views.

"The vision for the project was to conceive a building that adopted an organic and curvilinear form to the northern portion that faces the Lane Cove National Park," <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> Director Felipe Miranda said.

"The residents that reside in the northern portion of the building benefit by having beautifully crafted curved balconies that speak to the natural context and heighten the relationship of their internal living spaces to the external balconies."

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La Vera offers a diverse mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom configurations, with prices currently starting from $740,000. Buyers so far have been a mix of Sydney-based investors,&nbsp;metro commuters, owner-occupiers and downsizers from surrounding North Shore suburbs.

Both investors and owner-occupiers have been drawn to La Vera's proximity to Macquarie University, Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie Centre and the Sydney Metro, infrastructure that supports both strong rental demand and a convenient lifestyle for residents.

The apartments feature full-height glazing, timber flooring throughout living areas, stone kitchen benchtops, SMEG appliances, floor-to-ceiling bathroom tiling and ducted air conditioning.

Residents will have access to a rooftop recreation level featuring a swimming pool, sauna, barbecue facilities and landscaped relaxation areas, complemented by additional communal space at ground level. Many apartments enjoy uninterrupted views across Lane Cove National Park, reinforcing the project's connection to its natural setting.

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<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>, a family-owned developer and builder with nearly four decades of experience, holds a 4.5-star iCIRT rating and was Australia's first developer to introduce 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI). La Vera is the first apartment development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a> approved to offer the additional insurance protection, alongside a five-year warranty on SMEG appliances.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said the additional protection reflects changing buyer expectations in the off the plan market.

"Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been. Having LDI is a tool to portray the confidence that we have in our product, and a confidence we want buyers to share," Elias said.

Following completion of the building later this year, buyers will move into their apartments well before Christmas.

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Jonathan Chancellor

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