j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Low inflation keeps the Reserve Bank sidelined: Ryan Felsman

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EXPERT OBSERVER
For the seventh quarter in a row inflation has underperformed market expectations with the headline CPI lifting 0.4% in the quarter compared to an median expectation of 0.5% qtr.
Westpac’s forecast was for 0.4% qtr.
Interestingly the mix of sectors prices was broadly as we had expected with some small downside and upside surprises but the overall print was slightly to the downside of our expectations.
At two decimal places the CPI rose 0.36% in the quarter while our forecast was 0.42%.
Following the December quarter CPI Westpac argued that searching for inflation in the Australian economy has been a fruitless as Vladimir and Estragon’s wait for Godot.
We are now looking at the play having a record run with the ABS for while there may be some anecdotal hints that inflation is around, the ABS is yet to report its appearance in any solid form in the CPI Survey.
Core inflation came in as expected rising 0.5% qtr (0.46% at two decimal places so a soft 0.5%) suggesting that Australian forecasters, as a group, are broadly getting the core inflation pulse corrected but continue to underestimate the deflationary pulse that is hitting certain sectors leading to greater than usual discounting (or less than usual post sales repricing) in those sectors.
The six month annualised pace of headline inflation printed 1.6%yr, down from 2.2%yr in Q1 and the recent peak of 2.5%yr in Q4 2017.
For core inflation, the six month annualised pace is now 2.0%yr from 2.0%yr in Q1, 1.7%yr in Q4 2017and 2.0%yr in Q3.
With core inflation just at the bottom of the RBA’s target band, inflation remains well contained at a very modest pace. This would leave the RBA quite comfortable with the current stance of monetary policy.
Without a doubt the Australian economy remains locked in a low inflation environment. Sectors that are experiencing some inflation –particularly tobacco and auto fuel then to a lesser extent, housing, health and education – are mostly being offset by the disinflationary pressure of the competitive squeeze in consumer goods. There are no signs we are about to experience a broader upswing in prices that you would normally expect to see at this late stage of an economic recovery.
Breaking it down a bit further prices came in broadly as expected with a mix of upside and downside surprises. However, given that the two decimal place print from the CPI was just 0.36%, compared to our forecast for 0.42%, then overall there was a very modest downside surprise in the survey.
Food prices were a touch softer than expected falling 0.4% vs our –0.2% forecast with a larger than expected fall in fruit &amp; vegetables (–2.7% vs –0.5%). Alcohol &amp; tobacco was stronger than expected (1.6% vs 0.6% expected) with a robust 2.8% rise in tobacco prices.
Clothing &amp; footwear came in as expected with a 1.3% seasonal re-pricing while housing costs were close to expectations rising 0.2% vs 0.1% expected. However the mix was very interesting with rents flat (0.2% expected), dwelling purchase rose 0.8% (vs. 0.5% expected) while the fall in utilities was great than expected (–1.2% vs –0.9% expected).
An area where the downside pressure appear to be significant was the smaller than expected seasonal re-pricing for household contents &amp; services (0.3% vs 0.8% expected) while health rose just 1.9% vs. the 2.6% expected this is despite a smaller than expected fall in pharmaceutical (–1.0% vs –1.6%)
Tradables rose 0.5% in the June quarter. Tradables goods rose 0.4% mainly due to automotive fuel (+6.9%qtr), audio, visual &amp; computing media and services (+3.0%qtr), garments for women (+2.2%qtr), and glassware, tableware &amp; household utensils (+3.5%qtr). The tradable services component rose 1.3%qtr due to international holiday travel and accommodation (+1.3%qtr) in response to peak period pricing for Europe and America. Tradables represent approximately 35% of the CPI.
Non-tradables rose 0.3% in the June quarter. Non-tradables goods rose 0.7%, mainly due to tobacco (+2.8%qtr), new dwelling purchases by owner occupiers (+0.8%qtr) and takeaway and fast foods (+0.8%qtr). The non-tradable services component rose 0.2%, mainly due to medical and hospital services (+3.1%qtr) and child care (+1.0%qtr). Non-tradables represent approximately 65% of the CPI.
Low inflation remains embedded in the economy.
We have seen inflationary expectations drift a little higher (we suspect rising fuel prices and until this year, rising power bills are responsible for this) but despite this the ABS CPI Survey again revealed little to suggest that the Australian economy is about to break out of its low inflation trap.
Through 2017, the big story was the rise in energy bills, particularly for electricity but also gas. However, in late 2018 there was a significant change in the wholesale electricity market as the expansion of renewable generation exceeded expectations, and power storage facilities enter commercial application, driving down wholesale prices. Some modest discounting of power bills has been reported and we are expecting this to continue through the remainder of 2018 and into 2019 which was a key reason for the recent downgrade to our inflation profile, for both headline and core, out to the end of 2019.
We will provide a full update on our forecasts in the CPI Economic Bulletin but at this stage, given that the run of soft updates that point to the Australian economy being in a low inflation trap, the risks to these forecasts still lie to the downside.
Justin Smirk is a commodity analyst for Westpac
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CPI inflation is below expectations for the seventh quarter running: Justin Smirk

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A three bedroom house in Spalding, a northeastern suburb of Geraldton, Western Australia, has been offered by mortgagees for $89,000.
It has been listed by Debbie Brittain from Ray White.
It was previously sold in 2008 for $255,000.
It was listed for $260,000 for 540 days in 2015-2017 but failed to sell.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-spalding-128834538" target="_blank">Positioned at 14 Robinson St</a>, the house comes with three bedrooms, good size lounge room, and fully enclosed back verandah with direct access to lock up garage..
Set on an 809sqm block, other features of the house include paved patio and large backyard with plenty of room for a shed.
The home has returned to 1990's levels of value where it also previously sold for a small loss in 1997 for $85,000 after being sold for $86,000 in 1992.
It is close to schools and shops.
The suburb's median house price sits at <a href="/developments/spalding-wa-6530">$130,000</a>, according to CoreLogic. 
 
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Mortgagee's substantial loss on three bedroom Spalding home

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Situated in the sought-after area of Emu Heights, at the foot of the Blue Mountains, a four bedroom house has been sold for $602,500 by mortgagees.
It was sold by Geoffrey Blaauw from Response Real Estate.
It last sold for $620,000 in 2016.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-emu+heights-128168390" target="_blank">Positioned at 27 Matthews St</a>, it features four bedrooms, multiple living areas, and garage space.
The home last sold for $620,000 in 2016 and is only 550 metres from Emu Heights Public School, 270 metres from a park, 2.7 kilometres to Lennox Village shopping centre and 3 kilometres to the Great Western Highway.
The suburb's median house price sits on <a href="/developments/emu-heights-nsw-2750">$710,000</a>, according to CoreLogic. 
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Price dip as mortgagee sells Emu Heights home

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Sydney’s "cult" chicken and burger eatery Chargrill Charlie’s has chosen Camberwell for its Melbourne debut.
Fitzroys' agent Chris James negotiated the long-term 10-year lease for <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-vic-camberwell-502644570" target="_blank">10 Prospect Hill Road</a> (pictured above) at $228,000 per annum net.
The building has a 365 sqm ground floor area and sizeable 58 metres of frontage, positioned near Woolworths, Target and Aldi.
Chargrill Charlie’s has operated for nearly 30 years and has 10 locations across Sydney including Woollahra, Mosman and Rose Bay.
James said the long-term lease secured for the prime Camberwell retail space shows the confidence in the area’s revitalisation held by experienced and established operators, spurred by a strong residential development pipeline.
“This large, flexible space, located close to Woolworths supermarket and with frontage to the Market Place car park, attracted strong enquiry from a range of operators, particularly from the hospitality industry,” he said.
James said there has been growing enquiry in the inner-east as developments such as Camberwell Village, Hawthorn Park and others nearby come online.
He also recently negotiated the lease of <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-vic-camberwell-502538406" target="_blank">670 Burke Road</a>, just metres away on the corner of Burke Road and Prospect Hill Road, to optometry group EyeQ.
Similarly, the lease was a long-term deal at 7+5+5 years for the 87 sqm ground floor space, at $85,000 per annum net.
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Chargrill Charlie’s to open in Melbourne

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<div>The Queensland rental market has tightened over the year to June 2018.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The latest quarter reported 24 tight markets, up from 19 tight markets in the March quarter according to the latest report from REIQ.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Brisbane LGA ’s rental market moved from the healthy range, with vacancies of 3.1 per cent in March, to the tight range, with 2.3 per cent in June 2018.  However, this market is being described by local agents as patchy, with tenants favouring certain pockets over others.</div>
<div>
 The rental markets in Greater Brisbane, including the outer Brisbane regions of Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay and Redland, are tight with vacancies in the range of 1.2 per cent to 2.5 per cent.</div>
<div>
 The historically tight markets of the Sunshine and Gold coasts have loosened this quarter, however, they have for the most part remained within the tight range.</div>
<div>
 The Fraser Coast rental market tightened more than 1 percentage point, from 1.9 per cent to 0.8 per cent.  Regional Queensland continued strengthening this quarter, with Toowoomba, Mackay, Bundaberg, and Rockhampton operating within the tight or healthy range.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Greater Brisbane’s vacancy rates tightened to 2.2 per cent, sitting within the tight range for the first time in nearly three years.</div>
<div>
 The tightest of all markets in Queensland is South Burnett, where vacancies were recorded at 0.5 per cent.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The tightest major centre rental market is Maryborough, with 0.7 per cent vacancy rate (a tightening of 1.8 per cent) from 2.5 per cent in the March quarter.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Cassowary Coast is the weakest rental market in Queensland. This market is historically weak but 5.9 per cent is an improvement on recent levels which included 11.5 per cent in December 2017.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The second weakest major centre market is Townsville at 4 per cent vacancy rate however in March 2017 the Townsville vacancy rate was 6.2 per cent.</div>
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Brisbane patchy, as REIQ reports the increasing tightness of rental markets

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Paper giant Visy Australia has signed a 20-year lease with Frasers Property Australia.
The new $46 million purpose built cardboard manufacturing and distribution centre is situated in West Park Industrial Estate in Melbourne’s western suburb of Truganina.
The state of the art facility will sit on 7.843 hectares of land located at 27 Doriemus Drive.
The facility will be 42,770 square metres.
It includes a 1,025 square metre office and 124 car spaces. 
The facility is now under construction by Frasers Property’s in-house construction division in two stages.
Stage 1 is expected to be completed by September 2018, while Stage 2’s completion date is December 2018.
The industrial park boasts access to the Western Ring Road, Deer Park Bypass and Melbourne’s ports and airport. 
Visy Australia will join several significant groups in the estate including Ceva Logistics, Toll, DB Schenker and National Tiles.
The transaction was brokered by Ben Fahey from Frasers Property, Stuart Duncan from Visy and Michael Green from Cushman Wakefield.
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Visy signs new lease for manufacturing and distribution centre in Truganina 

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Tewantin's Caltex has been sold.
The auction for 44 Doonella Street, Tewantin fetched $3,120,000 with a new 15 year lease.
It last sold at $1.1 million in 1991.
It was listed by Michael Collins and Aaron Dahl from Cushman &amp; Wakefield Brisbane.
<a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-qld-tewantin-502864998" target="_blank">The property on a 1,199 square metre corner site </a>features 70 metre of frontage, on site parking, and 15 year lease to 2033 plus options to 2053.
The tenant pays all usual outgoings, including Land Tax.
It is close to Tewantin Noosa RSL, Woolworths, BWS, Liquorland, Westpac, CBA, ANZ, and Medical Centre.
Tewantin is a tourist location supported by strong local economic administrative centre including the Noosa Shire Council Chambers and professional services.
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Caltex petrol station in Tewantin sold under the hammer

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One of Australia’s largest hotel portfolios will soon be placed on the market by AccorInvest.
The AccorInvest hotel portfolio is made up of 23 real estate assets and lease interests located across Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane and Perth, together with several major regional cities.
JLL Hotels &amp; Hospitality Group’s Craig Collins and Peter Harper are handling the sale.
The AccorInvest Australian Hotel Portfolio encompasses 17 real estate assets comprising 1,797 rooms of which four are branded as ibis hotels and the other 13 ibis Budget hotels. Notable assets include the ibis Hotel &amp; Apartments Melbourne, ibis Sydney Airport, ibis Budget Sydney Olympic Park and ibis Newcastle. 
The six lease interests include The COMO Mgallery by Sofitel in Melbourne, the Novotel, Mercure and ibis hotels in Brisbane and the Mercure and ibis hotels in Perth. A full overview of the Portfolio is provided overleaf.
All hotels within the Portfolio are currently operated by AccorHotels, Australia’s largest hotel management company, under hotel management agreements. 
“Never before has an offering of this nature been presented to the open market in Australia," Craig Collins, CEO Australasia, JLL Hotels &amp; Hospitality Group, said.
"The pure scale of this portfolio and its diversity – in terms of location, market positioning and income profile - presents investors with an opportunity to immediately establish an unparalleled foothold in one of Asia Pacific’s most highly sought after hotel investment destinations.
“Economy hotels are a highly proven and successful hotel model in the Australian market.
"Their typically low operating costs and high level of profitability make them very attractive investments,” Collins added.
Peter Harper, Executive Vice President, JLL Hotels &amp; Hospitality Group said the portfolio occupy a combined 54,500 square metres of land.
AccorInvest Australian Hotel Portfolio: 
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="142">
Property
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
Location
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="40">
State
</td>
<td valign="top" width="53">
Tenure
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="49">
Rooms
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="142">
Ibis Budget Canberra
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
15 Tay Street, Watson (pictured top)
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="40">
ACT
</td>
<td valign="top" width="53">
Ground Lease
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="49">
75
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="142">
Ibis Budget Campbelltown
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
3 Rennie Road, Campbelltown
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="40">
NSW
</td>
<td valign="top" width="53">
Freehold
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="49">
72
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="142">
Ibis Budget Casula Liverpool
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
437 Hume Highway, Casula
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="40">
NSW
</td>
<td valign="top" width="53">
Freehold
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="49">
74
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="142">
Ibis Budget Coffs Harbour
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
1A Mclean Street, Coffs Harbour
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="40">
NSW
</td>
<td valign="top" width="53">
Freehold
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="49">
70
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="142">
Ibis Budget Dubbo
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
Victoria Street &amp; Newell Hwy, Dubbo
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="40">
NSW
</td>
<td valign="top" width="53">
Freehold
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="49">
65
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="142">
Ibis Budget Enfield
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
626-628 Liverpool Road, Strathfield South
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="40">
NSW
</td>
<td valign="top" width="53">
Freehold
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="49">
80
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="142">
Ibis Budget Newcastle
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
3-5 Thomas Street, Wallsend
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="40">
NSW
</td>
<td valign="top" width="53">
Freehold
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="49">
79
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="142">
Ibis Budget St Peters
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
178 Princes Highway, St Peters
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="40">
NSW
</td>
<td valign="top" width="53">
Freehold
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="49">
105
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="142">
Ibis Budget Sydney Olympic Park
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
8 Edwin Flack Avenue, Sydney Olympic Park
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="40">
NSW
</td>
<td valign="top" width="53">
Ground Lease
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="49">
156
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="142">
Ibis Budget Wentworthville
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
377-383 Great Western Highway, Wentworthville
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="40">
NSW
</td>
<td valign="top" width="53">
Freehold
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="49">
102
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="142">
ibis Newcastle
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
700 Hunter Street Newcastle West
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="40">
NSW
</td>
<td valign="top" width="53">
Freehold
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="49">
97
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="142">
Ibis Sydney Airport Hotel
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
205 O'Riordan Street, Mascot
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="40">
NSW
</td>
<td valign="top" width="53">
Freehold
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="49">
200
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="142">
Ibis Thornleigh
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
208-212 Pennant Hills Rd, Thornleigh
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="40">
NSW
</td>
<td valign="top" width="53">
Freehold
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="49">
105
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="142">
Ibis Budget Brisbane Airport
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
18 Navigator Place, Hendra
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="40">
QLD
</td>
<td valign="top" width="53">
Freehold
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="49">
93
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="142">
Ibis Budget Dandenong
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
185-193 Princes Highway, Dandenong
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="40">
VIC
</td>
<td valign="top" width="53">
Freehold
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="49">
71
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="142">
Ibis Budget Fawkner
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
1399 Sydney Road, Fawkner, Victoria
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="40">
VIC
</td>
<td valign="top" width="53">
Freehold
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="49">
103
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="142">
Ibis Melbourne Hotel &amp; Apartments
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
15-21 Therry Street, Melbourne
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="40">
VIC
</td>
<td valign="top" width="53">
Freehold
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="49">
250
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="142">
The COMO Melbourne - Mgallery
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
630 Chapel Street, South Yarra
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="40">
VIC
</td>
<td valign="top" width="53">
Leased
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="49">
110
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="142">
Mercure Perth
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
10 Irwin Street, Perth
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="40">
WA
</td>
<td valign="top" width="53">
Leased
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="49">
239
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="142">
Ibis Perth
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
334 Murray Street, Perth
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="40">
WA
</td>
<td valign="top" width="53">
Leased
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="49">
192
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="142">
Novotel Brisbane
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
200 Creek Street Brisbane City
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="40">
QLD
</td>
<td valign="top" width="53">
Leased
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="49">
296
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="142">
Ibis Brisbane and Mercure Brisbane
</td>
<td valign="top" width="198">
16 Ann Street, Brisbane City
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="40">
QLD
</td>
<td valign="top" width="53">
Leased
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="49">
412
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
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AccorInvest to sell Australian hotel portfolio

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A newly renovated 100 square metre commercial space at South Coogee has been sold for $800,000.
Built in 1915, it was marketed as suitable for many uses including as medical consulting/physio or wellbeing centre.
It was listed for sale with the price of $950,000 last year.
It was sold earlier this month by Mark Fragias from Ray White Randwick &amp; Bondi Junction.
Situated at 374-376 Arden Street, the internal comes with polished floors.
<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/2018/7/25/south%20coogee%201.jpg" alt="">
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South Coogee premises sold with medical consulting potential

Buyers considering a residence at boutique Gordon townhouse development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/lume-gordon-43-47-dumaresq-street-gordon-nsw-2072">Lume</a>&nbsp;now have another reason to bring forward their decision.

For a limited time, purchasers of a residence at Lume will receive a BMW iX3 50 electric SUV, valued at more than $120,000, as part of their purchase. The offer is designed to add value for buyers while complementing the lifestyle envisioned for the architecturally designed Upper North Shore development.

Scott Timmins, Development Manager at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/winim">WINIM</a>, said the partnership was created to provide buyers with a compelling reason to act.

"In today's market, buyers need a compelling reason to act now, and the BMW partnership was designed to create that catalyst. We wanted to add genuine value for our future purchasers. Choosing the all-electric BMW iX3 50 also reflects the values behind LUME, forward-thinking design, innovation and a more sustainable way of living. It's a premium incentive that complements the lifestyle our buyers aspire to and rewards those who commit early."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=374893]

Delivered by WINIM in partnership with Burtonwood Investment Partners, Lume comprises 14 architecturally designed two, three and four-bedroom townhomes created for families seeking the space of a freestanding house with the ease of modern, low-maintenance living.

The three-storey residences, designed by award-winning architecture practice <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, have been tailored for families and multi-generational living, featuring private internal lifts, flexible lower-level spaces, generous open-plan living and entertaining areas, media rooms, and landscaped outdoor spaces with custom outdoor kitchens.&nbsp;

Inside, engineered oak flooring, bespoke dining joinery with integrated wine fridges and backlit bars, sculptural porcelain bathrooms, Parisi freestanding baths and Astra Walker tapware create interiors that balance functionality with refined finishes.

Each townhome has been designed to combine generous internal spaces with sustainability initiatives such as EV charging infrastructure, while <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>'s landscaped communal areas, centred around a restored creek line and native planting, encourage residents to connect with nature and spend more time outdoors.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=269527]

Rothelowman's Gary Tsui said the architecture was conceived to respond carefully to its Upper North Shore setting.

"Our vision was to create elegant, uplifting homes that draw on and positively contribute to the local character through meticulously considered design and an interaction with the surroundings."

The communal landscape has been designed as more than an open space between homes. Arcadia's Ben Newell and Kate Phillips said the adjoining reserve provided an opportunity to create a distinctive natural retreat for residents.

"Just as waterways carve their way through Ku-ring-gai's landscape, a raised boardwalk weaves through the reserve, connecting the homes to this tranquil oasis."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=374892]

Located just 300 metres from <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/gordon-nsw-2072">Gordon</a> Village and Gordon railway station, Lume offers convenient access to Sydney's CBD while placing residents close to some of the North Shore's leading schools, including Ravenswood, Pymble Ladies' College and Knox Grammar. Lane Cove National Park, Gordon Golf Club and a range of cafés and restaurants further reinforce the family-focused lifestyle on offer, with the BMW iX3 50 complementing everything from local trips around Gordon to weekend drives and city commutes.

Construction is underway with completion expected in mid-2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=7354]

Joel Robinson

Boutique Gordon townhomes now come with a BMW iX3 50

Two apartments have sold for more than $10 million at EADE Byron Bay, setting some of the highest apartment prices ever achieved in the coastal town and underlining the growing appetite for luxury beachfront apartments in Australia's most popular coastal locations.

The $210 million project by Vitale Property Group has now secured more than $70 million in sales, led by residences that changed hands for $12.75 million and $11.75 million.

The record-breaking transactions reinforce the shift occurring in Byron Bay's premium property market, where affluent downsizers and lifestyle buyers are increasingly opting for high-end apartments over large beachfront homes.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/eade-byron-bay-29-shirley-street-byron-bay-nsw-2481">EADE Byron Bay</a> occupies a rare 6,000 sqm absolute beachfront site on the corner of Shirley and Milton Streets overlooking Main Beach and The Wreck surf break, just 350 metres from Byron Bay's town centre.

The 25-residence development is the first beachfront apartment project approved in Byron Bay in more than a decade and is currently under construction, with completion expected in May 2027.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359521]

The project has attracted a mix of local Byron Shire residents downsizing from larger homes, alongside interstate buyers from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane seeking a permanent coastal lifestyle without compromising on space.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hayball">Hayball</a> and with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/alexander-co">Alexander &amp; Co</a>, EADE comprises&nbsp;10 garden apartments ranging from 284 sqm to 622 sqm, nine with private pools, five full-floor apartments and 10 rooftop residences with private plunge pools, expansive outdoor entertaining areas and uninterrupted ocean views.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359527]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/vitale-property-group">Vitale Property Group</a> Managing Partner Chris Vitale said the project's combination of scale, location and limited future supply was driving buyer demand.

"There isn't another beachfront holding in Byron Bay of this size and position that could be developed again," Vitale said.

"Buyers are responding to the scarcity and the irreplaceability of a site of this calibre and to floorplans they can't find elsewhere in the market.

"We are seeing buyers place significant value on quality, space, design, resort-style amenities and the rarity of the location. The sales achieved to date demonstrate that discerning purchasers recognise the long-term significance of what is being created at EADE Byron Bay.

"Many are coming from larger homes in the Byron region, or from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and are after the space, security and convenience, without the upkeep of a house."

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[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359523]

The Byron Bay project follows Vitale Property Group's delivery of the Mondrian Hotel and Private Residences at Burleigh Heads, with EADE continuing the developer's focus on luxury coastal developments.

Residents will have access to a resort-style swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna, cold plunge pool, concierge services and dedicated workspaces, while the project is targeting an 8-Star Green Star rating.

EADE Byron Bay is being exclusively marketed by Projx Australia in conjunction with WHITEFOX Projects.

WHITEFOX National Projects Director Phillip Rand said demand had been driven predominantly by owner-occupiers.

"We are seeing buyers at EADE place significant value on quality, space, design, resort-style amenities and the rarity of this location," Rand says.

"The sales achieved to date demonstrate that purchasers at this level recognise the long-term significance of what is being created at EADE Byron Bay."

Residences at EADE Byron Bay are currently priced between $4.75 million and $15.95 million.

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Vitale breaks Byron Bay records with EADE sales flurry 

When buying an apartment, most people compare the big-ticket items first. Floorplans. Kitchens. Balcony size. Natural light. The view.

But there's one everyday consideration that often doesn't come up until after moving in: how parcels are delivered.

As online shopping has become part of everyday life, parcel deliveries have shifted from an occasional event to a regular occurrence. Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally.

For apartment residents, that can present a challenge.

If nobody is home to accept a delivery, parcels may be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in a building lobby or common area, or require building management to step in. In higher-density buildings, where dozens or even hundreds of residents may receive deliveries each day, parcel management has become an increasingly important part of everyday living.

That can create a range of frustrations. A missed delivery often means making time to collect a parcel elsewhere, while packages left unattended in foyers or mail areas can create clutter and increase the risk of theft. What seems like a minor inconvenience can quickly become a recurring issue for residents who shop online regularly.

It's one of those details that rarely features in a display suite but can have a noticeable impact once residents move in.

As a result, buyers are beginning to look beyond traditional apartment features and consider how a building supports day-to-day convenience, including whether there are secure options for receiving deliveries.

Australia Post's Parcel Lockers provide one solution.

<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/CkF2oKmlACg?si=C50sDaoUUn2nuLmq" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than having a parcel delivered directly to an apartment, eligible deliveries can be sent to a nominated Parcel Locker. Once the parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can collect it using a QR code or one-time PIN at a time that suits them.

The Parcel Locker network now includes more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with installations at Post Offices, shopping centres, transport hubs and an increasing number of residential developments. By providing a secure collection point, Parcel Lockers help reduce missed deliveries and avoid parcels being left unattended in common areas.

For developers, parcel infrastructure is becoming another way to improve the resident experience. Rather than relying on concierge staff or leaving parcels in communal spaces, secure collection points help streamline deliveries while preserving the presentation and functionality of shared areas.

For buyers, it's a reminder that the best apartment features aren't always the most obvious.

A generous floorplan or quality finishes might help narrow the shortlist, but the conveniences that simplify everyday life, whether that's EV charging, secure bike storage or reliable parcel delivery, often become the features residents appreciate most once they're living there.

The apartment feature many buyers don't think about, until their first missed delivery

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hg-developments">HG Developments</a> is doubling down on Maud Street in Newstead, filing plans for a new apartment tower just a few doors down from its under-construction Aire Newstead development.

Recently submitted to Brisbane City Council, the proposal is for an 18-storey building designed by bureau^proberts, which has drawn heavily on Brisbane's subtropical design principles while referencing the suburb's industrial heritage.

A total of 64 apartments are planned for the amalgamated 1,518 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/17-21-maud-street-newstead-qld-4006">17–21 Maud Street</a>, a short walk from the Brisbane River and Newstead Riverwalk.

<img alt="First look: HG Developments plans 18-storey subtropical apartment tower for Newstead" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a400c7fd-bd15-48f8-a63b-10ede92efe00" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Maud%20st%20bldg.png?VersionId=.0vPmjpbC7CNP7kqGWa6L7rGIwsNExaw" />

"The building is defined by a series of vaulted motifs that reinterpret the arches, colonnades and layered facades evident throughout Newstead's historic built fabric," the Urban Design Report states.

"Combined with recessed glazing and generous balconies, these elements create a layered building envelope that provides shade, weather protection and opportunities for natural ventilation whilst establishing a distinctive architectural identity."

The proposal comprises 64 two, three and four-bedroom apartments across 18 residential levels, positioning it alongside a growing number of taller residential projects transforming Newstead's northern precinct. The tower incorporates extensive subtropical landscaping, with cascading planter boxes, deep planting at street level and a landscaped rooftop recreation area.

<img alt="First look: HG Developments plans 18-storey subtropical apartment tower for Newstead" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1d8140f4-8b98-45cd-b1b8-1efe8c8e266b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Maud%20st%20podium.png?VersionId=VAZtbCoD44YCJ57N99fQCAKeSJx7ldZs" />

Bureau Proberts has prioritised passive environmental design throughout the project, with generous balconies, recessed glazing and operable façades helping reduce solar heat gain while maximising natural ventilation. River views become available from the upper levels, while the building has been orientated to capture prevailing breezes from both the Brisbane River and the west.

The architects say landscape is intended to be integral to the building rather than an applied element.

"Vertical greenery, cascading planter boxes and elevated gardens are woven throughout the architecture, softening the built form and strengthening the connection between residents and the subtropical environment."

"Through the integration of landscape, high-quality materials and passive design principles, the development delivers a refined residential address that celebrates Newstead's heritage character while contributing positively to Brisbane's evolving subtropical identity."

Newstead has remained one of Brisbane's most active apartment markets in recent years, with a number of developers continuing to back the inner-city suburb.

HG Developments is currently delivering the 40-apartment Aire Newstead at 25 Maud Street. Fortis recently launched the 65-apartment <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-walker-newstead-12-kyabra-street-newstead-qld-4006">Crest &amp; Walker</a> on Kyabra Street, while builder-developer BPG and Don O'Rorke's Consolidated Properties are both expected to launch their respective Newstead projects before the end of the year.

HG Developments doubles down in Newstead with second Maud Street apartment development

Walk past a new apartment development promoting its sustainability credentials and it's easy to picture rooftop gardens, mature trees, landscaped courtyards and residents surrounded by nature.

But in many cases, that's not actually what those sustainability ratings guarantee.

Australia's leading environmental rating tools have played a significant role in improving the energy efficiency and environmental performance of buildings. Yet despite their focus on reducing emissions, many don't require developers to include trees, biodiversity or meaningful green space.

In other words, a building can achieve one of the country's highest sustainability ratings while containing little more than concrete, glass and hard landscaping.

That disconnect has led to the emergence of a new movement across Australia's property industry: nature-based cities.

The concept goes beyond designing buildings that consume less energy. Instead, it encourages developers to treat nature as essential infrastructure, integrating biodiversity, tree canopy, living landscapes and green spaces into projects from the earliest stages of planning.

Research has consistently linked access to nature with better physical and mental health, cooler neighbourhoods, improved biodiversity, stronger climate resilience and more connected communities. As Australia's cities continue to become denser, advocates say those outcomes should be considered just as important as energy efficiency.

Nature Based Cities (NBC) was established in 2022 to help accelerate that shift.

Founded by Hamton Executive Chairman Paul Hameister OAM, the not-for-profit was created after research highlighted a significant gap in Australia's sustainability framework. While existing environmental rating tools rewarded energy performance and emissions reductions, they placed little emphasis on the inclusion of 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."

Since its launch, NBC has developed independent design guidelines and accreditation frameworks that encourage developers to prioritise ecology, biodiversity, tree canopy, walkability and living landscapes alongside traditional sustainability measures. The organisation first focused on medium and high-density residential developments before recently expanding into precinct-scale communities and masterplanned neighbourhoods.

Jan Talacko, founder of sustainability consultancy Ark Resources and a member of the Nature Based Cities Advisory Council, says the initiative addresses an area that has largely been overlooked by the property industry.

"Throughout my 25 years of working collaboratively with all stakeholders in the property sector, I've always favoured a pragmatic approach to sustainable design which encourages initiatives that not only meet environmental expectations but also improve amenity," Talacko says.

"Whilst we are making steady progress in relation to energy and carbon emissions from buildings, there has been much less emphasis on encouraging biodiversity and tackling the urban heat island effect.

"The Nature Based Cities initiative responds to a gap in the suite of tools currently used by the property development sector, which don't provide sufficient incentive, or recognition, for the integration of landscaping and greenery."

For apartment buyers, the shift is also changing the questions worth asking.

Rather than assuming a sustainable building will naturally include abundant green space, buyers are increasingly being encouraged to look beyond environmental ratings and ask what nature is actually being delivered. How much tree canopy will the development create? Has biodiversity been considered? Are landscaped spaces designed for people as well as appearance?

As Australia's cities continue to grow upwards and outwards, the next generation of sustainability may not simply be measured by lower emissions, but by how successfully developments bring nature back into everyday urban life.

Staff reporter

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