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A bluestone heritage former hotel with contemporary offices on Adelaide’s Pirie Street has been listed with strong interest in its redevelopment potential expected by Colliers International agents Alistair Mackie and Ian Thomas.
The two-storey office building at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-offices-sa-adelaide-501727033" target="_blank">246-250 Pirie Street</a> includes onsite parking for at least four vehicles.
“246-250 Pirie Street offers an astute purchaser a two-storey office building that is currently generating a substantial income from an excellent mix of commercial tenants.
The agents suggest the property’s zoning and existing improvement provides an opportunity to develop a high rise residential tower situated between Frome and Hutt Streets, on a 481sqm corner site.
It is ocated within a Development Plan Capital City Zone, allowing for development up to 53 metres.
“The current owner has engaged Flightpath Architects to conduct a residential yield study on the non-heritage portion of the site, which totals around 400sqm, to ascertain the potential for a high rise residential apartment development,” Mr Thomas said.
“This yield study identified four development concepts ranging from 32 apartments and 18 car parks over eight levels, up to 75 apartments and 20 car parks over 15 levels.”
The agents anticipate circa $2.5 million when offers close November 5.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Adelaide heritage residential highrise block opportunity

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Confidence around housing remains weak, according to the Westpac-Melbourne Institute Index of Consumer Sentiment in October.
The ‘time to buy a dwelling’ index slipped from 101.7 to 101.3 (down by 0.4%) to be down by 11% over the year.
This Index peaked in September 2013 at 145.3 and is down over 30% from that peak, Westpac chief economist Bill Evans noted.
There was a sharp fall in confidence around the outlook for house prices.
The Westpac Melbourne Institute Index of House Price Expectations fell by 3.9% to 124.2.
It is now down by 14.9% over the last three months and 25% from its peak in December 2013.
Evans says the Reserve Bank Board that next meets on November 3 will be encouraged by the signals from this survey and the official data that employment conditions and confidence around employment prospects appear to be finally improving.
"However it will probably be a little disappointed that confidence remains below the 100 level where pessimists outnumber optimists," he said.
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Time to buy property sentiment is down: Westpac

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The Stockland chief Mark Steinert expects house prices to continue to rise next year.
His forecast is by about 3 to 5%, rejecting this week's forecast by Macquarie Research of a 7.5% slump in prices between 2016 and mid-2017.
"There has been quite a lot of talk going on for quite a long time now about the imminent downturn in housing, but no one has mentioned that it hasn't actually eventuated," Mark Steinert told a Property Council lunch in Melbourne yesterday.
"The reality is the economy in Australia is growing at a moderate level of around 2.5%.
"We have a low Australian dollar, continued population growth (albeit at a slower rate) and metro housing markets that are generally under supplied.
"These are not the pre-conditions for some sort of general correction in housing," he suggested.
Macquarie Research forecast for a 7.5 per cent drop in property prices nationwide from next March attracted widespread attack.
Superannuation columnist Peter Switzer said the forecast "bordered on being stupid."
"Even though these economists’ predictions are guesses based on some economic analysis, one journalist writes: House prices are set for a 7.5% decline from March next year, with the resulting slowdown hitting the broader economy and risking recession, economists have warned.
"Apparently, Macquarie says the decline in house prices, nationally, could be 7.5% peak to trough, which is eco-speak from the high point to the low point, which seems pretty small, given the recent rises.
"Our house prices have risen in the past three years but most of it has come out of Sydney and Melbourne. "
"Roughly, it has gone from an index reading of 320 to 390, so a 7.5% decline peak to trough is hardly a huge drama that could lead to recession!
"In fact, given the double-digit rises in the past three years in Sydney, it would be a healthy correction," Switzer suggested. 
Dr Andrew Wilson, the senior economist at Domain's Australian Property Monitors, noted in the past decade, there had not been any national annual drops of more than 5%.
“Even in periods where we had prices falling, such as during 2008 when it was the global financial crisis, the national house price fell by just under 4 per cent after a significant period of higher interest rates,” Dr Wilson said.
“It would be an historical first and is unbelievably unlikely.”
The property market in southeast Queensland was steadily improving and all the latest data supported ongoing, consistent capital growth, the REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said.
"Sudden slumps were unlikely and any predictions of dramatic house price drops were nothing more than “crystal ball gazing”.
“The Brisbane median house price reached a new high of $610,000 in the June quarter following a trend of positive growth of around two percent since the June quarter of 2013,” Ms Mercorella said.
“Our data suggests that this trend will continue for the September quarter,” she said.
In Queensland, the average home loan is $319,328 compared with New South Wales’ average of $422,179 and Victoria’s average of $365,265, according to ABS data.
“In Queensland, the average proportion of family income used to repay a mortgage is 27.3 percent, compared with 35.5 percent in New South Wales and 32.1 percent in Victoria, according to REIA data.
“Household debt levels are just not comparable between Queensland and the southern states,” Ms Mercorella said. 
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Stockland, APM, REIQ and Switzer debunk headlines that Macquarie's 7.5% price dip prediction

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Westpac will raise its home lending rates by 20 basis points to help boost its capital reserves. 
The surprise move lifts mortgage rates on residential property by 20 basis points, for owner occupiers and property investors.
The new rates will take effect from November 20.
The country's second biggest bank will increase headline owner-occupier rates to 5.68%, and investor rates to 5.95%.
Chief executive Brian Hartzer said the capital raising places its capital ratio "within the top quartile of banks globally".
"Capital raised responds to changes in mortgage risk weights that will increase the amount of capital required to be held against mortgages by more than 50%, with the increased regulatory required to be applied from July 1, 2016," the bank statement said.
The increase in mortgage rates would also help meet the capital requirements, it said. 
UBS and Merrill Lynch are handling the capital raising for the bank. The changes apply only to Westpac-branded loans, not St George, Bank of Melbourne or BankSA.
The Australian Financial Review's Chanticleer columnist Tony Boyd wrote Westpac's decision to share the pain of higher capital charges with shareholders and home loan borrowers will "deliver a big jolt to the economy - and fend off a potential hedge fund attack."
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Westpac to raise home loan rates for all by 20 basis points in November

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GUEST OBSERVER
ABC’s Four Corners program highlighted concerns that Chinese criminal funds may be propping up Australia’s real estate market. Why is Australia’s anti-money laundering framework not providing sufficient comfort that these concerns are addressed?
The answer lies in both the scope of Australia’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws, as well as the enforcement of these laws, especially in relation to proceeds of foreign offences.
The scope of the law
In the 1980s Australia became one of the first countries to adopt anti-money laundering laws. In 1989 it joined a small group of countries in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), taking the lead in identifying appropriate policing measures. FATF then developed into the international standard-setter for anti-money laundering measures, as well as counter-terrorism financing measures, a mandate added in 2001. It also assesses its members’ compliance with those standards, known as “recommendations”.
Businesses covered by these rules need to identify and verify the identities of their customers, assess and mitigate the money laundering and terrorist financing risks they pose and report suspicious transactions as well as certain large transactions. By doing that they protect themselves from committing money laundering offences and their industries from abuse by launderers.
Australia held FATF’s presidency in 1992-1993 and again in 2014-2015. However, its early start in adopting anti-money laundering laws and its leadership role in the FATF did not ensure a soft assessment regime for Australia. In 2005, FATF criticised Australia’s anti-money laundering and terrorism financing regime for lagging behind, especially in terms of the scope and enforcement of its laws. It was held to be fully compliant with only 12 recommendations and largely compliant with another 14 of the 49 recommendations that applied at that stage.
This spurred Australia to adopt the current Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act of 2006 (AML/CTF Act). This Act created a world-class framework in relation to financial institutions. But the overall framework was not complete. FATF’s standards apply to financial institutions as well as a number of so-called “designated non-financial businesses and professions”. This list includes casinos, lawyers, real estate agents, dealers in precious metals and stones, and trust and company service providers.
In 2006, with the exception of casinos and bullion dealers, these were set aside to be addressed in a second tranche of AML/CTF Act reforms. Despite various statements and government consultation, also in the context of the current statutory review of the AML/CTF Act, these reforms have not yet been effected.
Combined with the limited transparency of the beneficial ownership of companies and trusts, it leaves the property market vulnerable to money laundering and terrorist financing abuse.
The lack of enforcement of the existing criminal laws is, however, also a cause for concern.
Lack of enforcement
Australia has a well-developed set of statutory money laundering and terrorist financing offences, both at the federal and a state/territory level. At the federal level, for example, the Criminal Code creates offences that can be committed knowingly, recklessly and even negligently, for example when dealing with property which is reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.
The 2015 FATF assessment report of Australia found that money laundering offences involving proceeds of foreign offences, including corruption offences, are not frequently prosecuted “because Australia does not consider that foreign predicate offences are major predicates for money laundering in Australia.” (par 3.44). Predicate offences are offences generating the proceeds of crime to be laundered.
Authorities mentioned the difficulties of obtaining off-shore evidence to prove the foreign offence. But a lack of effective federal/state law enforcement coordination was found to pose a particular barrier, especially in relation to the property market:
For example, while ML (money laundering) of foreign illicit proceeds through real estate is perceived to be a risk for Queensland (Gold Coast), Queensland has no ML convictions for this activity. AFP (Australian Federal Police) indicated that it does not focus on this risk, believing this ML activity relates to State level predicates, whereas the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission stated it does not focus on this risk as it relates to foreign money and is thus a matter for AFP.
At the same time, assessors took note of two examples of successful prosecution for foreign predicates (fraud and corruption) by AFP and the registration of two restraint orders from Papua New Guinea in Queensland.(par 3.44)
The overall enforcement strategy therefore does not reflect a high level of concern about the abuse of the property market by those wishing to launder proceeds of foreign corruption.
Protecting the property market
Much can be done to increase the protection of the property market against criminal abuse. While the AML/CTF legal framework should be extended to all businesses and professions covered by the FATF standards, compliance and red tape concerns may continue to delay the second tranche of reforms. The best starting point would therefore be to work with the available legal tools and to prosecute money laundering offences involving designated non-financial businesses and professions and markets of concern, such as the property market. In relation to foreign corruption that will require close cooperation with foreign counterparts.
Increased prosecution will also provide improved evidence of the abuse that actually occurs and inform the debate on the urgency and nature of the law reforms that are required. However, Australia must also enhance the transparency of beneficial ownership of companies and trusts. If criminals find it more risky to purchase property in their own names, they will increasingly hide behind business structures. It is therefore important to improve public information regarding the control of companies and trusts.
It is also important to reflect on money laundering law enforcement priorities. Money laundering prosecutions levels increased over the past few years but corruption, especially foreign corruption, struggles to receive appropriate attention.
If Australia wants to hold an international integrity leadership position and improve its ranking on the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index, it will need to join its international counterparts by taking firm action against foreign corruption, including the laundering of the proceeds of foreign corruption.
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/louis-de-koker-100846" rel="author"></a>Louis de Koker is professor of law, Deakin University and author for The Conversation. He can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/louis-de-koker-100846" target="_blank">here</a>.
 
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Much more can be done to keep foreign criminal funds out of Australian property

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John 'Strop' Cornell and his model wife, Delvene Delaney, who were Paul Hogan's sidekicks in their comedic heyday, took a fancy to property around Byron Bay.
Now after almost three decade's ownership the couple are selling 41 housing sites at Ewingsdale, with underground electricity, natural creeks and the extensive planting of an additional 10,000 native trees.
Aged 74 he's "clearing the decks for my wife and girls to make everything easier," John Cornell advised recently.  
The land for sale at <a href="https://byronbay.ljhooker.com.au/7ZUF5G/lot-22-currawong-way---figtree-fields-ewingsdale" target="_blank">Fig Tree Fields</a> was bought 25 years ago.
"If you want a large block where wallabies drop by and Mother Nature lives next door, get in quick," he said.
Prices through agent Glen Irwin from LJ Hooker Byron Bay start at $500,000 with 19 sales already.
They also recently sold the best beach-front blocks in Byron Bay to Melbournites, restaurateur Shannon Bennett and bsuiness partner, Adam Garrisson. The lots were bought in the early 1980s for around $325,000 from the then local abattoir. Harvey Norman heir, Glen Norman was the buyer of the house block from his former father-in-law, John Cornell.
The sale by LJ Hooker's Glenn Irwin is short of the Byron Bay record which was set in 2006 at $15.68 million for a house on Wategos Beach.
Delvene Delaney was a Sale of the Century television hostess and appeared with Paul Hogan and the John Cornell-devised character, the dopey Strop  in Channel 9 comedy shows.
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.
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John 'Strop' Cornell sells 19 Fig Tree Fields, Ewingsdale building blocks

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Anytime Fitness co-founder Jacinta McDonell, who oversees a gym empire of 420 clubs in Australia, has bought Ammamead, a Byron Bay hinterland retreat.
Its a charming classic white <a href="https://uniqueestates.com.au/listings/residential_sale-275066-federal/" target="_blank">Queenslander home</a> on a compact 9000 sqm holding at Federal.
It had been a holiday rental that had consistently yielded over 6% gross with 55% occupancy over the past few years.
But perhaps the clincher for the $2.1 million purchase through Unique Estates agent Nicolette van Wijngaarden was the separate studio which had just been renovated into a health and fitness area with bathroom. 
Ammamead, with an award-winning contemporary extension, was initially renovated around 2001 by architect Sharon Fraser and her builder partner, Steve Esson after the Queenslander had been transported to the property in the 1980s.
Recently refurbished into a luxurious yet relaxed retreat, it comes with a 16 metre salt water inground lap pool.
Jacinta McDonell and her co-founder brother, Justin, have always been involved in the fitness industry, having parents running fitness clubs.
It was in 1992 when they opened their first gym soon out of high school, launching the Anytime Fitness in Australia as master franchisors of the American fitness brand in 2008.
Anytime Fitness Australia has the largest group of clubs outside of the USA, starting with the first club in Gunnedah.
She was recently on Necker, Sir Richard Branson’s private island, as part of the Business Chicks Virgin Unite trip where she spent time with Marianne Williamson, the internationally acclaimed spiritual author.
She lives in Balmain in a cottage bought last spring for $3.3 million through McGrath agent Cindy Kennedy.
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Queenslander at Federal, Byron Bay hinterland sale

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Melbourne actor Brett Tucker has listed his home in St Kilda East.
The former McLeod’s Daughters and Neighbours star Brett Tucker has listed <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/4-1-hughenden-road-st-kilda-east/Property-Details-buy-residential-9554374" target="_blank">his unit on Hughenden Road</a>.
Set to start filming the fourth season of US drama Mistresses, Tucker intends to base himself permanently in Los Angeles.
It is in a charming historic block with seven flats. He paid around $293,000 in 2003.
Tucker’s renovated two bedroom apartment comes with separate living and dining rooms, an entrance hall and a lock-up garage.
It is offered through Gary Peer &amp; Associates agent Maxine Piekarski who is quoting between $500,000 and $550,000.
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Actor Brett Tucker lists St Kilda East apartment

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Brindabella Station, the onetime home of author Miles Franklin who wrote My Brilliant Career, has been listed for sale through McGrath Estate Agents Woden.   
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/acreage-rural-brindabella-nsw-2611/276767" target="_blank">The property</a> sits on the ACT and NSW border. More than $1.8 million is expected for the property that failed to sell on 2010 marketing.
It has been listed by vendors Brian and Guillermina Barlin who are selling after three decades plus ownership. They bought it from the late journalist Richard Carleton. 
It comes with restored rendered rammed earth five-bedroom homestead, built in 1900 after the original house burnt down in the 1800s.
The property, on the Goodradigbee River, also has two two-bedroom cottages and a fishing hut.
The property is 66 kilometres from Canberra at 308 Brindabella Valley Road.
Brindabella’s most famous resident Miles Franklin came to the property as a baby in the late 1870s when the farm was 100,000 hectares (250,000 acres).
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Brindabella Station in Brindabella Valley listed

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<img src="/images/2015/11/NEW_RAMS_LOGO.jpg" alt="">
Owning a home is a key goal for many Australians. But rising property prices have led some people to question whether to give up on that dream and continue to rent.
In some areas it is cheaper to rent than to buy, but there are still suburbs where buying a home is affordable. If you have a reasonable deposit saved you may find your mortgage costs are comparable to rent, or even lower.  
There are also non-financial benefits to buying a home, although renting has its advantages as well and there are downsides to both. 
WHY BUY?
If you buy, you could build equity in your property. Once you’ve fully repaid the mortgage, you’ll own it outright. 
Buying allows you to put your personal stamp on the home, decorating or renovating to your taste and perhaps adding to the property’s value. As a result, you’ll typically feel a greater emotional connection to a property you’re buying than to one you rent. 
You’ll also have greater security and stability if you buy. As long as you comply with your obligations under the loan, you can live in your home as long as you want – and leave it as an inheritance to your loved ones.  
The downsides to buying are that if you do wish to move, you’ll have to rent out the property or sell, which involves time and transaction costs.
Owners also have costs such as repairs and maintenance, strata fees, council rates and water levies which tenants do not have to cover.
WHY RENT?
Flexibility is a key benefit of renting. If you wish to move at the end of a lease, you can easily do so. 
You may also find you can afford to rent in a location where buying would be out of your reach, particularly if you don’t have much savings. 
The drawbacks are that you’ll never own the home you live in and you could be asked to move out if the landlord decides to sell or move into the property themselves.
Tenants must seek landlord approval for simple changes, such as hanging pictures on the walls so it’s hard to create a home that perfectly matches your style. 
Quick tip: Buying offers stability, security and the chance to build an asset. Renting provides flexibility and freedom. 
 
TO FIND OUT HOW RAMS CAN HELP EASE YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS, GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR LOCAL RAMS HOME LOAN EXPERT OR DROP IN FOR YOUR <a href="https://ad.doubleclick.net/ddm/clk/297185195;124281891;s" target="_blank">FREE FIRST HOME BUYERS’ GUIDE</a>.
For more great property advice and tips on buying your first home from RAMS subscribe to <a href="https://ad.doubleclick.net/ddm/clk/297187169;124281892;w" target="_blank">The Great Australian Dream property series</a>.
For your free Property Observer eBook from RAMS, 12 tips for first-time buyers, covering everything you need to know when it comes to purchasing property, click here.
Disclaimer: Information in this material is general and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs and you should consider whether it is appropriate for you. You should also obtain independent professional advice relevant to your financial circumstances.
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To buy or to rent?

The Gold Coast economy has grown by 25 per cent since 2020/21 to surpass $55 billion, but perhaps the more significant story is what sits behind the headline number.

For decades, the Gold Coast has been viewed through the lens of tourism, lifestyle and population growth. The latest State of the City Report suggests that perception is increasingly out of step with reality.

Released by Invest Gold Coast, the report ranks the Gold Coast as Australia's largest non-capital city economy and, perhaps more notably, second nationally behind Sydney for Economic Complexity, a measure that assesses the diversity and sophistication of an economy.

It's a result that places the Gold Coast ahead of Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, highlighting the extent to which the city's economic base has broadened beyond its traditional industries.

Today, the Gold Coast supports more than 350,000 jobs, is home to over 83,000 businesses and generates $19 billion in annual exports. Manufacturing now accounts for 62 per cent of international export growth, while sectors including health, education, advanced manufacturing, technology and professional services are becoming increasingly important contributors to the local economy.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the report confirmed the city's evolution into one of Australia's most significant economies.

"The Gold Coast economy continues to grow at an incredible pace. This is no surprise to those of us who have watched the evolution up close," Mayor Tate said.

"As one of the most entrepreneurial, investment driven and opportunity focused economies in the country our ambition has been realised and possibilities are endless.

"The Gold Coast has built a reputation as the city that says yes. We say yes to investment, yes to opportunity and yes to people who want to build something.

"It's this mindset helping us drive major growth across health, advanced manufacturing, screen production, marine, technology and the knowledge economy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360975]

While population growth has been one of the defining stories of the past decade, the report points to a broader economic transformation taking place.

The city's knowledge economy now contributes $7.9 billion annually and supports around 31,000 jobs, while the health and wellbeing sector contributes $5.2 billion and employs more than 42,000 people. Together, the six priority sectors identified in the report account for almost $24 billion in economic output and more than 145,000 jobs.

One of the strongest examples is the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct at Southport. The 200-hectare precinct now contains more than $5 billion worth of health, education, research and innovation infrastructure and supports over 16,000 jobs.

The report also highlights the growing role of advanced manufacturing, particularly in aerospace, defence and modular construction.

Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space Technologies recently became the first Australian commercial company to attempt an orbital launch, while companies including Modscape and ModnPods are helping establish the Yatala-Stapylton corridor as one of Australia's fastest-growing advanced manufacturing hubs.

The city's entrepreneurial culture is also translating into business growth.

Since 2019/20, the number of businesses operating on the Gold Coast has increased by 22 per cent, while firms employing more than 200 people have grown by 80 per cent. The report suggests the next challenge is converting more local start-ups and medium-sized businesses into nationally significant companies.

Development activity remains another key indicator of confidence.

There are currently more than $23 billion worth of major projects underway across the Gold Coast, supported by a record 75 active cranes, a figure that now exceeds Brisbane and represents a 150 per cent increase since 2016.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112024 project_image_fid=343235]

Importantly, the report notes the next phase of investment will need to extend beyond residential development.

While 93 per cent of crane activity is currently tied to housing, Invest Gold Coast argues future investment will increasingly need to focus on cultural, civic, infrastructure and industry-enabling projects that strengthen the city's long-term economic resilience.

Invest Gold Coast Chair Will Hodgman said the city was now benefiting from years of economic diversification.

"What is happening on the Gold Coast is the result of the city's economic base broadening, fuelled by industries with long-term, high-growth potential," Mr Hodgman said.

"This is no longer a secondary Australian economy, the Gold Coast is becoming a globally connected city with deeper capability across health, knowledge and creative industries, advanced manufacturing, technology and exports."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365786]

Looking ahead, the Gold Coast's population is projected to exceed one million residents by 2046.

For a city that was once largely defined by tourism and lifestyle, the latest figures suggest the Gold Coast is becoming something more significant, one of Australia's most diverse and economically sophisticated urban economies, and increasingly one that national and international investors can no longer afford to overlook.

Joel Robinson

75 cranes, $23 billion pipeline and a $55 billion economy: Inside the Gold Coast economic boom

Ron Bakir's Homecorp has sold more than 75 per cent of the apartments in its wellness-driven Florence Residences in Surfers Paradise following its first weekend release.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/florence-residences-24-monte-carlo-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">26-storey project on Monte Carlo Avenue</a>, which commenced construction earlier this year, has seen a flurry of buyers secure their slice of the Gold Coast's latest wellbeing-focused offering in one of the nation's most competitive property markets.

Since the pandemic, the Gold Coast's population has grown by more than 11 per cent, a rate approximately four times faster than Sydney's, driven largely by lifestyle changes and interstate migration. While buyer activity has moderated in some markets nationally, demand for newly built dwellings on the Gold Coast continues to gain momentum as purchasers increasingly prioritise lifestyle, amenity, wellbeing, liveability and long-term investment potential.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372743]

Homecorp CEO Ron Bakir says buyers today are looking for more than just a home.

"What we are seeing is a shift in how people define value in property," Bakir says.

"What attracts residents to new developments is a desire for more than just a residence. They are looking for a place that complements their lifestyle, supports their wellbeing and reflects the way they want to live into the future.

"Lifestyle, longevity, proactive health, wellbeing, connection and a sense of community are increasingly shaping purchasing decisions, particularly on the Gold Coast, where these factors continue to be a major drawcard."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372744]

Bakir says Homecorp is responding to this shift through an approach that places greater emphasis on design, amenity and experience working together to create places that feel considered, connected and enduring in value.

Inspired by Eastern European design, Florence Residences will comprise 120 apartments alongside a private residents-only wellness club featuring a resort-style rooftop pool, hot and cold plunge pools, a spa retreat, contemporary gymnasium, and a spacious yoga and Pilates studio.

The development will also feature a residents-only lounge with private dining facilities and a rooftop bar, premium outdoor entertaining areas, a hotel-style lobby lounge, generous bike parking, and pet-friendly amenities including a heated dog wash.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372742]

A limited number of apartments remain available, with an exclusive collection of four-bedroom sub-penthouses set to be released in the coming months.

Florence is one of the latest additions to Homecorp's expanding multi-billion-dollar property portfolio, which also includes plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/homecorp-lodges-plans-for-260-million-moroccan-bathhouse-inspired-tower-in-budds-beach">$260 million development in Budds Beach</a> tailored to the growing wellness market.

A development application has been lodged for a 27-storey, 156-residence tower at 8–10 Acacia Avenue and 25–27 Oak Avenue, featuring a residents-only Moroccan spa-inspired sanctuary.

Apartments at Florence Residences are priced from $1,249,000, with construction expected to be completed by late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150414]

Buyers rush to Homecorp's Florence Residences as Gold Coast wellness trend gains momentum

The NSW Government has expanded its $1 billion Pre-sale Finance Guarantee program, broadening access for affordable housing providers and smaller residential developments as it seeks to accelerate housing delivery across the state.

The Minns Government says the program has already helped bring forward more than 600 homes across Sydney and regional NSW since launching in September 2025, with similar models now adopted in South Australia and Western Australia.

The latest changes, announced by Treasurer Daniel Mookhey and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully, are designed to improve access to finance for projects that have planning approval but are struggling to secure funding.

Among the key changes is an expansion of support for community housing providers. The program will now support up to 100 per cent affordable housing projects valued at up to $30 million when delivered by not-for-profit providers, while support for larger affordable housing developments will increase for projects worth up to $80 million.

The government says the changes will help accelerate the delivery of housing for low-income workers, older people, people living with disability, and those at risk of homelessness, while reducing reliance on direct grants or subsidised loans to bridge funding gaps.

The eligibility criteria for smaller residential developments have also been broadened. The previous $5 million minimum project value threshold has been removed and replaced with a requirement that projects deliver at least four homes.

Support has also increased for projects delivering fewer than 20 homes, with the guarantee now able to cover up to 75 per cent of dwellings in a development, capped at $30 million per project.

The changes are expected to particularly benefit smaller-scale and regional developments, which often face greater challenges meeting pre-sale requirements imposed by lenders.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the scheme demonstrates how government can use its balance sheet to stimulate housing supply without relying solely on taxpayer-funded grants.

"The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee shows how this Government is using its balance sheet to reduce risk and unlock private investment, enabling new homes to move from design to construction faster," Mookhey said.

"This landmark reform allows us to deliver homes for working families at a lower cost to taxpayers, while also maintaining strong financial discipline."

Planning Minister Paul Scully said the program had already proven effective in bringing stalled projects to market.

"The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee has already proven it can unlock stalled projects and accelerate housing delivery by giving lenders the confidence they need to back good developments," Scully said.

"These changes will allow more affordable housing and smaller developments to access support so more homes can be built faster where communities need them most."

Housing Minister Rose Jackson said the expansion would help community housing providers overcome financing barriers that often delay projects.

"We know community housing providers are ready to build more homes, too often they're held back by barriers to finance," Jackson said.

"Expanding the Pre-sale Finance Guarantee helps remove those barriers so more affordable homes can get off the ground sooner."

The announcement was welcomed by the Property Council of Australia, which has long advocated for measures aimed at improving project feasibility and access to finance.

Property Council NSW Executive Director Katie Stevenson described the expansion as a practical intervention that addresses one of the most immediate constraints on housing delivery.

"This is exactly the kind of practical intervention we need right now, focused on getting projects out of the ground, not just approved," Stevenson said.

"It builds on a model the Property Council has worked closely with government to develop following calls for such a scheme ahead of last year's NSW Budget, so it's great to see it being expanded."

Stevenson said the reforms would help unlock projects that are ready to proceed but have been delayed by financing challenges. However, she noted that broader feasibility issues remain a significant barrier to increasing housing supply.

"The biggest challenge in NSW housing today is delivery. Too many projects have planning approval but are simply not financially viable to proceed under current settings," she said.

Speaking at the Property Council's NSW Housing Summit, Housing Minister Rose Jackson acknowledged that feasibility and financing pressures continue to constrain housing delivery, while reaffirming the government's commitment to work with industry on solutions.

Stevenson said the government's recognition of those challenges was encouraging ahead of next week's state budget.

"It's positive to see the government clearly recognising that feasibility pressures are now a binding constraint on supply," she said.

"With the Budget just days away, the focus must be on backing delivery, making sure projects stack up, finance can flow, and more homes can move from approval to construction."

The expanded Pre-sale Finance Guarantee forms part of the NSW Government's broader housing agenda, which also includes planning reforms, the NSW Housing Pattern Book, and a series of rezonings intended to increase housing capacity across the state.

NSW expands Pre-sale Finance Guarantee to unlock more affordable and regional housing

Design-led developer-builder Lowe Living has unveiled its latest residential development, Jardin House, marking its first foray into Melbourne's blue-chip City of Boroondara.

Located a short walk from Camberwell Junction, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/jardin-house-by-lowe-living-camberwell-335-camberwell-road-camberwell-vic-3124">Jardin House</a> has been designed to appeal to affluent local downsizers and established families seeking a low-maintenance alternative to the large homes that have long defined Camberwell and surrounding suburbs.

The project will comprise a collection of two and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 92 sqm to 280 sqm, alongside a limited number of penthouse residences featuring rooftop terraces spanning more than 100 sqm, with optional private pools.

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[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372212]

Lowe Living Co-Founder and Managing Director Tim Lowe said Camberwell represented a natural next step for the developer as it expands into some of Melbourne's most tightly held residential markets.

"Jardin House is an important project for our team as it marks the next evolution of our portfolio into different well-established blue-chip pockets of Melbourne," Lowe said.

"Camberwell, with its incredible walkability, family-led neighbourhood feel and superb access to education and transport, makes it a natural choice for us."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372227]

Designed by Tristan Wong Architects, with interiors by Hecker Guthrie and landscaping by Acre, the development takes inspiration from the Art Deco architecture that remains a defining feature of many of Camberwell's established streets.

A curved facade, arched openings, textured brickwork and sculpted forms reference the suburb's architectural heritage, while extensive landscaping softens the building's presence and creates a strong connection to the surrounding tree-lined streetscape.

The project will be set behind a secure gated entrance, with residents arriving through landscaped gardens designed to create a transition between the public realm and private residences.

Inside, the residences feature natural stone and timber finishes, full-height glazing, Miele appliances and generous open-plan living areas designed for long-term owner occupation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372225]

While the apartments themselves have been designed to attract discerning owner-occupiers, it is the amenity offering that sets Jardin House apart from many other boutique projects currently launching across Melbourne.

The centrepiece is a 350 sqm private bathhouse curated in partnership with Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse founder Lyndall Mitchell.

The wellness precinct includes mineral pools, hydrotherapy experiences, a Himalayan salt room, sauna, steam room, cold plunge pools and dedicated relaxation spaces, creating what Lowe Living describes as a private wellness retreat exclusively for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372222]

The collaboration follows Lowe Living's recent partnership with Aurora at Maison Savoy in Brighton, although Jardin House is the first project to incorporate both indoor and outdoor wellness experiences.

Emma Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living, said wellness was becoming an increasingly important consideration for apartment buyers.

"Collaborating with Lyndall Mitchell from Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse for a second time is an intentional nod to creating residences that are more than just homes, but a way to enrich the lives of our residents through wellness and longevity," Lowe said.

The amenity offering is complemented by a Technogym fitness studio, residents' lounge, private dining spaces and concierge services.

The launch comes as developers increasingly target Melbourne's established eastern suburbs, where rising land values, ageing housing stock and growing downsizer demand are creating opportunities for boutique apartment projects.

Lowe said the company expects significant generational wealth transfer across suburbs such as Camberwell in coming years, creating further demand for luxury apartment living.

"Camberwell is a blue-chip suburb where homes regularly transact for multiple millions of dollars," he said.

"The generational change of wealth in these locations expected in the coming years is significant, so we see an opportunity to create exclusive residences that appeal to older families and downsizers in order to meet this demand."

Apartments at Jardin house start from $1,195,000. The project forms part of Lowe Living's near-$1 billion portfolio of new developments across Melbourne.

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Lowe Living launches Jardin House in Camberwell

As <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/north-sydney-nsw-2060">North Sydney</a> continues its transition from a commercial centre into a more layered residential and lifestyle precinct, a new generation of apartment developments is reshaping expectations around scale, amenity, and long-term liveability.

Improved transport connections through the Victoria Cross Metro, continued investment in dining and public spaces, and a constrained supply of new luxury apartments have sharpened demand for homes that combine proximity to the CBD with the privacy and outlook traditionally associated with harbourside houses.

At 177 Walker Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aland">ALAND</a>’s new apartment development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-north-sydney-177-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> enters the market with a distinctly residential approach to high-rise living. The 30-level tower will deliver 161 residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to sub-penthouses and a full-floor penthouse, all oriented to capture uninterrupted views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and out toward the Pacific Ocean.

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, the project takes advantage of the site’s natural topography and elevated position above the harbour. Rather than relying on density alone, the architecture focuses on outlook, orientation, and spatial flow, with every apartment occupying a corner position to maximise natural light and cross ventilation.

Rothelowman says the site itself shaped much of the architectural response.

“The site has a long history in terms of its inevitable transformation and when we came in, we took inspiration from the idea of reestablishing a sense of the site’s natural terrain and fall. Our scheme aims to integrate with the terrain and the landscape, using the undulating site to slowly reveal glimpses and views of the harbour. The rotation of the tower off grid means every apartment has a view and is naturally cross ventilated. The building's colour palette is quintessentially Sydney, with bronze and sandstone and a luminescent green colour in the glass, making it very earthy and grounded in its location.”

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Inside the residences, the emphasis moves toward larger-format living typically associated with standalone homes. Kitchens sit at the centre of the apartments, connecting directly to open-plan dining and living areas before extending outward into expansive winter gardens and balconies. Calacatta marble, bespoke joinery, integrated appliances, and custom metal detailing are used throughout, while three distinct interior palettes, Terrace, Opera, and Harbour, allow buyers to personalise the spaces without compromising the architectural consistency of the project.

The larger residences place particular attention on separation between entertaining and private zones. In many apartments, master suites occupy the outer corners of the floorplates, allowing bedrooms to benefit from floor-to-ceiling glazing and harbour outlooks independent of the living spaces. Dressing rooms and ensuites continue the material palette through fluted detailing, freestanding baths, and layered stone finishes.

Rothelowman says the design intent centred on creating homes that feel enduring rather than transient.

“Our philosophy is all about the way people live in these spaces, and we wanted to create homes that reflect the quality of life in this unique Sydney location. The apartments showcase expansive living spaces that are generous, sophisticated, and bold, with the ability to connect with views throughout each apartment.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=353235]

A separate four-storey amenity building known as The Pavilion expands the residential offering beyond the apartments themselves. Positioned alongside the tower, the building consolidates wellness, recreation, and social spaces into a dedicated resident retreat. Facilities include a 20-metre rooftop pool and sundeck, sauna, spa, ice bath, wellness studio, gymnasium, concierge service, wine cellar, residents’ lounge, private dining spaces, and dedicated co-working areas with meeting rooms and boardroom facilities.

The amenity mix reflects the buyer profile emerging in North Sydney, where owner-occupiers and downsizers are increasingly prioritising convenience, apartment scale, and long-term usability over purely investment-driven decisions.

The Walden also represents a significant milestone for ALAND, marking the company’s first major move into Sydney’s inner-city luxury apartment market after more than two decades delivering large-scale residential communities across Greater Sydney. Founder Andrew Hrsto says the Walker Street site stood apart because of both its positioning and its rarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6390]

“As a company, we had been searching for a site in one of Sydney’s blue-chip locations, spanning the Eastern Suburbs, the Sydney CBD and the North Shore, and when we had the opportunity to purchase this site, we immediately recognised that it could be something iconic.”

At launch, The Walden recorded more than $103 million in sales, with buyers drawn to the project’s harbour positioning, apartment scale, and proximity to the Metro, which now connects North Sydney to Barangaroo in three minutes and Martin Place in five.

ALAND has commenced construction, and is expecting a completion date in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134323]

Jonathan Chancellor

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