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Queensland’s tourism centres, including the Gold and Sunshine coasts, have shown further signs of buyer confidence returning to markets that were among Queensland’s worst performers in years.
The average time on market for the Gold Coast region has dropped 35 days from the June 2013 quarter, to sit at 74 days.
Vendor discounting has dropped from 12.9% for the June quarter last year to 6.1%, according to the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) Housing Market Review for the June quarter.
The Sunshine Coast has seen similar improvements, with the average time it takes to sell a house dropping from 117 days to 91 days for the June quarter.
The Sunshine Coast's required vendor discounting on private treaty offerings now sits at 6%, down from 13% in the same quarter last year.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast property markets on the improve: REIQ

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Gundagai’s Darbalara, an 1853 homestead on a productive 60 hectares, has been listed for 5 September auction.
<a href="https://www.raywhiterural.com.au/nsw/gundagai/1175806/" target="_blank">Simon Southwell at Ray White Rural </a>says the property could be of interested for somebody looking to run it for commercial breeding, a lifestyle or equestrian property, or as a stud.
It has been listed by Simon and Justine Makeham, who purchased Darbalara in 2000.
The Makehams have purchased a property near <a href="/developments/cootamundra-nsw-2590">Cootamundra</a>.
The Makehams having run both Angus cattle and crossbred lambs typically carrying 60 breeders and 250 sheep.
There is a 1.5 kilometre frontage to the Tumut River.
{qtube vid:=yThyXDXygcI}
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Gundagai's 1853 homestead Darbalara for September auction

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Investors have paid $2,375,000 to buy The Block Albert Park apartment caught up in the Australian Federal Police seizure of assets of the former NAB broker Lukas Kamay.
Kamay, who has been accused of using confidential Australian Bureau of Statistics data to make $7 million in profits by trading in fluctuations in the Australian dollar, paid $2,375,000 at The Block auction in April.
But the purchase did not proceed to settlement.
The replacement buyers have <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/rental-properties/3-47-o-grady-street-albert-park/Property-Details-rent-residential-7434337" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;">the apartment now advertised for rent at $2,500 a week through </a><a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/rental-properties/3-47-o-grady-street-albert-park/Property-Details-rent-residential-7434337" target="_blank">Dingle Partners</a>.
An Albert Park couple Paul and Susan Hawking now own the apartment decorated by Adelaide twins Alisa and Lysandra Fraser.
Following Lakas Kamay’s arrest in May and with settlement yet to occur, The Block’s production company Watercress Productions secured the replacement sale at the same price, $2,375,000.
The runner-up twins, Alisa and Lysandra achieved<a href="https://www.dinglepartners.com.au/index.cfm?pageCall=property&amp;propertyID=2618525" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;"> a massive $616,000 above the reserve of $1.759 million</a>. 
The three bedroom apartment was marketed for Alisa and Lysandra, the former SA police officers, by the Melbourne CBD agents, Anton Wongtrakun and Rochelle Wilson from Dingle Partners.
The twins were not the overall winners, so it did not affect the final result of the television renovation gameshow, and did not affect their payout as the outcome of the auction night are likely to be honoured by Watercress and Channel 9.
Kamay had secured the apartment as an investment property as Dingle Partners had it listed as available with a $2,500 weekly asking price, reflecting a gross 5.4% rental yield in May. 
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Investors secure The Block Albert Park resale after sales collapse

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With plans to head back to Melbourne, the former AFL football player and coach Neale Daniher and wife, Jan have listed their Perth home for sale.
The decision follows his decision to go public on his battle with motor neurone disease.
The former Essendon champion has spoken to friend and ­former Bombers teammate Tim Watson in an interview to air on Seven News tonight.
Tim Watson told Triple M Breakfast this morning that the Danihers had listed their Perth home.
The family home is in the suburb of Floreat, one of Perth's premier suburbs.
The six year old, two level house sits on a north south facing 791 square metre block.
There is 406 square metres of internal living space in the four bedroom, two bathroom house.
Its exterior facade features elements of Toodyay Stone and cedar.
It last traded at $2.6 million in 2009, the year after he took his football administration role at the West Coast Eagles in late 2008.
It has been listed for 23 August auction <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-floreat-117548480" target="_blank">through Caporn Young Claremont agents Helen Hemery and Richard Young.</a>
Neale Daniher announced last September he would stand down as West Coast Eagles football operations boss due to health reasons but refrained from speaking on camera on his medial diagnosis.
He told Channel 7's Tim Watson that he will move back with his family to ­Melbourne to work on a public campaign to raise awareness of the disease, ­recruiting AFL stars to help spread the message.
Daniher coached Melbourne to the 2000 AFL Grand Final, losing to Essendon, having had his VFL/AFL career cut short due to knee injuries when he played 82 games for Essendon between 1979 and 1990.
He comes from a celebrated family of AFL stars. His nephew, Joe, is a current Essendon player.
He was born at <a href="/news">West Wyalong</a> in NSW.
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AFL legend Neale Daniher's Floreat, Perth home for auction

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Rose Manor, a new luxury townhouse development in Liverpool, Sydney now only has just two remaining for sale, after two weeks of sales.
It is a small townhouse development, with nine offerings. The remaining are both three bedrooms. 
There were five 2 bedrooms and four 3 bedrooms. The two bedrooms started at $429,000 and the three bedrooms start from $544,000.
<img src="/images/2014/08/18/liverpool-aug-18-one.jpg" alt="">
Investors and owner-occupiers from all across the city were the Rose Street buyers through Sam Elbanna from CPM Realty.
RP Data puts the house median in <a href="/news">Liverpool</a> at $517,000 and units at $315,000.
The recently announced airport at <a href="/news">Badgerys Creek</a> and the local hospital redevelopment had prompted property investors interest, Sam Elbanna noted.
<img src="/images/2014/08/18/liverpool-aug-18-two.jpg" alt="">
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Liverpool townhouse Rose Manor secures strong buyer interest

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Wellings, one of the oldest estates in Sydney's inner west, was passed in on a $9 million vendor bid at auction today.
The eight-bedroom estate had been<a href="https://raywhiteburwood.com.au/nsw/burwood/1166145/" target="_blank"> </a>listed by Janeta Biviano of Ray White Burwood, <a href="/news/wellings-the-hidden-gothic-burwood-offering">with a reported well inexcess of $6 million initial price guidance</a>.
Gasps came from the 300 strong crowd who attended the onsite auction after the $9 million vendor bid.
There had been claps at the opening - and only - $6 million bid which was followed by a 12 minute period when the agent unsuccessfully sought higher offers from another two parties.
It was among the 435 weekend auctions with agents reporting an initial clearance rate of 82%, against a revised 75% in the prior weekend. 
Wellings had been listed for Ray White auction by artisans Frank and Marcellina Civardi, of Civardi Furniture.
They had secured the 3,679 square-metre Burwood estate in 1990 for $900,000 when it was unliveable.
Heritage architect Lester Tropman helped restore the gothic-style villa which dates back to 1813.
It was first officially recorded in the 1830s as owned by London shipowner William Richards and extended over the year starting from 1860.
The Burwood median house price sits at a record $1.42 million, <a href="/news">according to RP Data</a>. The suburb record sits at around $4.1 million.
Wellings is located at 4 Woodside Avenue East on 3,679 square metres, with not only the main residence but also The Gatehouse.
The three-bedroom gatehouse is one of the first pre-fabricated homes in Australia.
The gatehouse was made in Hamburg, then exhibited in Paris in 1854 before it was imported for the French Consul General's residence in Hunters Hill, Passy.
It was moved to Wellings in 1967 by former owner Dr Lindsay Grant and his wife, Adeline (nee Agnew).
"It's been finished to the eleventh degree," the auction suggested.
The estate featured in the 2005 movie, Son of Mask.
On its listing Mrs Biviano advised the market "will play a significant role in determining the value of the property."
“There aren’t any comparable properties in the area - Wellings is truly the only estate of its kind,” she said.
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$9 million vendor bid for Wellings, Burwood stuns auction crowd

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Stockland Group has accepted Frasers Centrepoint’s offer to acquire its 19.9% holding in Australand.
Stockland will sell its holding of 113 million Australand shares at $4.48 a security.
The property group will net more than $80 million from the transaction.
It comes eight days after Frasers secured its effective takeover of Australand with around a 56% acceptance when the initial deadline fell.
“We have been disciplined with our investment in Australand with a clear strategic intent and view of value, and are pleased to have achieved a significant profit,” Stockland chief executive Mark Steinert told the stock exchange today.
The group plans to reinvest back into medium density residential and mixed use projects, and to grow its string of logistics and business parks.
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Mark Steinert recently announced the appointment of two new executives to its executive committee, with its Chief Investment Officer, and Group Counsel and Company Secretary, elevated to the executive team.
Darren Rehn has been appointed Group Executive and Chief Investment Officer with responsibility for capital transactions, capital partnering and business development activities. 
Mr Rehn joined Stockland as Chief Investment Officer in October 2013. 
Katherine Grace has been appointed Group Counsel and Company Secretary, coming with over 15 years’ experience including several years at Westfield Retail Trust. 
Phillip Hepburn, who has served as Stockland Group Counsel and Company Secretary since 2001, will be leaving Stockland.
Stockland’s executive committee will now comprise Mr Steinert and the following executives: 
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  Stephen Bull – Group Executive and CEO Retirement Living 
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  Katherine Grace – Group Counsel and Company Secretary 
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  Tiernan O’Rourke – Chief Financial Officer 
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  Darren Rehn – Group Executive and Chief Investment Officer 
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  Michael Rosmarin – Group Executive and Chief Operating Officer 
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  John Schroder – Group Executive and CEO Commercial Property 
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  Simon Shakesheff – Group Executive Strategy and Stakeholder Relations 
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  Andrew Whitson – Group Executive and CEO Residential 
 
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Stockland accepts Frasers' Australand offer

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Investment buying has ramped up in Queensland, according to estate agent John McGrath.
He says the typical house yield in Brisbane was 4.5% compared to Sydney’s 3.7%.
"Apartment yields are even more impressive at 5.3% compared to 4.5% in Sydney," he blogged on Switzer.
Noting Brisbane property values haven’t moved anywhere near the rate of Sydney and Melbourne in recent times, McGrath indicated Sydney’s current median house price of $745,000 and Melbourne’s $590,000 "makes Brisbane look seriously cheap at $475,000." 
"When you put affordable property values next to high yields and perfect timing in the cycle, that’s an ideal time to buy and investors are noticing," he said.
His comments came as mortgage broker AFG reported investment activity in Queensland had jumped from 33.5% in January to 38.7% in June. 
"A lot of that activity is in Brisbane but key regional centres are also attracting attention.  "For example, our office in Townsville estimates that 50% of investment sales are going to North Queenslanders and up to 40% are going to Sydneysiders."
McGrath said investors were attracted to newer houses around $350,000 to $450,000 and small sites with development potential.
It was May 2012 when McGrath Estate Agents opened in Brisbane. With the February 2014 opening at Townsville, it now has its first regional office in North Queensland and ninth in the Sunshine State.  
The coastal city of <a href="/news">Townsville</a> is about 1,300 kilometres north of Brisbane, close to the Great Barrier Reef. The Queensland government forecasts tipping the population to reach 300,000 by 2030, compared with 185,000 in 2012.
The McGrath column was written before the latest REIQ data that showed the vacancy rate jumped from March 2014 at 4.7% to June 2014 at 5.4%.
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Sydney investors hit Townsville: John McGrath

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The Block Glasshouse marketing has begun with Buxton's inviting private clients to an early September preview.
The High Street apartment is being offered <a href="/expert-insights/building/karl-gillon-takes-on-his-third-televised-the-block-sales-campaign">through veteran The Block agent Karl Gillon</a>.
<img src="/images/2014/08/15/block%20aug%2015%20one.jpg" alt="">
No public marketing has commenced for the auctions that appear scheduled for October auction.
Nor have $2 million plus price hopes been confirmed.
Buxton estate agent Karl Gillon is set to take on his third sales televised Block auction marketing campaign in the latest The Block Glasshouse series.
He will be marketing the sale of contestants Maxine and Karstan’s Prahan apartment at 3/121-127 High Street.
He's previously auctioned Brad and Dale’s property on last year’s Fans Vs Faves series in the O'Grady Street, Albert Park warehouse.
<a href="/news/at-506-000-above-reserve-brad-and-laras-1-62-million-south-melbourne-sale-secures-the-block-2012-prize-result">He also sold contestants Brad and Lara’s property in 2012</a>, achieving a winning price of $1.62 million in the South Melbourne terraces series.
In recent series contestants have taken to include their estate agent in the design planning stages to ensure the apartment matches the locality demographics.
Estate agent Anton Wongtrakun of Dingle Partners is also returning. Last year he handled twins Alisa and Lysandra’s Albert Park sale.
This time it is Chris and Jenna’s apartment at number 2.
The agent newbies are Matt White of Ray White Port Phillip selling Michael and Carlene’s property at number 3 and Andrew McCann of Jellis Craig Bennison Mackinnon with Simon and Shannon’s apartment at number 4.
The AFL premiership player Darren Jolly and his wife Deanne have gone with Biggin &amp; Scott Richmond.
The High Street Block auctions are likely to take place in October.
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The Block Glasshouse marketing begins in Prahran

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Actor Nadine Garner is selling her Bentleigh East home.
Garner, who has been around since playing Tamara on The Henderson Kids in the mid-1990s, has been at 26 Paloma Street for almost seven years.
The five bedroom, three bathroom home has $820,000 to $890,000 price guidance.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-bentleigh+east-117667511" target="_blank">Tara Ferrier of Hodges</a> will auction the 620 square metre property on 6 September.
She is currently filming the third season of The Doctor Blake Mysteries.
Garner, her husband Cameron Barnett and two sons, Eden and Jem, are moving to the northern suburbs to be closer to the boys’ school.
<a href="/news">RP Data puts the suburb's house median at $780,000</a>.
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Actor Nardine Garner lists Bentleigh East home

Kew has long been regarded as one of Melbourne's premier residential suburbs. It's a location defined by its grand period homes, leafy streets and some of the city's most prestigious schools, yet it has often sat just outside the spotlight cast on neighbouring Hawthorn and Camberwell.

Increasingly, however, buyers are recognising that Kew offers much of what draws people to those suburbs, with a quieter residential setting, exceptional amenity and long-term owner-occupier appeal.

Within a few minutes' walk, residents can access Kew Junction, one of Melbourne's most established village centres. Cafés, bakeries, restaurants, supermarkets, boutique retailers and everyday services are all on the doorstep, with local favourites including Centonove, Adeney Milk Bar Cafe, and Frank &amp; Harri creating the type of walkable lifestyle that has become increasingly difficult to find in Melbourne's inner east. Beyond the immediate neighbourhood, Glenferrie Road's renowned shopping and dining precinct in Hawthorn and the retail, dining and entertainment offerings of Camberwell Junction are both just a short drive or tram ride away.

The suburb is equally well connected. Tram routes 48 and 109 provide direct access to the CBD, while High Street and Cotham Road connect residents to the wider inner east.&nbsp;Nearby access to the Eastern Freeway also places the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Melbourne Airport within easy reach, adding another layer of convenience for weekend travel.&nbsp;It's a rare combination of connectivity and tranquillity, where quiet residential streets sit just moments from some of Melbourne's most established shopping and lifestyle precincts.

For families, Kew remains one of Melbourne's most tightly held addresses. Carey Baptist Grammar School, Xavier College, Methodist Ladies' College, Trinity Grammar, Ruyton Girls' School and Genazzano FCJ College are all nearby, while the Yarra River parklands, walking trails and sporting clubs provide another layer of lifestyle appeal.

It's within this established pocket that developer Ricdanic is delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/wimba-ave-kew-9-11-wimba-avenue-kew-vic-3101">Wimba Ave</a>, a boutique collection of just 13 residences across two buildings named after its location on the tree-lined Wimba Avenue,&nbsp;within one of Kew's most prestigious pockets where homes have been known to sell up to and above $8 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140755 project_image_fid=354809]

The residences prioritise the space that buyers are increasingly searching for but struggling to find in established suburbs. Living areas extend beyond five metres in width, ceiling heights range from three to five metres, and apartments open onto private gardens averaging around 125 sqm. Selected residences also feature balconies of approximately 60 sqm, while premium inclusions include Miele appliances, double-glazed windows, EV readiness, fully electric systems and a 7.2 NatHERS energy rating.

Architect Chris Idle says opportunities to deliver homes of this scale within established suburbs have become increasingly uncommon.

"There are very few opportunities to do these kinds of developments in leafy, established suburbs," he says. "To get this level of amenity, natural light, and architectural freedom in such a setting is extremely rare."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140755 project_image_fid=366267]

The architecture draws on Kew's established character through the use of handmade Krause bricks, while landscaping by John Patrick introduces 23 plant species, including nine native varieties, creating an environment which focuses just as much on nature as it does the building.

Construction on Wimba Ave is well underway by renowned high-end builder Sinjen, with completion expected in late 2027. Prices start from $2.22 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=140755]

Joel Robinson

The enduring appeal of Kew's tree-lined streets and village lifestyle

"For me, it's the location." That was the first thing Chris pointed to when reflecting on why he and his wife Marita decided to purchase at Candela Ivanhoe, the under-construction new apartment development by Salter Brothers in the heart of the north-eastern M​elb​ourne​ suburb. ​

"We've lived here before… everything is here," Chris said.

"Our doctor is around the corner, there's dentists, pilates, everything we need, restaurants, fast food places, two train stations, Ivanhoe and Darebin, both in walking distance. You don't need anything else."

<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/X8K0Bozug7A?si=Puwc6vx_ZO0qQZF8" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Just 10 kilometres from Melbo​urn​e's CBD, Ivanhoe combines direct city connectivity with the amenity of an established village community. Residents have access to highly regarded schools, expansive parklands, public transport, and a thriving retail and hospitality precinct centred around Upper Heidelberg Road, all within a neighbourhood that has retained its leafy character despite its proximity to the city.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/candela-ivanhoe-40-upper-heidelberg-road-ivanhoe-vic-3079">Candela Ivanhoe</a> sits within the heart of this established landscape, positioned just moments from Ivanhoe Village and within walking distance of many of the suburb's most sought-after amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=364553]

From Candela, residents can access cafés, grocers, wine bars, restaurants and essential services on foot, while Ivanhoe Station and Darebin Station provide direct connectivity across Mel​bour​ne. The development is also surrounded by some of the suburb's best-known lifestyle destinations, including Pinkie, Laurent, Enni, Docasa and Woodfire Pizza e Cucina, alongside Ivanhoe Plaza, Woolworths, pharmacies and specialty retailers.

Green space is another defining feature of the suburb. Darebin Parklands, Ivanhoe Park, Nellie Ibbot Park and the Yarra River trail network provide extensive opportunities for recreation, while Ivanhoe Golf Course and Ivanhoe Tennis Club continue to underpin the area's long-established lifestyle appeal.

The suburb's education offering further strengthens demand. Ivanhoe Grammar School, Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar School, Mary Immaculate Primary School and Ivanhoe Primary School have helped establish the area as one of Melbou​​rne's most sought-after schooling precincts, attracting families and downsizers alike who want to remain connected to the area.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=357510]

While location was the priority for Marita and Chris, the project itself also needed to meet their expectations.

"Whilst location was paramount, I was also looking at design of the environment and Candela ticked every box," Marita said.

"We're just thrilled with our choice."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=336455]

Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/salter-brothers">Salter Brothers</a>, Candela Ivanhoe has been designed to complement its village setting, with an emphasis on generous floorplans, natural light and practical everyday living.

Residents will have access to a range of shared amenities, including a communal rooftop garden and dedicated residential lounge, complemented by a ground-floor café and lifestyle wellbeing centre, helping foster the sense of community already emerging among future owners.

That approach has resonated strongly with the market. More than 90 per cent of purchasers at Candela Ivanhoe are owner-occupiers, with buyers ranging from downsizers and second-home buyers to young families and first home buyers, creating a genuinely multi-generational community of grandparents, parents and children. It reflects a broader shift across Melbo​​urne's apartment market, where buyers are increasingly prioritising neighbourhood quality, lifestyle amenity and long-term liveability.

Currently under construction by Ironside, Candela Ivanhoe comprises 58 apartments. Candela Ivanhoe is scheduled for completion in the coming months, and residents can move in from September. One to four bedroom residences, prices from $649,000 and limited opportunities remaining.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=342]

Location and lifestyle drive demand at Candela Ivanhoe

As apartment buyers increasingly look beyond the four walls of their residence, the quality and depth of shared amenity has become a defining factor in how developments are designed and experienced, particularly in the high-rise, new apartment development space.

In Southbank, where high-density living continues to evolve, developers are placing greater emphasis on creating environments that support wellbeing, connection, and convenience as part of everyday life.

That approach sits at the heart of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aura-at-melbourne-square-7-hoff-boulevard-southbank-vic-3006">AURA</a>, the latest residential tower in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/osk-property">OSK Property</a>’s $3.5 billion Melbourne Square precinct. Rising 67 storeys above Hoff Boulevard, the 673-apartment development has been conceived around what OSK describes as a “vertical wellness ecosystem”, a layered collection of amenities that extends throughout the building rather than being confined to a single podium level.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=370263]

The amenity offering begins on the seventh level within the AURA Club, a dedicated resident hub focused on health, relaxation, and daily convenience. Here, residents will have access to an indoor swimming pool, cold plunge, spa, sauna, and steam room, alongside a fully equipped gym, reformer Pilates studio, and yoga room.

The wellness facilities are complemented by a range of spaces that acknowledge the changing ways people live and work. Work-from-home lounges and co-working areas sit alongside a library, music room, games room, cinema facilities, and open-air terrace spaces, providing residents with flexible environments that can adapt throughout the day.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=367468]

Beyond the internal amenity, AURA introduces a series of Japanese-inspired gardens that form a quieter counterpoint to the tower’s social spaces.

Landscaped retreats feature curated outdoor dining, tranquil courtyard seating, fire pit, and a tea house pavilion. Rather than functioning as simple recreational areas, the gardens have been designed as places for reflection and informal gathering, drawing on principles of balance, nature, and calm that underpin the project's broader design philosophy.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=367810]

The social amenity continues to evolve as residents move higher through the building. Levels 49 and 50 house the Meridian Club, where a lounge bar, conservatory spaces, and private dining rooms take advantage of elevated city views. At the summit of the tower, the exclusive Cumulus Club spans Levels 66 and 67, offering additional lounges, private dining, and meditation and treatment rooms positioned above Melbourne’s skyline.

For OSK Property, the extensive amenity offering reflects a broader focus on wellbeing as a core component of apartment living rather than an added feature.

“Aura stands tall as an exemplar of holistic wellness – its focus on social, physical and mental health culminate in a building that is calming, restorative and relaxing, where residents will have their own sanctuary within the well-connected and sought-after Southbank,” says OSK Property CEO Chong Boon Woon.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=367796]

AURA’s amenity strategy extends beyond the tower itself through its integration with the wider Melbourne Square precinct.

Residents will have direct access to Kennedy Park, Southbank’s 3,745 sqm landscaped public park, alongside a full-line Woolworths supermarket, childcare centre, hospitality venues, and approximately 1,600 sqm of additional retail planned within AURA’s lower levels. Together, these elements create a highly connected residential environment where daily needs, recreation, and wellness are woven into the fabric of the community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=370253]

As Melbourne’s apartment market continues to mature, developments are increasingly judged by the lifestyle they provide beyond individual residences.

Through its combination of wellness facilities, landscaped retreats, social clubs, and precinct-wide amenity, AURA represents a shift toward a more comprehensive model of vertical living, one where shared spaces play as significant a role as the homes themselves.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151921]

AURA elevates amenity living at Melbourne Square

Builder-developer Scion is the latest to target Sydney's booming Hills Showground Metro precinct, filing plans for more than 100 apartments within walking distance of the station.

Scion has lodged a concurrent rezoning and State Significant Development Application for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/27-33-middleton-avenue-castle-hill-nsw-2154">27–33 Middleton Avenue</a>, where it plans to replace four existing homes with an 11 and 14-storey mixed-use development comprising 109 apartments, six affordable housing dwellings, and a ground-floor café.

Designed by BHK Architects, the proposal includes three levels of basement parking with 174 spaces, more than 1,200 sqm of communal open space, and extensive landscaping across the 3,791 sqm site.

The development has been designed as two buildings connected by a recessed wintergarden spine, with the 14-storey building positioned to the south and the 11-storey building to the north.

<img alt="Scion" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="64dc359d-736b-43b8-87a8-70a8285cab47" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-25%20at%208.47.01%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=PXh.m8id_aevBPHEckPf88wQ2RQThPos" />

The apartment mix has been weighted towards owner-occupiers, with 13 one-bedroom apartments, 55 two-bedroom residences, 31 three-bedroom apartments, six three-bedroom lofts, and four four-bedroom homes. Six apartments will be dedicated as affordable housing in line with the NSW Housing SEPP.

According to the Architectural Design Report by BKH, the proposal seeks to create "a place-responsive architecture" inspired by the natural landscape surrounding Cattai Creek, while strengthening the public domain through landscaping, active frontages and a neighbourhood café.

Atlas Urban, in its Urban Design Report, says the proposal takes a different approach to increasing density around Hills Showground Station by favouring a more slender, vertically articulated built form over a conventional mid-rise outcome. The report argues this allows for greater deep soil planting, improved solar access and a better public domain outcome, while still delivering additional housing close to rapid public transport.

The site sits around 500 metres from Hills Showground Metro Station, within a precinct earmarked for significant residential intensification following the opening of the Sydney Metro Northwest line. Planning documents accompanying the application note that Greater Sydney's population has grown by more than one million people since planning for the precinct first began, reinforcing the need to accelerate housing delivery around existing transport infrastructure.

Scion is expanding its development pipeline which also includes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/chatham-west-ryde-2-6-chatham-road-west-ryde-nsw-2114">Chatham in West Ryde</a>, 62 apartments which are approaching completion. They also have a State Significant Development Application with the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/96-anzac-avenue-west-ryde-nsw-2114">145 apartments on Anzac Avenue</a>, also in West Ryde.

First look: Scion plots Castle Hill apartment development near Hills Showground Metro Station

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>&nbsp;has unveiled its scaled-back plans for a pair of towers rising up to 49 storeys directly opposite Bella Vista Metro Station.

The builder-developer will deliver 674 apartments and a new mixed-use hub at the gateway to the station precinct.

The State Significant Development Application has been lodged under the Housing Delivery Authority pathway for the 6,979 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/9-11-mawson-avenue-bella-vista-nsw-2153">9-11 Mawson Avenue</a>, with the apartments sitting above a mixed-use podium. Initial plans were for closer to 900 apartments across two 40-storey towers.

Located around 30 metres from the Bella Vista Metro Station entrance, the development is intended to act as a catalyst for the long-planned Bella Vista Station Precinct, transforming a vacant site into a transit-oriented residential and commercial destination.

Planning documents describe the project as delivering "a high-density mixed use destination that combines housing, retail and community-serving uses in a highly accessible setting."

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group plans 674-apartment Bella Vista towers opposite Metro station" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="21c08216-589e-490d-ad08-2d88b6fa62d9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bella%20vista%20podium.png?VersionId=3TnwjjQCNwTsmyQRaWnFrLTSAF0CJeka" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/turner-studio">Turner</a>, with landscape architecture by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>, the project comprises 674 apartments, including 102 affordable housing dwellings representing 15 per cent of the residential floor space. The housing mix spans studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartments, alongside a collection of townhouse-style residences integrated into the podium levels. The development also includes specialist disability accommodation and an elevated provision of adaptable and liveable housing.

The mixed-use podium has been designed to create an active urban centre around the Metro station, incorporating a 1,423 sqm supermarket, a 3,029 sqm gym, specialty retail spaces, a 100-place childcare centre and a publicly accessible "city room" community space. A secondary laneway, active frontages and landscaped public areas are intended to improve pedestrian connectivity through the site and strengthen links between the station precinct and surrounding neighbourhood.

In the project's design report, Turner said the proposal responds to Bella Vista's emerging role as a higher-density centre within Sydney's north-west growth corridor.

"The project transforms a strategically located site into a high-density mixed use destination that combines housing, retail and community-serving uses in a highly accessible setting," the report states.

"Active frontages, a publicly accessible city room, a secondary laneway and a mix of uses including a local supermarket, child care centre and gym create a more complete and socially useful urban environment for residents, workers and the wider community."

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group plans 674-apartment Bella Vista towers opposite Metro station" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0fde6220-82de-4f6a-9b63-d0fd8157acc9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bella%20vista%20da.png?VersionId=7hEmuSutH8plTd_RqqdmPu055F6qe554" />

Urban Property Group has been one of the busiest developers across Greater Sydney this year.

The developer is progressing around 1,000 apartments across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-urban-property-group-plans-next-major-wollongong-tower">two projects in Wollongong</a>, with several thousand more homes in the pipeline across Newcastle, Castle Hill, Little Bay and Penrith.

Jonathan Chancellor

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