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<p>The former Coalition deputy prime minister Tim Fischer has listed his lakeside Snowy Mountains retreat. </p>
<p>The Lake Khancoban lifestyle property, <a href="https://www.wodongarealestate.com.au/buying/NSW/Riverina-and-Murray/Khancoban/Land/1P10812" target="_blank">Kathmandu</a> last sold for 25 years - used since as both a summer and winter retreat.</p>
<p>There is a levelled home site on the 40-hectare holding, along with shedding.</p>
<p>Wodonga Real Estate agent Des Lonergan has it listed for $220,000.</p>
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Tim Fischer lists Lake Khancoban rustric retreat

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<p>A newly built Pakington Street, St Kilda residence fetched $1.678 million at its weekend auction.</p>
<p>A couple with a two-year-old outlasted four other bidders to buy the new three-bedroom home, according to The Herald Sun.</p>
<p>The contemporary three-storey house easily eclipsed its $1.4 million reserve.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-st+kilda-122791430" target="_blank">The 35 Pakington Street offering</a> came with double garaging with turntable.</p>
<p>St Kilda's median house price is $941,000, according to CoreLogic.</p>
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St Kilda new home fetches $1,678,000

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<p>The Beach House Lane retail strip on Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach has understood to have been sold.</p>
<p>It was listed last month with expectations of more than $30 million by the Melbourne-based investor GLG.</p>
<p>GLG, which manages $200 million in assets, appointed Stonebridge Property Group to sell <a href="https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/property/178-campbell-parade-bondi-beach-nsw-2026-2012772074" target="_blank">the property at 178 Campbell Parade</a>.</p>
<p>The centre is 100 per cent leased to 14 retailers, including premium fashion and restaurant operators.</p>
<p>No sale details have been revealed but it is understood that terms have been agreed at $32 million.</p>
<p>Its annual income was given as $1.836 million.</p>
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Bondi's $32 million laneway strata shop sale

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<p>Dandenong had Melbourne's cheapest sale when a two bedroom apartment at 7/40-42 Hemmings Street (above) fetched $168,000 through Barry Plant in a pre-auction deal.</p>
<p>It leases at $260 a week.</p>
<p>It previously sold at $56,000 in 1997 and <a href="https://www.barryplant.com.au/dandenong/property/536388/7-40-42-hemmings-street-dandenong/" target="_blank">$113,000 in 2003</a>.</p>
<p>The Brexit decision had zero impact with Saturday auction clearance rates continuing steady or improved conditions across the major auction cities.</p>
<p>Melbourne's top sale was $3,065,000 when an original three-bedroom house on the Aspendale beachfront sold after its weekend auction.</p>
<p>The redevelopment block of 570 square metres at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-aspendale-122831358" target="_blank">34 Bowman Street</a> (below) had been passed in at $2,945,000 by the RT Edgar auctioneer.</p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/06/27/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-27%20at%2010.14.19%20AM.png" alt=""></p>
<p>The 1970s classic single storey house came with approved plans for a luxurious view-filled five-bedroom, four-bathroom home, designed by Wolveridge Architects. </p>
<p>The beachfront had sold last at 2014 auction for $2.65 million, when offered at $1.9 million plus.</p>
<p>The price guidance this time was $2.7 million to $2.97 million.</p>
<p>The street's top sale sits at $3.65 million since mid last year for a 2004-built home.</p>
<p>The nation's top sale was in Kirribilli, when Michael and Louise Tang, who operate supermarkets in Papua New Guinea, put their nearby terrace to by invitation-only auction yesterday.</p>
<p>There's been no formal price disclosure, excepting the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-kirribilli-122738302" target="_blank">Willoughby Street property</a> (below) sold for somewhere within its price guide of $8.75 million to $9.25 million to north shore buyers.</p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/06/27/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-27%20at%2010.15.39%20AM.png" alt=""></p>
<p>There were three registered bidders when auctioned through Belle Property. </p>
<p>Kirribilli's median house price sits at around $3.3 million.</p>
<p>Last traded at $2.55 million in 2000, the renovated five-bedroom, four-bathroom property has a library, guest suite, media room.</p>
<p>There's a north-facing rear garden and a pool.</p>
<p>Sellers have surged into the market over the past fortnight to avoid a clash with the federal election to be held next weekend, and also to avoid the school holidays too.</p>
<p>Melbourne hosted around 1,025 auctions, down from 1,085 last weekend, but higher than the 1,007 held one year ago, according to CoreLogic.</p>
<p>The initial results reflected a 68 percent success rate, signifying the third week in a row where Melbourne’s clearance rate sat below 70 percent.</p>
<p>Sydney’s 77 percent success rate was higher than the 73 percent in the prior weekend, but lower than the 82 percent of one year ago.</p>
<p>For the tenth week in a row, Sydney recorded a clearance rate in excess of 70 per cent. </p>
<p>CoreLogic spokesperson Kevin Brogan said the Sydney clearance rate had "maintained strength" over the past six months.</p>
<p>Brisbane 171 auctions secured a 48 percent initial clearance rate, compared to 45 percent last week and 46 percent one year ago.</p>
<p>Adelaide's clearance rate remains in the 60s, with 89 auctions securing a 67 per cent success rate.</p>
<p>"Over the past three weeks, the number of auctions held in Adelaide has held relatively steady and is also comparable to one year ago," Kevin Brogan said.</p>
<p>There were 42 Perth auctions held this week, with a fall in the weekly clearance rate, to 28 percent, from 31.9 percent from last week.</p>
<p>Canberra’s clearance rate rose this week, up from 61 percent last week to 64 percent this weekend.</p>
<p>Overall the national auction clearance rate sat 69 percent, up from 67 percent last weekend.</p>
<p>The rise represents a further improvement from the recent 65 percent low over the weekend leading up to the Queen’s birthday public holiday. </p>
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Aspendale knockdown sells amid Melbourne's softening market

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<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">GUEST OBSERVER</div>
<div class="column"> </div>
<div class="column">The past week has been dominated by first the anticipation that Britain would vote to Remain within the EU that saw “risk on” in financial markets and shares rally followed by an abrupt move to “risk off” as the referendum saw the Leave vote win by 52 percent to 48 percent.</div>
<div class="column"> </div>
<div class="column">The vote to Leave poses risks: to the UK economy which will also face a period of political instability with PM Cameron to step down by October and pro-EU Scotland pushing for another independence referendum; to Eurozone stability over fears that some Eurozone countries may seek to follow the UK; and hence to global growth.</div>
<div class="column"> </div>
<div class="column">It also threatens to add momentum to a move away from economic rationalist policies in favour of populism and a reversal of globalisation which would be a negative for long term global growth.</div>
<div class="column">
<br>Reflecting the worries about the impact on the UK and more significantly Europe financial markets reacted sharply in “risk off” fashion on Friday with the British pound (-8.1 percent), British shares (-3.1 percent), the Euro (-2.4 percent) and Eurozone shares (-8.6 percent) down sharply and this seeing global share markets down generally along with the Australian dollar. Safe haven assets such as bonds, the $US, Yen and gold have all benefitted.</div>
<div class="column"> </div>
<div class="column">This could have further to go in the short term until some of the dust settles. A concern is that a rising $US in response to safe haven demand will weigh on the Renminbi (sparking new fears of capital outflows from China), commodity prices and emerging countries taking us back to the global growth fears we saw earlier this year.</div>
<div class="column">
<br>However, it’s worth putting all of this in perspective. First the moves in some markets seen on Friday were exaggerated because the moves that occurred during the first four days of the last week when markets thought Remain would win had to be reversed. So, for example, while Eurozone shares fell 8.6 percent on Friday they only fell 2.6 percent over the last week.</div>
<div class="column"> </div>
<div class="column">Over the week as a whole US shares lost 1.6 percent, Japanese shares lost 4.2 percent, Chinese shares fell 1.1 percent and Australian shares fell 1 percent. Bad but not monumental. Believe it or not the British share market actually rose 2 percent over the last week. While the British pound fell 8.1 percent on Friday it only fell 4.7 percent over the week as a whole and the $A actually rose 1 percent last week. It was similar with bonds and oil – big moves on Friday but only modest moves over the week</div>
<div class="column">
<br>Second, Britain has only started down a process to exit and has a long way to go yet. It will first need a new PM then later this year formally notify its intent to exit which will then kick off a negotiation process that will then take up to two years to complete. This will determine the ultimate impact on the UK economy – either it will retain free trade access to the EU but have to continue to allow the free movement of people, agree to EU rules and regulations and contribute to its budget or forgo free trade altogether. At this stage its hard to see which way this will go. But the point is that for some time the UK will still be in the EU. </div>
<div class="column">
<br>Third, while the Brexit vote will likely trigger a guessing game as to which Eurozone country will try and follow its lead and ask for a similar referendum it’s doubtful that Eurozone countries will actually seek to leave because the hurdle to leave the Eurozone is higher than Britain leaving the EU as it will mean adopting a new currency, paying higher interest rates, etc. Just think of Greece despite its woes over the last few years consistently deciding to stay in the Eurozone. Countries to watch though are Italy following the recent success in municipal elections of the Eurosceptic Five Star Movement and maybe Spain given the success of Podemos.</div>
<div class="column">
<br>Fourth, the Brexit vote is unlikely to be akin to a Lehman moment because conditions are radically different. Lehman came after a long period of global strength and a credit boom where liabilities and exposures were opaque. That is not the case now and Brexit has been talked about endlessly so is not the surprise Lehman was.</div>
<div class="column">
<br>Finally, central banks have quickly adopted a “whatever is necessary” stance to provide liquidity to markets and support their economies, notably the Bank of England which is already providing £250bn. The ECB is monitoring the situation but its liquidity measures (eg TLTRO) are probably more than enough at present. The more important point is that global monetary policy will remain easier for longer. The Fed certainly will be slowed further in raising rates because it won’t want to put more upwards pressure on the $US which is being boosted by safe haven demand. A G7 Statement decrying excessive currency volatility has arguably given Japan close to a green light to intervene to stop the Yen rising much further. Expect more BoJ easing soon which should help Japanese shares.</div>
<div class="column">
<br>I am not so confident about British assets given the long period of uncertainty the UK will now face both economically and politically. However, the global bout of “risk off” underway is likely to provide a buying opportunity as Europe is likely to hang together, global monetary policy is likely to be even easier than previously thought and the global economy is likely to continue to see modest growth.</div>
<div class="column">
<br>Given that only 2.7 percent of Australian exports go to the UK and that the Leave victory is unlikely to plunge Europe into an immediate recession the main impact on Australia will be on financial markets. This could affect short term confidence and may add to the case for the RBA to cut interest rates again particularly if banks increase their mortgage rates out of cycle due to higher funding costs flowing from an increase in lender caution.</div>
<div class="column"> </div>
<div class="column">That said we expect the RBA to cut rates again anyway and a falling $A will continue to provide a shock absorber for the Australian economy. Overall, Brexit barely changes the risk of recession in Australia which remains low.</div>
<div class="column">
<br>The key for investors is to either look through the short term noise caused by the Brexit decision or look for investment opportunities that it throws up as investment markets become oversold.</div>
<div class="column">
<br>Just finally on Europe, the last week saw the German constitutional court approve the validity of the ECB's Outright Monetary Transaction (OMT) program, which partly underpins Draghi's 2012 commitment to do "whatever it takes" to preserve the Euro. This is a big relief because its rejection would have put a cloud over the ECB’s ability to respond to any turmoil in peripheral bond markets that may flow from the Brexit vote.</div>
<div class="column">
<br>Now on to other things!</div>
<div class="column">
<br>In Australia, the big event in the week ahead will be the Federal election (Saturday). Each side of politics is offering very different visions for the size of government:</div>
<div class="column"> </div>
<div class="column">Labor is focussed on spending more on health and education and in the process allowing the size of the public sector to increase, funded by tax increases on higher income earners (retention of the budget deficit levy and cutbacks in access to negative gearing, the capital gains tax discount and superannuation). The ALP would also undertake a royal commission into banking and intervention in the economy is likely to be higher than under a Coalition government.<br><br>By contrast the Coalition is focussed more on containing spending, and encouraging economic growth via company tax cuts and mild reforms. Despite the Coalition’s tilt to “fairness” with its super reforms it’s committed to keeping taxes down. It does plan to reinstate the Australian Building &amp; Construction Commission but even with the double dissolution election it’s unclear whether it will get enough votes to do this.</div>
<div class="column">
<br>At this stage the polls suggest the Australian election is too close to call. But it’s a big ask to see the ALP become the first opposition in 85 years to regain government after just one term as it will need to win 19 seats. As such betting agencies have the Coalition as favourite. However, the big issue may be what happens in the Senate with there being a good chance that the Greens and minority “parties” control the balance of power again acting as a huge constraint on the government, which would mean another de facto minority government, ie more of the same. Which in turn mean poor prospects for getting government spending under control over the next three years and for implementing serious productivity enhancing economic reforms.</div>
<div class="column">
<br>Over the 7 weeks since the election was called the Australian share market has fallen 3.1 percent. The next table shows that 8 out of 12 elections since 1983 saw shares up 3 months later with an average gain of 4.8 percent. This may partly reflect relief at getting the election out of the way.</div>
<div class="column"> </div>
<div class="column"><a href="/images/2016/06/27/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-27%20at%209.42.20%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div class="column"><img src="/images/2016/06/27/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-27%20at%209.42.20%20AM.png" alt=""></div>
<div class="column"> </div>
<div class="column"><strong>Major global economic events and implications</strong></div>
<div class="column">
<br>Fed Chair Janet Yellen’s congressional testimony didn’t really add much. The key is that the Fed is “proceeding cautiously” to give it time to assess whether the US economy and inflation is on track with its expectations and given global uncertainties. Uncertainty and market turmoil flowing from the Brexit outcome is likely to further delay the Fed in terms of raising rates again.</div>
<div class="column">
<br>US economic data was mostly good. While durable goods orders were weak, the June manufacturing PMI rose, home prices rose, home sales were strong, jobless claims fell sharply and home prices continue to rise. And the US’s top 33 banks passed a Fed stress test indicating that they have enough capital to withstand a severe economic shock (involving unemployment doubling to 10 percent.) In other words they are in good shape to withstand any shock flowing from Brexit.</div>
<div class="column">
<br>The Eurozone composite business conditions PMI fell slightly in June with a decline in services (on Brexit fears?) offsetting a gain in manufacturing. It remains at a level consistent with moderate growth though.</div>
<div class="column">
<br>Japan’s manufacturing conditions PMI rose just 0.1pt to a still weak 47.8 in June indicating that growth in June quarter is still struggling.</div>
<div class="column">
<br>A couple of Chinese business conditions surveys moved in opposite directions for June with one up solidly and a small business PMI weakening. So bit of a wash there.</div>
<div class="column">
<br><strong>Australian economic events and implications</strong>
</div>
<div class="column">
<br>In Australia, the minutes from the last RBA Board meeting added little that was new with the RBA neutral and on the sidelines for now. However, our view remains that lower inflation and a too high $A on ongoing Fed delays will still see more easing ahead with the next cut likely in August. Meanwhile Australian economic data over the last week was uneventful. March quarter house prices fell slightly according to the ABS but more timely private sector data suggests a renewed pick up since then particularly in Sydney.</div>
<div class="column"> </div>
<div class="column">While population growth has slowed from its 2% peak late last decade to 1.4 percent last year it’s still contributing to solid underlying demand for housing. NSW and Victoria are the top states for population growth, and flowing partly from this house price growth. Which in turn partly explains the good state of their budgets. Finally, skilled vacancies continue to see reasonable growth telling us that the labour market remains solid.</div>
<div class="column">
<br><strong>What to watch over the next week?</strong>
</div>
<div class="column">
<br>The focus in the week ahead will no doubt see continued reaction to the Brexit referendum, particularly given an EU leaders’ summit on Tuesday and Wednesday.<br>In the US, expect to see a further gain in home prices and a slight rise in consumer confidence (Tuesday), solid growth in personal spending and a slight rise in the core private consumption deflator to 1.7 percent for the year to May, but a slight fall in pending home sales (all Wednesday) and a slight rise in the ISM manufacturing conditions index (Friday) to around 51.5 (Friday).</div>
<div class="column">
<br>In the Eurozone expect bank lending (Monday) and economic confidence readings for June (Wednesday) to remain around levels consistent with continued moderate economic growth. Core inflation data for June (Thursday and unemployment data (both Friday) will also be released. The outcome of the Spanish election on Sunday may also add to short term uncertainties regarding the Eurozone.</div>
<div class="column">
<br>In Japan, expect a slight fall in industrial production (Thursday), a deterioration in the June quarter Tankan survey reflecting the recent earthquake and continued softness in household spending but the jobs market (all Friday) is likely to remain solid helped by the falling workforce. Core inflation (also Friday) is expected to fall to 0.6 percent yoy in May.<br>In Australia, apart from Saturday’s election, expect the trend in new home sales (Wednesday) to remain modestly down, ABS job vacancies for the 3 months to May to rise consistent with monthly vacancy data and continued moderate credit growth (Thursday) and a slight softening in home price momentum in June (Friday) according to CoreLogic. The AIG’s manufacturing conditions PMI (Friday) will also be released.</div>
<div class="column">
<br><strong>Outlook for markets</strong>
</div>
<div class="column">
<br>The aftermath of the Brexit vote could see more volatility in shares in the short term. However, beyond near term uncertainties, we still see shares trending higher this year helped by relatively attractive valuations, ultra easy global monetary conditions and continuing moderate global economic growth.</div>
<div class="column">
<br>Lower and lower bond yields point to a soft medium term return potential from them, but it’s hard to get too bearish in a world of fragile growth, spare capacity, low inflation and ongoing shocks like Brexit. That said, the recent bond rally has taken bond yields to ridiculously low levels leaving them at risk of a sharp snapback at some point.</div>
<div class="column"> </div>
<div class="column">Commercial property and infrastructure are likely to continue benefitting from the ongoing search for yield by investors.</div>
<div class="column">
<br>Capital city dwelling price gains are expected to slow to around 3 percent over the year ahead, as the heat comes out of Sydney and Melbourne thanks to toughening lending standards and pockets of oversupply. Prices are likely to continue to fall in Perth and Darwin, but price growth may be picking up in Brisbane.</div>
<div class="column">
<br>Cash and bank deposits offer poor returns.</div>
<div class="column">
<br>While the Brexit outcome knocked the $A lower, it’s still higher than it should be and the longer term downtrend looks likely to continue as the interest rate differential in favour of Australia narrows as the RBA continues cutting and the Fed eventually resumes hiking, commodity prices remain in a secular downswing and the $A sees its usual undershoot of fair value. The $A is still likely to fall to around $US0.60 in the years ahead.</div>
<div class="column">
<br>Eurozone shares lost 8.6 percent on Friday night and the US S&amp;P 500 lost 3.6 percent in response to the Brexit vote. However, since the Australian share market largely responded to the Brexit outcome on Friday, ASX 200 futures actually rose 3 points or 0.1 percent indicating a basically flat start to trade for the Australian share market on Monday.</div>
<div class="column"> </div>
<div class="column"><em><span><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://plus.google.com/110172465327488162875?rel=author" target="_blank">SHANE OLIVER</a></span> is head of investment strategy and economics and chief economist at <a href="https://www.ampcapital.com.au/home" target="_blank">AMP Capital</a> and is responsible for AMP Capital's diversified investment funds.</em></div>
</div>
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Britain's EU vote in perspective and the Australia election: Shane Oliver

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<p>La Joie de Vivre, an opulent French provincial mansion at Bayview that featured on the first Network Ten series of the Bachelor, has finally sold.</p>
<p>But at substantially less than the $10 million last time, highlighting that record property prices aren't, like love, necessarily ever lasting.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-bayview-122692558" target="_blank">The Minkara Road mega-mansion</a> was marketed as set for sale around $7 million this time.</p>
<p>Over the past year suburb record prices have been set across Sydney, including at Rozelle and Malabar, as economists have expressed surprise at the 2016 price resurgence.</p>
<p>But the Bayview property isn't the only property resold at less than its record.</p>
<p>The whisper is that the Kingsford record setter from 2014 has just sold again for just under what was paid.</p>
<p>Jason Black of Black Lifestyle secured the then very bullish $4.15 million record sale of the contemporary five bedroom home with pool, cabana, home theatre room and custom office.</p>
<p>There's been no formal disclosure from it latest selling agencies, but interest parties on Tunstall Avenue were playing a tough negotiation with it lingering on the private treaty market for many months until its mid-June sale.</p>
<p>A Rozelle home, known as the Green House has been recently sold for about $4 million, highlighting the occurence of strong off market pricing.</p>
<p>Bettering the previous $3.25 million sale set in 2014, the Carterwilliamson Architects designed property has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a swimming pool.</p>
<p>BresicWhitney selling agent Andrew Liddell said the outstanding nature of the property was behind the off-market deal.</p>
<p>He suggested deal arose as it was "a rare, premium type of property that already stands out from the rest of the neighbourhood."</p>
<p>He added he had a passive buyer who wasn’t necessarily looking but extended themselves in price for the right place.</p>
<p>Malabar also secured a suburb record recently, smashing through the $4 million barrier for the first time.</p>
<p>Set on 556 sqm, the five bedroom Prince Edward Street family home sold for $4.385 million pre-auction through LJ Hooker, well above it's $3.8 million to $4 million price guide.</p>
<p>The Chatswood residential property record was broken late last year, when a five bedroom broke the $6 million barrier for the first time in the suburb.</p>
<p>Sold for $6.055 million through LJ Hooker Lane Cove agent Kerrie Robertson, the double brick home built by the previous owner in 1998 had bidders spending over an hour at the auction.</p>
<p>One of the most impressive record breakers was in Seaforth, where a another five bedroom home sold for $10 million after being on the market for just 15 days on the market late last year to the Wang family.</p>
<p>Smashing the previous $9 million record which had stood since 2011, the home on a large 2970 sqm land parcel features a championship tennis court, a heated inground swimming pool and numerous putting greens.</p>
<p>This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.</p>
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Bayview's La Joie de Vivre record price falls back

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<p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/57114/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1"></p>
<p>GUEST OBSERVER</p>
<p>Come election time, voters could be forgiven for seeing transport infrastructure as a slush fund. Politicians insist they’re all for sound economic management, but we might well be cynical about how much that really matters in the race to win votes.</p>
<p>The main parties have made big commitments to transport in this campaign. The Coalition has promised A$5.4 billion, Labor A$6.7 billionand the Greens A$6.5 billion.</p>
<p>The 2016 election follows the pattern of the past decade where more money is promised in Queensland than in any other state. Grattan Institute’s recent report, Roads to Riches, found that over the past decade Queensland received a disproportionate share of Commonwealth transport investment – in aggregate, per head, and compared to its relative need as a state.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/06/27/image-20160623-30259-1ls4uzj.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<h4><img src="/images/2016/06/27/image-20160623-30259-1ls4uzj.png" alt=""></h4>
<div class="enlarge_hint"> </div>
<h2>A lack of consensus?</h2>
<p>Line up the parties’ election promises against the others, though, and it’s remarkable how little consensus there is.</p>
<p>In New South Wales, only about 15% of the promised money has been pledged by more than one party.</p>
<p>There is not one project that all three parties have promised to build, and not one project that both the Coalition and the Greens have committed to.</p>
<p>We once had no way of knowing a good project from a bad one, but that was before the federal government set up Infrastructure Australia. It is charged with assuring the quality of government investment by assessing business cases against a national significance test. Generally, these business cases are for projects where state governments want a Commonwealth funding contribution.</p>
<p>Sometimes Infrastructure Australia identifies gaps on its own initiative. It is only involved in projects that are both nationally significant and worth more than $100 million.</p>
<p>The funding proposals are sorted into three categories:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>If there is a full business case and the proposal is worth doing, it is classed as a “project”. An example is the WestConnex motorway in Sydney.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>If there is a full business case but the project is not worth doing, it is not classified but Infrastructure Australia publishes the evaluation on its website. An example is the Winchelsea to Colac road duplication, with an extraordinarily low benefit-cost ratio of 0.08 – that is, only eight cents worth of value for every dollar spent.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>If there is not yet a full assessed business case, the proposal is classed as an “initiative”; the Melbourne Metro Rail proposal, for example.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>It should be simple. All parties should commit to the “project” list – in part or in full – and then stop spending. These “projects” have been properly assessed and found to be worth doing, and specifically worth doing by the federal government because they have some national significance.</p>
<p>But that is not what is happening. The Coalition, Labor and the Greens are making substantial commitments to projects that not only lack proper business cases, but are not even on the Infrastructure Australia priority list at all. This includes projects like:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>the Walkerston Bypass in Queensland ($150 million from Labor) and the Townsville Ring Road and related infrastructure ($900 million from the Coalition), which could not even under the most charitable definition be described as nationally significant;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>the duplication of the Princes Highway from Winchelsea to Colac in Victoria (to which the Coalition has promised $181 million), which Infrastructure Australia has rejected as not worth doing; and</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>small projects, such as a $32 million roundabout upgrade at Hobart Airport promised by Labor, that are not subject to the Infrastructure Australia assessment, or often to any other evaluation either.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Almost all the funding promised by all parties is for proposals that lack a proper business case. Some of this spending may turn out to be worth doing; much will not. Only a small share of it is for projects that we know to be worth doing.</p>
<p>The Coalition’s spending is more aligned with the projects we know to be worth doing than the other parties’, and Labor’s is slightly better aligned than the Greens’.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/06/27/image-20160623-30289-w5j724.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/06/27/image-20160623-30289-w5j724.png" alt=""></p>
<p>If the parties were to commit to the whole list of projects that we know to be worth doing, it wouldn’t send us broke. Only seven items have been classified as “projects”. These are the WestConnex motorway and the M4 motorway upgrade in NSW, the Ipswich Motorway and the M1 Pacific Motorway in Queensland, the Perth Freight link and the Mitchell Freeway extension in Western Australia, and Brisbane-to-Melbourne inland rail.</p>
<p>Some are certainly expensive, but so too are many other proposals of uncertain value that parties have committed to anyway.</p>
<p>It turns out that all parties have ignored or shunned projects that we know to be worth doing. Two of the seven worthwhile “projects” have no support from any party in this campaign. These are the M4 motorway upgrade and the Mitchell Freeway extension.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/06/27/image-20160623-30283-af54jk.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<div class="enlarge_hint"><img src="/images/2016/06/27/image-20160623-30283-af54jk.png" alt=""></div>
<h2>Why parties pick the wrong projects</h2>
<p>Failing to choose these projects seems like not bothering to pick up $50 notes from the floor. Why do parties do this?</p>
<p>A big clue lies in the state breakdowns. All parties want to spread their spending around, unless the state or territory in question offers no electoral advantage. But the projects known to be worth doing are spread unevenly – two are in NSW, two in Queensland, two in Western Australia and one is national.</p>
<h4><a href="/images/2016/06/27/image-20160623-30259-fol9rt.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></h4>
<p><img src="/images/2016/06/27/image-20160623-30259-fol9rt.png" alt=""></p>
<div class="enlarge_hint"> </div>
<p>Another clue is that parties want to spend in the regions, but most proposals that stack up are based in major cities, improving commuting and connections with ports and airports.</p>
<p>Most of Infrastructure Australia’s “project” assessments are urban. The NSW projects are both in Sydney. The Queensland projects are in Ipswich and a link between Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The Western Australian projects are road projects substantially centred on Perth. The sole non-urban project is rail, running from Brisbane to Melbourne via inland NSW.</p>
<p>A third clue lies in the mode of transport that the parties favour. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s enthusiasm for public transport notwithstanding, the Coalition tends to choose road over rail more than Labor does.</p>
<p>The Greens have taken the approach of committing to one major public transport project in every capital city – none of which have been classified as “projects” by Infrastructure Australia, and most of which are not even on its initiative list.</p>
<p>A fourth clue lies in project size. The Coalition and Labor have both promised a large number of small projects on top of their big commitments. By contrast, the Greens have only their major capital city public transport proposals, although they would probably support a government seeking to advance proposals such as the Gold Coast light rail.</p>
<h2>It doesn’t have to be this way</h2>
<p>All three major parties exhibit a big gap between what they say and what they do. All claim to support proper process, both to get the infrastructure needed and to spend money wisely.</p>
<p>The parties may well excuse their bad habits by saying the voters seem to like them. On one level this is true – if you are the direct beneficiary of a new road-widening project on a country highway, or if you travel to the airport regularly but don’t like buses, you may understandably support the candidate offering the big new road or the airport rail link.</p>
<p>By contrast, the losers are dispersed, and the boondoggles are paid for by worthwhile projects that are never built.</p>
<p>Australia doesn’t have to guess what transport infrastructure to build – it has a process that determines the answer. Cost-benefit analysis, with all its imperfections, remains the one way we can compare projects on a like-for-like basis.</p>
<p><em><span class="fn author-name">Marion Terrill is t</span>ransport program director, Grattan Institute, and author for The Conversation. She can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/marion-terrill-169480" target="_blank">here.</a></em></p>
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<li id="author-130423" class="vcard">
<p> </p>
</li>
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Will the election 2016 infrastructure promises meet Australia's needs?

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<p>The Dutch real estate investor Universal Partners is selling off its rural holding on Queensland's Curtis Island with likely buyers tipped to be tourism operators.</p>
<p>The 2680 hectare holding was once owned by cattle baron Sir Graham McCamley who sold in  2003.</p>
<p>The land with rugged coastline, white sand beaches and fresh water lagoons was purchased by the Rotterdam-based investment group for more than $10 million over a decade ago.</p>
<p>It sits 55 kilometres east of Rockhampton, within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.</p>
<p>The North Hollywood-based Australian Resort Enterprises has a major parcel of land at the southern end of the island. </p>
<p>The Australian Financial Review noted the neighbouring Monte Christo cattle station came to an end in 2014 when three gas companies, Santos GLNG, Australia Pacific LNG and Queensland Curtis LNG, jointly purchased the 22,000 hectares for environmental offsets. </p>
<p>CBRE have been appointed to sell Universal Partners holding which includes 25 freehold titles and two air strips.</p>
<p>"Opportunities abound to create a private retreat, boutique eco resort or commercial hub capitalising on North Curtis Island's outstanding location," Chris Holgar said. </p>
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Curtis Island farm listed by Dutch investor

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<p>The West Australia farm, Yathroo, covering almost 12,000ha at Dandaragan, has been sold by its Kuwaiti owner to Wagin couple Mat and Jade Stoney.</p>
<p>It is understood the Stoneys will transform Yathroo for cropping and cattle production.</p>
<p>Yacoub Yousef Al-Homaizi farms 50,000 sheep and lambs with about 2000ha set aside to grow crops sine he bought it more than two decades ago from bsuinessman Alan Bond </p>
<p>It was sold by Elders agents Malcolm French and Andrew Farson.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-mixed+farming-wa-dandaragan-7791386" target="_blank">Yathroo</a> was founded soon after a settler expedition in 1848.</p>
<p>It still comes with its original 1855 homestead, set about 165km north of Perth.</p>
<p>The Al-Homaizi Group was founded by Yacoub Yousef Al-Homaizi, now in his 80s, who was a major force in the economic and social development of Kuwait.</p>
<p>Around $40 million was tipped.</p>
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Yathroo, WA farm sale by Kuwaiti

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<p>Tim Gurner's newly proposed apartment development at 156-162 Alfred Street, Brisbane, will now be developed in the next property boom.</p>
<p>The Melbourne developer had just received approval for a $140 million apartment project in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley, but says he will now wait for the next cycle to develop. </p>
<p>"There is no doubt that the Brisbane market has slowed in recent months," he told the <em>Australian Financial Review</em>.</p>
<p>"Developer funding challenges and increasing construction costs have made the environment increasingly difficult to get new projects off the ground in Brisbane, but we are committed to Fortitude Valley and excited to launch this project in the next market cycle," Mr Gurner said.</p>
<p>His proposed 15-level building on Alfred Street, designed by Elenberg Fraser, would have provided 184 apartments.</p>
<p>Mr Gurner said that his financing was secure but he had known of several other projects where financing had been knocked back. </p>
<p>"It is the escalation of construction prices in Brisbane in the past 12-18 months that will pose more of an issue," Mr Gurner said.</p>
<p>"Projects that weren't fully pre-sold last year are now not viable given the recent spike in construction costs, which is incredibly shortsighted as this will only hurt builders and trades in the following 12-36 months when there won't be any new projects to commence construction," he said.</p>
<p><span>Construction on his $600 million FV project proceeds elsewhere</span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> in Fortitude Valley, at Brunswick Street, Alfred Street and Barry Parade, in what was Gurner's first foray interstate.</span></p>
<p>The project, also been designed by<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> architects Elenberg Fraser, secured strong sales after its late 2014 launch.</span></p>
<p>Dubbed by the Melbourne Age newspaper as "gym owner turned blue-collar then white-collar property developer," Gurner is speculated to have sold a major development site in Footscray.</p>
<p>The 1 Warde Street site covers 2170 sq m with a permit for towers rising 26 levels and containing 388 dwellings atop a commercial component.</p>
<p>Set within the state government's Joseph Road urban renewal precinct, <em>The Age</em> advised the recent sale price has not yet been disclosed by CBRE's Mark Wizel.</p>
<p>More than $10 million had been sought.</p>
<p>Tim Gurner was among a group of young property developers who burst onto the recent BRW Rich 200 list this year.</p>
<p>He was the list's youngest debutant, aged only 34 and with an estimated $460 million fortune. </p>
<p>Gurner is concentrating mainly on Melbourne but has in the past month settled on two sites in Sydney. </p>
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Tim Gurner calls halt to new Fortitude Valley, Brisbane project

<p data-end="1587" data-start="1236">The Victorian Government has secured the passage of the Building Legislation and Treasury Legislation (Tax Relief) Amendment Bill 2026, introducing a suite of reforms aimed at improving consumer protection and confidence in the apartment market.</p>

<p data-end="1587" data-start="1236">Resilience Insurance, Australia’s leading Latent Defects Insurance (LDI) provider, has welcomed the move.</p>

<p>The LDI elements of the Bill passed with bipartisan support and now moves to the Legislative Council where debate and passage are expected later this month. It represents a significant milestone in the national shift toward stronger, longer-term protection for apartment buyers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The reform would deliver practical benefits across the housing system. Apartment owners will have stronger protection if major defects emerge, developers and builders will have a clearer quality framework to work within, and the State will reduce the risk of serious building failures becoming a long-term financial and social burden for households, communities and government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>LDI helps support apartment delivery while providing stronger protection for buyers and encouraging better construction outcomes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Resilience LDI provides apartment owners with 10 years of insurance-backed cover for major structural defects from completion, with direct claim access to the insurer. This means owners are not required to first pursue developers or builders through costly legal action before accessing protection.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Resilience Insurance has been operating in Australia since 2022 and has already insured hundreds of development projects covering many thousands of apartments across Australia.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At approximately 1.8 per cent of build cost, it is a cost-competitive alternative to the traditional two per cent Strata Bond, bond while delivering significantly broader and longer protection.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“The Victorian Lower House vote shows that reforms like this succeed when they are practical, evidence-based and supported by industry," says Corey Nugent, CEO of Resilience Insurance.</p>

<p>"Victoria is moving quickly on a reform that will make a real difference for apartment buyers, while supporting better building outcomes and greater confidence in apartment delivery.</p>

<p>“This is step one. We look forward to the Bill completing its passage through the Legislative Council and to working with government and industry to implement the framework effectively.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>Fast Facts: What is Resilience LDI?&nbsp;</p>

<ul>
	<li>Resilience Latent Defects Insurance (LDI): Covers major structural defects for 10 years from completion.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Consumer-first: Direct claim access, no need for lengthy legal action.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Cost advantage: At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the traditional 2% Strata Bond while offering broader protection.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Market leader: Resilience Insurance is the first approved LDI provider in NSW.</li>
</ul>


The Building Legislation and Treasury Legislation (Tax Relief) Amendment Bill 2026 has passed the Victorian Lower House, putting Victoria on track to become the first state to legislate an industry workable LDI framework as a formal alternative to the Strata Building bond. 

Joel Robinson

10-year Latent Defects Insurance for new apartment buyers set to land in Victoria

<p>Just a few months after acquiring a prime Broadbeach site on the corner of First Avenue and Surf Parade, family-run developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/raptis">Raptis</a> has filed fresh plans for a new apartment development.</p>

<p>Raptis is seeking to deliver a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/17-19-first-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4217">29-storey tower with 73 apartments</a> on the 818 sqm site. It will be the developer's seventh project in the suburb, as they are approaching completion of The Sterling on George Avenue.</p>

<p>There will be a pool, barbecue and outdoor dining area, residents lounge and dining, sauna and steam room, gym, and a Yoga and Pilates studio.</p>

<p><img alt="Raptis" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b554da3f-7344-49aa-b1c9-44cf459af0d7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-05%20at%2010.41.45%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=zzjWu1iO1wnuYv4EV4fyOyf5nSXjGYut" /></p>

<p>Raptis Joint Managing Director, Evan Raptis, says they remain&nbsp;committed to developing quality infill sites across the Gold Coast in the lead-up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.</p>

<p>"This project continues our long track record of delivery in Broadbeach, and we look forward to bringing another premium development to this thriving precinct."</p>

<p>The announcement follows strong delivery momentum for Raptis, with The Sterling Broadbeach nearing completion and construction well underway on the final stage of the Waterpoint community adjacent to Harbour Town. The developer's continued investment in the Gold Coast reflects confidence in the region's apartment market fundamentals, underpinned by sustained Southeast Queensland population growth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The outlook for the region is further bolstered by infrastructure investment tied to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, which is expected to drive continued economic and population growth across the SEQ corridor.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Subject to a favourable response from Gold Coast City Council, construction on the new First Avenue tower is targeted to commence before the end of 2026.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/it-s-all-in-the-family-four-decades-later-raptis-continues-to-shape-the-gold-coast-skyline">It’s all in the family: Four decades later, Raptis continues to shape the Gold Coast skyline</a></em></p>

<p><em>Read more: <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/raptis-secures-prime-surf-parade-site-for-next-broadbeach-apartment-development">Raptis secures prime Surf Parade site for next Broadbeach apartment development</a></em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Gold Coast developer brings seventh Broadbeach project to market, targeting construction commencement before year end

First look: Raptis lodges plans for new 29-storey Broadbeach tower 

<p>Brisbane development veteran Kevin Seymour's Seymour Group is set to deepen its presence on one of Brisbane's most tightly held riverfront addresses, lodging revised plans for a luxury apartment development on Oxlade, just a few doors down from The Oxlade, which it completed in 2024.</p>

<p>The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/70-72-oxlade-drive-new-farm-qld-4005">new project at 70-72 Oxlade Drive</a>, directly north of The Oxlade, will have 27 apartments across a seven-storey building&nbsp;overlooking the Brisbane River and Merthyr Park. It's a revision from a 2021-approved design.</p>

<p>Designed by bureau^proberts, the project has evolved from the previously approved 26-apartment scheme, introducing an additional penthouse level while maintaining a low-density, boutique character. The development will comprise 26 three-bedroom apartments and a single four-bedroom penthouse, supported by two basement levels with 86 car spaces and 34 bicycle spaces.</p>

<p>The architectural response is centred around two distinct building forms separated by a landscaped open-air atrium.&nbsp;"This dual composition captures and embraces Brisbane’s subtropical environment whilst breaking down built form and scale," the submission to the Brisbane City Council noted.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: Seymour Group returns to Oxlade Drive with revised riverfront apartment plans in New Farm" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c12d84d0-bc11-4067-b46f-5bd2d786a34d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/new%20farm%20landscape.png?VersionId=YEPc2k5CAdh6aAPlu4uVpgZadh4MEfRd" /></p>

<p>A defining feature of the design is a deep landscaped void running through the centre of the building, creating what bureau^proberts describes as a "natural ravine" that enhances airflow, daylight penetration and resident amenity. The design report notes that the separation of the two building volumes is intended to maximise natural light, cross-ventilation and outlook while strengthening connections to the surrounding riverfront setting.</p>

<p>Curved balcony edges, integrated planting and extensive landscaping throughout the façade reinforce the subtropical design approach. The building's façade is softened by elevated gardens and planter beds, creating a green edge that complements the established landscape character of Oxlade Drive and neighbouring Merthyr Park.</p>

<p>New Farm has become one of Brisbane's most sought-after suburbs for developers delivering premium downsizer-focused apartments.</p>

<p>GRAYA has been particularly active in the precinct, completing both Chalk and York in recent years, while construction of Moray House, being delivered for Spyre, is now nearing completion. Architect-turned-developer Joe Adsett recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/arcilla-new-farm-by-joe-adsett-28-maxwell-street-new-farm-qld-4005">Arcilla on Maxwell Street</a>, an exclusive collection of just nine apartments.</p>


First look: Seymour Group returns to New Farm's Oxlade Drive with riverfront apartment plans

<p>A new residential tower will be the first piece of a broader mixed-use precinct set to reshape a prominent Newcastle West site, with local developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> bringing its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/cambridge-quarter-newcastle-west-12-denison-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Cambridge Quarter</a> vision to market.</p>

<p>The first release, Tempo, will introduce 87 apartments across a 24-storey tower, marking Stage 1 of the residential component of a larger urban regeneration project planned for the western end of Newcastle's city centre, encompassing the former Cambridge Hotel site.</p>

<p>Positioned on Denison Street, Tempo has been designed as the inaugural building within Cambridge Quarter, a precinct that will ultimately combine apartments, retail activation and revitalised public spaces including the revamping of the Cambridge Hotel.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135876 project_image_fid=368853]</p>

<p>The tower will comprise a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, including layouts with multipurpose rooms, catering to a broad cross-section of owner-occupiers. Apartment sizes range from around 60 sqm to 192 sqm, with a number of residences oriented to capture views across Newcastle Harbour, the city skyline and coastline.</p>

<p>GWH has emphasised liveability in the design, with open-plan layouts extending to generous balconies and terraces. Residents will have a choice of two interior palettes, while specifications include engineered stone benchtops, SMEG appliances, full-height bathroom tiling and secure building access. Premium upgrade packages will also be available.</p>

<p>Multiple rooftop resident retreats will provide communal outdoor space overlooking the harbour and city, offering an elevated amenity layer above the activity of the precinct below.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135876 project_image_fid=368851]</p>

<p>The broader Cambridge Quarter vision extends beyond the residential tower itself. Ground-level retail activation and landscaped public areas are planned throughout the precinct, creating a walkable neighbourhood environment connected to the surrounding renewal of Newcastle West. The Cambridge Hotel is also earmarked for future redevelopment into a family-friendly hospitality venue integrated with the new precinct.</p>

<p>The project is strategically positioned within walking distance of Newcastle Interchange, providing access to light rail, regional rail services and direct connections to Sydney. Residents will also be close to Honeysuckle, Newcastle Harbour and the city's beaches and coastal walkways.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135876 project_image_fid=368852]</p>

<p>For GWH, Cambridge Quarter represents one of its most significant Newcastle developments to date. The locally based developer, which has operated in the Hunter region since 1995, describes the project as a new chapter in the ongoing transformation of Newcastle West.</p>

<p>GWH Executive Director Jonathan Craig said the project had been shaped by a focus on creating lasting community connections.</p>

<p>"We take pride in creating places that last. Spaces where people feel connected, comfortable and a genuine sense of belonging," Craig said.</p>

<p>"Cambridge Quarter is something we are truly proud of, a place shaped by local knowledge, built with care and designed to be part of Newcastle's next chapter."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135876]</p>


GWH unveils first release at landmark Cambridge Quarter precinct in Newcastle West

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ss-projects">S&amp;S Projects</a>,&nbsp;Rainbow Bay's busiest developer,&nbsp;has officially lodged plans for the largest development in its booming local portfolio, seeking approval for a further 88 apartments on Boundary Street.</p>

<p>The proposal&nbsp;at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">209–213 Boundary Street, Coolangatta</a>,&nbsp;marks the next chapter in the developer's transformation of the southern Gold Coast beachside precinct. It will be its fifth in the area, having already delivered Flow, Awaken and Esprit, while construction continues on the 38-apartment Radia. The new project would rise 57 metres above a consolidated 1,518 sqm site, on the same street as Radia and Esprit.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cottee-parker-architects">Cottee Parker</a>, the proposed development comprises 88 two and three-bedroom apartments across a contemporary podium-and-tower form that integrates extensive landscaping from street level through to the rooftop.</p>

<p>The tower would be delivered above a basement and multi-level podium accommodating resident and visitor parking, with the residential component commencing from level three. The design incorporates cascading planting throughout the façade, landscaped podium edges, and deep planting zones along the Boundary Street frontage.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: S&amp;S Projects lodges plans for 88-apartment wellness tower at Coolangatta's Boundary Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="677e6615-b5c0-4b6c-b4f9-efb14fcde1a6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/ss%20da%20pers.png?VersionId=YOnPKQm7IFXv0M5H326djEpxk80500Hi" /></p>

<p>A key feature of the development is its expansive rooftop wellness and recreation precinct. Plans reveal a resort-style pool deck, gymnasium, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, rooftop terraces, barbecue areas and landscaped relaxation spaces positioned to capture views across the southern Gold Coast coastline.</p>

<p>The rooftop wellness focus builds on the vision S&amp;S Projects first outlined when it acquired the site for $20.25 million last year.</p>

<p>"We are taking every advantage to create a truly unique rooftop wellness experience with a natural feel for residents, offering stone features throughout and an underlying theme that emulates a botanical garden," S&amp;S Projects founder and director Paul Gedoun said at the time.</p>

<p>The proposal seeks a 57-metre building height, representing a 50 per cent uplift on the site's mapped 38-metre height limit. Planning documents argue the additional height is consistent with recently approved and emerging towers in the immediate Boundary Street and Rainbow Bay precinct.</p>

<p>Urbis, acting as planning consultant, said the development would provide "88 dwellings, comprising a mix of two and three-bedroom apartments, contributing to housing choice and supply within an established medium to high-rise coastal urban neighbourhood."</p>

<p>The scheme has undergone extensive pre-lodgement consultation with the City of Gold Coast, with the design refined following feedback relating to architectural expression, landscaping, traffic access and podium treatment.</p>

<p><img alt="S&amp;S" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0a2d70fd-62ac-4b83-97c6-b798fc1243dd" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-05%20at%209.16.31%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=yHmghUwKM3IVGpBktQU1mE.0Lpf3WimG" /></p>

<p>The architectural team is led by Brisbane-based Cottee Parker, one of Australia's most active residential design studios, with landscape architecture by Dunn + Moran. The consultant team also includes ADG Engineers, Windtech and Acoustic Works.</p>

<p>S&amp;S Projects has become one of the most influential private developers operating on the southern Gold Coast. Since entering Rainbow Bay in 2022, the company has assembled a portfolio exceeding $1 billion in end value, establishing itself as a key player in the area's evolution into a premium apartment destination. Pezet Matheson will again handle the sales for S&amp;S.</p>

<p>Coolangatta is entering another wave of apartment development, following the delivery of several prominent residential projects in recent years.</p>

<p>John Kearney's Immerse Projects will launch&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kaiya-kirra-beach-5-haig-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Kaiya on Haig Street</a>&nbsp;soon, meanwhile, Palm Beach-based Sherpa Property Group is preparing to bring its debut Coolangatta development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-viver-87-griffith-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Flourish Viveré</a>, to market later this year, subject to approvals.</p>


Jonathan Chancellor

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