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The general southern New South Wales and northern Victorian market continues to display signs of strength and resilience, according to the latest rural report from Herron Todd White (HTW).
The valuation firm stated that recent positive rainfall outcomes across the Albury and northern Victorian areas has also served to allay any concerns that were beginning to appear because of the extended dry period.
"With regards to recent transactions, we are aware of a property approximately 50 kilometres north of Albury that has just gone under contract," the HTW valuers noted.
"This property is all open, mostly arable, improved grazing country, typical of the area and has transacted at approximately $8,300 per hectare, excluding the added value of the buildings in place.
"This is in line with recent agents comments about the area which indicated that the area to the north of Albury has been achieving $3,000 to $4,000 per Acre ($7,400 to $9,800 per hectare)."
Recently, a number of valuations in the far western New South Wales area to the north and north east of Broken Hill have been undertaken.
There has been a change in what the market has been prepared to pay on a dollar per dry sheep equivalent (DSE) rate for typical open grazing country in the area.
Previously, (up until late 2016) DSE rates in the $200-$350 range would have been expected, however, now all of the sales analysed indicate rates in the $400 to $500 range.
The valuers discussed that while initially this was "concerning" when the rates were reviewed in comparison to the rates paid for higher rainfall inside tablelands country to the east, "it became apparent that the relative ratio of dollars per DSE rates paid between the tablelands country and the far western country is still similar to what it has been".
"Now that far western country is at $400 to $500 per DSE, we see that the tablelands country is now $600 to $700 plus per DSE, whereas previously, rates were mostly in the $450 to $600 range."
These elevated rates equate to significant strengthening in the corresponding underlying land value.
The exact dollar per hectare rates vary with the carrying capacity of the country involved however, in general we would expect country to the north of Broken Hill to be in the $90 to $100 per hectare range.
HTW reported despite the deteriorating seasonal conditions that the Buckanbe offering has gone under offer.
Buckanbe is a 40,000 hectare, very well located grazing property on the Darling River just downstream of Tilpa.
"Whilst we are not aware of the negotiated outcome, we would expect it to achieve approximately $150 per hectare overall," the valuers concluded.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Far western NSW rural DSE rates almost double: HTW

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Kilto Park, a south-east Queensland rural property on 180 acres surrounded by the State Forestry has been listed for sale.
It is offered by Jason Mattiazzi and Peter Douglas from Ray White.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-acreage+semi+rural-qld-caboolture-126859878%20" target="_blank">Situated at 479 Old Toorbul Point Road, Caboolture,</a> the 20-year-old home over two levels features five bedrooms, formal and informal lounges, dining area, office and relaxation areas.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/6/15/rural%202.jpg" alt="">
The 12 acres of spring water lakes combine with Figs, White Gums, Jacarandas and Norfolk Pines.
Horse facilities comes with the 180 acres developed to offer breeding and spelling, training and relaxing.
There are 100 single horse agistment paddocks, each of around 2,000 square metres (half acre), with individual all weather shelters and recessed water troughs.
Regular rainfall together with huge spring-fed lakes, while underground mains deliver water to a central header tank.
<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/2018/6/15/rural%203.jpg" alt="">
There is a horse pool with concrete ramps that is used for horse aqua training.
The manager accommodation and offices are adjacent to the foaling yards. There is a shed set out for a fodder farm with the ability to produce barley sprouts as required.
The breeding stable complex incorporates five double sized brood mare boxes, three stallion paddocks, wash bays, and vet room. 
With simple access to the Bruce Highway, Kilto Park is 30 minutes drive from Brisbane or Sunshine Coast.
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South-east Queensland horse breeding farm for sale

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A Kalkite waterfront 854 square metre lot in south-east New South Wales has been listed at $199,000.
It is offered through Gordon Jenkinson from First National Real Estate. 
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-kalkite-124400594" target="_blank">Located at 13 Lotus Avenue</a>, Kalkite, the block comes with a partially constructed steel ‘A-Frame’ cottage (at frame stage) and the cabin with porch.
There's a new nearby NBN tower.
Nearby Kalkite Village offers full town services including underground power, water, sewer, and phone etc.
It is easy to access the lake for water sports and fishing.
Kalkite is a quiet lakeside village located about 20 minutes from Jindabyne at the northern end of Lake Jindabyne and opposite Kosciusko National Park.
The suburb's median house price sits on<a href="/news"> $590,000</a>, according to CoreLogic. 
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Kalkite waterfront lot listed for $199,000

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Wyndarra, a Tasmania five bedroom house has been listed for sale. 
It was built in 1917 by the Shoobridge Family whose patriarch, William, introduced Hops to Australia for the production of beer.
It was offered by Ann Courtenay and Aaron Niblett from View Hobart.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-bushy+park-126714470" target="_blank">Situated at 515 Gordon River, Bushy Park</a>, the home is set over two levels with a grand entrance hall which leads to a spacious living room, and a formal dining room on the other side with valley views.
<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/2018/5/30/bushy%20park%202.jpg" alt="">
The downstairs features three double bedrooms, commercial-style kitchen, sitting room and courtyard.
Upstairs are two more bedrooms, study nook, and kitchenette.
<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/2018/5/30/bushy%20park%203.jpg" alt="">
Other features include the double carport, large hay/ tack shed, dressage training arena and paddocks. 
Bush Park is close to Glenora District School and 20 mins drive to the shopping centre of New Norfolk.
 <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/2018/5/30/bushy%20park%201.jpg" alt="">
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Five bedroom trophy home Wyndarra in Tasmania listed

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The Sydney house market is forecast to fall 3.7 percent this year, according to the latest NAB Residential Property Index which saw confidence fall to its lowest level since mid-2016 and less than half the average.
The 1.6 percent fall in unit prices in Sydney in 2018 will not be as much as for houses. 
NAB's Residential Property Index is 'a measure of sentiment among property professionals based on expectations for house prices and rents'.
Sentiment waned in all states, with the biggest falls in WA and NSW.
The report suggests weaker than expected residential markets in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth would add to ongoing weakness in Sydney.
It had prompted NAB to cut its outlook for housing prices this year to expect house prices this year to fall 1.8 percent from the 0.8 percent it forecast in April.
Unit prices are tipped to fall 1.7 percent.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/12/NAB%20res%20G2.JPG" alt="">
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/12/NAB%20res%20G4.JPG" alt="">
Confidence also fell to a new survey low, pulled down mainly by NSW and VIC where the outlook for house prices has been scaled back sharply.
The outlook for rents remains positive in all states and is likely placing upward pressure on yields.
It noted housing demand from first home buyers continued to offset a reduction in demand from foreign buyers in new and established housing markets, with state government incentives and moderating house prices assisting these buyers in moving onto the property ladder.
Property professionals have said credit constraints are impacting housing markets more than they have for a number of years amid intensified lending scrutiny by banks and APRA-inspired tighter credit policies.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/12/NAB%20res%20G3.JPG" alt="">
NAB’s is of the opinion that the weakness in dwelling prices seen over the past year is likely to persist in 2018 and 2019 although they expect moderate rather than sharp price falls.
Having revised their forecasts NAB now predict that there will be a slightly larger decline in 2018 and a small fall in 2019 (which they previously predicted would be a small increase), driven by continued weakness in Sydney and Melbourne as well as a sharper decline in unit prices in Brisbane.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/12/NAB%20res%20G1.JPG" alt="">
NAB forecasts that house prices will flatten in aggregate in 2020.
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Confidence falls with Sydney housing market forecast to be the worst in 2018: NAB

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The "heavy lifting on lending standards has largely been done", Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority chairman Wayne Byres told an audience of economists in Sydney yesterday.
"Any tightening from here on is expected to be at the margin as banks seek to get a better handle on borrower expenses, and better visibility of borrower debt commitments," he said.
</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-media section">Byres said it was "difficult to tell" whether the regulator's actions to improve lending standards at the banks were impacting on the flow of credit, but he said they "do not seem to have had an obvious impact".</div>
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<div class="related-quotes section">"Total housing lending grew at around 6 per cent in the year to May 2018, which is only marginally below long-run averages and roughly in line with the average run rate since 2011," he said.</div>
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Mr Byres said the cumulative growth in credit in the 3½ years since APRA intensified its focus on lending standards was greater than the credit growth in the preceding 3½ years.
"Credit growth appears to be slowing somewhat at the moment, but that is not surprising in an environment of softening house prices and rising interest rates," he said in a speech titled <a href="/expert-insights/finance/australian-banking-needs-to-start-preparing-for-a-rainy-day-apras-wayne-byres">Preparing for a Rainy Day</a>.
Mr Byres also pointed to the relative strength of lending to owner occupiers, which has grown at three times the rate of household incomes, during a "period in which lending policies and practices have been gradually strengthened".
APRA's efforts had led to a reduction in high loan to value ratio lending, and a slowdown in investor and interest-only lending.
</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
"These trends in higher risk lending, however, only tell part of the story. They have also coincided with a strengthening in the rigour with which banks assess borrowers' ability to service and repay their loans."
Conintued improvement was being sought with more accurate assessments of borrowers' incomes and expenses and better verification of existing debt commitments.
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Heavy lifting on lending standards has largely been done: APRA

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Indian foreign buyers of off-the-plan apartments are expected to triple next year in Australia.
It comes as off-the-plan apartment online selling platform Investorist notes Chinese buyers in decline.
Indian buyers currently rank as a key market with just six percent of developers but some 21 percent of developers see greater Indian foreign buyers this financial year, with continued growth from Vietnam, New Zealand and Indonesia.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/12/Investorist%20story.JPG" alt="">
"Sellers are scrambling to uncover the next big wave," Investorist boss Jon Ellis noted.
Last July Ellis forecast a 43 per cent plummet in demand from offshore Chinese.
After a slow 2017 and first half of 2018, most of the 201 sellers and channel marketers surveyed by Investorist in this year's report hope and expect new apartment sales to improve in 2019, although many will comprise nomination onsales, or sales which did not settle, not necessary new sales, the report adds.
</div>
<div>
<div id="article-inline-ad">"The market fully expected there would be a rebound shortly after the stamp duty changes took effect, but in reality this was minor," Investorist chief executive Jon Ellis noted.</div>
</div>
<div>
Investorist found a third of all foreign buyers were discouraged by the lack of bank loans and increased in stamp duty surcharges. 
"The coming 12 months set to be just as bumpy as those preceding..... the banking royal commission has set the stage for lending to again be the single biggest hurdle to sales," the report noted.
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Ellis noted it is important to understand that ‘slowed’ does not mean stopped completely with Chinese buying interest.
"Due to the sheer size of China’s population (approx 1.4 billion) there are still enormous numbers of Chinese investors seeking to buy property in Australia, and their motivations are strong enough to outweigh these barriers to purchase.
"Motivations include buying property for their children during university study, asset safety and diversification, future immigration and taking advantage of favourable exchange rates.
"A significant number of individual Chinese investors or family groups are also cash buyers, and thus do not require any loan funds to buy property."
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Melbourne was the biggest off the plan market in 2017 and investors, both local and foreign, dominated off-the-plan sales nationally, at around 60 per cent of all buyers.
"Declining investor demand has marked a real paradigm shift after the boom times of the past few years," the report noted.
At the end of March, the the off-the-plan market was worth about $70 billion while the total residential real estate market was valued at $7.5 trillion.
The report noted the marketplace ‘sweet spot’ as between $400,000 to $600,000.
Official FIRB data recently <a href="/news/chinese-property-purchasing-interest-in-australia-collapses-firb-data">confirmed a collapse in approvals</a> for foreign investment in Australia’s housing market.
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With Chinese off the plan in freefall, Investorist sees hope in Indian buyers

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A North Richmond ready to build parcel of land with views back over to the mountains has been listed for sale.
It comes with $485,000 to $515,000 price guidance.
It first sold in August last year at $485,000.
It is offered by Nicole King and Jacob Bennett from Bennett Property. 
<a href="http://bennettproperty.com.au/1P2178" target="_blank">Positioned at 3 Summit Ridge</a>, the Redbank Estate is accessed from the Grose Vale side of the development.
It has a total of 988sqm of land.
The estate will offer the complete lifestyle with great parks, over 14km of walking and bike trails and a small shopping village to be completed
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Summit Ridge, North Richmond land offering

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A Townview, Mount Isa three bedroom house has been listed by mortgagees for $260,000.
It was listed by John Tully and Kieran Tully from City and Country Realty.
It last sold at $285,000 in 2007.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-mount+isa-128747654" target="_blank">Positioned at 83 Webb St</a>, the house features three bedrooms with built-in, open dining and kitchen area, internal laundry, and rumpus room. 
Other features include built-in bar, brick fireplace, ceiling fans, split air-conditioning and in-ground pool.
It is close to schools, shops and parks.
 
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Mount Isa three bedroom house listed by mortgagee

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Brisbane's inner-city apartment market has about 10,000 more apartments in the pipeline than it should, says the newly active property research outfit RiskWise.
RiskWise suggests as early as June 2016 price growth was -1.8 per cent with 17,417 units in the pipeline – an addition of 24.5 per cent to the stock.
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Price growth was again negative at -2.2 per cent inn 2017, but pipeline supply crept up to 19,194 units, accounting for 27 per cent of existing supply.
<div id="article-inline-ad" class="adWrapper">
"The issue of oversupply is not a new problem and has been there for a few years," Mr Peleg said.
"The continuous weakness of the unit market in inner-city Brisbane should have raised red flags for developers and lenders," he told Fairfax Media.
"Overall, it seems they were too optimistic about the projected market value, and it is highly likely that the price they paid for the land was also too high."
 This year RiskWise has price growth at -2 per cent, with the pipeline at 14,813 units, accounting for 20 per cent of the supply.</div>
</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
RiskWise said a healthy level for any market should be no more than five per cent of existing supply.
He sees more defaults on settlement.
"Defaults have been rising and will continue to do so," he said.
This time last year The RiskWise Property Review Best and the Worst Off-The-Plan Suburbs in Australia report identified several inner city locations in Brisbane that were vunerable.
It advised there was only a small number of suburbs where OTP units have the potential to deliver a solid capital growth. 
Fortitude Valley (Qld) were among those classified as having the highest risks, Peleg said this time last year. 
Click here to <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/06/19/WorstPostcodes.png" target="_blank">enlarge</a>
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/06/19/WorstPostcodes.png" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/06/19/WorstPostcodes.png" alt=""></a>
 
 
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Brisbane has 10,000 too many new apartments

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."

&nbsp;

[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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[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145590]

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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