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Hurstmon is Landream’s latest offering in Melbourne's south-east, delivering a sense of privacy, seclusion and retreat.

The home’s strong architectural language delivers something unique to Malvern East while still blending into the locale to create a harmonious living space.

“We chose Hurstmon because it appeared like a high-quality project in a great suburb that suited our requirements”, said buyers Michelle and Pete, who purchased an off-the-plan apartment in the development.

To help see if this Malvern East residence is right for you, Urban reveals the top five things to love about Hurstmon. 
 

1. Its prime location in Malvern East

Hurstmon delivers the lifestyle needs of its residents with Malvern East’s abundance of amenities. Established parks, transport options, bicycle paths and creative cafes are on your doorstep.

Although the Melbourne CBD is just 15-kilometres from the city, the development connects residents to some of Melbourne’s most beautiful parks and historic gardens. 
 

2. Spacious one, two and three-bedroom apartments

<a href="/buildings/hurstmon-3-hurstmon-street-malvern-east"><img alt="" height="1201" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/hurstmon-3-hurstmon-street-malvern-east-68311a81c412540e4d376af6a6237d63.jpg" width="1920"></a>

Designed by Telha Clarke, each two or three-bedroom residence represents the best of lifestyle, contemporary architecture, earthy tones, premium materials and respect for the area’s deep history, with its expansive proportions working to promote light and air flow.

“The generous proportions of these homes have allowed for us to really let the volume speak for themselves”, said Telha Clarke associate Harriet Fell. 
 

3. The architectural façade

Hurstmon has a “hidden-gem quality”, according to architect Tim Clarke. Popping out like an oasis, the project offers a level of class that has never been seen before in Malvern East, with floor-to-ceiling windows and contemporary design.

“We love the unique façade of Hurstmon and the floor-to-ceiling glass doors and windows throughout the property and our apartment”, said buyers Michelle and Pete. 
 

4. Contemporary-styled interiors

<a href="/buildings/hurstmon-3-hurstmon-street-malvern-east"><img alt="" height="1371" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/hurstmon-3-hurstmon-street-malvern-east-ad6b8aa3d1c09a1fafefeaf5da8bf84b_0.jpg" width="1920"></a>

The Telha Clarke-designed interiors offer two colour schemes, in grey or green. Walnut timber joinery, pale timber floorboards and stone kitchen benchtops are among the home’s premium finishes.

Each residence includes a double-glazing, ducted heating and a butler’s pantry, with floorplans responsive to changes and requests by homebuyers. 
 

5. Landscaping by Eckersley Garden Architecture

Positioned on a tree-lined street, Eckersley Garden Architecture uses the gardens to highlight Hurstmon’s vertical form, while utilising green spaces to mirror the streetscape and blend into the fabric of Malvern East.

Ground-floor residences enjoy manicured courtyards and extended outdoor space.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4807]

Two-bedroom apartments in the project start from $795,000 while three-bedroom apartments begin at $1,599,500.

The project is estimated for completion in early 2022. Request floorplans and information from an agent today.
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“We chose Hurstmon because it appeared like a high-quality project in a great suburb that suited our requirements”, said buyers Michelle and Pete

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What Urban loves most about Hurstmon in Malvern East

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If you’re considering buying a holiday home right now, you’re not alone. With Australians currently forced to put their plans for international travel on hold and the cost of Australian holiday home rentals on the rise, it's no wonder more people are keen to invest in a holiday home to call their own. 

Like anything in life, buying a holiday home has its pros and cons. Here’s what you should consider. 

<h2>Pros of buying a holiday home right now</h2>

The pandemic has put the importance of lifestyle into the spotlight. Having a holiday home to escape to regularly can be an excellent way to improve your quality of life. If you would usually travel overseas regularly, this can also be a good alternative. 

With the costs of renting a holiday home soaring thanks to huge local demand, combined with record low interest rates, we’re experiencing a unique situation where it may actually be more cost effective to buy rather than regularly rent a holiday home. For those who have managed to save more during the pandemic - such as through forgoing the costs of international travel - the costs of a deposit may also already be covered.

If you already spend money on going on holiday in Australia each year, especially if it's to the same place, then spending that money on a mortgage on a holiday home may make sense. Not only are you spending what you would have spent anyway, if not less, but once you’ve paid off the mortgage you then own an asset which will grow over time. If you can’t afford 100% of the mortgage on your own, then you can always rent it out part of the year until you have paid down the mortgage.

For those getting into the market right now, there’s a window of time where prices will remain affordable. We’re already seeing prices in some areas such as Byron Bay rise significantly. Across the board regional home values rose by 0.4 per cent in September or 4.3 per cent year-on-year.

For those looking to rent out their holiday home for part of the year, there has been a sharp increase in rents, resulting in a better return than usual, at least in the short-term.

<hr>
<address>READ: <a href="/news/qld/5-apartments-for-the-professional-couple-in-queenslands-broadbeach" target="_blank">5 apartments for the professional couple in Queensland’s Broadbeach</a>
</address>

<h2>What are the Cons?</h2>

If you’re looking to purchase a holiday home as an investment, it may not always be the best choice. The short-term surge in rental values might not last once the borders reopen and some people opt to head overseas for their holidays.

If you’re planning on renting out your holiday home when you’re not staying there, you need to be prepared to dedicate time and money to managing bookings, taking inquiries, cleaning and maintaining the property. This can prove burdensome for many people. If your holiday home is not your principal place of residence, then you may need to factor in taxes such as land tax which can impact the property’s affordability. 

If you opt to purchase a holiday home, you’re locked in to one holiday destination. For some people this may feel too limiting, especially once the borders open. 

Securing finance for a holiday home purchase can be more challenging. Lenders will look at the unpredictable rental income and may require a larger deposit, a shorter loan period or a higher interest rate. 

Ultimately, buying a holiday home is a personal choice. Talk to your financial adviser about whether it may be possible with your financial situation and consider your life and wealth goals. If you’ve always wanted to have your own holiday home and it’s an attainable and practical goal, then why not make it happen? 
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Ultimately, buying a holiday home is a personal choice. But, for those getting into the market right now, there’s a window of time where prices will remain affordable

Is now the right time to buy a holiday home?

Volaire is West Melbourne’s newest luxury development, offering a collection of 152 one and two-bedroom apartments,

Urban has taken&nbsp;a look at eight reasons why you should buy an apartment in the Dryburgh Street project. 
&nbsp;

1. Cbus Property is delivering&nbsp;the project

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2407]

One of Australia’s most recognisable property developers, Cbus Property has a history of delivering high-quality, luxurious urban developments.

With a portfolio exceeding $5 billion across investments and developments in the commercial, residential and retail sectors, Cbus has established themselves as a responsible and sustainable group. 
&nbsp;

2. Located in an undiscovered pocket of Melbourne

Formerly a rugged industrial area, Melbourne’s inner-northwest has emerged into a cultural precinct, conveniently located on the edge of the CBD.

Independent shops, cafés and restaurants pepper the nearby streets and the area’s distinctive character make Volaire the ideal home for first home buyers or investors. 
&nbsp;

3. Set your roots in a trendy neighbourhood

<a href="/buildings/volaire-9-dryburgh-street-west-melbourne"><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="1697" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/volaire-9-dryburgh-street-west-melbourne-a2cfb08b77c5fac70bf4a2af5fe3ac95.jpg" width="3000" /></a>

With trendy coffee shops and wine bars nearby, Volaire caters to every Melbournians’ love for food, coffee and craft beer.

Located in close proximity to the University of Melbourne campus and amongst renovated warehouses and former factories, the local surrounds boast a university-town vibe. The suburb’s industrial atmosphere complements the sheer coolness of the surrounding shops and people. 
&nbsp;

4. Designed by award-winning architects

Designed by Hayball, an award winning Australasian architectural practice, Volaire offers smartly-designed one and two-bedroom apartments with neutral interior tones and light-filled living spaces.

The sleek and slender 10-storey mid-rise utilises space to provide residents with the ultimate in comfort and convenience. 
&nbsp;

5. Ground floor retail and a modern lobby

<a href="/buildings/volaire-9-dryburgh-street-west-melbourne"><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="1545" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/volaire-9-dryburgh-street-west-melbourne-004a7eec0bdeec1c372e1de93085c30c.jpg" width="2872" /></a>

Located at 9 Dryburgh Street, Cbus Property’s development is set to sit atop ground-floor retail and café spaces.

At the northern building entrance, a landscaped courtyard provides an inviting entry to the triple-height, glazed lobby, conveying luxury to passers-by. &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

6. Generous private balconies

Delivering seamless integration of the indoor and outdoor areas of each residence, generous private balconies feature floor-to-ceiling sliding doors and offer views of the bay, city and distant-ranges.

<a href="/buildings/volaire-9-dryburgh-street-west-melbourne"><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="1333" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/volaire-9-dryburgh-street-west-melbourne-c225a8d571460b0daf47a9c58e38cfce.jpg" width="2000" /></a>

The alfresco areas present residents with the “space to relax, unwind and savour the joy of just being at home”, according to the project’s marketing.

&nbsp;

7. A full-floor residents’ lounge

<a href="/buildings/volaire-9-dryburgh-street-west-melbourne"><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="1518" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/volaire-9-dryburgh-street-west-melbourne-727a4a7b1e149bf99c0a9e5f3c80b787_0.jpg" width="3000" /></a>

Situated on the sixth floor and dubbed “Sky Podium”, a dramatic residents’ lounge provides indoor and outdoor community space to socialise with neighbours or relax in privacy.

A fully equipped alfresco barbecue and built-in dining space is included within the space, as well as landscaped garden beds, a sun-deck, intimate seating arrangements and green spaces.

&nbsp;

8. Its located on the doorstep of North Melbourne Station

This development stands out for its connectivity, located 100-metres from the entrance to the busy North Melbourne station and one stop from the state’s principal transport hub.

Located a 20-minute walk from the Melbourne CBD or Docklands, this well-connected development is bound to suit everyone.

Urban takes a look at eight reasons why you should buy an apartment in Cbus Property's Dryburgh Street project.

Find out the #1 thing that first home buyers love about West Melbourne apartment development Volaire

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First home buyers looking to secure a new off-the-plan apartment will be glad to know they can still take advantage of the NSW Government’s stamp duty exemptions.

Last August, the NSW Government increased the threshold for stamp duty exemption for newly built homes from $650,000 to $800,000 for first home buyers.

The First Home Buyers Assistance scheme (FHBAS) erases barriers to home ownership for many who can now save thousands.

Urban takes a look at six Sydney apartments you can secure and pay no transfer duty

 1. The Laneways, Rosebery 
Address: 33-37 Mentmore Avenue, Rosebery NSW 2018 
One-bedroom apartments from $562,800

[smartcode_project:default project_id=24323]

The Laneways is Rosebery's exciting new address, delivered by Ellerson Property and located on the sought-after Mentmore Avenue.

The boutique-sized apartments include one, two and three-bedroom offerings at an entry price well below the NSW Government’s FHBAS threshold. Among its offerings include a spacious entertainer's kitchen, floor-to-ceiling storage and its convenient location just six-kilometres from the Sydney CBD. 
 

2. Bloom Arncliffe 
Address: 213 Princes Highway, Arncliffe NSW 2205 
Two-bedroom apartments from $710,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6201]

Bloom Arncliffe offers one and two-bedroom apartments perfect for first home buyers looking to take advantage of stamp duty exemptions.

Dispersed over seven state-of-the-art buildings, the recently-completed development features space to work from home, private balconies, entertaining space and views of Botany Bay. 
 

3. Beyond, Hurstville 
Address: 93 Forest Road, Hurstville 
One-bedroom apartments from $685,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6798]

Designed in collaboration between Woods Bagot and DKO Architecture, Beyond provides first home buyers with incredible amenities at an affordable entry price.

As well as the attached 4,500sqm retail precinct anchored by Woolworths, Fridcorp’s Beyond is boasts an outdoor dining and teppanyaki grill, gardens, lobby bar and residents’ dining. 
 

4. The Galleria, Parramatta 
Address: 23-29 Hassall Street, Parramatta NSW 2150 
Two-bedroom apartments from $699,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=9190]

Situated in the heart of the Parramatta CBD, the Galleria boasts 20-storeys and numerous on-site amenities, including a sixth-floor sky podium.

Features and finishes of the finest quality have been carefully selected to create an air of enduring style and sophistication from the interior colour palette to the bathrooms and kitchens to the generous indoor and alfresco living spaces. 
 

5. Moseley, Carlingford 
Address: 17-21 Moseley Street, Carlingford NSW 2118 
Two-bedroom apartments from $752,900

[smartcode_project:default project_id=25486]

The affordable Moseley project by the H&amp;T Group is located in the City of Ryde, and close-by Epping Station.

Offering 41 one, two and three-bedroom apartments with contemporary design, modern silhouettes and amenities, first home buyers can save on the project. Among its offerings include private storage, a gym, communal entertaining areas and an electric car charging dock. 
 

6. Eminence, Zetland 
Address: 811 Elizabeth Street, Zetland NSW 2017 
One-bedroom apartments from $745,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=21882]

Set in the dynamic inner-city precinct, Zetland, Eminence delivers a trio of boutique buildings commanding four street frontages nestled perfectly between Surry Hills, the transformational Green Square precinct and the Sydney CBD.

Delivered by Meriton and designed by DKO Architecture, Eminence brings together residences with onsite retail, childcare facilities, podium gardens and five-star amenities.
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First home buyers looking to secure a new off-the-plan apartment will be glad to know they can still take advantage of the NSW Government’s stamp duty exemptions

Save thousands: Sydney apartments you can secure without paying stamp duty 

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Whether you’re looking to purchase a new or existing home, first home buyers will be glad to know they can still take advantage of the Victorian Government’s stamp duty exemptions.

Unlike the NSW Government’s First Home Buyers Assistance scheme (FHBAS), the Victorian Government’s stamp duty-exempt thresholds are the same for both new and existing homes.

The exemption, which came into effect on July 1, 2017, abolishes stamp duty for first home buyers purchasing a property valued at $600,000 or less.

To assist you in your search, Urban takes a look at six apartments you can secure with no stamp duty payable, which could effectively erase barriers to home ownership for many. 
 

1. 661 Chapel Street, South Yarra 
Address: 661 Chapel Street, South Yarra VIC 3141 
One-bedroom apartments from $546,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=600]

661 Chapel Street is one of Melbourne’s latest luxury developments with 116 one, two, three and four-bedroom residences across 30 floors.

Developed by Gamuda Land and designed by Bird de la Coeur Architecture, among the project’s extensive hotel-inspired resident amenities is a concierge, gym, winter garden and members’ lounge, as well as a 25-metre pool and library. 
 

2. Melbourne Quarter, Docklands 
Address: 628 Flinders Street, Docklands VIC 3008 
One-bedroom apartments from $458,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3459]

Lendlease's Melbourne Quarter also lets first home buyers enjoy stamp duty savings whilst delivering a blinds package on brand-new, ready-to-move-in apartments.

Designed by the award-winning Fender Katsalidis, the project includes a hotel-style lobby, concierge and exclusive access to three whole floors of resort-style amenities at Club MQ, such as a multi-use space, pool, theatrette and library. 
 

3. Moreville, Footscray 
Address: 12-18 Napier Street, Footscray VIC 3011 
Two-bedroom apartments from $595,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2060]

Located at 12-18 Napier Street, Moreville boasts a collection of 43 apartments designed by Moull Murray Architects, offering open-plan floorplans, terraces and numerous amenities.

The residence’s façade has been inspired by Footscray’s traditional building styles, where contemporary design meets industrial chic. Sering Urban are developing the block. 
 

4. Parkhill Apartments, West Melbourne 
Address: 408 Spencer Street, West Melbourne VIC 3003 
One-bedroom apartments from $479,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27406]

Central Equity’s Parkhill offers buyers the chance to save up to $43,000 on stamp duty exemptions in the West Melbourne development.

The project developer is additionally matching the HomeBuilder Grant to save buyers $30,000.

Amenities offered alongside each residence include a rooftop gym for residents, a relaxing rooftop garden and a seven-day concierge service. 
 

5. Sixth Avenue, Chelsea Heights 
Address: 15 Sixth Avenue, Chelsea Heights VIC 3196 
Two-bedroom townhouses from $599,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=32136]

First home buyers can still take advantage of the stamp duty concessions for brand new townhouses.

The 59-townhouse development, Sixth Ave, delivered by Aultun Group and designed by Point Architects, provides perfect bayside living with an endless array of retail, dining and recreational amenities, as well as two-storey designs and expansive private courtyards. 
 

6. Magnolia at St. Boulevard, Melbourne 
Address: 601 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3004 
One-bedroom apartments from $555,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1260]

Developed by the Shakespeare Group, St. Boulevard offers a multitude of exclusive facilities for its residents and among its three buildings is Magnolia.

The Elenberg Fraser-designed apartment delivers private kitchens and dining room, climate-controlled wine storage and a health club and spa featuring body jet showers, a sauna and steam rooms.

Designed around three signature trees, Magnolia, Anaca and Ginko, the residence presents a place to gather with friends or seek quiet moments of solitude.
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Urban takes a look at six apartments you can secure with no stamp duty payable, which could effectively erase barriers to home ownership for many

Save thousands: Melbourne apartments you can buy without paying stamp duty

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Internal migration resulted in a net loss of 11,200 people from Australia’s capital cities in the September quarter of 2020, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/regional-internal-migration-estimates-provisional/latest-release">data</a> released this month. At the same time, some regional areas experienced significant <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-04/house-prices-rise-1pc-regional-beats-capital-cities/13029268#:%7E:text=Annual%20data%20by%20real%20estate,research%20director%20Tim%20Lawless%20said.">growth in house prices</a> as <a href="https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/property/2020/12/04/regional-australia-property-boom/">demand for properties</a> increased. So this has raised the questions: are we starting to see an <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-02/abs-data-confirms-city-exodus-during-covid/13112868">exodus from our cities</a>, and is this related to the COVID-19 pandemic?

To work out what is happening there are a few important things to consider.

<h2>In Australia we move a lot</h2>

The first thing to keep in mind is that Australia has one of the <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/2071.0%7E2016%7EMain%20Features%7EPopulation%20Shift:%20Understanding%20Internal%20Migration%20in%20Australia%7E69">most internally mobile populations</a> in the world. About 40% of the population change their addresses at least once within a five-year period. However, the level of internal migration within Australia has <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/2071.0%7E2016%7EMain%20Features%7EPopulation%20Shift:%20Understanding%20Internal%20Migration%20in%20Australia%7E69">fallen since the 1990s</a>.

The greatest fall has been for long-distance moves between Australia cities and regions, which <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/migration-australia">declined by 25%</a> between 1991 and 2016. Moves between states and territories <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/migration-australia">fell by 16%</a> over this period. An increase or decrease in internal migration from year to year is not unusual.

<figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/383668/original/file-20210211-19-dvgm7d.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img alt="chart showing net internal migration figures from September quarter 2010 to September quarter 2020" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/383668/original/file-20210211-19-dvgm7d.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/383668/original/file-20210211-19-dvgm7d.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=420&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/383668/original/file-20210211-19-dvgm7d.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=420&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/383668/original/file-20210211-19-dvgm7d.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=420&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/383668/original/file-20210211-19-dvgm7d.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=528&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/383668/original/file-20210211-19-dvgm7d.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=528&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/383668/original/file-20210211-19-dvgm7d.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=528&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w"></a>

<figcaption><a class="source" href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/regional-internal-migration-estimates-provisional/latest-release">Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Regional internal migration estimates</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></figcaption></figure><h2>Putting the numbers into context</h2>

While the recent loss of 11,200 people from Australia’s capital cities is the largest on record, it’s not a significant proportion of the population. Australia’s population has grown and so we expect to see the number of internal migrants to grow too.

The net loss of 11,200 people from capital cities is only 0.06% of the <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/regional-population/2018-19">total population</a> – 17.2 million – living in these cities. This is comparable to recent years.

While net loss – those arriving less those departing – is interesting, it is also important to consider the actual numbers of people who are moving to or leaving capital cities. The growth in the net loss of population from capital cities in the September quarter was not the result of a city exodus. What happened in 2020 was that fewer people moved into capital cities.

Drilling down further behind the headline data, we find Brisbane, Perth and Darwin all had net population gains. Brisbane has gained residents through internal migration in <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/regional-internal-migration-estimates-provisional/sep-2020/3412055005DS0001_202003.xls">each quarter since 2014</a>.

The greatest contributor to the recent net quarterly loss of 11,200 was Sydney, with a net loss of 7,782 people. Melbourne was close behind with a net loss of 7,445.

While this might look alarming at first, Sydney and Melbourne are the largest population centres in Australia. And Sydney has recorded a net loss of population through internal migration <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/regional-internal-migration-estimates-provisional/sep-2020/3412055005DS0001_202003.xls">every quarter for the past two decades</a>. Melbourne recorded net losses until 2012 and then since 2017.

Sydney and Melbourne’s overall population continued to grow over this period due to international migration. Population churn is part of the rhythm of these global cities.

The <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/regional-internal-migration-estimates-provisional/sep-2020/3412055005DS0001_202003.xls">data</a> also reveal that, on average, regional Australia has been gaining population for many years – decades actually. Moving to regional Australia is not new.

The past year’s COVID-19 restrictions closed Australia’s borders to the previously <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/migration-australia/latest-release#net-overseas-migration">large numbers of international migrants</a>. Without these international migrants moving to capital cities, the long-term trend of people relocating to urban areas around major cities has become more apparent.

<h2>Have the capital cities lost their appeal?</h2>

Just considering the September 2020 quarter, <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/regional-internal-migration-estimates-provisional/latest-release">nearly 42,000 people</a> moved to capital cities. This is comparable to the March and June quarters of 2020.

This inflow is noteworthy. At a time when many capital cities had mobility restrictions related to COVID-19 in place, people were still moving to these cities. Australia’s capital cities <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/300000-more-people-living-capital-cities">have not lost their appeal</a>.

<figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/383690/original/file-20210211-23-ncinci.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img alt="Table showing quarterly internal migration for greater capital cities in September 2019, June 2020 and September 2020" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/383690/original/file-20210211-23-ncinci.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/383690/original/file-20210211-23-ncinci.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=241&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/383690/original/file-20210211-23-ncinci.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=241&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/383690/original/file-20210211-23-ncinci.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=241&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/383690/original/file-20210211-23-ncinci.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=302&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/383690/original/file-20210211-23-ncinci.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=302&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/383690/original/file-20210211-23-ncinci.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=302&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w"></a>

<figcaption>Click on table to enlarge. <a class="source" href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/regional-internal-migration-estimates-provisional/latest-release">Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Regional internal migration estimates Feb. 2021</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></figcaption></figure>There is a risk in interpreting net migration from capital cities as an indicator of decreasing satisfaction with city lifestyles or a growing desire for rural lifestyles. It masks the <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/BriefingBook43p/regionalpopulation">considerable variability</a> in the types of moves people are making, where they are going and why.

Outside of capital cities are a whole range of different community types. They range from expansive city areas such as the Gold Coast and Geelong through to tiny agricultural and fishing hamlets.

The <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/regional-population/latest-release">fastest-growing areas outside capital cities</a> are those that offer sophisticated urban settings. They have diverse employment options and high-order social, education and healthcare infrastructure. So when people leave a capital city, more often than not <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Previousproducts/3218.0Feature%20Article12016-17?opendocument&amp;tabname=Summary&amp;prodno=3218.0&amp;issue=2016-17&amp;num=&amp;view=">they are moving to a large city</a>.

<h2>Will COVID-19 lead to growth in smaller centres?</h2>

Australia’s overall population growth has <a href="https://www.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/planning-for-australia%27s-future-population.pdf">promoted the growth of capital cities and larger regional cities</a>. Some smaller communities, particularly high-amenity coastal towns, have also experienced periods of sustained population growth.

Distributing this growth further inland to smaller towns and cities is both possible and plausible.

A major barrier to population growth in smaller rural communities is the lack of diverse local employment options. For those who have made the transition to <a href="https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-could-spark-a-revolution-in-working-from-home-are-we-ready-133070">working fully or partially online</a> as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, <a href="https://theconversation.com/more-urban-sprawl-while-jobs-cluster-working-from-home-will-reshape-the-nation-144409">moving further from their workplace more permanently</a> – and perhaps to the country – could be on the cards.

<h2>So is there a pandemic-related exodus?</h2>

The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting the way we live our lives but, no, there is not an exodus from Australia’s capital cities. For some, pandemic-related disruptions might have heightened their dissatisfaction with where they live. For others, working from home might have provided them with the opportunity to consider alternative living arrangements.

However, right now, given the data we have, it is unlikely that COVID-19 is driving a shift away from capital cities or city lifestyles.<img alt="The Conversation" height="1" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/154724/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important" width="1">

This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/has-covid-really-caused-an-exodus-from-our-cities-in-fact-moving-to-the-regions-is-nothing-new-154724">original article</a>.

 

<h2>READ MORE:</h2>

<a href="/expert-insights/buying/regional-markets-see-a-significant-increase-in-value-corelogic" target="_blank">Regional markets see a significant increase in value: CoreLogic</a>

<a href="/expert-insights/buying/first-home-buyer-trends-will-2021-be-the-renaissance-of-the-suburbs" target="_blank">First home buyer trends: Will 2021 be the renaissance of the suburbs?</a>
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The 'exodus' from capital cities amounts to 0.06% of their populations – similar to recent years – and people are still moving to the cities. What's missing is growth driven by international migrants

Has COVID really caused an exodus from our cities? In fact, moving to the regions is nothing new

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The enviable and quintessential Bayside lifestyle is yours for the taking in these three luxury family residences.

Stretching around Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne’s Bayside area offers all the elements that make an attractive suburb – beautiful beaches and excellent schools.

Set on Melbourne’s best coastline, the Bayside boasts a strong sense of community and merges leisure, waterfront views and an outdoor lifestyle with the convenience of city living.

Urban takes a look at three luxury family homes to secure within these premium Melbourne suburbs. 
 

1. Sandy Hill Penthouse, Sandringham 
Address: 222 Bay Road, Sandringham VIC 3191 
Three-bedroom apartments from $1,950,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=324]

Perched atop the ninth floor of the Master Builders Association award-winning Sandy Hill complex, Blueprint Projects’ three penthouse apartments feature three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Designed by Watson Young Architects, the contemporary penthouses feature a fireplace, cocktail bar, European oak parquetry flooring, executive-quality study with integrated desk and triple-glazed window suites.

The kitchen fits bespoke handles, marble benchtops and Gaggenau and Miele appliances, making the home the ideal setting for entertaining family and friends. A wrap-around terrace boasts views out to the bay, city and Dandenong Ranges.  

Blueprint Projects director Tony Quinert said residents can enjoy a wealth of fantastic Bayside attractions.

“Pop down to one of Melbourne’s best beaches at Half Moon Bay, (just 2km away) or take a stroll through your local Sandy Village retail precinct, Balcombe Rd, Black Rock or the vibrant seaside shopping strip of Hampton St.” 
 

2. Avenue, Brighton East 
Address: 14 Gleniffer Avenue, Brighton East VIC 3187 
Three-bedroom townhomes from $2,290,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29935]

Delivered by Skelton and designed by innovative architecture practice ADDARC, Avenue townhomes seamlessly engage and connect to the landscaping beyond. Japanese-influenced charred timber and production-grade zinc come together to form the home’s striking pitched roofs.

The perfectly crafted three-bedroom townhomes feature expansive, light-filled living and dining, exceptionally appointed kitchens, private garage for two or three cars and lush private gardens designed by renowned Jack Merlo.

Each master bedroom boasts 4.4-metre-high cathedral ceilings, as well as an abundance of light through the floor-to-ceiling windows. 
 

3. Vista Apartments, Highett 
Address: 9 Remington Drive, Highett VIC 3190 
Two-bedroom apartments from $699,500

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3303]

Hallmarc’s latest offering in the bayside suburb of Highett is the 154-apartment project, Vista Apartments. As the second stage of Hallmarc’s Kingston Park masterplanned community, Vista combines the need to express your individuality with the connectivity to essential amenities and like-minded people.

Designed to accommodate a modern lifestyle, residences within the development feature open-plan living areas, rustic timber flooring and a large breakfast bar for social dining and entertaining.

Residents at the Highett residence will have access to a state-of-the-art heated swimming pool and fully-equipped gym and inspiring views that overlook the expansive parklands of Sir William Fry Reserve.

Exclusive, outdoor communal spaces allow residents to mingle with neighbours, and offer informal outdoor seating, manicured gardens and courtyards.
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Stretching around Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne’s Bayside area offers all the elements that make an attractive suburb – beautiful beaches and excellent schools

Three luxury family homes to secure in Melbourne’s Bayside 

Buoyed by strong sales, developer Azzura Investments is looking to accelerate construction on the $2.3 billion Southport development, Imperial Square.

Regal Residences, the first stage of the development, has achieved $22.5 million in sales across 53 apartments since its launch mid-last year.

According to the developers, sales picked up after buyers flocked to the Gold Coast during the busy holiday period, with a further 15 apartments reserved by potential buyers.

As a result, the Gold Coast developer is hoping to fast-track its construction.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22476]

Situated at 59-73 Meron Street, Imperial Square&rsquo;s first stage will rise 18 levels and offer 145 apartments and 200 hotel suites.

&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve experienced a solid pace of inquiries for apartments in this debut offering at Imperial Square since January,&rdquo; said Azzura&rsquo;s sales director Jason Paris.

&ldquo;Local buyers have included a mix of first-home buyers and downsizers, all looking for the lifestyle this central location has to offer&rdquo;, he said.

Upon completion, the master-planned Imperial Square will offer a range of commercial and business spaces, rooftop bars and luxury amenities.

One-bedroom apartments in the complex start from just $349,000, and residents will enjoy valet parking and discounted prices at bars and restaurants in the development.

Azzura is also offering residents a complimentary stay for a week over five years for a friend or relative in the Regal Residences hotel. 
&nbsp;

<h2>Other amenity-rich developments on the Gold Coast</h2>

1. Chevron One, Surfers Paradise 
Address: 36-44 Stanhill Drive, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217 
One-bedroom apartments from $480,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515]

Situated in Surfers Paradise, Bensons Property Group&rsquo;s Chevron One boasts intuitive design and quality finishes. Cooking for the family has been made easy in kitchens designed by the renowned chef, Shannon Bennett.

Designed by Marchese Partners, the development includes a Club One residents&rsquo; lounge, floating cinema, sculptured gardens and dining facilities. 
&nbsp;

2. Cabana, Palm Beach 
Address: 1 Nineteenth Avenue, Palm Beach QLD 4221 
Three-bedroom apartments from $2,325,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=84861]

Delivered by Ignite Projects and designed by Plus Architecture, Cabana offers a collection of 34 apartments, fringed with coconut palms and offering views over Palm Beach and the Gold Coast hinterland.

Cabana boasts an exclusive residential living experience, including a residents&rsquo; retreat, ocean-facing infinity pool, cabana-style daybeds and an open-air recreation and entertainment space.

Buoyed by strong sales, developer Azzura Investments is looking to accelerate construction on the $2.3 billion Southport development

Construction to accelerate at Gold Coast residential development, Regal Residences

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The coming weeks may be your last chance to save on a brand-new apartment purchase with the HomeBuilder Grant extension set to end on March 31.

HomeBuilder, provides eligible owner-occupiers, including first home buyers, with a $15,000 grant to purchase a new build or off-the-plan dwelling.

For many first home buyers, the current government incentives mean that it may be cheaper to own than to rent.

However, with investor interest in Australia’s property market rising, Queensland’s residential property market is not expected to stay this way for long.

If you’re looking to cash in on the competitive offers and grants available for only a limited amount of time, here are five Queensland residences eligible for the $15,000 HomeBuilder Grant. 
 

1. M Apartments, Kangaroo Point 
Address: 699 Main Street, Kangaroo Point QLD 4169 
Two-bedroom apartments from $589,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29156]

M Apartments is a new addition to Brisbane’s Kangaroo Point and is only moments to the Woolloongabba dining precinct and the Brisbane CBD. The development offers 46 one and two-bedroom apartments, as well as three commercial properties located on the ground floor.

While only selected residences qualify for the HomeBuilder Grant, amenities within the project include rooftop entertainment deck, a communal barbeque area and views over the surrounding suburbs. 
 

2. Plaza Central, Maroochydore 
Address: 10-18 Pikki Street, Maroochydore QLD 4558 
Two-bedroom apartments from $435,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22041]

Developed by Pindan, Plaza Central’s first building is scheduled for completion in the last quarter of 2021.

Selected affordable and spacious apartments qualify for the HomeBuilder Grant, with each residence located within walking distance to the new Maroochydore CBD and boasting smart contemporary interiors and views overlooking lush greenery and the coast’s retail hub. 
 

3. Allure Chevron Island 
Address: Corner Burra Street &amp; Dalpura Street, Chevron Island QLD 4217 
Two-bedroom apartments from $495,950

[smartcode_project:default project_id=21132]

Selected residences at Allure qualify for government concessions. Capturing both classic and contemporary style, Allure offers 95 luxury two, three and four-bedroom apartments.

Designed by BDA Architecture, the residence enjoys dense sub-tropical landscaping, contemporary bathrooms and communal areas with expansive views. 
 

4. Carl Residences, Woolloongabba 
Address: 21-25 Carl Street, Woolloongabba QLD 4102 
One-bedroom apartments from $390,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27631]

Located in Brisbane’s Woolloongabba, National Enterprises’ Carl Residences offers a collection of 87 one, two and three-bedroom apartments less than three kilometres to the CBD.

The Carl Residences qualifies for the $15,000 Homebuilder Grant for contracts signed between January 1 and March 31, as well as the $15,000 First Home Builders Grant.
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Here are five Queensland residences eligible for the $15,000 HomeBuilder Grant

Four Queensland residences eligible for the $15,000 HomeBuilder Grant

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More than ever as we emerge from the crisis we are going to have to get the most out of our economy.

Swapping stamp duty for land tax as the <a href="https://theconversation.com/abolish-stamp-duty-the-act-shows-the-rest-of-us-how-to-tax-property-105378">ACT government</a> is doing (over 20 years) and the <a href="https://www.treasury.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-11/NSW%20TSY%20TF%20-%20Glossy.pdf">NSW government</a> is planning (using an opt-in arrangement), is one of the best ways the tax system can help.

This graph from the federal treasury’s 2015 <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-03/c2015-rethink-dp-TWP_combined-online.pdf">tax discussion paper</a> makes the point.

It says the “marginal excess burden” (damage) done by real estate stamp duty amounts to 70 cents for each dollar raised.

It discourages people and businesses from changing addresses as often as they should, meaning workers live further away from their work than they would and are reluctant to move to where there is better work.

<figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/370724/original/file-20201123-19-16bujkx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img alt="" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/370724/original/file-20201123-19-16bujkx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/370724/original/file-20201123-19-16bujkx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=397&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/370724/original/file-20201123-19-16bujkx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=397&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/370724/original/file-20201123-19-16bujkx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=397&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/370724/original/file-20201123-19-16bujkx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=498&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/370724/original/file-20201123-19-16bujkx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=498&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/370724/original/file-20201123-19-16bujkx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=498&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w"></a>

<figcaption><a class="source" href="https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-03/c2015-rethink-dp-TWP_combined-online.pdf">Tax discussion paper, Australian Treasury March 2015</a></figcaption></figure>In contrast, treasury found the marginal excess burden of land tax was negative. Land tax makes sure land was used for its most useful purpose and not left idle.

Efficiency-wise it makes sense to swap one for the other, but as with all changes there will be winners and losers, some of them surprising.

In our <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3760893">just-published study</a>, we use real-world data on living arrangements from the Melbourne Institute’s <a href="https://melbourneinstitute.unimelb.edu.au/hilda">Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia</a> survey and data on house prices and stamp duty rates from the Real Estate Institute Australia in an attempt to work out who the winners and losers will be.

<h2>Good for the young, and the old</h2>

We find that overall the swap should reduce the purchase price for home buyers, increase the sale price for sellers, increase the total number of transactions and reduce the degree of mismatch in housing.

It should also increase the rate of home ownership.

Young adults, particularly those who are currently having difficulty saving for a deposit would be better off.

Current homeowners would generally be worse off.

Renters would benefit because they are currently excluded from home ownership.

Older landlords, perhaps surprisingly, would also benefit. In many cases the increase in the value of their houses would outweigh the cost of the land tax.

Our findings raise a challenge for governments.

In the long run, the swap would improve the working of the economy, but in the short run it will hurt many current voters.

A gradual transition – either through a very long phase in (of the kind adopted by the ACT) or by allowing households to select into different tax systems (as NSW is planning) would help make the switch more palatable.

But the sooner we start, the better.<img alt="The Conversation" height="1" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/154935/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important" width="1">

 

This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/identifying-the-losers-and-surprising-winners-from-phasing-out-stamp-duty-154935">original article</a>.

 
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Swapping stamp duty for land tax as the ACT government is doing and the NSW government is planning, is one of the best ways the tax system can help our economy

Identifying the losers (and surprising winners) from phasing out stamp duty

The new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/yarraville-green-42-stephen-street-yarraville-vic-3013">Yarraville Green</a> development in Melbourne's inner west is showing that landscaping can be just as influential as architecture, with buyers responding strongly to the garden-first approach adopted from the outset by developer Excelon Projects and the project's design team.

Excelon appointed Six Degrees Architects and landscape architects SBLA to work collaboratively on the development, with a brief to create "a sustainable, design-led building with a focus on community."

That approach has resonated with buyers. According to Next Chapter Director Tom Hirini, who is leading the sales campaign, the landscaped communal garden has become one of the project's defining features, alongside its boutique scale and European-inspired cluster housing concept.

Local downsizers, right-sizers and established families already living in Yarraville and surrounding suburbs have accounted for the majority of purchasers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297740]

Yarraville Green will comprise 53 homes, including apartments and townhomes, arranged around the shared central garden to maximise connections to the landscaped open space. Parking has been moved underground, allowing the ground plane to be dedicated to greenery, pedestrian movement and communal spaces.

The landscape extends well beyond passive planting. Productive garden beds, a pergola, communal gathering spaces, garden sheds and a pet wash have all been integrated into the masterplan, creating spaces designed to encourage everyday interaction between residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297741]

The interiors continue Excelon's focus on craftsmanship, incorporating bespoke elements by Melbourne artisans including leadlight detailing by Adadaz, hand-turned timber hardware by Auburn Woodturning and blown-glass lighting by Ruth Allen.

Sustainability has also been embedded throughout the project, with Yarraville Green targeting an average 7-star NatHERS energy rating through passive design principles, rooftop solar servicing common areas and rainwater harvesting for landscape irrigation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297735]

Construction continues to progress at Yarraville Green, with structural works well underway and framing works approaching completion under builder Balmain &amp; Co. The project remains on track for completion in mid-2027.

Apartments at Yarraville Green are currently priced from $625,000, while townhomes start from $1.4 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=144913]

Joel Robinson

Garden-led design drives buyer demand at Yarraville Green

National diversified developer Fortis has officially launched Crest &amp; Walker, its latest Brisbane apartment development, with construction now underway on the 20-storey Newstead project.

Award-winning builder BINAH has commenced construction on the Bureau^Proberts-designed building, which will deliver a limited collection of 65 two and three-bedroom apartments on Kyabra Street.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373556]

The project marks Fortis' fourth active residential development in Brisbane, following River House, which is nearing completion, alongside projects in New Farm and Hamilton as the national developer continues to expand its South East Queensland pipeline.

Fortis General Manager – Development Queensland Dan Boman said Crest &amp; Walker reflects the developer's long-term commitment to delivering design-led residential projects in Brisbane's established inner-city suburbs.

"We're proud to be strengthening our presence in Brisbane with Crest &amp; Walker, particularly in such a sought-after lifestyle destination as Newstead," Boman said.

"Every Fortis project is shaped by its context, and we approach each one with the respect and care it deserves.

"Our focus is always on creating places that feel connected to their neighbourhood and elevate the everyday experience for residents. Newstead continues to evolve as one of Brisbane's most sought-after urban communities, and Crest &amp; Walker reflects our ambition to contribute meaningfully to that story."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373559]

Positioned between Gasworks Plaza and James Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-walker-newstead-12-kyabra-street-newstead-qld-4006">Crest &amp; Walker</a> has been designed as a boutique residential address offering privacy and generous living spaces within one of Brisbane's most established lifestyle precincts.

The building features a contemporary brick podium softened by integrated landscaping, while the upper levels are characterised by restrained architecture and enduring materiality. Interiors have been designed to maximise natural light, acoustic performance and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373583]

Residences comprise spacious two and three-bedroom floorplans, with two-bedroom apartments priced from $1.55 million and three-bedroom, half-floor residences from $3.95 million.

Residents will have access to a wellness-focused rooftop featuring a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, landscaped dining spaces and outdoor lounge areas overlooking Newstead and the Brisbane CBD.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373571]

Sales are being managed by Slaite Projects, with Fortis expecting strong demand from owner-occupiers seeking a high-quality, design-focused apartment in one of Brisbane's most tightly held inner-city suburbs.

Completion of Crest &amp; Walker is slated for late 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145922]

Fortis expands Brisbane pipeline with launch of Crest & Walker in Newstead

The enormity of delivering a true skyscraper in Australia's new development market is often overlooked.

It has taken the best part of a decade since plans for Chevron One were first unveiled, but the 41-storey tower is now complete, with residents collecting their keys and moving into what has become one of the Gold Coast's most recognisable new landmarks.

Rising 127 metres above Chevron Island, Chevron One stands almost twice as high as any other building on the island. Its scale places it alongside the trio of towers at Jewel, arguably the last truly significant addition to the central Gold Coast skyline when they were completed around six years ago.

While there are several developments underway around a similar height to Chevron One, they are more concentrated within clusters of the highest towers in the city. The fact Chevron One sits within a developing precinct, looking back at the other high-rise developments in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, makes it a different proposition altogether. It will certainly become a reference point on the Gold Coast skyline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68833]

Developer Bensons Property Group is behind the 41-storey tower, which has 229 apartments, along with an exhaustive list of resident amenity spread across what is the largest development site ever assembled on Chevron Island.

The tower has been the talk of the town for years, says Ray White Projects Gold Coast agent Caitlin Rosenboom, who is selling the remaining apartments.

"People have been watching Chevron One go up for years," Rosenboom says, adding that many prospective buyers have been surprised by the scale of the views once they step inside.

"It's only when they walk through a completed apartment that they truly understand the position of the building," Rosenboom says.

"The views are jaw-dropping. Whether you're looking east over the ocean, across Surfers Paradise, along the river systems or out to the hinterland, every level offers something different but equally impressive."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=360215]

One of Chevron One's defining advantages is its location on the eastern side of Chevron Island on Stanhill Drive, a position which protects the views forever.

"There's only one row of houses between Chevron One and the water, and the height restrictions along the river means views from Chevron One can never be built out,"&nbsp;Rosenboom says.

While new apartment developments continue to emerge across the Gold Coast, Rosenboom says opportunities to secure a completed apartment with this level of outlook are becoming increasingly rare.

"The size of the site is something that would be incredibly difficult to replicate today," she says.

"That's allowed Chevron One to deliver the sort of amenity, open space and resident facilities that very few projects can offer. There are not many completed apartment buildings on the Gold Coast right now that can compete with the combination of scale, quality and amenity."

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There's around 2,000 sqm of amenity solely for the use of residents of Chevron One. Club One features a uniquely shaped swimming pool that mirrors the footprint of the building itself, set within a extensively landscaped gardens. There's also an indoor pool and spa, a fully equipped gym with a Pilates room, a yoga garden, a bookable private dining area and lounge that can host up to 30 people, and a 24-hour concierge service.

As for the buyers, Rosenboom is fielding enquiry from everywhere: Sydneysiders and Melburnians looking at the new and off-the-plan market following the changes in the Federal Budget, as well as those looking to relocate, through to South East Queenslanders seeking either a permanent home or a weekender bolthole.

"The Gold Coast lifestyle continues to resonate with people relocating from the southern states, and when they see the views and the quality of what's been delivered at Chevron One, it becomes very easy for them to understand the appeal," Rosenboom says.

A diverse mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments remain available, with each offering "something a little different", be it the orientation and views, configuration, or level, to suit a wide variety of buyers.

The remaining apartments are ready to inspect in person, by appointment.

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A decade in the making: Residents to move into Chevron One as construction wraps up

A general rule of thumb in new apartment developments is that the penthouses get the rooftop.

It's a formula that's become commonplace across Australia's apartment market. Residents might have access to a pool, gym or barbecue facilities on a dedicated lower level, but the most desirable outdoor spaces are typically reserved for the highest-priced homes at the top of the building.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Property Group</a> has taken the opposite approach.

Rather than dedicating the rooftop to a handful of buyers, the Gold Coast developer has made it the centrepiece of its Flourish collection, creating expansive shared spaces from the best vantage point in the building.

The philosophy has reached its most ambitious expression at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a> in Palm Beach, where two rooftop precincts connected by a skybridge will deliver one of the most extensive lifestyle offerings seen in a residential apartment project on the Gold Coast.

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"We're seeing a clear move toward developments that offer more than just an apartment," Sherpa Group founder Christie Leet said.

"People want spaces that support how they actually live, whether that's working from home, staying active, or spending time with family and friends.

"That's where amenity becomes critical. It's not just about what's included, but how those spaces are designed to be used every day."

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The breadth of amenity has already attracted buyers across multiple demographics. Younger first home buyers have been drawn to Soleira's one-bedroom apartments, a product rarely delivered in Palm Beach, while families have responded to practical inclusions such as the shallow children's pool adjoining the main lap pool and the extensive communal recreation areas.

Instead of a single rooftop, Soleira delivers two distinct lifestyle zones.

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The southern rooftop has been dedicated to wellness, featuring a gym, yoga and Pilates studio, work-from-home facilities, a wellness centre, spa, and hot and cold plunge pools.

The northern rooftop focuses on recreation and entertaining, incorporating a heated resort-style pool, private dining rooms, pizza ovens, barbecues, a golf simulator, children's recreation areas, and what is expected to be the Gold Coast's first rooftop basketball court, which will also double as a squash court.

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Beyond the rooftops, Soleira will introduce 1,500 sqm of curated retail beneath the towers, creating one of Palm Beach's first genuinely mixed-use lifestyle precincts where cafés, restaurants and convenience retail become part of residents' everyday lives.

Sherpa has also retained management rights across the development, allowing it to oversee the long-term operation of the building through a 24-hour concierge model. The developer is also exploring additional revenue streams within the precinct aimed at helping offset ongoing body corporate costs for residents.

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While Soleira is the largest project Sherpa has delivered, the rooftop-first philosophy has been evolving for several years.

It began with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>, the first project released under the Flourish brand. Rather than competing at the ultra-luxury end of the market with oversized half-floor and full-floor residences, Sherpa focused on creating lifestyle-driven apartments supported by resort-style shared spaces.

Amargo introduced more than 800 sqm of rooftop amenity, combining wellness facilities, heated pools, entertaining areas, cabanas, pizza ovens and private dining spaces into what was designed as an extension of residents' homes rather than a facility used only occasionally.

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That approach continued with Flourish Oasis, where the same amenity-led philosophy was refined into a more boutique development. Strong demand from Sherpa's growing VIP database saw much of the project sold before it reached the broader market, reinforcing buyer appetite for apartment communities centred around shared lifestyle experiences.

Flourish Amargo is slated for completion mid-way-through next year, with Oasis to be delivered by late 2027. Flourish Soleira is expected to complete in 2030.

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Sherpa takes amenity to the sky as Flourish Soleira captures booming Palm Beach demand

As apartment living continues to evolve across Sydney's growth corridors, the quality and distribution of shared spaces is increasingly shaping how residents experience home. Rather than functioning as add-ons, amenities are being embedded into the daily rhythm of a building, supporting everything from quiet retreat to social interaction, often within a single vertical community.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aeris-melrose-park-nursery-street-melrose-park-nsw-2114">Aeris</a> in Melrose Park, this approach is resolved through a layered amenity offering that unfolds from ground level through to its upper podium. Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sekisui-house-australia">Sekisui House Australia</a> in partnership with Hankyu Hanshin Properties, the project introduces 468 apartments across two towers and a mid-rise building, positioned at the highest point of the broader masterplan.

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The amenity experience begins at street level, where two courtyards sit within a landscaped setting that connects residents to the wider network of parks and green spaces. These green spaces are not isolated pockets but part of a wider pedestrian network that links Aeris to the surrounding <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Park</a> precinct, including Central Park, future schools, and the Town Centre opening in July 2026. The result is a transition that moves from public to private without abrupt boundaries, allowing residents to pass through shaded, tree-lined environments before reaching the building itself.

Moving upward, the focus shifts to the level five podium, where the primary communal facilities are concentrated. This space brings together a 16-metre swimming pool, outdoor seating areas, and a communal BBQ zone arranged to take advantage of elevated outlooks. Seating is positioned beneath pergolas, creating pockets of shade that extend the usability of the space throughout the day. The pool edge aligns with views toward the wider district, reinforcing the sense of elevation that defines the project’s positioning.

In the adjacent building, this is complemented by quieter, more contemplative spaces, including an outdoor cinema set within the same level. Positioned to operate primarily in the evening, it introduces a different tempo to the shared environment, shifting from daytime activity to after-hours use without requiring separate zones.

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The podium also accommodates an intimate private resident gym. Located on the lower levels, it gives residents convenient access to fitness facilities without leaving the building.

Above, the elevated podium sky deck extends the amenity offering, providing additional open-air spaces with elevated outlooks across the surrounding landscape. While more restrained in program, this upper level reinforces the project’s vertical progression, from ground-level greenery to elevated outlook, allowing residents to move between distinct spatial conditions within a single address.

This distribution of amenities reflects a deliberate response to how residents use space across the day. Sekisui House Australia Sales and Marketing Director Peter Kalaf points to the role these shared areas play in shaping buyer demand. Aeris has been conceived as more than a collection of apartments, with the podium pool, gym and outdoor cinema forming part of a broader lifestyle offering that extends the home beyond each individual residence.

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What distinguishes Aeris is not the inclusion of these elements individually, but how they are arranged in relation to one another. Active, social, and passive spaces are layered vertically rather than separated, allowing residents to choose between them without leaving the building or moving far from their apartment. This proximity supports both routine use, such as a morning swim or evening workout, and more occasional gatherings, whether around the BBQ area or within the cinema setting.

The amenity design also sits within a broader framework of connectivity across Melrose Park. The Melrose Park Town Centre, anchored by Coles and Dan Murphys, features a mix of retail, dining, health and lifestyle offerings, bringing everyday convenience closer to residents. By the end of the year, more than five hectares of parks and open space, equivalent to around seven football fields of green space on residents' doorstep, will further enhance the precinct, allowing the internal facilities at Aeris to operate as an extension of the wider neighbourhood rather than a substitute for it.

Construction at Aeris continues to gather momentum, with ground floor slabs expected to be completed in late 2026 before the first sections of the buildings begin to rise above ground.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=426]

Max Kwok

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