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Confidence in the CBD hotels sector outweighs office and retail for the year ahead by sector, according the NAB Quarterly Australian Commercial Property Survey Q1 2016, which noted the Commercial Property Index fell to +12 points but is above the long term average.
According to the report all markets are tracking above long-term average levels, except CBD Hotels, which it continues to out-perform the broader market. 
NAB chief economist Alan Oster said Property professionals in the CBD hotels sector are also the most confident in the next year, followed by office and retail.
"However, confidence levels are broadly similar across all market sector participants in 2 years’ time," he said.
"By state, sentiment improved in NSW and it continues to lead the country by some margin, led by a strong contribution from the Office sector. Sentiment also improved a little in WA, but remains deeply negative and by far the worst performing state, dragged down by chronically under-performing Office and Industrial property markets. Sentiment was lower in all other states. 
“Property professionals in NSW are the most optimistic in the next 2 years, but those in Victoria are expecting the biggest improvement. WA remains the most pessimistic state, but only just ahead of SA/NT." 
On average, capital values are expected to increase most for CBD hotels in the next 1-2 years (1.4 percent &amp; 3.4 percent). 
"Office rents are expected to grow 1.1 percent and 1.5 percent in the next 1-2 years, led by  NSW and to a lesser extent Victoria. Significantly, for developers intending to start new projects, a survey low 38 percent indicated they were targeting residential developments, down from 54percent in Q4, presumably reflecting the over build in apartment markets,” he said. 
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<img src="/images/2016/04/27/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-27%20at%201.26.06%20PM.png" alt="">
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po-LsXgBTHBmX

CBD hotel confidence leads office, retail: NAB

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Financial services company Computershare has listed its two level global headquarters for sale in Melbourne with frontage to Johnston Street and the Yarra River.
The site, 452-484 Johnston Street, comprises 16,920 square metres of Commercial 2 zoned land, two levels of commercial office space totaling circa 16,000sqm and space for around 485 cars.
Real estate firm Pepper Group will act Computershare’s behalf, with the sale through CBRE’s Mark Wizel, Mark Coster, Tim Grosmann and Kiran Pillai.
Computershare will take an initial seven-year, triple net leaseback over the facility with options until 2029. The commencing rental is $5.3 million per annum.
The expressions of interest campaign closes May 26, 2016.
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Computershare's Melbourne headquarters listed for sale

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GUEST OBSERVATION
If you’re looking to invest in property, it’s important to understand what gearing is and how you can use it to maximise the returns on your investment.
Gearing is where you borrow funds to invest in property, shares or other types of investments. It allows you to increase the amount you have to invest and offers a range of potential tax benefits.
What is negative gearing?
Negative gearing occurs when the expenses on your investment are higher than the income you receive. As your investment is making a loss, you may be able to offset your expenses against other income such as salary or wages, potentially reducing your tax.
For example, if your mortgage repayments and the costs of managing your investment property are more than the rent you receive from tenants, your property could be negatively geared.
In addition to taxation benefits, negative gearing offers an opportunity to make a long-term profit through capital gains—where the value of your property increases greater than the costs.
What is positive gearing?
Positive gearing is when the rent from your investment property is higher than costs such as loan repayments, interest, property maintenance and rates. It tends to happen at times when rental rates are high and interest rates are low.
Understanding the risks
Negative gearing can be more risky than positive gearing and is only recommended when capital gains are expected in the long-term. If the value of your property falls or interest rates increase, you may need to pay additional costs that aren’t covered by potential tax deductions.
Gearing is complicated and it’s best to talk to a financial planner and accountant for professional advice before making any long-term commitment.
Tax deductions on your investment property
There is a range of potential tax benefits available on your investment property.
Expenses you may be able to claim include:
<ul>
<li>Advertising for tenants</li>
<li>Insurance</li>
<li>Some legal expenses</li>
<li>Body corporate fees and charges</li>
<li>Property agent fees and commissions, as well as travel costs to inspect the property</li>
<li>Land tax</li>
<li>Capital works and decline in value of depreciating assets</li>
<li>Repairs and maintenance</li>
<li>Cleaning, pest control, gardening and lawn mowing</li>
<li>Council and water rates.</li>
</ul>
Some costs can be claimed immediately and others can be claimed as depreciation over a number of years. You’ll need to keep records of all expenses, plus legal records of property ownership for at least five years.
Visit the <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/" target="_blank">Australian Tax Office (ATO)</a> for the latest information on what you can claim, or talk to your accountant for tax advice that’s specific to your situation.
For more information, <a href="https://www.commbank.com.au" target="_blank">click here</a>.
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Property 101: Negative gearing and tax

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The south west residential market in the Australian Capital Territory leads the latest National Top 20 Building and Population Hotspots from the Housing Industry Association with an annual population growth rate of 127.3 percent and 216,488,000 residential building approvals in 2014/15.
HIA Economist Diwa Hopkins said total of more than 220,000 new dwellings were commenced last year with a strong performance among housing Hotspots across Australia. 
“The report identifies a total of 602 Hotspots spread right across Australia’s eight states and territories. Nearly all jurisdictions were represented amongst the National Top 20 Hotspots,” she said. 
<a href="/images/2016/04/27/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-27%20at%209.19.24%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/04/27/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-27%20at%209.19.24%20AM.png" alt="">
The report found six top 20 hotspots in Victoria, five in Western Australia , four in NSW two each in QLD and the ACT and one in the Northern Territory. 
A hotspot is defined as a local area where population growth exceeds the national average and where the value of residential building work approved is in excess of $100 million, according to the HIA.
The report found the ACT’s South West area was the country’s top hotspot yet again, with $216.5 million worth of new residential building approved and its population more than doubling.
"In second place was Cranbourne East in Melbourne’s southeast, where the population increased by 32.0 per cent and some $328.7 million worth of new residential building was approved. Rounding off the national Top 3 was Cobbitty-Leppington in the southwest of Sydney," Diwa Hopkins said. 
“In the final analysis, the fact that ten of the Top 20 Hotspots are located in NSW and Victoria speaks volumes. These two states have been the engines of the strong upturn in new home building over the last few years. It is also encouraging to see WA still perform strongly this time at the national level, considering the difficulties arising from the natural resources downturn.".
 
<a href="/images/2016/04/27/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-27%20at%209.14.11%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/04/27/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-27%20at%209.14.11%20AM.png" alt="">
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Where are the hottest markets for housing? HIA

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Architects, sustainability experts and influential property executives are amongst those chosen as the judging panel for this year's retail-focused Living Building Challenge design competition.  
The judges will select a winner based on the entry that best responds to the question, ‘what does the world’s most sustainable retail centre look like?’  
Living Future Institute of Australia (LFIA)Vice-Chair Stephen Choi said the judges for The Brickworks Living Building Challenge design competition are well known and highly respected, not just in property circles but in different industries and in different capacities. 
"Each is a genuine thought leader and we appreciate their commitment,” Mr Choi said. 
"It is time for ‘best practice’ in retail centre development to mean much more than simply enabling natural airflow and daylight. 
“The shopping centre of the future is one that attracts even more foot traffic, is a place to be enjoyed, is aesthetically pleasing, functions beautifully, promotes positive health and wellbeing for visitors and employees, and has a net positive impact on its environment."
Over 40 registrations for the Brickworks Living Building Challenge design competition have been received since the competition was launched in Melbourne last month.
The Brickworks Living Building Challenge design competition is coordinated by the LFIA, the local arm of the Seattle-based International Living Future Institute. Frasers Property Australia is the Principal Partner for the design competition and the company’s Brickworks site in Melbourne is the subject retail centre for entrants to apply their progressive thinking to. 
The judging panel includes:
Caroline Pidcock - Director of architectural firm PIDCOCK – Architecture + Sustainability
<img src="/images/2016/04/27/carolone.jpg" alt="" width="572" height="449">
Kate Doyle – as CEO of the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA), Ms Doyle has worked extensively with the educators, curators and communicators that shape Australia’s architectural landscape. 
<img src="/images/2016/04/27/doyle.jpg" alt="" width="559" height="413">
John Romano – Mr Romano has clocked up an impressive 30 years with Telstra in a variety of senior positions and currently heads up Telstra’s Property division. 
<img src="/images/2016/04/27/John_Romano.jpg" alt="">
Daryl Browning – As CEO of ISPT, Mr Browning has accumulated more than 30 years’ experience in the property investment and management sector, including in financial services and funds management. 
<img src="/images/2016/04/27/daryl_browning.jpg" alt="">
Natalie Isaacs – Having founded 1 Million Women in 2009, Ms Isaacs has helped shape how women and girls fight climate change by changing the way they live, with the movement now around 400,000 women strong - and counting. 
 
Peri Macdonald – Currently the General Manager - Retail at Frasers Property Australia, Mr Macdonald has been involved in the acquisition, development and management of over $1 billion of new and redeveloped neighbourhood and sub-regional shopping centres across Australia. 
 <img src="/images/2016/04/27/Frasers_Property_PeriMacdonald_05-2.jpg" alt="" width="664" height="531">
Entries close on May 6.
For more information, <a href="https://living-future.org.au/the-brickworks-living-building-challenge-design-competition/" target="_blank">click here</a> or <a href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/forward-planning/tools/ebooks-and-webinars/52152-australia-aspires-to-global-green-leadership-the-living-building-challenge" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;">download our eBook</a>.
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Judging panel appointed to world's first retail based sustainability design challenge

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ASIC has permanently banned Mr Hardik Bhimani, of Sheidow Park, South Australia, from providing financial services after an investigation found he had misappropriated advice fees owed to his employer, charged his clients excessive fees, and failed to provide a client with statements of advice.
Mr Bhimani was employed in New South Wales as a senior financial planning manager, and later a senior financial planner, with National Australia Bank Limited (NAB) between 1 April 2011 and 4 November 2013. He worked in NAB's financial planning business, NAB Financial Planning.
Between 5 December 2012 and 7 August 2013, ASIC found that Mr Bhimani:
<ul>
<li>engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct by creating and supplying NAB with 'non-standard fee forms' indicating the applicable fees payable by the clients had been waived, and then made arrangements for the clients to deposit the advice fees into his personal NAB bank account;</li>
<li>charged clients excessive fees;</li>
<li>failed to provide a client with statements of advice; and</li>
<li>engaged in repeated breaches of the standards expected of a person in his position.</li>
</ul>
ASIC also found reason to believe that Mr Bhimani was not of good fame and character.
NAB alerted ASIC to Mr Bhimani's conduct and fully refunded the advice fees to the affected clients.
ASIC Deputy Chairman Peter Kell said that ASIC would not tolerate this type of behaviour.
'ASIC will continue to protect consumers by removing those who engage in misleading and deceptive conduct from the industry', he said.
Mr Bhimani has the right to appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for a review of ASIC's decision.
Background
This outcome is a result of ASIC's Wealth Management Project. The Wealth Management Project was established in October 2014 with the objective of lifting standards by major financial advice providers. The Wealth Management Project focuses on the conduct of the largest financial advice firms (NAB, Westpac, CBA, ANZ, AMP and Macquarie).
ASIC's work in the Wealth Management Project covers a number of areas including:
(i) working with the largest financial advice firms to address the identification and remediation of non-compliant advice.
(ii) seeking regulatory outcomes where appropriate against Licensees and advisers.
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ASIC permanently bans former NAB financial planner 

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Public comments and submissions are invited on a proposed new fee structure for the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
The existing regulations governing fees at VCAT are set to expire on 30 June 2016. The government is taking this opportunity to design a new fee structure that will more accurately reflect the cost of operating VCAT and more fairly distribute the proportion of that cost that is paid for by users.
In accordance with the Victorian Guide to Regulation, the government now seeks the views of the public on the proposed regulations, in the hope that their quality and usefulness can be improved by integrating the information and perspectives of the community.
Submissions
Public comments and submissions are invited on the attached Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) and proposed regulations. Submissions must be received no later than 5pm on Monday, 2 May 2016. The submissions will be considered before the proposed regulations are made.
All submissions will be treated as public documents, will be provided to the Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee, and are subject to legislation such as the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
For more information, <a href="https://myviews.justice.vic.gov.au/vcat-fees-regulations-2016" target="_blank">click here</a>.
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Property 101: Submissions open for new VCAT fee structure

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Attendees to the Wakelin webinar mid-week on Wednesday were told when is a pre-purchase building inspection a must, what they entail, how to interpret the results and what defects can be fixed and which ones should prompt you to walk away from a potential buy.
To watch the webinar in full <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPGVlbSHKvo" target="_blank">click here</a>.
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Property 101: When is a pre-purchase building inspection a must

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Across Darwin over the three months to December 2015, 13.5 percent of homes resold at a loss compared to 17.3 percent at the end of the previous quarter and 10.2 percent a year ago.
The relatively less developed Litchfield region has recorded the highest proportion of loss-making resales over the quarter at 22.7 percent compared to 12.7 percent in both the Darwin and Palmerston council areas.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2016/03/30/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-30%20at%203.32.52%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2016/03/30/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-30%20at%203.32.52%20PM.png" alt="">
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 Resale loss for residential Darwin property slowing: CoreLogic RP Data Pain & Gain

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Trust account dealings and rooming house operators came under the microscope of Consumer Affairs Victoria in the second half of 2015.
Consumer Affairs Victoria Director Simon Cohen has released the regulator's Half Year Report, which details hundreds of inspections of estate agents and rooming house operators state-wide – resulting in fines, estate agent licence suspensions and jail sentences.
The state’s 4,370 trust accounts are held by more than 2600 estate agents and are worth nearly $2.1 billion.
During the second half of last year, Consumer Affairs Victoria issued 54 infringements to estate agents for failing to get their trust accounts audited within three months of the end of their reporting cycle or failing to submit a copy of the audit report to Consumer Affairs Victoria within 10 business days of receiving it. Penalties ranged from $948 to $1820.
Court action was taken against 16 estate agents over trust account deficiencies, resulting in penalties including a licence suspension of nine years for an agent who caused trust account deficiencies of $37,000. In February 2016, Huntingdale estate agent Anthony Brancatella was sentenced to a 40-month jail sentence for trust account offences of nearly $2 million.
“Victorians put their trust in estate agents to sell their home. While most estate agents are doing the right thing, those who don’t meet their trust account obligations can expect to be investigated,” Mr Cohen said.
“Buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants rely on estate agents to deal with deposits and bonds honestly and scrupulously. Any deviation from strict probity requirements is a serious matter.”
Rooming house operators also came under scrutiny. Consumer Affairs Victoria will inspect all 1,100 rooming houses this financial year, to ensure compliance with minimum standards and the state’s rental laws.
In the second half of 2015, 376 rooming houses throughout Victoria were inspected, and 48 re-inspections were completed to make sure any problems found were quickly addressed.
“Rooming house standards are there to protect the state’s most vulnerable residents, and these are enforced by Consumer Affairs Victoria inspectors.”
In October, following a Consumer Affairs Victoria prosecution, the Magistrates’ Court awarded $800 compensation to a rooming house resident after SLM Housing Pty Ltd interfered with the resident’s rights by withdrawing a fridge from his room with the aim of causing the resident to leave. SLM Housing Pty Ltd was also fined $3000 by the Court. 
Consumer Affairs Victoria has commenced further proceedings in Sunshine Magistrates’ Court against the same operator, which is facing 158 charges in relation to alleged breaches of the minimum standards at rooming houses it operates.
For more information <a href="https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au" target="_blank">click here</a>.
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Property 101: Trust account dealings, rooming house operators under microscope

Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.

The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.

The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.

The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" />

SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.

“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.

The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.

“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" />

The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.

Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.

The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.

COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" />

“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.

The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.

The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.

Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a>

Joel Robinson

First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has revealed plans for a new mixed-use tower at 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, advancing a proposal that would reshape the southern gateway to Newcastle’s city centre with one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.

The State Significant Development proposal, now on exhibition, seeks approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bowline-10-dangar-street-wickham-nsw-2293">43-storey tower</a> immediately adjacent to the Newcastle Interchange. The project would deliver around 200 apartments, including 42 affordable housing dwellings, alongside 99 co-living units, a 171-room hotel, retail space, and new public domain integrated through the site.

The scheme marks a significant escalation of plans previously approved for the site. Urban Property Group took over the prominent 2,904 sqm parcel, where excavation and demolition had already commenced under an earlier consent for a 14-storey mixed-use development.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58a96dd9-407f-4d20-86b4-94e4bfeef74b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20podium.png?VersionId=LGlf08pdFGAZDzvx_CXC4XakHNZRuEE0" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the tower has been conceived as a landmark transit-oriented development anchored to the Newcastle Interchange precinct. The proposal includes 245 build-to-sell apartments across a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as two penthouses. Fifteen apartments and one operational unit are earmarked for NDIS housing. The co-living component would add a further 99 units, while the podium would accommodate retail uses and hotel facilities.

SJB said the site presents “a valuable opportunity to anchor the precinct by setting the standard for design, active ground planes and character at the key southern gateway.”

The architecture responds directly to the site’s position beside major transport infrastructure and within one of Newcastle’s fastest-evolving urban renewal precincts. The tower form sits above a sculpted podium designed to frame new public spaces, including a through-site pedestrian link connecting Station Street to Hannell Street, landscaped plazas, and activated retail edges.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7bd6ff0-f7db-4ce8-a6dc-ea56e72c6149" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20lanne.png?VersionId=xzf39VADyhj7zBQY2I9fx9vI62u2tuSb" />

The design report describes the project as part of the broader transition of Wickham into “a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use urban precinct” that leverages proximity to the station, open space, and regional connectivity.

A detailed public art strategy has also been prepared for the development. The strategy positions the project as “a transit-oriented development of state significance at the gateway to Newcastle’s city centre” and outlines a series of integrated artworks responding to Newcastle’s industrial and transport heritage.

Creative Road’s curatorial framework for the project, titled Unveil, draws on “stratified surfaces, carved volumes, and light-filled apertures” while referencing Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial city into a contemporary education and technology hub.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77a882bb-14b1-4d28-99ff-9438e39508c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20site.png?VersionId=cevgo_vN0eKPK78P8YcEu3mKPLkpFqE7" />

The proposal is being advanced through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway after being declared State Significant Development in June 2025. The accompanying scoping report states the development aims to “maximise the site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange by delivering transit-oriented development” while increasing housing supply and affordable housing provision within the Newcastle LGA.

Urban Property Group’s plans align with the long-term strategic vision established under the Wickham Master Plan, which identified the interchange precinct as suitable for substantial uplift in height and density. The current proposal would significantly intensify that vision, positioning the tower among the tallest developments proposed for Newcastle.

The site sits immediately north of the Newcastle Interchange, bounded by Dangar Street, Hannell Street, and Charles Street. It is surrounded by a rapidly growing cluster of residential towers and mixed-use projects that have emerged following the completion of the light rail and transport interchange.

First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s latest tower at Wickham interchange

Bottega House has completed settlement of a landmark riverfront site in Macquarie Street, St Lucia, representing its first major Brisbane development.&nbsp;

Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">premium site at 180 Macquarie Street</a> features uninterrupted river frontage in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held residential precincts.&nbsp;

The proposed development, currently under assessment with Brisbane City Council, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and will deliver a boutique collection of premium residences positioned specifically for owner occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;

The residences are set to redefine luxury apartment living in the area, with a focus on architectural quality, refined finishes, landscape integration and elevated amenities including curated wellness facilities, resort-style pools and recreation spaces rarely seen in the local market.&nbsp;

Exclusive sales for the project will be led by Keenan &amp; Byrne, ahead of an anticipated launch later this year.&nbsp;

Bottega House Managing Director Nick Malloch said the project reflects the group’s ambition to deliver a highly curated residential offering within one of Brisbane’s most tightly held precincts.&nbsp;

“This is an incredibly rare riverfront opportunity and one we have approached with a long-term perspective,” Malloch said.&nbsp;

“Our vision from the outset was to create a boutique collection of residences that feel more like private homes than traditional apartments, with generous proportions, refined finishes and exceptional amenity throughout."

Malloch says there is a&nbsp;lack of premium owner-occupier stock of this quality in the market, particularly for downsizers wanting space, privacy and a true lifestyle offering without compromise.&nbsp;

"Demand is expected to be strong given the scarcity of premium riverfront opportunities of this nature within Brisbane’s inner-west."&nbsp;

Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

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The arrival of the first piling rig officially marks the commencement of construction at SIERA’s new beachside apartment development, Exhale, in Northcliffe.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a>, a glass-encased tower featuring 54 large-scale apartments at 8 Enderley Avenue, is SIERA’s third Gold Coast development. It follows the recently completed PIPIS Bilinga beachfront project, which achieved suburb-record prices, and the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island development, Tapestry.

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<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/siera">SIERA</a> Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson said the arrival of the piling rig represented a significant milestone for the development, which is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

Over the next month, around 260 piles are expected to be installed as work progresses on the basement structure. The building is anticipated to rise above ground level early next year, before unveiling its sculptural glass curtain wall, developed in collaboration with specialist façade engineers.

“The façade was designed to maximise panoramic coastal views while creating a distinctive architectural identity,” Thompson said.

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Designed by BDA Architecture, Exhale will comprise just 54 two- and three-bedroom residences across 26 levels, a level of low-density living rarely delivered in this beachside pocket between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

The project has been conceived as a resident-only building, with no short-stay accommodation permitted. SIERA says the model is intended to appeal to long-term owner-occupiers rather than transient holiday demand.

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Residences have been designed with large-format layouts and expansive glazing, with most apartments featuring more than 30 metres of glass frontage to maximise natural light and ocean views.

The amenity offering spans two levels and centres on wellness and lifestyle, including a heated magnesium pool, sauna, yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, private dining facilities, cinema lounge, and dedicated surfcraft storage.

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More than half of the apartments have already sold. SIERA has also opened a sales gallery for Exhale at its Chevron Island commercial premises, near its Tapestry tower and the site of its second Chevron Island apartment development, which is slated to launch in early 2027.
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SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

Local Little Bay residents, along with buyers from premium postcodes across Sydney’s affluent Eastern Suburbs, have dominated purchases in developer-builder Urban Property Group’s first Eastern Suburbs apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a>.

The $250 million coastal project, one of the first new developments in the area in several years, has proven particularly popular with downsizers, especially those from Coogee and Bondi. One Double Bay downsizer paid $4.7 million for a four-bedroom penthouse, setting a new local apartment price record in the process.

Buyers have been attracted to the combination of coastal tranquillity, premium design and amenity-rich neighbourhood living. The walkable village setting, along with proximity to three of Sydney’s leading golf courses, New South Wales Golf Club, St Michael’s Golf Club and The Coast Golf Club, has also been a key drawcard.

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Built across two low-rise buildings designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hill-thalis-architecture-urban-projects-pty-ltd">Hill Thalis</a> and set along a lush, landscaped green spine, designed by leading landscape architect <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>, ESTE Little Bay offers a collection of one, two, three and four-bedroom residences with interiors by Richards Stanisich.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> Sales Director, Tom McIvor said the response to ESTE has been "nothing short of extraordinary."

“Buyers have been quick to recognise ESTE as a rare opportunity to invest in a coastal sanctuary that offers both seclusion and connectivity to the heart of Sydney,” McIvor said.

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<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">SRM Residential</a> Senior Director, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">Clayton Ross</a> said the local market has responded incredibly well, driven by ESTE’s exceptional location and the rarity it offers.

“We’ve seen strong interest from a variety of buyer groups, all of whom are drawn to the exclusivity and quality of the build and construction by the 4.5-star iCIRT-rated builder / developer, Urban Property Group. There’s truly nothing else like it along Sydney’s coastline.”

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The project also includes robust buyer protections, including Resilience Insurance’s Latent Defects Insurance, providing 10 years of structural cover, and an independent iCIRT-rating of the developer.

“The iCIRT-rating adds another layer of confidence,” Ross added. “Buyers see it as a safeguard for their investment and their lifestyle.” A highlight of ESTE’s offering is its exclusive wellness amenities, including a heated rooftop infinity pool and outdoor heated spa, a state-of-the-art Technogym fitness centre, and a sauna.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a> is topped out and is on track to complete towards the end of 2026, with residents moving in before Christmas.

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