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In Canada, first home buyers are allowed to dip into their superfunds and withdraw up to $25,000 to put towards a deposit. Funds have to be repaid within 15 years and if the yearly repayment is not made, it is included in your yearly income.  
According to the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/first-home-buyers/stand-up-and-be-counted-are-the-fhb-stats-a-true-reflection" target="_blank">ABS in early November</a>, Australia’s first home buyer stats hit a new low at just 12.48%. The ABS also forecasted a <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/abs-forecasts-victoria-s-population-to-grow-83-by-2061/2013112766636" target="_blank">staggering population growth</a> in Australia over the next, which could tighten the market and the amount of available stock, therefore pushing first home buyers back even more.  
Property Observer asked a range of professionals active in the property sphere to weigh in with their thoughts on the Canadian Home Buyer Plan and whether it should be implemented in Australia.  
Do you think Canada’s home buyer plan should be implemented in Australia? Would it work? Why or why not? If no, what plan should we implement, if any?  
Peter Bushby – President of the <a href="https://www.reia.com.au/%E2%80%8E" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="font-size: 14px;">Real Estate Insitute of Australia</a> (REIA).
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/stories/2013/10/25/bushby-profile.png" alt="bushby-profile" width="125" height="167" style="max-width: 480px; font-size: 14px; float: right;">
CORE ELEMENTS OF THESE SCHEMES COULD BE ADOPTED IN AUSTRALIA TO IMPROVE FALLING HOME OWNERSHIP
Core elements of these schemes could be adopted in Australia to improve falling home ownership  
The Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) has been advocating the commonwealth government establish a scheme to encourage young Australians to contribute to voluntary superannuation, by allowing access to those resources for the purpose of raising a deposit for a first home.  
Canada, Singapore and New Zealand provide good case studies of home buyers using part of their accumulated compulsory salary deductions to purchase housing.  
In Canada, the Canadian Home Buyers’ Plan, that allows first home buyers to withdraw up to $25,000 from their retirement savings plan to purchase or build a home with funds withdrawn to be later repaid over a 15 year period, has been operating since 1992 with around one-eighth of first home buyers aged 25 to 44 participating.  
In Singapore, the Central Provident Fund (CPF) – a social security fund where a portion of an employee’s salary is set aside for retirement, healthcare and housing – is integrated with home ownership with ordinary account savings being allowed to be used to purchase a home. The approach Singapore has adopted to tackle house ownership since the 1960s has been very successful with the level of home ownership in Singapore at 90.1%.  
In New Zealand, a voluntary work-based savings KiwiSaver initiative is designed to help with New Zealanders’ long-term saving for retirement with two features – KiwiSaver home purchase withdrawal scheme and KiwiSaver home deposit subsidy scheme – helping with the overall deposit when buying land to build a first home on.  
Core elements of these schemes could be adopted in Australia to improve falling home ownership, especially among the 35 to 54 age group.  
For home buyers, a lower principal on their loan would mean either lower repayments, or sooner outright ownership. However, the long-run benefits are even more significant.  
With Australia’s ageing population and with older renters spending the largest proportion of their gross income on housing compared to any age group or tenure type households, high rates of home ownership should remain the government’s priority.  
Shane Oliver – Head of investment strategy and chief economist, <a href="https://www.ampcapital.com.au/" target="_blank">AMP Capital</a><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/stories/2013/10/25/shane-oliver-profile.jpg" alt="shane-oliver-profile" width="125" height="150" style="float: right;">
A LASTING SOLUTION IS TO BOOST DWELLING SUPPLY RELATIVE TO THE DEMAND FOR HOUSING
The Canadian Home Buyer Plan allowing first home buyers to tap their superannuation to contribute to a home purchase makes some sense as it is a way of providing extra funding to first home buyers early in their life when their focus is getting set with a home but when they are also cash constrained. And it doesn't involve a government handout.  
However, it has two big drawbacks. First by reducing members super balances early in their contribution cycle it will dampen the compounding effect of returns over time and lead to lower retirement balances. Second and most importantly, as with all first home buyer schemes it will simply boost the buying power of first home buyers which, in the absence of any moves to boost the supply of housing, will only result in higher home prices. This has been the experience of all first home buyer schemes in Australia that are not target on new housing construction, regardless of how they are financed. As a result property developers and existing home buyers will be the only beneficiaries as prices simply get bid higher and there will be no lasting improvement in housing affordability.  
The only real and lasting solution to poor housing affordability for first home buyers is to boost the level of dwelling supply relative to the demand for houses. This means faster land release and development approvals and measures to reduce the population growth of large cities. In the absence of such policies first home buyer schemes may sound nice in theory but they are of little use in terms of improving affordability.
Article continues on next page. Please click below.
 
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Andrew Wilson – Senior economist, <a href="https://www.apm.com.au" target="_blank" style="font-size: 14px;">Australian Property Monitors</a><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/stories/2013/10/04/AndrewWilson-profile.jpg" alt="AndrewWilson-profile" width="125" height="150" style="max-width: 480px; float: right;">
GOVERNMENTS SHOULD DIRECT HOUSING MARKET INIATIVES TO THE SUPPLY-SIDE
The first home buyers grant is becoming a thing of the past – and that is where it should remain.
Governments in Australia’s most populous states have recently made significant changes to the grant that in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria now applies only to the purchase of new dwellings.  
These changes have unsurprisingly created disruptions to housing market activity as first home buyers rushed into established markets before the new arrangements took effect. The surge in demand brought forward has resulted in recent low levels of activity from first home buyers in these markets.  
Aspiration for home ownership in Australia however remains high driven in particular by a robust and resilient housing market that provides reliable, tax-enhanced, long-term capital growth. Other home ownership drivers include cultural and prestige imperatives and security of tenure advantages.  
Australians accordingly do not require incentives for home ownership and housing markets generally remain accessible for first home buyers.  
Latest ABS home loan data for October reports that first home buyer numbers are predictably on the rise again in New South Wales and Queensland despite rising house prices and the lack of a grant for established home purchases.  
The number of first home buyer loans approved in New South Wales was the highest monthly total since the end of last year’s demand surge by that group in November. And similarly in Queensland the total first home buyer loans for October are the highest for nearly a year.  
First home owners are alive and well in Australia with the strong underlying rate of home ownership remaining around where it has been for decades and essentially driven by the enviable long-term resilience of the national economy.
Direct buyer incentives just add to the cost base of housing in a market environment. Governments should direct housing market initiatives to the supply-side with policies that facilitate the construction of dwellings where and of the type demanded, together with the provision of appropriate residential infrastructure.  
Policies designed to pull the workforce away from the CBD should also be encouraged such as decentralisation incentives through regional employment hubs, telecommuting and localised digital work facilities.  
Kevin Lee - Buyers agent at <a href="https://www.smartpropertyadviser.com.au/%E2%80%8E" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Smart Property Adviser</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/stories/2013/11/15/kevin-lee-profiel.jpg" alt="kevin-lee-profiel" width="150" height="200" style="max-width: 480px; float: right;">
 
THE SOLUTION IS TO ABOLISH ALL PROPERTY RELATED STAMP AND TRANSFER DUTIES
 
As I said a few weeks ago in this publication - we need to stop the ridiculous focus on first time buyers and level out the playing field for all buyers if we really want to stimulate our economy.  
Here's my questions to add to those above: how can property ever be classified as a 'free market' when governments (of every persuasion and at every level) impose massive taxes, stamp duties, levies, rates, fees &amp; charges on the various sectors of the property market?  
Remember also, that in order to influence the smallest sector by volume and size, state and federal governments offer a number of incentives such as cash handouts and discounted (or zero) stamp duty.  
Mortgage Choice CEO Michael Russell says he likes Canada's first home buyers scheme 'as grants are seen as handouts'. Instead of a grant, the Canadian scheme allows people access to a whopping $25,000 from their super on the proviso it's used as a deposit on that elusive first home and repaid to super within 15 years.  
Obviously they haven't seen Sydney house prices!  
This debate has been in the media a bit over the past year and it definitely needs further discussion. Creating another layer of complexity, another set of rules and regulations and yet another layer of beurocracy rarely makes for a better system. It just creates more jobs for beurocrats. And that's the last thing Australia needs!  
But back to the other point - how much super do first home buyers in Australia actually have? And how much would they need to access to buy that first place in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Darwin or Hobart?  
That was a bit unfair wasn't it ... but hang on. Don't approximately 95% of all first home buyers live in a capital city? And aren't pretty much all of our capital cities median house or unit prices 'up there' in the price stakes?  
Allowing them to access $50,000 of their super would make a small difference - however this is still interfering with a free market.  
The solution, repeat, the solution is to abolish all property related stamp and transfer duties. In every state and territory. At the very least reduce this anti-competitive tax to a maximum of $1,000 per transaction for any buyer, whether they're buying their first or their twentieth property.  
Because after all - it doesn't matter who owns the property. A household of some type will be formed by either the owner and his or her co-inhabitants, or the tenant and their co-inhabitants.
 
 
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EXCLUSIVE: Should Australia follow Canada's home buyer plan: The experts have their say

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Gen Y are choosing not to follow in the footsteps of their parents and are preferring the flexibility of renting rather than buying a home, says chief executive officer of Wealth Enhancers Finn Kelly.
“A big trend we’ve seen lately is Gen Y starting to question whether they need to buy property right now.
“People are getting a lot smarter; I don’t need a property just because society is telling me to.
“They see the positive effects of Baby Boomers getting great returns but then see Gen Y getting themselves into a large amount of property debt,” says Kelly.
Kelly says Wealth Enhancers recommends young people to invest rather than buy, as they stay emotionally disconnected.
“When you own your own home, you keep putting more and more money into it because you want to keep improving it.
“Gen Y are not willing to give up their state of life, they want to live in a certain place, still have their holidays – they don’t want to sacrifice things. They can’t have the property they ideally want without sacrificing some things,” says Kelly.
Therefore by investing, Gen Y can still live where they want and still have a property without taking on too much dept.
“The biggest thing is people are starting to get a little bit wiser with property and seeing it as another investment, it just happens to be that you can see it and it doesn’t always go up,” says Kelly.
Kelly says Baby Boomers are the opposite and are extremely exposed to property.
“They have large family properties, which are now empty as the children have grown up and left.
“The trend of downsizing takes a lot longer than one would expect though, as individuals feel selling the family home is like losing a part of your identity. They want to do it, but they’re a bit apprehensive,” says Kelly.
Kelly says there are two extremes of downsizers, those wanting to move closer to the city and those who move further out of the suburbs.
“Ones we’re seeing who have done it [downsize] have been happy and quite surprised at how it frees them up.
“It releases equity which can then be put into superannuation,” says Kelly.
Gen Y are classified as those born between 1981 to 1995 and Baby Boomers are classified as those born between 1946 to 1965.
The executive chairman of Aussie, <a href="/news">John Symond expects investors will continue to dominate property purchases</a> into 2014.
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I don't need to buy a property because society is telling me to: Gen Y v Baby Boomers

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Only four homes remain in Mirvac’s Mossvale on Manly community in Wakerley, with the community securing $24 million in sales in the past year.
The remaining homes include three double storey four-bedroom homes - currently under construction – and one single storey display home.
Located 14 kilmoetres from the Brisbane CBD, Mossvale on Manly accommodates around 500 families with 35 homes settling since January.
"There really is nothing else like Mossvale on Manly available in the area,” says Mirvac Queensland masterplanned communities development director Russell Berlee.
"It is a well established and high quality estate and what sets it apart is the unique community spirit that has been created here.
"Mossvale on Manly has its own residents' association that holds numerous events and get-togethers throughout the year,” says Berlee.
The community will feature 10 hectares of parklands and a waterway corridor.
Berlee says purchasers have included those who have previously lived in surrounding areas of Wakerley, Carindale, Manly West and Wynnum.
"The vast majority of our purchasers have been looking to upgrade to their second or third home to accommodate their family now and into the future,” says Berlee.
Remaining homes are priced from $705,000.
The median house price in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Wakerley</a> is $637,500, a 4.5% change in the past five years, according to RP Data.
ntrotman@propertyobserver.com.au
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Mirvac's Mossvale on Manly community a near sell out

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A refurbished 1895 property overlooking Manly Cove is this week’s most expensive sale selling under the hammer for $4 million, according to RP Data.
Located on East Esplanade, the four-bedroom home last sold in 2012 for $1.95 million and boasts period features throughout.
The home was originally a boarding house but was purchased in 1985 for $415,000 and was converted into a 27-room guesthouse.
The guesthouse went to market eight years later in 1993 and secured $1.35 million.
The home now features three bathrooms, including a parent’s limestone ensuite, a designer marble kitchen and a travertine-entertaining terrace.
Ben Daniel and Jenny Nott of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.firstnationalmanly.com.au/index.cfm?pagecall=property&amp;propertyid=2527686&amp;propertyStatus=sold">First National Real Estate Manly</a> held the property.
Most expensive sales:
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/18_east_esplanade_manly_nsw_2095/3977264">18 East Esplanade, Manly, NSW, 2095,</a> four-bedroom house, sold at auction on December 14 by First National Real Estate Manly for $4 million
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/4_wyndora_avenue_freshwater_nsw_2096/2367172">4 Wyndora Avenue, Freshwater, NSW, 2096,</a> four-bedroom house, sold at auction on December 14 by Belle Property Manly for $3.201 million
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/31_dalmeny_road_northbridge_nsw_2063/5068751">31 Dalmeny Road, Northbridge, NSW, 2063,</a> five-bedroom house, sold prior to auction on December 11 by L J Hooker Northbridge for $3.1 million
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/64_carlton_crescent_kogarah_bay_nsw_2217/3454792">64 Carlton Crescent, Kogarah Bay, NSW, 2217,</a> four-bedroom house, sold at auction on December 14 by Belle Property Ramsgate Beach/Menai for $3 million
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/56_meredith_street_elwood_vic_3184/10913511">56 Meredith Street, Elwood, VIC, 3184,</a> five-bedroom house, sold at auction on December 14 by Marshall White Real Estate for $2.92 million
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/18_benwerrin_avenue_carss_park_nsw_2221/1765597">18 Benwerrin Avenue, Carss Park, NSW, 2221,</a> six-bedroom house, sold at auction on December 14 by McGrath Estate Agents for $2.9 million
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/28_walpole_street_kew_vic_3101/11357699">28 Walpole Street, Kew, VIC, 3101,</a> four-bedroom house, sold at auction on December 14 by Nelson Alexander Fitzroy for $2.87 million
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/23_jacksons_road_mount_eliza_vic_3930/12023132">23 Jacksons Road, Mount Eliza, VIC, 3930,</a> four-bedroom house, sold at auction on December 14 by Marshall White Real Estate for $2.85 million
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/96_morris_street_williamstown_vic_3016/13821166">96 Morris Street, Williamstown, VIC, 3016,</a> three-bedroom house, sold on December 13 by Greg Hocking Elly Partners Williamstown for $2.81 million
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/69_clanalpine_street_mosman_nsw_2088/4481511">69 Clanalpine Street, Mosman, NSW, 2088,</a> five-bedroom house, sold at auction on December 14 by Belle Property Neutral Bay for $2.8 million
<a href="mailto:ntrotman@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">ntrotman@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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Former 1895 boarding house-cum refurbished family home secures $4 million: RP Data

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Only three boutique apartments remain in Kokoda Property’s first venture into South Yarra – Lex - with prices starting from $1.2 million.
Located on Alexandra Avenue, Lex boasts eight two- and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 136 square metres to 193 square metres and ranging in price from $1.2 million to $1.9 million.
Five apartments have already been snapped up, including the two penthouses.
“Purchasers in this luxury demographic are incredibly savvy when it comes to property – they understand and appreciate quality and therefore want to experience every facet of the apartment before they purchase, in order to know they have made the right decision,” says Kokoda Property’s sales and marketing manager Sam Tucker.
Designed by Rothe Lowman and with interiors by Stuart Rattle, Lex apartments feature white Carrara marble island benchtops with Gaggenau appliances, wool carpets in the bedroom and American oak timber flooring in the living areas.
Each apartment comes with two underground car parks.
“Homes along Alexandra Avenue are renowned for their low turnover due to the spectacular location right in front of the Yarra and less than five minutes from the city, so blue chip properties like this don’t come along very often.
“The completion of Lex represents a return to Kokoda Property’s roots as a luxury boutique developer and we think purchasers will be amazed by this breath-taking opportunity to own a high-end luxury and waterfront apartment in such an incredible location,” says Tucker.
The median apartment price in <a target="_blank" href="/news">South Yarra</a> is $541,000, a 15.9% change in the past five years, according to RP Data.
ntrotman@propertyobserver.com.au
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Rothe Lowman-designed Lex crowns South Yarra's Alexandra Avenue

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The Breeze Muirhead residential community in the Northern Territory has been awarded an Urban Development Institute of Australia EnviroDevelopment rating, making it the first Northern Territory community to do so.
Breeze Muirhead joins 18 other residential communities in Australia to have achieved the rating for excellence in sustainability.
The joint project between Defence Housing Australia and Investa Land was awarded across six elements of sustainability, including energy, water, materials, ecosystem, waste and community.
<img alt="muirhead-dec-12-one" src="/images/stories/2013/12/12/muirhead-dec-12-one.jpg" height="231" width="470">
Each home in the community will have a side yard to facilitate the channeling of breezes through the community.
Allotments are orientated to benefit from the dry and wet seasons.
“The benefits for families building a home in an EnviroDevelopment accredited community are far greater than gaining satisfaction from limiting their environmental footprint.
“There can be long-term cost savings, as well as social and health benefits which should not be underestimated,” says Paul Perkovic project director at Investa Land.
“New home buyers can be confident that when they choose to build their home at Breezes Muirhead, they will be living in a community which places a minimal impact on the environment, encourages an active, healthy lifestyle and includes homes with initiatives that reduce energy and water usage,” says Perkovic.
<img alt="muirhead-dec-12-two" src="/images/stories/2013/12/12/muirhead-dec-12-two.jpg" height="219" width="470">
Peter Howman DHA managing director of Breezes Muirhead says to be officially recognized by the UDIA as the most sustainable neighbourhood in the Northern Territory is very rewarding.
Around 18% of the community – 30 hectares – will be dedicated to public space and park.
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:ntrotman@propertyobserver.com.au">ntrotman@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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Darwin residential community achieves top sustainability rating

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Kerry Hill Architects have taken the crown in the Kings Square Architectural competition with their design for the $45 million community, civic and retail hub in the centre of Fremantle.
The winner trumped two other design entries, which had been shortlisted from 53 entries submitted from around Australia and the world.
<img alt="fremantle_dec_11_one" src="/images/stories/2013/12/11/fremantle_dec_11_one.png" height="194" width="470">
“I’m very pleased with the jury’s decision and on how the competition was managed from the outset,” says Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt.
“I thank both the jury and City staff for the enormous time and effort spent getting to this point, which has resulted in some high calibre entries and a first-class winning design.
“What we’re ultimately ending up with here is Fremantle’s future heritage and with the Kings Square Project being the cornerstone of Fremantle’s $1 billion development pipeline and revitalisation, we wanted to make sure we get the best possible outcome in terms of design,” says Pettitt.
Forming part of the larger $220 million Kings square Project, the winning design’s key civic spaces include a City Lawn, Verandah and Civic Drum.
The sandstone cylinder Civic Drum contains the council chamber on top, staff lounges, community room, exhibition and a multi-purpose room.
<img alt="fremantle_dec_11_two" src="/images/stories/2013/12/11/fremantle_dec_11_two.png" height="326" width="470">
The library will be located in under the City Lawn with side glass walls, making it visible from ground level.
The firm’s design concept was to create informal spaces to invite relaxed public participation.
Competition jury chair Shelley Penn says they were pleased with both the overall quality and diversity of the entries.
“As a jury we ended up selecting the concept submitted by Kerry Hill Architects which offered a proposition of simple, clear elegance that centred on a compelling urban gesture to re-establish Kings Square.
The jury also found this concept to have a refined architectural palette of form, space and materials,” says Penn.
The winning design, along with the two other shortlisted concepts, will be on public display at the former Myer building for the next two weeks.
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:ntrotman@propertyobserver.com.au">ntrotman@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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Kerry Hill Architects win $45 million Fremantle design comp

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Not everyone has the luxury of a large family home with double-height ceilings to fit a sparkling pine tree, let alone enough room to fit a standard size tree in without compromising on walking space.
If you’re in an apartment this Christmas or a small home, or maybe you just really can’t be bothered with the whole tree thing, here are some creative options to still get in the festive cheer.
This alternative Christmas tree does look a little worse for wear on its own, but I’m sure it can be brought to life with some tinsel and flashing lights and it offers a mess-free alternative to pine needles.
You can purchase this wooden Christmas tree at <a target="_blank" href="https://shop.cottonon.com/shop/product/wooden-christmas-tree-vintage/">Typo</a> for $24.95.
Why not opt for a wall decal? You can get a variety of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/163735989/alternative-christmas-tree-wall-sticker?ref=sr_gallery_5&amp;ga_search_query=alternative+christmas+tree&amp;ga_order=most_relevant&amp;ga_view_type=gallery&amp;ga_ship_to=AU&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_facet=alternative+christmas+tree">Christmas tree decals</a> on Etsy and they require no floor space at all. You can pick from over 30 colours and the decals can be easily removed without damaging the paint – perfect for renters.
Christmas tree decals on Etsy start from $49.55.
If you feel like getting a bit festive, this <a target="_blank" href="https://www.abeautifulmess.com/2012/11/diy-advent-tree">DIY advent tree</a> is a great idea for those with children. The tree is easy to make and small presents and notes are hung from a push pin.
For those still looking for a Christmas tree but after something a little bit quirkier, this cute <a target="_blank" href="https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/113890780/christmas-tree-and-20-felted-acorn?ref=sr_gallery_38&amp;ga_search_query=christmas+tree&amp;ga_order=most_relevant&amp;ga_view_type=gallery&amp;ga_ship_to=AU&amp;ga_page=3&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_facet=christmas+tree">Christmas tree</a> stands 1.5 metres tall and has no ugly plastic stand in site.
It comes with 20 felt ornaments – colours can be customized- and is priced from $124.
Having a summer Christmas means the usual festive snow-covered ornaments and snowmen are not quite relevant, so you may choose to opt for a beach-feel Christmas tree.
This <a target="_blank" href="https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/159751819/driftwood-christmas-tree-with-sea-star?ref=sr_gallery_28&amp;ga_search_query=christmas+tree&amp;ga_order=most_relevant&amp;ga_view_type=gallery&amp;ga_ship_to=AU&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_facet=christmas+tree">driftwood Christmas tree</a> with sea star and shell ornaments is priced from $67 and arrives fully assembled.
So it’s the last week before Christmas and you’ve run out of time to buy a tree or you’ve ordered online but it hasn’t arrived yet – <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mediatinker.com/blog/archives/010731#010731">grab all your hardcover books and get stacking.</a>
It’s not quite that easy, it does require some drilling through the book spine and some green paint, but it goes to show you can make a tree out of anything you have at home.
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:Ntrotman@propertyobserver.com.au">Ntrotman@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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Christmas tree alternatives for apartment dwellers 

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Local building and investment company Sarcon will release its first stage of apartments in Brisbane’s Cannon Hill in a bid to target the undersupplied suburb.
Located six kilometres east of the Brisbane CBD, the $40 million Lime Living development will feature 95 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.
<img alt="Lime-Living---External-dec-12-one" height="235" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/12/12/Lime-Living---External-dec-12-one.jpg">
“At present apartments make up only 3.2% of the total dwellings in Cannon Hill which presents a great opportunity for investors to buy into this development due to the shortage of new apartments available for sale,” says Andrew Scriven residential director at Colliers International.
One-bedroom apartments range in price from $287,500 to $295,000 and total 63 square metres in size.
Two-bedroom apartments range in price from $395,000 to $430,000 and range in size from 82 square metres to 90 square metres.
Three-bedroom apartments are 166 square metres in size and are priced at $590,000.
“On a dollar per square metre basis Lime apartments represent the best value new product in the Brisbane inner ring,” says Scriven.
<img alt="Lime-Living---Living--Dining-1-dec-12-two" height="238" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/12/12/Lime-Living---Living--Dining-1-dec-12-two.jpg">
Two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments make up over 80% of the project.
“A direct result of its proximity to schools, shops, services and transport combined with its current affordability and low levels of supply will position Cannon Hill as the next property hot spot,” says Scriven.
Lime Living will launch to the public in January, with construction on stage one commencing mid-2014.
<a href="mailto:ntrotman@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">ntrotman@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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Lime Living to be released in undersupplied Cannon Hill, Brisbane

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Demand has been strong for Pace Development’s latest project – Henry Windsor – with locals looking for a clean and contemporary home in the eclectic Windsor.
Located on Henry Street, the $25 million development will feature 53 one- and two-bedroom apartments across seven levels.
Sales and marketing manager Daryl Wilkinson says 20 of the apartments are currently under contract with majority of buyers being locals looking to move out of Windsor’s famous older style buildings.
Wilkinson says the marketing technique of giving Henry a personality and gender allows people to familiarize with its personality, traits and location.
“It does have a strong profile on the street and therefore gives it a bit of personality and gives ownership to the people who are purchasing an apartment,” says Wilkinson.
One-bedroom apartments are priced from $375,000 to $425,000 and start from 43 square metres internally.
Two-bedroom apartments range in size from 67 square metres to 74 square metres internally and range in size from $535,000 to $620,000.
Wilkinson says the top floor apartments were snapped up in the first week.
Apartments will feature floor to ceiling windows and buyers will have the choice of a light or dark colour scheme.
Pace Development bought The Fruit Supplies on Punt Road for $3.8 million, which will be demolished.
Construction is due to commence in March next year with completion scheduled for mid-2015.
<a href="mailto:ntrotman@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">ntrotman@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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Pace Development's Henry Windsor wooing locals with a personable approach

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/broadbeach-qld-4218">Broadbeach</a> offers plenty of reasons to live vertically, but moving from a substantial family home into an apartment can expose the compromises of high-density living. Privacy, room for guests and usable living space tend to matter more when an apartment is intended as a permanent home rather than an occasional coastal base.

A typical residential floor at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-eveleigh-broadbeach-7-9-surf-parade-broadbeach-qld-4218">The Eveleigh</a>, on Surf Parade,&nbsp;contains just four apartments. The 94-residence development by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hirsch-faigen">Hirsch &amp; Faigen</a> is predominantly made up of expansive three-bedroom homes, with a limited collection of half-floor penthouses above.

Across the apartment floors, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> has used the relatively limited number of residences to give each home greater access to natural light and outlook. Living spaces extend towards full-height glazing, while a series of bay windows frame selected views across the Pacific Ocean, city and hinterland rather than treating the building edge as a continuous wall of glass.

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“The apartment floors deliver a collection of homes that embrace controlled outlook via a series of bay windows deliberately framing moments of view,” Rothelowman Director Kim Lowman said.

From outside, those projecting forms contribute to the tower’s faceted profile. Strong horizontal and vertical elements establish its proportions, while the changing position of the sun alters the light, shadow and reflection across the façade throughout the day.

The same attention moves inside the apartments, where the material palette combines warm timber, natural stone, metallic detailing and softer curved forms. Kitchens sit within the main living zone, with stone island benches, integrated joinery and European appliances, before the living areas extend towards the glazing and the outlook.

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Three genuine bedrooms provide room to accommodate family and guests, while two secure car spaces and storage address some of the practical considerations that can become more noticeable when moving from a larger home. Feedback from the display suite has centred on the warmth and restraint of the interiors, with buyers commenting that the residences feel like homes rather than conventional coastal apartments.

A limited collection of half-floor penthouses occupies the upper levels, increasing the scale of the living spaces and adding private balconies and elevated finishes. From this position, the outlook extends between the ocean and hinterland.

Outside the private residences, The Eveleigh separates its shared spaces between the podium and rooftop. The podium is centred on wellness, with subtropical landscaping surrounding a swimming pool and pool terrace, yoga garden, private gymnasium, sauna and hot and cold plunge facilities. Landscaped retreats and pavilions provide additional places to sit away from the main recreation areas.

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Higher in the building, a rooftop pavilion and private dining suite sit alongside resident lounge, barbecue and outdoor dining areas, opening towards panoramic views across the ocean, city and hinterland.

“Buyers are no longer just looking for an apartment, but a lifestyle where they can relax, reset, and enjoy a balanced way of living,” Hirsch &amp; Faigen Director of Sales Matt George said.

Interest to date has come from established owner-occupiers and interstate lifestyle purchasers, including buyers planning a future move to the Gold Coast. Many are coming from larger homes and want to reduce ongoing maintenance without giving up space for family and guests, privacy, two car spaces or the ability to entertain at home.

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Much of that daily life can also take place beyond the building without requiring a drive. Kurrawa Beach and Pratten Park are an easy walk from Surf Parade, while Pacific Fair, Oracle Boulevard, The Oasis, restaurants, cafés, entertainment and public transport are also within walking distance.

The Eveleigh is Hirsch &amp; Faigen's fourth Gold Coast development since entering the market in 2021, following The Hemingway at Palm Beach, The Emerson at Kirra and Yves at Mermaid Beach. Each of the preceding projects sold out before completion.

“Broadbeach had been on our radar throughout our time operating on the Gold Coast,” the developer said. “Following our projects in Palm Beach, Kirra and Mermaid Beach, Broadbeach represented the natural next step for the business.”

The Surf Parade site brought together proximity to the beach, protected coastal outlooks and walkability to dining, shopping and recreation. Hirsch &amp; Faigen also identified the street as an emerging premium residential address, with enough separation from Broadbeach's busier destinations to retain a quieter environment at home.

The Eveleigh is now under construction by Maxcon, with completion forecast for mid-2028. Three-bedroom residences are currently available from $2.87 million.

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Joel Robinson

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

A long-stalled Campbelltown development site is back in play, with new plans for 139 apartments set to supersede a mixed-use scheme approved almost a decade ago but never built.

The new proposal for 28 Cordeaux Street would deliver 116 market and 23 affordable apartments in a part 14-storey building, bringing a substantial new project into a Campbelltown market where new apartment supply remains limited.

Plans have been filed over the 3,092 sqm corner site at Moore-Oxley Street, around 600 metres from Campbelltown Railway Station and the city-centre retail core.

The site already carries a mixed-use residential approval dating to 2016. Doroch Architects has now been engaged on a larger replacement scheme, which is progressing as a State Significant Development Application following a Housing Delivery Authority determination in August 2025.

The apartment mix comprises 39 one-bedroom, 72 two-bedroom and 28 three-bedroom residences. Two-bedroom apartments make up just over half of the project, while three-bedroom homes account for 20 per cent.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="136dd5b9-3791-4da6-9e31-76f533f5b4de" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da2.png?VersionId=LgOSy9nwf5u.MGswBBwaGGxuX8QpHSl_" />

Of the 139 apartments, 23 will be delivered as affordable housing under the in-fill affordable housing provisions of the Housing SEPP. The affordable component represents 15 per cent of the residential gross floor area and will be managed by a registered Community Housing Provider.

Doroch has sought to break the scale of the building into two distinct elements, with a masonry podium of around four storeys establishing the street edge before the residential tower steps back above.

The corner position has shaped that approach. Cordeaux Street faces toward the commercial and civic centre, while Moore-Oxley Street leads into the lower-scale residential neighbourhood to the south, and the design verification report describes the site as "bridging the commercial core to the north and established residential areas to the south."

The podium will be expressed predominantly in face brick, while the upper levels shift to brushed and grooved concrete cladding with darker metal detailing. Recessed sections, deep balcony edges and landscaping break down the upper form, with an approximately 11.8-metre setback to the northern boundary addressing the adjoining St Peters Anglican School.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c8b3d2d3-c561-4bfc-a5d9-a68c0c10dac1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da1.png?VersionId=AeAEyJU02Gk2k5noUj2StziCvdQ7fW4B" />

Campbelltown has been starved of new residential developments in the last decade.

The only other notable development set to come to market this year is ALAND's Queen Square, a mixed-use precinct on over two hectares that will comprise apartments above a vibrant ground-level retail and hospitality dining precinct.

First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site

First Look: Sherlock Construction pitches apartments for low-rise Deception Bay

Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

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Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

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The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

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Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

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Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

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Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

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Nicola Trotman

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