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Asian buyers continue to buy into Melbourne’s eastern suburbs – in particular the suburb of Balwyn – for the sake of their children’s education.
It is that fundamental desire that makes a suburb like Balwyn so attractive to this core buying constituency.
Balwyn – a picturesque suburb located 10 kilometres east of the CBD – is home to 2,861 residents of Chinese descent, out of a population of 12,944, according to the 2011 census.
The median house price is $1,280,000, and there is ample public transport infrastructure, particularly trams.
Jellis Craig Balwyn director Richard James says the majority of Chinese buyers purchase in high school zones and close to public transport routes that will take their children safely to school.
Balwyn is located in the Whitehorse school zone.
Living within a particular school zone means a place is reserved for you at schools within that zone.
Children may attend schools outside of the school zone they live in, but it depends on the number of vacancies available.
James says Chinese buyers generally buy new properties or properties that have been significantly renovated.
The suburb offers Balwyn High School, but close by are a dozen other secondary schools, including Box Hill High and Canterbury Girls School.
James says Balwyn has developed a large Chinese community and is viewed as a safe place to live.
"People coming from another country feel very safe," he says.
"Balwyn is a very family-orientated location and gets a lot of recommendation from friends and family."
James mostly sells to those with permanent residency, but occasionally sells to people with temporary status or offshore buyers, who are subject to approval by the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB).
Balwyn agents say school zoning influences are as important as ever, with Tom Ryan from Jellis Craig Balwyn saying the agency always has buyers wanting to buy in the zone due to the quality of education offered to their children, and the associated price is extremely reasonable.
That’s despite the price rise, especially around 2007, when property commentator Mark Armstrong noted that the price point was pushing some buyers towards Mount Waverley and Glen Waverley.
“You will always get some people who simply cannot afford the Balwyn High zone," says Ryan.
"That situation has not changed over the last 10 years but the amount of people wanting the Balwyn area is always very solid.”
"As long as the school maintains its reputation the sales will continue to flourish, regardless of the prices," says Ryan.
A <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-balwyn-112964511" target="_blank">three-bedroom, one-bathroom home</a> on Tonkin Avenue (pictured below) sold on March 2 for $1,252,000.
<img alt="balwynmarch12one" height="353" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/03/balwynmarch12one.jpg">
Located within the Balwyn High School zone, it was the first time the home was offered in over 30 years.
Situated on 694 square metres, the sale was closed by Steve Chharia from Allens Real Estate Doncaster East.
On the higher end of the spectrum, a <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/5-belmont-avenue-balwyn/Property-Details-sold-residential-4950000" target="_blank">four-bedroom, three-bathroom home</a> (pictured below) sold in the suburb last week for $1,825,000.
<img alt="balwynmarch12two" height="313" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/03/balwynmarch12two.jpg">
Located only seconds from the Whitehorse Road tram and situated on 752 square metres, the sale was closed by Noel Jones Balwyn.
A <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/2-10-henry-street-balwyn/Property-Details-sold-residential-4947722" target="_blank">two-bedroom, one-bathroom unit</a> on Henry Street sold on March 2 for $912,000.
The unit boasts a secure gated entry, two alfresco courtyards and is located within the Balwyn High School zone.
Marshall White Armadale closed the sale.
Balwyn has had a steady start to the year with a clearance rate of 69% from 29 auctions and Balwyn North has a clearance rate of 73% from 22 auctions.
REIV's policy and public affairs manager Robert Larocca says these rates are spot-on the Melbourne average at the moment of 70%, but it is too soon to draw comparisons.
The average household size in Balwyn is three persons, and family households account for about 70% of the population, according to RP Data.
For more on the allure of Australian property to Asian buyers, <a target="_blank" href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/ebooks/free-ebook-australias-allure-for-asian-residential-property-investment">download our free eBook. </a>The eBook is also available for<a target="_blank" href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/ebooks/australias-allure-for-asian-residential-property-investment-free-ebook"> free download in Chinese.</a>
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Balwyn’s school zone continues to draw Asian buyers

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The Easter auction scene centres on Sorrento with veteran stockbroker Gary Reid is selling his beachside residence at an Easter auction with hopes of $1.25 million plus.
Located on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.kayburton.com.au/property/26-st-pauls-road-sorrento">St Pauls Road </a>in Melbourne’s suburb Sorrento, Reid built the home eight years ago.
The four bedrooms, two bathroom house is only a stone's throw from Websters Corner front beach.
The living room is encircled by a courtyard on one side and an outside decking and gardens on the other.
The auction is scheduled for March 31 and has been listed by Liz Jensen and Linda Boulter from Kay and Burton Portsea.
A <a href="https://www.kayburton.com.au/property/49-coppin-road-sorrento" target="_self">five-bedroom home </a>on Coppin Road Sorrento will also go under the hammer on March 30 with price expectations over $2.5 million.
The one-year-old home is located on a 944-square-metre block and is walking distance from the beach.
Featuring three living areas, a screening room and three bathrooms, the property has been titled Whitehaven.
The property also boasts ebony stained hardwood floors, a surrounding decking and a 11-metre mosaic tiled swimming pool.
Liz Jenson of Kay and Burton Sorrento has listed the property.
Another property in Sorrento will also be auctioned off over Easter with price expectations around $2 million.
The five-bedroom limestone and timber home on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.kayburton.com.au/property/3-king-street-sorrento">King Street</a> was built nine years ago by owner Alastair Young.
It boasts four bathrooms, a media and games room and several living zones that are located both inside and out.
Situated on approximately 1,260 square metres, the home is surrounded by landscaped gardens.
Alastair and his wife, Susan, are moving to their 150-acre farm in Cape Schanck.
David Heathcote of Kay and Burton Sorrento listed the home.
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Sorrento dominates the Easter auction offerings

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The AXF Group, which began developing property in Australia in 2005, ranks among the busiest developers in Melbourne's outer eastern suburbs.
“Such has been the demand for CBD residential development opportunities that many offshore buyers have turned their attention to suburban residential hotspots such as precincts in Doncaster and Box Hill,” Clinton Baxter from Savills Australia recently noted.
The AXF Group, founded in Shanghai, is currently marketing <a href="https://www.axfgroup.com.au/2010/08/sovereign-point-doncaster/" target="_blank">Imperial at Doncaster</a>, and is soon set to build the tallest apartment complex in Box Hill.
Imperial (pictured below) is a 96 apartment complex consisting of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Completion of Imperial is anticipated towards the end of 2014.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/02/axffeb26one.jpg" alt="axffeb26one" width="470" height="186">
Located on Sovereign Point Court, Imperial will be 10 storeys high, built to a design by the Buchan Group architects positioned directly across from Westfield Doncaster.
In 2011 AXF Group completed The Berkeley project, a 116-apartment project in Doncaster.
All of the Berkeley apartments sold off the plan in 2009, and majority of buyers were of Chinese descent.
The 33-storey apartment Station Street Box Hill development will be another landmark.
At 109 metres tall it will preside over Box Hill, 14 kilometres east of Melbourne CBD. Known for its Asian culture, the residents of Chinese descent in Box Hill account for about 27% of the population.
AXF Group will redevelop a 2,417-square-metre car park into the 275-apartment complex.
Sitting across from the Centro Box Hill shopping centre, the $135 million development will incorporate the major transport interchange at Box Hill station.
The podium level will contain a high-end retail complex and a varied range of dining experiences, from Asian-style street food markets to fine dining restaurants.
A proposal for a 38-storey development on the site was put forward but was refused in 2010 by then planning minister Justin Madden as it did not conform with the Whitehorse Planning Scheme.
The median house price in Box Hill is $800,000 and the median unit price is $380,000, according to RP Data.
Separate houses account for almost 59% of dwelling types, with units and apartments accounting for almost 24%, but increasing in number.
Box Hill South was Melbourne’s best-performing suburb for units in November 2012, with a median unit price of $486,000, according to RP Data.
Just over a year ago, AXF completed Dorking Gardens, a nearby $7 million townhouse development in Box Hill North.
Located at 231 Dorking Road, the complex comprises nine double-storey townhouses plus one single-storey townhouse.
Landscape designer and host of  Gardening Australia John Patrick worked on the garden concept for the townhouses. 
Scott Jessop from AXF says many of the townhouses were sold to local Asian buyers.
In 2011 AXF Group completed The Berkeley project, a 116-apartment project in Doncaster.
All of the apartments had been sold off the plan in 2009, and majority of buyers were of Chinese descent.
Richard Gu of the AXF Group bought Total House last August, a site on the corner of Russell and Little Bourke streets, in the heart of Chinatown, for $39.5 million.
For more on the allure of Australian property to Asian buyers, <a href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/ebooks/free-ebook-australias-allure-for-asian-residential-property-investment" target="_blank">download our free eBook. </a>The eBook is also available for<a href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/ebooks/australias-allure-for-asian-residential-property-investment-free-ebook" target="_blank"> free download in Chinese.</a>
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Chinese developer ASX Property selling Imperial, the crown of Doncaster

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The iconic Annesley House on Julia Street in Victoria’s <a target="_blank" href="/news">Portland </a>remains listed for sale with its $1.29 million asking price.
The restored two-storey residence acts as a self-contained accommodation business, with seven fully furnished apartments.
Annesley House was built in 1878 for Dr Brewer – the chief medical officer and then mayor of Portland – who not only used the house as a surgery, but lived onsite, too.
Located on 1,344 square metres, the restored house sits midway between Melbourne and Adelaide, on the western end of The Great Ocean Road.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2012/09/oct2portland2]}
In the early 1900s, the Wadmore sisters took over Annesley House from Dr Brewer and turned it into a guesthouse.
The honeymoon suite in the house is named after the sisters.
In the 1940s, the property was passed to Mrs Luers, who owned the property until 2004, when the current owner, Mark Robinson, bought it.
The property has an established income stream, with apartments available to book from $150 to $210 a night.
Property Observer initially wrote of its listing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/leisure/heritage-1870s-portland-victoria-annesley-house-hotel-listed/2012103056735">last October</a>.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-portland-107468953">It is listed by Nick Adamson at Charles Stewart Warrnambool</a>.
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Portland's Annesley House remains listed

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A historic double brick home in Victoria’s <a target="_blank" href="/news">Maldon </a>has been listed for sale with a $690,000 asking price.
Charlotte House was built circa 1860 by carpenter John Boots, shortly after the 1850s gold rush. He was something of an evangelical entreprenuer.
Following his death in 1875, Charlotte Boots occupied the property until 1885.
Comprising three bedrooms and one bathroom, Charlotte House has been restored but still boasts original features.
The home has original timber, brick paved and flagstone floors as well as a Stanley wood stove with a water jacket.
The house also includes four open fireplaces and boasts bluestone foundations.
Boots sold the property to Ellen Paul in 1875, who then sold it to John Templeton Couchman, a local mine manager, in 1910. It has since had four more owners.
Located on Templeton Street, it is situated on a double block of 2,024 square metres.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-maldon-112892395">Charlotte House has been listed by Leah Panos at Waller Realty Maldon</a>.
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Historic Charlotte House, Maldon, listed

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The luxury architecturally designed Hedges Avenue, Mermaid Beach home of troubled Gold Coast developer Bruce Tilley sold for $5 million at the Ray White Surfers Paradise Group’s annual prestige auctions.
Property Observer <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/queensland/no-expenses-spared-mermaid-beach-property-hits-the-market/2012052254803" target="_blank">reported the listing in May last year</a>.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/may23mermaid]} 
Tilley held the house (pictured above) through Hedges Avenue Pty Ltd, and receivers Andrew Fielding and David Whyte were appointed to take control of the company in October last year.
The house was built two years ago after Tilley paid $1.4 million for the 405-square-metre landholding in 2000.
The replacement cost of the property, which has just two bedrooms and a study, has been estimated to be as high as $10 million.
The 20th annual prestige auction event over the week experienced an 80% clearance rate and more than $32 million in sales.
“The sales under the hammer of such high quality properties and the strength of bidding (84 bidders) shows that people have identified that now is the time to make their move on blue chip properties on the Gold Coast,” says RWSP Group’s chief Andrew Bell.
“Bidding was very robust and the prices achieved on most of the properties were a very positive sign. “
“Most of the sales surpassed vendor expectations,” says Bell.
However it was not a happy ending for all, with the Bellagio La Villa – a sprawling estate at Tallebudgera – passed in at $5 million.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/01/jan18bellagio]}
Bellageio La Villa (pictured above) is home to horse racing enthusiast and property developer Paul Sweeney and his wife, Viki Farrar.
The Sweeneys' luxury home features 10 ensuited bedrooms, plus multiple living areas, a library, media and music rooms, a gym, and indoor pool and spa.
Bell said negotiations would continue with a number of parties interest in the properties.
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RWSP Group secures $32 million in sales topped by $5 million on Hedges Avenue

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Due to the lengthy forewarning of the September federal election, the election is unlikely to have a detrimental effect on the property market, according to Leanne Pilkington general manager of Laing+Simmons.
Pilkington says September is usually the month the market picks up due to the weather warming up, and the election date may cause a slight delay in spring campaigns being launched.
Although Pilkington says any potential delay will be short lived.
“It could be argued that a September election is preferable to October or November, as once the election outcome is finalised, the spring selling period can move into full swing,” says Pilkington.
“Buyers will still feel they have time to make a considered purchase and vendors need not rush to accept prices lower than their expectations.”
“In the five to six weeks leading up to an election, which is a more typical campaign timeframe, we would expect to see the market slow down until an outcome is finalised, as buyers take a wait-and-see approach and sellers react accordingly,” she says.
Pilkington also says both buyers and sellers will be eager to understand the policy positions of the Government and Opposition as they relate to the property market.
Depending on the policies announced, Pilkington says the election might have the effect of bringing forward demand before September 14 or delaying activity until an outcome is known.
First homebuyers are the main section of the property market that will be impacted by an election outcome, as grants and incentive programs are targeted at this buyer category.
Pilkington also says that vendors whose properties suit this buyer profile will be equally interested.
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September election unlikely to have a detrimental effect on the market

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Adam Elliot, the Oscar-winning creator of the animated Harvie Krumpet film, has his <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-prahran-112890831" target="_blank">Prahran Edwardian residence</a> listed for auction.
The price hopes are $700,000 plus.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/02/elliott.jpg" alt="elliott" width="470" height="353">
The two-bedroom, one-bathroom refurbished house has been home to Elliot since 2007.
Located on Fern Avenue, which is actually in Windsor, it comes with tall ceilings with antique French chandeliers.
It is scheduled for February 23 auction. 
As he has always wanted to combine his home with a mini production studio, Elliot says he's now looking for new premises north of the city with his partner, Dan Doherty.
The couple bought the property for $600,000 in 2007.
The property has been listed by Fiona Martin from Hocking Stuart Armadale.
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Adam Elliot, the Harvie Krumpet creator, list his Prahran Edwardian home 

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Keith Lloyd – a well-known Brisbane business figure – has listed his <a target="_blank" href="https://www.raywhite.net/?p=6935">riverfront investment property</a> in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Kangaroo Point</a>, Queensland, which hosts the Shafston International College campus.
<img height="313" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/01/shafston1.jpg" alt="shafston1">
Located at 46 Thorn Street, the one-hectare property includes the Shafston House and three other campus buildings.
Sources say it has expectations of around $40 million.
Some 3,253 square metres of strata title space over five levels in the Shafston University Mansions is included in the offering.
<img height="313" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/01/shafston2.jpg" alt="shafston1">
Lloyd’s family company holds a 10-year lease on the campus and will continue to own and run the college.
The components offered on this Brisbane property form a combined commencing rental of $2,343,050 per annum with annual review increases.
“It’s being sold as a going concern investment. It’s an education investment,” says Rick Bird of Ray White Transact.
“We expect a lot of interest from Asia.”
<img height="313" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/01/shafston3.jpg" alt="shafston1">
The 160-year-old Gothic-style house was built in 1851 by explorer Henry Stuart, and continued as a family home for over 60 years.
In 1915, the property first began as an educational institute when it was leased to the crèche and kindergarten association.
Following World War One and a shortage of hospital accommodation, the government acquired the property to house the wounded.
Lloyd acquired the leasehold from restaurateur Gary Balkin in 1994 and established Shafston International College in 1996.
More than 60,000 students have attended the college since its inception.
Llyod has also listed an adjoining 1,812-square-metre corner site, which allows for a 20-level mixed-use building.
Located at 16-32 Thorn Street, the site includes an apartment complex of 31 apartments, currently being operated as student accommodation.
The corner sit can be purchased along with the larger site under long term lease to Shafston College, but depending on interest levels, may be sold as a seperate parcel. 
The Shafston House is the third oldest house in Queensland and has been listed by Rick Bird and Joe Tynan from Ray White Transact.
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Shafston House listed by Keith Lloyd

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Four of the recently renovated apartments in the  <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-nsw-bellevue+hill-112462191" target="_blank">Bellevue Hill 1950s block Baxter </a>– complete with retro kitchens and period-style bathrooms – have sold prior to its February launch.
Located at 85 Drumalbyn Road, the most expensive two-bedroom apartment sale to data has been $985,000.
The other three sold apartments ranged from $695,000 and $900,000.
The remaining five two-bedroom apartments and one studio are available from $755,000 to $785,000.
Deemed to be a good example of the International Style with Abstract Modern style influences, <a href="https://mondell.com.au/projects/current/bellevue-hill--baxter" target="_blank">Mondell Property Group </a>bought the 1950s retro apartment complex in late 2011 for $4.4 million.
<img alt="baxter" height="353" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/01/baxter.jpg">
The developers spent $350,000 plus on refurbishing the 10 apartments under the watchful interior design by SJB designers.
It was architect LT Rayney who purchased the block of land in 1957 as a personal investment and then constructed the residential flat building in 1958.
Laurence Rayner had graduated in architecture from the Technical University of Budapest in 1934. His father had been a master builder and his uncle an architect.
While his architectural education did not focus on the emerging Bauhaus movement, Rayner reportedly admired Hungarian contemporaries who came to Sydney, including Emery Balint and George Molnar.
Anticipating the start of WWII, Rayner emigrated to Australia in 1939 and worked with Cyril Ruwald in Sydney with some initial projects including pubs for Tooth's Breweries.
In 2005, the <a target="_blank" href="/news">Woollahra</a> Council commissioned an assessment of the building to assess whether the building had potential heritage significance.
The assessment was completed by restoration architect Clive Lucas, who said the building had some local heritage significance but no state heritage significance. 
“The building is an interesting example of modernist design; however it is not of sufficient significance to warrant listing on the Woollahra LEP,” said Lucas.
Chris Russell from Mondell Property Group says he expects the remaining apartments to sell at the weekend launch.
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Late 1950s International Style Bellevue Hill restored beauty

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/consolidated-properties">Consolidated Properties Group</a> (CPG) is approaching the launch of its latest Brisbane riverfront development, Castile, on the dress circle Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

VIP buyers are now being engaged, with a full public sales launch coming later this year.

Positioned as the final opportunity to secure a new absolute riverfront residence on the East bank of Newstead, Teneriffe or New Farm, Castile at 47 Skyring Terrace has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a> as a timeless addition to the Brisbane skyline.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371113]

The name Castile draws on themes of permanence, sophistication and legacy, reflecting a broader vision centred on enduring architecture and timelessness in the rarest of riverfront positions.&nbsp;

CPG Chairman and CEO Don O’Rorke said the project had been envisioned as a future Brisbane icon.&nbsp;

“With 47 metres of direct river frontage and never to be built out views, 47 Skyring Terrace is the definitive address on the Brisbane River,” O’Rorke said.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371114]

“Rather than following trend-based apartment design, Castile draws inspiration from Brisbane’s great heritage buildings, reinterpreting classical architecture into a contemporary riverfront landmark designed to stand proudly for the next 100 years,” he said.&nbsp;

The approved development will comprise 227 apartments across a 25-storey tower alongside a boutique six-storey riverfront building of just 12 residences.&nbsp;

Construction is scheduled to commence in September 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150489]

Joel Robinson

CPG unveils Castile Newstead ahead of upcoming sales launch

Australia’s online shopping habits have shifted dramatically over the last decade. As eCommerce volumes surged, so too did the frustrations that came with traditional parcel delivery: missed deliveries, long Post Office queues, parcel theft and the challenge of being home during business hours.

Australia Post’s Parcel Lockers emerged as one of the more practical responses to that changing consumer behaviour.

What started as a relatively niche delivery option has evolved into a nationwide network of more than 1,400 self-service Parcel Lockers positioned at train stations, shopping centres, supermarkets and Post Offices across the country. The system allows Australians to send, collect and return parcels 24 hours a day, fundamentally changing how many people interact with deliveries.

The appeal is relatively straightforward: flexibility.

Instead of waiting at home for a delivery driver or rushing to a Post Office before closing time, users can direct eligible parcels to a Parcel Locker location of their choice. Once the parcel arrives, Australia Post sends a notification with a collection code or QR access through the AusPost app, allowing customers to retrieve their package at any time within the collection window.

For apartment residents in particular, the system has become increasingly valuable.

Higher-density living has created logistical challenges around deliveries, especially in buildings without concierge services or secure parcel rooms. Missed deliveries are common, while parcel theft has become an increasing concern as online shopping volumes continue to rise.

Australia Post itself has repeatedly highlighted the growing issue of “porch pirates” during peak shopping periods, encouraging customers to use Parcel Lockers as a safer alternative to unattended home deliveries.

That security aspect is one of the key reasons the Australia Post Parcel Locker network has grown so rapidly.

Parcel Lockers are positioned as secure, monitored collection points that reduce the risk of theft while also improving delivery efficiency for Australia Post. Instead of multiple redelivery attempts, parcels can be consolidated into a single secure destination.

The Parcel Lockers themselves are free to use through a MyPost account and support a range of parcel sizes up to 16 kilograms and dimensions of approximately 35 x 44 x 61 centimetres.

Beyond receiving parcels, the system has increasingly become integrated into the broader eCommerce ecosystem.

Customers can now use Parcel Lockers to return online purchases, while retailers have embraced the model as a way to improve delivery success rates and reduce friction in the shopping process. Australia Post has actively expanded partnerships with major retailers and promoted Parcel Lockers as part of a broader out-of-home strategy.

The timing of that expansion aligns with broader changes in Australian shopping behaviour.

The acceleration of online retail during and after the pandemic placed enormous pressure on delivery infrastructure. Parcel volumes reached record highs, particularly during Black Friday and Christmas periods, with Australia Post delivering more than 100 million parcels during peak festive seasons.

That growth forced logistics providers to rethink the “last mile” of delivery, widely regarded as the most expensive and operationally difficult stage of the process.

Parcel Locker systems have increasingly been viewed as part of the long-term solution.

The concept itself is not unique to Australia. Parcel Locker networks have become common globally, particularly across Europe and Asia, where dense urban environments and apartment living create similar logistical challenges. But Australia’s geography and suburban sprawl made adoption slower initially.

Now, however, the convenience factor is driving mainstream usage.

For commuters, Parcel Lockers near train stations allow parcels to be collected on the way home from work. For apartment dwellers, they remove the uncertainty around access and missed deliveries.

The rise of the AusPost app has also streamlined the experience, centralising notifications, tracking and Parcel Locker access into a single platform. Australia Post has increasingly pushed customers toward app-based delivery management, partly as a way to combat phishing scams and fake delivery notifications, which have become more sophisticated in recent years.

The Parcel Locker model is also beginning to influence property development itself.

Parcel management has become a growing consideration in apartment building design, particularly as online shopping becomes embedded in everyday life. Many new residential developments are now incorporating dedicated parcel rooms or Parcel Locker systems into foyers and communal spaces.

For developers, parcel management is increasingly viewed as part of the broader resident amenity offering, alongside gyms, wellness spaces and communal work areas.

That reflects a wider evolution in how residential buildings are designed.

Apartment buyers are placing greater emphasis on convenience, security and operational functionality, particularly in higher-density urban environments. Parcel delivery, once considered a minor operational detail, has become an increasingly important part of that equation.

Australia Post’s Parcel Locker network sits at the centre of that behavioural shift.

What began as a simple alternative delivery option has evolved into a key piece of infrastructure supporting Australia’s growing eCommerce economy and changing urban lifestyles.

And as online shopping continues to expand, the role of Parcel Lockers is likely to become even more embedded in how Australians live, shop and receive goods.

How Australia Post Parcel Lockers changed parcel delivery convenience in Australia

Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.

Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.

The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.

“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.

“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.

“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”

The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.

“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”

From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.

“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”

The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.

“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.

Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.

“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.

“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”

The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.

“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.

Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.

&nbsp;

Nicola Trotman

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