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A securely leased investment property with development upside has been listed at Hawthorn East in Melbourne’s inner-eastern suburbs.
The property will be auctioned May 30 through Teska Carson.
Located at 9 Mayston Street, on the northern side of the street near the intersection of Camberwell Road, the property comprises a 470 square metre single level warehouse/office/showroom premises.
It comes with rear roller door access to Gillman Street.
The 562 square metre site has 11 metres street frontage, zoned Commercial 1 under the City of Boroondara planning scheme.
The property is situated within a tightly held precinct within close proximity of Burke Road, Camberwell shops, Swinburne University and Burwood Road retail, featuring a wide range of industrial and office buildings, retail boutiques and restaurants as well as access to ample on and off-street parking.
Teska Carson’s Richard Munday and Michael Taylor indicated the property is currently leased to long standing tenant, Ultra Tune, at a current rental of $90,000 per annum plus outgoings and GST on a five year term with two, five year options and annual 4% increases.
"This property ticks all the boxes for small investors and SMSFs,’’ Munday said.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Hawthorn Ultra Tune set for May auction

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A Primbee freehold property offered for sale last December is now under contract.
Savills Australia and WHK Commercial offered the prime freehold, vacant, single titled parcel of land on the highway in the coastal suburb of Primbee. 
Set within an established residential and commercial precinct, the 8,615 square metre site at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-land+development-nsw-primbee-502546514" target="_blank">Lot 1, Golf Place</a> adjoined the Port Kembla Golf Club.
It is 1.8 kilometres from Perkins Beach, Windang.
The site is relatively level, clear of any vegetation with town water services connected.
The surrounding area is predominately made up of residential, recreational and environmental use.
Under the Wollongong City Council, the property is zoned SP3 Tourist and is to be sold on a vacant possession basis.
Robert Lowe of Savills Australia and James Egan of WHK Commercial prevouslybindicated under the current zoning parameters, the property allows for and is not limited to, the construction of commercial shops, childcare centres, tourist and visitor accommodation (STCA)
There is a height limit of 9 metres and FSR of 1.5:1, subject to approval by Wollongong City Council.
Over recent years, the Illawarra region has witnessed significant growth across both the residential and commercial sectors with an increasing population expected to grow to 465,400 people approximately by 2031.
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Freehold property in Primbee, Wollongong precinct sold

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The far north coast of New South Wales has seen strong demand for properties with a strong tenant profile at the mid to upper levels of the market.
The lower end of the market has seen increased interest from owner occupiers which reduces the need for a strong tenant profile, according to valuers Herron Todd White.
The most significant change was noted along the coastal strip with the stand out performer being Byron Bay.
"The rest of the coastal strip has also performed well," the report noted.
Inland, retail areas have also seen growth albeit more modest.
Coastal localities have seen growth as a result of increasing rents and strengthening yields, while inland localities have tended to have little movement in rents and growth as a result of slightly stronger yields (driven by owner occupier.)
The sales evidence falls broadly within the following ranges:
<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/2018/4/11/lismore%201.jpg" alt="">
Non-coastal locations have had relatively stable rents over the past two years. Retail has been adversely affected in Lismore as a result of the March 2017 flood with increased vacancies.
Rents have held but there is a risk of a downturn.
Coastal localities have been predominantly stable with the exception of Byron Bay, with strong demand, limited supply, upward pressure on rents, and reported incidences of key money.
A strata shop located in the heart of the Lismore CBD has been listed for sale recently with $275,000 hopes (pictured below).
<a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-nsw-lismore-502683098" target="_blank">Situated at 154 Molesworth Street</a>, the three suites comprising of 76 square metres.
The floor area is 76 square metre.
<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/2018/4/11/molesworth%20st%20lismore.jpg" alt="">
The rental evidence falls broadly within the following ranges:
<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/2018/4/11/lismore%202.jpg" alt="">
A Lismore retail space in the middle of Moleswoth St between Woodlark and Magellan Sts currently on the rental market is priced at $4,800 per month plus GST.
Great exposure to vehicle and pedestrian traffic, <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-nsw-lismore-502747606" target="_blank">the 100 Molesworth Street property</a> comes with 108 square metres of retail (which could be extended) plus 78.5 square metres of office/storage space.
There is also a loft of approximately 20 square metres, rear lane access and two allocated car spaces.
<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/2018/4/11/lismore%20lease%20.jpg" alt="">
"Traditionally, the market in northern New South Wales has followed the trend of Sydney to a certain extent with a time lag.
"Sydney and Melbourne’s markets have exhibited softening in demand and uncertainty in relation to value," it noted adding the New South Wales far north coast was a great place to live (good weather, strong tourist destination, solid and stable economy). The increasing population will assist in maintaining strong growth and increased market depth.
"The growth in residential supply will help to underpin local industries.
"Funds are being invested in infrastructure and facilities.
"Owner occupiers and more investors are trying to secure premises to operate businesses at low-interest rates."
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Byron Bay retail picks up: HTW

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Commonwealth, state and territory environment ministers last week agreed on an ambitious target that 100% of Australian packaging be recyclable, compostable or reusable by 2025. This is no doubt sensible, given the turmoil sparked by China’s crackdown on waste imports.
Having a 100% target is fantastic. But this does not mean that all of the waste we generate in 2025 will necessarily find its way to one of these destinations.
For one thing, the definitions of different waste categories vary by state and territory, so there is no commonly accepted working definition of what constitutes “recyclable, compostable or reusable”.
In practice, these terms depend largely on the infrastructure available. Single-use plastic bags are a good example of a product that is technically recyclable but which is not accepted in most councils’ kerbside recycling collection. That’s because they are often contaminated with food waste and many councils lack the machinery to process them.
On its own, the new 100% target is not enough, because it doesn’t guarantee that recyclable or reusable items will definitely be recycled or reused. To really make a difference, we also need policies and market incentives to ensure that these things end up where we want them to.
Driving recycling
We can see this principle in action by looking at the issue of drink containers. Glass and plastic bottles are already 100% recyclable, yet there is a stark difference in recycling rates between states that do have container deposit schemes, and those that don’t.
In South Australia, which has had container deposit legislation for more than 40 years, almost 80% of drink bottles are recycled. But in Western Australia, where similar legislation is only at the discussion stage, the rate is just 65%.
Despite the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ attempt at a National Waste Account in 2013, little nationwide data are available, thanks to a lack of a consistent reporting framework across different jurisdictions.
Plastic not fantastic
In sectors where not all waste is fully recyclable, the problem is more complex still. Of the seven categories of plastic packaging, only three are economically viable to recycle: PET (soft drink bottles); HDPE (milk bottles); and PVC (shampoo bottles). The other four – LDPE (garbage bags); PP (microwaveable cookware); PS (foam hot drink cups); and other plastics – are less economically viable and so are recycled at much lower rates. While these plastics will still be allowed under the new target as they are technically recyclable, the new target might prompt a switch to less problematic materials.
Globally, around 78 million tonnes of plastic is used every year, but only 14% is collected for recycling, while 14% is incinerated and the remaining 72% ends up in landfill or as litter in the environment.
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/217416/original/file-20180503-153914-16avwu4.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="">
The fate of the world’s plastics. Author provided
The problems are no less vexing for other types of waste. With market rates for many types of recyclable paper having dropped to zero in the wake of China’s import restrictions, it will be hard to see how some products will be recycled at all, if left purely to economic forces.
Retailers may have to embrace more innovative solutions to improve the quality of recycling waste, such as reverse vending machines, which accept items such as aluminium cans and plastic or glass bottles – as long as they are cleaned and sorted. However, without creating a local waste market or government incentives, we cannot expect retailers to buy their packaging back.
And this is before we even consider the complexities of composting and reuse. Compostable waste as a whole is already facing problems due to a high contamination rate, and lack of separate bin for recycling organic waste in many local councils. Reuse, meanwhile, needs us to tackle the eternal problem of people’s perceptions and behaviour about using old packaging again.
Will some kinds of packaging disappear?
Under the product stewardship initiative, which calls on producers and retailers to take care of the waste produced after consumption of goods, it seems more likely that some materials will simply be phased out of the product supply chain altogether.
The impending plastic bag bans in several states and leading supermarkets offers a chance to replace them not with heavier, more durable plastic, but with biodegradable, renewable and eco-friendly natural materials such as hemp.
In turn, this would boost hemp production (alongside the legalisation of hemp-based medicine and food products in Australia). This could lead to the opportunity for manufacturing industry to produce environmentally friendly biodegradable plastics. Hemp-based biodegradable plastic would significantly safeguard the environment, even if we failed to achieve a 100% recycling of biodegradable plastic packaging. Similarly, glass or aluminium might be used instead of plastic, and are more easily recycled.
Even more innovatively, we might even see the arrival of edible packaging derived from the milk protein casein, formed into film rather like plastic cling wrap, which can be used to package foods such as butter or cheese.
We need a better target
We’ve established that it’s not enough simply to set a target of making 100% of our waste recyclable, compostable or reusable. To really feel the benefits we need a follow-on target, such as actually recycling 100% of our packaging by 2030.
For this to work, we would need three things:
<ol>
<li>legislation, regulations or incentives for manufacturers to develop new packaging types;</li>
<li>an increase in public participation rates in recycling; and</li>
<li>the development of a strong domestic market for recyclable materials.</li>
</ol>
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/95857/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">Finally, we should remember that waste prevention is better than waste management. Everyone – from governments, to manufacturers, to retailers, to consumers – should focus first on generating less waste in the first place. Then the fiendish problem of what to do with our waste will be all the smaller.
Atiq Zaman, Lecturer, Curtin University
This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-new-100-recyclable-packaging-target-is-no-use-if-our-waste-isnt-actually-recycled-95857" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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The new 100% recyclable packaging target is no use if our waste isn't actually recycled: Atiq Zaman

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A Shepparton five bedroom house, partially gutted, has been sold by the mortgagee.
It came with a indicative selling price of $140,000 and has just gone under contract at $165,000.
It last sold at $153,000 in 2009.
The northern Victorian home has been listed by Matthew Giffin from Ruralco Property Goulburn Valley Region.
Set on a 787 square metre block, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-shepparton-127797910" target="_blank">the 256 Archer Street home </a>comes with five bedrooms, sun room and covered outdoor patio.
It is close to schools, shops and transport.
The suburb's median house price sits on $258,000, according to CoreLogic.
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Five bedroom Shepparton mortgagee sale at $165,000

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An Oyster Bay four bedroom house with bay views has been sold for $3,925,000.
The Southern Sydney house was sold by Greg Gilbert and Dane Moller from Greg Gilbert Real Estate.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-oyster+bay-127834102" target="_blank">Located at 167 Georges River Crescent</a>, the north facing house utilises high ceilings, floor to ceiling windows, and seamless indoor/outdoor living spaces to capture the sunny.
<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/2018/4/12/OYSTER%20BAY%202.jpg" alt="">
It comes with four large bedrooms, Caesarstone chef's kitchen, spacious lounge and dining area, alfresco space with bay vistas.
Other features include bayside swimming pool, steam room, barbecue area with built-in barbecue kitchen and three parking spaces.
<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/2018/4/12/OYSTER%20BAY%203.jpg" alt="">
It had last sold at $1.07 million in 2002.
<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/2018/4/12/OYSTER%20BAY%204.jpg" alt="">
 
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Oyster Bay waterfront residence sold for $3.9 million

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Viaduct Cottage, built in 1858 to accommodate a caretaker while the railway viaduct was built over the Moorabool River near Geelong, has been listed for sale.
Once the viaduct was completed in 1862 the cottage was sold and has been in the same family ever since.
The cottage at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-batesford-128056494">101 Shepherd Rd, Batesford</a> is for sale with $970,000 to $990,000 price guidance.
It sits on 4.86ha land.
<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/2018/4/12/BATESFORD%202.jpg" alt="">
North Geelong agent Mark Mayfield said the three-bedroom cottage was lived in until the 1980s but had been sitting vacant since then.
The property is on the edge of the Riverstone Estate.
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1858 Viaduct Cottage, Batesford listed for sale

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Located on the southwest coast of Western Australia, a Mandurah four bedroom house has been sold by mortgagees for $235,000.
It was sold by Keith Prevost from Harcourts earlier this month.
It had last sold at $140,000 in 2003.
Positioned on an 830 sqm block, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-wa-mandurah-126100182" target="_blank">the 15 Kingdon St house</a> comes with three bedrooms, a large living area with a games or dining room to the rear and re-fitted bathroom.
Other features include reverse cycle a/c to main living areas.
The Western Australian home is close to central Mandurah, train station and Caterpillar Park.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/lose%20to%20central%20Mandurah,%20train%20station%20and%20Caterpillar%20Park" target="_blank">The median house price sits on $282,500</a>, according to CoreLogic.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Mandurah three bedroom house, WA, sold by mortgagee

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Adelaide’s tallest apartment tower west facing residents are hot under the collar, intent on launching action against the developer, claiming their units get too hot.
The Vue on King William street’s community corporation has filed a pre-trial application, The Adelaide Advertiser has reported, ahead of a likely claim in the District Court.
The action comes close to two years after the completion of the $100 million award-winning, 87 metre tall, 205-apartment tower by developer Vue on KWS Pty Ltd — a joint venture between Adelaide-based Starfish Developments and Melbourne developer the Deague Group.
The Vue on King William won the 2016 Urban Development Institute of Australia SA branch High Density Housing Award in 2016 and boasts majestic city views.
Vue on KWS’ lawyer Samuel Hurburgh, of Minter Ellison, said the crux of the issue was that the apartments get “too hot”.
“There’s either an issue with the glass, issue with the thermal performance of the building or with the air-conditioning,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s all apartments.”
The community corporation’s lawyer Amy Davis, of Barry Nilsson lawyers, told Master Mark Rice it was “primarily” the apartments facing the west have the “most difficulty”.
Mr Hurburgh told the court on Thursday that his client was opposing the application by the community corporation for pre-action disclosure of documents.
The building on the western side of King William St near the corner of South Terrace.
Starfish Developments managing director Damon Nagel declined to comment on the court action when The Advertiser sought also comment from the Deague Group.
Master Rice listed the matter for argument on June 15.
Completed in May 2016, Vue brings a new style of residential architecture to Adelaide with its 6 level podium, recessed Level 7 roof top garden, pool deck and recreation centre and 21 level glass frontage.
 
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Vue on King William, Adelaide CBD apartment owners hot under the collar

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<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
The ANZ expects the banking royal commission to probe its treatment of farmers following the Landmark acquisition during the financial crisis.
But chief executive Shayne Elliott says he is not expecting any surprises when the royal commission examines business lending during its next round of hearings, given almost every aggrieved customer has been remediated. 
ANZ's purchase of the Landmark loan book from the Australian Wheat Board in 2009 was also a key focus of the 2016 parliamentary inquiry into loan impairments.
The committee heard evidence from a handful of Landmark's customers that ANZ had engaged in deliberate impairments or defaults of performing loans, but said in its final report it was not able to conclusively determine this had occurred. 
The treatment of farmers by ANZ, and of developers by Bankwest and CBA, were the main motivation for members of the National Party to threaten to cross the floor of the Parliament late last year to initiate a royal commission into the banks. 
</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-media section">Elliott told The Australian Financial Review the next set of royal commission hearings, which begin on May 31, will look into business lending in the agricultural sector.</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-media section"> </div>
<div class="cq-article-content-media section">"We did have some failings with respect to the Landmark portfolio that we acquired," he said.</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
"We acquired it, most of the problems we had came with that acquisition. We were not resourced sufficiently, to first identify the real problems, and then to deal with them in a timely manner. We were wrong. We have said that, and we have remediated (customers)." 
</div>
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ANZ readies for Landmark farmers complaints at royal commission

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.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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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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