<html><body>
<div>Moves by banks and their regulators to curb investor lending, combined with a drop in overseas buyers, has seen national capital city house prices decrease 2.9 per cent over the year to $781,787, according to the latest Domain Home Price Report.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The report found unit prices have fallen by 1.4 per cent over the year to $549,163.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Over the quarter, houses in Hobart and units in Adelaide have been the only market segments to buck the national downward trend.<br><br>Domain senior research analyst, Dr Nicola Powell said "it’s a development that will no doubt be welcomed by Australia’s first-home buyers - property prices across almost all capitals continue to fall.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>"In many markets throughout Australia, gaining entry has become a greater possibility."</div>
<div>
<div>
<br><img src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b16c0b957ea98f662ab985606/images/e41111b1-d7bd-43d8-b7af-b69c1cabf583.png" width="580" height="386" data-imagetype="External">
</div>
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Key findings concerning houses were that Sydney house prices are now at late-2016 levels, while Melbourne house prices haven't fallen as far and are now at 2017 levels.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Canberra house prices increased over the year but were flat over the quarter, similarly Brisbane and Adelaide were also up over the year, but down slightly over the quarter.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Hobart was the standout and continued to grow strongly, recording double-digit annual growth.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Key findings concerning units were that units in Sydney and Melbourne continued to outperform houses, while in all other capital cities houses outperformed units.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Unit prices fell over the September quarter and year across all capital cities, apart from a minor quarterly improvement in Adelaide, and annual growth in Melbourne and Hobart. As a result all capital cities are now under performing relative to last year, except for Perth and Darwin.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>National unit prices have continued to weaken, with annual growth declining for two consecutive quarters.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>“There are opportunities for buyers in all property cycles — the key is to be ready when opportunities arise,” Dr Nicola Powell concluded.</div>
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Sydney house prices down 6.5 percent, double Melbourne's drop: Domain

<html><body>
<div class="property-info details-main__inner">
<div class="property-info__header">
<p class="property-info-address"><span class="property-info-address__street">A three bedroom Clarkson home in Western Australia has been sold by mortgagees for $280,000.<br></span></p>
<p class="property-info-address"><span class="property-info-address__street">Located at </span><a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-wa-clarkson-129182346" target="_blank"><span class="property-info-address__street">12 Pitchford Glade,</span> </a><span class="property-info-address__suburb"><a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-wa-clarkson-129182346" target="_blank">Clarkson</a> the home is moments from Ocean Keys Shopping Centre, medical centre, Clarkson Train Station and various schools.</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p><span class="property-info__property-type">The three bedroom one bathroom house has two garage spaces.</span></p>
<p><span class="property-info__property-type">Set on 722 sqm the property features air ducting throughout and a fully fenced backyard.</span></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="tell-me-more tell-me-more--expanded">
<span class="tell-me-more__text"><span class="tell-me-more__text"><span class="property-description__content">The home last sold in 2003 for $165,000.</span></span></span><span class="tell-me-more__text"><span class="property-description__content"><br><br></span></span>
</div>
<div class="tell-me-more tell-me-more--expanded"><span class="tell-me-more__text"><span class="tell-me-more__text"><span class="property-description__content">The median home price in Clarkson is $375,000.<br></span></span></span></div>
</body></html>

Three bedroom Clarkson home sold by mortgagees

<html><body>
<p>A South Australian beachside house has been sold by mortgagees for $297,000. </p>
<p>It was sold by Brenton Brind and Ian Macaskill from LJ Hooker. </p>
<p>Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-sa-north+beach-127777946">4 Meander Way, North Beach</a>, the brick veneer home comprises of four bedrooms, formal dining room, open plan kitchen/living/dining and double garage.</p>
<p>Other features include ducted reverse cycle air-conditioning, separate shower and vanity, and laundry with benchtop. </p>
<p>The home last sold in October of 2017 for $399,500.</p>
<p>The median price for a home in North Beach, SA is $314,750.</p>
<p> </p>
</body></html>

Four bedroom North Beach home sold by mortgagees

<html><body><div class="page" title="Page 2">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p><span>Brisbane has seen 894 houses and 99 units taken to auction so far this spring, according to CoreLogic. </span></p>
<p><span>CoreLogic found Brisbane was returning a clearance rate over the period of 40.8% and 34.1% respectively, which is lower than over the same period last year.</span></p>
<p><span>Last year 1,055 houses across Brisbane went under the hammer and 46.2% cleared, and 43.3% of the 121 units that went to auction sold.</span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/10/25/brisbane%20corelogic.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge:</p>
<p><span><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/2018/10/25/brisbane%20corelogic.jpg" alt=""></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div></body></html>

Brisbane saw a lower clearance rate than last year: CoreLogic

<html><body>
<p>Investment in residential alternatives of all types is rising, global residential investment volumes exceeding all retail or industrial investment in the past year, according to new research from Savills. </p>
<p>The latest Global Living report reveals that student housing investment volumes have risen 87 per cent in the past five years, with the provision of Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) highest in the UK and lowest in southern Europe.</p>
<p>Savills Australia’s director for Student Accommodation, Conal Newland, said that the supply of new PBSA in Australia was growing in many of the major cities, underpinned by a lack of existing accommodation and strong student population growth.</p>
<p>“As the 20- to 39-year-old age bracket becomes more prevalent in the rental market, the increasing influence of Gen Y’s demand for higher-quality rental accommodation is creating opportunities for developers to provide hybrid co-living developments,” he said.</p>
<p> <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/2018/10/25/student%20accomodation%20.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>“The recently completed UKO Stanmore is an example of a communal accommodation option available in Sydney, which has been delivered under the new generation boarding house planning designation.”</p>
<p>UKO is Australia’s first co-living residential series emulating similar concepts in Europe, the UK and the US, with its Stanmore offering comprising 33 units. Developments in Newton and Paddington are set to follow.</p>
<p>In Melbourne, there is Urban Coup, which comprises 30 households ranging from first-home buyers to young families.</p>
<p>Mr Newland went on to say he expected “a steady increase” in PBSA transactions in the short term, which he believed would be the catalyst for a surge of investment into other residential-based asset classes.</p>
<p>“Increasing transaction volumes will, in our opinion, drive down PBSA yields in Australia, which currently sit much higher than other more mature markets, such as the UK and many European countries,” he said.</p>
<p>The report outlines the growing popularity of co-living across the globe, which is a more luxurious form of share-housing and extends the convenience and amenity of PBSA to non-student markets. Targeted at graduates and young professionals, as well as students, co-living accommodation offers fully furnished units, extensive amenities, community events, all-inclusive bills and pro-active management.</p>
<p>“Given the increasing global capital flows attracted to a growing range of residential investment opportunities, Australian lawmakers should be mindful of passing legislation that may reduce the attractiveness of investments, or this country may run the risk of becoming less attractive to millennials and Gen Zs looking to study, live and work here,” Mr Newland concluded.</p>
</body></html>

Student accommodation and co-living drive residential investment in Australia

<html><body><div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p><span>Across Australia’s largest auction market of Melbourne the </span><span>performance across the individual property types is quite interesting, according to the latest CoreLogic Property Pulse.<br></span></p>
<p><span>Clearances rates have been tracking higher for houses compared to units for most of 2017, while this year has seen results in contrast of this with units the better performer</span></p>
<p><span>It suggests there were 4,588 houses taken to auction over the past 8 weeks with just over half selling (50.5%), while units show a higher 58.7% success rate across 2,230 auctions so far this spring. </span></p>
<p><span>Over the corresponding period last year, a significantly higher 72.4% of Melbourne houses sold at auction and units saw a clearance rate of 69.3%, which happened to be over the period just prior to the peak in Melbourne dwelling values.</span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/10/25/melbourne%20auction%20.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge:</p>
<p><span><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/2018/10/25/melbourne%20auction%20.jpg" alt=""></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div></body></html>

Melbourne apartments selling at auction better than houses: CoreLogic

<html><body><div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p><span>EXPERT OBSERVATION</span></p>
<p><span>China’s response to growing trade tensions with the United States has been multi- faceted. China’s central government has proposed loosening policy restrictions on infrastructure investment – developments that are typically managed and funded at the local government level. </span></p>
<p><span>The latter could be problematic, as China’s local government debt could be much larger than widely thought – an echo of earlier fears from early 2014.</span></p>
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p><strong>COMPLEXITY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT DEBT MAKES IT HARD TO ASSESS</strong></p>
<p><span>China’s local government debt levels are at best opaque. According to official data, the total debt of local governments – which comprise a broad range of authorities at provincial, city, county and village/town level – was RMB 18.3 trillion in September 2018, equivalent to around 21% of GDP. </span></p>
<p><span>However, it is likely that this figure does not present the full picture of their debts – which are larger, more complex and risky.</span></p>
<p><strong>CHINA’S BUDGET IMBALANCE</strong></p>
<p><span>Local governments struggle to fund their spending.</span></p>
<p><span><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/2018/10/25/China%20economic%20update%201.jpg" alt=""></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p><span>Following the 1994 Budget Law, which shifted much of the revenue generation from local governments to Beijing, local governments were forced to generate alternative sources of funding to meet their expenditure requirements. The local government share of fiscal revenue fell from 78% in 1993 to 44% in 1994. Prohibited by this law from issuing bonds or borrowing directly from financial institutions, they established local government financing vehicles </span>(LGFVs) – which secured debt from banks, shadow banks and other sources.</p>
<p>The scale of this debt expanded rapidly in the post-GFC period, as China’s infrastructure program spared the country from the worst of the crisis.</p>
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p><span>At the end of 2013, China’s National Audit Office released a detailed review of local government debt – highlighting the broader scale of these liabilities. In addition to the debts that local governments had direct obligations to repay (around RMB 10.9 trillion in mid-2013) – which matched the official debt statistics above – these authorities also had hidden debts (including those debts they guaranteed for LGFVs or public-private partnerships) – which totalled an additional RMB 7.0 trillion. However, this broader estimate of local government debt has not been updated since late 2014.</span></p>
<p><span>Fears around this debt largely dissipated since this period, in part because Beijing permitted provincial, municipal and some city governments the authority to issue bonds from mid-2014 (subject to annual caps). Ministry of Finance data suggests that bonds accounted for almost 90% of the reported total debt at the end of 2017. </span></p>
<p><span>However, the bulk of bond purchasers have been banks – at the behest of the central government and regulators – with the returns on these bonds usually unattractive to other investors. Overall, the lower level of concern appears due to hidden debt being overlooked, rather than it being effectively addressed.</span></p>
<p><span>In late March 2018, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences estimated that the total off-balance sheet liabilities of LGFVs was in the order of RMB 30 trillion, while a further RMB 10 trillion could be hidden within so-called public-private partnerships (where the “private” partner has often been a state-owned enterprise). </span></p>
<p><span>A recent report by Standard and Poor’s </span>produced a similar range for off-balance sheet debts. These estimates are relatively uncertain, since the sheer number and complexity of LGFV arrangements makes them difficult to track.</p>
<div class="page" title="Page 2">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p><strong>OFF-BALANCE SHEET DEBT</strong></p>
<div class="page" title="Page 2">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p><span>Growth largely overlooked since 2014</span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p><strong><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/2018/10/25/china%20economic%20update%202.jpg" alt=""> </strong></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 2">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p><span>Combining these estimates of off-balance sheet debts to the officially reported sums suggests that China’s local government debt could be in the range of 55% to 66% of GDP in September 2018. With another 16% of GDP in central government debt, this suggests that China’s total government debt is well above the 60% benchmark that is seen as a prudent limit in advanced economies. It is also above the IMF’s estimate of China’s total government debt – which was around 47% of GDP in 2017.</span></p>
<p><strong>DEBT RISKS RISING IN CURRENT CLIMATE</strong></p>
<p><span>A critical problem related to China’s local government debt is the capacity of these authorities to service these liabilities. The total fiscal revenue of local governments was just RMB 9.1 trillion in 2017 (less than one-fifth of the lower bound estimate of total debt).</span></p>
<p><span> With limited ability to collect tax revenue (following the 1994 law change), many local governments have relied on land sales as a key source of income – averaging around 32% of the total in 2017 (behind central government transfers) – albeit the share differs widely across the country.</span></p>
<p><span>Land sales are not considered a sustainable long term of revenue, and a fall in sales could result in local governments defaulting on their debts or failing to support distressed LGFVs. This could flow into greater instability in China’s financial sector, particularly if central authorities follow through on public statements and do not provide a bail out.</span></p>
<div class="page" title="Page 2">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p><strong>LOCAL GOVERNMENT REVENUE (2017)</strong></p>
<p><span>Land sales contribute too much to funding</span></p>
<p><span> <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/2018/10/25/china%20economic%20uodate%203.jpg" alt=""></span></p>
<div class="page" title="Page 2">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p><span>Similarly, increasing infrastructure investment in the short term could mean a large expansion in local government debt, leading to higher interest payments even if revenue levels can be maintained. The mismatch between the short term maturity of many sources of local government debt – such as bank loans and shadow banking products – and longer term return on infrastructure investment leads to greater risk.</span></p>
<p><strong>CONCLUSIONS</strong></p>
<p><span>The greater scale of local government debt than is widely acknowledged in official figures highlights the risks associated with infrastructure led stimulus to China’s economy. It also highlights the need to continue reforms to the broader economy – where progress has been disappointing. A key reform that would boost the sustainability of local government revenues would be the implementation of property taxes – proposed for over a decade, but repeatedly delayed. A nationwide tax had been scheduled for introduction in 2019, however this proposal has been delayed with an uncertain start date.</span></p>
<p><em>GERARD BURG is senior economist - Asia Group Economics at National Australia Bank.</em></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div></body></html>

Chinese local government debt fears are returning: NAB's Gerard Burg

<html><body>
<p>ASIC will cancel the Australian financial services (AFS) licence of Austplan Pty Ltd (Austplan) effective from 25 November 2018 by agreement with the licensee. </p>
<p>ASIC was concerned about Austplan’s ability to do all things necessary to ensure the advice provided by its representatives was compliant.</p>
<p>Its surveillance found deficiencies in the financial services provided by a number of Austplan representatives, including their failure to act in the best interest of their clients in relation to establishing self-managed superannuation funds (SMSF). </p>
<p>Austplan also received client referrals from GM Homes (Australia) Pty Ltd, a building and mortgage business, which is not licensed to provide financial advice or any other financial service.  </p>
<p>As part of the cancellation Austplan is required to comply with conditions such as maintaining its current Professional Indemnity insurance policy until the cancellation takes effect (25 November 2018) and its membership of Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) until all consumer complaints have been resolved.</p>
<p>Austplan will also have to submit the required financial statements with ASIC and retain all materials relating to personal advice provided by its representatives.</p>
<p>ASIC is continuing to make enquiries in relation to the advice provided.</p>
<p>ASIC’s Deputy Chair Peter Kell said AFS licensees have an obligation to ensure that their representatives are adequately trained and competent to provide financial services that are in their clients’ best interest. </p>
<p>"ASIC will take action where we see licensees not properly supervising their representatives," he said.</p>
</body></html>

ASIC to terminate Austplan’s AFS licence

<html><body>
<p>Nottingham Station, one of Australia's largest sawn hardwood timber stockpiles in Wee Jasper, NSW, has been listed for expression of interest. </p>
<p>It has been offered by Jim Guilfoyle and Tim Corcoran from CBRE.</p>
<p>Located at <span>1456 NoTtingham Road, Wee Jasper, t</span>he 5,500 <span>sqm of predominantly Mountain Gum lumber is ideal for <span>furniture, flooring, architraves and numerous other internal and external uses.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span><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/2018/9/21/wee%20jasper%203.jpg" alt=""></span></span></p>
<p><span><span>There are <span>2,863 ha of grazing land, located in a high rainfall district underpinning a sustainable carrying capacity of 3,000 DSE.</span></span></span></p>
<p>The water sources include <span>several permanent springs, nine dams and three semi-permanent creeks.</span></p>
<p><span>Other features include total 19 lots with subdivision potential via four 40 ha lots, cattle yards, machinery shed as well as an abandoned homestead with power and phone connected. <br></span></p>
<p><span><span>Land and lumber are being offered in one line or as separate assets on a contingent basis.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span><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/2018/9/21/wee%20jasper%202.jpg" alt=""></span></span></p>
</body></html>

Nottingham station in Wee Jasper for sale 

<html><body>
<p>The combined national capital cities returned a final auction clearance rate of just 46 percent over the last week.</p>
<p>It was weighed down by a particularly weak performance from Sydney of 44 percent.</p>
<p>The initial clearance rate advisory from CoreLogic last weekend was 52 percent.</p>
<p>It marked the fourth consecutive week where the combined capital city auction clearance rate fell below 50 per cent.</p>
<p>In Sydney, the final auction clearance rate fell slightly to 44.6 per cent last week, down from 45.1 per cent the previous week.</p>
<p><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/10/25/CL%2021%20OCT%20Clearanct%20Rates%202.JPG" alt=""></p>
<p>There were 675 Sydney auctions held last week, increasing from the 647 the previous week, however lower than the 823 last year when a higher 61.3 per cent sold.</p>
<p>Geelong was the best performing non-capital city region last week, with 48.2 per cent of the 34 auctions successful. However, the Hunter region was host to the highest number of auctions (59).</p>
<p>There were 2,139 total homes taken to auction, having increased on the 1,851 auctions held over the week prior when a higher 47 per cent cleared. This week last year, 2,519 homes were taken to auction across the combined capitals returning a final auction clearance rate of 64.7 per cent.</p>
<p><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/10/25/CL%2021%20OCT%20Clearanct%20Rates%201.JPG" alt=""></p>
<p>The region with the lowest clearance rate was also in Sydney, it was Sutherland.</p>
<p>Sutherland had a clearance rate of just 29.2 percent on 24 homes.</p>
<p>Indicative of Sutherland's low clearance rate is <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-gymea+bay-129415314" target="_blank">222 Ellesmere Road, Gymea Bay </a> (pictured above).</p>
<p>With an asking price of $1,250,000 the three bedroom one bathroom home was passed in.</p>
<p>The home is set on 556 sqm and features a one car garage.</p>
</body></html>

Sydney at 44% in updated weekend auction clearance rates

<p>A who's who of Australian surfing, business and entertainment has emerged on title records following the completion of Esprit Rainbow Bay, the latest boutique beachfront apartment development by former professional surfer Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects.</p>

<p>The completed project has attracted an enviable collection of owners, many with long-standing ties to the southern Gold Coast and the surf culture that has helped define Rainbow Bay and neighbouring Kirra for generations.</p>

<p>Given Gedoun's own background in surfing, it perhaps comes as little surprise that some of Australia's most recognisable surfers have chosen to buy into the development overlooking one of the country's most celebrated stretches of coastline.</p>

<p>Pezet Matheson directors Jayde Pezet and Todd Matheson launched the project in late 2021, and have managed the sales campaign all the way through to its sell-out and recent completion.</p>

<p><img alt="Esprit" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="08fc6261-b84e-4b09-8a44-66d3067fd0d1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-29%20at%208.51.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4AOcb6ETZwNUnMPdTtz1B3pZAIB_jgZ2" /></p>

<p>Former world champion Mick Fanning, who grew up in Coolangatta, secured an apartment in 2023. He paid&nbsp;$2.07 million. Last year he sold his Bilinga home for over $16 million.</p>

<p>Three-time world champion Joel Parkinson also purchased in the development, alongside big wave surfer Mark Mathews. Mathews bought the most expensive apartment in the building, spending just over $4 million.</p>

<p>Joining them is Rip Curl founder Doug Warbrick, whose company helped shape Australia's global surfing industry over the past five decades.</p>

<p>The appeal of Rainbow Bay has extended well beyond the surfing community.</p>

<p>International DJ Paul Fisher purchased an apartment through his investment vehicle, YLB Developments, an abbreviation of his trademark phrase "You Little Beauty".</p>

<p>The purchase comes as Fisher and his wife Chloe are developing their own luxury apartment project further north in Palm Beach. Their boutique beachfront development, Pescado, comprises just seven apartments on Jefferson Lane, which start from just shy of $6 million. The couple intend to retain the two-level penthouse as their Australian base between international touring commitments.</p>

<p>Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy and his wife Wendy have also invested in Esprit, purchasing two apartments after spending decades holidaying on the southern Gold Coast. They also have a luxury apartment in Joe Adsett's Rockpool, less than 400m away from Esprit.</p>

<h2>Boutique project draws owner-occupiers</h2>

<p>Esprit launched in 2021 and sold strongly, with buyers drawn to its boutique scale, beachfront position and contemporary design.</p>

<p>The completed development comprises 94 apartments across 11 levels, offering expansive floorplans designed primarily for owner-occupiers rather than the investor market.</p>

<p>Crowning the building is Club Esprit, pitched as being the Gold Coast's first residential rooftop wellness centre. The roof features a&nbsp;25 metre magnesium lap pool, which is surrounded by wet daybeds and poolside cabanas,&nbsp;multiple barbecue areas,&nbsp;a yoga and relaxation play lawn, and a private dining room with a kitchen scullery, bar, lounges, and an outdoor terrace.</p>

<p>The wellness centre is&nbsp;fully equipped with a Technogym, ice bath, infra-red sauna, steam room, thermal room, and treatment room. The roof has views spanning&nbsp;Rainbow Bay, Snapper Rocks and the Pacific Ocean.</p>

<h2>S&amp;S Projects continues to shape Rainbow Bay</h2>

<p>S&amp;S Projects founder Paul Gedoun has become one of the key figures behind Rainbow Bay's evolution over the past several years.</p>

<p>After establishing S&amp;S Projects, Gedoun has focused on delivering lifestyle-driven apartment developments designed primarily for owner-occupiers seeking a permanent coastal home.</p>

<p>Esprit is Gedoun's third completed project in Rainbow Bay, following Flow and Awaken, both of which achieved record prices for the suburb.</p>

<p>He is now delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia Rainbow Bay</a>, a 38-apartment development on Boundary Street that is currently selling, and has no plans to leave the precinct anytime soon. S&amp;S Projects has also lodged plans for its fifth Rainbow Bay development, an 88-apartment project on Boundary Street featuring a strong wellness focus.</p>

<p><em>Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-s-s-projects-proposes-88-apartment-wellness-tower-at-coolangattas-boundary-street">First look: S&amp;S Projects proposes 88-apartment wellness tower at Coolangatta's Boundary Street</a></em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Joel Robinson

Who's who of buyers revealed as Esprit Rainbow Bay settles

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>“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.<br />
<br />
“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.”</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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;</p>

<p>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;</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>"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;</p>

<p>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;</p>


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

<p>Apartment buildings are increasingly being designed around how people actually live day to day, not just how they want a building to look.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Online shopping has become one of the clearest examples of that change.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>That is why secure parcel infrastructure is increasingly being considered alongside more familiar apartment amenities.</p>

<p><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></p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>As buyer expectations evolve, secure parcel delivery is becoming part of the same design conversation as flexible working, sustainable transport and resident wellbeing.</p>

<p>It is one less thing for residents to worry about, and another example of apartment design adapting to the way Australians now live.</p>


Apartment design is adapting to the way Australians shop

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>SRM Residential agent Ben Stewart said buyer demand throughout June reflected a mix of improving market confidence and longer-term thinking from owner-occupiers.</p>

<p>"We're seeing strong demand from owner-occupiers who are taking a longer-term view," Stewart said.</p>

<p>"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."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=367129]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Every apartment features high-end Calacatta marble, bespoke joinery, and fully integrated appliances.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6393]</p>

<p>Rothelowman Principal Ben Pomroy said the project was designed to make the most of its unique position overlooking the harbour.</p>

<p>"The Walden is a celebration of all things beautiful, curated for those who expect nothing less than exceptional," Pomroy says.</p>

<p>"Meticulously designed entertaining spaces and light-filled living areas that capitalise on capturing the natural beauty of Sydney's iconic harbour."</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6402]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Founder and CEO Andrew Hrsto previously said the rarity of the Walker Street site made it an opportunity the company could not overlook.</p>

<p>"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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6383]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>The Walden is currently under construction and is scheduled for completion in 2028.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134323]</p>


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

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p><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" /></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Conquest CEO Michael Akkawi said the redevelopment was about far more than replacing a shopping centre.</p>

<p>"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."</p>

<p>"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."</p>

<p><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" /></p>

<p>DKO said the design had been shaped by the site's landscape setting and surrounding open space.</p>

<p>"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."</p>

<p>"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."</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>


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

Staff reporter

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News