<html><body>
<p>Fashion giant H&amp;M has finally confirmed it will open its inaugural Australian store in Melbourne, in a high-profile location in the iconic GPO building.</p>
<p>The announcement confirms the company’s long-awaited search for a suitable property, having spent months scouting potential locations. But it also serves to show international appetite for Australian retail space is still going strong.</p>
<p>“A lot of international retailers still view Australia as somewhat of a beacon on the hill,” Simon Fonteyn, the managing director of Leasing Information Services, said this morning.</p>
<p>ISPT, the operator of the GPO building, announced yesterday H&amp;M’s flagship store would open with 5000m2 of space in the heritage-listed building.</p>
<p>In a statement, ISPT retail asset manager Sam Curry said the store would help boost the Melbourne CBD precinct.</p>
<p>“We are delighted to have this opportunity to introduce such a famous and highly anticipated international fashion retailer to the Australian market,” Curry said.</p>
<p>The company is the <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/retail/054768-h-m-expands-to-australia-five-things-you-didn-t-know-about-the-iconic-retailer/2-2">world’s largest clothing group</a>, and is still partly owned by the family of the original founder. The company has 2900 stores in 51 countries, and is still on an epic expansion plan – targeting 10-15% per year.</p>
<p>H&amp;M, which was founded in 1947, follows the model of several of its fashion counterparts by working closely with designers and using a rapid shipping model – much like its counterpart, Zara and Topshop.</p>
<p>The H&amp;M store will sit just metres from where the inaugural Australian Zara store opened in 2011.</p>
<p>The importation of international fashion to Australia has been a hot topic over the past few years, with the local industry complaining that while new entrants create foot traffic and draw attention, they also push up prices.</p>
<p>While the market has been quiet for some time regarding any new entries, Fonteyn says that environment shouldn’t last too long – plenty of retailers still view Australia as an opportunity.</p>
<p>“A lot of the international retailers use Zara as a benchmark for what’s possible, and now you have companies like TopShop as well.”</p>
<p>“Some of these stores are even quasi-anchor stores. There is a demand for these types of internationals within Australian centres.”</p>
<hr>
<p><em>This article was originally published on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.</em></p>
<p> </p>
</body></html>

pmcstafford-pr9eMARWoN

H&M to open first Australian store in Melbourne GPO building

<html><body>
<p>Coalition leader Tony Abbott has pledged to resurrect the Australian Building and Construction Commission within 100 days of winning government, but experts say the move is a step backwards.</p>
<p>The ABCC was absorbed into the Fair Work system in 2012, but a report prepared by Coalition MPs reportedly states the commission could be up and running shortly after the election, according to <em>Fairfax</em>.</p>
<p>But returning to the ABCC, industrial relations experts say, would be a backwards step.</p>
<p>“It’s not as though the ABCC was abolished and no one picked up its functions,” TressCox Lawyers partner Rachel Drew said this morning.</p>
<p>The Coalition has met with members of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, although Australian Council of Trade Unions assistant secretary Tim Lyons told <em>Fairfax</em> the meetings weren’t necessarily productive: “It’s fairly clear that they have got a fixed view about what they are going to do”.</p>
<p>While the Coalition has said for months it plans to reinstate the ABCC, this is the first indication it could do so extremely quickly.</p>
<p>Coalition MP Paul Fletcher, in charge of the report, was contacted but no response was available prior to publication.</p>
The report comes a week after the Master Builders Association released a new Econtech report arguing reinstating the ABCC <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/politics/057229-the-shaky-foundations-of-the-coalition-abcc-promise">would deliver $7 billion in benefits to consumers</a>.
<p>The ABCC attracted controversy during its time for extreme investigatory powers. Disbanded in 2012, the ABCC’s responsibilities have been handed to the Fair Work Building and Construction inspectorate, albeit with less wide-ranging powers.</p>
<p>Drew says there were good reasons why the ABCC was abolished, as there were “issues of whether or not it was acting impartially”.</p>
<p>“I could understand if they want to change the role of the current commission, or to make some changes,” she says.</p>
<p>“The building and construction industry is a big enough industry that it needs its own commission. But to return to the ABCC itself just seems like a backwards step.”</p>
<p>Reinstating the ABCC is just one part of the Coalition’s industrial relations policy, which includes changing bargaining rules, allowing more changes to individual flexibility agreements, creating an appeal division of Fair Work and ordering a Productivity Commission review of Fair Work laws.</p>
<p><em>
<hr>
This article was originally published on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au">SmartCompany</a>.</em></p>
<p> </p>
</body></html>

Experts not to keen on the Coalition's plan to resurrect Building and Construction Commission

<html><body>
<p>The property market is in for an unusually hectic month with a federal election and football grand final effectively wiping out too whole weekends – but the spring selling season is still off to a roaring start.</p>
<p>Over the weekend, Melbourne recorded a clearance rate of 71.8% from 330 auctions, while Sydney cleared 84% from 413 reported auctions, according to Australian Property Monitors.</p>
<p>While September usually hails the start of the spring selling season, this year brings two obstacles: this week’s federal election and the AFL Grand Final, set for September 28.</p>
<p>Two whole weekends are completely wiped out, which according to SQM Research managing director Louis Christopher, could see a surge in October.</p>
<p>“It’s going to be a very busy October,” he says. “There will be a surge of listings after the election, as we’ve seen over the past few weeks a holding off of vendors not listing.</p>
<p>“They’re waiting for the election, and we’ve seen pretty good evidence of that.”</p>
<p>Even a disruption of one weekend during the season can be upsetting. Three years ago, the market was given a shot of confusion after the Grand Final resulted in a draw – rescheduled <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/property/040640-20101001-auctions-to-go-ahead-despite-afl-grand-final-but-property-experts-clueless-on-how-market-will-perform-2" target="_blank">for the following Saturday</a>.</p>
<p>With the market steadily recovering, sellers will want the best possible chance of a good price – which means they may wait until October.</p>
<p>“It’s going to be very busy,” says Christopher.</p>
<p>However, the property market has been left out in the cold regarding the election. While in the post-financial crisis market the government was eager to provide support for housing construction, there has been no such support this year.</p>
<p>Christopher says the mood is “very quiet”, and subsequently, disappointing.</p>
<p>“There’s nothing on property at all this election,” he says. “There used to be quite a lot of talk, but this year it’s practically nothing.</p>
<p>“It’s very disappointing.”</p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<hr>
<em> This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au" target="_blank">SmartCompany. </a></em>
<p> </p>
</body></html>

Don't mind the footy or the election, spring auctions start with a bang

<html><body>
<p>Kitchenware chain King of Knives, which has operated for 25 years and counts 60 locations across Australia and New Zealand, has been placed in administration.</p>
<p>While the reasons behind the insolvency remain unclear, the retail industry remains under intense pressure. The sector is one of the biggest sources of administration and insolvency appointments – and the kitchenware market is heating up.</p>
<p>King of Knives was placed in administration on August 15, with BRI Ferrier appointed. Administrators Andrew Cummins and Antony Resnick were contacted, but no reply was available prior to publication.</p>
<p>King of Knives, which continues to trade, was also contacted, but no reply was available.</p>
<p>The chain has an extensive history. Founded by retail veteran Ron Baskin in 1987, the business grew steadily and was sold to the ASX-listed RCG in 2004, which also owns and operates the successful Athlete’s Foot.</p>
<p>However, in 2007 RCG sold off the King of Knives chain for $4.5 million – discounted from the original price – back to a consortium led by the Baskin family. In a statement at the time, RCG head Ivan Hammerschlag said the business “absorbed a disproportionate amount of management time for insufficient upside”.</p>
<p>In the company’s report for the year ending June 2003, RCG said King of Knives had $22 million in revenue.</p>
<p>Baskin has an extensive amount of retail experience, and has been involved in several businesses including Sunglass World and Speciality Fashion Group.</p>
<p>The King of Knives chain is divided into separate entities, including the franchising group, which houses 14 locations. The business also operates stores under the Chef King brand, and has locations in New Zealand, which were significantly affected by the Christchurch earthquake in 2011.</p>
<p>A creditor’s meeting will take place on August 22.</p>
<p>While there is little information regarding the collapse, competition within the kitchenware market has increased over the past few years due to several factors, including the growth of online sales.</p>
<p>The popularity of cooking shows including <em>Masterchef</em>and <em>My Kitchen Rules</em> has led to a resurgence among kitchenware sales – according to IBISWorld, revenue has grown 0.8% each year across 2008-13, although growth increased after 2010.</p>
<p> </p>
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
<p>King of Knives Store Locations:</p>
<div style="font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline; color: #646257; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" class="head">
<div class="store" style="border: medium; width: 340px; margin-top: 24px; margin-bottom: 18px; font-size: 12px; color: #646257; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">KING OF KNIVES BELCONNEN
<div>Shop 145, Westfield Belconnen</div>
<div></div>
<div>Belconnen 2617 ACT</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES WODEN</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop G107,</div>
<div>Westfield</div>
<div>Woden Phillip 2606</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">CHEF KING CHATSWOOD CHASE</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop B007 Chatswood Chase Shopping Centre</div>
<div>345 Victoria Avenue</div>
<div>Chatswood 2067 NSW</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">CHEF KING RHODES</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 61, Rhodes Waterside 1 Rider Boulevarde, Rhodes NSW 2138</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">CHEF KING SUPACENTA</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop T16, Homemakers SupaCenta Moore Park Todman Ave, Kensington NSW 2033</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES BLACKTOWN</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 1018 Westpoint Shopping Centre 17 Patrick Street, Blacktown NSW 2148PO Box 8405 Blacktown NSW 2148</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES BONDI</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 1043 Westfield Bondi Shopping Centre 500 Oxford St Bondi Junction NSW 2022</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES CASTLE HILL</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 314, Castle Towers Shopping Centre Castle Street, Castle Hill NSW 2154</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES CHARLESTOWN</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop G8035, Charlestown Square Shopping Centre</div>
<div>048/30 Pearson Street</div>
<div>Charlestown 2290 NSW</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES ERINA</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 91A, Erina Fair Shopping Centre</div>
<div>620-658 Terrigal Drive</div>
<div>Erina 2250 NSW</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES HORNSBY</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 1026, Westfield HornsbyHornsby NSW 2077</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES KOTARA</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 1-32, Garden City Shopping Centre, Cnr Park Avenue &amp; Northcott Drive, Kotara NSW 2289</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES MIRANDA</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 1031A, Westfield Miranda, The KingswayPO Box 115, Miranda NSW 2228</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES PENRITH</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 48B, Penrith PlazaHenry Street, Penrith NSW 2750</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES QVB</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 8, LGF QVB 455 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES SHELLHARBOUR</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 31A, Stockland ShellharbourLake Entrance Rd, Shellharbour NSW 2529 PO Box 288 Stockland Shopping Centre Shellharbour NSW 2529</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES TUGGERAH</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 2047, Westfield Shopping Town, Wyong Road, Tuggerah NSW 2259</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES WARRINGAH MALL</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 218, Warringah MallBrookvale NSW 2100</div>
</div>
KING OF KNIVES DARWIN
<div>Shop 7, Casuarina Shopping SquareCasuarina NT 0810</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES CAIRNS - EARLVILLE</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 82 Stockland Shopping Centre</div>
<div>537 Mulgrave Road</div>
<div>Earlville, Cairns 4870 QUEENSLAND</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES CAIRNS CENTRAL</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 60, Cairns Central Shopping Centre Cairns QLD 4870</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES CARINDALE</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 2006, Carindale Shopping Centre Carindale QLD 4152</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES CHERMSIDE</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 180A, Westfield Chermside Chermside QLD 4032</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES GARDEN CITYBRISBANE</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 2127A, Garden City Shopping Centre Upper Mt Gravatt QLD 4122</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES INDOOROOPILLY</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 3083, Indooroopilly Shopping Centre Indooroopilly QLD 4068</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES MACKAY</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 16, Caneland Shoppingtown Mangrove Road, Mackay QLD 4740</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES MYER BRISBANE</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 78, Myer Centre Queen Street Mall, Brisbane QLD 4000</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES NOOSA</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop T1066 Noosa Civic Eenie Creek Road Noosaville QLD 4566</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES PACIFIC FAIR</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 17, Pacific Fair Shopping Centre PO Box 517, Pacific Fair QLD 4218</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES ROBINA</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop No 2006, Level 2 North Mall</div>
<div>Robina Town Centre, 176 Robina Drive</div>
<div>Robina 4226 QLD</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES ROCKHAMPTON</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 95, Stockland Rockhampton Rockhampton QLD 4701</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES TOOWOOMBA</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 112, Grand Central, Cnr Margaret &amp; Dent Sts PO Box 6588, Toowoomba West QLD 4350</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES TOWNSVILLE DOMAIN</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 15, Building I, Domain Central, 103-141 Duckworth Street</div>
<div></div>
<div>Garbutt 4814 QLD</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES TOWNSVILLE STOCKLAND</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 139, Stockland Townsville 310-330 Ross River Road, Aitkenvale QLD 4814</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">MAROOCHYDORE</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 111A, Sunshine Plaza, Maroochydore Road</div>
<div></div>
<div>Maroochydore 4558 QLD</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES CITY CROSS ADELAIDE</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop T45, City Cross Arcade</div>
<div>32 Grenfell St Rundle Mall</div>
<div>Adelaide 5000 SA</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES MARION</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 2012, Westfield Marion</div>
<div>297 Diagonal Road</div>
<div>Oaklands Park 5046 SA</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES WESTLAKES</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop T253A, Westlakes Mall</div>
<div></div>
<div>Westlakes SA 5021</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES CHADSTONE</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 255 Chadstone Shopping Centre</div>
<div></div>
<div>Chadstone 3148 Victoria</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES EASTLANDS</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop L69, Eastland Shopping CentreRingwood VIC 3134</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES FOUNTAIN GATE</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 2095, 352 Princes Highway</div>
<div></div>
<div>Narre Warren 3805 VIC</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES FRANKSTON</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 187, Bayside North Shopping Centre Frankston VIC 3199</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES HIGHPOINT (Trading as Chef King)</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop L02.2058, Highpoint 120-200 Rosamond Road</div>
<div></div>
<div>Maribyrnong 3032 VIC</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES MELBOURNE CENTRAL</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop GD 020 Melbourne Central211 Latrobe Street, Melbourne VIC 3000</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES NORTHLAND</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop W001A, Northland Shopping Centre 2-50 Murray Road, East Preston VIC 3072</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES SOUTHLAND</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 3053, Westfield SouthlandNepean Highway, Cheltenham VIC 3192</div>
</div>
<div class="storelist" style="color: #646257; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">
<div id="state2" class="storelist">
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">CHEF KING HARBOUR TOWN</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop A29, Harbourtown 840 Wellington Street, Perth WA 6000</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES BOORAGOON</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 19, Garden City Shopping Centre 125 Riseley St, Booragoon WA 6154</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES CAROUSEL</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 1082, Westfield Carousel Albany Highway, Cannington WA 6107</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES KARRINYUP</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop G60A, Karrinyup Shopping Centre Karrinyup Road, Karrinyup WA 6018</div>
</div>
<div class="head" style="font-weight: bold; margin-top: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">KING OF KNIVES MORLEY</div>
<div class="description">
<div>Shop 1056, Centro Galleria Collier Road, Morley Perth WA 6062</div>
</div>
<div class="store" style="border: medium; width: 340px; margin-top: 24px; margin-bottom: 18px;">KING OF KNIVES WHITFORD
<div class="description">
<p>Shop 118 Westfield Whitford Cnr Marmion &amp; Whitfords Ave Hillarys WA 6025</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="color: #646257; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" class="description">
<div></div>
</div>
<p> </p>
<p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.</em></p>
</body></html>

Knives out for King of Knives as retail chain enters administration

<html><body>
<p>The department store sector has been under an intense amount of pressure during the past few years, with Myer and David Jones feeling the majority of it.</p>
<p>But the recent moves by David Jones provides some insight into the company’s strategy – and it may just be what the company needs to survive.</p>
<p>Chief executive Paul Zahra said that the company had entered into an agreement with Dick Smith Electronics – recently sold to private equity group Anchorage by Woolworths – to operate the existing electronics business under the Dick Smith banner.</p>
<p>Specifically, the products will be branded under “David Jones Electronics Powered by Dick Smith”.</p>
<p>Under the terms of the agreement, Dick Smith will acquire all of David Jones’ electronics inventory, as well as fittings. Dick Smith will be responsible for fulfilling all orders.</p>
<p>“Dick Smith will…pay to David Jones on a monthly basis a fixed percentage of the sales generated by the David Jones Electronics Business,” the company said.</p>
<p>This gets rid of a lot of problems for David Jones. It no longer has to deal with a low-margin business and it can focus on what it does best in other categories. At the same time, it provides Dick Smith with a good way to start expanding after a recent downsize.</p>
<p>David Gordon, partner at Lowe Lippmann, said that the move makes “complete sense”.</p>
<p>“To bring in a partner that has expertise in those categories is a good move,” he says. “Their position is that they’re turning around – and so they need to focus on what they’re good at.”</p>
<p>The David Jones-Dick Smith partnership is a great move at turning the department store’s fate around. But more than that – it’s just a great business move.</p>
<p>So here are five lessons smart businesses should take away from this deal – lessons they should implement in their own companies:</p>
<p><img alt="numberonejuly11" height="32" width="25" src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numberonejuly11.jpg"></p>
<p>Focus on what you’re good at</p>
<p>David Jones is traditionally good at a few things – selling fashion and high-end consumer goods.</p>
<p>Televisions and electronics equipment aren’t in this category. It doesn’t employ specialists who know all there is to know about every product, and worse than that, the stores don’t even stock a lot of inventory in these categories.</p>
<p>When consumers head to David Jones, they want to buy dresses, suits, cosmetics and higher-priced homewares goods. Focusing on those categories is a solid move.</p>
<p><img alt="numbertwojuly11" height="29" width="25" src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numbertwojuly11.jpg"></p>
<p>Get rid of low margins</p>
<p>Televisions and electronic equipment is a notoriously low-margin business. Earlier this year the company even said it would stop selling games, music and DVDs as a first step towards transforming its electronics category.</p>
<p>JB Hi-Fi may have delivered an 11% profit increase yesterday, but its chief executive Terry Smart will no doubt say televisions are a low-margin game. David Jones is already heavily invested in fashion, an industry which has suffered in recent years.</p>
<p>Losing a low-margin category is always a good decision.</p>
<p><img alt="numberthreejuly11" height="33" width="25" src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numberthreejuly11.jpg"></p>
<p>Keep control of your brand</p>
<p>David Jones has a solid brand – at first glance it seems partnering with Dick Smith is a combination that doesn’t quite gel.</p>
<p>But note the branding chosen under the deal – “David Jones Electronics Powered by Dick Smith”. This is an operation run by Dick Smith, but David Jones keeps its name square in the centre of that title.</p>
<p>Protecting your brand is paramount. David Jones’ insistence upon such a name indicates it realises just as much.</p>
<p><img alt="numberfourjuly11" height="32" width="25" src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numberfourjuly11.jpg"></p>
<p>Use as much data as you can</p>
<p>There is a key part of the David Jones-Dick Smith agreement which provides the department store with quite a bit of power:</p>
<p>“The Electronics business customer database will continue to be owned by David Jones and used by the Company for marketing purposes,” it says.</p>
<p>Data is king. By keeping control of its database, David Jones has allowed itself a significant amount of power. Clever businesses would ensure the same.</p>
<p><img alt="numberfivejuly11" height="27" width="25" src="/images/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numberfivejuly11.jpg"></p>
<p>Partners can be beneficial</p>
<p>This isn’t the first time David Jones has partnered up. Recently the company <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/retail/053871-online-retailer-shoes-of-prey-teams-up-with-david-jones-to-launch-in-store-sales-booths-2">launched a deal with online retailer Shoes of Prey</a> to set up a booth inside the department stores. There customers can use tablets to customise shoes on the website.</p>
<p>When a partnership is a good fit from a branding perspective, there’s no reason not to explore or experiment. Clearly allowing different companies to set up shop in David Jones is a way the department store can hedge its losses – there are almost certainly more on the way.</p>
<p><em style="font-size: 14px;">This article originally appeared on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.</em></p>
</body></html>

Five key lessons from the David Jones and Dick Smith co-branding deal

<html><body>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">The property market is set to deliver a bumper year, following yet another week of solid auction clearance rates.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">The sector is increasingly confident ahead of the spring selling season, with the Reserve Bank likely to keep reducing official rates.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Australian Property Monitors economist Andrew Wilson says Sydney recorded an 81.4% clearance rate over the weekend, up from 75% last week – the highest for this time of year in over a decade.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">SQM Research director Louis Christopher said that while number is not likely to be that high – “normally when you get a high clearance rate you see high double digital capital growth” – he also believes the recovery is picking up steam.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">“Sydney is having a housing recovery, and it’s picking up pace,” Christopher says.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Until now, Christopher says, investors have been driving most of the market activity. With low interest rates, owner occupiers will be more willing to have a go.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">“Agents are definitely seeing more activity, and the sales activity is picking up for all capitals except for Hobart and Canberra,” he says.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">“I think we’ll start to see more first time buyers enter the market this year.”</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Melbourne is doing just as well. According to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria, clearance rates reached 70%.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Christopher says the only thing that can stop the property market at this point now is higher interest rates, “which won’t happen”.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">The Reserve Bank of Australia is expected by some economists – including those from Westpac – to cut rates at next month’s meeting.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Christopher says with higher capital growth and sustained sales, the spring selling season could be a strong one.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">“We’re seeing things pick up more and more now. The market is accelerating.”</p>
<em>This article oringally appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/property/056620-property-set-for-a-bumper-year-with-auctions-remaining-strong-in-sydney">SmartCompany</a>.</em>
</body></html>

Sydney auction clearance rates set the scene for a bumper spring selling season

<html><body>
<p>Consumer sentiment has remained mostly steady during July but remains downbeat overall compared to the same period in 2012, according to the latest Westpac Index of Consumer Sentiment.</p>
<p>But even though the overall confidence level has remained steady, there has been some movement within certain subsectors – with large decreases among renters, while those in the "managers and professionals" group recorded large increases.</p>
<p>The index fell 0.1% from 102.2 to 102.1 in July.</p>
<p>Westpac senior economist Matthew Hassan said in the report the survey suggests economic news such as the official cash rate remaining steady at 2.75%, and the falling dollar, could have boosted optimism about the future.</p>
<p>"The improved view on economic prospects, for example, may reflect shifting expectations for the US economy that have become more visible with the US Fed now contemplating 'tapering' its QE policy stimulus," he said.</p>
<p>"It may also reflect clearer signs of an upturn in parts of the local economy, the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/economy/056426-property-warms-up-as-mining-goes-off-the-boil">housing sector </a>in particular."</p>
<p>However, there were some disappointing results. Consumer confidence is weaker than at the start of the year – about 7.6% below the March peak.</p>
<p>The index tracking thoughts on "family finances versus a year ago" fell 5.6%. But the index tracking thoughts for economic conditions over the next five years rose 9.2% to above the average level over the past two years.</p>
<p>Hassan points out the downfall in consumers' thoughts about their own finances "highlights the fragility of sentiment".</p>
<p>"It is also somewhat concerning given that these components tend to be better predictors of shifts in actual spending," he said.</p>
<p>Of similar concern, Hassan said, is a downgrade in the "time to buy" index, which measures whether now is a good time to buy a household item. That index has fallen 1.7% overall, but the "time to buy a dwelling" index, and the "time to buy a car" index have fallen 8.4% and 10.3% respectively.</p>
<p>Given the lackluster demand, Hassan says it's time for another interest rate cut – and the bank expects one.</p>
<p>"We expect the Bank to cut rates by 25 basis points at its August meeting with two further 25bp reductions coming in the December and March quarters", he said.</p>
<p><em>This article originally appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/">SmartCompany</a>.</em></p>
</body></html>

Consumer sentiment downbeat compared to same time last year: Westpac index

<html><body>
<p>The property industry should brace for impact if Prime Minister Kevin Rudd decides to postpone the September election date to later in the year – and into the spring selling season.</p>
<p>The warning comes even though the property market has continued to perform quite strongly over the past few months, indicating a slow and steady recovery is at hand.</p>
<p>There is speculation among political circles Kevin Rudd could change the date, as after he took the leadership position he commented the September 14 date was not set in stone.</p>
<p>Andrew Wilson, chief economist at Australian Property Monitors, said while cyclical factors in the property market are likely to outweigh any political impact, “certainly things have changed”.</p>
<p>“We have less certainty now than we had a few weeks ago,” he says.</p>
<p>Wilson explains political elections tend to have more of an impact when there are major issues at stake – such as the 2007 election which is widely attributed to the introduction of the WorkChoices system.</p>
<p>The upcoming election features no such polarising issue, Wilson explains, but the return of Kevin Rudd to the prime ministership is a wild card. With several weeks until the election, there is still time for those issues to present themselves.</p>
<p>This means there is a possibility the property industry could still feel the impact of an election. During uncertain times, potential buyers are more likely to delay any purchasing decision.</p>
<p>“Given that we may now push the election into the spring season, we may see some moderating impact particularly if we see bigger policy differences, which now may be more likely,” he says.</p>
<p>“The game has changed.”</p>
<p>However, as Wilson points out, the property market has continued in its steady recovery.</p>
<p>According to the Real Estate Industry of Victoria, Melbourne recorded a 71% clearance rate this past weekend, compared to 58% in the same weekend last year. In Sydney, the city recorded a 77.5% clearance rate.</p>
<p>Wilson says given the strong recovery of the market the election won’t have much of an impact on sales overall, but acknowledges there could be some movement.</p>
<p>“There is a lot of enthusiasm and confidence in the market generally…but we just have more uncertainty now than we did a few weeks ago. There could be an impact.”</p>
<em>This article originally appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/">SmartCompany</a>.</em>
</body></html>

Election date change could impact property market: APM's Dr Andrew Wilson

<html><body>
<p>RM Williams Agricultural Holdings, which spent several million dollars buying a cattle station in the Northern Territory back in 2007 as part of a plan to build the world's largest carbon farm, has been placed in receivership.</p>
<p>The company was founded and is run by former News director Ken Cowley and counts Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman Rod Sims as a shareholder – although Sims was trying to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/economy/20110923-accc-chairman-rod-sims-to-sell-stake-in-agribusiness-group-part-owned-by-news-corporation">sell his stake as long ago as 2011</a>.</p>
<p>The ACCC was contacted, but no reply was available prior to publication.</p>
<p>PPB was appointed as receivers last week, at the behest of Westpac. Partner Steve Parbery said the investigation is still in its "early days".</p>
<p>The appointment comes as the company was attempting to build the world's largest carbon farm – it actually won a $9 million grant from the federal government to do so.</p>
<p>But the apparent failure of this project has sparked a warning from the Australian Farm Institute, which says the company's situation raises questions about the government's "Carbon Farming Initiative".</p>
<p>The CFI allows farmers and land managers to earn carbon credits by "storing" carbon or emissions in large areas of land. These credits can be sold to businesses wanting to offset their emissions.</p>
<p>RM Williams Agricultural Holdings was created, in part, to take advantage of the CFI. The business bought the Henbury Station in the Northern Territory for several million dollars, and received a federal grant in order to build the world's largest carbon farm.</p>
<p>News Corporation put $30 million into RM Williams Agricultural Holdings back in 2009.</p>
<p>Mick Keogh, executive director of the Australian Farming Institute, said it was never clear how the RM Williams project was ever intended to produce carbon credits.</p>
<p>"We've just remained completely confounded about it and why the Commonwealth put millions of dollars into it."</p>
<p>"We've never been able to sort out exactly how the project, under the known rules, was able to make credits."</p>
<p>In a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.farminstitute.org.au/_blog/Ag_Forum/post/need-for-carbon-caution-confirmed/" rel="nofollow">blog post on the AFI's website</a>, Keogh said the receivership should serve as a warning to any company involved with the Carbon Farming Initiative.</p>
<p>He writes that "in the absence of considerably more clarity about carbon prices and future carbon trading rules", the best option for landholders getting involved in a carbon project is to ensure the project structure transfers risk to the buyer of any carbon offsets generated.</p>
<p>However, Keogh says it is unknown whether the company collapsed due to any issues regarding the structure of the carbon deal.</p>
<p>"The fact that the Henbury project seems to have encountered difficulties should serve as a caution to landholders contemplating getting involved in a carbon project, but does not mean that the opportunities presented by the development of a carbon market should be completely ignored."</p>
<p>Parbery said it would be premature to determine whether RM Williams Agricultural Holdings had entered difficulties because of problems with the carbon farming plan.</p>
<p>"The shareholders and directors having been going through a capital raising which was unsuccessful...at that stage they called in the bank to seek the appointment of receivers."</p>
<p>"Our role at the moment is to keep things operational, and to keep the subsidiary companies operational. We are investigating those businesses as we speak."</p>
<p>RM Williams Agricultural Holdings also owns the Labelle Downs and Welltree stations in the Northern Territory, and the Mirage Plains and Inglewood Farms stations in Queensland.</p>
<p>The company is not related to its namesake fashion chain RM Williams, which was recently <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/retail/055119-rm-williams-sold-to-louis-vuitton-five-things-you-didn-t-know-about-the-iconic-company">sold to Louis Vuitton</a>.</p>
<em>This article originally appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au">SmartCompany</a>.</em>
</body></html>

RM Williams Agricultural Holdings is put into receivership

<html><body>
<p>The auctions market has ended the financial year on a solid note, with first-home buyers rushing to take advantage of federal and state-based grants before they are downgraded.</p>
<p>But one expert says the next financial year may not differ so much from the last, in that investors and buyers should expect a slow, drawn-out recovery rather than any short, frantic bursts of improvement.</p>
<p>"We're not expecting any major recovery for the Melbourne market," SQM Research managing director Louis Christopher said.</p>
<p>As for the rest of the country, Christopher's opinion was unwavering – most capital cities will perform over the next 12 months as they have in the past year, assuming interest rates and the dollar remain relatively stable.</p>
<p>"We're still expecting any recovery to be modest and moderate," he says.</p>
<p>According to the Real Estate Industry of Victoria, Melbourne recorded a clearance rate of 73%, compared to 69% last weekend and 55% during this weekend last year.</p>
<p>"The slight increase in the clearance rate this week may be due to the first-home owners grant for established dwellings coming to an end on the 30th, June 2013," chief executive Enzo Raimondo said in a statement.</p>
<p>Various changes are being made to state-based first home owners' grants, including in Victoria and Queensland.</p>
<p>Such changes mean the first home owners' market is likely to taper off over the next few months, Christopher says.</p>
<p>"Melbourne is likely to track Sydney's changes in that regard, meaning there was a drop off in first-home buying over the few months after those changes came into effect.</p>
<p>"There was also a slow and gradual build up after that period."</p>
<p>As for the rest of the year, Christopher says there isn't much reason to expect anything other than what we've seen in 2012-13. Melbourne is tipped to record 2-5% capital growth during this calendar year, while Sydney "is the market we're most bullish about".</p>
<p>"We're seeing fairly strong pricing action now," he says, with more expected in the next few months.</p>
<p>Canberra, however, is expected to remain under pressure, while Christopher says Brisbane is simply "treading water".</p>
<p>"There is no major recovery with lots of stock in the market...and that's likely to continue in the remaining half of the year."</p>
<p>This article first appeared on<a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/property/056271-auctions-strong-as-first-time-buyers-spend-big-for-last-minute-grants"> Smart Company</a>.</p>
</body></html>

Victorian first home buyer's market set to taper off: SQM

<p>Buyers considering a residence at boutique Gordon townhouse development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/lume-gordon-43-47-dumaresq-street-gordon-nsw-2072">Lume</a>&nbsp;now have another reason to bring forward their decision.</p>

<p>For a limited time, purchasers of a residence at Lume will receive a BMW iX3 50 electric SUV, valued at more than $120,000, as part of their purchase. The offer is designed to add value for buyers while complementing the lifestyle envisioned for the architecturally designed Upper North Shore development.</p>

<p>Scott Timmins, Development Manager at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/winim">WINIM</a>, said the partnership was created to provide buyers with a compelling reason to act.</p>

<p>"In today's market, buyers need a compelling reason to act now, and the BMW partnership was designed to create that catalyst. We wanted to add genuine value for our future purchasers. Choosing the all-electric BMW iX3 50 also reflects the values behind LUME, forward-thinking design, innovation and a more sustainable way of living. It's a premium incentive that complements the lifestyle our buyers aspire to and rewards those who commit early."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=374893]</p>

<p>Delivered by WINIM in partnership with Burtonwood Investment Partners, Lume comprises 14 architecturally designed two, three and four-bedroom townhomes created for families seeking the space of a freestanding house with the ease of modern, low-maintenance living.</p>

<p>The three-storey residences, designed by award-winning architecture practice <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, have been tailored for families and multi-generational living, featuring private internal lifts, flexible lower-level spaces, generous open-plan living and entertaining areas, media rooms, and landscaped outdoor spaces with custom outdoor kitchens.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Inside, engineered oak flooring, bespoke dining joinery with integrated wine fridges and backlit bars, sculptural porcelain bathrooms, Parisi freestanding baths and Astra Walker tapware create interiors that balance functionality with refined finishes.</p>

<p>Each townhome has been designed to combine generous internal spaces with sustainability initiatives such as EV charging infrastructure, while <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>'s landscaped communal areas, centred around a restored creek line and native planting, encourage residents to connect with nature and spend more time outdoors.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=269527]</p>

<p>Rothelowman's Gary Tsui said the architecture was conceived to respond carefully to its Upper North Shore setting.</p>

<p>"Our vision was to create elegant, uplifting homes that draw on and positively contribute to the local character through meticulously considered design and an interaction with the surroundings."</p>

<p>The communal landscape has been designed as more than an open space between homes. Arcadia's Ben Newell and Kate Phillips said the adjoining reserve provided an opportunity to create a distinctive natural retreat for residents.</p>

<p>"Just as waterways carve their way through Ku-ring-gai's landscape, a raised boardwalk weaves through the reserve, connecting the homes to this tranquil oasis."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=374892]</p>

<p>Located just 300 metres from <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/gordon-nsw-2072">Gordon</a> Village and Gordon railway station, Lume offers convenient access to Sydney's CBD while placing residents close to some of the North Shore's leading schools, including Ravenswood, Pymble Ladies' College and Knox Grammar. Lane Cove National Park, Gordon Golf Club and a range of cafés and restaurants further reinforce the family-focused lifestyle on offer, with the BMW iX3 50 complementing everything from local trips around Gordon to weekend drives and city commutes.</p>

<p>Construction is underway with completion expected in mid-2027.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=7354]</p>


Joel Robinson

Boutique Gordon townhomes now come with a BMW iX3 50

<p>Two apartments have sold for more than $10 million at EADE Byron Bay, setting some of the highest apartment prices ever achieved in the coastal town and underlining the growing appetite for luxury beachfront apartments in Australia's most popular coastal locations.</p>

<p>The $210 million project by Vitale Property Group has now secured more than $70 million in sales, led by residences that changed hands for $12.75 million and $11.75 million.</p>

<p>The record-breaking transactions reinforce the shift occurring in Byron Bay's premium property market, where affluent downsizers and lifestyle buyers are increasingly opting for high-end apartments over large beachfront homes.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/eade-byron-bay-29-shirley-street-byron-bay-nsw-2481">EADE Byron Bay</a> occupies a rare 6,000 sqm absolute beachfront site on the corner of Shirley and Milton Streets overlooking Main Beach and The Wreck surf break, just 350 metres from Byron Bay's town centre.</p>

<p>The 25-residence development is the first beachfront apartment project approved in Byron Bay in more than a decade and is currently under construction, with completion expected in May 2027.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359521]</p>

<p>The project has attracted a mix of local Byron Shire residents downsizing from larger homes, alongside interstate buyers from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane seeking a permanent coastal lifestyle without compromising on space.</p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hayball">Hayball</a> and with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/alexander-co">Alexander &amp; Co</a>, EADE comprises&nbsp;10 garden apartments ranging from 284 sqm to 622 sqm, nine with private pools, five full-floor apartments and 10 rooftop residences with private plunge pools, expansive outdoor entertaining areas and uninterrupted ocean views.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359527]</p>

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/vitale-property-group">Vitale Property Group</a> Managing Partner Chris Vitale said the project's combination of scale, location and limited future supply was driving buyer demand.</p>

<p>"There isn't another beachfront holding in Byron Bay of this size and position that could be developed again," Vitale said.</p>

<p>"Buyers are responding to the scarcity and the irreplaceability of a site of this calibre and to floorplans they can't find elsewhere in the market.</p>

<p>"We are seeing buyers place significant value on quality, space, design, resort-style amenities and the rarity of the location. The sales achieved to date demonstrate that discerning purchasers recognise the long-term significance of what is being created at EADE Byron Bay.</p>

<p>"Many are coming from larger homes in the Byron region, or from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and are after the space, security and convenience, without the upkeep of a house."</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359523]</p>

<p>The Byron Bay project follows Vitale Property Group's delivery of the Mondrian Hotel and Private Residences at Burleigh Heads, with EADE continuing the developer's focus on luxury coastal developments.</p>

<p>Residents will have access to a resort-style swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna, cold plunge pool, concierge services and dedicated workspaces, while the project is targeting an 8-Star Green Star rating.</p>

<p>EADE Byron Bay is being exclusively marketed by Projx Australia in conjunction with WHITEFOX Projects.</p>

<p>WHITEFOX National Projects Director Phillip Rand said demand had been driven predominantly by owner-occupiers.</p>

<p>"We are seeing buyers at EADE place significant value on quality, space, design, resort-style amenities and the rarity of this location," Rand says.</p>

<p>"The sales achieved to date demonstrate that purchasers at this level recognise the long-term significance of what is being created at EADE Byron Bay."</p>

<p>Residences at EADE Byron Bay are currently priced between $4.75 million and $15.95 million.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145590]</p>


Vitale breaks Byron Bay records with EADE sales flurry 

<p>When buying an apartment, most people compare the big-ticket items first. Floorplans. Kitchens. Balcony size. Natural light. The view.</p>

<p>But there's one everyday consideration that often doesn't come up until after moving in: how parcels are delivered.</p>

<p>As online shopping has become part of everyday life, parcel deliveries have shifted from an occasional event to a regular occurrence. Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally.</p>

<p>For apartment residents, that can present a challenge.</p>

<p>If nobody is home to accept a delivery, parcels may be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in a building lobby or common area, or require building management to step in. In higher-density buildings, where dozens or even hundreds of residents may receive deliveries each day, parcel management has become an increasingly important part of everyday living.</p>

<p>That can create a range of frustrations. A missed delivery often means making time to collect a parcel elsewhere, while packages left unattended in foyers or mail areas can create clutter and increase the risk of theft. What seems like a minor inconvenience can quickly become a recurring issue for residents who shop online regularly.</p>

<p>It's one of those details that rarely features in a display suite but can have a noticeable impact once residents move in.</p>

<p>As a result, buyers are beginning to look beyond traditional apartment features and consider how a building supports day-to-day convenience, including whether there are secure options for receiving deliveries.</p>

<p>Australia Post's Parcel Lockers provide one solution.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CkF2oKmlACg?si=C50sDaoUUn2nuLmq" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>Rather than having a parcel delivered directly to an apartment, eligible deliveries can be sent to a nominated Parcel Locker. Once the parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can collect it using a QR code or one-time PIN at a time that suits them.</p>

<p>The Parcel Locker network now includes more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with installations at Post Offices, shopping centres, transport hubs and an increasing number of residential developments. By providing a secure collection point, Parcel Lockers help reduce missed deliveries and avoid parcels being left unattended in common areas.</p>

<p>For developers, parcel infrastructure is becoming another way to improve the resident experience. Rather than relying on concierge staff or leaving parcels in communal spaces, secure collection points help streamline deliveries while preserving the presentation and functionality of shared areas.</p>

<p>For buyers, it's a reminder that the best apartment features aren't always the most obvious.</p>

<p>A generous floorplan or quality finishes might help narrow the shortlist, but the conveniences that simplify everyday life, whether that's EV charging, secure bike storage or reliable parcel delivery, often become the features residents appreciate most once they're living there.</p>


The apartment feature many buyers don't think about, until their first missed delivery

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hg-developments">HG Developments</a> is doubling down on Maud Street in Newstead, filing plans for a new apartment tower just a few doors down from its under-construction Aire Newstead development.</p>

<p>Recently submitted to Brisbane City Council, the proposal is for an 18-storey building designed by bureau^proberts, which has drawn heavily on Brisbane's subtropical design principles while referencing the suburb's industrial heritage.</p>

<p>A total of 64 apartments are planned for the amalgamated 1,518 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/17-21-maud-street-newstead-qld-4006">17–21 Maud Street</a>, a short walk from the Brisbane River and Newstead Riverwalk.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: HG Developments plans 18-storey subtropical apartment tower for Newstead" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a400c7fd-bd15-48f8-a63b-10ede92efe00" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Maud%20st%20bldg.png?VersionId=.0vPmjpbC7CNP7kqGWa6L7rGIwsNExaw" /></p>

<p>"The building is defined by a series of vaulted motifs that reinterpret the arches, colonnades and layered facades evident throughout Newstead's historic built fabric," the Urban Design Report states.</p>

<p>"Combined with recessed glazing and generous balconies, these elements create a layered building envelope that provides shade, weather protection and opportunities for natural ventilation whilst establishing a distinctive architectural identity."</p>

<p>The proposal comprises 64 two, three and four-bedroom apartments across 18 residential levels, positioning it alongside a growing number of taller residential projects transforming Newstead's northern precinct. The tower incorporates extensive subtropical landscaping, with cascading planter boxes, deep planting at street level and a landscaped rooftop recreation area.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: HG Developments plans 18-storey subtropical apartment tower for Newstead" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1d8140f4-8b98-45cd-b1b8-1efe8c8e266b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Maud%20st%20podium.png?VersionId=VAZtbCoD44YCJ57N99fQCAKeSJx7ldZs" /></p>

<p>Bureau Proberts has prioritised passive environmental design throughout the project, with generous balconies, recessed glazing and operable façades helping reduce solar heat gain while maximising natural ventilation. River views become available from the upper levels, while the building has been orientated to capture prevailing breezes from both the Brisbane River and the west.</p>

<p>The architects say landscape is intended to be integral to the building rather than an applied element.</p>

<p>"Vertical greenery, cascading planter boxes and elevated gardens are woven throughout the architecture, softening the built form and strengthening the connection between residents and the subtropical environment."</p>

<p>"Through the integration of landscape, high-quality materials and passive design principles, the development delivers a refined residential address that celebrates Newstead's heritage character while contributing positively to Brisbane's evolving subtropical identity."</p>

<p>Newstead has remained one of Brisbane's most active apartment markets in recent years, with a number of developers continuing to back the inner-city suburb.</p>

<p>HG Developments is currently delivering the 40-apartment Aire Newstead at 25 Maud Street. Fortis recently launched the 65-apartment <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-walker-newstead-12-kyabra-street-newstead-qld-4006">Crest &amp; Walker</a> on Kyabra Street, while builder-developer BPG and Don O'Rorke's Consolidated Properties are both expected to launch their respective Newstead projects before the end of the year.</p>


HG Developments doubles down in Newstead with second Maud Street apartment development

<p>Walk past a new apartment development promoting its sustainability credentials and it's easy to picture rooftop gardens, mature trees, landscaped courtyards and residents surrounded by nature.</p>

<p>But in many cases, that's not actually what those sustainability ratings guarantee.</p>

<p>Australia's leading environmental rating tools have played a significant role in improving the energy efficiency and environmental performance of buildings. Yet despite their focus on reducing emissions, many don't require developers to include trees, biodiversity or meaningful green space.</p>

<p>In other words, a building can achieve one of the country's highest sustainability ratings while containing little more than concrete, glass and hard landscaping.</p>

<p>That disconnect has led to the emergence of a new movement across Australia's property industry: nature-based cities.</p>

<p>The concept goes beyond designing buildings that consume less energy. Instead, it encourages developers to treat nature as essential infrastructure, integrating biodiversity, tree canopy, living landscapes and green spaces into projects from the earliest stages of planning.</p>

<p>Research has consistently linked access to nature with better physical and mental health, cooler neighbourhoods, improved biodiversity, stronger climate resilience and more connected communities. As Australia's cities continue to become denser, advocates say those outcomes should be considered just as important as energy efficiency.</p>

<p>Nature Based Cities (NBC) was established in 2022 to help accelerate that shift.</p>

<p>Founded by Hamton Executive Chairman Paul Hameister OAM, the not-for-profit was created after research highlighted a significant gap in Australia's sustainability framework. While existing environmental rating tools rewarded energy performance and emissions reductions, they placed little emphasis on the inclusion of living landscapes.</p>

<p>"We've always wanted to do more, and we know other developers who want to do more, but the ESD rating tools just aren't there," Hameister says.</p>

<p>"In Australia, you can have a five-green-star rated building that's concrete and glass with not a blade of grass.</p>

<p>"The focus is on reducing emissions, which is laudable, but there hasn't been enough attention paid to protecting and re-establishing nature. We need both for the health of the environment and for communities."</p>

<p>Since its launch, NBC has developed independent design guidelines and accreditation frameworks that encourage developers to prioritise ecology, biodiversity, tree canopy, walkability and living landscapes alongside traditional sustainability measures. The organisation first focused on medium and high-density residential developments before recently expanding into precinct-scale communities and masterplanned neighbourhoods.</p>

<p>Jan Talacko, founder of sustainability consultancy Ark Resources and a member of the Nature Based Cities Advisory Council, says the initiative addresses an area that has largely been overlooked by the property industry.</p>

<p>"Throughout my 25 years of working collaboratively with all stakeholders in the property sector, I've always favoured a pragmatic approach to sustainable design which encourages initiatives that not only meet environmental expectations but also improve amenity," Talacko says.</p>

<p>"Whilst we are making steady progress in relation to energy and carbon emissions from buildings, there has been much less emphasis on encouraging biodiversity and tackling the urban heat island effect.</p>

<p>"The Nature Based Cities initiative responds to a gap in the suite of tools currently used by the property development sector, which don't provide sufficient incentive, or recognition, for the integration of landscaping and greenery."</p>

<p>For apartment buyers, the shift is also changing the questions worth asking.</p>

<p>Rather than assuming a sustainable building will naturally include abundant green space, buyers are increasingly being encouraged to look beyond environmental ratings and ask what nature is actually being delivered. How much tree canopy will the development create? Has biodiversity been considered? Are landscaped spaces designed for people as well as appearance?</p>

<p>As Australia's cities continue to grow upwards and outwards, the next generation of sustainability may not simply be measured by lower emissions, but by how successfully developments bring nature back into everyday urban life.</p>


Patrick Stafford

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News