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A local builder has spent $2.7 million in a post-auction deal on a rundown 1890s Ascot Vale stable complex.
Goodwood, at<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-ascot+vale-127856114" target="_blank"> 42 Myross Avenue</a>, was once home to late harness-racing trainer and driver William “Bill” Davin for 60 years.
The property was quoted at $2.5 million to $3 million price guidance.
It sold to John Paul Kavanagh, and his wife Erin, who were reportedly the only ones to raise their hands at the auction of the 1336 square metre block on Whiskey Hill.
It comprised an original heritage-listed home and nine stables.
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The delipidated home overlooks large lawns and nine stables.
A string of harness-racing champions were housed in the stables, including eight Hunter Cup winners and three-time winner of “the Melbourne Cup of harness-racing”, the Inter Dominion, Our Sir Vancelot.
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Nelson Alexander Ascot Vale’s Michael Keogh secured the sale.<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/2018/4/18/ascot%20vale%204.jpg" alt="">
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Bill Davin's rundown 1890s Ascot Vale stable complex sold

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The US consulate general Sydney will move to North Sydney after 25 years at the MLC Centre headquarters in Sydney's Martin Place.
It has secured a lease at the A-grade office tower 50 Miller Street.
The United States of America has leased 6000 square metres of office space across levels five to 10 at the 10-storey tower.   
Cadigal's Craig Dolman negotiated the new 12-year lease with options, one of the biggest leases in North Sydney.
Sumner Capital and Prime Super have refurbished the property since their purchase in 2014.
North Sydney will have its own new metro station.
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US Consulate off to North Sydney

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A four bedroom park in Deer Park, a suburb around 17 kilometres west of Melbourne's Central Business District, has been sold by mortgagees for $540,500.
It was sold by Nader Iskander from Barry Plant having previously sold in 2015 at $420,000.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-deer+park-128039854" target="_blank">Located at 7 Ormesby Place, Deer Park,</a> this home comprises four spacious bedrooms, two separate living areas and a double lock up garage.
It is only minutes away from public transport, Derrimut Village Shopping Centre, Ballarat Road and the Western Ring Road freeway.
The suburb's median house price sits on $556,000, according to CoreLogic.
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Deer Park four bedroom house sold by mortgagee

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Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty has secured the services of auctioneer Gavin Croft, who has 17 years of real estate experience, conducting more than 7000 auctions across Australia and New Zealand as both a licensed sales agent and/or auctioneer.
Queensland Sotheby’s CEO Paul Arthur said Croft will strengthen the synergy between the company’s auctioneers and agents.
“We offer a complete package of real estate services, including delivering premium auction events for our clients,” Mr Arthur said.
Croft, a two-time New South Wales Auctioneer of the Year, said it was a privilege to assist a commanding global brand in the representation of the most unique and distinguished properties.
“We’re starting to see a rise in the sophistication of Brisbane’s auction culture and I think there’s a real demand for both auctioneers and agents to understand how to execute a high-performance auction."
Croft, now Brisbane-based, has been with BresicWhitney with whom he still conducts auctions.
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Gavin Croft to auction for Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty 

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Residential property developers are expected to escape a new tax measure which prohibits deductions for expenses associated with holding vacant land.
The measure was included in the "tax integrity" initiatives in Tuesday's budget, as the federal government turned its attention to land-banking in the housing affordability consideration.
The move to abolish expenses raised concerns in the development industry that its costs for holding land could rise as a result.
However, Property Council of Australia chief executive Ken Morrison told Fairfax Media on Wednesday he had clarified the situation with the Treasurer's office.
</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-media section">"So long as there is an operating business being undertaken on the land then this measure won't apply," Mr Morrison said.</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
<div id="article-inline-ad" class="adWrapper"> </div>
</div>
<div class="related-quotes section">"In the vast majority of cases for development companies that will be the case, so this is not a big bogey man for the industry that some have speculated."</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
According to Treasury, the initiative will raise $50 million in revenue for the government over the forward four years estimates period.
"This is an integrity measure to address concerns that deductions are being improperly claimed for expenses, such as interest costs, related to holding vacant land, where the land is not genuinely held for the purpose of earning assessable income," it said in the budget papers.
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<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
"It will also reduce tax incentives for land banking, which deny the use of land for housing or other development."
The measure is set to take effect from July 1 next year.
Treasury said the new measure will apply to land held for residential or commercial purposes.
"However, the 'carrying on a business' test will generally exclude land held for commercial development," it said.
</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-media section">Further detail will emerge in legislation at the aim of targeting of individuals who had chosen to hold land and claimed expenses for a development that didn't eventuate.</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-media section"> </div>
<div class="cq-article-content-media section">Before the PCA's clarification was obtained, Frasers Property Australia chief executive Rod Fehring suggested the new tax measure that prohibits deductions for expenses associated with holding vacant land, "reflects a lack of understanding" from the federal government. <div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
"From our point or view, we can't ignore it, we have to be exempted from it, or we will have to change our business model, which is to find ways not to own land and develop it … that's the capital-efficient thing to do," Mr Fehring told Fairfax Media during Frasers Property first-half results presentation in Singapore.
</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-media section">"It is not viable for development purposes. I don't see how adding another tax to land and housing products, that land is raw material for, will make housing more affordable."</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
"We pay land tax, we pay development contributions, we pay state infrastructure contributions, we pay stamp duty, we pay foreign purchasers surcharge, we pay rates, need I go on?" Mr Fehring said.
"I am not enthusiastic, it is highly counter-productive … supply will be further constrained."
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Land banking tax measures not likely to affect major residential property developers

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Cohen Handler Buyer’s Agents have announced the departure of CEO and co-founder Ben Handler.
Over the past eight years, Ben (below left) has worked with Simon Cohen (right) to build Cohen Handler across Australia after founding the company with $5,000 in 2009.
Cohen Handler has grown from two people working from a bedroom to 70 plus staff members across six offices in three countries.
It has purchased more than $3 billion worth of property along the way.
“It’s been an incredibly difficult decision to move on," said Handler.
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"After eight years, I felt it was time for something new.
"I have lots of exciting business ventures in the pipeline, and I’m looking forward to the next chapter in my life.”
Simon Cohen, co-founder and managing director, said he was "obviously disappointed." 
“I will be stepping in to cover Ben’s role in the short term, and his contribution to the business will live on in the Cohen Handler brand."
In 2013-2014 before the Potts Point-based firm went national, Cohen Handler reported $2.9 million revenue reflecting 152% annual growth with 27 employees.
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Cohen Handler co-founders split

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Multiplex has been appointed by Winten Property Group to deliver its $1 billion 1 Denison Street commercial office tower in North Sydney.
The 37-level commercial office tower will be the largest and tallest building within the North Sydney CBD.
Providing more than 60,000 square metres of premium office space and basement parking for 225 cars, it was designed by architects Bates Smart.
A signature feature of 1 Denison Street is the public forecourt area with a fusion of urban structures and natural features as well as retail, restaurants and bars over two levels.
“We are excited to move forward with Multiplex and continue to deliver our latest office tower to North Sydney, which will become the new home of the Nine Network,” said Stuart Vaughan, development director at Winten Property Group.
Nine Network has committed to a 17,700 square metre lease in the building which will house its newsroom and studios.
Innovative features of the tower design include a side core, providing super-sized contiguous floor plates of 2,000 square metres – the largest available in the North Sydney CBD office market.
The generous floorplate designs with raised floors also deliver maximum flexibility to create dynamic interconnected spaces across and between floors.
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It also offers natural light and views from all sides with panoramic Sydney Harbour views from upper levels.
With sustainability underwriting its design, 1 Denison Street has been designed to meet 5 Star Green Star, 5 Star NABERS and Wellness Rated standards.
1 Denison Street is scheduled for completion in 2020.
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Multiplex to build Channel 9's new North Sydney HQ

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GUEST OBSERVATION
For the National Disability Insurance Scheme to be successful, our cities will need to change.
Our new research explores the impacts that the NDIS is having on Australia’s cities.
A major goal of the NDIS is to improve participation in mainstream services by people with disability. The success of the scheme will depend on how well it achieves this.
But the responsibility for change should be shared far more broadly – mainstream services must actively transform themselves to become more inclusive.
Functioning cities rely on a variety of health, education, welfare, sports and community services. These services are essential to the wellbeing and social inclusion of diverse people in our cities.
But despite being called “mainstream”, these services are never equally open to all members of society. Relentless privatisation of previously public programs and facilities has arguably undermined their capacity to provide services to users with “challenging” or “costly” needs.
The chair of the National People with Disabilities and Carer Council, Rhonda Galbally, has observed: 
"For many years people with disabilities found themselves shut in — hidden away in large institutions. Now many people with disabilities find themselves shut out — shut out of buildings, homes, schools, businesses, sports and community groups. They find themselves shut out of our way of life."
To ensure people with disability are included in our way of life, mainstream services and the wider community, along with the NDIS, will need to contribute to reshaping our cities.
When accessibility fails, people are shut out
People with disability face particular barriers to participating in mainstream services. Under Australian law, newly built or upgraded public spaces and premises must meet national accessible design standards. But even facilities designed to be accessible will fail in this if they are not well managed.
Frequently closed accessible checkout lanes at the supermarket and accessible toilets that are kept locked or used for storage are common examples of poor management.
Matters of accessibility are often discussed in relation to wheelchair users. However, people with disability are a diverse population and experience many forms of exclusion.
For example, communication barriers arise when information needed to use a service is not presented in comprehensible ways. The pace of activity in mainstream spaces is another potential barrier that can make people with disability feel unwelcome and excluded.
Staff in mainstream services are often unskilled in providing service to people with disability. This can prevent people with disability from using a service, leading to poor and even harmful outcomes. One recent example is the evidence of overprescription of antipsychotic drugs to people with intellectual disability in mainstream health services.
Can the NDIS alone deliver on the promise of participation?
The NDIS will fund a wide range of specialist disability services, but “wherever possible” will help participants access mainstream systems. This includes training and personal assistance to build participants’ capacity to use these services. The majority of NDIS participants’ plans include funding assistance for access to mainstream services.
In addition, the NDIS will seek to “encourage mainstream services and community organisations to become more inclusive”.
The NDIS thus has a critical role to play in enhancing mainstream participation. It will be important to collect evidence about the effectiveness of its interventions. However, meaningful change will only occur if mainstream services themselves take action to become more inclusive.
It is not enough for services to avoid direct and intentional discrimination. It is also not enough to passively “accept” people with disability as service users. Mainstream services providers need to initiate internal changes to become more inclusive of people with disability.
Services will have to ensure staff are skilled up, redesign spaces and revise approaches to communication. Service users without disability will also need to adjust the ways they participate in services.
The most meaningful participation will be achieved when people with disability and those close to them are actively engaged in planning these changes and exerting their “right to the city”. In addition, a body of research evidence on inclusive adjustments in mainstream services will need to be built.
Most of these changes and challenges will occur in Australia’s cities. But the task will be no less challenging in regional areas where services are often undersupplied and geographically distant. Local and state governments have a critical role to play as funders, providers and regulators of mainstream services, to lead and drive these adjustments.
Many mainstream services are already badly underfunded and under pressure from competing demands from diverse users. Rather than compete with each other for scarce resources, alliances of users with and without disability must campaign together to revive the public services sector and make it more inclusive for all Australians.
Legislation will also need to be reviewed. Current law requires services to make minimal “reasonable” adjustments in order to avoid discrimination based on a person’s disability. More progressive legislation would require mainstream services to make exceptional adjustments so that people with disability are treated as equals while their differences are recognised and accommodated.
If the NDIS, governments, services and the wider community all play their parts, people with disability will experience greater participation in their community. This will enrich not only their lives but those of others. Australian cities and regions would benefit from the contributions of people with disability to their social, cultural and economic vitality.
Ilan Wiesel, Lecturer in Urban Geography, University of Melbourne
Brendan Gleeson, Director, Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute, University of Melbourne
Carolyn Whitzman, Professor of Urban Planning, University of Melbourne
Ellen van Holstein, Research Fellow in Urban Geography, University of Melbourne
Christine Bigby, Director, Living with Disability Research Centre, La Trobe University
This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/we-cant-just-leave-it-to-the-ndis-to-create-cities-that-work-to-include-people-with-disability-93419" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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We can't just leave it to the NDIS to create cities that work

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An 1890s landmark Victorian home in Coburg has been sold<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-coburg-126759250" target="_blank"></a> for more than $3 million to a local family.
Known as Waratah or Manumbar, the five-bedroom house had been listed last year when it had a price guide of $3 million to $3.3 million.
Initially for sale by private treaty, the home was later scheduled for an April 28 auction but sold four days earlier.
Located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-coburg-126759250" target="_blank">47 The Grove</a>, the home comes with five bedrooms, formal lounge and dining rooms, central living room and open family/meals area, and paved outdoor entertaining 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/2018/5/10/COBURG%201.jpg" alt="">
It also features open fireplaces with original marble mantels, contemporary and stylish kitchen, and storage spaces throughout.
Positioned on a 986 square metre block, it is surrounded by landscaped gardens.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/5/10/COBURG%203.jpg" alt="">
One of two mirror-image properties in Moreland Park estate, the home has been in the same family for 17 years when it sold for $730,000.
It features a tower with 360-degree views.
The sale of the home was likely to have fallen short of Coburg’s highest residential sale with a house also at The Grove sold for $3.4 million in November 2017, according to CoreLogic.
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Landmark 1890s Coburg trophy home sold

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ME Bank has apologised to customers after 2,500 mortgagors were affected by a “system error” that led to borrowers being charged a higher interest rate without adequate notice.
On 17 April 2018, Members Equity Bank (ME) announced that it was raising its variable home loan interest rates, The Adviser website noted.
Under the changes, ME’s standard variable rate for owner-occupier principal and interest (P&amp;I) borrowers with an loan-to-value ratio (LVR) of 80% or less increased by 6 basis points to 5.09% p.a. (comparison rate of 5.11% per annum).
Variable rates for investor principal and interest borrowers increased by 11 basis points, while rates for interest-only borrowers increased by 16 basis points.
According to ME CEO Jamie McPhee, the changes were brought in as a result of increasing funding and compliance costs.
While the bank did publicise the rate change two days before it was due to take effect, Martin North at the Digital Finance Analytics website suggested usual practice is for a mortgagor to be notified 20 days in advance of an interest rate change.
According to the bank, however, a “system error” led to customers being charged the new rates on 19 April without the adequate time warning.
A ME spokesperson said that the “proper process” is for ME to write to customers to notify them their repayments are going up “but not to increase their repayments until at least 20 days after they get that notification”.
“Unfortunately on this occasion, due to a system error, we increased the home loan repayments immediately for about 2,500 owner-occupier and investor customers — about 1% of our home loan accounts.”
The bank reportedly detected the “error” the following day (20 April) and “immediately intervened to ensure no additional customers were affected”, the spokesperson said.
“We are clearly very sorry for the error and the impact it has had on customers,” the CEO said.
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Bank apologises for overcharging 2500 mortgagors

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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