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The inner and middle-rings of Adelaide are pushing up the city's overall median house price, according to a recent Herron Todd White (HTW) residential report. 
The report suggests these market segments were the best performing over the first six months of 2019 as the outer ring remained stable.
"In the shadows of the banking royal commission and the downward spiralling east coast markets, the claim was made that the Adelaide housing market would buck the trend with sustained growth," the valuation firm said. 
"Positive market sentiment is being driven within the media with a constant flow of articles spruiking the Adelaide market. Watching from the bleachers, things appear positive... but those with front row seats are seeing things a little differently."
Nailsworth, Evandale, Black Forest and Allenby Gardens have all been high achievers over 2019’s first half, it said. 
Each of these suburbs comprise an area of less than one square kilometre and are characterised by turn of the century dwellings on modest allotments.
Nailsworth is an inner northern suburb located approximately 5.2 kilometres from the CBD.
It had a number of transactions in the first half of the year, with a median of $655,000.
At the top end of the pile is the suburb’s record sale of<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-sa-nailsworth-129604950" target="_blank"> 51 Balfour Street </a>(pictured below) which achieved a sale price $1.21 million in January.
This sale eclipsed the previous record of $1.07 million set in 2017.
This property comprises a fully renovated and extended bungalow disposed as four bedrooms and two bathrooms on a 698 square metre allotment.
<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/2019/7/9/nailsworth.jpg" alt="">
In the second half of 2018, the small north- eastern suburb of Evandale located some 5.5 kilometres from the CBD had eight dwelling sales settle with a median of $690,000.
In the six months post, Evandale has had five transactions at a median of $880,000 showing an increase of approximately 27%.
<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/2019/7/9/evandale%20.jpg" alt="">
Recent sales include<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-sa-evandale-130666446" target="_blank"> 44 Elizabeth Street</a> ($844,000, pictured above), a four-bedroom, two-bathroom blue stone villa on a 534 square metre allotment and <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-sa-evandale-130674190" target="_blank">10 Leslie Street </a>($885,000, pictured below), a four-bedroom, two-bathroom circa 1990s reproduction dwelling on a 552 square metre allotment.
<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/2019/7/9/evandale%202.jpg" alt="">
Black Forest is situated 4.7 kilometres south west of the CBD and is serviced by both the Brighton train line and Glenelg tram line.
Fifteen transactions have been recorded within the past 12 months with prices ranging between $430,000 and $1 million.
The first half of 2019 has seen a 7% increase in dwelling values with Black Forest having a current median dwelling price of $745,000.
Purchased at the median in April was <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-sa-black+forest-130456994" target="_blank">4 Forest Avenue</a> (pictured below) for $755,000.
This is a circa 1930s, four-bedroom, two-bathroom Tudor style dwelling on an allotment of approximately 603 square metres.
<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/2019/7/9/black%20forest%20.jpg" alt="">
Allenby Gardens is located 6.1 kilometres north- west of the CBD and six kilometres east of Grange Beach.
The suburb comprises a mixture of early and mid 1900s dwellings with a significant amount of 1990s and 2000s infill development.
The first half of 2019 saw a 24% increase in the median dwelling price from the back end of 2018 to currently sit at $685,000.
Of the 2019 sales,<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-sa-allenby+gardens-130071490" target="_blank"> 27B Barham Street</a> (pictured below) for $470,000 represents the entry price point for the suburb.
<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/2019/7/9/allenby%20garden%20.jpg" alt="">
This property comprises a circa 2018 community titled brick veneer dwelling disposed as three bedrooms and two bathrooms on an allotment of 266 square metres.
"The outer ring remained relatively flat over the first six months of 2019," HTW said. 
"Good reference points for this market segment are Golden Grove north-east, Morphett Vale south and Paralowie north of the city.
"Each of these suburbs is geographically large and has a high turnover of stock with the two latter each constantly achieving 200-plus transactions annually."
Sales data shows both Paralowie and Morphett Vale have remained stable with median prices hovering between $300,000 and $315,000 since late 2016.
Golden Grove saw a reduction in the median dwelling price from $475,000 in the second half of 2018 to $435,000 in the first half of 2019.
The report notes that the outer ring is considered more susceptible to slowing market conditions.
"These suburbs will be important reference points over the next 12 months to provide an indication of how the broader outer ring is tracking," the report said. 
"Taking a broader look at the market, the March quarter is one of the most active and provides an important insight into how the market tracked over the busy summer months.
"The median house price grew in the March quarter by 0.625% to be at a record high of $480,000. This sparked significant media and deservedly so on face value.
"When you dig a little deeper, the 2018 and 2017 March quarters each had growth of 1.1% and 1.7% respectively. So, we had growth in the March quarter but at the slowest rate since 2016 which saw a reduction in the median house price."
On the auction front, for the four weeks post Easter, clearance rates faded to below 50%. For the same four-week period in 2018, clearance rates varied between 59% and 70%.
These numbers are backed up by agents in the field who are reporting a slowing in buyer activity with an increased amount of stock on the market. The numbers are suggesting that the market is slowing.
"Things have been looking rosy for 12 to 24 months. The expectation is that property prices will remain stable over the second half of 2019.
"The hope is that those who stop to smell the roses don’t start detecting a stench."
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Adelaide inner and middle-rings performing strongly: HTW residential 

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The Hobart market is starting to show signs it is approaching or has reached its current cycle price peak, according to a recent Herron Todd White (HTW) residential report. 
CoreLogic suggests that the median price actually slipped in March.
"On the ground, we are seeing a flattening of prices in the inner ring, however demand for prestige remains historically firm," the valuation firm said. 
A recent over $1 million sale was a three bedroom penthouse apartment located in the heart of Hobart City (pictured below). 
The inner city apartment at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-apartment-tas-hobart-131418934" target="_blank">5A/117 Collins Street</a> comprises of open plan living, master bedroom, two additional bedrooms with built in wardrobes and two secure car spaces. 
It's located near Salamanca and the Wharf. 
<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/2019/7/10/hobart%201.jpg" alt="">
HTW said it's a different story in the middle to outer ring, however positive pricing and competition for housing is still evident. 
"This is true for the 50-kilometre commuter radius," the report said. 
A waterside house nestled on the banks of Gypsy Bay is on the market with over $550,000 hopes (pictured below). 
Sitting on a 564 square metre allotment, the home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-primrose+sands-131433790" target="_blank">113 Linden Road, Primrose Sands </a>comprises open plan living, kitchen with granite benchtops, two bedrooms and rear yard. 
Local boat ramp is only a few minutes away together with local convenience store and beaches.
Vacancy rates remain tight with little evidence of the housing shortage easing.
<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/2019/7/10/primrose%20sands%20.jpg" alt=""> 
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Hobart market may have already peaked: HTW residential 

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The owners of the 30 evacuated Zetland apartment block are considering suing their former lawyers as they face a $5 million repair bill to fix the apartments that were evacuated last November.
The Sydney Morning Herald revealed the Chambers Russell law firm has advised them they have “reasonably good prospects” of running a negligence case against their former lawyers.
It was Makinson d’Apice who helped the owners corporation settle a $1.7 million insurance claim for waterproofing defects in last year on the condition that no further claims could be made against the insurer.
As the repair works were carried out, “critical” defects were then uncovered.
“We are already very concerned with the conduct of your former solicitors and a number of experts engaged,” said a position paper circulated by Chambers Russell.
It noted Makinson advised the owners corporation not to undertake temporary works that may well have prevented some of the very significant fire safety issues that now exist. Chambers Russell also noted the settlement had given “little” consideration to alternative accommodation costs and had compromised the owners’ ability to take action against other parties.
Makinson d'Apice partner Alex Kohn has denied the allegations and labelled them defamatory.
"They are unsubstantiated and if they ever mature into active claims against us, those assertions and allegations will be vigorously contested," Mr Kohn said.
Chambers has advised the strata apartment owners the law firm was prepared to run the Makinson case on a no-win no-fee basis.
Owners were briefed by Chambers at an information meeting conduced by the owners corporation.
 
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Garland Lofts, Zetland apartment evacuees consider legal action

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Construction has started at Canberra’s first zero emission office building.
The 13,200 square metre ACT Government Office building will source its heating, cooling and ventilation needs from 100% renewable electricity.
The building, being constructed by Doma, is part of the DKSN precinct in Dickson and is scheduled to be completed in 2020.
Doma Development General Manager, Gavin Edgar said the Dickson office building will be the first in the ACT to use an all-electric system for its heating and cooling.
“The ACT Government’s commitment to climate change leadership will see 100 per cent of the ACT’s electricity sourced from renewable electricity from 2020,” Edgar said.
“We have worked with the ACT Government, as the anchor tenant for 20 years, and our consulting engineers, Rudds, to design the building with an all-electric heating, cooling and ventilation system rather than a gas fired system.
“Traditionally, chillers have only been capable of providing chilled water which helps cool the building and then a gas boiler is required to provide heating.
“The solution being adopted for Dickson provides both heating and cooling for the building using a combination of water cooled and air cooled heat pump chillers which have the capability to reverse their mode of operation and provide either chilled water of heating hot water.”
Edgar said while all electric technology has been implemented in other countries, it has not been substantially tested in climates similar to Canberra’s.
“Temperatures in the ACT vary significantly over the year from season to season, so we have had to cater for this,” Edgar said.
“The chiller arrangements have been optimised to manage the peak heating loads in winter and cooling in summer, as well as handle the shoulder seasons where simultaneous heating and cooling is required.
“To help improve thermal comfort, radiant slab heating has been adopted in the ground level entrance lobby and atrium which will improve the amenity of members of the public visiting access Canberra. 
“Additionally, a large array of solar roof panels are being installed to generate power and help keep electricity bills down.
“The building’s innovations will not only produce an environmentally friendly, zero emissions building in line with ACT Government policy of having 100 per cent of the Territory’s electricity sourced from renewable electricity, it will demonstrate the feasibility of this technology to industry in Canberra and to the wider community.”
ACT Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Shane Rattenbury said: “This is an excellent initiative, and I congratulate Doma for rising to the zero emissions challenge. Zero emission commercial buildings are both technically feasible and highly cost effective.
“Doma and the ACT Government are demonstrating that new commercial buildings can be gas-free, and it lays down the challenge to others in the industry to match this climate-friendly standard.”
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Construction starts at Canberra's first zero emission office building

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Unilodge has launched a specialised build-to-rent property management arm as the asset class continues to expand.
Essence Communities will provide property management services to investors and developers.
Build-to-rent projects are becoming an increasingly prominent part of the Australian property sector, following the success of similar dwellings in countries such as the US and UK. 
Executive Chairman of UniLodge, Peter Bates, said there is growing demand in the rental market for greater choice and long-term accommodation security.
“We know many Australians are finding it increasingly difficult to purchase property and we are seeing an attitudinal shift with many now seeking high-quality community offerings and the security that comes with longer lease terms,” said Bates.  
“While multi-family developments can address the demand for longer-term accommodation options, the success of the build-to-rent model is contingent on the provision of high-quality amenities and services, with more than one third saying they’d pay a higher rent for attractive community offerings and services.  
“Across our portfolio of more than 70 student accommodation and serviced apartments, we’ve seen how essential security and high-quality community offerings are to creating environments that occupants call home, which in turn delivers high-occupancy rates. 
“Our market-leading technology, bespoke services and understanding of unique community requirements, are key elements of our success and will translate to thriving build-to-rent projects through Essence Communities.”
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UniLodge launch specialised build-to-rent property management arm

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EXPERT OBSERVATION 
A significant number of Australians are embarrassed by their financial situation.
The Mortgage Choice and CoreData’s Financial Fitness whitepaper explores Australians’ attitudes and behaviours towards their finances.
Our research has found that when it comes to their finances, many Australians say they are embarrassed, which may stem in part from their personal debt and overall money habits.
According to the whitepaper research, 34% of respondents say they feel embarrassed by their financial habits. Furthermore, it revealed that 42% of Australians feel embarrassed by their personal debt, and one third hide the fact that they are in debt.
The research gave some insight into how Australians are using their credit cards, with a fifth of respondents saying they pay only the minimum amount on their credit card each month and 11% said they have not paid off their credit card in full for the last three months or more.
The fact that people are not paying off the balance on their credit card each month is worrying. However what is also particularly concerning is the number of Australians who pay only the minimum amount of their balance each month.
This prolongs the amount of time they are in debt as a considerable proportion of the payment is servicing the interest, rather than the balance and is one way consumers feel trapped in a seemingly endless cycle of debt.
The research found that more than a quarter (27%) of Australians spend more than they earn, which may explain why they are racking up personal debt.
These habits may be contributing to the shame and embarrassment some Australians say they feel about their finances. Indeed, the whitepaper reveals that almost a fifth (19%) of Australians say they are living secret financial lives.
This begs the question, are the feelings of embarrassment keeping Australians from taking an active role in managing their money? 
The research suggests this might be the case, as one-fifth of Australians said they often do not regularly monitor their finances.
The problem with avoiding the topic of money altogether is that often, a small problem can snowball into something more serious if it is not dealt with early on.
I encourage anyone feeling embarrassed or ashamed of their financial situation to seek professional help. The reality is you are not alone and there are things you can do to take control of your personal debt, but you need to start sooner rather than later.
SUSAN MITCHELL is the Chief Executive Officer of <a href="https://www.mortgagechoice.com.au/" target="_blank">Mortgage Choice</a>.
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A third of Australians feel embarrassed by their finances: Susan Mitchell

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The wider Perth area has seen some stability in its median price, according to a recent Herron Todd White residential report. 
"The residential market in Perth has tracked closely in line with our February predictions for the year (so far)," the valuation firm said. 
"Our assumptions were that the rental market would continue to be a strong point for Western Australia and that sales volumes and house price growth would remain subdued until 2020.
"There has been a lot of speculation about when the Perth market will finally turn and it doesn’t seem like we are much closer to knowing, mostly due to our split property cycles and diminishing sales volumes."
The report notes that the median house price settled at $500,000 for the March quarter, 0.6% higher than the previous quarter.
The unit median price also remained steady, holding at $380,000.
REIWA data shows that there were 6,636 properties sold in the March quarter, proving Perth’s state of subdued activity.
REIWA reports that “although overall sales are down, 10% of suburbs experienced stable or increased volumes”. This is a positive sign as there are improvements in some sub markets, and it shows the differences between Perth’s inner and outer suburbs.
Figure 1 shows the distribution of wider Perth area house sales by price bracket.
In the December 2018 quarter, 64% of homes sold below $600,000.
This figure jumped to 70% in the recent March quarter, indicating that affordability is continually improving, but it is also a symptom of a decline in prestige activity.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/7/10/figure%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/2019/7/10/figure%201.jpg" alt="">
President of REIWA Damian Collins states that this affordability “presents excellent opportunities for first home buyers, trade-up buyers, downsizers and investors to secure a good deal”.
According to the report, listings have increased 6% since the December 2018 quarter to 16,957 which isn’t helping selling periods.
It took an average of 78 days for vendors to sell their properties last quarter. This is a significant jump from the 68 days to sell in the December 2018 quarter.
It can be attributed to new land releases as well as a softening in demand across the board.
Collins recently said “it’s also worth noting that a significant portion (43%) of Perth sellers are achieving sales prices at or above their original asking price, which suggests that many vendors are heeding the advice of their real estate agent and pricing their properties in line with market expectations”.
"This is key to avoid the extended selling periods that we have been seeing far too often," HTW said.
"Our valuers are seeing frequent evidence of properties becoming stale in the market place due to the initial asking price being out of kilter with the market and the eventual sale price of these properties is often below what market evidence suggests they should achieve."
The rental sphere was once again increasingly active in the March 2019 quarter, favouring investors and shortening the Perth vacancy rate to 2.5%.
The median rental price remained stable at $350 per week for a ninth consecutive quarter.
REIWA data shows that 29% of suburbs in Perth had an increase in rents during the quarter, and 36% of suburbs increased over the past year.
If the rental market continues in this direction we should inevitably see an increase in Perth’s median rent over the coming seasons.
In terms of activity, 14,003 properties were leased during the March 2019 quarter, almost 9% more than the December 2018 quarter.
There were 6,738 properties listed for rent at the end of the March quarter 2019, which was 2% lower than the December quarter figure and 25% lower than the same time last year, showing that competition amongst tenants is ramping up.
It took two days less to find a tenant during the March quarter, decreasing to 42 days.
This figure has crept downwards since the peak of 57 days in June 2017 and shows that tenants need to be decisive and act fast to secure their preferred property.
A three bedroom house located in the heart of Victoria Park has been listed for lease with a price guide of $360 per week (pictured below).
The house at<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-victoria+park-417286626" target="_blank"> 45 McMaster Street </a>comprises open plan living, renovated kitchen, three bedrooms, and enclosed patio with kitchenette.
It's close to Victoria Park Central Shopping Centre, main highways and train station. 
<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/2019/7/10/victoria%20park.jpg" alt="">
The suburbs that recorded the best and worst median price growth over the March 2019 quarter are in Figure 2.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/7/10/perth%20figure%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/2019/7/10/perth%20figure%202.jpg" alt="" style="font-size: 12.16px;">
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/7/10/perth%20figure%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/2019/7/10/perth%20figure%203.jpg" alt="">
Note that both Burswood and South Guildford are benefiting from the sale of properties in new developments.
The Peninsula development by Mirvac would be significantly affecting Burswood’s median as some of the properties are selling for over $1.7 million.
A few lifestyle living areas have been active over the past six months including Mundaring, Glen Forrest, and Serpentine.
Suburban North Lake has tracked well, jumping 8.5% quarter-on-quarter.
This was surprising to see as North Lake’s surroundings have been disrupted lately by the development of the Murdoch Drive Connection – adding extensions from the Kwinana Freeway and Roe Highway to the Murdoch Activity Centre and Health Precinct.
Peppermint Grove has surged over the past quarter taking its median house price from $3.45 million up to $4.025 million.
A current listing in Peppermint Grove is a five bedroom resort style home priced at $3.985 million (pictured below).
Set on a 766 square metre block, the refurbished home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-peppermint+grove-119597415" target="_blank">14A View Street</a> comes with five bedrooms, home cinema, kitchen with Miele appliance and solar heated swimming pool.
Nestled among private schools, the home is within walking distance to the Swan River and Cottesloe Beach. 
<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/2019/7/10/peppermint%20grove.jpg" alt=""> 
There has been a fair amount of activity in this region which is nice to see, as the prestige market (previously helping to stabilise the Perth median) faltered over the March 2019 quarter, showing signs of volatility.
Cottesloe, Swanbourne, Mosman Park, North Fremantle, Attadale, Bicton and Dalkeith all experienced decreases in their annual median house prices.
"This is understandable however, as the March quarter usually experiences an increase in listings," the valuation firm said. 
On top of this, consumer confidence has been low; the fallout from the Banking Royal Commission has created a challenging financial market, and with the distraction of a federal election, homeowners and investors would be hesitant to make any big moves.
There has been a lot of media coverage around the declining Australian property market (mainly surrounding Sydney and Melbourne) and this isn’t helping confidence in the Western Australian market even though our property market is in a different stage of the cycle to the eastern states.
All of this has forced sales volumes to drop, selling periods to extend and top-end prices have fallen as a result.
"In the upgrader market, our valuers are still seeing a fair amount of activity, however home buyers are generally seeking to purchase at a discounted rate," the report said.
This is pushing out selling periods and it seems that prices may continue to soften as a result, further improving affordability."
Perth’s fringe is still being suffocated by chronic oversupply.
Baldivis is continuing its decline due to consistent land releases putting downward pressure on established dwelling sale prices.
As an example, a property on Avoca Chase had a summated cost of $285,000 in April 2018, being one of the cheapest we had seen at the time.
It was sold in March 2019 on completion for $225,000, declining 21% throughout its construction period.
This sales figure is actually considered to be fairly cheap, however it’s part of the unfortunate truth in the current market.
Properties in oversupplied regions need to be priced very keenly in order to achieve a quick selling period and avoid them going stale on the market, so listen to the advice of agents about what is realistic and appropriate.
Developing suburbs in the south-east are in a similar situation. Whitby and Byford have softened over the past six months and it is expected that these areas will stay flat for the remainder of 2019.
"Our predictions for the rest of the year are fairly simple for Perth’s outer regions.
"We expect to see no rebound in 2019 and assume that medians in these areas will continue their slow descent to wherever the median price floor holds, but we expect the overall median house price to remain relatively steady for the wider Perth area as upgraders take advantage of the buying opportunities that are available in many sought after areas."
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Median prices in wider Perth area are stabilising:  HTW residential 

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The property market within Mount Gambier was relatively stable for the first quarter, according to a recent Herron Todd White (HTW) residential report. 
The report suggests that the number of house sales occurring in the first quarter has been steady.
In 2014 house sales were slightly higher, however there has not been a significant drop in sales numbers which are still much higher than in 2011 when the market dropped back.
"The most purchased dwelling price range within the last 12 months is $200,000 to $250,000," the valuation firm said. 
"There are few dwellings purchased over $500,000 or under $150,000.
"The $200,000 to $250,000 price range is affordable for people entering the market and for investors looking at a property which provides a stable rental return."
A three bedroom house in Mount Gambier has been sold for $225,000.
Built in 1994, the house at<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-sa-mount+gambier-128096338" target="_blank"> 4 Winfield Court </a>(pictured below) comes with three bedrooms, lounge room, timber kitchen and private rear yard.
<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/2019/7/9/mount%20gambier%20.jpg" alt="">
"Dwellings over $500,000 are at the top end of the market and have limited market activity," HTW said. 
"Dwellings under $150,000 are generally in less sought-after locations and have limited market activity."
A recent over $500,000 sale was a Character Federation style home nestled on over 2.5 acres of land.
It was sold for $610,000 in May.
Located minutes from Mount Gambier and schools, the house at<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-sa-moorak-123887258" target="_blank"> 158 Telford Road</a>, Moorak (pictured below) comes with four bedrooms, study, timber kitchen, and open living areas.
<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/2019/7/9/moorak%201.jpg" alt="">
Detached housing and unit sales throughout the region are on track with previous years and are expected to remain stable throughout the remainder of the year.
Detached housing is the most popular amongst buyers, with 141 house sales for the first quarter of this year, compared to 15 unit sales and 28 land sales.
The report notes that properties located within the Lakes location and centrally around the town centre have shorter listing times than most other areas, as they are tightly held locations.
The median sale price has been slightly increasing over the past five years and property prices have remained stable.
"The overall feel of the market at the moment is that it will remain relatively steady throughout the remainder of the year," the valuation firm said.
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Mount Gambier market remains stable as median price ticks up: HTW residential 

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Darwin has experienced a few tough years and the weakening trend continued into 2019, according to a recent Herron Todd White (HTW) residential report. 
"The peak of the market (2013-2014), which was mainly inflated by the Ichthys gas project, was going to end at some point and we are now experiencing the aftermath," the valuation firm said. 
"Since the start of the year, we have seen declines in both sales and median price for all suburbs across Darwin (REINT)."
All markets have been hit, from residential to commercial, dwellings to units and the suburbs of Parap to Darwin River.
The weak market has been foreseen for some time now and it is now believed that home owners are coming to the realisation that their homes are not worth what they perceive.
This has been a difficult process and caused stress throughout the market and wider economy.
"We have seen some big reductions, especially in the Darwin CBD," the valuation firm noted. 
"There has been a 40% fall in the median unit and townhouse price from $565,500 in March 2015 to $330,000 in March 2019 (REINT).
"Also looking Palmerston way, the suburb Moulden has experienced some big reductions; recent analysed sales of dwellings show a drop in the order of 30% or more from 2013/2014."
A three bedroom apartment in the Darwin CBD has recently been sold at a reduced price of $330,000.
With views of the Darwin Harbour, the unit at<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-unit-nt-darwin+city-129170426" target="_blank"> 7/3 Harvey Street</a> (pictured below) include open plan living and dining area, private balcony, three bedrooms and kitchen with stone bench tops.
The complex comes with secure parking and pedestrian 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/2019/7/10/darwin%20city%201.jpg" alt="">
"Be that as it may, we should not be discouraged by the current state of the market," HTW said. 
"Unfortunately, it is a reality that we are seeing some heavy reductions but to put things into perspective, we need to take a look at Australia as a whole." 
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the latest release shows new lending for investment dwelling in Australia is at its lowest since 2011.
Additionally, lending for purchase or construction of a new home in Australia has fallen to its lowest level since 2013.
Lending to households has decreased year on year by 17.8% in the Northern Territory (ABS).
This is a heavy drop but again, but comparative to other states. Victoria and New South Wales have also both dropped year on year, 15.4% and 18.9% respectively.
The report suggests there has been a downturn in all states with the only exception being Tasmania.
"We are not alone up here. The silver lining is that we are now in a period of market affordability; the dream of owning a home or unit is now realistic for Territorians.
"As mentioned earlier, we are seeing home owners slowly accepting the very weak property market. This is reinforced by looking at the recent statistics for the northern suburbs.
"Although sales are decreasing, we are seeing prices stabilising to only minimal decreases (REINT, March 2019). It is only our opinion and we can only speculate that it means people will only sell if it is their last option, if not, they are holding onto their properties for a better market and thus price."
The rental market has steadied in recent times and popular locations are still easily rented.
A fully furnished two bedroom unit in Darwin City is on the rental market with a price guide $430 per week.
Located in a secure complex, the unit at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-nt-darwin+city-411774483" target="_blank">4/14 Dashwood Place</a> (pictured below) comprises open plan living, balcony, two bedrooms and two car parks.
<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/2019/7/10/darwin%202.jpg" alt="">
"We need to remember during these tough times the old saying 'you only lose if you sell'," the report said. 
However if you must sell, we are seeing well-presented properties still high in demand, so be sure to present your home in good condition, have neat and tidy landscaping and make sure there are no small works required by the potential buyer."
Since the start of 2019, there have been plenty of things done to pave the way to a more positive market.
The government has introduced new inventive schemes (Territory Home Owner Bonus) and construction of new buildings in Darwin (new four-level below ground car Park) and Palmerston (police station).
"We also note the interstate relocation schemes (Welcome to the Territory incentives) introduced in August 2018 will also make a positive impact in 2019.
"To end things off, we have seen land prices increase in the Palmerston suburb of Zuccoli (specifically the Aspire development).
"This increase came as a surprise to us but it is showing that the supply of land is not meeting demand and ultimately this can be seen as evidence that the government incentive program is playing its role.
"There is a lot happening to kick start the economy and our office remains positive that there will be a brighter market; it will just take time for the government schemes to take full effect." 
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Weakening trend continues across Darwin: HTW residential 

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The ACT housing market has not changed much over the past six months, according to a recent Herron Todd White (HTW) residential report. 
The report notes that the value of houses and land has likely seen little growth, owing to an overall lower demand for property arising from various external factors such as the difficulty in obtaining finance.
"Demand is still reasonably strong for entry level houses in the $450,000 to $600,000 range and we would consider this property type to be performing the best," the valuation firm said. 
An example was a Banks three bedroom townhouse which has recently been sold for $520,000 (pictured below). 
Situated at the end of the complex, the townhouse at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-townhouse-act-banks-131362970" target="_blank">6/30 Betty Maloney Crescent </a>comes with three bedrooms, open plan living, separate lounge and covered entertainment area.
The yard has a garden shed and an area outside the laundry that is ideal for the caravan or boat with easy access through a double gate.
<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/2019/7/10/franklin.jpg" alt="">
Demand has remained steady for the mid-point priced houses in the $600,000 to $1 million range.
The prestige market ($2 million plus) remains steady. Prestige dwellings are changing hands, but not at an extraordinary rate.
The report notes that the supply of units remains high and demand remains steady.
"Unit and apartment values have retracted or remained steady over the past six months due to the quantity being offered to the market, especially in the outer suburban areas where demand is generally lower," the valuation firm said. 
Supply is highest for the one-bedroom product that is being offered at a very high rate in new complexes, while the market for two, three and four-bedroom units is more steady and secure.
The price point for most one-bedroom units is between $275,000 and $400,000 depending on location, size and quality of inclusions.
Most two- bedroom units are selling for between $300,000 and $550,000, again depending on location size and quality of inclusions.
A new two bedroom apartment in Franklin has recently been sold for $381,000 (pictured below). 
With easy access to the City Centre, the apartment at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-apartment-act-franklin-131357150" target="_blank">4/329 Flemington Road</a> comes with open plan living area, two bedrooms, north facing balcony and modern kitchen. 
It is with walking distance to Gungahlin Town Centre and the light rail. 
<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/2019/7/10/franklin.jpg" alt="">
Units with more than three bedrooms are often sold for above $550,000, with some units selling over the $1 million mark in well located, reputable complexes.
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Canberra housing market remains steady: HTW residential 

One of North Sydney's best-known commercial buildings could become hundreds of new homes, with insurance giant Zurich Australia lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) to transform 5 Blue Street into a mixed-use residential development above North Sydney Station.

Rather than demolishing the existing building and starting again, Zurich is proposing an adaptive reuse project that would convert the landmark office building into a 15-level residential development delivering 62 apartments, 86 affordable co-living dwellings, activated retail and significant upgrades to the Blue Street Plaza.

The proposal reflects a growing trend of commercial property owners repositioning ageing office assets into residential housing as Sydney grapples with housing supply shortages and changing workplace demand.

<img alt="Zurich" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0bba7d12-06dc-4375-aad7-238c94b21ac5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%2010.42.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=NJl5oLAEBDGuPmY3RnyliKODjMc8lvRh" />

Located directly above North Sydney Metro and train station, the 3,051 sqm site occupies one of the most strategically positioned parcels of land on Sydney's Lower North Shore.

Designed by fjcstudio, the proposal seeks to retain and adapt much of the existing structure while creating a contemporary residential address that better connects with the public domain surrounding North Sydney Station.

The application proposes two basement levels, ground floor retail, affordable co-living accommodation across the podium levels, and apartments above, while preserving and enhancing the publicly accessible Blue Street Plaza.

Rather than pursuing maximum apartment numbers, Zurich has opted for a housing mix heavily weighted towards larger owner-occupier residences.

The proposal includes 62 build-to-sell apartments comprising 12 one-bedroom, 19 two-bedroom, 29 three-bedroom apartments and two premium penthouses. It also incorporates 86 affordable co-living dwellings, which would be managed in perpetuity by a Community Housing Provider.

That balance between traditional apartments and affordable housing reflects the NSW Government's push to increase housing diversity around major transport infrastructure.

The proposal has been lodged concurrently with a rezoning application, with Zurich arguing the site is ideally positioned to support additional housing given its immediate proximity to public transport, employment and services.

"The proposal aims to respond to the housing challenges facing Sydney through the delivery of diverse housing types in a highly accessible location," the design report by fjcstudio states. It also seeks to improve pedestrian amenity through upgrades to Blue Street Plaza while creating a high-performing residential building that responds to the surrounding context.

<img alt="Zurich" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="36082e15-c636-4481-bb68-5a5f6443fe39" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%2010.41.36%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=5P6VD.fvmqjQfIG3TWWMRXxQWiQBjeFB" />

Rather than replacing the commercial building, fjcstudio has developed a design that works with the existing structural framework above the rail corridor, an approach that significantly reduces demolition while allowing the site to be repositioned as a mixed-use residential precinct.

The existing structural constraints have informed much of the building's design, including its relationship with Blue Street and surrounding public spaces.

The building has been designed as a slender tower rising above a clearly defined podium, with vertically expressed façades intended to reduce the perceived bulk while reinforcing North Sydney's emerging skyline.

According to fjcstudio, the architectural language responds directly to the surrounding commercial towers while maintaining a finer grain expression more closely aligned with the neighbouring Lavender Bay streetscape.

The tower incorporates articulated façade elements, landscaped podium edges and recessed upper levels to soften its appearance and improve pedestrian amenity below.

A significant component of the proposal is the revitalisation of Blue Street Plaza.

The existing public space has long served as one of the primary pedestrian connections between North Sydney Station, Greenwood Plaza and Blue Street, yet its role is expected to become even more important following the opening of Sydney Metro.

Zurich's proposal seeks to strengthen that role by improving landscaping, introducing new retail frontages, enhancing pedestrian permeability and creating more active edges throughout the day and evening.

Ground floor retail would wrap the plaza, while separate residential and co-living entries have been designed to improve wayfinding without reducing street activation.

Landscape design has been integrated throughout the podium and public realm, softening what is currently one of the most heavily urbanised parts of North Sydney.

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fjcstudio has carefully oriented apartments towards Sydney Harbour and the CBD while using privacy blades and articulated façades to minimise overlooking between neighbouring buildings.

Large framed openings along the western elevation maximise harbour outlooks, while the eastern apartments have been angled towards the south-east to improve privacy from neighbouring development.

The project forms part of the continuing transformation of North Sydney from a predominantly commercial CBD into a genuine mixed-use city centre.

Since the completion of Victoria Cross Metro Station, developers have increasingly shifted their attention towards residential projects capable of leveraging the area's unparalleled transport connectivity.

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FiveX recently lodged plans for a 61-storey, 490-apartment tower that would become one of the tallest residential buildings in North Sydney if approved.

Aqualand continues to expand its Lower North Shore presence following the completion of AURA on Walker Street and its recent St Leonards and Roseville proposals.

Developers are also progressing projects throughout Walker Street, Miller Street and the Victoria Cross precinct as demand for well-located owner-occupier apartments continues to strengthen.

Joel Robinson

First look: Zurich targets North Sydney office conversion with 148-unit proposal above Metro station

Busy developer Aqualand Prestige has formally taken the next step in its expansion across Sydney's Lower North Shore, lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for its long-held Archer Street site in Chatswood.

The application covers <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/51-55-archer-street-chatswood-nsw-2067">51-55 Archer Street</a>, a 1,767 sqm amalgamated site on the eastern edge of the Chatswood CBD, where the developer is seeking approval for a 45-level mixed-use tower delivering 114 apartments, including a significant affordable housing component, alongside retail, commercial space and six basement levels of parking.

The SSDA marks the latest milestone for a project Aqualand has been quietly progressing over the past two years. The developer first secured the site for its Aqualand Prestige platform before undertaking an alternative design excellence process with PTW Architects, ultimately avoiding a formal design competition through the Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The proposal has evolved considerably from Aqualand's original concept. The revised scheme has been designed around larger owner-occupier product, with an unusually high proportion of three and four-bedroom apartments, targeting the more affluent buyer profile, and downsizer, emerging across the North Shore.

<img alt="Archer St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0171204c-5811-41b5-9b09-2335d1b7c3d0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%208.52.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=6YTuxfq.puZo7k2wbfgemcO5K3QfXYGQ" />

The 114-apartment mix comprises six studios, 27 one-bedroom apartments, 18 two-bedroom apartments, 50 three-bedroom residences and 13 four-bedroom homes. A quarter of the building will be dedicated to affordable housing, well above the mandated 15 per cent&nbsp;

PTW has structured the building vertically, with affordable housing across levels one to six, premium apartments through levels seven to 31, duplex skyhomes on klevels 32 to 43, a penthouse on level 44, and a rooftop plant level above. Six basement levels will provide resident parking and servicing.

The tower is proposed to reach approximately 154 metres, placing it among a growing collection of residential high-rises transforming Chatswood's skyline.

Rather than competing purely on height, PTW says the design has been driven by creating a slimmer tower capable of delivering significantly larger apartments.

"The primary objective of this project was to create a distinctive building that stands out from the recently approved or built structures in the Chatswood area," the design report states, noting the structural efficiency allows greater investment into apartment quality and resident amenity.

Residents would have access to more than 450 sqm of communal open space including landscaped gardens, swimming pool, rooftop entertaining areas, fitness spaces, community gardens, children's play areas and barbecue facilities.

A major focus of the design has been the public domain.

The ground plane has been opened up through landscaped terraces inspired by Willoughby's sandstone ridges, with native planting, public seating, artwork, retail activation and a series of gathering spaces intended to soften what has traditionally been a hard commercial streetscape.

The landscape strategy references Blue Gum forests once common throughout the area, while incorporating Indigenous storytelling, public art and lighting installations to strengthen the connection to Country.

Chatswood has been one of Sydney's busiest apartment markets over the past 12 months, with a steady pipeline of both new project launches and fresh development applications.

Hyecorp recently launched Celine, a 122-apartment development just along Archer Street, while Changfa and Huirong Group are progressing The Anderson, an 84-apartment project on Anderson Street.

Develotek recently secured approval for a 101-apartment tower on Pacific Highway, while Tian An LFD received the green light for Hammond Greens, its apartment development on the edge of the Chatswood Bowling Club.

Commercial property developer FiveX is also making its move into the residential market. Last month it lodged plans for a 61-storey tower with 490 apartments, which, if approved, would become one of the tallest residential buildings in Chatswood.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-fivex-targets-chatswood-skyline-with-61-storey-tower-after-north-sydney-plans">First look: FiveX targets Chatswood skyline with 61-storey tower after North Sydney plans</a>

Aqualand is also expanding its development pipeline following the launch of its luxury residential brand, Aqualand Prestige. The developer has delivered a string of high-end apartment projects across Sydney's affluent suburbs over the past decade, most recently AURA by Aqualand on Walker Street in North Sydney.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=292863]

It has since quietly assembled its next wave of projects.

Earlier this year Aqualand launched Boronia in Roseville, a boutique 111-apartment development on Larkin Street. The project is one of the first significant apartment developments to launch in the suburb ahead of what is expected to become one of Sydney's most active new housing precincts under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms, which allow greater density around train stations.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152095 project_image_fid=373685]

The developer has also lodged plans for a two-tower, 413-apartment development on Herbert Street in nearby St Leonards, further strengthening its presence across the Lower North Shore.

Beyond that, Aqualand remains behind the final stage of Barangaroo, where plans will deliver a five-hectare mixed-use precinct comprising new homes, retail, hospitality and community facilities, alongside a new Metro entrance and more than two hectares of public open space, completing the Barangaroo precinct.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/central-barangaroo-development-takes-big-step-with-concept-proposal-approval">Central Barangaroo development takes big step with concept proposal approval</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-aqualand-joins-st-leonards-apartment-party">First look: Aqualand joins St Leonards apartment party</a> 
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First look: Aqualand pushes ahead with Chatswood apartment tower as SSDA lodged for Archer Street

Mass timber is becoming an increasingly popular construction material in apartment developments, but Adelaide developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> is taking the approach a step further.

At its new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flowe-bowden-18-gibson-street-bowden-sa-5007">Flowe Bowden</a> development, the exposed cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure isn't just about reducing the building's environmental footprint. It also forms the foundation of a broader wellness strategy, influencing everything from indoor air quality and natural materials to the way residents move through and experience the building.

The 115-apartment mixed-use development, designed by Melbourne-based architecture practice Fieldwork, will occupy a prominent island site opposite Bowden Village Reserve, combining one, two and three-bedroom apartments with retail and a dedicated wellness destination.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375528]

Wellness isn't confined to a gym or shared resident facility at Flowe. Instead, Fieldwork embedded the concept into the building itself.

The development has been split into two residential wings connected by a naturally ventilated central breezeway, replacing traditional enclosed corridors with open-air walkways that improve natural light, encourage cross ventilation and create more opportunities for neighbourly interaction.

"Rather than treating wellness as something that only happens on the ground floor, our response integrates it throughout the building, which led us to ask what it really means to design a healthy building," Fieldwork Director Quino Holland said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375531]

The building's architecture also reflects Bowden's industrial heritage. The lower podium references the area's historic brick and sandstone buildings, while the upper levels transition to exposed CLT, allowing the timber structure to become a defining feature throughout the apartments and shared spaces.

The use of mass timber sits alongside a range of sustainability initiatives, including a fully electric, gas-free design, rooftop solar and a targeted 5 Star Green Star rating.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375524]

Inside the residences, the focus remains on natural, durable materials. Blackbutt engineered timber flooring, exposed CLT ceilings, porcelain surfaces and warm timber joinery create a calming interior palette, while low-VOC finishes and responsibly sourced materials have been selected to improve indoor air quality.

Kitchens have been designed as the centrepiece of each apartment, featuring porcelain island benchtops, timber-look cabinetry and brushed steel tapware, with layouts that maximise natural light and ventilation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375530]

The more traditional interpretation of wellness comes in the form of Level Eleven, a two-storey wellness club spanning the ground floor, mezzanine and first floor.

The facility will include a gym, yoga and reformer Pilates studios, Finnish and infrared saunas, magnesium hot and cold plunge pools, and dedicated recovery spaces. Unlike many residential wellness facilities, Level Eleven will also operate commercially, allowing the broader Bowden community to access the venue while giving residents exclusive membership benefits.

The ground floor has also been designed around everyday living. A café overlooking Bowden Village Reserve will activate the street frontage, while a bike workshop with tool storage, co-working space and dog wash has been incorporated to support daily routines and encourage interaction between residents.

"Flowe brings together my two biggest passions, creating places and creating healthier lives," Otello founder Daniel Harris said.

"We wanted to create something Adelaide hasn't seen before, a genuinely healthy building, where the way you live is lifted without even trying."

Flowe is positioned directly opposite Bowden Village Reserve and within walking distance of Bowden Railway Station and the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, placing future residents just minutes from the Adelaide CBD while remaining connected to one of the city's most established urban renewal precincts.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152022]

Otello launches wellness-focused Flowe Bowden with Adelaide-first mass timber apartment design

Not all apartment amenities are immediately visible.

Swimming pools, gyms, rooftop terraces and residents' lounges have long featured on buyers' wishlists, but as the way Australians live has changed, so too have the features that make apartment living more convenient.

Increasingly, buyers are placing value on the practical aspects of day-to-day life. Fast internet, EV charging, secure bike storage, flexible workspaces and parcel management are becoming just as relevant as lifestyle amenities, reflecting changing habits and expectations.

Online shopping has been one of the biggest drivers of that shift.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally, making parcel deliveries a routine part of everyday life rather than an occasional convenience.

For apartment residents, however, receiving those deliveries isn't always straightforward.

Without someone home to accept a parcel, deliveries can be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in building foyers or common areas, or require building management to temporarily store packages. As apartment living continues to grow across Australia's cities, parcel management has become an increasingly important consideration for both residents and developers.

Australia Post's Parcel Locker network is one response to that shift.

<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/KPZ9j5FRdsQ?si=Qztc1dNP3ZvEIUhb" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than relying on home delivery, eligible parcels can be directed to a nominated Parcel Locker, where they're securely stored until collected. Once a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can retrieve it using a one-time code or QR code at a time that suits them.

The network has expanded to more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with Parcel Lockers positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and, increasingly, within or alongside residential developments.

That growing presence reflects a broader change in how apartment buildings are being planned.

Developers are increasingly considering the operational side of apartment living alongside traditional lifestyle amenities. Just as secure mailrooms, bicycle storage and EV charging have become more common inclusions, parcel management is emerging as another feature that supports everyday convenience.

It also helps preserve the arrival experience within a building. Carefully designed lobbies and communal spaces can quickly become cluttered when deliveries accumulate, while secure parcel solutions reduce the likelihood of missed deliveries or parcels being left unattended.

For buyers comparing apartments, these everyday details are becoming part of the decision-making process.

Location, floorplans and finishes remain fundamental, but the features that simplify daily life are carrying greater weight than they once did. As online shopping continues to shape consumer behaviour, secure parcel delivery is increasingly becoming another amenity worth looking for.

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

Inca Property Group has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for Dawn, a 53-apartment oceanfront development overlooking Mona Vale Beach.

The proposal, at 35-39 Darley Street East, would replace an existing 18-apartment strata building with a new owner-occupier-focused development comprising 53 two and three-bedroom apartments, including nine affordable built-to-rent residences delivered under the State's infill affordable housing scheme.

Positioned on a 2,679 sqm elevated site around 280 metres from Mona Vale Beach, the development has been designed to maximise panoramic ocean views while responding to the site's sloping topography.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/inca-property-group">Inca Property Group</a> Managing Director Josh Thompson said the State Significant pathway provided greater certainty for projects of this scale.

"This State Significant pathway gives the team real certainty to progress <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/dawn-35-39-darley-street-east-mona-vale-nsw-2103">Dawn</a> through to completion," Thompson said.

"It allows us to acquire a one-off site, design it carefully and deliver the right offering for the suburb, assessed by the NSW Government's planning department."

The project is one of the first developments in the area to be assessed under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy, with the site sitting on the edge of the policy's designated inner area.

The proposal includes three basement levels providing 124 car spaces, alongside a range of resident amenities including a swimming pool, gym, sauna, wellness facilities and private plunge pools for selected ground-floor and penthouse apartments.

<img alt="Dawn" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc1a1daf-0ce4-4f12-9076-b1fa553c7a91" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-21%20at%208.42.11%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4GZ9h.gpNkTljbxyAET8Jfhv51XUamDm" />

Thompson said Dawn had been designed specifically for owner-occupiers and downsizers, a buyer profile that has driven demand across Inca's recent Upper North Shore developments.

"The majority of buyers in our recent North Shore projects have been downsizers, and we are learning exactly what this market is looking for. Beyond the location itself, we have included resort-style amenities to deliver a genuine lifestyle offering," Thompson said.

Located within walking distance of Mona Vale Beach, the town centre, Mona Vale Golf Club and the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Dawn represents Inca's first Northern Beaches project following the sell-out of Tara on Park in Waitara and Ellis Residences, currently under construction in St Ives.

Construction will be undertaken by Inca's in-house construction arm, GOP Constructions.

Dawn is the latest major apartment proposal for Mona Vale, with the suburb emerging as one of the key beneficiaries of the NSW Government's new Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy.

New developer One Living, led by industry veteran Joseph Scuderi, recently secured a site on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, where it is planning around 140 apartments.

IPM is also planning its third project in Mona Vale, significantly increasing the scale of its previous developments with an 82-apartment proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/159-167-darley-street-west-mona-vale-nsw-2103">159-167 Darley Street West</a>, opposite Bayview Golf Course and less than 800 metres from Mona Vale town centre.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/one-living-enters-sydneys-new-apartment-market-with-northern-beaches-site-acquisition">One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-ipm-plans-third-mona-vale-project">First look: IPM plans third Mona Vale project</a>

Staff reporter

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