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ASIC has imposed additional conditions on the Australian financial services (AFS) licence of SMSF Advisers Network Pty Ltd (SAN).
According to ASIC: "This follows a surveillance which ASIC commenced because of a significant increase in adviser numbers at SAN in a relatively short period of time.
"As part of the surveillance, ASIC reviewed a number of SAN’s client files.
"This review identified concerns including that some of SAN’s advisers had failed to demonstrate compliance with the best interest duty and related obligations.
"ASIC found that the statement of advice (SOA) documents relied heavily on templated wording and many of the client files lacked evidence to support the advisers’ recommendations that clients establish a SMSF."
As a result, ASIC was concerned that SAN had inadequate supervision processes in place. 
The additional licence conditions require:
SAN must engage an independent expert to review and test the compliance of advice provided by SAN’s advisers and to assess whether SAN has appropriate supervision mechanisms in place to ensure that its advisers are meeting the best interest duty and related obligations.
Where shortfalls in supervision arrangements are identified, the independent expert will make recommendations to address the deficiencies.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

ASIC imposes additional licence conditions on SMSF Advisers Network

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Bill Shorten, in his budget reply speech last night, reaffirmed Labor’s commitment to restrict negative gearing to investors who purchased new housing if elected.
He claimed the current system gives investors "loaded dice" putting younger generations at a disadvantage.
It's a “bias” in the tax system that is shutting young people out of the housing market, Mr Shorten said.
“Getting together a 20 per cent deposit plus stamp duty is so much, much harder than it was 20 or 25 years ago,” the opposition leader said.
“It is even more difficult when your government uses your taxpayer money to subsidise the property investors bidding against you.”
Mr Shorten said his negative gearing rule changes were part of Labor’s plan to “stop intergenerational unfairness in our tax system”.
“A government must be brave enough and decent enough to stop the bias against first home buyers and young Australians and we will be that government,” Mr Shorten said.
He added “lectures about cutting back on smashed avo” were patronising to young people.
“You cannot have property investors playing with loaded dice against our young people, Generation Y and the Millennials,” Mr Shorten said.
However, according to recent HIA research, only 34 percent of Australians are aware of the proposed changes and understand it at some level, while others have no understanding.
While 52 percent of people believe rents will rise as a consequence of the changes. 
HIA Managing Director, Graham Wolfe said, "with 92 percent of all renters aspiring to buy their own home, Labor’s proposed changes will weigh heavily on their savings’ plans.“
"If these changes are made, rents will rise as supply dries up due to a lack of investment in new housing. This will make renting a home less affordable."
“If rents rise, renters saving for a deposit for their own home will take a backward step."
“We can’t solve the housing affordability challenge by taxing housing. This policy seeks to do just that,“ he concluded.
But Bill Shorten's 2019-20 Federal Budget reply headlines the overarching support of future housing in the previously announced National Housing Supply Council, national Housing Ministerial and National Housing Strategy, Nicholas Proud, CEO of PowerHousing Australia said.
It represents 32 of Australia’s largest Tier One and scale-growth Community Housing Providers.
Mr Proud said, “The Federal Opposition has shown a real commitment here to seeing the jobs, economic multipliers and adequate supply of housing become a national priority if they come to Government at the next election. 
"A commitment to delivering a massive 250,000 affordable rentals over a 10-year period with 20,000 to be built in the first three years with Community Housing Providers proponents of the task is a challenge CHPs are ready to take on.
“This 10-year subsidy combined with other elements such as build-to-rent, a Housing Minister, National Housing Strategy and reinstatement of a National Housing Supply Council, as promised, will tackle a housing downturn to preserve jobs, support state economies and deliver more dwellings.
“A focus on delivering expediting new NDIS investment is welcomed to capitalise on the recent momentum gained by the Agency if this shadow budget is eventually delivered.
“Whilst there is much to praise, there are tens of thousands of families in non-CHP properties who, over the next five years, are set to see the loss of the NRAS One incentives which started to lapse in December 2018.
"A response to support these non-CHP managed NRAS homes is critical and our CHP members will look to take up this challenge to seek a pragmatic solution here," Mr Proud concluded. 
Mr Shorten’s budget reply speech also mentioned plans to support build-to-rent schemes.
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Bill Shorten reaffirms Labor stance on negative gearing

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<h1> </h1>
EXPERT OBSERVATION
The main concern when talking about the liveability of a city like Melbourne should be sustaining the health and well-being of residents.
For seven years, Melbourne boasted the title of “world’s most liveable city”, but <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-14/melbourne-loses-most-liveable-city-title-to-vienna/10117338" target="_blank">recently lost the top spot to Vienna</a>. The Economist Intelligence Unit awards the title each year when it publishes its <a href="http://www.eiu.com/topic/liveability" target="_blank">Global Liveability Index</a>. This ranks 140 cities for their urban quality of life based on assessments of stability, health care, culture and environment, education and infrastructure.
The rankings have their <a href="https://theconversation.com/melbourne-the-worlds-most-liveable-city-not-exactly-17677" target="_blank">limitations</a>, which have been <a href="https://theconversation.com/liveability-prizes-are-nice-but-we-have-to-er-live-here-3194" target="_blank">criticised</a>. To regain top spot, or indeed just to become a <a href="https://theconversation.com/liveability-prizes-are-nice-but-we-have-to-er-live-here-3194" target="_blank">better place for the people who actually live in the city</a>, perhaps Melbourne and other cities like it should go beyond the traditional indicators. This means considering other factors that affect not only liveability but also health and sustainability.
Health and mobility are linked
Urban and transport planning has a large impact on sustainability, liveability and health. <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27346385" target="_blank">A recent study in Barcelona</a> estimated 3,000 people die prematurely each year (20% of total mortality) because of urban and transport planning-related environmental and lifestyle factors. The largest contributor to premature death was lack of physical activity, followed by air pollution, noise, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2017/feb/21/urban-heat-islands-cooling-things-down-with-trees-green-roads-and-fewer-cars" target="_blank">heat island effects</a> and lack of green space.
A city that makes walking more convenient has many benefits for health and well-being. 
Melbourne is a sprawling city with <a href="https://theconversation.com/city-by-city-analysis-shows-our-capitals-arent-liveable-for-many-residents-85676" target="_blank">not enough public and active transport</a>. The result is a high level of <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27671671" target="_blank">car dependency (85% of trips are by car). </a>
There are <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.springer.com/us/book/9783319749822" target="_blank">direct links between urban and transport planning, level of environmental exposures and physical activity and health and well-being</a>. For example, infrastructure for cars results in higher car use and increases in air pollution, noise, CO2 emissions, stress, mental health problems and heat island effects, and lack of physical activity, green space and social contacts.
On the other hand, an investment in infrastructure for active transport such as cycling and walking leads to reductions in air pollution, noise, CO2 emissions, stress, mental health problems and heat island effects, and increases in physical activity, social contacts and possibly green space.
Climate change is a real threat and motorised traffic is one of the large contributors to CO2 emissions. And motorised traffic takes up a lot of public space in a city – <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27276440" target="_blank">up to 60%-70%</a>. This space could be used in much better ways to make a more pleasant living environment.
A shift from cars to cycling could free up a lot of road and parking space in the city.
Creating a sustainable, liveable and healthy city
So how do we make Melbourne not only more liveable, but also more sustainable and healthy? We urgently need to reduce urban sprawl and car dependency, increase public space for people, increase public and active transport, and increase green space.
Resulting reductions in air pollution, noise and heat island effects and increased physical activity will improve health and well-being. Furthermore, the changes in transport modes and CO2 storage by greening will mitigate climate change effects.
There are no magic bullets to achieve these goals. It requires a package of measures, strong political leadership and large investments.
The following are seven strategies, with examples of specific measures:
1. Put people at the centre of public spaces
<ul>
<li>
change the hierarchy of planning from car/motorbikes, public transport, cycling and pedestrians to pedestrians, cyclists, public transport and car/motorbikes
</li>
<li>
adopt the <a href="https://www.vox.com/2016/8/4/12342806/barcelona-superblocks" target="_blank">Barcelona superblock model</a> for the CBD to start with, to increase public space for people
</li>
<li>
introduce a 30km/h speed limit for neighbourhoods.
</li>
</ul>
2. Increase density and land-use mix
<ul>
<li>
increase urban density (make the city more compact) and reduce sprawl, but do not build high-rises – limit buildings to 5-6 floors
</li>
<li>
increase the mix of housing, places of work or schooling and access to basic services and shopping, and improve walkability to reduce the need for travelling longer distances.
</li>
</ul>
3. Reduce motorised traffic and move towards public and active transport
<ul>
<li>
reduce the number of motorised vehicles circulating (50% reduction by 2030) with an overall aim of a car-free city, starting with making the CBD car-free
</li>
<li>
introduce levies for parking at work in the city (e.g. $500-1,000 per year) that can be used to fund public transport
</li>
<li>
introduce transport planning policies that result in the same travel time for cars and public transport from and to a given destination, by giving priority to public transport
</li>
<li>
make a shared delivery system for shops to reduce the number of vehicles
</li>
<li>
increase the cycling network with a segregated cycling lane on each road and make sure it is well connected
</li>
<li>
encourage and provide financial incentives for electric bicycles for long-distance cycling and/or cycling in hilly areas
</li>
<li>
create policies and infrastructure so all children can get to school by active and public transport.
</li>
</ul>
4. Zero-emission motorised traffic by 2035
<ul>
<li>
make all remaining buses, trucks, cars and motorbikes electric by 2035 – all new motorised vehicles should be electric from 2025 onward
</li>
<li>
use roof tops for a distributed solar power system (with solar panels) to provide renewable energy for electric vehicles and households.
</li>
</ul>
5. Increase green space
<ul>
<li>
create more green space with trees in every street, greening of vacant lots and tunnelling of roads with green space on top (target a green space of 1 hectare within 300 metres of every residence)
</li>
<li>
increase green roofs and walls on buildings
</li>
<li>
green school patios and make these areas accessible to the neighbourhood on weekends and holidays
</li>
<li>
connect existing green infrastructure by creating green corridors that are also suitable for active transport.
</li>
</ul>
6. Control pollution emissions from other sources
<ul>
<li>
stricter control on emissions from the port
</li>
<li>
stricter control on emissions from other sources, such as industry and rubbish
</li>
<li>
better insulation of buildings to reduce energy use for heating and cooling
</li>
<li>
aim for a low-carbon city with zero CO2 emissions by 2035.
</li>
</ul>
7. Improve governance
<ul>
<li>
strong political leadership to make changes
</li>
<li>
provide administrative structure within the metropolitan area that integrates urban and transport planning, environment and public health policies to promote sustainability, health and well-being
</li>
<li>
work more closely with regional authorities and councils on integrating the transport system
</li>
<li>
create genuine participatory processes and involve citizens.
</li>
</ul>
We can make our cities more sustainable, liveable and healthy, but it requires a large joint effort and can only be achieved with a strong vision and commitment. However, the results can be highly rewarding.
Most people nowadays choose cities to live. These currently have detrimental effects on the environment, health and well-being, so let’s create more liveable cities that promote health and well-being.
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mark-nieuwenhuijsen-509819" target="_blank">Mark Nieuwenhuijsen</a>, Professorial Fellow, ACU, and Research Professor ISGlobal, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/instituto-de-salud-global-de-barcelona-isglobal-3626" target="_blank">Instituto de Salud Global de Barcelona (ISGlobal)</a>
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/seven-steps-melbourne-can-take-to-regain-its-liveable-city-crown-113726" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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Seven steps Melbourne can take to regain its ‘liveable city’ crown: Mark Nieuwenhuijsen

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The NSW Government has launched an expression of interest process to garner interest from theatre operators in reopening Sydney’s Theatre Royal. 
Situated in the heart of the Sydney CBD, the 1,100-seat theatre designed by Harry Seidler has been closed since 2016.
Its reopening will allow NSW to deliver and host more major touring theatre productions.
Local and international theatre operators or owners are being sought to enter a long-term sub-lease to operate the theatre.
Applicants will be asked to identify any auditorium refurbishment requirements to operate the theatre from 2021.
Minister for Arts Don Harwin hopes reopening the historic Theatre Royal will help make Sydney number one again for musical theatre in Australia.
“With our existing lyric theatres booked out for years, reopening the Theatre Royal will reintroduce a vital part of the city’s cultural history, open up new employment opportunities and provide a boost for the NSW night-time economy,” Mr Harwin said.
“The theatre has an incredible history dating back to the 1820s and its reopening is backed by huge public demand. We are committed to finding the right operator with the right experience to continue its legacy and allow NSW to compete on the global musical theatre stage once more.”
NSW has secured 28 musical and theatre productions for Sydney since 2011. 
The EOI will close at <a href="https://tenders.nsw.gov.au" target="_blank">Wednesday 24 April 2019</a> via the eTendering website.
Sydney's Theatre Royal is part of Sydney's MLC Centre.
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Theatre operator sought to re-open Sydney's Theatre Royal

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Penjonan, a Hillsborough farm that has been an operational veal-raising business, has been listed for the first time in four decades.
The 50 hectare property has a 1970s homestead designed by Newcastle architect Steve Busteed.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-acreage+semi-rural-nsw-hillsborough-129976326" target="_blank">1405 Maitland Vale Road</a>, it has five bedrooms, a home office and a covered tiled verandah.
Surrounding the home are gardens that feature a swimming pool and tennis court, as well as a brick barbecue and landscaped yard.
The rest of the property has been cleared to shade trees and divided into nine fenced pasture paddocks, including a bull paddock.
River Realty Maitland agent Chris Henry is marketing the property with a guide of $1.7 million to $1.8 million.
 
 
 
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Penjonan, Hillsborough farm listed for the first time in 40 years

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The Melbourne suburb of Bentleigh East is host to the highest volume of auctions this weekend, with 18 homes set to go under the hammer, according to CoreLogic.
Next busiest are Cheltenham, Kew, Mount Waverley, Reservoir and Yarraville, all in Melbourne, which are expecting 12 auctions each this week, along with Mosman in Sydney.
Last week saw 2,164 homes taken to auction across the combined capital cities, returning a final auction clearance rate of 50.9%, unchanged from the previous week when 1,667 auctions were held.
Over the same week last year just 670 auctions were held due to the Easter weekend, returning a clearance rate of 64.8%.
In Melbourne, Australia’s largest auction market, the number of scheduled auctions has fallen week-on-week with 840 homes set to go under the hammer across the city, down from 978 last week.
Over the same week last year, 723 auctions were held.
Sydney is expecting to see fewer properties taken to auction this week with 700 homes currently scheduled to go under the hammer across the city, down from 801 last week and 795 last year.
Across the smaller auction markets, Canberra, Perth and Tasmania are expecting to see an increase in auction volumes week-on-week, while activity is set to be lower in Adelaide and Brisbane.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/4/4/Clearance%204-04-2019.JPG" alt="">
The busy auction weekend in Bentleigh East sees <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-bentleigh+east-130718914" target="_blank">18 Millard Street</a> (pictured above) offered.
The property going under the hammer is a three bedroom one bathroom house.
It comes with a price guide of $810,000 - $890,000.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/4/4/Bentleigh%20East%202.JPG" alt="">
Another example of the breadth of auctions taking place in Bentleigh East is <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-villa-vic-bentleigh+east-130726274" target="_blank">3/27 May Street</a> (pictured above).
The property going under the hammer is a two bedroom one bathroom circa 60's Villa.
It comes with a price guide of $550,000 - $600,000.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/4/4/Bentleigh%20East%203.JPG" alt="">
A third property going to auction in Bentleigh East this week is <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-townhouse-vic-bentleigh+east-130729270">47 Gladwyn Avenue</a> (pictured above).
The property going under the hammer is a four bedroom three bathroom house.
It comes with a price guide of $1,120,000 - $1,170,000.
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Bentleigh East set to be busiest weekend auction hotspot

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Declining union membership is unlikely to be responsible for low wage growth, a research discussion paper from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has suggested.
The report, entitled Is Declining Union Membership Contributing to Low Wages Growth?, was authored by RBA economists James Bishop and Iris Chan looked at micro data, covering all enterprise agreements federally registered between 1991 and 2017.
It set out to test whether the hypothesis that the decline in union membership since the 1950s caused a fall in the bargaining power of workers, which in turn has contributed to low wages growth in recent years.
However, the report found that is unlikely that recent low wages growth is a result of changing unionisation patterns.
“First, there has been no decline in the share of employees covered by enterprise agreements negotiated with union involvement even as union membership has declined,” the report stated.
“Second, the ‘union wage growth premium’ in the private sector has been stable over time.
“Third, spillover effects from union involvement in enterprise agreement negotiations onto wage outcomes in other enterprise agreements exist, but have not changed materially over time.”
The full report is available to read <a href="https://www.rba.gov.au/publications/rdp/2019/pdf/rdp2019-02.pdf">here</a>.
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Declining union membership not the cause of low wages growth: RBA

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GUEST OBSERVATION
E-scooter mania is sweeping cities around the world. Fun, accessible and cheap to rent, shared electric scooters are one of the biggest technology stories this year.
Their main appeal is that they are so easy to ride. A <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/12/23/the-electric-scooter-wars-of-2018/" target="_blank">flood of startups</a> offer on-demand services. Simply download an app, scan the barcode, ride and drop at your destination.
While this is a simple idea, it has caused a few problems.
When they reach their destinations, riders leave them and walk away. The scooters, <a href="https://theconversation.com/can-e-scooters-solve-the-last-mile-problem-theyll-need-to-avoid-the-fate-of-dockless-bikes-102633" target="_blank">like dockless share bikes before them</a>, end up cluttering pavements, cause friction with pedestrians and provoke <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIEKWxYp240" target="_blank">controversy</a> and debate.
E-scooters are the future of city transport and will reduce private car use, say the enthusiasts. They will ease congestion and help cities achieve their environmental and road safety targets, according to the optimists.
But for every supporter of these e-boosted contraptions, a dissenting voice says they are annoying and dangerous. Critics argue that e-scooters litter our footpaths, menace pedestrians and cause <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/01/25/electric-scooters-send-more-people-hospital-than-bicycles-walking-new-study-finds/?noredirect=on&amp;utm_term=.df3477b2b7ae" target="_blank">crashes and injuries</a>. One group in San Diego has even <a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/03/04/698768297/disability-rights-group-sues-san-diego-over-scooters-on-sidewalks" target="_blank">filed a law suit</a> claiming that scooters discriminate against people with disabilities.
Some <a href="https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2018/9/10/17631318/electric-scooters-bird-city-regulations-sustainability" target="_blank">cities have banned</a> e-scooters. In Australia, Brisbane City Council, while extending a <a href="https://theconversation.com/limes-not-lemons-lessons-from-australias-first-e-scooter-sharing-trial-108924" target="_blank">trial of e-scooters operated by Lime</a>, has <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-30/electric-scooters-riders-fined-safety-breaches-brisbane-qld/10956110" target="_blank">warned safety must be improved</a> before a permanent permit is granted.
Tiny vehicles, big impacts
The emergence of “tiny vehicles” includes not only e-scooters, but also e-bikes and other electric, low-speed, micromobility solutions.
If we take them seriously, these could be a huge deal for our cities. These emerging modes of transport can be quite effective for “first and last kilometre” travel (e.g. between home and your nearest train station). They can also help with short commuting distances less than 10 kilometres. An <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/2071.0.55.001%7E2016%7EMain%20Features%7ECommuting%20Distance%20for%20Australia%7E1" target="_blank">estimated 20% of trips</a> from home to work in capital cities are 5-10km long.
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/264254/original/file-20190317-28487-12hrqvi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="">
E-scooters could be “<a href="https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2019/02/23/electronic-scooters-safety/" target="_blank">disruptive</a>” in that they would cut the number of short trips taken by private vehicles today.
In Sydney, around <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/2071.0.55.001%7E2016%7EMain%20Features%7EFeature%20Article:%20Journey%20to%20Work%20in%20Australia%7E40" target="_blank">67% of these short commuting trips</a> (on average) involve private vehicles. The proportions are even higher in Melbourne (76%), Brisbane and Darwin (both 80%), Canberra and Perth (both 83%), and Adelaide and Hobart (both 84%). Across the nation, more than 85% of drivers who commute by private car don’t share with other commuters.
Shifting even a small percentage of these trips would help reduce reliance on cars, ease congestion and improve amenity.
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/264255/original/file-20190317-28505-7gfu51.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="">
Most commuters do not carry much on their journey to work – a purse, a backpack or similar. That makes tiny vehicles more appealing for the short commute because they do just the one thing: <a href="https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2018/06/welcome-to-the-tiny-vehicle-age/563342/" target="_blank">provide personal mobility</a> from A to B. Leather seats and posh interiors are not an option!
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/264190/original/file-20190316-28505-q6t0ma.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="">
E-scooters can help with first and last kilometre travel and short commuting trips. Volkswagen
Clearly, we are nowhere near mass adoption. That would require more <a href="https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2018/06/welcome-to-the-tiny-vehicle-age/563342/" target="_blank">variety of tiny vehicles</a> to suit all types of people, trips and weather conditions.
Nevertheless, there is no shortage of <a href="https://www.greencarcongress.com/2019/03/20190305-vwmicro" target="_blank">ideas</a> to solve these challenges. Many <a href="https://lastmile.zone/en/vehicles/streetscooter-and-vw-launch-their-own-cargo-e-bikes" target="_blank">solutions</a> will undoubtedly be imagined. Some might actually work!
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i3q44cnSFoI?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" frameborder="0" width="440" height="260"></iframe>
 Startups are working on a variety of tiny vehicle solutions for different uses.
A regulatory sandbox approach
Regulation remains a major hurdle. Policymakers recognise that micromobility could be a driving force of change for our cities, but safety cannot be an afterthought. Instead of banning the emerging technology, many cities are adapting their approaches to handle it.
Rather than making up new rules without evidence, policymakers are using a <a href="http://www.govtech.com/opinion/E-Scooter-Bans-Show-Cities-Are-Hesitant-to-Embrace-Innovation" target="_blank">regulatory sandbox</a> approach. Borrowed from <a href="https://asic.gov.au/for-business/your-business/innovation-hub/regulatory-sandbox/" target="_blank">fintech regulation</a>, this approach allows startups to test new technologies for a specified period.
Businesses can learn quickly and respond to problems as they arise. Regulators can collect data to make informed decisions and prioritise interventions.
We already have examples of these partnerships.
<a href="https://www.recode.net/2018/6/26/17490378/scooter-sharing-companies-san-francisco-legal-permits" target="_blank">Companies are offering to pay cities a fee per scooter</a> to build protected scooter and bike infrastructure. Others have committed to providing <a href="https://sf.streetsblog.org/2018/09/21/return-of-the-scooter/" target="_blank">financial incentives</a> to encourage riders to park scooters properly. One company is offering a free ride to customers who park their scooters well ten times in a row.
To keep footpaths safe, businesses are also working with local governments to test ideas such as <a href="https://youtu.be/BmkRjtdtygk" target="_blank">retractable locks</a>, <a href="https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2019/03/electric-scooters-parking-charging-docks-lime-bird-lyft-spin/584332/" target="_blank">solar-powered parking</a>, <a href="https://www.recode.net/2018/6/26/17490378/scooter-sharing-companies-san-francisco-legal-permits" target="_blank">designated on-street drop-off zones</a> – even a <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90316775/is-it-time-for-scooters-to-be-put-in-their-place" target="_blank">“dock for dockless”</a> solution!
What’s next for the e-scooter market?
These products are not toys and investors know it. Venture capitalists are riding a wave of public acceptance and adoption.
E-scooter growth, in particular, has <a href="https://www.curbed.com/2018/7/24/17607698/electric-scooter-bird-lime-spin-adoption-transit" target="_blank">exceeded first-year adoption rates</a> for similar services such as bike-sharing and ride-hailing. In <a href="https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article226640274" target="_blank">Sacramento</a>, where the same company offers both bike and car services, the use of shared e-bikes exceeded ride-hailing rentals by a 53-47% margin.
Businesses are betting that shared e-scooters will do to short-distance travel what ride-hailing did to the taxi industry. Globally, investors have <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/automotive-and-assembly/our-insights/micromobilitys-15000-mile-checkup" target="_blank">poured more than US$5.7 billion</a> into micromobility startups since 2015. New business models are emerging, with some companies considering annual memberships that include free ride time per day.
As with other fast-moving innovations, policymakers need to adapt their approaches. They also need to rethink bans and regulations that undermine the viability of e-scooters.
Tech companies need to prioritise rider safety over growth. They need to work with governments to preserve the sanctity of the footpath as a safe public space.
Without this, our cities will miss out on the potential of tiny vehicles and the opportunities they offer to reduce private car use.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/113111/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;">
Hussein Dia, Chair, Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/banning-tiny-vehicles-would-deny-us-smarter-ways-to-get-around-our-cities-113111" target="_blank">original article</a>.
Main photo: Conceptual design of a vehicle parking bay as a designated drop-off zone for tiny vehicles. Lyft
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Banning ‘tiny vehicles’ would deny us smarter ways to get around our cities

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EXPERT OBSERVATION
White collar has driven employment gains but the surge in construction broke a 20yr downtrend for metal manufacturing employment.
<ul>
<li>In the year to February 2019, total employment grew 284k or 2.3% which is explained by the expansion of white collar employment and the lion share of this occurred in NSW and Victoria. Of the remaining sectors, the loss of employment in construction and manufacturing sectors was offset by modest gains in leisure &amp; hospitality with some help from smaller gains in retail, education and health.</li>
<li>White collar employment was boosted by solid gains in public administration &amp; safety (118.2k) and professional, scientific &amp; technical services (93.4k). The gains in leisure &amp; hospitality sectors was split between accommodation &amp; food services (+29.7k) and other household services (+43k).</li>
<li>Flat employment in education &amp; health hides losses of –36k in NSW and –31.5k in WA which were offset by growth in Victoria (44.5k) and Queensland (30.9k).</li>
<li>Goods production sector employment declined 41.6k due to a collapse in manufacturing employment (-63.7k) only partly offset by gains in mining (+16.7k) and agriculture (+10.5k).  </li>
<li>Construction had been a significant positive for employment with its share of total employment hitting a record high of 9.6% in 2018 Q1. But through the year it eased to 9.0% with the decline in construction employment making a –0.4ppt drag on annual total employment growth (total ex-construction was +2.7ppt contribution/total 2.3%yr).</li>
<li>The correction in construction has been focused in NSW and WA with most job losses occurring in construction services. At this stage, building and heavy engineering appear to be peaking, rather than correcting, but these sectors tend to lag the services involved with establishing a construction project.</li>
<li>Manufacturing dependent on construction expanded employment in 2018, breaking a longer-term down trend. While public infrastructure should support steel demand, at least for the near term, growth is likely to be somewhat less than it has been.</li>
</ul>
In the year to February, white collar employment explained just about all of the 282k growth in employment. We define white collar employment as those employees in finance, real estate &amp; hiring services, professional, scientific &amp; technical services, other business services and government services.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/3/WESTPAC%201.jpg">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/2019/4/3/WESTPAC%201.jpg" alt="">
Source: Westpac
Household services (accommodation &amp; food services, education &amp; training, health care &amp; social assistance and arts &amp; recreation) has been the powerhouse of employment growth for some time (see chart over) but in the last year there has been a shift of focus with households services employment slowing to 1.7%yr contributing just 0.6ppt to the annual pace of total employment growth.
Meanwhile, business services (information, media and telecommunications, finance &amp; insurance services, rental, hiring &amp; real estate, professional, scientific &amp; technical and administrative support services) employment growth accelerated to 5.2%yr contributing 1.0ppt to annual total employment growth but the big surge came from the 23.5%yr lift in government employment contributing 1.3ppt to the 2.3%yr pace in total employment.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/3/WESTPAC%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/2019/4/3/WESTPAC%202.jpg" alt="">
Source: Westpac 
Looking at the state data highlights where the big swings have occurred. In NSW employment gains were driven by leisure &amp; hospitality and white collar while education &amp; health plus construction were the main drags on employment. There was surge in employment from public administration &amp; safety (+83.5k in the year) and professional, scientific &amp; technical services added 58.9k; both of these are white collar and business services sectors.
Accommodation &amp; food services (household services) added a healthy 40.6k but from there it was a drop to +26.7k from agriculture, forestry &amp; fishing (production sector). Leading the decline in NSW employment was –33.5k from construction (production sector) and education &amp; training surprised with a 30.4k decline (household services) and manufacturing shed 19.9k (production sector).
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/3/WESTPAC%203.jpg">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/2019/4/3/WESTPAC%203.jpg" alt="">
 
Source: Westpac
Contrast this with Victoria where education &amp; health plus white collar employment drove the gains. In the year to February total employment grew more in Victoria than NSW (132.7k vs. 120.3k in the year) and at the same time the distribution amongst the sectors was a bit more even. Public administration &amp; safety led the charge in Victoria but the 39.7k gain was somewhat smaller than the gain by this sector in NSW (+83.5k).
Victorian healthcare &amp; social assistance (household sector) added 35k employees where as it contracted –4.2k in NSW, professional, scientific &amp; technical employment lifted 23.1k in Victoria and while public administration surged in NSW it grew a more modest 21.8k in Victoria.
Leading the decline in Victoria was the –23.0k in accommodation &amp; food services employment while manufacturing shed 14.3k employees and retail trade (household sector) was not much better at –12.7k. Victorian construction employment was a bit better than NSW at –9.2k (vs. –33.5k in NSW) full-time construction employment rose 6.4k in Victoria compared to –31.8k in NSW suggesting NSW appears to have entered a more protracted construction downturn as hours worked there appear to be more tightly managed.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/3/WESTPAC%204.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/2019/4/3/WESTPAC%204.jpg" alt="">
Source: Westpac
For Queensland, just about all of the gains in employment can be put down to household services and, in particular, government employment or sectors funded by governments. Education &amp; training made the largest contribution (+17.6k) but public administration &amp; safety almost matched its contribution (+17.2k) while healthcare &amp; social assistance was not far behind (+14.7k) and information, media &amp; telecommunications made a healthy contribution (12.8k). The key drag in the year was manufacturing (–35.0k), retail trade (–23.3k) and administration &amp; support services (–12.9k). All up white collar employment was positive (+19.5k) adding to the 30.9k gain in education &amp; health and a sound 17.4k contribution from leisure &amp; hospitality more than offsetting the contraction in production employment (–25.7k) and retail &amp; distribution (–26.8k).
WA saw a mix in the sectors driving employment with retail &amp; wholesale gaining 30.8k while white collar employment lifted 29.5k in the year (+16.9k professional, scientific &amp; technology, +15.3 public administration &amp; safety and +9.5k other services more than offsetting the 12.6k loss in arts &amp; recreation and –4.9k in financial services). Mining was also positive (+8.1k) but declines in manufacturing and agriculture (–1.8k and –7.7k respectively) led to a small decline in production manufacturing. In the year to February, education &amp; health swung to being a significant drag in WA shedding 31.5k employees while construction shed 18.2k workers over the same period of time. Manufacturing was basically flat printing +1.8k.
Looking deeper into the sectors sheds some light onto what has been driving employment growth and where the risk to the employment outlook lies.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/3/WESTPAC%205.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/2019/4/3/WESTPAC%205.jpg" alt="">
Source: Westpac 
Construction was an important driver of employment through 2017 with gains peaking at +103.8k /9.8%yr in the year to November 2017. This represented a 0.9ppt contribution to the 3.3%yr pace in total employment growth at that time. Construction's share of total employment peaked a quarter later at 9.5% in February 2018 which was a record high for this series going back to the start of the data in late 1984.
Since then construction employment has fallen 49.2k in the year to February 2019 representing a drag of –0.4ppt on total employment growth (which printed 2.3%yr). The last time construction employment represented a meaningful drag on employment growth was back in 2012 when it contracted –61.6k in the year to August 2012 generating a drag of –0.6ppt on total employment (which printed 1.2%yr).
Given that the starting point of construction's share of total employment is now larger than it was in 2012 (the peak back then was 9.1% in August 2011) construction has the potential to have a larger drag on employment this time should the construction downturn continue to deepen and broaden out of NSW and WA where it is currently focused.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/3/WESTPAC%206.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/2019/4/3/WESTPAC%206.jpg" alt="">
Source: Westpac 
Looking at the breakdown of the sub-sectors behind the correction in construction employment suggests the current correction could have further to run. In the year to February 2019, all of the decline in construction employment can be explained by the –66k decline in construction services. The level of employment in this sector peaked at +777.6k in February 2018 having grown 86.1k, or 12.5%, in the previous two years.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/3/WESTPAC%207.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/2019/4/3/WESTPAC%207.jpg" alt="">
Source: Westpac
Construction services includes land development &amp; site preparation services, building structure services, building installation services, building completion services and other construction services (which we suspect includes construction contractors). A fair proportion of these services are involved with project and site preparation before construction activity starts. We would expect to see some lift from heavy, civil engineering as public works projects continue but the down turn in dwelling construction activity is going to weigh on building construction employment through 2019 and it is likely to be sometime before construction services find a base to grow from.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/3/WESTPAC%208.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/2019/4/3/WESTPAC%208.jpg" alt="">
Source: Westpac
The impact of construction activity on employment is broader than direct construction employment. Westpac has long compiled an aggregate of sectors in manufacturing that would have a strong linkage with construction – wood products, non-metallic minerals, metal products and furniture – which represents a bit more than 30% of manufacturing employment.
Employment in these sectors had been in a trend decline since the late 1990s, as are most manufacturing sectors. During the downtrend there have been some short-run up cycles but from the August 2016 low in employment these sectors grew 29.9k to February 2019, the first sustained uptrend in employment in almost two decades. November 2016 was the recent low in construction employment share of total employment which then rose to a peak in February 2018. Manufacturing employment linked to construction activity peaked in November 2018.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/3/WESTPAC%209.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/2019/4/3/WESTPAC%209.jpg" alt="">
Source: Westpac
In the last year all of the gains in manufacturing employment has been from metal products (+19.1k); all the other sectors were either flat or declining. Employment metal productions totalled 172.1k in February and if you exclude the recent run-up, employment in metal products is back to a level not seen since early 2014. Not even the mining investment boom produced a comparable lift in steel manufacturing employment indicative of just how significant the recent lift in construction activity has been for broader employment gains. By contrast transport &amp; machinery equipment employment declined 24.9k in the year to February while petroleum, chemical &amp; coal shed 21.0k workers and food, beverage &amp; tobacco has retrenched 16.7k.
Looking forward we don't expect public construction activity to peak until well into 2020 but nevertheless the pace of growth will be somewhat less than it has been. As such steel manufacturing employment should be supported but is very unlikely to be a significant contributor to employment growth going forward and as we head into 2020, it is likely to become a drag on employment.
Looking at the states, Queensland saw the biggest decline in manufacturing employment losing –18.8k employees in the year while NSW shed –7.2k, Vic lost –5.0k and WA lost –2.2k. SA added 9.6k and Tasmania gained 16.6k.
JUSTIN SMIRK is a ‎senior economist for Westpac Group
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Australian employment gains have been in white collar industries: Justin Smirk

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Following the recent reinstatement of Commonwealth Bank, LandMark White has now secured Westpac as resuming its valuation workflow.
LMW told its shareholders that still requires reinstatement from a majority of our remaining banking clients before LMW can provide reasonable financial projections.
It remains suspended from the ASX.
It was February 19 when Westpac Group moved to protect the personal information and privacy of its borrowers after the recent data breach involving LandMark White Limited.
"We are investigating this matter and it is our immediate priority to contact and support any Westpac, St.George, Bank of Melbourne, BankSA or RAMS customers who may be affected," it advised.
Westpac believed only a small number of individuals are potentially impacted.
The data disclosed includes property valuation details and some contact details (such as names, addresses and email addresses) of the various parties involved in the property valuation process.
No loan application details, such as financial and identification documents, were disclosed.
LMW also told its shareholders today that an advertisement in today’s Australian Financial Review seeking Expressions of Interest for a “Property Services Business” did not relate to LMW.
Last month LandMark White was reinstated by Commonwealth Bank to its panel for residential valuations.
Marking a significant step for the company after the <a href="/news/landmark-white-limited-reports-property-valuations-data-breach">recent cyber-attack</a>, Keith Perrett, Chairman of LandMark White, said the decision made by Commonwealth Bank is an endorsement of the actions taken by the company in response to the incident.
"We’re pleased a number of financial institutions have reinstated LMW to its panel of valuation providers, including one of Australia’s major lenders.
"Commonwealth Bank recognised the risk to our company, our staff and shareholders, and reviewed the enhancements to our systems and networks in an efficient manner while also ensuring its affected customers were supported,” Mr Perrett said.
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The company has been working closely with financial institutions throughout the last few weeks – including all of Australia’s major lenders – to ensure its systems and networks are now subject to the highest level of security and monitoring.
Commonwealth Bank, as well as NAB and ANZ, <a href="/news/banks-drop-landmark-white-valuations-after-data-breach">dropped LandMark White</a> following the attack.
LMW liaised with Commonwealth Bank’s Data Protect Group to assess and improve its datasecurity environment, while the company has also committed to a framework for robust risk management and continuous improvement.
"We’re pleased a number of financial institutions have reinstated LMW to its panel of valuation providers, including one of Australia’s major lenders. 
“It’s a great sign of faith in our company and our people, and I thank the Commonwealth Bank for the support they have shown LMW in the last few weeks. We are confident we now have one of the most secure systems and networks for a property valuation company in Australia.”
“We have been a trusted member of the industry for nearly 40 years and with the support ofall the major banks, we’re confident we’ll be here for another 40 years and longer.”
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LandMark White see Westpac return after dark web data privacy breach 

Developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/bottega-property-group">Bottega House</a> has secured council approval for its first Brisbane project - a $270 million luxury residential development on an absolute riverfront site in leafy St Lucia.&nbsp;

The 15-storey project, known as <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/st-lucia-by-bottega-house-180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">St Lucia by Bottega House</a> , will occupy a prime north-facing site at 178-180 Macquarie Street, directly fronting the Brisbane River in the established inner-west suburb known for its rowing clubs, golf courses and sprawling University of Queensland campus.&nbsp;

St Lucia by Bottega House will feature a suite of amenities including dedicated wellness spaces, a mineral pool and cold plunge. The project has been positioned to attract affluent owner-occupiers seeking high-quality, house-sized apartments.&nbsp;

Bottega House has been set up by co-directors Nick Malloch, Louis Mennes and Craig Marsh.

Malloch said the project drew inspiration from its Brisbane River setting and leafy inner-west surrounds, while responding to the demands of discerning locals looking to transition from freestanding homes into apartment living.&nbsp;

"With an expansive river frontage and lush green surrounds, we knew we had to create something special that reflects the natural beauty of the location while offering residents masterfully crafted homes," said Malloch.&nbsp;

"Our intent was to complement the project's quiet, private setting by introducing residences that offer a calm retreat and sanctuary from the everyday. The result is a harmonious blend of architecture, interiors and amenity that emphasises wellbeing, comfort and beauty without excess."&nbsp;

Malloch added that project consultants had been carefully selected in alignment with Bottega House's commitment to care, quality and attention to detail. The design team includes architects <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a>, interiors practice <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and landscaping by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/urbis">Urbis</a>.&nbsp;

Three-bedroom apartments are expected to start around $5 millio. Selling agents Keenan &amp; Byrne said the pricing strategy for the project was anticipated to achieve upwards of $25,500 per square metre.&nbsp;

The project's development approval this week follows the success of Bottega House's inaugural Queensland project - a 22-storey collection of full-floor sky homes at Broadbeach on the Gold Coast which included the sale of a two-storey penthouse at a record price for a beachside residence.&nbsp;

St Lucia by Bottega House is expected to launch to market in November, with construction anticipated to be completed mid 2029.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151826]

Joel Robinson

Bottega House to make Brisbane debut with St Lucia riverfront apartment development

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Property Group</a> is advancing its affordable apartment model into Brisbane with the acquisition of another site at Cordelia Street in South Brisbane for $27 million.

Sherpa, which has a $1.7 billion pipeline across Southeast Queensland, intends to bring a cohort of apartments exclusively for first homebuyers into its proposed 186-apartment project to be built at 2 Cordelia Street.

The Sherpa model has already been incredibly well received from their Gold Coast projects, where Sherpa Group set aside a number of apartments exclusively for first homebuyers.

The new $320 million project marks Sherpa Group's second development in Brisbane, following its $255 million Symphony project, also on Cordelia Street, which is currently under construction.

Symphony will deliver 146 apartments across 28 levels, offering a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments. With 114 already sold, construction by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/lps-group">LPS Group</a> is scheduled for completion in 2028.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7574 project_image_fid=351654]

Sherpa Founder, Christie Leet, said the company was excited to be venturing into Brisbane for its second residential project.

“We’re big believers in the future of Brisbane as we lead into the 2032 Olympics and beyond,” Leet said.

“The success of Symphony has guided us into what will be our second project and we look forward to submitting our plans with council soon so we can deliver yet another quality project to the inner city residential market.

“Our Flourish model has been very well received both in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and we’re excited to be able to offer some of these apartments again exclusively to first homebuyers to help get them into the property market.

“The model has been extraordinarily well received in our previous projects and it is something we are committed to moving forward.”

2 Cordelia Street will be designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hal-architects">HAL Architects</a> &amp; Finegrain and will include Sherpa’s signature residential amenities including pool, gym, recreation, wellness and work from home spaces.

The project will feature ground-floor commercial space, creating a vibrant amenity for residents and the surrounding community.

A development application will be lodged with Brisbane City Council in August on the code compliant site and will be launched to the market early 2027.

Sherpa acquires new site for second Brisbane apartment tower

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.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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.

&nbsp;

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.

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]

Staff reporter

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