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Harry Triguboff, one of the country's biggest owners of rental apartments, has accused unspecified rival developers, but the likes of Lendlease, Mirvac and Stockland, of supporting build-to-rent housing because they were trying to drum up capital at a time of harder access to funds.
Triguboff owns a portfolio of more than 4000 apartments that he rents out.
He suggested the current build-to-rent drive was pushed by his rivals.
"They want… a tax break," Meriton boss Mr Triguboff told The Australian Financial Review, though not naming them directly in the article.
"But the interesting thing is, it's not the people with the money talking.
"It's the snorers that have no money to build."
Housing built for long-term rent to middle-income households has yet to become established in Australia because tax concessions for investment in residential housing are not available to institutions in the way they are to mum-and-dad investors and low yields on residential property do not make it viable.
Last year, Treasurer Scott Morrison ruled out the use of managed investment trusts, a vehicle that pays a low 15 per cent withholding tax, for at-market residential property, saying they had to be limited to the purpose of affordable, or key-worker, housing.
The shadow treasurer Chris Bowen last month signalled he would reconsider the issue.
But Mr Triguboff, who subsidises his own rental portfolio with profit from his development projects in Sydney, Brisbane and Gold Coast, questioned whether foreign institutions were interested in Australian build-to-rent as an asset class.
"I'm critical of people talking about it without naming who are the people that will invest," he said in an interview with the Financial Review.
"I don't think they have people that will invest. I think what they are trying to do is sell the idea to Morrison, then they will run around and get somebody. That's how it appears."
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Triguboff says the likes of Lendlease, Mirvac and Stockland support build-to-rent to drum up capital

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Harvey Norman will be the most vulnerable of the ASX listed retailers to the housing downturn, Citi analysts Bryan Raymond and Craig Woolford have told clients.
It came in a 38-page report ranking the retailers the broker considers most exposed to a fall in house prices.The analysts point out that the housing cycle had already turned, but this is yet to be reflected in retailer share prices.
According to the broker, Harvey Norman and Wesfarmers are most exposed, with 39 per cent of Harvey Norman's group earnings driven by furniture and appliances and 40 per cent of Wesfarmers' earnings from hardware chain Bunnings.Metcash and JB Hi-Fi were high up the list, with 25 per cent of the wholesaler group's earnings from hardware businesses Mitre10 and Home Timber and Hardware.
About 18 per cent of JB Hi-Fi's earnings are in whitegoods following its Good Guys acquisition.
But Harvey was quick to denounce the report.
"I've been doing this for 50-odd years, and I've had this question only asked 20 to 30 times.
"There's not a lot of validity to it," Mr Harvey said, adding he tended not to read any broker reports, this one included.
"When the housing prices do go down a bit – and I don't know how much they are going to go down, my view is it will be very minimal – the population is still increasing at the moment by 300,000 a year. I'd much rather that than property prices go up and there's no extra people." Citi estimates that for every 1 per cent move in house prices, Harvey Norman's sales, earnings and share price increase by 4 per cent and Nick Scali by 6 per cent.
The broker says that hardware retailers are more protected than furniture retailers.
The broader market has a 1.8 per cent rise for every 1 per cent increase in housing prices, the broker said.
The broker considered the impact of the housing downturn in 2011 and 2012 on Harvey Norman's share price, suggesting it triggered an earnings fall, price earnings de-rating and share price decline. It suggested it was among the retailers that experienced significant average sale price declines in the television category.
Harvey said there was "no proof" that television sales were linked to housing prices.
"It's tied to technology a lot more than it is to housing downturns," he said. "That just shows people don't understand the industry."Citi has a "sell" recommendation on Harvey Norman.It values the company currency trading at $3.52 at $3.12 a share. The broker also argues that as Harvey Norman owns some 95 of its 195 Australian sites, that rental income could come under pressure.
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Citi says Harvey Norman will be hit hardest in the housing downturn

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There have previously been attempts to restrict Airbnb in Sydney, but owners corporations have failed.
Owners corporations in the past have attempted to block Airbnb letting, the most notable case was in Woollahra.
Alisa Taylor, a partner at Meyer Vandeberg Lawyers, noted the issue.
The landlord was Ms Peta Estens, who paid $580,000 for her one bedroom courtyard apartment in 2015.
Estens regularly let her apartment, due to her frequent travelling interstate and overseas.
"She was selective with the guests she permitted to lease the property and always found the apartment in impeccable condition when she returned," Taylor noted.
There were only two complaints over a 12 month period, with guests misusing the washing machine in the commercial laundry.
Taylor said Ms Estens changed the rules on her listing, limiting the use of the washing machines and also prohibiting pets.
The owners corporation in the small block of five had passed a 'special by-law', having the effect that Airbnb was an illegal use for all units in the complex.
Estens then sought an order from the NCAT to invalidate the rule, on the basis the owners corporation didn't have the power to make it.
She relied on a 2016 NSW Legislative Committee Environmental Planning Report which said that (among other things) the committee regarded short term letting of a residential property as ‘residential use of the same character as longer term letting or traditional tenancy’.
The owners corporation argued that no section Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW) permitted the use of Airbnb.
The owners corporation said that the common areas of the building were being subjected to a high rate of wear and tear as a result of luggage being continuously moved in and out of Ms Esten’s unit, and also pointed to issues of security and control of short term occupiers including abatement of noise.
Ultimately the NCAT agreed with Ms Estens, declaring an owners corporation cannot pass by-laws banning short-term letting.  
"The NCAT said that it was satisfied that the manner in which the Airbnb arrangement operates ‘is sufficient to constitute a tenancy or lease’," Taylor advised.
"The NCAT based this on the fact that the tenant has exclusive possession of the property, and concluded that the arrangement is properly described as a lease rather than a licence."
 
<a href="mailto:Alisa.Taylor@MVLawyers.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> </a>
 
 
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Airbnb court case ends in landlord owner win against owners corporation

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Accusations from Mortgage Choice franchisees accusing the aggregator of running a harsh business model and remuneration structure have triggered a promise to change its remuneration model.
Mortgage Choice released an announcement on the ASX yesterday in response to an investigation by Fairfax Media and ABC’s 7.30. The investigation had been looming for some time among tweets as franchisees readied to set up a fund to take legal action.
Towards the end of last year they agreed to commit $200,000, but put this on hold after Mortgage Choice said it would review the structure.
The media report outlined how the broker previously employed an up-front commission model and changed this to a performance-based model based on loan targets in the wake of the 2007-2008 Global Financial Crisis. 
But it never changing back to the original structure once the crisis had passed.
The recently appointed Mortgage Choice chief executive Susan Mitchell admitted the model was “outdated.”
In the ASX statement from company secretary David Hoskins, Mortgage Choice advised it would be working closely with franchisees about a more “competitive remuneration model”.
The statement said the purpose of this would be to “increase franchisee remuneration and reduce franchisee income volatility to allow them to grow their business and assist more customers with their home loan needs”.
CEO of Mortgage Choice, Susan Mitchell, said she anticipated the changes would support the long term sustainable growth of Mortgage Choice.
“We want to continue to help Australians with their financial services needs for many years to come and having thriving, growing franchisees that have the confidence to invest in their business is critical to achieving this.”
Mortgage Choice expects to finalise a new remuneration model in this coming July and implement an opt-in basis across the network in August.
Documents suggest almost half of Mortgage Choice’s franchisees were considering legal action to get a better and fairer remuneration scheme.
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Mortgage Choice saw its shares plunge 40 per cent on Tuesday after Fairfax and the ABC reported 173 of its franchisees were considering a fighting fund to take on the home loan giant. Shares were up 1 percent in Wednesday morning trade.
<a href="http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/" target="_blank" title="www.abc.net.au">On ABC’s 7.30</a>, a number of struggling Mortgage Choice franchisees spoke about having to sell their houses because of their financial struggles brought on by the business.
Franchisees are reportedly being pressured to sign $1.5 million in loans per month, much higher than the national average of any other company.
If brokers fail to meet that target, Mortgage Choice takes a greater section of the franchisee’s profit.
Melbourne franchisee Russell Chellew told the program he’s become physically sick since owning his own Mortgage Choice franchise.
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Mortgage Choices advised shareholder that change in the remuneration model does not affect the FY2018 cash result.
"Market updates will include guidance on a one off adjustment to the FY2018 IFRS result based on the change in the average payout rate to franchisees once this is known."
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Mortgage Choice moves quickly to quell franchisee revolt 

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The NSW government will impose a 180-day cap on the number of days empty properties can be rented out by Airbnb in Sydney.
It will also give strata corporations the power to ban Airbnb in their buildings if 75 percent of owners seek the ban. 
Short-term holiday letting is currently unregulated in NSW. 
Sydney ranks as one of Airbnb’s top ten cities for most properties on the platform.
The new laws come with no caps across the rest of the state, but councils outside of greater Sydney will have the power to impose their own caps, though no lower than 180 days per year. Byron Bay could move first as its locals have been affected by increased rent as its short-term holiday rental market booms. It has been calculated that in Byron shire visitors outnumber locals by a ratio of 70 to one.
Better Regulation Minister Matt Kean was forced to go back and consult with the government's backbench after MPs revolted over the initial cabinet-approved policy, which proposed only the 180-day cap but gave no power to the individual strata committees.
Hosts or guests who commit two serious breaches of the code within two years could be by Airbnb from using Airbnb and other similar platforms for five years, and placed on an exclusion register.
Kean described the reforms as the "toughest laws in world to crack down on bad behaviour" in the short-term letting industry.
"We've got the balance right between protecting people's property rights, between recognising owner's corporations have a role to play in the governance of strata schemes, and ensuring people who want to use these platforms like Airbnb are able to do so," Mr Kean said.
Airbnb’s Global Head of Policy Chris Lehane championed the reforms as a potential "world model" for the industry, describing them as "fair and balanced". Lehane said Airbnb was comfortable with sharing its data with government agencies.
International cities like Berlin and Barcelona have found regulating these platforms is not always easy with enforcing restrictions against individual hosts cumbersomely costly.
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The home sharing platform Airbnb came out in support of a limit on the number of days a investment property can be rented in NSW strata, as it sought to avoid a tougher regulatory crackdown by the NSW government.
In a submission to the NSW government, Airbnb said there were more than 45,000 Airbnb listings in the state with average host earning around $5,300 a year.
The NSW government's options paper, which was released last July, considered a range of options balancing protecting neighbours and allowing people to profit from providing short-term accommodation.
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<a href="https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/inquiries/Pages/inquiry-submission-details.aspx?pk=%2053960" target="_blank">Airbnb's prior submission</a> has called for a statewide planning framework which clarifies how individuals are allowed to rent out the homes.
"Airbnb supports a clear, statewide approach that supports our host community sharing their own primary place of residence without the need for approvals, registrations, or caps, and for non-­primary places of residence, an approach that is streamlined with clear information about the safety and planning standards to adhere to," it said in the submission.
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London introduced a 90-day limit a calendar year on Airbnb rentals. 
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In June 2015, Philadelphia became the largest city in the U.S. to pass legislation specifically enabling people to share their homes for up to half a year.
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The city of Hamburg acted to clarify that rules restricting tourist accommodation in residential areas do not apply to primary residences.
The Hamburg housing law gives residents the right to use all of their home to host guests for up to 50% of the year. Alternatively, they can use 50% of their home to host guests all year round. 
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A recent City of Sydney Council survey of 1000 residents showed more than 40 per cent of Sydney inner-city residents oppose short term rentals on Airbnb or Stayz as a full-time investment and believe strata bodies should be able to ban short-term rentals.
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Airbnb also recommends the NSW government set up a "three-strikes-and-you're-out" framework to manage complaints.
Airbnb opposed giving strata bodies the power to prohibit short-term renting. 
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New South Wales’ host community has welcomed nearly 420,000 Airbnb guests during a recent twelve months which represented a year-over-year growth rate of 167 percent.
In an Economic Impact Study that Airbnb conducted in Sydney, Airbnbn found that the majority of hosts (85 percent) rent their primary residences occasionally and earn a modest but significant amount of extra income that they use to help make ends meet.
In Australia, the average host earns $7,100 per year and hosts approximately 51 nights per year.
Martin North at Digital Finance Analytics suggests a significant share of Airbnb Sydney hosts are using the platform to engage in economic activity that existed long before Airbnb did – that is, dwellings are used as serviced apartments, B&amp;Bs or holiday rentals.
"This is commercial activity, not sharing.
"These properties aren’t just “excess” unused housing space and there’s no “sharing attitude” involved," he blogged today.
Mapping the Sydney listings shows these traditional short-term lets were only about a quarter of listings, but they were overwhelmingly concentrated in suburbs with very tight rental markets.
LOCATION OF TRADITIONAL SHORT-TERM LETTING
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/221663/original/file-20180605-175451-1eumaun.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="">
LOCATION OF HOUSE SHARING
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/221664/original/file-20180605-175438-10z7exq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="">
"That’s a lot of properties in popular neighbourhoods that might otherwise be long-term rentals," North suggested.
 
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NSW Government puts cap on Sydney Airbnb rentals, with regional councils able to follow 

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ASIC has permanently banned Desiree Veronica Macpherson from providing financial services.
ASIC found that in relation to Ms Macpherson’s involvement with the development and promotion of the Newman Estate Project in the Pilbara region of Western Australia that Ms Macpherson had engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct, that she was not of good fame or character, that she had engaged in dishonest conduct and that she was involved in a contravention of financial services laws.
Ms Macpherson has the right to appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for a review of ASIC's decision.
ASIC’s investigation is ongoing.
Macpherson was last in the news earlier this year when she was contemplating publishing a book.
Veronica Macpherson, once the head of the collapsed Macro Realty Group, gave the a book a working title, "The Great Australian Ponzi". 
Her Pilbara property scheme fell over leaving thousands of investors owed millions in 2015. But bizarrely she suggests there could be a happy ending.
The local media indicated she would launch the book in April featuring "political backflips, errors, mismanagement of the Australian economies — suicides, nasty threats and wild accusations."
Ms Macpherson says it was a book "to get the truth known". 
Featuring the Pilbara Cities that were meant to be, she will be pedalling the line that "ASIC was their own worst enemy."
"One of my sayings is that ‘I am a big fan of the truth’ and unfortunately many people have been left wondering what the truth of the matter actually is with our Pilbara developments," she suggested.
In online material advertising the book, Ms Macpherson was using a picture of herself with Gina Rinehart, believed to have been taken at the CEO Magazine’s Australian Executive of the Year awards in late 2015.
That photograph posted alongside the book title was causing some consternation amongst Ms Hancock’s inner circle yesterday.
A spokeswoman for Mrs Rinehart confirmed to the Perthnow website that the event was the only time the two had ever met.
Mrs Rinehart had no business relationship with the would-be property developer and accused Ponzi queen.
Macpherson, in a five-page letter to “investors, affiliates and associates” sent out under a Macro Investments and Securities letterhead, also contemplated the establishment of a “Pilbara Cooperative” which she claims could provide hope to her many investors.
“The media has not bothered to showcase our past successes, but don’t worry there will be many more through this collaborative structure and great, like minded individuals,” the letter advises.
Macro Realty Developments’ former brand ambassador was former rugby champion, David Campese. 
 
 
 
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Queen of the Pilbara Veronica Macpherson cops ban from ASIC

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A contemporary inner-city Preston office suite has been leased  within one day of it becoming available.
The 525 High Street space is located 500 metres from Preston Train Station, Preston Market and an array of cafes and restaurants.
The ground floor office was leased to CVGT Pty Ltd, an employment services company on a three year lease plus options for $40,000 per annum, equating to a building rate of $239.52 per square metre for the 167 square metre space.
The fully partitioned office further features staff amenities including shower, air-conditioning throughout and secure under cover parking.
John Star of CVA had the listing.
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Preston office suite leased within one day on the market

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A prime Red Rooster-anchored fast food complex centre located on one of the Gold Coast’s busiest intersections has been listed for sale.
The Red Rooster Centre Burleigh has been placed on the market through Savills agents Peter Tyson, Jon Tyson and Michael Harcourt.
The fully leased complex comprises a diverse and complimentary fast food mix, anchored by a Red Rooster Drive-Thru Restaurant, Subway and Zambrero’s outlets as well as award winning seafood, vegan and sushi traders.
The centre is situated adjacent to the Coles anchored Treetops Plaza centre and features exposure to over 70,000 cars per day on the junction of two major arterial traffic routes. 
Peter Tyson said the Red Rooster Centre Burleigh provides a tremendous opportunity for longer term investors underpinned by an annual income stream of over $470,000, a secure seven year lease profile and strong embedded real estate value.
It came with a flexible mixed use “Centre” zoning which allows development potential up to 30 metres or 10 stories in height.
Offers close June 21.
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Red Rooster Centre in Burleigh, Gold Coast listed

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The largest leasing deal of the year has seen Suncorp take a lease in Adelaide's newly refurbished 1 King William Street (1KW).
The finance, insurance and banking giant has committed to 4,660 square metres of office space spanning levels four, five, six and 13.
Savills Australia’s Adam Hartley negotiated a seven-year term, with options to renew.
“Suncorp was attracted to 1KW for its ability to accommodate the business’ need for expansive floor space in one building,” he said.
Hartley said Suncorp, which was represented by JLL, was impressed by the property’s location and recent upgrades. 
“1KW has undergone a significant makeover to make it one of Adelaide’s most technologically advanced buildings, targeting a 5.5-star NABERS base building energy rating,” he said.
The ground floor renovations were completed in December which piqued interest.
The 19 storey tower last traded for $38.6 million in 2010.
Prime Super owns 90% of the 1968 building that was constructed by AMP.
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Suncorp commits to 1 King William Street in Adelaide's biggest leasing deal of the year

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A four level freestanding CBD retail building situated in the heart of Melbourne’s Chinatown Precinct has been sold at $6.3 million.
It was last traded for $2.7 millionin 2013 when bought by Little Laneway Property Group - owned by shoe retailer Peter Wittner and My Size fashion mavens Robyn and Andrew Nissen.
<a href="https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/property/11-heffernan-lane-melbourne-vic-3000-2014313075" target="_blank">Positioned at 11 Heffernan Lane</a>, it is in Melbourne CBD’s retail core located between Swanston and Russell Streets.
The building was built in 1891 for solicitor M Mornane as a four level brick warehouse.
It was then occupied by the Wing Ching café in 1892 run by Ah Gee.
It now trades as a the GT Internet Game Club.
The lane was named in 1857 after Rolly Heffernan, owner of the Melbourne Hotel in Lonsdale Street.
It was home to several Chinese restaurants in the early 1900s.
It offered with an eight year net lease returning $213,075 per annum with 4% fixed annual rental increases. 
The price reflected a sharp yield of 3.3 per cent through CBRE and Morley Commercial.
Set on a 440 square metre block, the building is surrounded by major shopping centres and transport nodes including QV Complex, Emporium Melbourne, Melbourne Central, Mid City Centre and Target Centre. 
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Four storey Chinatown, Melbourne retail building 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."

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[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359523]

The Byron Bay project follows Vitale Property Group's delivery of the Mondrian Hotel and Private Residences at Burleigh Heads, with EADE continuing the developer's focus on luxury coastal developments.

Residents will have access to a resort-style swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna, cold plunge pool, concierge services and dedicated workspaces, while the project is targeting an 8-Star Green Star rating.

EADE Byron Bay is being exclusively marketed by Projx Australia in conjunction with WHITEFOX Projects.

WHITEFOX National Projects Director Phillip Rand said demand had been driven predominantly by owner-occupiers.

"We are seeing buyers at EADE place significant value on quality, space, design, resort-style amenities and the rarity of this location," Rand says.

"The sales achieved to date demonstrate that purchasers at this level recognise the long-term significance of what is being created at EADE Byron Bay."

Residences at EADE Byron Bay are currently priced between $4.75 million and $15.95 million.

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[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.

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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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