There were 2,734 properties for rent in Perth at the end of July, according to reiwa.com data.&nbsp;

Listings for rent have increased 13 per cent since the height of the rental shortage in December 2020.&nbsp;

&quot;Although there is still a rental shortage, this is an encouraging trend that needs to continue to achieve a balanced market,&rdquo; Damien Collins said.

The five suburbs to record the biggest increase in rental listings during July were Bayswater, Mount Hawthorn, Halls Head (photographed), Ascot and Bassendean.

&quot;The increase in listings since January reinforces that investor confidence is slowly starting to return,&quot; he noted.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=26734 project_image_fid=153695]

&quot;This is also backed up by Australian Bureau of Statistics data which shows investor loan approvals in Western Australia increased to $498 million in May 2021, which is 10 per cent more than April 2021 and 209 per cent more than May 2020.&nbsp;

&ldquo;We still have some way to go before we get back to a balanced market, but the early signs are good.&quot;Perth rental market

Perth&rsquo;s median rent price was stable in July, holding at $425 per week.

&ldquo;Although the Perth median rent price has increased over the last year, we are still $25 cheaper than the peak median rent price of $450 per week in 2013 and 2014.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7864 project_image_fid=142661]

&quot;It&rsquo;s reassuring for tenants that the rate of growth has slowed since the end of the rental moratorium.

Leasing activity increased 0.3 per cent in July and is up 7.1 per cent compared to April.&nbsp;

Victoria Park saw the biggest increase in leased properties, with activity up 71 per cent in July compared to June.&nbsp;

Other suburbs to perform well were Maylands (up 63 per cent), Piara Waters (up 50 per cent), Balga (up 50 per cent), Dianella (up 40 per cent) and Southern River (up 38 per cent).

The five Perth suburbs to record the biggest increase in rental listings during July were Bayswater, Mount Hawthorn, Halls Head, Ascot and Bassendean

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Perth rental shortage eased in July: REIWA

The NSW Government is creating greater protection for consumers from defective building work by moving the Strata Building Bond and Inspections Scheme (SBBIS) online.

Under the SBBIS, developers are required to pay a bond equal to two percent of the building contract price to NSW Fair Trading for newly constructed multi-story (4 levels and higher) strata developments.&nbsp;

The building bond adds another layer of protection for strata owners, providing money to cover the cost of rectifying early defects that are not fixed by the developer. 
&nbsp; 
Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation Kevin Anderson said moving the process online from July 31 is the first step in the NSW Government&rsquo;s new digital data hub and will take the scheme to the next level by removing paper forms, making the process simpler and allowing everyone involved to easily follow progress on claims and inspections.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=100811 project_image_fid=162900] 
&nbsp; 
&ldquo;The Strata Building Bond and Inspections Scheme currently holds more than $66.5 million in building bonds,&quot; Mr Anderson said.

&quot;That is money that can go straight to owners corporations to fix building defects without them needing to go through expensive, complex and lengthy legal claims,&rdquo; Mr Anderson said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&ldquo;Moving the SBBIS online means that everyone knows what&rsquo;s happening so we can get through the process quickly, making life simpler and easier for strata owners in NSW. 
&nbsp; 
&ldquo;The NSW Government has embarked on revolutionary reform in the construction sector to better protect new apartment owners, and make regulation more efficient and transparent.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=32227 project_image_fid=93954] 
&nbsp; 
&ldquo;Taking the SSBIS online is an important innovation that will enable Fair Trading to oversee the process digitally, freeing up capacity so it can focus on high-risk compliance matters.&rdquo; 
&nbsp; 
Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello said digitising the SSBIS will play a pivotal role in strengthening trust and confidence in the building industry. 
&nbsp; 
Building inspectors will be able to download a free &lsquo;SBBIS Inspect&rsquo; app that will enable them to log defects and add photos or video evidence to their reports in real time during onsite inspections. 
&nbsp; 
The SBBIS digitisation is one of the first stages in the development of a new Strata Hub to support strata management in NSW and drive building industry reform as part of the Construct NSW transformation strategy.

Digitising the SSBIS will play a pivotal role in strengthening confidence in the building industry

NSW Strata Building Bond and Inspections Scheme (SBBIS) goes online

A Lithgow land parcel with 78 residential building lots has been snapped up by the ASX-listed Maas Group Holdings.

It intends to undertake a residential development at the site, some 140kms west of Sydney.

The 33.12 hectare property at 33 Magpie Hollow Road in South Bowenfels, on the western outskirts of Lithgow.

It was sold for $8.4 million in a deal negotiated by Mark Litwin and Grant Bulpett of Knight Frank.
 
It was sold by a family, who were long-time owners of the property.

“It is expected demand for this development will be high as we have seen a strong ‘flight to country’ develop through COVID, with people increasingly looking outside of the CBD and metro markets for new places to live that will provide a more relaxed lifestyle," Bulpett said.

He added the purchase was "strategic" given the recently announced investigation into an 11- kilometre Blue Mountains tunnel, which would provide better access to the Lithgow area by reducing travel times.

“Increased links to and from markets will always drive value,” he said.

The 33 hectare property was sold by a family to the ASX-listed Maas Group Holdings

Maas Group buy Lithgow district residential development site

Peter Bartholomew has listed his 10th floor Melbourne CBD apartment in the 51 Spring St tower.

It is a whole floor in the complex designed by the architect Nonda Katsalidis in a late 1990s office conversion.

Expressions of interest for the apartment close August 9.

Colliers has the listing in conjunction with Marshall White who advised buyers the apartment in the heart of Melbourne&#39;s Paris-End had never been publicly available for sale.

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It comes with a yoga room, wine cellar and a library.

There are west, south, east and north-facing terraces with views including Parliament House, the Royal Exhibition Building, the Old Treasury and Fitzroy and Treasury gardens.

The listing notes &ldquo;51 Spring St is one of Melbourne&rsquo;s most tightly held and desirable addresses.&quot;

It is a 22-apartment complex.

The last known whole floor offering fetched $5.5 million in 2016, with 400sqm space, which sold through Kay &amp; Burton agent Monique Depierre, which first sold at $1.1 million in 1998.

Bartholomew has been behind several local restaurants through the years including MoVida, Lee Ho Fook and Rosa&rsquo;s Canteen.

 
&nbsp;

Colliers has the Spring St listing in conjunction with Marshall White


Melbourne restaurateur Peter Bartholomew lists CBD apartment with $7.5m plus hopes

A Southport, Gold Coast development site - once planned for a 47-level tower - has sold at auction for $6 million.

It was bought by an undisclosed Gold Coast investor.

The 2430sq m site is at 114 Scarborough St, on the corner of Hicks St.

The receivers listing was sold by Colliers International who had five bidders compete.

It fetched above price expectations.

&ldquo;Sales activity for high-density-zoned development sites in Southport has been relatively subdued this year compared to the rest of the Gold Coast market,&quot; agent Steven King said.

<a href="/developments/gold-coast-qld?source_news_article_id=107244&amp;ref=news_body_link"><img alt="" height="797" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/gc_newest_tile_1.png" width="1200" /></a>

&ldquo;While sites in southern beachside markets continue to attract record prices, this sale demonstrates that Southport has begun its development site rebound,&rdquo; he told the local paper.

The vacant site is within Southport&rsquo;s designated Priority Development Area.

It was reported that a NSW-based company and Chinese investors had previously planned a 47-level apartment/hotel tower.

The DA approval was for a 47 level tower comprising of a 225 bed hotel and 264 (1, 2 and 3 bed) apartments

The site had cost $7.65 million, The Gold Coast Bulletin reported.

The site borders the Gold Coast City Council&#39;s recently proposed &quot;Towers Of Power&quot; government and court precinct, a proposed $300 million development. 
&nbsp;

Sales activity for high-density-zoned development sites in Southport had been relatively subdued compared to the rest of the Gold Coast market

Southport, Gold Coast apartment development site sells for $6 million

ID_Land has bought a residential house and land site north-east of the Gisborne town centre.

It paid $100 million for the mixed-use site, billed as the last big development parcel in the expanding country town about an hour north of Melbourne, according to the Australian Financial review.

The three title site has 266 hectares near the Rosslynne Reservoir off the Calder Freeway.

Its 86-hectare lot on Ross Watt Road is zoned for residential use and tipped to yield about 718 housing lots, which will assist the developer restock after bumper sales over the past year.

The 174 hectare cattle farm at 9 Lawson Road could be divided into 40-hectare rural lots.

A 5.7-hectare lot on Black Forest Road is suitable for a single dwelling or hobby farm.

The vendor was the Barro Group, a supplier and distributor of pre-mixed concrete and quarry products.

It was sold by Biggin &amp; Scott Land who considered offers from Satterley, Avid, YourLand and Metro Property Development to acquire the site.

ID&mdash;Land&#39;s acquisition follows its 2019 launch of its $250 million Willow Estate on the other side of Gisborne.&nbsp;

It now has a $2.5 billion project pipeline including sites along Barwon Heads Road in Armstrong Creek, south of Geelong, to be called Haymont, with more than 400 lots.

ID_Land has bought 266 hectares of rural and residential land north-east of the Gisborne town centre


ID_Land expands residential land offering near Gisborne

Construction will resume after the July lockdown in Greater Sydney including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour with new COVID protocols to be introduced to keep workers and worksites safe.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro advised construction can resume on Saturday, 31 July, with safety measures such as controls on movements between sites, reduced contact between workers within sites, improved tracing capability and a focus on encouraging workers to get vaccinated.

&ldquo;Works in occupied premises including residential homes can also resume from this Saturday where there is zero contact between workers and residents,&quot; he saaid.

There will be a limit of up to two workers for indoor services and five workers for outdoor services, and works will only be possible where it is feasible for residents to vacate the area. If contactless arrangements are not possible, work cannot go ahead.

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&ldquo;Unfortunately, construction will not resume in the eight LGAs of concern &ndash; Fairfield, Blacktown, Cumberland, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Liverpool, Parramatta and Georges River Local Government Areas.

&ldquo;However, businesses in those LGAs which are part of the construction supply chain will be permitted to operate. Construction supply chain workers will be added to the authorised workers list and will be allowed to leave their local area for work, subject to meeting COVID-19 surveillance testing requirements. This includes workers engaged in manufacturing of construction materials, plant and components.

&ldquo;I can also announce that as part of our plan to reopen construction, worksites will be able to operate on Sundays and public holidays for the remainder of the year, up until Christmas, to make up for any time lost.&rdquo;

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the required construction COVID-19 safety plan builds on the COVID safe measures already in place at many worksites, but we&rsquo;re now applying that consistently right across the sector.

&ldquo;We have worked with the industry over the past two weeks to get the right outcome and I would like to thank the sector for their constructive engagement. I would also like to acknowledge the willingness of the industry to take the lead in trials in the application of Rapid Antigen Testing and local vaccination services at sites, consistent with guidance from NSW Health.&rdquo;

A defined list of preparatory works may commence on worksites from tomorrow to enable sites to reopen safely, with limited workforces on site to ensure COVID safe measures are in place, that equipment and plant can be restarted safely and that all utilities are in order.

Construction will resume in Sydney on Saturday, 31 July, with safety measures 

Sydney apartment sites permitted to resume construction in August

The ALP has dumped the controversial tax policies it took to the 2016 and 2019 elections.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese announced the retreat while campaigning in Queensland yesterday.

He advised the Labor caucus had agreed to dump the negative gearing and capital gains tax policies it had under Bill Shorten&#39;s leadership.

The tax measures would have likely affected homeowners, investors and property prices. They had been pitched as policies to improve housing affordability.

The policies unsettled property investment especially in the months prior to the May 2019 election.

&ldquo;They&rsquo;re big decisions, but this is the right decision that we&rsquo;re making today,&rdquo; the shadow treasurer, Jim Chalmers said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=100322 project_image_fid=163036]

The decision was taken by the shadow cabinet on Monday morning, and then put to an online meeting of the caucus.

Labor initially proposed cutting negative gearing concessions in February 2016, which became one of the major policy differences with the Turnbull Government at the 2016 election.

Then Prime Minister Scott Morrison attacked Labor when it stuck with the policy in the 2019 election.

Danielle Wood, the chief executive of the economic think tank the Grattan Institute, condemned the policy&nbsp;shift.

&ldquo;If you can&rsquo;t sell a popular policy on negative gearing (majority support at the time of the last election), when house prices are rising rapidly and the budget is in massive structural deficit, then what hope does Australia have for any difficult reform?&rdquo;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5490 project_image_fid=78497]

The Greens leader Adam Bandt blasted Labor&rsquo;s retreat as &ldquo;the sell-out of the century&rdquo;.

The Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) welcomed the Leader of the Opposition&rsquo;s announcement that Labor will support the status quo for negative gearing and capital gains tax should they form government. 
&nbsp; 
REIA President, Adrian Kelly noted ATO data shows that that the majority &ndash; just over 70 per cent &ndash; of investors own just one investment property. 
&nbsp; 
&ldquo;Continuing to support successful tax settings that encourage investment and has assisted investors throughout the COVID-19 pandemic is most welcome in a time of great uncertainty. 
&nbsp; 
&ldquo;We also do not want CGT to become overly punitive and disincentivise and discourage households from rightsizing.&quot;

Anthony Albanese announced Labor caucus had agreed to dump the negative gearing and capital gains tax policies it took to the last two elections

Labor dumps Bill Shorten's negative gearing policy

Sydney dwelling prices will rise 21.6 percent, the highest predicted growth rate on the mainland, according to revised NAB forecasts.

NAB has forecast Sydney in 2021 will then see a 3.1 per cent rise in 2022.

The National Australia Bank&rsquo;s latest quarterly residential property survey forecast Brisbane will secure the second highest dwelling price growth on the mainland.

It is forecast Brisbane will see a 19.5 per cent rise in 2021 and a 4.4 per cent rise in 2022, the strongest market next year.

<a href="/developments/brisbane-qld?source_news_article_id=107021&amp;ref=news_body_link"><img alt="" height="800" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/template_photoshop_brisbane_7.jpg" width="1200" /></a>

Melbourne will jump 17.6 per cent by the end of 2021, which was a 1.4 per cent rise on their prediction in April. There will be 3.5 percent Melbourne price growth in 2022.

All three major capital cities have followed the same pattern.

&quot;We have revised up our outlook for dwelling prices in 2021 and slightly lowered our expectations for 2022 to now 18.5% and 3.6%, respectively,&quot; NAB&#39;s Alan Oster said.

<a href="/developments/sydney-nsw?source_news_article_id=107021&amp;ref=news_body_link"><img alt="" height="800" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/template_photoshop_sydneycbd_1.png" width="1200" /></a>

&quot;Faster than expected outcomes in recent months see a higher starting base, and while we see a slowing in the monthly pace of growth from here, we still see solid growth over the next 6 months.

&quot;The upgrade to our forecast is relatively uniform across capital cities.&nbsp;

&quot;The better than expected recovery in the economy and labour market alongside very low interest rates has supported the strong rebound in the property market.&nbsp;

&quot;Affordability constraints will likely begin to bind over the year and see a slowing in price growth as the impact of lower rates fades,&quot; he said.

Hobart was tipped to see the fastest growth at 23.5 per cent in 2021 and a 4.3 per cent rise in 2022.

The report anticipates a 17.4 per cent rise in 2021 and 3.9 per cent rise in 2022 in Adelaide, and an 11.6 per cent rise in 2021 for Perth with a 3.9 per cent rise in 2022.

The NAB chief economist Alan Oster noted the latest survey of experts remained optimistic the property market would continue its strong trajectory.

&ldquo;Initially we were quite worried about the lockdowns, but what we&rsquo;ve seen is when you come out of lockdown the market recovers pretty quickly.&rdquo;

NAB said that it still expects house prices to lift at a faster rate than unit prices, which have been more impacted in major cities by slowing population growth due to international border closures amid the pandemic.

Hobart dwellings were forecast to record the biggest price growth by the year’s end, with property values to rise 23.5 per cent.



Sydney to achieve highest mainland dwelling price growth in 2021: NAB

Cbus has sold one-third of the 101 apartments in its 111 Castlereagh St development, atop the former David Jones department store.

Colliers managing director, residential, Peter Chittenden told the Weekend Australia he was also "close to selling" a $30 million-plus penthouse in the project being developed by Cbus Property.

It has 460 sqm space.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94354 project_image_fid=170432]

The cheapest units are one-bedrooms starting at about $3 million, while four bedroom units start from $13.5 million.

Most of the 101 apartments have views over Hyde Park in the tower designed by architects fjmtstudio.

Apartment residents will enjoy a rooftop with a pool, gym and gardens at the project where construction is underway.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94354 project_image_fid=170428]

The apartments will be ready by the third quarter of 2023.

Chittenden had always expected most buyers would be local owner-occupiers and confirmed there has been no offshore money purchasing in the development.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94354 project_image_fid=170427]

He confirmed most buyers hail from Sydney’s east as well as regional NSW, with several apartments purchased by high-net-worth farmers.

The Cbus tower sits above the former David Jones menswear store in Market Street with apartments, office space, and luxury retail planned by Cbus Property and Scentre, the owner of Westfield malls.

Colliers has sold one-third of the 101 apartments in the 111 Castlereagh St development

Cbus secure 33 sales at 111 Castlereagh St with $30 million penthouse next to go

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.

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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."

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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.

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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>.

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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.

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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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