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Melbourne developer Tim Gurner secured strong sales in his pre-launch of his South Melbourne project.
Architects Elenberg Fraser, interior designer David Hicks and landscaper Jack Merlo have collaborated on the nine-level building of 71 apartments set 200 metres from Albert Park Lake.
The 74 Eastern Road, South Melbourne pricing was set at $435,000 to $3.95 million through 360 Property Group.
All six penthouses were first to go bought by five buyers, with Gurner banking a total of $10.75 million.
One buyer bought two penthouses, outlaying $3.5 million to amalgamate the pair.
Gurner invested $1 million on the display suite.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

All the penthouses sell in Gurner South Melbourne project

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The fundamentals for a solid year for property for NSW and especially Sydney are all there, excepting some requisite sentiment.
The residential market after such an extraordinary run was ripe for the spooking especially after Macquarie Group forecast, rather vaguely, that Australian house prices would fall by 7.5 percent starting this year.
Ofcourse a drop of 7.5% in Sydney - which is not what they were suggesting - would only take back around one tenth of the 73 percent gain in dwelling house prices accrued since the end of the global financial crisis in 2009.
The small uptick in bank interest rates, higher for investors than owner occupiers, didn't help the buyer confidence extend into the spring selling season.
Now John Symond, executive chairman of Aussie Home Loans, recently suggested there's been talk at the top end of town of more to come.
"It would not surprise me if over the next few months that the banks creep up their lending rates, but I don't think they'll go through the roof."
"They may go up another 0.1 or 0.15," he tipped.
"But at the moment I think consumers want every bit of help they can get to give them that bit of confidence."
Problem was Sydney over reached in early 2015. One research group even calculated the Sydney median house price had suprisingly surged past $1 million a whole year ahead of their scheduling.
Crazy is not where the market should be anyway, especially as households’ ability to borrow relative to their income should be the most important factor in their purchase decision. Not the fear of missing out which dominated much of early last year.
But don't think the negative sentiment will necessarily disappear soon.
Global ratings agency Moody’s got headlines earlier this month when they warned of increased mortgage delinquencies over the coming year as the regions most vulnerable to mining were starting to show “some signs of stress”. The NSW Hunter Valley especially.
But back to those fundamentals. New South Wales is benefiting from record low net interstate migration outflow, and strong, albeit easing, net overseas migration.
The collapse in completions between 2006/07 and 2011/12 created a sizeable dwelling deficiency. Thankfully completions rose from 8,400 dwellings in 2011/12 to 33,400 dwellings in 2014/15, however BIS Shrapnel forecaster Angie Zigomanis suggests the deficiency of 42,300 dwellings will take some time for the market to return to balance.
While rental growth is certainly subdued, investors will be bouyed that vacancy rates in inner and middle Sydney fell below the balanced market rate of three percent in 2005 and have not been higher since. 
Drive anywhere around Sydney and the emergence of an instrastructure spend is evident. Light rail in the east or progress on the new roads to support the Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek.
Yes macroeconomic cyclical factors are likely to periodically play something a spoiler role in price growth during 2016, but we ought emerge stronger from it. 
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.
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Sydney's fundamentals are in place, but perhaps not the sentiment

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<div>One of those photogenic bathing boxes on Brighton beach bettered the Melbourne bayside's price record when $295,000 was paid at weekend auction.</div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.hockingstuart.com.au/BATHING_BOX_62B,_DENDY_STREET_BEACH_BRIGHTON_VIC_3186">Positioned on the Dendy Street foreshore</a>, the record had stood at $285,000 since late last month.
But dig a bit deeper into the ever shifting sands of Melbourne property and not every price is heading skyward.
The cheapest weekend Melbourne auction result represented a significant loss for the vendor.
The inner Melbourne studio apartment fetched $170,000, above the $155,000 pre-auction price guidance, but less than the $282,000 sale in 2011.
The Malaysian based investor vendor had been securing around $288 a week in rental, plus NRAS concessions.
In an unexpected early 2016 auction results twist, CoreLogic RP Data calculated Melbourne’s auction clearance rate has slipped below Sydney’s for the first time since mid-September last year. 
<a href="/images/2016/02/15/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-15%20at%209.07.50%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/02/15/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-15%20at%209.07.50%20AM.png" alt="">
No surprise Sydney topped the nation's weekend auction prices when $3.63 million was paid in Lindfield on its upper north shore. The 2010 Harvey Little-renovated four bedroom brick Lindfield home traded at $3.18 million two years ago, reflecting a nice six percent annual price gain.
<a href="/images/2016/02/15/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-15%20at%209.04.06%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/02/15/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-15%20at%209.04.06%20AM.png" alt="">
A $3.175 million Unley Park, Adelaide sale also easily exceeded Melbourne's top sale of $2.625 million in Hawthorn. The 1910 Edwardian Hawthorn home, that last sold in 1988 at $331,000, helped Melbourne's inner east as the strongest performing Melbourne sub-region with a formidable 81 per cent clearance rate across 52 auctions.
"There really is bugger all quality stock on offer right now," Melbourne buyer's agent Mal James suggested.
Not entirely the case as My Super Nanny childcare entrepreneur Stephanie Wakefield's Hampton property fetched $1.66 million on Saturday.
The fashionably styled home was listed with initial $1.5 million plus hopes, which were then revised up to $1.6 million plus.
In Sydney many buyers seemingly aren't waiting for the auction.
Australian test cricket vice captain David Warner and his wife Candice secured a bullish $7 million plus sale of their South Coogee home three weeks ahead of its intended auction.
The sale was easily above the $6.25 million paid two years ago by the couple who listed following their $4 million purchase of a oceanfront building block in Maroubra. 
After a shocking January kickoff, Sydney's Saturday auction clearance rate remained above 70 percent for the second successive weekend, suggesting the earlybirds vendors will do fine while stock levels stay low.
Volumes are set to ramp up shortly ahead of the earlier than usual Easter break.
But currently new listings in Sydney are at their lowest level for this time of year since 2012, according to CoreLogic RP Data.
Big differences are emerging though across the regions as North Sydney and Hornsby are sitting on a 92 per cent success rate while the South West secured just 52 per cent over the week to February 14. 
CoreLogic RP Data notes Sydney had shown a "remarkable bounce" in clearance rates, recording a 78 per cent preliminary clearance rate over the last week, compared with clearances that were tracking in the high 50 per cent range last December.  
<a href="/images/2016/02/15/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-15%20at%209.05.21%20AM.png" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/02/15/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-15%20at%209.05.21%20AM.png" alt="">
The national preliminary auction clearance rate once again surprised on the upside, rising to 72 per cent this week, compared to 70 per cent last week and 74 per cent over the same week one year ago.
The 1330 national auction volumes are higher than they were last week's 916 residential homes were taken to auction, however they are still tracking below the 1540 volume recorded over the same week last February. 
</div>
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Sydney overtakes Melbourne on clearance rates, not withstanding fresh bathing box record

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The boss of the diversified property group Mirvac expects fewer Asia-based buyers, as the company delivered a 69 percent increase in profit to $472 million.
Its chief executive Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz said the residential property market had passed an "inflection point" and said the commercial property market was "nearing the end of the cap rate compression cycle." 
"We are keeping a keen eye on the property cycle," Ms Lloyd-Hurwitz said last week when Mirvac Group reported its interim results for the half year ended 31 December 2015.
But she noted NSW had a "stronger for longer construction cycle" being underpinned by broad new infrastructure projects.
<a href="/images/2016/02/15/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-15%20at%208.44.03%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/02/15/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-15%20at%208.44.03%20AM.png" alt="">
It has $877 million of residential pre-sales expected to settle in 2H16 after strong 1H16 residential gross margins of 25.3%, driven by outperformance of Sydney MPC projects and Melbourne apartments.
The group achieved record $2.6 billion of pre-sales, up from $2 billion at FY15 including securing 88% and 73% of expected FY16 and FY17 Development EBIT respectively, driven by record level of residential pre-sales.
Noting its resilience through brand equity — and a hgh level of repeat buyers with up to 25% of sales on some projects - the updated noted it had maintained its long-term average of less than 1% defaults.
<a href="/images/2016/02/15/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-15%20at%208.45.49%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/02/15/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-15%20at%208.45.49%20AM.png" alt="">
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
Most analysts, according to the Australian Financial Review, focused their questions during the results briefing on the security of Mirvac's apartment settlements especially to offshore buyers.
"We do expect some moderation of offshore demand but we expect to see continued investor and owner occupier demand from Asia but at a little lower rate than last year," Ms Lloyd-Hurwitz said.
Some 14 percent of Mirvac's lot settlements went to offshore buyers and each addition purchase over 20 per cent of a project has to be given special individual approval by group executive for residential development John Carfi, it emerged.
</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-media section"> </div>
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Expecting fewer Asian buyers, Mirvac keeping a keen eye on the property cycle

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The world class winery Sweetwater, located in the rolling hills of the Hunter Valley, goes under the hammer in three weeks at half the earlier price expectations.
Inspired by southern European vineyard estates, the<a href="https://jurds.com.au/listings/rural_sale-319321-pokolbin/" target="_blank"> 48 hectare Pokolbin holding comes with $15 million plus hopes</a>.
Chinese buyers have heard of the repricing which has triggered a spate of recent inspections by international visitors.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz vines cover a third of the estate which dates back to the colonial 1840s.
"Chinese interest in Hunter Valley vineyards is certainly back up to the levels we saw in late 2011 and early 2012," Jurds listing agent Cain Beckett said.
"It seems the recent Chinese stock market crash and threat of a devalued RMB has created the urgency to get money into safer havens and our falling dollar is why many investors are favouring Australia."
But he cautioned his experience over the last six months was that getting the funds out of China had become increasingly difficult causing lengthy delays with exchange and preventing some sales from completing.
Not just a winery and olive grove, the main residence is a stunning Mediterrean style construction that features private and guest wing accommodations.
Duncan Hardie's Sweetwater Wines purchased the land in 1997 with most of the vineyards dying or being grazed by cattle.
Hunter Valley wine veteran Brian McGuigan provided early advice on the layout and planting, having worked on the vineyard when he was about 18 years old.
It is being marketed by Alan Jurd of Jurds Real Estate as the "most significant country vineyard estate in Australia."
He expects a sale between $14 million and $20 million.
Alan had initially been asked to list it at over $30 million last year.
"We are receiving a lot of enquiry and to date have had several inspections with buyers based in China," he said.
Jurds Real Estate director Cain Beckett suggested the falling Australian dollar was one of the reasons for why the Chinese interest in Hunter Valley vineyards is back.
There was a spurt in Chinese activity in 2011 where The Golden Grape Estate, The Capercaillie and Windsors' Edge were all bought by Chinese investors.
Directors of the Chinese division of the marketing firm Amway bought a vineyard in 2013 for $3.8 million.
Cain said unlike 2011 and 2012 there was now strong competition from the Australian buyer spurred mostly by a strong Sydney property market and strong cattle prices.
He suggested cattle could be grazed supplementary to the vineyard but it would not be the primary use due to the strong reputation of the award-winning Shiraz produce.
Brian McGuigan has recently bought a Hunter Valley cattle farm.
Sweetwater Wines, part of the Hardie Holdings group, purchased the land in 1997 in Belford from Belford Pastoral Company, which was originally granted to the pioneering Richard Jones, a merchant and pastoralist.
In 1829 Jones had received 10,000 acres at Singleton in the Hunter Valley from where he established one of his finest vineyards in the Patrick Plains Shore at Sweetwater Creek off Old North Road. 
In 1844 from Jones’s first plantings, his vineyard produced a total of 2,000 gallons of wine. 
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Sweetwater, Pokolbin set to tempt Chinese buyers with price reduction

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Around $7.4 million has been secured by the former Microsoft executive Daniel Petre for his Lavender Bay 1886 mansion, Alta Mura. 
Petre and wife, Carolyn bought the Lavender Bay property from Sydney barrister Clive Steirn for $6.4 million shortly after setting the Killara record for his $11.5 million sale in 2011.
They renovated the five bedroom Victorian home with swimming pool amid the landscaped gardens.
Alta Mura had an asking price of $7.7 million through Belle Property agent Tim Foote in conjunction with McGrath agents Nigel Mukhi and Piers van Hamburg.
Petre and his wife Carolyn have bought the nearby four bedroom Villa Medusa for $8 million after listing Alta Mura early last year.
<div>
<div>REA Group chairman Hamish McLennan and his wife Lucinda are the reported buyers of Alta Mura.</div>
</div>
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Daniel Petre sells Lavender Bay's Alta Mura

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There were 92 suburbs in Melbourne that had a median house price in excess of a million dollars in December Quarter 2015, according to the REIV.
Of these, 45 suburbs had 30 or more sales in the quarter. There were thirteen new entrants to this list over the quarter: Brunswick East, East Melbourne, Flinders, Hampton East, Middle Park, Parkdale, Parkville, Research, Rosanna, Sorrento, St Kilda West, Thornbury and Warrandyte. Eight suburbs - Brunswick East, Hampton East, Parkdale, Parkville, Research, Rosanna, Sorrento and Thornbury - returned to the list in the three months to December 2015.  * denotes less than 30 sales in the quarter
 
<table dir="ltr" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Suburb"]'>Suburb</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Dec-15 Median"]'>Dec-15 Median</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"EAST MELBOURNE*"]'>EAST MELBOURNE*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2842500]">$2,842,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"TOORAK"]'>TOORAK</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2840000]">$2,840,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"ST KILDA WEST*"]'>ST KILDA WEST*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2700000]">$2,700,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"CANTERBURY"]'>CANTERBURY</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2432000]">$2,432,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"MIDDLE PARK*"]'>MIDDLE PARK*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2290000]">$2,290,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"MALVERN"]'>MALVERN</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2230000]">$2,230,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BRIGHTON"]'>BRIGHTON</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2225000]">$2,225,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"ARMADALE*"]'>ARMADALE*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2200000]">$2,200,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"KEW"]'>KEW</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2140000]">$2,140,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BALWYN"]'>BALWYN</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2100000]">$2,100,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"HAWTHORN EAST"]'>HAWTHORN EAST</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2050000]">$2,050,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"PORTSEA*"]'>PORTSEA*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2050000]">$2,050,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"HAWTHORN"]'>HAWTHORN</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2015625]">$2,015,625</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"CAMBERWELL"]'>CAMBERWELL</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1877500]">$1,877,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"GLEN IRIS"]'>GLEN IRIS</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1853000]">$1,853,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"HAMPTON"]'>HAMPTON</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1850000]">$1,850,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"SOUTH YARRA"]'>SOUTH YARRA</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1833000]">$1,833,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"SURREY HILLS"]'>SURREY HILLS</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1759389]">$1,759,389</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BALWYN NORTH"]'>BALWYN NORTH</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1725000]">$1,725,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"KEW EAST*"]'>KEW EAST*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1723000]">$1,723,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"CAULFIELD*"]'>CAULFIELD*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1711000]">$1,711,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"EAGLEMONT*"]'>EAGLEMONT*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1700000]">$1,700,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"ELWOOD"]'>ELWOOD</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1650000]">$1,650,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"PARKVILLE*"]'>PARKVILLE*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1600000]">$1,600,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"ALPHINGTON*"]'>ALPHINGTON*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1590000]">$1,590,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BRIGHTON EAST"]'>BRIGHTON EAST</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1580000]">$1,580,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"FITZROY*"]'>FITZROY*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1580000]">$1,580,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"CAULFIELD NORTH"]'>CAULFIELD NORTH</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1560000]">$1,560,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"ALBERT PARK*"]'>ALBERT PARK*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1550000]">$1,550,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"MONT ALBERT*"]'>MONT ALBERT*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1534000]">$1,534,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"MALVERN EAST"]'>MALVERN EAST</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1520500]">$1,520,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"IVANHOE"]'>IVANHOE</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1505500]">$1,505,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"PRAHRAN"]'>PRAHRAN</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1485000]">$1,485,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"SANDRINGHAM"]'>SANDRINGHAM</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1472500]">$1,472,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BLACK ROCK*"]'>BLACK ROCK*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1460000]">$1,460,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"ASHBURTON"]'>ASHBURTON</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1426000]">$1,426,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BEAUMARIS"]'>BEAUMARIS</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1425000]">$1,425,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"ELSTERNWICK"]'>ELSTERNWICK</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1408750]">$1,408,750</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"CARLTON*"]'>CARLTON*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1400000]">$1,400,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"PARK ORCHARDS*"]'>PARK ORCHARDS*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1380000]">$1,380,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BOX HILL*"]'>BOX HILL*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1375000]">$1,375,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"NORTH MELBOURNE*"]'>NORTH MELBOURNE*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1367500]">$1,367,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"ORMOND*"]'>ORMOND*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1365000]">$1,365,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"SOUTH MELBOURNE*"]'>SOUTH MELBOURNE*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1362500]">$1,362,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"TEMPLESTOWE"]'>TEMPLESTOWE</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1353000]">$1,353,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"ABERFELDIE*"]'>ABERFELDIE*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1342500]">$1,342,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"ST KILDA EAST*"]'>ST KILDA EAST*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1330000]">$1,330,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"ESSENDON"]'>ESSENDON</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1315000]">$1,315,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"CAULFIELD SOUTH"]'>CAULFIELD SOUTH</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1313000]">$1,313,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"CARNEGIE*"]'>CARNEGIE*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1300000]">$1,300,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"FAIRFIELD*"]'>FAIRFIELD*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1300000]">$1,300,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"FLINDERS*"]'>FLINDERS*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1300000]">$1,300,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BENTLEIGH"]'>BENTLEIGH</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1295000]">$1,295,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"MCKINNON*"]'>MCKINNON*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1288750]">$1,288,750</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"MURRUMBEENA*"]'>MURRUMBEENA*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1285000]">$1,285,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"MOUNT WAVERLEY"]'>MOUNT WAVERLEY</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1281250]">$1,281,250</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"DONCASTER"]'>DONCASTER</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1260000]">$1,260,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"ST KILDA*"]'>ST KILDA*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1257000]">$1,257,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"MONT ALBERT NORTH*"]'>MONT ALBERT NORTH*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1253500]">$1,253,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"PORT MELBOURNE"]'>PORT MELBOURNE</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1252500]">$1,252,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BOX HILL SOUTH"]'>BOX HILL SOUTH</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1238000]">$1,238,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"FITZROY NORTH*"]'>FITZROY NORTH*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1224250]">$1,224,250</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"RICHMOND"]'>RICHMOND</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1220000]">$1,220,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"CARLTON NORTH*"]'>CARLTON NORTH*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1210000]">$1,210,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"CLIFTON HILL*"]'>CLIFTON HILL*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1206000]">$1,206,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BURWOOD"]'>BURWOOD</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1190000]">$1,190,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BLACKBURN"]'>BLACKBURN</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1188000]">$1,188,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"GLEN WAVERLEY"]'>GLEN WAVERLEY</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1185000]">$1,185,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"WILLIAMSTOWN"]'>WILLIAMSTOWN</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1179500]">$1,179,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"DONVALE*"]'>DONVALE*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1162500]">$1,162,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"STRATHMORE"]'>STRATHMORE</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1160500]">$1,160,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"DONCASTER EAST"]'>DONCASTER EAST</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1160000]">$1,160,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"NORTHCOTE"]'>NORTHCOTE</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1106250]">$1,106,250</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"ASHWOOD*"]'>ASHWOOD*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1103500]">$1,103,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"CLAYTON*"]'>CLAYTON*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1100500]">$1,100,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"SORRENTO*"]'>SORRENTO*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1100000]">$1,100,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"HAMPTON EAST*"]'>HAMPTON EAST*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1081000]">$1,081,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"HUGHESDALE*"]'>HUGHESDALE*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1080250]">$1,080,250</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"TEMPLESTOWE LOWER"]'>TEMPLESTOWE LOWER</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1070000]">$1,070,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"PARKDALE"]'>PARKDALE</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1062500]">$1,062,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"VERMONT SOUTH"]'>VERMONT SOUTH</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1049000]">$1,049,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BULLEEN*"]'>BULLEEN*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1038000]">$1,038,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"OAKLEIGH*"]'>OAKLEIGH*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1037500]">$1,037,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"WARRANDYTE"]'>WARRANDYTE</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1030000]">$1,030,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"RESEARCH*"]'>RESEARCH*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1027500]">$1,027,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BOX HILL NORTH"]'>BOX HILL NORTH</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1025000]">$1,025,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BRUNSWICK EAST*"]'>BRUNSWICK EAST*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1020000]">$1,020,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"WINDSOR*"]'>WINDSOR*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1020000]">$1,020,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"THORNBURY"]'>THORNBURY</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1017000]">$1,017,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"BENTLEIGH EAST"]'>BENTLEIGH EAST</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1015000]">$1,015,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"ROSANNA*"]'>ROSANNA*</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1010000]">$1,010,000</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</body></html>

Melbourne's 92 million dollar median suburbs: REIV

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Lawyers who prepare Wills regularly as part of their usual practice are familiar with the expression ‘only a simple Will’ and just as regularly understand there is no such creature, as a Will is only as simple as the personal circumstances and assets of the client.
In this newsletter we examine matters which should form part of a client’s instructions to a lawyer when making a will. Failure to consider and discuss these particular matters can have serious implications for your intended beneficiaries.
1. Your personal circumstances
The intentions in your will can be thwarted and the estate’s assets diminished by significant legal costs if a successful family provision claim is brought against your estate. When making a will it is therefore important a potential claim is discussed with your lawyer. This requires establishing the existence of:
<ul>
<li>a current or former spouse,</li>
<li>a current or former de facto spouse,</li>
<li> children; and</li>
<li>other persons who may be eligible under legislation to bring a claim for provision </li>
</ul>
2. Your assets
The provisions of a Will reflecting your wishes only have effect in accordance with those wishes if the assets held at the time of your death and forming part of your estate can be conveyed to the intended beneficiaries. Realty is to most clients an important asset, whose ownership must be considered and advice sought.
Joint assets pass on the death of a joint owner by survivorship and operation of law to the surviving joint owner, regardless of the provisions of the will, and do not form part of your estate. Implications which arise from this include:
2.1. Severing a joint tenancy: Any jointly held real estate must be identified before finalising your will. A Will that purports to leave an interest in a joint asset to a beneficiary will fail, and the named beneficiary will be disappointed. You need to discuss with your lawyer the rights of joint owners and the ability to sever the joint tenancy to create a tenancy in common of a half share which can be conveyed by your will.
2.2. Creating a joint tenancy: This is a correlation of the previous issue, namely, by creating a joint tenancy in relation to assets held as tenants in common with an intended beneficiary may remove the asset from the estate. (Uniquely in NSW (compared to other states) this will not however prevent a notional estate orderbeing made whereby half the property can in certain circumstances become available to satisfy an order for provision in favour of an eligible claimant. It is still useful for the other reasons stated below.)
In either case, the means of conducting a title search against realty are readily available, whereby the determination of whether assets are held solely, or as tenants in common, or joint tenants can easily be ascertained and advice given.
A recent decision of the Tasmanian Full Court drew attention to the above matters which are the subject of necessary and proper instructions when considering a will.
Superannuation is an asset that may or may not be within your control to dispose of by Will.  Advice should be sought as to the potential destination of superannuation benefits, the existence of binding nominations, and taxation advantages of leaving superannuation to dependents who will receive it tax free.
3. Other considerations when making your will
Creating a Joint Tenancy- for ease of estate administration
If your intention is to leave the home in your sole name to your spouse, you may consider creating a joint tenancy in favour of your spouse to minimise the costs of Probate which would be incurred on your death if the asset remained in your sole name and therefore part of your estate.  Whilst there may be duty implications in the creation of a joint tenancy, an exemption from duty applies in the case of the matrimonial home.
Similarly where the testator holds assets as tenants in common with the intended beneficiary named in the will, and whether spouse or not, no duty is attracted by creating a joint tenancy.
The costs of registration of a notice of death are minimal in comparison with the costs of a probate application.
Preparation of a Statement by Testator:
You may consider the preparation of a statement for use in evidence in the event of a claim against your estate, setting out factual matters which may only be within your knowledge, or which may otherwise assist the defence of a claim after your death.  
This could include reference to provision made during your lifetime to the potential claimant, annexing bank or other documents which evidence such provision having been given.  Without the statement, the executors who will be defending the claim may have been unaware of the provision given to the plaintiff during your life, or other facts raised in the statement, which would have been useful evidence in the defence of a claim. 
Statements by a testator setting out the nature of a relationship may also assist the defence of a claim by a person alleging the existence of a de facto relationship.  Whilst such statements have limited weight given the testator cannot be cross-examined, the Court may take the statement into account, when the only other evidence before the Court may be the unchallenged evidence of the claimant seeking to prove a relationship.
Any such statements should be prepared carefully with the assistance of an experienced estate planning lawyer.
For more information, check out TressCox Lawyers <a href="https://www.tresscox.com.au" target="_blank">here</a>.
</body></html>

Property 101: No such thing as a simple will

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An iconic North Beach home sold for more than $6 million at auction late last year.
Mystery has surrounded the local buyer - represented by a buyer's agent with bidder card 13 - at the auction where 10 others sough to secure <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/157-west-coast-drive-north-beach-wa-6020-2012306972" target="_blank">157 West Coast Drive</a>.
It sold under the hammer for $6,125,000 through Realmark agent Jason Kuriata.
It was the highest price paid for a property at auction in Perth last year, but at less than its 2011 sale price of $7.2 million.
The property had previously been on the market with another Realmark agent via private sale since early 2014 seeking $8 million plus.
Around 400 people inspected the six-bedroom, seven bathroom 2005-built home sprawling across 935 square-metres living space.
The architecturally-designed home has a six–person lift.
</body></html>

Iconic North Beach, Perth trophy home sold for $6.1 million 

<html><body>
Melbourne’s median price has moderated following four successive quarters of growth, providing positive news for house hunters in 2016.
The median price fell marginally in the December quarter – down 0.1 per cent to a median house price of $718,000 – following solid growth of 4.5 per cent in September. 
REIV Chief Executive Officer, Enzo Raimondo, said a high proportion of sales in Melbourne’s outer ring in the last quarter of 2015 had assisted in stabilising the housing market. 
“Melbourne’s outer suburbs saw the strongest capital growth in the December quarter, up 2.9 per cent over September figures,” he said.
Suburbs in the city’s outer north east dominated the list of top growth suburbs with Warrandyte recording growth of more than 19 per cent - rejoining the million dollar club with a median house price of $1,030,000.
<h3>The graph below depicts median house and unit prices in Melbourne over the past decade in seasonally adjusted terms.</h3>
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2016/02/11/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-11%20at%2011.32.41%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2016/02/11/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-11%20at%2011.32.41%20AM.png" alt="">*All quarterly median prices are seasonally adjusted and quarterly. Annual change is based on rolling annual figures.
Greenvale and Sunshine were also strong performers in December, up more than 17 per cent over the previous quarter. 
“Eight of the top 20 growth suburbs have a median house price below $600,000 and six of these are below $520,000. The median house price in Werribee increased more than $30,000 in the December quarter to $357,000.
“This level of growth in areas that are traditionally seen as affordable suburbs indicates buyer demand for space and affordability.”  
“Improved infrastructure in the city’s outer ring, including rail links and upgraded roads, are really boosting prices in these suburbs.” 
Mr Raimondo said there had been a distinct shift away from more expensive Melbourne suburbs with buyers now looking at emerging growth areas. 
“Demand for suburbs in Melbourne’s middle ring ebbed this quarter, as buyers sought  value further from the city’s CBD.” 
He said the city’s moderating housing market represented good news for those looking to get a foothold on the property ladder. 
“While 2015 was a remarkable year for vendors, a moderating market favours buyers with more room for negotiation,” he said. 
Meanwhile, suburbs in Melbourne’s inner ring continued to perform well at the end of 2015 with the median house price reaching $1,252,000 for the first time – a 1.3 per cent quarterly increase. 
Widespread growth was also recorded for units and apartments, up 1.6 per cent across the city to a median of $537,500. 
Regional Victoria was the state’s main growth driver in median prices in the December quarter, outstrippingMelbourne. REIV data shows house prices in regional Victoria rose 2.2 per cent in the last three months of 2015 to a median of $353,000, up from $345,500 in September.  The price of units and apartments also increased in December, up 2.3 per cent to a median of $268,500. Meanwhile, growth in Melbourne moderated with the median house price down 0.1 per cent in December to $718,000. REIV Chief Executive Officer, Enzo Raimondo, said price growth in regional areas appeared to be driven by willingness by city dwellers to live further from the Melbourne CBD and commute - and by a new trend, with city dwellers migrating from Melbourne to live full-time in country areas. “We’ve seen prices in major regional areas within 90 minutes of Melbourne grow in price, suggesting city commuters are looking further afield for lifestyle and value reasons,” he said. “Many regional centres within commuting distance of Melbourne are increasingly sought-after by those priced out of the Melbourne market.”  Mr Raimondo said a further, interesting trend is for price growth in towns and cities further from Melbourne, in the most recent quarter. “We’ve seen growth in larger regional centres further from Melbourne in the final few months of 2015.” These include Bairnsdale, Echuca, Swan Hill, Mildura and Warrnambool, he said. “This latter trend is more likely being driven by homebuyers looking to migrate to regional areas to work or retire in regional Victoria, with many seeking to swap the city for the more relaxed living in the regional and rural areas.”
Melbourne’s median price has moderated following four successive quarters of growth, providing positive news for house hunters in 2016.
The median price fell marginally in the December quarter – down 0.1 per cent to a median house price of $718,000 – following solid growth of 4.5 per cent in September. 
REIV Chief Executive Officer, Enzo Raimondo, said a high proportion of sales in Melbourne’s outer ring in the last quarter of 2015 had assisted in stabilising the housing market. 
“Melbourne’s outer suburbs saw the strongest capital growth in the December quarter, up 2.9 per cent over September figures,” he said.
Suburbs in the city’s outer north east dominated the list of top growth suburbs with Warrandyte recording growth of more than 19 per cent - rejoining the million dollar club with a median house price of $1,030,000.
<div>
 <table dir="ltr" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Metro Melbourne"]'>Metro Melbourne</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Dec-15 Quarter"]'>Dec-15 Quarter</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"% chg to last q"]'>% chg to last q</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Sep-15 Quarter"]'>Sep-15 Quarter</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Annual Change"]'>Annual Change</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"House"]'>House</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,718000]">$718,000</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,-0.001]">-0.10%</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,719000]">$719,000</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.08]">8.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Unit"]'>Unit</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,537500]">$537,500</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.016]">1.60%</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,529000]">$529,000</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.05]">5.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Inner"]'>Inner</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Dec-15 Quarter"]'>Dec-15 Quarter</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"% chg to last q"]'>% chg to last q</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Sep-15 Quarter"]'>Sep-15 Quarter</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Annual Change"]'>Annual Change</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"House"]'>House</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1252000]">$1,252,000</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.013]">1.30%</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1236500]">$1,236,500</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.17]">17.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Unit"]'>Unit</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,562000]">$562,000</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.005]">0.50%</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,559000]">$559,000</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.021]">2.10%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Middle"]'>Middle</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Dec-15 Quarter"]'>Dec-15 Quarter</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"% chg to last q"]'>% chg to last q</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Sep-15 Quarter"]'>Sep-15 Quarter</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Annual Change"]'>Annual Change</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"House"]'>House</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,837000]">$837,000</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,-0.022]">-2.20%</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,855500]">$855,500</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.132]">13.20%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Unit"]'>Unit</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,596500]">$596,500</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.018]">1.80%</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,586000]">$586,000</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.088]">8.80%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Outer"]'>Outer</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Dec-15 Quarter"]'>Dec-15 Quarter</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"% chg to last q"]'>% chg to last q</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Sep-15 Quarter"]'>Sep-15 Quarter</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Annual Change"]'>Annual Change</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"House"]'>House</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,559000]">$559,000</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.029]">2.90%</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,543000]">$543,000</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.086]">8.60%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Unit"]'>Unit</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,425000]">$425,000</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.032]">3.20%</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,412000]">$412,000</td>
<td data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]' data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.051]">5.10%</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Greenvale and Sunshine were also strong performers in December, up more than 17 per cent over the previous quarter.  “Eight of the top 20 growth suburbs have a median house price below $600,000 and six of these are below $520,000. The median house price in Werribee increased more than $30,000 in the December quarter to $357,000. “This level of growth in areas that are traditionally seen as affordable suburbs indicates buyer demand for space and affordability.”  “Improved infrastructure in the city’s outer ring, including rail links and upgraded roads, are really boosting prices in these suburbs.” Mr Raimondo said there had been a distinct shift away from more expensive Melbourne suburbs with buyers now looking at emerging growth areas.  “Demand for suburbs in Melbourne’s middle ring ebbed this quarter, as buyers sought  value further from the city’s CBD.” He said the city’s moderating housing market represented good news for those looking to get a foothold on the property ladder.  “While 2015 was a remarkable year for vendors, a moderating market favours buyers with more room for negotiation,” he said.  Meanwhile, suburbs in Melbourne’s inner ring continued to perform well at the end of 2015 with the median house price reaching $1,252,000 for the first time – a 1.3 per cent quarterly increase.  Widespread growth was also recorded for units and apartments, up 1.6 per cent across the city to a median of $537,500. </div>
Prices for regional Victoria are also <a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/RESEARCH/Sales-Data/Median-Prices-in-the-Regions" target="_blank">available</a>.
 
</body></html>

Melbourne's median falls in December quarter: REIV

Buyers considering a residence at boutique Gordon townhouse development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/lume-gordon-43-47-dumaresq-street-gordon-nsw-2072">Lume</a>&nbsp;now have another reason to bring forward their decision.

For a limited time, purchasers of a residence at Lume will receive a BMW iX3 50 electric SUV, valued at more than $120,000, as part of their purchase. The offer is designed to add value for buyers while complementing the lifestyle envisioned for the architecturally designed Upper North Shore development.

Scott Timmins, Development Manager at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/winim">WINIM</a>, said the partnership was created to provide buyers with a compelling reason to act.

"In today's market, buyers need a compelling reason to act now, and the BMW partnership was designed to create that catalyst. We wanted to add genuine value for our future purchasers. Choosing the all-electric BMW iX3 50 also reflects the values behind LUME, forward-thinking design, innovation and a more sustainable way of living. It's a premium incentive that complements the lifestyle our buyers aspire to and rewards those who commit early."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=374893]

Delivered by WINIM in partnership with Burtonwood Investment Partners, Lume comprises 14 architecturally designed two, three and four-bedroom townhomes created for families seeking the space of a freestanding house with the ease of modern, low-maintenance living.

The three-storey residences, designed by award-winning architecture practice <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, have been tailored for families and multi-generational living, featuring private internal lifts, flexible lower-level spaces, generous open-plan living and entertaining areas, media rooms, and landscaped outdoor spaces with custom outdoor kitchens.&nbsp;

Inside, engineered oak flooring, bespoke dining joinery with integrated wine fridges and backlit bars, sculptural porcelain bathrooms, Parisi freestanding baths and Astra Walker tapware create interiors that balance functionality with refined finishes.

Each townhome has been designed to combine generous internal spaces with sustainability initiatives such as EV charging infrastructure, while <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>'s landscaped communal areas, centred around a restored creek line and native planting, encourage residents to connect with nature and spend more time outdoors.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=269527]

Rothelowman's Gary Tsui said the architecture was conceived to respond carefully to its Upper North Shore setting.

"Our vision was to create elegant, uplifting homes that draw on and positively contribute to the local character through meticulously considered design and an interaction with the surroundings."

The communal landscape has been designed as more than an open space between homes. Arcadia's Ben Newell and Kate Phillips said the adjoining reserve provided an opportunity to create a distinctive natural retreat for residents.

"Just as waterways carve their way through Ku-ring-gai's landscape, a raised boardwalk weaves through the reserve, connecting the homes to this tranquil oasis."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=374892]

Located just 300 metres from <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/gordon-nsw-2072">Gordon</a> Village and Gordon railway station, Lume offers convenient access to Sydney's CBD while placing residents close to some of the North Shore's leading schools, including Ravenswood, Pymble Ladies' College and Knox Grammar. Lane Cove National Park, Gordon Golf Club and a range of cafés and restaurants further reinforce the family-focused lifestyle on offer, with the BMW iX3 50 complementing everything from local trips around Gordon to weekend drives and city commutes.

Construction is underway with completion expected in mid-2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=7354]

Joel Robinson

Boutique Gordon townhomes now come with a BMW iX3 50

Two apartments have sold for more than $10 million at EADE Byron Bay, setting some of the highest apartment prices ever achieved in the coastal town and underlining the growing appetite for luxury beachfront apartments in Australia's most popular coastal locations.

The $210 million project by Vitale Property Group has now secured more than $70 million in sales, led by residences that changed hands for $12.75 million and $11.75 million.

The record-breaking transactions reinforce the shift occurring in Byron Bay's premium property market, where affluent downsizers and lifestyle buyers are increasingly opting for high-end apartments over large beachfront homes.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/eade-byron-bay-29-shirley-street-byron-bay-nsw-2481">EADE Byron Bay</a> occupies a rare 6,000 sqm absolute beachfront site on the corner of Shirley and Milton Streets overlooking Main Beach and The Wreck surf break, just 350 metres from Byron Bay's town centre.

The 25-residence development is the first beachfront apartment project approved in Byron Bay in more than a decade and is currently under construction, with completion expected in May 2027.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359521]

The project has attracted a mix of local Byron Shire residents downsizing from larger homes, alongside interstate buyers from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane seeking a permanent coastal lifestyle without compromising on space.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hayball">Hayball</a> and with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/alexander-co">Alexander &amp; Co</a>, EADE comprises&nbsp;10 garden apartments ranging from 284 sqm to 622 sqm, nine with private pools, five full-floor apartments and 10 rooftop residences with private plunge pools, expansive outdoor entertaining areas and uninterrupted ocean views.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359527]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/vitale-property-group">Vitale Property Group</a> Managing Partner Chris Vitale said the project's combination of scale, location and limited future supply was driving buyer demand.

"There isn't another beachfront holding in Byron Bay of this size and position that could be developed again," Vitale said.

"Buyers are responding to the scarcity and the irreplaceability of a site of this calibre and to floorplans they can't find elsewhere in the market.

"We are seeing buyers place significant value on quality, space, design, resort-style amenities and the rarity of the location. The sales achieved to date demonstrate that discerning purchasers recognise the long-term significance of what is being created at EADE Byron Bay.

"Many are coming from larger homes in the Byron region, or from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and are after the space, security and convenience, without the upkeep of a house."

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359523]

The Byron Bay project follows Vitale Property Group's delivery of the Mondrian Hotel and Private Residences at Burleigh Heads, with EADE continuing the developer's focus on luxury coastal developments.

Residents will have access to a resort-style swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna, cold plunge pool, concierge services and dedicated workspaces, while the project is targeting an 8-Star Green Star rating.

EADE Byron Bay is being exclusively marketed by Projx Australia in conjunction with WHITEFOX Projects.

WHITEFOX National Projects Director Phillip Rand said demand had been driven predominantly by owner-occupiers.

"We are seeing buyers at EADE place significant value on quality, space, design, resort-style amenities and the rarity of this location," Rand says.

"The sales achieved to date demonstrate that purchasers at this level recognise the long-term significance of what is being created at EADE Byron Bay."

Residences at EADE Byron Bay are currently priced between $4.75 million and $15.95 million.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145590]

Vitale breaks Byron Bay records with EADE sales flurry 

When buying an apartment, most people compare the big-ticket items first. Floorplans. Kitchens. Balcony size. Natural light. The view.

But there's one everyday consideration that often doesn't come up until after moving in: how parcels are delivered.

As online shopping has become part of everyday life, parcel deliveries have shifted from an occasional event to a regular occurrence. Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally.

For apartment residents, that can present a challenge.

If nobody is home to accept a delivery, parcels may be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in a building lobby or common area, or require building management to step in. In higher-density buildings, where dozens or even hundreds of residents may receive deliveries each day, parcel management has become an increasingly important part of everyday living.

That can create a range of frustrations. A missed delivery often means making time to collect a parcel elsewhere, while packages left unattended in foyers or mail areas can create clutter and increase the risk of theft. What seems like a minor inconvenience can quickly become a recurring issue for residents who shop online regularly.

It's one of those details that rarely features in a display suite but can have a noticeable impact once residents move in.

As a result, buyers are beginning to look beyond traditional apartment features and consider how a building supports day-to-day convenience, including whether there are secure options for receiving deliveries.

Australia Post's Parcel Lockers provide one solution.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CkF2oKmlACg?si=C50sDaoUUn2nuLmq" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than having a parcel delivered directly to an apartment, eligible deliveries can be sent to a nominated Parcel Locker. Once the parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can collect it using a QR code or one-time PIN at a time that suits them.

The Parcel Locker network now includes more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with installations at Post Offices, shopping centres, transport hubs and an increasing number of residential developments. By providing a secure collection point, Parcel Lockers help reduce missed deliveries and avoid parcels being left unattended in common areas.

For developers, parcel infrastructure is becoming another way to improve the resident experience. Rather than relying on concierge staff or leaving parcels in communal spaces, secure collection points help streamline deliveries while preserving the presentation and functionality of shared areas.

For buyers, it's a reminder that the best apartment features aren't always the most obvious.

A generous floorplan or quality finishes might help narrow the shortlist, but the conveniences that simplify everyday life, whether that's EV charging, secure bike storage or reliable parcel delivery, often become the features residents appreciate most once they're living there.

The apartment feature many buyers don't think about, until their first missed delivery

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hg-developments">HG Developments</a> is doubling down on Maud Street in Newstead, filing plans for a new apartment tower just a few doors down from its under-construction Aire Newstead development.

Recently submitted to Brisbane City Council, the proposal is for an 18-storey building designed by bureau^proberts, which has drawn heavily on Brisbane's subtropical design principles while referencing the suburb's industrial heritage.

A total of 64 apartments are planned for the amalgamated 1,518 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/17-21-maud-street-newstead-qld-4006">17–21 Maud Street</a>, a short walk from the Brisbane River and Newstead Riverwalk.

<img alt="First look: HG Developments plans 18-storey subtropical apartment tower for Newstead" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a400c7fd-bd15-48f8-a63b-10ede92efe00" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Maud%20st%20bldg.png?VersionId=.0vPmjpbC7CNP7kqGWa6L7rGIwsNExaw" />

"The building is defined by a series of vaulted motifs that reinterpret the arches, colonnades and layered facades evident throughout Newstead's historic built fabric," the Urban Design Report states.

"Combined with recessed glazing and generous balconies, these elements create a layered building envelope that provides shade, weather protection and opportunities for natural ventilation whilst establishing a distinctive architectural identity."

The proposal comprises 64 two, three and four-bedroom apartments across 18 residential levels, positioning it alongside a growing number of taller residential projects transforming Newstead's northern precinct. The tower incorporates extensive subtropical landscaping, with cascading planter boxes, deep planting at street level and a landscaped rooftop recreation area.

<img alt="First look: HG Developments plans 18-storey subtropical apartment tower for Newstead" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1d8140f4-8b98-45cd-b1b8-1efe8c8e266b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Maud%20st%20podium.png?VersionId=VAZtbCoD44YCJ57N99fQCAKeSJx7ldZs" />

Bureau Proberts has prioritised passive environmental design throughout the project, with generous balconies, recessed glazing and operable façades helping reduce solar heat gain while maximising natural ventilation. River views become available from the upper levels, while the building has been orientated to capture prevailing breezes from both the Brisbane River and the west.

The architects say landscape is intended to be integral to the building rather than an applied element.

"Vertical greenery, cascading planter boxes and elevated gardens are woven throughout the architecture, softening the built form and strengthening the connection between residents and the subtropical environment."

"Through the integration of landscape, high-quality materials and passive design principles, the development delivers a refined residential address that celebrates Newstead's heritage character while contributing positively to Brisbane's evolving subtropical identity."

Newstead has remained one of Brisbane's most active apartment markets in recent years, with a number of developers continuing to back the inner-city suburb.

HG Developments is currently delivering the 40-apartment Aire Newstead at 25 Maud Street. Fortis recently launched the 65-apartment <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-walker-newstead-12-kyabra-street-newstead-qld-4006">Crest &amp; Walker</a> on Kyabra Street, while builder-developer BPG and Don O'Rorke's Consolidated Properties are both expected to launch their respective Newstead projects before the end of the year.

HG Developments doubles down in Newstead with second Maud Street apartment development

Walk past a new apartment development promoting its sustainability credentials and it's easy to picture rooftop gardens, mature trees, landscaped courtyards and residents surrounded by nature.

But in many cases, that's not actually what those sustainability ratings guarantee.

Australia's leading environmental rating tools have played a significant role in improving the energy efficiency and environmental performance of buildings. Yet despite their focus on reducing emissions, many don't require developers to include trees, biodiversity or meaningful green space.

In other words, a building can achieve one of the country's highest sustainability ratings while containing little more than concrete, glass and hard landscaping.

That disconnect has led to the emergence of a new movement across Australia's property industry: nature-based cities.

The concept goes beyond designing buildings that consume less energy. Instead, it encourages developers to treat nature as essential infrastructure, integrating biodiversity, tree canopy, living landscapes and green spaces into projects from the earliest stages of planning.

Research has consistently linked access to nature with better physical and mental health, cooler neighbourhoods, improved biodiversity, stronger climate resilience and more connected communities. As Australia's cities continue to become denser, advocates say those outcomes should be considered just as important as energy efficiency.

Nature Based Cities (NBC) was established in 2022 to help accelerate that shift.

Founded by Hamton Executive Chairman Paul Hameister OAM, the not-for-profit was created after research highlighted a significant gap in Australia's sustainability framework. While existing environmental rating tools rewarded energy performance and emissions reductions, they placed little emphasis on the inclusion of living landscapes.

"We've always wanted to do more, and we know other developers who want to do more, but the ESD rating tools just aren't there," Hameister says.

"In Australia, you can have a five-green-star rated building that's concrete and glass with not a blade of grass.

"The focus is on reducing emissions, which is laudable, but there hasn't been enough attention paid to protecting and re-establishing nature. We need both for the health of the environment and for communities."

Since its launch, NBC has developed independent design guidelines and accreditation frameworks that encourage developers to prioritise ecology, biodiversity, tree canopy, walkability and living landscapes alongside traditional sustainability measures. The organisation first focused on medium and high-density residential developments before recently expanding into precinct-scale communities and masterplanned neighbourhoods.

Jan Talacko, founder of sustainability consultancy Ark Resources and a member of the Nature Based Cities Advisory Council, says the initiative addresses an area that has largely been overlooked by the property industry.

"Throughout my 25 years of working collaboratively with all stakeholders in the property sector, I've always favoured a pragmatic approach to sustainable design which encourages initiatives that not only meet environmental expectations but also improve amenity," Talacko says.

"Whilst we are making steady progress in relation to energy and carbon emissions from buildings, there has been much less emphasis on encouraging biodiversity and tackling the urban heat island effect.

"The Nature Based Cities initiative responds to a gap in the suite of tools currently used by the property development sector, which don't provide sufficient incentive, or recognition, for the integration of landscaping and greenery."

For apartment buyers, the shift is also changing the questions worth asking.

Rather than assuming a sustainable building will naturally include abundant green space, buyers are increasingly being encouraged to look beyond environmental ratings and ask what nature is actually being delivered. How much tree canopy will the development create? Has biodiversity been considered? Are landscaped spaces designed for people as well as appearance?

As Australia's cities continue to grow upwards and outwards, the next generation of sustainability may not simply be measured by lower emissions, but by how successfully developments bring nature back into everyday urban life.

Jonathan Chancellor

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