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A Gisborne farm has been sold for $61.1 million to the Melbourne developer ID Land.
It was a 75 ha property at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-land+development-vic-gisborne-502701826" target="_blank">39 Willowbank Road </a>(pictured above) which will become new housing.
Savills agent Julian Heatherich said the owners who had farmed cattle on the property were retiring and downsizing to a smaller home.
The buyer will seek to develop 600 housing lots along with a primary school, waterways and parks.
 
<div class="wp-caption"><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/Gisborne.jpg" alt=""></div>
Buying interest came from across Australia, China and South East Asia, resulting in the strongest development sale the Macedon Ranges region had ever seen.
“We received 15 offers and 160 requests for information for the property,” he told the local Leader community newspaper.
The property is surrounded by new residential estates, including Gisborne Fields and Golden Views, and is serviced by a train station, multiple bus routes and the Calder Freeway.
ID Land is a major property developer with projects across Melbourne, including Truganina and Wollert, and Geelong.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Savills sell 75ha Gisborne farm for $61.1 million

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Rate My Agent has debuted on the ASX with its $92 million ASX float appraised as worth $75.4 million on its first day close-of-trade. 
RMA Global — which operates the Rate My Agent real estate agent comparison site — made a lukewarm debut yesterday, the <a href="https://stockhead.com.au/tech/disappointing-asx-debut-for-rate-my-agent-comparison-site/" target="_blank">stockhead</a> website suggested.
RMA raised $12 million selling 48 million shares at 25c each.
The stock opened its first day of trade at 24c and fell as low as 19c before closing at 20.5c — an 18 per cent drop on its issue price.
It was trading at 20 cents in early trading today.
About $1.5 million worth of shares changed hands.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/7/6/RMA%20graph.JPG" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/6/RMA%20graph.JPG" alt="">
Rate My Agent allows punters to rate the agent and agency that helps them to buy and sell property.
RateMyAgent was formed four years ago
RateMyAgent, which allows home owners to search online and compare real estate agents, has recently been caught up in controversy over underquoting estate agents in Melbourne.
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<div>
Earlier this year its chief executive Mark Armstrong <a href="/expert-insights/rate-my-agent-boss-defends-award-to-underquoter-tim-heavyside">defended its "agent of the year."</a>
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It reported $3 million in customer receipts for the December half but burned about $4 million cash.
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In February, it controversially named as ‘agent of the year’ a man who’d allegedly recently received a record fine for underquoting.
Rate My Agent warned in its prospectus that the continuing property downturn could result in lower agent advertising on the site — which could hit its bottom line.
The prospectus says 27,000 agents had signed up to the service. It says it covers 77 per cent of active agents in Australia and 30 per cent of those pay monthly subscriptions.
The company says it’s listing to increase its footholds in the US and New Zealand, and starting looking at other markets.
Early investors in the company included stockbroker Dean Smorgon, scion of the Smorgon dynasty, and online entrepreneur Gabby Leibovich.
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Estate agent comparison website Rate My Agent debuts on ASX

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An ASIC investigation into loan fraud has resulted in a permanent ban of former National Australia Bank employees, Danny Merheb and Samar Merjan (also known as Samar Awad) from engaging in credit activities and providing financial services.
NAB alerted ASIC to the misconduct of its former employees, alleging that bank staff in the greater western Sydney area were accepting false documents in support of loan applications.
Mr Merheb was found to have recklessly given NAB false payslips, letters of employment, bank statements and statutory declarations in respect of home loan applications. Ms Merjan was found to have knowingly and recklessly given NAB false payslips and letters of employment in respect of personal loan and credit card applications.
The false information and documentation submitted by Mr Merheb and Ms Merjan were primarily provided to them by a third person who had no association with NAB. 
NAB has welcomed ASIC's decision.
Mr Merjan and Mr Merhab were both terminated from their employments with NAB in November 2015. 
The bans follow NAB's announcement of a remediation program for home loan customers in November 2017, after an internal review found some home loans may have been submitted with inaccurate customer information and/or documentation, or incorrect information in relation to NAB's Introducer Program.
ASIC also found that:
<ul>
<li>Mr Merheb falsely attributed a loan as being referred to NAB by an introducer who was a friend in order for the friend to receive commissions dishonestly;</li>
<li>Ms Merjan assisted the third person in the creation of two false documents, which she subsequently provided to NAB in support of lending applications; and</li>
<li>Ms Merjan was twice offered cash by the third person to process lending applications.</li>
</ul>
ASIC’s investigation is continuing.
Mr Merheb and Ms Merjan were permanently banned on 29 June 2018. They both have the right to lodge an application for review of ASIC’s decisions with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
On 16 November 2017, NAB announced a remediation program for home loan customers after an internal review, prompted by whistleblower reports it had received which found that some home loans may not have been established in accordance with NAB’s policies.
NAB identified that around 2,300 home loans since 2013 may have been submitted with inaccurate customer information and/or documentation, or incorrect information in relation to NAB’s Introducer Program.
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False payslips in NAB home loan applications triggers ASIC permanent ban 

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Over the March 2018 quarter, resales of Melbourne properties generated $3.865 billion worth of profits.
There were $33.3 million in losses with the inner Melbourne having the highest number of loss takers, $8 million plus in losses, each property sold at a loss averaged minus $48,000.
According to the latest Pain &amp; Gain report from CoreLogic, Melbourne generated 26% of total resale profits nationally over the quarter as well as producing 7.8% of total resales losses.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/PG%20Graph%203-1.JPG" alt="">
Over the quarter; there were no resales at a loss in a number of council regions; Cardinia; Macedon Ranges; Mitchell; Moorabool; Murrundindi and Nillumbik.
The council regions with the highest proportion of resales at a loss were Melbourne, Stonnington and Yarra.
With dwelling values now starting to fall, particularly for houses, the share of houses and units resold for a loss rose over the quarter.
Click to <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/PG%20Graph%203-2.JPG" target="_blank">enlarge</a>
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Melbourne resales have generated billions of dollars in profit: CoreLogic Pain & Gain

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The resale of Hobart residential properties over the March 2018 quarter generated $137.2 million in profits and just $1.161 million in losses.
Based on these figures, Hobart accounted for 0.9% of profits nationally over the quarter and 0.3% of losses, according to the CoreLogic pain and gain report.
With strong value growth continuing in Hobart, all council regions recorded less than 7% of resales at a loss.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/5/PG%20Hobart%202.JPG" alt="">
There were no resales at a loss in Brighton and very few in Kingborough and Glenorchy while Sorell was the only council region with more than 5% of resales at a loss.
Although growth rates may moderate from their recent highs, it’s likely such strong growth conditions over recent years will continue to see a relatively low proportion of loss making sales.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/5/PG%20Hobart.JPG" alt="">
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Hobart made up less than 1% of resale profits this quarter: CoreLogic Pain & Gain

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Over the March 2018 quarter, resales of Darwin properties generated $31.8 million in profits and $9.1 million in losses.
Based on these figures, Darwin generated 0.2% of national profit and 2.1% of the total value of losses.
Each region of the city has recorded a high proportion of resales at a loss.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/5/PG%20Darwin%201.JPG" alt="">
Both Darwin and Palmerston recorded a share of loss in excess of 30% of all resales while Palmerston was only slightly below the 20% mark.
The share of houses resold at a loss was quite steady over the quarter while there was a rebound in losses across the unit market.
With a recent steadying of dwelling value declines, CoreLogic suggest it will be interesting to see how losses perform over the coming quarters.\
Click to <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/7/5/PG%20Darwin%203.JPG" target="_blank">enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/5/PG%20Darwin%203.JPG" alt="">
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Darwin dwelling value declines remain steady: CoreLogic Pain & Gain

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There were $3.3 million worth of resales at a loss for Canberra which accounted for 0.8% of the total value of losses nationally, over the first quarter of 2018.
The market also recorded $214.2 million in realised profits which accounted for 1.4% of profits nationally, according to CoreLogic's pain and gain report.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/5/PG%20Canberra%201.JPG" alt="">
Over the quarter, the share of houses and units resold at a loss increased slightly.
The climb in loss-making resales mirrors what is happening across most capital cities and reflects the slowing rate of value growth across the city.
Click to <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/7/5/PG%20Canberra%202.JPG" target="_blank">enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/5/PG%20Canberra%202.JPG" alt="">
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Canberra following capital city trend of slowing rate of value growth: CoreLogic Pain & Gain

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A home at Beeliar in WA has been sold by the mortggaee.
The <a href="https://reiwa.com.au/9-shrike-lane-beeliar-4069332/" target="_blank">9 Shrike Lane, Beeliar</a> house (pictured above) features five bedrooms two bathrooms and a home theatre.
It was sold at $527,500 by Mark Grljusich at Harcourts.
The building block sold at $285,000 in 2008 and the house was built in 2011. 
It had been a $560 a week rental offering earlier in 2018.
The suburb's median house price sits at <a href="/news">$507,500</a> according to CoreLogic.
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$527,500 Beeliar, WA house sold by mortgagee

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Rents are rising across Australia but slower than they were 12 months ago, according to the latest quarterly rental review by CoreLogic.
There has been a general slowdown in the rate of rental growth.
This trend is typical of the second quarter, which historically records a slower period for rental growth and appreciation than the seasonally strong first three months of the year.
CoreLogic research analyst Cameron Kusher said the first two quarters of 2018 have seen softer rental growth than the same two quarters of last year highlighting the slowing rental growth across the nation.
"With rental stock continuing to rise as off-the-plan unit settlements continue, it is anticipated that the softening rental growth will continue over the coming months.”
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/7/5/CL%20QRR%20Graph%201.JPG" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/5/CL%20QRR%20Graph%201.JPG" alt="">
Across the nation, rents were 0.3 per cent higher over the second quarter of 2018 and 1.8 per cent higher over the 12 months to June 2018, less than half what it was over the same period in 2017, when rents climbed by 0.7 per cent.
Rental growth over the second quarter is slightly higher in the combined regions (+0.4 per cent) than in the combined capital cities (+0.3 per cent), and over the past 12 months, regional rents climbed 3.1 per cent compared to 1.4 per cent growth across the capitals.
In the second quarter, rents climbed in all capital cities except for Darwin (-1.0 per cent) and Sydney (- 0.3 per cent).
Hobart reported the highest quarterly rental increase (+1.9 per cent), followed by Canberra (+1.3 per cent).
Hobart was, across all the capitals over the past 12 months, reporting the highest growth in rental rates (+10.7 per cent) and Canberra was the next strongest performer (+4.5 per cent).
Rents climbed higher in all capital cities except Perth (-0.2 per cent) and Darwin (-1.7 per cent) over the past 12 months.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/7/6/rental%20rates.JPG" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/6/rental%20rates.JPG" alt="">
Over the past 10 years, national weekly rents for both houses and units have increased by 25.7 per cent.
House rents increased by 1.9 per cent over the past 12 months, while units increased by 1.7 per cent. 
The national median rent is $429 per week ($427 for houses and $434 for units).
The median house rental in the capital cities is $464 compared to $458 for units, while across the regions, both houses and units averaged $356 per week. 
Sydney continues to be Australia’s most expensive capital city to rent in, with a median rent of $583, compared to Hobart, which has one of the lowest average rents across all the capitals at $418 per week.
Adelaide ($375) has the cheapest weekly rent out of all Australian capital cities.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/7/5/CL%20QRR%20Graph%2045.JPG" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/5/CL%20QRR%20Graph%2045.JPG" alt="">
Rental yields have increased nationally by 0.6 per cent over the past 12 months to 3.7 per cent.
The average rental yield is 3.4 per cent across the combined capitals (+0.1 per cent).
In comparison, yields across the combined regions fell slightly (-0.1 per cent) to 4.9 per cent.
Annual rental yields increased in Sydney (+0.1 per cent), Darwin (+0.3 per cent) and Canberra (+0.1 per cent).
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/7/6/RENTAL%20rates%202.JPG" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/6/RENTAL%20rates%202.JPG" alt="">
Yields remained unchanged in Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne, and declined slightly in Hobart (- 0.2 per cent) and Perth (-0.1 per cent).
Darwin has both the highest growth in rental yields (+0.3 per cent) as well as the highest yield (+5.7 per cent).
Hobart has the second highest yield (+4.9 per cent) followed by Canberra (+4.6 per cent).
Melbourne (+3.0 per cent) has the lowest rental yields, followed by Sydney (+3.2 per cent).
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Rental prices climb, slower than last quarter: CoreLogic

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Interior stylist Heather Nette King's late Federation-era home in Armadale was passed in at recent auction, with a subsequent offer securing its sale.
The three bedroom, one bathroom house was marketed as having plenty of quirky charm with a leadlight entry, ceiling roses, fretwork and painted floorboards.
The 1920s house on a 378 sqm wedge-shaped holding featured in many photo shoots for Dulux. It featured too in the international style bible, Elle Decoration UK.
<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/king2.jpg" alt="">
It was passed in at $1.71 million through Jellis Craig agents Andrew McCann and Carla Fetter.
The Alleyne Avenue home, which sits above the train line, had been given a $1.7 million to $1.8 million price guide.
It last sold at $385,000 in 2000 when bought by Nette and her husband Jeremy King, the general manager of brand agency Traffic.
They've renovated the home extensively, including installing a swimming pool.
This article was first published in The Weekend Australian.
 
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Interior stylist Nette King sells Armadale house

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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