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CBA and subsidiary Bankwest are axing reverse mortgages, making them the last of the major lenders to pull out of the $3.1 billion sector.
Beginning next year, the service will no longer be offered, however, it will continue providing it to existing borrowers.
It follows in the footsteps of Westpac Group and Macquarie Bank who withdrew from the market late last year.
This leaves only Heartlands Seniors' Finance, IMB Bank and P&amp;N Bank as the remaining significant players, according to Canstar analysis.
However, the federal government is entering the sector with a low-cost reverse mortgage scheme providing a public sector alternative.
Demand for the products is predicted to grow in an ageing community where seniors have billions of dollars in equity in their family home that can be tapped by a reverse mortgage, according to regulators.
CBA predicts 20% of Australians will be over 65 within 12 years.
Selling of the products, recently came under fire from regulators concerned about the quality of advice.
Improved scrutiny and advice and tougher regulations are expected, particularly in the wake of expected improvements to borrowing standards in the wake of the banking royal commission. 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

CBA the final big four lender to axe reverse mortgages

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A 100-acre parcel of waterfront land on the edge of Tea Gardens with views over Port Stephens has been listed for sale.
It has been offered by Ivy Stevenson and Bryan Stevenson from Century 21.
Boasting just over 1 kilometre of water frontage, it features direct access to the waters of Port Stephens.
<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/2018/11/6/tea%20gardens%203.jpg" alt="">
Situated at<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.century21.com.au/property/residential/buy/nsw/2324/tea-gardens/445766" target="_blank"> Lot 42 Bayview Road, Tea Gardens,</a> the land is within minutes of the towns of Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest.
Presently this land is unimproved, so will require some clearing and access roads.
 <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/2018/11/6/tea%20gardens.jpg" alt="">
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Tea Gardens, Port Stephens waterfront property on the market 

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NSW Land Registry Services has committed to lease one and a half floors at 175 Liverpool Street, in the southern end of the Sydney CBD.
Savills Australia’s Rob Dickins negotiated the term of five years and six months at a rate of $985 per sqm, saying the tenant was attracted to the prominent A-grade quality of the building.
“Offices in 175 Liverpool Street have panoramic views over Hyde Park to the harbour and provide spacious, fitted-out accommodation,” Mr Dickins said.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/11/7/Liverpool%202.JPG" alt="">
The office tower has retail on the ground floor, a large underground parking station, and modern end-of-trip facilities.
NSW Land Registry Services will relocate from the land titles office opposite St Mary’s Cathedral on April 1, 2019.
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Savills negotiates relocation to Liverpool Street for NSW Land Registry Services

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The former Melbourne home of collapsed wedding reception service The Willows has hit the market with $9.5 million expectations by the landlord.
The venue manager Lewis Hospitality Management, the previous tenant at <a href="https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/property/462-st-kilda-road-melbourne-3004-vic-3004-2014737395" target="_blank">462 St Kilda Road</a>, went into liquidation in June when 64 couples were collectively left more than $300,000 out of pocket, The Age reported.
Constructed in 1890, the heritage-listed building, known as Rathgael, was built for bookmaker Leon Cohen as 16-room brick house.
<a href="https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/willows.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-60014 aligncenter" src="https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/willows.jpg" alt="The building, Rathgael, was built in 1890. Photo: Supplied" width="709" height="533"></a>
The listing agents suggest the 987 sqm site would be attractive as offices, retail, and hospitality or for further development, subject to council approval.
It is one of very few mansions remaining that shows the extravagant prestige of the era.
<a href="https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/willows-2.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-60015 aligncenter" src="https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/willows-2.jpg" alt="The venue could be reused for hospitality services. Photo: Supplied" width="709" height="533"></a>
With a seven day, on-site liquor permit, the freestanding property has an outdoor area fronting 29 metres of St Kilda Road, as well as a commercial kitchen.
The property is being marketed through a public tender campaign, closing November 29 through co-agents Colliers International and Allard Shelton by its owners, the Aswani family, which has held it as an investment asset for 20 years.
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Former Melbourne home of collapsed wedding reception venue, The Willows, for sale

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The fundamentals of the Parramatta market are robust, with a growing office workforce and continued increase in the resident population making the city an attractive retail location, according to Ray White’s latest Between the Lines commercial research.
The CBD is in the midst of a development boom and the construction of new commercial and residential towers, together with transport improvements have disrupted the city.   Ray White Commercial’s Head of Research Vanessa Rader said the developments will continue for the next few years, with the major light rail project closing streets and unlikely to be completed until 2023, but it will be worth the wait.   Ms Rader noted, “the high occupancy and growing rents achieved across the Prime Parramatta retail strip are encouraging, with the continued demand highlighting the long-term longevity apparent in this location.” She said the leasing market across the Parramatta CBD strip retail market has been mixed during 2018 and that while demand is high, the uncertainty surrounding the extent of disruption to trade has made negotiations more difficult.
Their research found that gross face rents recorded growth over the past 12 months of 3.54 per cent across the total market.   Ms Rader said Ray White Commercial had surveyed the Prime Church Street retail strip, with the location divided into two zones*.   “Across the total Parramatta Prime strip, vacancy is recorded at just 6.35 per cent. The larger Zone 1 is outperforming, with a vacancy of 5.55 per cent compared to Zone 2, at 10.89 per cent,” she said.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/11/6/parramatta%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/2018/11/6/parramatta%201.jpg" alt="">
Source: Ray White   “While cafés and restaurants are the main operators along the Church Street strip, the remaining mix is quite different.   “Zone 1 has a total of 43.62 per cent of all space devoted to food retailing, with services featured high at 19.67 per cent.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/11/6/parramatta%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/2018/11/6/parramatta%202.jpg" alt="">   “This zone also has a somewhat even split to other retailers being clothing and soft goods, personal and household goods and recreational goods representing approximately 8 per cent of the total floorspace each.   “Along Zone 2 we see a greater reliance on food retailing, accounting for 45.91 per cent with a larger grocery component. Services also dominate, representing 41.25 per cent of space given the existence of the council offices and other banks/professional services.”   The ongoing development across the CBD, most notably the light rail project, has raised some concerns by owners regarding the disruption it will cause to their tenancies.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/11/6/parramatta%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/2018/11/6/parramatta%203.jpg" alt="">   Despite this, the future benefits of this and other development across the Parramatta CBD will ensure that this location remains a vibrant retail hub into the future.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/11/6/parramatta%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/2018/11/6/parramatta%204.jpg" alt="">   *Zone 1 being the area from Parramatta River to the train line (including mall fronted properties) while Zone 2, which is known as the Chinatown end of Church Street, includes the street front retail (excluding Westfield tenancies) up to Campbell Street.In total this represents just shy of 35,000 sqm with 85 per cent represented in the Zone 1 precinct.
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Development boom builds future for Parramatta CBD

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Most retirees are financially secure. Many earn more than they did while working, the Grattan Institute finds. <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/brendan-coates-154644"> </a>
It’s conventional wisdom that Australians don’t save enough for retirement. Most workers themselves <a href="http://csrm.cass.anu.edu.au/sites/default/files/docs/ANUPoll-ageing-money-feb-2016%257B%255C_%257D0.pdf" target="_blank">think</a> they won’t have enough to retire on, and their concerns are <a href="http://nabnews.efront-flare.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/MLCWealth-%2520Sentiment-Survey-Q1-2017.pdf" target="_blank">rising</a>.
But the conventional wisdom is wrong.
Our new report, <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/report/money-in-retirement/" target="_blank">Money In Retirement: More Than Enough</a> shows that most people who are actually retired <a href="https://www.mebank.com.au/getmedia/2046702b-39c0-457b-8950-80d75e716bcd/ME-s-14th-Household-Financial-Comfort-Report_August-2018.pdf" target="_blank">feel more comfortable financially</a> than the Australians younger than them who are still working.
Retirees of today tend to slow their spending as they age, tend to keep saving in retirement, and often leave an legacy almost as big as the nest egg they had on the day they retired.
When surveyed today the retirees of the future might be worried about their retirement, but economic growth means they will almost certainly be on even higher incomes than retirees today.
These findings might seem surprising: they contradict the repeated messaging from the financial services industry that Australians won’t have enough for retirement.
But that industry’s claims are based on research that overlooks two important points.
Retirees spend less over time
Much of the research assumes that retirees need to save enough to enable their incomes to <a href="https://melbourneinstitute.unimelb.edu.au/downloads/working-paper-series/wp2014n05.pdf">keep</a> <a href="https://www.actuaries.asn.au/Library/Opinion/2015/ForRicherForPoorerRetirementIncomes2WEB.pdf" target="_blank">climbing</a> throughout their retirement in line with general wage growth.
Implicitly, it assumes that a retiree needs to spend 25% more at age 90 than at age 70, after accounting for inflation.
But our analysis shows that retired Australians tend to spend less over time, even those who have money to spare.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/244006/original/file-20181105-74754-1c9ftyn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/244006/original/file-20181105-74754-1c9ftyn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
Young retirees might chalk up frequent flyer points, but they do it less as they get older.
Spending tends to slow at around the age of 70, and falls rapidly after age 80, to just 84% of what was spent at retirement age.
Even the wealthiest retirees spend less as they age. At the other end of the scale, pensioners receive discounts on everything from car registration to rates.
Our research finds that retirees spend less over time on food, alcohol, tobacco, clothes, furnishings, transport and recreation.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/244008/original/file-20181105-74775-1cthlie.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/244008/original/file-20181105-74775-1cthlie.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
They spend more on health care as they age, but Medicare <a href="https://theconversation.com/young-australians-set-to-pay-for-government-policy-mistakes-35250" target="_blank">largely shields them</a> from the full costs. The modestly higher out-of-pocket costs they do pay are mainly due to <a href="https://theconversation.com/private-health-insurance-premium-increases-explained-in-14-charts-92825" target="_blank">rising premiums</a> for private health insurance.
Not only do most retirees not draw down their savings throughout retirement, many add to them.
Even among pensioners, one recent study found that the median (typical) pensioner <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0312896216682577" target="_blank">still had 90%</a> of what he or she retired on after eight years.
This means that calculations about the adequacy of retirement savings ought to be based on whether they are enough to maintain buying power (at best) rather increase it in line with wage growth.
Many <a href="http://www.industrysuperaustralia.com/publications/reports/nearly-half-of-australians-will-not-have-a-comfortable-retirement/" target="_blank">prominent studies</a> also ignore non-super savings, which are <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-superannuation-myth-why-its-a-mistake-to-increase-contributions-to-12-of-earnings-66209" target="_blank">material</a>, especially for wealthier households.
They lead to misguided calls for ever-higher super contributions in order to ensure reach the point where super alone is enough to provide an adequate retirement income, even though many households will have income from other sources.
Most will have enough super
Our modelling shows that people starting work today will have adequate retirement incomes: workers of all income levels will retire on incomes at least 70% of their pre-retirement earnings – the so-called replacement benchmark used by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and the <a href="https://www.mercer.com.au/our-thinking/mmgpi#contactForm" target="_blank">Mercer Global Pension Index</a>.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/244011/original/file-20181105-74763-1bh59aw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/244011/original/file-20181105-74763-1bh59aw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
In fact the median (typical) worker can expect a retirement income of 91% of his or her pre-retirement income.
This means that many low-income Australians will actually get a pay rise on retirement.
Even workers in their 40s and 50s today – many of whom didn’t benefit from the present high rate of compulsory super contributions for their entire working lives – can expect a retirement income of about 70% of their pre-retirement incomes.
So compulsory super can stay at 9.5%
It means that that there is no obvious case to lift compulsory super contributions from 9.5% to 12% of salary as presently legislated.
Doing so might further boost retirement incomes (especially among those low and middle earners unable to compensate for the higher contributions by winding back other savings), but at the expense of providing lower incomes while working.
As the <a href="http://taxreview.treasury.gov.au/content/FinalReport.aspx?doc=html/publications/Papers/Final_Report_Part_2/chapter_a2-2.htm" target="_blank">Henry Tax Review</a> noted, higher compulsory super contributions are ultimately funded by lower wages than would have been the case, meaning lower living standards while in work.
As it happens, higher contributions would do little to change the retirement incomes of low and middle income Australians. Their extra superannuation income they provided would cut their age pension payments.
 
Higher compulsory contributions would also damage pensions in another way.
The age pension is <a href="https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/seniors/benefits-payments/pension-rates" target="_blank">indexed to wage growth</a> which would be lower if employers diverted a steadily increasing proportion of their employee budget to super.
It means the most fervent opponents of a lift in compulsory super contributions from 9.5% to 12% ought be those people presently on the age pension.
The government ought to oppose it as well. Diverting more of what would have been wages to more lightly taxed super will strain its budget. Scrapping the proposed increase would <a href="https://insidestory.org.au/not-so-super/" target="_blank">save</a> it an impressive A$2 billion a year.
We can find better ways to help retirees
Even if governments did feel it necessary to boost retirement incomes, lifting compulsory super contributions would be one of the worst ways to do it.
Loosening the age pension assets test taper could boost retirement incomes of around 20% of retirees, climbing to more than 70% over time. It would cost the Budget just A$750 million a year – less than half the cost to it of the proposed increase in compulsory super.
The real priority - by far the biggest bang for the buck in alleviating poverty in retirement - should be boosting Commonwealth rent assistance by 40%, providing an extra $1,410 a year for retired singles and $1,330 for retired couples.
Senior Australians who rent privately are much more likely to <a href="https://theconversation.com/three-charts-on-poorer-australians-bearing-the-brunt-of-rising-housing-costs-87003" target="_blank">suffer financial stress</a> than homeowners. And renting will become more widespread as younger generations on low incomes find themselves less able to afford homes.
Australians have been told for decades that they’re not saving enough for retirement. Such claims are inconsistent with the facts. Most of today’s workers can already expect a comfortable retirement. Forcing them and future workers to save more money for retirement that they’ll never spend is simply a recipe for larger bequests.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/106237/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
Brendan Coates, Fellow, Grattan Institute; John Daley, Chief Executive Officer, Grattan Institute, and Jonathan Nolan, Associate, Grattan Institute
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/why-we-should-worry-less-about-retirement-and-leave-super-at-9-5-106237" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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Why we should worry less about retirement - and leave super at 9.5%: Grattan Institute

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There are $90 million hopes for a Double Bay development site.
It is the Cross Street holding next to the Inter­Continental Hotel.
Offers close Decem­ber 7 for the 1,334 sqm block at 19-27 Cross Street.
It is on the corner of Transvaal Avenue.
There are plans from architect Luigi Rosselli for a high-luxury seven-storey project, but not yet approved.
It includes retail and a piazza on the ground level with 22 apartments.
The property has been listed by Tri-Anta Pty Ltd who purchased it in 1996.
The six children of the late Stephen and Stella Rose are the vendors through 1st City.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/11/7/Cross%20Street%20aerial.JPG" alt="">
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$90 million hopes for Double Bay development site

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Glenfruin, an iconic Italianate style residence located within Launceston's city centre remains listed on the market after failing to sale via an expressions of interest campaign.
It is being offered by Mathew Chugg and Rodney Rawlings from Knight Frank Tasmania.
Built in the 1880s on 1,482sqm and set over three levels, Glenfruin at<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-launceston-129370374" target="_blank"> 1 Brisbane Street </a>combines elegant original features with the demands of contemporary living. 
<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/2018/10/16/launceston%202.jpg" alt="">
It comes with four queen-sized bedrooms, gourmet kitchen with red marble bench living and dining rooms with expansive views, north-facing balcony, cellar and storage.
Other features include terraced garden, hydronic heating, double glazing, reverse cycle air conditioning, and double carport plus six extra car parking.
The suburb's median house price sits at <a href="/developments/launceston-tas-7250">$485,000</a>, according to CoreLogic. 
 <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/2018/10/16/launceston%203.jpg" alt="">
The expression of interest for Glenfruin ended October 19 but it remains on market..  
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Three level Launceston trophy home remains on the market

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A strata office located within Spring Hills’ ‘Portman Place’ complex has been purchased by an interstate investor after only 11 days on market.
Will Carman of Savills negotiated the sale on the commercial office suite at 220 Boundary Road achieving a rate of $5,518 per square metre.
The 135 sqm suite is in proximity to the Brisbane CBD.
WBP Architecture and Design a local architectural firm, has occupied the premises for the last 30 years.
Established in 1987, WBP Architecture specialise in commercial, hospitality and fast food projects and designs and have undertaken projects from Darwin through to Hobart.
They recently signed a new lease expiring in 2023.
Mr Carman said, “being a longstanding tenant, WBP offered security and an income stream of almost $60,000 net per annum."
He credits a "targeted database strategy,” for the quick result.
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Savills sell Spring Hills strata office to interstate investor

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Some of the highest concentrations of property investors with negatively geared investment properties are in Labor-held electorates, analysis released by the federal government to News ltd papers show.
The income and tax statistics-based report by the Australian Taxation Office was published along with a coalition attack on Labor’s policy to phase out negative gearing.
Some 1.3 million Australians take advantage of the tax break on investment properties, with 640,000 living in coalition electorates and 570,000 in Labor-held seats.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said Labor’s property plan would punish investors, he told The Australian.
According to a nationwide seat-by-seat study by the government, the most recent incom­e and tax statistics from the Australian Taxation Office shows that more people ­residing in Labor-held seats had negatively geared rental properties than in Coalition-held seats, in five out of the eight states and ­territories.
Josh Frydenberg ­said the ATO data showed that in the biggest property market, NSW, the number of people who negatively geared rental properties was divided equally among Labor and Coalition-held seats, with deputy ALP leader Tanya Plibersek’s seat of Sydney featuring in the country’s top 10.
The electorates with the highest number of investors were the two seats in the ACT, both of which are held by Labor.
The latest data shows about 254,000 Queenslanders claimed a loss in 2015-16.
Some regional Queensland electorates have been hit with huge slumps in property prices since the mining downturn, The Courier Mail has noted.
In Capricornia and Flynn in central Queensland, along with Dawson, which has a strong mining and tourism workforce, have about one in 10 voters who claim for a net rental loss.
In NSW The Telegraph published data from Treasury revealing 374,000 Sydneysiders are claiming the benefit.
“No real estate market will be harder hit by Labor’s ill-conceived property tax than the NSW market,” the Treasurer said.
Treasury data reveals about 10,000 people in each of the Labor electorates of Parramatta, Greenway, Barton, Sydney and Kingsford Smith claimed the tax discount. 
The 8655 people using the concession in deputy opposition leader Anthony Albanese’s Grayndler electorate is more than the 8195 people in former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull’s old electorate of Wentworth, the paper noted.
Labor's proposed rules apply to properties bought after the policy start date: either July 1 next year or July 1, 2020, depending on the timing of the next election.
The government claims that investors already holding negatively geared property will feel the impact of the grandfathered policy by trying to sell into a depressed market with less interest coming from investors.
Labor’s policy to restrict negative gearing to new dwellings - and to cut the capital gains discount from 50 per cent to 25 per cent - has come under sharper scrutiny, The Australian reported. 
Master Builders Australia has warned that it would result in a $12bn hit to building activity in the sector and lead to 42,000 fewer new homes being built over five years.
There are 120,000 ­investors with three or more properties, up from 116,700 just a year prior.
This week the Westpac boss Brian Hartzer noted a factor weighing on property uncertainty was the Labor policy, although he stopped short of blaming the proposed policy as a reason for falling prices.
"Clearly negative gearing is a significant feature in investors' decisions on property investment, or certainly, it has been over recent years. So a change in negative gearing policy would be viewed by many investors as a significant issue to be thought through before they make a further property investment," Mr Hartzer said.
 
 
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Labor seats have plenty of negative gearing property investors

Nature Based Cities (NBC), the not-for-profit organisation focused on improving biodiversity and nature outcomes in urban development, has launched its latest industry design guidelines and accreditation framework, this time targeting precinct-scale residential communities.

The move extends NBC’s influence beyond its initial focus on medium and high-density residential developments. Several projects have already achieved NBC accreditation since the launch of its Medium &amp; High-Density Residential Guidelines in early 2025.

The expansion into masterplanned communities and new residential precincts reflects the growing need for stronger nature-positive benchmarks as Australia’s outer suburban growth corridors continue to expand at pace.

Paul Hameister OAM, NBC Founder and the Executive Chairman of Melbourne developer Hamton who itself leans heavily into nature and biodiversity in its developments, says the&nbsp;nature-first approach to mitigate the effects of climate change has become standard in other parts of the world such as the UK, but Australia is lagging.&nbsp;Australia’s environmentally sustainable design (ESD) rating tools have no minimum mandatory requirements for living landscapes.

“We’ve always wanted to do more, and we know other developers who want to do more, but the ESD rating tools just aren’t there,” Hameister says. “In Australia, you can have a five-green-star rated building that’s concrete and glass with not a blade of grass. 
 
“The focus is on reducing emissions, which is laudable, but there hasn’t been enough attention paid to protecting and re-establishing nature. We need both for the health of the environment and for communities.”

He says that having now&nbsp;made good progress in supporting developers of medium and high-density residential projects, NBC is now looking to bolster better nature-based decision-making and recognise developers of greenfield projects in the outer ring and large inner-ring brownfield precincts, who want to champion nature and living landscape as a defining feature.

Since 2022, the not-for-profit has sought to remove the roadblocks preventing developers from incorporating nature and living landscapes into their projects, shifting the conversation from the reduction of emissions and grey infrastructure, toward recognising nature as an essential infrastructure.

The New Communities Design Guidelines and Scorecard arm developers with the tools needed to deliver a nature positive outcome for their new communities. Intended to be adopted at the outset of the planning process, the guidelines are designed to help create communities that are cooler, healthier and more resilient while also enhancing social wellbeing and long-term economic value.&nbsp;

New Communities developers seeking accreditation will be independently assessed across a range of key criteria including ecology, tree canopy, biodiversity, and walkability. Once the masterplan is complete and submitted for approval, the scorecard is formalised based on proposed outcomes. Projects that meet the NBC criteria will receive either Commended or Exemplary accreditation outcomes, creating a clear benchmark for nature-positive new communities in Australia.&nbsp;

Janis Fischer, Director at Tract and NBC Advisory Council member, said the development of new communities in our suburbs can have a substantial impact on nature and biodiversity.

"By incorporating nature-based design principles at the inception of a project, developers and their design teams can achieve nature positive outcomes that are good for both people and the planet.’’&nbsp;

NBC accredited New Community projects will gain access to NBC branding and marketing tools to help communicate their nature-based credentials to purchasers and the broader market.&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

Nature Based Cities: A new Australian benchmark for developing nature-positive new communities

Apartment buildings are increasingly being designed around how people actually live day to day, not just how they want a building to look.

For buyers, that shift is showing up in practical inclusions that respond to changing habits. Work-from-home spaces, EV charging, wellness amenities, secure bike storage and parcel management are becoming part of the broader apartment conversation, reflecting a move toward buildings that reduce friction in everyday life.

Online shopping has become one of the clearest examples of that change.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion online in 2025, with nearly one in four retail dollars now spent online. That has made parcel delivery a regular part of apartment living, rather than an occasional inconvenience.

For apartment residents, however, the delivery process can be less straightforward than it is for detached homes. Parcels may be left in lobbies, redirected to Post Offices, missed entirely, or placed under the responsibility of building managers and concierge teams.

That is why secure parcel infrastructure is increasingly being considered alongside more familiar apartment amenities.

<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/-VjjLwoViX0?si=A3k7ws9NX35Uac7_" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Australia Post Parcel Lockers offer one way to address the issue. When a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS, then collect it using a QR code or one-time PIN. The parcel is kept secure, accessible and removed from common areas.

The broader Parcel Locker network now includes more than 1,500 locations across Australia, positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and other accessible locations.

For new apartment projects, the relevance is clear. A building’s amenity offering is no longer only about lifestyle spaces, but also about convenience, security and functionality.

As buyer expectations evolve, secure parcel delivery is becoming part of the same design conversation as flexible working, sustainable transport and resident wellbeing.

It is one less thing for residents to worry about, and another example of apartment design adapting to the way Australians now live.

Apartment design is adapting to the way Australians shop

While school holidays and trips to Europe tend to define the winter property market, there's been no cold snap at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-north-sydney-177-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> in North Sydney.

Developer-builder&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aland">ALAND</a> sold more than $35 million worth of apartments throughout June, including a $6.8 million apartment that now ranks among the highest apartment sales ever recorded in North Sydney.

SRM Residential agent Ben Stewart said buyer demand throughout June reflected a mix of improving market confidence and longer-term thinking from owner-occupiers.

"We're seeing strong demand from owner-occupiers who are taking a longer-term view," Stewart said.

"Many recognise the opportunity to secure an apartment in an iconic building and premium location while values remain attractive. They may initially lease the property, but the intention is to eventually move in themselves, rather than purchasing purely as an investment."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=367129]

Located at 177 Walker Street, The Walden will deliver 161 one, two, three and four-bedroom residences across a 30-storey tower designed by Rothelowman. Every apartment occupies a corner position, maximising natural light, cross ventilation and views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, Sydney Heads and the northern districts.

Rather than a traditional balcony, the residences feature winter gardens that seamlessly extend the open plan living areas, creating versatile spaces for relaxing or entertaining throughout the year. Floor-to-ceiling glazing draws in natural light while showcasing sweeping views from the building's elevated Walker Street position.

Every apartment features high-end Calacatta marble, bespoke joinery, and fully integrated appliances.

The larger residences have been planned with distinct entertaining and private zones, with many master suites positioned on corners to capture natural light and harbour views. Walk-in dressing rooms, freestanding baths and refined stone finishes reinforce the house-like feel that has resonated with downsizers and owner-occupiers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6393]

Rothelowman Principal Ben Pomroy said the project was designed to make the most of its unique position overlooking the harbour.

"The Walden is a celebration of all things beautiful, curated for those who expect nothing less than exceptional," Pomroy says.

"Meticulously designed entertaining spaces and light-filled living areas that capitalise on capturing the natural beauty of Sydney's iconic harbour."

Residents will also have exclusive access to The Pavilion, a dedicated amenity building featuring a rooftop pool, wellness studio, gymnasium, sauna, concierge service, residents' lounge, private dining spaces and work-from-home facilities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6402]

The project marks ALAND's first major luxury apartment development in Sydney's inner-city market after more than two decades delivering residential communities across Greater Sydney.

Founder and CEO Andrew Hrsto previously said the rarity of the Walker Street site made it an opportunity the company could not overlook.

"This is a rare opportunity to bring a truly exceptional project to life in one of Sydney's most iconic locations, and to showcase our craftsmanship and design expertise at a world-class level," Hrsto said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6383]

The Walden has been introduced to the market at a time when demand for living in North Sydney is at an all-time high. Billions of dollars have been invested in infrastructure, including the recently opened Victoria Cross Metro station, located just 300 metres from The Walden, providing residents with direct access to the Sydney CBD in just minutes.

Private investment has also transformed the area through the arrival of new retail and dining destinations, elevating the lifestyle offering in what was once considered primarily a commercial precinct rather than an aspirational residential address.

The Walden is currently under construction and is scheduled for completion in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134323]

ALAND records $35 million in sales in North Sydney as The Walden bucks quiet winter selling season

The long-awaited redevelopment of the former Eastlakes Shopping Centre site has reached a major milestone, with Conquest's plans for a new mixed-use precinct officially placed on public exhibition.

The State Significant Development Application would transform the 1.7-hectare site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/19a-evans-avenue-eastlakes-nsw-2018">19A Evans Avenue</a> into one of Sydney's largest urban renewal projects, delivering 736 apartments above a new shopping centre anchored by Woolworths, alongside specialty retail, dining, commercial space and new public open spaces.

The public exhibition marks the next chapter for the project after <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/conquest">Conquest</a> acquired the stalled Stage Two development from Crown Group, who completed the first stage across the road prior to their voluntary liquidation.

<img alt="First look: Conquest unveils plans for 736-home Eastlakes Shopping Centre redevelopment" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5fca22c5-d1ed-4e2c-8801-03f7df1eafc8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/eastland%20podium.png?VersionId=uomwr41nF8CmLUZRDcu3mHQechlbxucS" />

&nbsp;

Designed by DKO Architecture, the proposal comprises four residential buildings ranging from 14 to 18 storeys above a two-level retail podium. The development would deliver 736 apartments, including 74 affordable homes, 215 Build-to-Rent apartments and 521 market residences. Provision has also been made for dual-key apartments, which could increase the total number of dwellings to 877.

At ground level, the shopping centre has been designed as the suburb's new meeting place, anchored by a full-line Woolworths and complemented by a curated mix of fresh food retailers, cafés, restaurants, health services and everyday convenience shopping. Generous pedestrian links and landscaped public spaces will connect the retail precinct through to Jack Mundey Reserve, creating a more walkable and connected neighbourhood.

Conquest CEO Michael Akkawi said the redevelopment was about far more than replacing a shopping centre.

"Eastlakes has been overlooked for too long, and this is the community’s moment. We are building a shopping centre and homes, a genuine heart for the suburb, and we genuinely want locals to help shape it."

"We enrich communities through the creation of homes, places, and experiences designed for life, built to last, and owner for generations. That starts with listening, so we warmly encourage everyone with a connection to Eastlakes to view the plans and share their thoughts."

<img alt="First look: Conquest unveils plans for 736-home Eastlakes Shopping Centre redevelopment" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="22f6fb20-54fb-4bd7-8a92-48fafdd00608" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/eastland.png?VersionId=cugp7s9hrMHGJJdYzkeAkrFoQgnF4GXf" />

DKO said the design had been shaped by the site's landscape setting and surrounding open space.

"Our vision for the site embraces its unique Bidjigal identity by blending the residential living with generous landscaping and a material palette inspired by the Bidjigal locality, and celebrating the panoramic views to Botany Bay and the wetlands reserves."

"Taking cues from Country, we seek to harmonise built form with the landscape and lightly touch the earth. By reconnecting, retaining and regenerating existing ecology, and weaving in natural elements, we can deepen our connection to Country."

The landscape strategy extends across the podium and rooftops, incorporating communal gardens, children's play areas, lawns, community gardens, family gathering spaces and extensive tree planting. New landscaped links will also strengthen the connection between the precinct and Jack Mundey Reserve, while publicly accessible open spaces have been integrated throughout the development.

The proposal builds on Conquest's broader placemaking strategy for the site. Through an ongoing partnership, local artist Joe Rashbrook has been appointed Urban Art Curator, working alongside young residents to transform the project's site hoardings into a public art gallery that allows the community to engage with the redevelopment before construction is complete.

Conquest has rapidly expanded its development pipeline since acquiring the Eastlakes site, with more than $6 billion worth of mixed-use projects now in planning across Sydney, including Stanmore, Castlecrag and Waterloo.

Conquest CEO Michael Akkawi said the redevelopment was about far more than replacing a shopping centre.

First look: ‘Far more than replacing a shopping centre’ as Conquest unveils 736-home Eastlakes redevelopment

Abadeen has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for one of Mosman's largest apartment developments in recent years, seeking approval to transform the former Honeysuckle Garden and Midas site on Military Road into a 100-apartment mixed-use development.

The SSDA, lodged with investment partner Phoenix Property Investors, proposes around $230 million worth of new housing on the prominent <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/494-516-military-road-mosman-nsw-2088">494-516 Military Road</a> site.

The proposal comes as Mosman Council continues to progress its recently endorsed Masterplan, which identifies the precinct for increased housing density while maintaining the suburb's established character.

Designed by DKO Architecture, the development would comprise 100 apartments above ground-floor retail, with a rooftop wellness precinct including a gym, sauna, entertaining areas and landscaped communal spaces.

Rather than pushing to the full 12-storey height identified in Council's Masterplan, the proposal ranges between five and nine storeys, stepping down towards Hale Road. A tenth level would accommodate resident amenities rather than additional apartments.

The project has been designed to appeal to a broad range of buyers, from first home buyers and young professionals through to families and local downsizers looking to remain on the Lower North Shore.

<img alt="Mosman" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5dada03f-5b4c-43ba-ba62-2868add31440" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-27%20at%209.57.55%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=7LBy0B.Jo8_iWAFJsClcV7Q3UnXrv49r" />

Abadeen Executive Chairman Justin Brown said the apartments had been designed as genuine long-term homes rather than investor-focused stock.

"The apartments have been designed as genuine long-term homes, with efficient floorplans that maximise usable living areas, generous storage, natural light and strong connections between indoor and outdoor spaces," Brown says."

"We've focused on creating homes for a broad range of buyers, from first home buyers and growing families through to downsizers who want to remain in Mosman."

The rooftop wellness offering forms a key part of the proposal, with residents set to have access to a gym, sauna, outdoor entertaining spaces, communal dining areas, landscaped gardens and a multi-use recreation court overlooking Sydney Harbour.

<img alt="Mosman" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d37c2d6b-583a-4a0f-b7a9-9f46b893d2f4" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-27%20at%209.58.06%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=FPoa5FCm2RtzjhAh2w5FTWJbV6GHfY8D" />

DKO drew heavily on the site's natural and cultural history, undertaking a Connecting with Country process with local Aboriginal Elders to inform the architectural and landscape design.

Senior Associate Matthew Ritchard said the design sought to create a building that responded to both the site's landscape and its cultural significance.

"The architectural language of the project is a deep expression of Connecting with Country, where the materiality and colour palette serve as a bridge between the site's geological history and its future as a residential sanctuary."

The proposal also retains the site's established blue gum tree as the centrepiece of the communal landscaped gardens, while introducing activated retail fronting Military Road to strengthen the connection between Mosman and Cremorne villages.

If approved, the project would deliver 100 new homes within walking distance of shops, public transport, schools and local amenities, adding to the limited pipeline of new apartments on the Lower North Shore.

<h2>Project Snapshot</h2>

Project: Honeysuckle Garden Redevelopment

Address: 494-516 Military Road, Mosman

Developer: Abadeen and Phoenix Property Investors

Architect: DKO Architecture

Lead Architect: Matthew Ritchard

Value: $230 million

Residences: 100 apartments

Key features:

<ul>
	<li>
	Ground-floor retail
	</li>
	<li>
	Rooftop wellness precinct
	</li>
	<li>
	Gym and sauna
	</li>
	<li>
	Outdoor entertaining and BBQ areas
	</li>
	<li>
	Landscaped communal gardens
	</li>
	<li>
	Multi-use recreation court
	</li>
	<li>
	Retained mature blue gum tree
	</li>
	<li>
	Connecting with Country design process
	</li>
	<li>
	Harbour, CBD and Balmoral views from upper-level apartments
	</li>
</ul>

Abadeen Executive Chairman Justin Brown said the apartments had been designed as genuine long-term homes rather than investor-focused stock

Staff reporter

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