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A 635 sqm land parcel in Bonville south of Coffs Harbour has sold for $260,000.
The block in the popular Storyland gardens estate has views of the nearby Bongil Bongil National Park.
The block at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-residential+land-nsw-bonville-202119006" target="_blank">8 Mountain View Court</a> only went up $1,000 since it last traded in 2017.
Beth Andrews at PRDnationwide Coffs Harbour advised the vendor had moved overseas. 
The block with street level access is a short drive to Sawtell Beaches, cafes, restaurants, entertainment and some of the best schools on the coast.
 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Bonville mountain view block sells

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A near $11 million sale may have set a new record for the Sutherland Shire.
It was the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-kangaroo+point-128766178" target="_blank">mansion at Kangaroo Point</a> completed three years ago by Celeste and Joseph Steiger, an electrical engineer who runs electric and mechanical servicing company Industrial Electric.
<div class="in-content-ad">
<div id="adspot-1x1-pos-5" class="ad" data-google-query-id="CLuspc72ktwCFRSNlgodyiMJ9w">
<div id="google_ads_iframe_/31694718/domain.com.au/news/prestige_4__container__">The sale price on the three-level Kangaroo Point Road residence built over two blocks of deep waterfront remains undisclosed by selling agents John Basa and Dave Watkins, of DJW Property.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><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/2018/7/10/kang1.jpg" alt=""></div>
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<div>But it has been confirmed as a local buyer.</div>
</div>
</div>
The Kangaroo Point residence offers about 900 square metres of internal living space on its 1820 square metre block which has been reportedly held by the Steiger family for about four decades.
Listed last November with $12 million hopes, the six-bedroom residence has a private beach, jetty, pontoon and boatshed.
<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/2018/7/10/kang3.jpg" alt="">
The previous high of $10.85 million was set in 2005 by the Kangaroo Point property, Waterview when it was bought by company director Allan Botros with complex vendor financing.
It was sold two years later for $6 million to boss of Glad Cleaning company Nick Iloski and his wife Lucy.
Last year a waterfront house on Cronulla’s Darook Park Road was sold for $10.3 million to Sonya Boxall, wife of UBS co-head of equities Steve Boxall.
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Kangaroo Point home sets Sutherland Shire record

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Several leasing opportunities in Melbourne’s Federation Square are on the market.
The tenancies range from 48 to 276 square metres, with including internal and external spaces, some of which have views of the Yarra River.
Prices for the tenancies start at $26,500 per annum.
According to leasing agent, Teska Carson’s Richard Munday, the tenancies on Federation Square are tightly held, such as Kirra Gallery’s 15 year current lease. 
Two spaces, Tenancies 27 (183 square metres) and 28 (276 square metres), are only available on 18 month leases.
"In terms of inquiry we have had so far with 50 calls on the first day of advertising," Munday said.
Federation Square hosts 10 million visitors more than 2000 events annually, including New Year’s Eve celebrations, Melbourne Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.
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"Very rare" Federation Square leasing opportunities on the market

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There is an increasingly active east coast hotel market, according to iPG's first quarter 2018 report.
The market is characterised by tight conditions in the Sydney CBD, new supply in Melbourne and near double digit growth in inbound tourism.
iPG, an advisory for investors, expects buoyancy in the hotel sector to continue for the remainder of the year, driven by Chinese investor led acquisitions.
Group CEO, Michael Gu, noted Sydney remains the most significant location for investors and developers with many buyers seeking forward purchase agreements.
Melbourne recorded the highest number of transactions during the quarter.
According to Gu, an emerging trend in Sydney and Melbourne is developments converting from residential to hotels as the housing market cools.
"This should help the hotel market meet burgeoning demand for accommodation," he said.
"Sydney and Melbourne are likely to continue to be the markets with the highest activity levels and strongest ADRs, while Brisbane will also experience improving market conditions."
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Activity rising in east coast hotel market: iPG

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Global architectural firm Buchan has created a sustainably-designed facility design of Swimming WA’s latest aquatic centre, WestSwim Lakelands.
Buchan was appointed on behalf of PEET Ltd to provide architectural, master-planning and interior design services to the project.
It was completed in May.
WestSwim is a business unit of Swimming WA – a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to growing the sport of swimming in Western Australia.
The 724 square metre facility includes, a pool hall featuring a five-lane, 25 metre graded-depth swimming pool, with specialised in-built teaching ledge, retail space and office facility with an additional 48 square metre outdoor entertainment area.
<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/2018/7/5/WA%20Pool%202.jpg" alt="">
WestSwim Lakelands is located on the corner of Mandurah Road and Lake Valley Drive in the new Lakelands Town Centre.
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Architectural firm Buchan designs WA aquatic centre in Lakelands

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Geocon's latest development High Society almost sold out prior to public release, making High Society the best-selling project in Australia this year.
“We have sold 500 units with less than 10 percent of the stock remaining by day one,” Geocon Managing Director Nick Georgalis (pictured below alongside Mark Bouris) said.
<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/2018/7/6/Geocon%20dudes.jpg" alt="">
"That’s double the record of 250 that we sold in Grand Central Towers on a single night in February."
High Society’s two 27-storey glass towers at 113 and 100 metres will be Canberra’s tallest buildings and the third release in Geocon’s $1 billion Republic development. 
Construction on High Society has commenced with an expected completion date of September 2020 due to a Goldman and Sachs deal Geocon made.
This project will contain 541 apartments, 135-room Abode hotel, 500 public carparks in addition to resident parking, and retail and commercial offerings, set in the one-hectare Republic precinct in Belconnen.
The two glass towers of High Society are the ACT’s biggest construction project since Canberra International Airport.
In conjunction with the High Society launch, Georgalis announced that Geocon had sold more than 1200 apartments this year across all of his projects, more than half of the ACT’s annual sales.
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Geocon secures sales record at High Society development

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A Melbourne based investor has paid $2.27 million on a 4.4% yield for 440 Hampton Street, Hampton.
The securely leased retail asset comprises a 180 square metre ground floor component of a three storey building, on a 180 square metre site zoned Commercial 1 with 10 metres frontage to Hampton Street and three car spaces on title located in Melbourne’s south-eastern Bayside.
According to selling agents, Teska Carson directors, George Takis and Michael Ludski, four bidders from a strong auction crowd pushed the price to more than $170,000 above the vendor’s reserve.
The property was sold subject to a brand new five year lease to Australia Post at an annual rental of $100,000 with 3.2% annual increases.
Ludski said the area had seen significant growth in recent years with a number of medium density residential and commercial developments transforming the precinct.
"What has been an upsurge in this area’s popularity, with its easy access to Melbourne’s CBD via major arterial routes, and the beach, has driven the development of new, high-profile, residential and commercial projects that have further enhanced a much sought after destination,’’ Ludski added.
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Investor pays $2.27 million for Australia Post-occupied Hampton retail building

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A Bellevue Hill architect designed house with city skyline and harbour bridge views has been offered for the first time in 54 years. 
The solid brick, classic modernist style home was designed by architects Allen, Jack &amp; Cottier, a prime example of its creators as it bares all the hallmarks of its 1960s architectural heritage.
It was listed by Michael Pallier from Sydney Sotheby's International Realty. 
Occupying approximately 684 square metres of north-west facing land,<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-bellevue+hill-127623718" target="_blank"> the 6 Sheldon Palace </a>home comes with five bedrooms, kitchen with causal dining area, living and formal dining areas flow onto extensive wrap around north facing verandahs, terraces and swimming pool. 
<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/2018/6/13/BELLEVUE%20HILL%202.jpg" alt="">
Other features include high ceilings, custom-made joinery and glass sliding doors. 
It also comes with an additional self-contained guest pavilion/rumpus/nanny quarters with independent access.
The suburb's median house price sits on<a href="/developments/bellevue-hill-nsw-2023"> $5.45 million</a>, according to CoreLogic. 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/6/13/BELLEVUE%20HILL%203.jpg" alt="">
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AJC-designed Bellevue Hill sold for first time in 54 years

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EXPERT OBSERVER
We’re great at rationalising our own actions, whether it’s profiteering or eating meat.
Hating bankers seems to be something of a global bloodsport, and this has only been intensified by the <a href="https://theconversation.com/au/topics/financial-services-royal-commission-51154" target="_blank">many scandals</a> coming out of <a href="https://financialservices.royalcommission.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Financial Services Royal Commission</a>.
But what often gets overlooked in times of mass gibbeting is the human cost. Far from the pin-striped-suit-wearing-cigar-chewing-fat-cat stereotype, the Australian employees in the banking sector are (mostly) just like the rest of us.
The emerging field of behavioural ethics shows us we are all motivated by self-serving interests and that, under the right circumstances, most people will act in ways that are opposed to their own moral principles.
Psychological research has revealed what is referred to as the <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/real-men-dont-write-blogs/201406/why-we-dont-give-each-other-break" target="_blank">fundamental attribution error</a> – a tendency to blame an individual’s character for bad outcomes.
In essence, we believe people who lie, cheat or steal do so because they’re bad apples. It is for this reason we feel justified in dragging them over hot coals.
Although satisfying to our sense of retributive justice, this is often unjustified.
Studies show when people are given the opportunity to cheat without getting caught, they will do so in order to benefit themselves, but <a href="http://journals.ama.org/doi/abs/10.1509/jmkr.45.6.633?code=amma-site" target="_blank">just enough</a> so they don’t see themselves as immoral.
We also know unethical behaviour tends to follow a slippery slope. Dishonesty increases overtime and people adapt to their behaviour (it feels more normal), leading to <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nn.4426" target="_blank">less activation of the amygdala</a> – an area of the brain associated with perceptions of threat.
But, what leads good people to do bad things in the first place?
Studies on <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-lawsocsci-102811-173815" target="_blank">ethical fading</a> reveal when people are focused on other factors (for example, the importance of meeting performance goals) they become less aware of the ethical dimensions to their decisions.
There are also a myriad of ways people use <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0963721414553264" target="_blank">motivated reasoning</a> to downplay the ethical consequences of their actions.
From bankers to burgers
If you think these biases are limited to bankers, think again. In my own research I’ve become fascinated with the psychology of meat eating. Why? Because it’s terribly common while also posing an ethical dilemma for almost all of us (me included).
Although a very large majority of us eat meat, many are also squeamish when it comes to the production of that meat. We don’t like to think of the harm associated with factory farms. In fact, very few of us can stomach the idea of killing an animal, yet we’re happy to eat lamb roast on Sundays and burgers in between.
So how do we resolve this tension between our desire to eat meat and the harm this brings to animals? We engage in all the same practices bankers have been accused of recently.
Our work shows we actively <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0146167211424291" target="_blank">downplay the mental lives of animals</a>, such as their capacity to experience pain or harm. This is so the ethical consequences of our behaviour appear less troublesome.
We have also traced these strategies – designed to protect us from the discomfort associated with the ethical implications of meat eating – all the way to how our <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1088868316647562" target="_blank">societies and institutions are structured</a>. Abattoirs are kept out of sight, we use euphemisms such as beef (versus cow) or pork (versus pig), and we promote the idea eating meat is <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195666315001518" target="_blank">natural, normal, and necessary</a>.
Unconscious bias, cultural veils, and a little humility.
Contrary to our retributive desire to hang wrong-doers out to dry, the evidence suggests we’re all prone to ethical failures.
Our self-serving biases are often unconscious, and we live and work in social systems that are sometimes designed to incentivise unethical behaviour and protect us from the consequences of our actions.
Bankers talk of profits rather than people. They have managers, boards, and shareholders who set and <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/banking-inquiry-reveals-need-to-get-rid-of-incentives-for-selling-home-loans-20180325-p4z64v" target="_blank">incentivise</a> financial goals and targets, not ethical ones.
Can the banking sector improve its ethical scorecard? Most definitely yes. We must, however, view this as a systemic issue.
Just as those of us who consume burgers need to take a walk down humility lane, the banking sector needs to recognise the various pitfalls that have become ingrained in its very culture.
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/99209/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">At the end of the day bankers are no more or less prone to the same ethical failures than the rest of us. Recognising that fact is the first step towards creating an open and safe culture where we can all admit our moral frailties without fear of becoming the next casualty of the blame bandwagon.
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/brock-bastian-135" target="_blank">Brock Bastian</a>, ARC Future Fellow, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-melbourne-722" target="_blank">University of Melbourne</a>
This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>.
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Why we should be slow to point the finger at bankers

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<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-lifestyle-nsw-berry+mountain-7927978" target="_blank">Glenworth</a>, Berry Mountain set on 98.8 acres, has been sold for an undisclosed amount to an undisclosed buyer last month.
Marketed as "possibly the most prestigious, stately residence in the district" it is placed in a unique location on Berry Mountain, overlooking Berry and beyond to the sea (pictured above).
Glenworth is a Victorian two storey home (pictured below) built in 1880 by James Wilson, the esteemed first mayor of Berry.
<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/2018/7/5/Berry%202.jpg" alt="">
With extensive outbuildings and sufficient shedding to store all forms of farm machinery, this property is both residence and a rural holding that is divided into 7 grazing paddocks.
Two small creeks emerge from sources on the property upon which a 2nd dwelling, previously a caretakers cottage, set well apart from the main holding resides, providing the opportunity to create a private home for visitors or holiday letting.
Glenworth was previously held by one family for 67 years.
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Berry Mountain trophy home, Glenworth sold

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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