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A Minyama riverfront house with 24m of water frontage has been sold for $3.355 million.
The five bedroom, four bathroom house is situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-minyama-132408046" target="_blank">136 Mooloolah Drive, Minyama, Queensland</a>. 
Rebecca Fletcher of Next Property Group Maroochydore sold the north facing property. 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/2/5/minyama%203.jpg" alt="">
Sitting on a 1,008sqm block, the contemporary style home features multiple living spaces, cinema, designer kitchen, and outdoor entertaining area. 
Other highlights include saltwater pool, soaring kitchen, 15m pontoon, and room for caravan. 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/2/5/minyama%202.jpg" alt="">
The location of the home is within close proximity to schools, shops and local transport. 
It last sold for $3.03 million in 2012. 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Riverfront Minyama trophy home sold

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EXPERT OBSERVER
A strong economy in the ACT has helped deliver solid capital growth for houses in recent years with moderate price increases and a good medium to long-term outlook expected.
According to the latest RiskWise Property Research Risks &amp; Opportunities Report, the economic growth rate of 4 per cent eclipsed the rest of the country and provided a strong indication of its future.
This was supported by healthy levels of both private capital expenditure and government expenditure.
As projected in our previous Risks and Opportunities report, the ACT housing market delivered solid capital growth in recent years.
While this growth is more moderate since the second half of 2017, the current growth remains solid and the market is showing resilience.
This is largely driven by solid economic growth and a relatively low level of effective unemployment which sits at 3.3 per cent, compared to Australia with 5.3 per cent.
These conditions are favourable for a strong housing market and make it an attractive destination for property buyers.
He said recent developments in relation to the housing market, such as lower interest rates (with another expected in early 2020) and some loosening of credit restrictions, had encouraged moderate price increases and a good medium to long-term outlook.
The ACT also enjoys a high investor serviceability ratio which has significantly benefited investors who have found it easy to service their loans relative to the rest of the property market,
However, the case is not the same for the unit market which is suffering from an increased number of new dwellings relative to its population growth.
Combined with an overall preference for houses over units, this presents a greater risk for units.
Units delivered only 3.9 per cent capital growth in the past three years, (way below the capital growth of houses with 14.5 per cent), mainly driven by an increased number of properties in the pipeline.
So, the risk associated with units is higher than houses, particularly in high-supply areas such as Gungahlin (where there are 315 units in the pipeline at 20.6 per cent of the current stock).
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Healthy outlook for ACT housing market: RiskWise's Doron Peleg

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EXPERT OBSERVER
While houses in Tasmania have enjoyed exceptional price growth in recent years, there has been a marked drop in this increase which is highly likely to continue.
According to the latest RiskWise Property Research Risks &amp; Opportunities Report, and as projected in previous reports, the Tasmanian market has been experiencing decelerated price growth over the past year.
One of the key reasons for the deceleration was that the state remained less affordable than five of the states and territories (in price-to-income ratio) making the market less attractive to investors and owner-occupiers.
Other factors include the economic growth of Tasmania, which is ranked fifth in Australia, having the lowest median weekly wage and low annual wage growth of 2.3 per cent.
As house prices continue to rise, they are becoming less affordable due to the low median household income and less affordability means less demand, which affects price growth.
Houses in the southern state had enjoyed exceptional capital growth in recent years due to low supply, affordability, lack of attractive investment destinations at the time, i.e. the Sydney and Melbourne markets, a tighter rental market and strong rental returns.
However, while houses in Tasmania are expected to deliver positive capital growth in the short term, the market has been experiencing decelerated price growth and we expect this to continue in 2020 with some areas likely to deliver very low or negative capital growth.
It should also be noted that the recovery of the Melbourne market, with its strong fundamentals and affordability in a number of areas, such as the Western suburbs and Geelong, are providing more attractive investment opportunities than Tasmania, especially Hobart which has become less affordable.
CoreLogic figures show the annual price growth for houses in Hobart is 3 per cent compared to 9.7 per cent last year.
However, houses in Tasmania carried a low-medium risk level as approximately 86 per cent were owner-occupied.
In addition, houses in high-demand areas, particularly affordable houses, still enjoy strong demand and present low risk.
Furthermore, unlike some other states, lending restrictions have had a relatively modest impact.
He said while units had also delivered strong growth, they carried a higher level of risk due to the relatively high number in the pipeline compared to population growth.
The relatively high proportion of units that are investment properties also increases the risk associated with such properties, particularly with the improved attractiveness of the Melbourne market.
Also, there are a number of risk factors that may have a negative impact on units in the medium to long term. For example, off-the-plan units carry a significantly higher level of risk.
Furthermore, the unit-to-house price ratio in Tasmania is high. Our research shows that, statistically, if the unit-to-house ratio exceeds 65 per cent it makes houses a much better investment option for buyers with significantly higher capital growth.
Conversely, if it falls below 45 per cent, units are preferred. In Greater Hobart, the median unit price is $378,846, while the median house price is $492,465, placing the unit-to-house ratio at 77 per cent, which is considered high and this means there is certainly a higher risk for units.
DORON PELEG is the CEO at Riskwise
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Tasmanian housing market continues to slow: Riskwise's Doron Peleg

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Private investment opportunities will abound as Sydney’s new aerotropolis development takes off, but those who want a slice of the action would be wise to start investigating options now.
The Western City &amp; Aerotropolis Authority aims to create 200,000 new jobs across the Western Parkland City, with a particular focus on advanced manufacturing and agribusiness, as well as in education, housing, healthcare and pharmaceuticals.
Central to the development is the creation of a modern, digitised supply chain, which in itself won’t create many jobs, but will provide a vital support network to leverage the opportunities of an airport that operates 24/7.
Early mover investors
The authority is aiming to have the agribusiness and manufacturing precincts up and running by the time the airport opens in December 2026.
Several businesses in those sectors have committed to build facilities in the area, including advanced 3D-printing company GE Additive, Australian vitamin and pharmaceutical maker Vitex, along with the Australian Space Agency and 18 SMEs in aerospace.
Additionally, aerospace company Northrop Grumman has committed to an AUD 50 million investment in an advanced defence electronics maintenance and sustainment centre. Japanese multinationals Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group have also agreed to invest in the aerotropolis. The state’s largest wholesale produce market, Sydney Markets, has signed an agreement to expand into the aerotropolis.
And to help supply the skilled workforce needed for many of these businesses and others in the region, the University of Newcastle, University of NSW, University of Wollongong, and Western Sydney University plan to join forces to create a world-class, higher education institution at the aerotropolis.
State and federal governments have committed AUD 20 billion to build Western Sydney’s new airport and all the associated transport infrastructure, yet the NSW government estimates that to build out all of the development required in Western Sydney – the airport and aerotropolis, the transport infrastructure, housing, schools, hospitals and so on – will cost more than AUD 100 billion.
Where opportunities await
The remaining AUD 80 billion will come from the private sector and this presents a huge opportunity for investors, in property, in business, in infrastructure – and even as potential owners of the airport should the government eventually privatise it, says Roddy Adams, Head of Energy, Infrastructure &amp; Resources NSW at Westpac.
Accommodating population growth
A huge amount of investment will be required to house the population of the rapidly growing Western Parkland City, as the government has tagged the region.
In a Westpac-commissioned report titled Western Sydney Infrastructure Projects and Investment Opportunities, The Root Partnership has identified what will need to be built in the two decades to 2036 to accommodate the rapid growth:
Roddy Adams, Head of Energy, Infrastructure &amp; Resources NSW at Westpac, notes that the airport has been structured as a stand-alone corporation, Western Sydney Airport. While nothing has been confirmed, Adams believes the government may put the airport up for sale once it is operating, providing another opportunity for investors in the region.
“It would make sense for them to recycle their money once the airport's up and running because that's how it was with every other airport in Australia,” he says.
Additionally, while the federal government has committed AUD 5.3 billion to the airport, Adams says most observers believe that to bring it up to the standards of an international class airport total investment will be more like AUD 10 billion, suggesting the government will have to raise additional cash, or sell off the airport in stages to fund its continued development.
He expects the airport to attract interest from the superannuation sector, which is drawn to the stable, long-term cashflow that comes with many major infrastructure investments.
It won’t just be multibillion-dollar, headline-grabbing projects which create opportunities for investors. Adams says the knock-on effects for the whole region will be quite profound.
There are also investment opportunities in the aerotropolis itself, which will host industry and manufacturing, and logistics centres designed to take advantage of the new airport – and it will be home to new communities, parklands, cultural and sporting centres, shopping centres, schools, childcare centres, universities, aged care facilities, healthcare and hospitals.
Investors have the capacity to put money into the aerotropolis both by establishing businesses in the precinct and by funding its development, plus they will have the chance to either buy land or acquire long-term leases as well.
Obvious candidates to set up in the aerotropolis include logistics and supply chain businesses and those involved in agribusiness. “You don't have to think too hard down that line to come up with a whole range of people, both from an industrial or other institutional equity perspective, who’ll be keen to look into this,” says Adams.
Westpac will be involved in facilitating the region’s growth both as a member of the community which has had branches in the region since the early 1900s and as a facilitator of opportunities for corporate and institutional clients.
Adams says, "we want to help the aerotropolis drive as much value into the business supply chains locally as we can as well."
“This is one of the biggest growth opportunities that the bank currently has on its radar,” he concluded
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Investor opportunities abound in Western Sydney Aerotropolis: Westpac

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GUEST OBSERVATION
A top fund manager for some of Australia’s most wealthy future Chinese citizens, Atlas Advisors Australia, is urging the Australian Government to improve the Significant Investor Visa industry regime to encourage greater investment into the nation.
Executive Chairman of Atlas Advisors Australia, Guy Hedley said he supported the Australian Government’s review of Investor visas and Significant Investor visas as part of its “Business Innovation and Investment Program: Getting a better deal for Australia” inquiry.
“The Federal Government is working hard to maximise the opportunities and benefits to Australia from the program,” Mr Hedley said.
“The best way to achieve this is through ongoing collaboration with key industry participants after the public consultation period for the inquiry closes on February 14.”
Mr Hedley urged the Australian Government to stay committed to the SIV program and to increase incentives for applicants. 
“Tweaks to improve the system could include extending the significant investor visa period from four years to five years which would equate to a 20 per cent increase in economic benefit without changing the asset mix,” he said.
“Alternatively, investors riskier exposure to emerging companies and venture capital could be increased with a reduced visa period of three years rather than four years.”
Mr Hedley said it was critical to remember that SIV applicants were future citizens who were pouring millions into the Australian economy without any certainty about their applications.
“This is boosting local businesses and funding startups in important areas such as health and technology as well as lifting Australian exports, employment and international trade connections,” he said.
Atlas Advisors Australia manages the investments of many of the highest net worth Chinese investors into Australia with more than $1.7 billion of funds under management.
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Deadline looms on Significant Investor Visa reform: Atlas Advisors Guy Hedley

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A five bedroom trophy home in Templestowe's Golden Mile precinct has been sold for $3.58 million. 
The five bedroom plus study residence is situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-templestowe-132423670" target="_blank">4 Jacov Gardens</a>. 
Traci Stella and David Moskovic of Jellis Craig Doncaster sold the home. 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/2/5/templestowe%203.jpg" alt="">
Nestled on a 4,285sqm allotment, the home features lounge with marble open fireplace, family room, gourmet kitchen overlooking the dining room and theatre. 
All bedrooms have ensuite access.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/2/5/templestowe%204.jpg" alt="">
Other highlights include tennis court, alfresco, indoor pool and four-car auto garage with workshop. 
The home is located within close proximity to Primary Schools, park and buses. 
The property was last sold at $1.55 million in 2001. 
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Templestowe trophy home on a lifestyle acre sold

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According to JLL’s annual Australian Shopping Centre Investment Review and Outlook 2020, the retail sector will be a key focus for investors seeking to take advantage of the more attractive pricing and depth of opportunities available. 
2020 Outlook:
JLL’s Joint Head of Retail Investments – Australia Jacob Swan said, “While retail investment volumes were light in the first half of 2019 ($1.8 billion), we saw a real change in momentum in the back half of the year ($4.5 billion) which saw 2H activity rise to the levels seen over the last five years.
“Institutional owners with large existing retail portfolios continue to revise their investment strategies and are likely to selectively divest assets in 2020. 
“REITs are transitioning from a long term historical strategy of accumulating retail assets to a more selective approach to portfolio construction.
“There is also likely to be a growing shift towards the re-classification of sub-sectors (such as regional and sub-regional) which may have implications for valuations, performance benchmarks and the pricing of risk by investors,” said Mr Swan.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2020/2/5/shopping%20centre%201.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/2/5/shopping%20centre%201.jpg" alt="">
Source: JLL Research
Deep pool of capital remains in 2020:
Joint Head of Retail Investments – Australia Sam Hatcher said, “A range of dynamic new capital sources are emerging to absorb these institutionally owned assets, driven by the opportunistic timing, attractive yields relative to core office/industrial and the longer term potential for re-development and re-positioning. 
“A fragmentation of ownership will continue to occur in the retail sector as major owners become more selective towards the assets they retain in their portfolios and as new players build scale in the sector.
“Properties with strong underlying land value and long term future development potential are highly sought by investors. 
“While there has been less liquidity for larger centres, there has been a consistently deep pool of capital for non-discretionary anchored centres and single-tenant retail assets.
“Freestanding supermarkets and Bunnings Warehouses with strong covenants and long leases have continued to attract investor interest.
“In addition, retail assets in metropolitan areas with development potential remain highly sought after,” said Mr Hatcher.
Private investors expected to be active in 2020:
Mr Hatcher said, “The fact that private investors were net buyers in 2019, for the first time after six consecutive years as net sellers, is significant. Private Investors were net buyers in 2008, 2009 and 2010 when asset pricing was attractive. 
“Private capital is opportunistic and is acquiring assets to take advantage of the depth of opportunities available.  Demand is also strong for core retail assets, particularly for neighbourhood shopping centres in metropolitan locations and for single-tenanted retail assets with long leases,” said Mr Hatcher.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2020/2/5/shopping%20centre%202.jpg" target="_blank">Click here </a>to enlarge: 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/2/5/shopping%20centre%202.jpg" alt="">
Source: JLL Research
The year in review 2019:
After a slow start for retail investment transactions in 2019, liquidity improved in the second half as more capital sources emerged to take advantage of more attractive pricing.
It was the slowest first half in 2019 for retail investments since 2009.  Sales in the first half were $1.8 billion, with activity for the second half of the year stronger at $4.5 billion.  Transaction activity was at a seven year
low in 2019 in value terms ($6.3 billion)
Net buyers and sellers changed as a result of caution in the markets.
The two major institutional categories, REITs and Unlisted Funds, turned from net buyers to net sellers in 2019.  Private investors were net buyers in 2019 ($795 million) following six consecutive years of being net sellers.
Regional centres accounted for the highest proportion of shopping centres sold over 2019 at 29% or $1.8 billion.  Neighbourhood and sub-regional centres accounted for 21% (1.3 billion) and 17% ($1.1 billion) of total transactions respectively.
New South Wales accounted for 33% of total sales by value in 2019.  Victoria was the most active market by number of transactions in 2019 (39) but transactions by value fell to 19% from 32% in 2018.
Offshore investor acquisitions were stable at approximately $1.4 billion – consistent with the previous two years.  As a share of total transactions, offshore investors accounted for 22% in 2019, up from 18% in 2018.  
JLL’s Senior Director of Retail Research – Australia Andrew Quillfeldt said, “While there are limited signs of distress among major shopping centre owners, some groups are motivated to reduce their weighting/exposure to retail which will drive a steady supply of investment product.
“Fundamentals for shopping centres continue to evolve and buyers continue to price-in conservative assumptions.  Nevertheless, recent major transactions show there is still capital available for large retail assets. 
“The macro-economic drivers of retail spending suggest conditions for shopping centre fundamentals will remain largely unchanged in 2020 given the counterbalancing factors at present.    
“Annual retail completions fell by around 27% in 2019 and have been trending lower on a per capita basis for most of the past 25 years, excluding single-tenanted large format retail. The 2020 to 2023 forecasts suggest per capita supply will be around half the historical average,” said Mr Quillfeldt. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2020/2/5/shopping%20centre%203.jpg" target="_blank">Click here </a>to enlarge: 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/2/5/shopping%20centre%203.jpg" alt="">
Source: JLL Research
JLL’s Head of Retail, Property &amp; Asset Management, Tony Doherty said, “Shopping centres are evolving to include new space users and sources of tenant demand. Social infrastructure such as childcare and health care are becoming more mainstream and will be a key growth opportunity for the sector. Competitive social operators are also slowly gaining traction as a new concept for shopping centres, with the introduction of technology-related businesses like esports and other experience-based retailers. 
“Owners and shopping centre managers will be keenly exploring various strategies to backfill discount department stores spaces and the strategy will vary depending on the location of the centre, the demographics and the retail mix. Many shopping centre owners will be exploring development opportunities for alternate use as a way to maximise the value of their land and as the sector embraces its mixed-use future,” said Mr Doherty. 
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Retail sector will be a focus for investors in 2020: JLL

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A Mount Warren Park, Queensland mortgagee home has been sold for $205,000, less than what it transacted for in 2007.
The property last sold for $187,500 in 2015 but previously sold for $265,000 in 2007.
Therefore this latest sale represents a loss of $60,000 on it's peak value.
Rob Tindall and Alana Whitefield marketed the property at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-unit-qld-mount+warren+park-132153538" target="_blank">17/15 Lane Court</a>.
Set on 87 sqm, the abode is a three bedroom, one bathroom townhouse.
Built in 1989, the property was listed for $220,000 in late 2019 and early 2020 following an unsuccessful November auction.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/subscribe" target="_blank"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/1/Subscriber%20strip%20ad.jpg" alt=""></a>
The median price for a house in <a href="/developments/mount-warren-park-qld-4207">Mount Warren Park</a> is $405,000, according to CoreLogic data.<a href="/developments/franklin-act-2913"> </a>
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Mount Warren Park, Queensland mortgagee home sold for less than 2007 price

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Administrators Gayle Dickerson, Tim Mableson and Ryan Eagle of KPMG have appointed Colliers International to sell the business and assets of McWilliam’s Wines Group.
The expressions of interest campaign will close March 31.
The assets and business of McWilliam’s Wines Group are being sold as a going concern or separately, including recapitalisation or a sale of the business/assets via a Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA).
It is being marketed as an opportunity to acquire a 142-year-old, privately-owned Australian family business as well as a large amount of stock and significant property.
“We anticipate wide-ranging interest from major wine industry participants, private equity investors, high net worth individuals and buyers looking for restructure opportunities,” Tim Altschwager said.
The assets include the Hanwood winery (pictured), one of the largest wineries in Australia.
The standalone premium wine operating facility, located in the Riverina region of NSW, has a circa 42,000 tonnes (per annum) operational processing capacity – both commercial (40,000 tonnes) and premium (2,000 tonnes), with opportunities for scale.
Mount Pleasant, a premium award-winning winery in the Hunter Valley region of NSW with a circa 800 tonne (per annum) operational processing capacity is also included.
McWilliam’s Wines Group’s ranges include the McWilliam's, McW and Mount Pleasant brands, as well as sole Australian distribution rights for Champagne Taittinger, Henkell.
The company is a Top 10 Australian wine producer by revenue, generating circa. 1.3m 9LE volume and $97 million gross sales per annum and has an operational capacity to crush up to 43,000 tonnes (per annum).
McWilliam’s recorded FY19 gross sales of $97million and 9LE sales volume of 1.3m (comprising 1.2m domestic and 0.1m international).
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McWilliam’s Wines Group’s portfolio of wineries and vineyards listed

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Mirvac Group has paid $249 million in a deal that will see it take over the redevelopment of the Nine Entertainment's headquarters in Willoughby, Sydney.
Mirvac has entered into an agreement to acquire the site from LEPC9 Pty Ltd, a joint venture between Lotus Property Fund and Hong Kong-based fund manager Euro Properties.
It intends to proceed with the approval for the construction of 460 new dwellings (pictured: CHROFI ARCHITECTS supplied concept image).
An agreement has also been reached to acquire the adjacent TX Australia property, with plans to demolish the TX transmission tower and repurpose the site. 
The site was first occupied by the Nine Network in the 1950s.
The selling syndicate headed by Lotus Property managing director Michael Jiang paid $147 million in 2015.
Last June the prime Willoughby property attracted about 12 bidders, including Harry Triguboff’s Meriton, Iwan Sunito’s Crown, Singapore’s Frasers Property Group, China’s Country Garden and the locally listed Mirvac.
<div id="vidora-top" class="circular-widget view-xlarge">The highest offer was reported as about $171 million.</div>
The vendor owns the Lotus Chinese restaurant chain, which has outlets at The Galeries at 500 George Street, Walsh Bay, College Street and Barangaroo in the Sydney CBD.
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$100 million premium paid by Mirvac to buy Nine's Willoughby site for $249 million

For most new apartment buildings, the Owners Corporation starts life with little more than a bank account and the first quarterly strata levies.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/9-gay-street-castle-hill-9-gay-street-castle-hill-nsw-2154">9 Gay Street</a> in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/castle-hill-nsw-2154">Castle Hill</a>, it starts with around $7 million in reserve.

It's an unusual legacy of what was once one of Sydney's highest-profile apartment remediation projects. When the development, originally known as Skyview and built by disgraced developer Top Place, came under scrutiny by then NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler, an $11 million remediation bond was negotiated to ensure any building defects could be fully rectified.

The building underwent an 18-month remediation program, during which around $4 million of that bond was spent bringing the building up to the standard it should have been in from the outset.

After extensive inspections, all active rectification orders have been lifted. What's more, around $7.2 million remains secured for the Owners Corporation for the next 15 years.

In a twist few would have predicted, what began as a significant concern for purchasers has left the building with something almost unheard of in the apartment market: a multi-million-dollar financial reserve from day one.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359136]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a> Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said the structure offers buyers a level of certainty that is difficult to replicate.

"The $11 million bond established for the Skyview Castle Hill development represents exceptional value, providing genuine financial security for purchasers," Huxley said.

"Unlike a standard insurance policy, this bond consists of real funds held in trust for the Owners Corporation, offering a tangible layer of protection and added peace of mind."

The apartments themselves have been designed with a focus on practical, contemporary living. Interiors feature Smeg appliances, stone benchtops, tiled living areas, carpeted bedrooms, 2.7-metre ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glazing, and ducted heating and cooling throughout.

Residents also have access to a range of shared amenities, including two rooftop barbecue areas, a swimming pool, children's playgrounds, secure building access, storage cages, and visitor parking.

The location continues to be one of the project's strongest drawcards. Castle Hill Metro Station sits virtually on the doorstep, providing direct connections across Sydney's expanding Metro network, while Castle Towers offers extensive retail, dining, entertainment, and service amenities within walking distance.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359127]

The building, now named after its location at 9 Gay Street, comprises a diverse mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments starting from just under $600,000.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett said demand in the Hills District continues to be driven by buyers seeking convenience and connectivity.

"Interest from both owner-occupiers and investors in Castle Hill remains exceptionally strong, with buyers consistently prioritising developments in close proximity to the Metro station and Castle Towers Shopping Centre," Hamblett said.

"There is a clear trend in the market, with purchasers seeking convenient access to transport and lifestyle amenities that support a seamless, low-maintenance way of living."

On top of the long-term protection afforded by the remaining $7.2 million bond, Equitifund is offering a limited-time stamp duty rebate on selected apartments.

Eligible purchasers can also secure finance options, including a 3.99 per cent two-year variable rate, loan-to-value ratios of up to 90 per cent, and interest-only lending options through EquitiCredit.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=147685]

Joel Robinson

Why this Castle Hill apartment building starts with a $7 million advantage

For much of the past few years, conversations about Australia's property market have centred on the rapid growth seen in Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Perth. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3004">Melbourne</a> has followed a different trajectory.

That relative underperformance is now encouraging some buyers to reassess the city, particularly those willing to look beyond short-term market movements and focus on quality property in established locations, along with the long-term growth prospects of a city expected to overtake Sydney as Australia’s most populous.

John Bekiaris, Research &amp; Market Insights at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Projects by Equitifund</a>, said Melbourne's current position is attracting increasingly sophisticated purchasers.

"Melbourne continues to present one of Australia's strongest long-term investment stories," Bekiaris says.

"While other capital cities have experienced stronger recent growth, that relative underperformance is exactly what's attracting sophisticated counter-cyclical investors."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363268]

Equitifund isn't just commenting on Melbourne's property market, it's investing in it.

The Sydney-headquartered capital partner has taken over the remaining apartments at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/victoriana-melbourne-20-queens-road-melbourne-vic-3004">Victoriana</a>, the recently completed glass-encased development opposite Albert Park Lake in Melbourne's tightly held St Kilda Road precinct.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and built by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hickory">Hickory</a>, Victoriana places residents between one of Melbourne's most recognised parklands and the CBD, offering oversized two and three-bedroom apartments aimed at owner-occupiers seeking a genuine alternative to a traditional family home.

The development comprises 232 completed residences alongside a suite of resident amenities, including a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, landscaped entertaining areas, resident lounges, EV charging, secure basement parking and a concierge-style arrival experience.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363229]

The apartments have been designed with owner-occupiers firmly in mind.&nbsp;Open-plan living and dining areas flow onto generous balconies framing views across Albert Park Lake, Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Melbourne skyline.

Kitchens feature Gaggenau appliances, stone benchtops and generous preparation space. Bedrooms include built-in robes, while bathrooms feature full-height textured tiling. Hardwood flooring and ducted air conditioning complete residences designed for long-term living.

Rothelowman's architecture takes its cues from the landscape opposite the site. Sweeping horizontal glazing references the movement of Albert Park Lake, while generous balconies and expansive glazing strengthen the connection between the apartments and the surrounding parklands. The result is a building designed to deliver the scale and amenity expected of luxury apartment living, while offering the larger floorplans increasingly sought by owner-occupiers.

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The location is one of Victoriana's defining characteristics. Positioned on Queens Road, residents are directly opposite Albert Park Lake and within easy reach of Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens, South Melbourne, St Kilda Road and the CBD. With few comparable development opportunities remaining in the precinct, buyers are increasingly placing value on outlooks that are unlikely to be interrupted by future construction.

Greg Huxley, Founder of Equitifund, believes those qualities become even more valuable over time.

"Premium real estate has always rewarded buyers who take a long-term view," Huxley said.

"Victoriana represents the kind of asset that's increasingly difficult to recreate today, particularly in an established location like Queens Road."

He said rising construction costs are also changing the way buyers assess completed developments.

"When you combine an irreplaceable location with thoughtful architecture and premium finishes, you create something that becomes increasingly difficult to reproduce as construction costs continue to rise."

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According to National Sales Director Ben Hamblett, enquiry has been driven largely by Melbourne downsizers and buyers upgrading from smaller apartments.

"Interest in Victoriana continues to build, with strong buyer focus on the larger owner-occupier residences within the development," Hamblett says.

"Enquiry is increasingly driven by local buyers who recognise the rarity of what's on offer: park-facing apartments in an established neighbourhood where new development opportunities are becoming increasingly scarce. At Victoriana, the view is not just a feature; it's an appreciating asset in its own right."

He said interstate enquiry has also strengthened as buyers reassess Melbourne's position within the national property cycle.

"Melbourne currently stands as the most compelling entry point of any major Australian capital, and discerning buyers are beginning to recognise what those who move early always understand: the best opportunities are taken before the price rise confirms them."

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Why now is the time to buy in Melbourne's premium apartment market

Developers and apartment buyers have a narrowing window of opportunity before Brisbane's Olympic infrastructure pipeline begins competing directly with residential construction, pushing up costs, tightening labour supply and making new projects increasingly difficult to deliver.

While Brisbane's apartment market continues to benefit from strong population growth and limited housing supply, industry research suggests the years leading up to 2027 could prove to be the most important period for developers looking to secure builders and buyers hoping to purchase before the next wave of price increases.

A new Colliers report, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Creating Solutions, highlights the scale of the challenge. While thousands of new homes are planned across South East Queensland, the Brisbane Olympic Athletes Village alone will deliver more than 10,500 beds during the Games before being converted into around 1,750 to 2,000 apartments. Equivalent to almost two years of typical inner-city apartment supply, the project will also absorb a significant share of the construction workforce and building materials.

The broader construction pipeline paints an even clearer picture.

Construction Skills Queensland's Horizon 2032 report forecasts Queensland's annual construction pipeline will average $69 billion over the coming years before peaking at $75 billion in 2027-28. Demand for construction workers is expected to increase by 17 per cent to almost 150,000 people, with the industry facing an annual shortfall of around 19,000 workers that could blow out to as many as 35,000 during the peak construction period.

The Olympic venues, athletes village and supporting infrastructure will account for billions of dollars worth of work across South East Queensland through to 2032, creating intense competition for labour at a time when Australia's residential construction sector is already under pressure.

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Colliers Queensland Residential Director Andrew Scriven said the convergence of these projects is creating a clear window of opportunity for both developers and buyers.

"From 2027 onwards, the market will shift dramatically," Scriven said.

"Labour will increasingly be locked into government-led infrastructure and Olympic projects, which means private residential developments will face higher costs and tighter margins. The developers who move now are the ones most likely to get projects off the ground."

Scriven said the same dynamic would also affect buyers, with fewer apartment projects expected to launch once construction capacity tightens.

"If you're looking to change your lifestyle over the next five years, now is your window of opportunity to buy."

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Developers are already positioning themselves ahead of that window.

Following the success of Monarch at Toowong, Consolidated Properties is preparing to launch two new Brisbane apartment projects in the second half of 2026. They include <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gloriette-30-bedivere-street-yeerongpilly-qld-4105">Gloriette</a> at Yeerongpilly Green, a 25-storey tower within one of Brisbane's key Olympic precincts, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, a recently approved 25-storey riverfront development at 47 Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

Hutchinson Builders will deliver both projects, with early works already underway at Yeerongpilly and Newstead expected to commence later this year.

The timing comes as Brisbane's fundamentals continue to strengthen, with strong interstate migration, population growth and vacancy rates remaining below 1.5 per cent.

Colliers Queensland researcher Pragya Sharma said Greater Brisbane is forecast to require around 40,000 new apartments between 2021 and 2031.

"There's a real mismatch emerging between when housing is needed and when it will be feasible to build," Sharma said.

"As a result, the period leading up to 2027 presents a key window of opportunity for developers to secure approvals, funding and construction capacity, while buyers will have greater choice before supply constraints intensify."

Colliers research outlines a critical pre-2027 window to start residential projects before labour squeeze: now is the time to buy

Developers, buyers on watch in South East Queensland ahead of construction crunch: Colliers

It's taken less than nine months for developer Sherpa Property Group to sell out all 51 apartments in its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-oasis-palm-beach-7-9-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Oasis</a> development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a>, over a year before its anticipated completion.

&nbsp;

Located at 7-9 Sixth Avenue, the $67 million development has resonated strongly with both local owner-occupiers and downsizers seeking high-quality apartments within walking distance of the beach, dining precincts and everyday amenities.

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Christie Leet, Founder of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Group</a>, said the sell-out reflected both the strength of the Palm Beach market and the success of Sherpa's community-first approach to development.

"The sell-out of Oasis is a fantastic outcome and reinforces the strong demand we're seeing for thoughtfully designed apartments in lifestyle locations," Leet said.

"From the outset, our vision was to create a development that genuinely enhanced the Palm Beach community while providing residents with exceptional homes and wellness-focused amenities.

"We've been incredibly encouraged by the level of local support throughout the campaign, 72.5 per cent of buyers are locals, with a significant proportion of purchasers choosing Oasis as their future home rather than an investment."

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Construction is now progressing following development approval, with trusted builder LPS Group delivering the project and completion anticipated in Q3 2027.

Oasis forms part of Sherpa Group's successful Flourish collection, which has become recognised for its focus on wellness, community and elevated coastal living.

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Residents will have private access to a rooftop amenity space featuring a pool, gym, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, spa and barbecue facilities.

"The success of Oasis demonstrates that buyers continue to prioritise quality, location and lifestyle," Leet said.

"We are proud to have delivered a project that has resonated so strongly with the market and look forward to bringing Oasis to life for our future residents."

Sherpa recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a>, its third instalment of the Flourish brand in Palm Beach following Flourish Oasis and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>.

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Sherpa sells out Flourish Oasis in booming Palm Beach

Urban Property Group's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-vera-macquarie-park-94-talavera-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">La Vera</a> is leading the next phase of Macquarie Park's residential evolution, with the new apartment development set to become the first of several new apartment projects in the precinct to complete.

The 169-apartment building has now topped out ahead of its scheduled completion in the third quarter of 2026, as new residential investment continues to reshape one of Sydney's largest employment hubs into a true mixed-use precinct.

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Cox Architecture has designed La Vera to capture the best of its unique positioning on Talavera Road, orienting the building towards Lane Cove National Park.&nbsp;The building features a sculpted northern façade with flowing curves inspired by the surrounding landscape, while its city-facing elevation adopts a more structured architectural expression to maximise skyline views.

"The vision for the project was to conceive a building that adopted an organic and curvilinear form to the northern portion that faces the Lane Cove National Park," <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> Director Felipe Miranda said.

"The residents that reside in the northern portion of the building benefit by having beautifully crafted curved balconies that speak to the natural context and heighten the relationship of their internal living spaces to the external balconies."

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La Vera offers a diverse mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom configurations, with prices currently starting from $740,000. Buyers so far have been a mix of Sydney-based investors,&nbsp;metro commuters, owner-occupiers and downsizers from surrounding North Shore suburbs.

Both investors and owner-occupiers have been drawn to La Vera's proximity to Macquarie University, Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie Centre and the Sydney Metro, infrastructure that supports both strong rental demand and a convenient lifestyle for residents.

The apartments feature full-height glazing, timber flooring throughout living areas, stone kitchen benchtops, SMEG appliances, floor-to-ceiling bathroom tiling and ducted air conditioning.

Residents will have access to a rooftop recreation level featuring a swimming pool, sauna, barbecue facilities and landscaped relaxation areas, complemented by additional communal space at ground level. Many apartments enjoy uninterrupted views across Lane Cove National Park, reinforcing the project's connection to its natural setting.

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<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>, a family-owned developer and builder with nearly four decades of experience, holds a 4.5-star iCIRT rating and was Australia's first developer to introduce 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI). La Vera is the first apartment development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a> approved to offer the additional insurance protection, alongside a five-year warranty on SMEG appliances.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said the additional protection reflects changing buyer expectations in the off the plan market.

"Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been. Having LDI is a tool to portray the confidence that we have in our product, and a confidence we want buyers to share," Elias said.

Following completion of the building later this year, buyers will move into their apartments well before Christmas.

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