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<p>A two-level, four bedroom apartment in Richmond, Victoria, listed with $1,050,000- $1,150,000 hopes for March auction, remains for sale at $1.15 million.</p>
<p>With views out to Studley Park,<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-richmond-127646350" target="_blank"> t</a><a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-richmond-127646350" target="_blank">he 41/8 Hull St apartment </a>comes with four bedrooms,  expansive living with balconies, and family-sized kitchen.</p>
<p>It last sold at $562,000 in 2005.</p>
<p>It is close to public transport, the Epworth Hospital and Melbourne Girls' College.</p>
<p>Jellis Craig marketed it as having a <span>massive top-floor entertainer's terrace with northern views out to Studley Park.</span></p>
<p><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/2018/3/23/RICHMOND%201.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>It has been a rental offering, with the asking price most recently $890 a week in early 2017.</p>
<p>It was offered at $950 in late 2014.</p>
<p>It was first offered in 2010 at $920.</p>
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Richmond two-level apartment for sale at $1.15 million

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<div>Australasia’s biggest property group, <span id="0.7442116941323146" class="highlight">Ray</span> <span id="0.2038638881688163" class="highlight">White</span>, is preparing itself for what is tracking to be the industry’s busiest weekend of auctions so far in 2018.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>A total 3,689 auctions are scheduled to take place this week across the capital cities, according to CoreLogic, a traditional rise in auctions occurring in the week prior to Easter. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Melbourne will host the highest number of auctions out of all capital cities with 1,934 homes going under the hammer, which will make it the second busiest week on record for the city.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>One of Brunswick’s most charming homes (above) is scheduled to go to auction on Saturday at midday (AEDT).</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<span id="0.5470571188022452" class="highlight">Ray</span> <span id="0.04650709860855462" class="highlight">White</span> Brunswick sales agent Alex Ilyin said no expense was spared in the build of <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-brunswick-127675706" target="_blank">32A Thistle St.</a>
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The modern three bedroom build is full of elegant period features, from the high kickboards to a traditional fireplace.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>“Everything is done to a premium standard,” Mr Ilyin said. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>“Interest has been really great, and it’s generally come from people transitioning from their first purchase, so a lot of young professionals.”</div>
<div> </div>
<div>There’s a price guide attached to 32A Thistle St, Brunswick of around $1,150,000 to $1,250,000, in line with the Statement of Information.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>Another exciting Melbourne auction is scheduled for 1pm at 22A Bringa Ave, Camberwell.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Marketed by <span id="0.9239246109726515" class="highlight">Ray</span> <span id="0.2920828070509026" class="highlight">White</span> Box Hill’s Jeremy Tyrrell, the single-level villa is appealing to buyers looking for the perfect downsize option or families wanting convenient access to Camberwell High and Melbourne's private school belt.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>To South Australia, where 9kms northwest of Adelaide’s CBD is a 1955 three bedroom home (above) scheduled to go under the hammer on Saturday morning. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Marketed by <span id="0.5852751586754685" class="highlight">Ray</span> <span id="0.1725198935404344" class="highlight">White</span> Adelaide’s George Kargiotis, 17 Shirley Ave at Woodville West is expected to draw a solid auction crowd comprised mainly of first-home buyers.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>“The owner has renovated the home which now has polished floors, fresh paint, a new second bathroom and kitchen,” Mr Kargiotis said.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>In Western Australia, <span id="0.0474139130819774" class="highlight">Ray</span> <span id="0.6499063051478601" class="highlight">White</span> North Quays principal Scott Langley is managing the auction of a Kallaroo tri-level home (above).</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The 827sq m coastal property is at 4 Woolwich Close, around 25kms outside of Perth’s CBD.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>“It’s a great street, located in the Northshore Estate, and near parks and the newly refurbished shopping centre,” Mr Langley said.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>“Most interested people are looking to renovate as it’s a great project home to renovate with the bonus option of subdividing and building three new dwellings.”</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>
<span id="0.5910561449481334" class="highlight">Ray</span> <span id="0.9265340774103629" class="highlight">White</span> Coorparoo principal Cliff Tarr is looking forward to Saturday’s auction of a Brisbane home (above) which has been held by the same family since 1964.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The 885sq m corner block of land with a three bedroom house at 109 Albert St is in the popular suburb of Camp Hill, around 8km to the CBD.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>“Land is gold in Camp Hill,” Mr Tarr said.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>“It’s one for families looking for a big block, or developers.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>“Camp Hill has a very strong volume of owner-occupier houses, great parks, elevation, city views, and it’s just a beautiful spot close to everything.”</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>Down the M1 highway, <span id="0.771749667243177" class="highlight">Ray</span> <span id="0.011798626151508618" class="highlight">White</span> Mermaid Beach’s Troy Dowker is taking a classic Gold Coast beach house (above) to auction on Saturday afternoon.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The 506sq m oceanfront block is at 120 Pacific Pde, Bilinga.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>“Bilinga is probably one of the more high demand suburbs, not only on the Gold Coast but across Queensland,” Mr Dowker said.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>“Lots of people love the tranquillity and charm of the southern Gold Coast.”</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The four bedroom, two bathroom home has a deck overlooking the ocean, a large backyard for kids, while there’s also direct access to the beach.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>Meantime, <span id="0.198446465824914" class="highlight">Ray</span> <span id="0.8808428398185644" class="highlight">White</span> Lane Cove principal Paul Nees is taking a five bedroom, two bathroom Riverview home with a premier north aspect to auction on Saturday morning.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The rare 965sq m property, at 1 Carranya Rd, has a current approved development application to extend the house, although Mr Nees said the dual-level residence already offers plenty of space.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>“The house itself is a great size, plus it has a swimming pool,” Mr Nees said.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>“It’s within walking distance to Saint Ignatius College, which is a big drawcard.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>“It’s an area with a lot of parkland and it attracts families because of the desirable school catchment.”</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Mr Nees expects the property to sell at the top of the auction’s $2.5 million to $2.75 million price guide. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Riverview is a small established suburb on the shores of Sydney’s Lane Cove River.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
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Ray White's pre-Easter Super Saturday offerings

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<p>Dubbed the “Versace of Brisbane”, one of Queensland’s most elaborate mansions is on the market for the first time.</p>
<p>The six-storey residence at <a href="https://ngurealestate.com.au/buy/53-wendell-street-norman-park-qld-4170-c37a17">53 Wendell St, Norman Park</a> has a design inspired by the owners’ international travels.</p>
<p>Construction was completed less than three years ago with the brief to capture the view of Brisbane’s CBD.</p>
<p>NGU Real Estate CEO Emil Juresic is marketing the five-bedroom, six-bathroom residence.</p>
<p>It includes a nine-person lift, swimming pool, two spas, an entire floor master suite, six-car garaging, cellar, outdoor shower, theatre, gas fire pit, outdoor barbecue and self-contained top-floor accommodation. </p>
<p> <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/2018/3/23/NGU%202.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>“This is a home so sublime, it’s hard to find the right words to describe it properly,” Juresic said.</p>
<p>“I’ve sold a large volume of luxury homes but this one is on another level and has to be one of the best homes in Australia.”</p>
<p>No dollar has been spared in its creation, he added.</p>
<p>Bubble feature walls wrap the internal stairwell, replicating the nuts and bolts pattern on the heritage-listed Story Bridge.</p>
<p>A glass cut-out in the floor of a hallway was inserted following a visit to the Grand Canyon Skywalk.</p>
<p><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/2018/3/23/NGU%203.jpg" alt=""> </p>
<p>“It is a six-storey mansion fitted with the finest materials, on the best street in Brisbane and with the most spectacular views of the Brisbane River, CBD and New Farm Park,” Mr Juresic said.</p>
<p>NGU Real Estate’s marketing video for 53 Wendell St, Norman Park has received more than 204,000 <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ngurealestate/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> views since launching online on March 18.</p>
<p> </p>
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The residential 'Versace of Brisbane' on the market

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<p>The Federal Court has imposed civil penalties of $70,000 each on the directors of Storm Financial, Emmanuel and Julie Cassimatis, who were previously found by the court to have breached their duties as directors.</p>
<p>They were also disqualified from managing corporations for 7 years.</p>
<p>This draws to a close ASIC's Storm-related litigation, which has included investors receiving compensation in relation to losses suffered on investments made through Storm. </p>
<p>Storm Financial operated a system of advice, created by the Cassimatises, in which 'Stormified' clients were advised to invest substantial amounts in index funds, using 'double gearing' (Storm Model).  Clients would usually take out a home loan and a margin loan in order to purchase units in index funds, create a 'cash dam' and pay Storm's fees.  Clients were then encouraged to take 'step' investments over time.  In late 2008 and early 2009, many of Storm's clients were in negative equity positions, sustaining significant losses. </p>
<p>The Townsville based Storm collapsed in early 2009. </p>
<p>In the original judgment, Justice Edelman had found that a sample of investors who were advised to invest in accordance with the Storm Model, received advice that was inappropriate to their personal circumstances. Each of those investors were over 50 years old, were retired or approaching and planning for retirement, had little or limited income, few assets and had little or no prospect of rebuilding their financial position in the event of suffering significant loss.</p>
<p>Justice Edelman found that the Cassimatises had each engaged in a course of conduct which amounted to one breach of the requirement that they exercise their powers as directors with the degree of care and diligence that a reasonable person would have exercised in that situation.  The maximum penalty for a breach of directors' duties (s180) is $200,000.</p>
<p>ASIC commenced this civil penalty proceeding against the Cassimatises in late 2010. The trial took place between 30 May and 30 June 2016.  In August 2016, Edelman J handed down judgment in relation to liability against the Cassimatises, finding that they had each breached their duties as directors.</p>
<p>In September 2012, ASIC entered into a settlement agreement with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia to make available up to $136 million as compensation for losses suffered on investments made through Storm. The $136 million was in addition to payments of approximately $132 million, and other benefits that CBA had already provided to Storm investors under its Resolution Scheme.</p>
<p>In May 2013 ASIC secured $1.1 million in compensation on behalf of two former Storm investors, Barry and Deanna Doyle.</p>
<p>In May 2013, ASIC intervened in the application for Court approval of the settlement of the related class action brought against Macquarie Bank in respect of Storm as it had concerns about the fairness of the settlement arrangements.  On 12 August 2013, the Full Federal Court agreed that the distribution of the settlement sum was not fair and reasonable to all group members.  Under a revised settlement, Macquarie Bank agreed to pay $82.5 million by way of compensation and costs.</p>
<p>In September 2014, ASIC entered into a settlement agreement with the Bank of Queensland Limited to pay approximately $17 million as compensation for losses suffered on investments made through Storm.</p>
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Storm Financial's Emmanuel and Julie Cassimatis cop $70,000 civil penalties

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<p>Citizen engagement is, or should be, central to city planning. When it comes to planning and implementing transport infrastructure the focus tends to be on how to engage the public, when to engage, and what form this should take. But we should be asking another, more important question: how can citizen engagement make infrastructure planning more democratic?</p>
<p>In many cases proposed transport infrastructure and the conflicts and debates it provokes are actually about much more than the project proposal. If the project is a new light rail system, for instance, the questions are: Who and what will it serve? What will it look like? And what impacts (positive and negative) will it have on the city over time?</p>
<p>Any efforts then to reduce citizen participation, to stifle the question “What kind of city do we want to be?”, will meet with resistance.</p>
<p>Recent <a href="https://government.unimelb.edu.au/news-and-events/news/university-of-melbourne-launches-next-generation-engagement-project" target="_blank">academic</a> and <a href="http://infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/policy-publications/publications/future-cities.aspx" target="_blank">government</a> projects and reports on citizen participation and infrastructure planning have called on our governments to do three things:</p>
<ol>
<li>consult and engage citizens early in infrastructure planning</li>
<li>improve quality and access of citizen engagement at the strategic planning stages</li>
<li>use more sophisticated strategic planning tools and practices to improve decision-making.</li>
</ol>
<p>However, a key challenge, as echoed in <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/ITC/DevelopmentofCities/Submissions" target="_blank">submissions</a> to a current parliamentary <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/ITC/DevelopmentofCities" target="_blank">inquiry into city development</a>, is the disconnect between <a href="http://www.afr.com/business/cities-need-data-not-more-stakeholder-consultation-sap-20180226-h0wnvm" target="_blank">citizen participation and decision-making</a>. To overcome this disconnect, early consultation and new participation platforms are critical. Yet these alone cannot resolve this problem.</p>
<h2>How does democracy come into this?</h2>
<p>Engaging citizens in a meaningful way in infrastructure planning is good and necessary for many reasons. That we live in a country that purports to be a democracy is central to that argument. But there are other reasons too. These include the potential to make decisions that better respond to citizens’ needs and desires.</p>
<p>Another reason that often goes unstated is that infrastructure is a public thing. Whether it is ultimately publicly or privately owned, operated and controlled, there is a relationship between infrastructure and democracy that ultimately makes infrastructure planning and implementation a contested process. Savvy consultation does not alter this fact.</p>
<p>As the political scientist Bonnie Honig recently <a href="https://books.google.com.au/books?id=k0JdDgAAQBAJ&amp;pg=PA5&amp;dq=interpellate+us+into+democratic+citizenship&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0ahUKEwj71aTu8-rZAhVKe7wKHdRyCoYQ6AEIJzAA#v=onepage&amp;q=interpellate%20us%20into%20democratic%20citizenship&amp;f=false" target="_blank">argued</a> in her book, Public Things: Democracy in disrepair:</p>
<p>Public things [such as infrastructure] are part of the ‘holding environment’ of democratic citizenship; they furnish the world of democratic life … They also constitute us, complement us, limit us, and interpellate us into democratic citizenship.</p>
<p>Since 2013 I have researched citizen participation in infrastructure planning. The focus has been on multi-billion-dollar, transformational urban transport infrastructure proposals in Australian and Canadian cities.</p>
<p>My primary focus has been on projects such as the <a href="https://theconversation.com/east-west-link-shows-miserable-failure-of-planning-process-40232" target="_blank">East-West Link</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/transurbans-west-gate-tollway-is-a-road-into-uncharted-territory-89164" target="_blank">West Gate Tunnel</a> in Melbourne, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/westconnex-audit-offers-another-17b-lesson-in-how-not-to-fund-infrastructure-73206" target="_blank">Westconnex</a> in Sydney (working with <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/glen-searle-103536" target="_blank">Glen Searle</a>). But my interest is not in contested tollway projects alone. I also examined the <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/transit-referendum-voters-say-no-to-new-metro-vancouver-tax-transit-improvements-1.3134857" target="_blank">2015 Vancouver plebiscite on transit funding</a>, and the rollout of two light rail projects in the Greater <a href="http://www.metrolinx.com/en/greaterregion/projects/hurontario-lrt.aspx" target="_blank">Toronto</a> and <a href="http://www.metrolinx.com/en/greaterregion/projects/hamilton-lrt.aspx" target="_blank">Hamilton</a> Area (GTHA) in Canada.</p>
<p>Research of this kind into cross-city, cross-country and cross-modal (road and public transport) transit systems produces insights into the relationship between citizen participation and infrastructure planning. It makes visible both party-political and socio-political struggles for the present and future city, which infrastructure – be that a major road or a light rail system – often represents.</p>
<p>Transport infrastructure awakens controversy because these projects embody the debates that frame who we are as a group of people living in a city.</p>
<h2>A process of sidelining the citizens</h2>
<p>The question of what kind of city we want to be is often left to strategic planning. However, this question needs to remain at the forefront of decision-making in project planning too.</p>
<p>Take the cancellation of the East-West Link project. You would be excused for assuming that this cancellation, following the election of the current Victorian government in 2014, was a rejection of inner-city toll roads and a “roads must be built to tackle congestion” paradigm.</p>
<p>But weeks later the government announced the now A$6.7 billion West Gate Tunnel project. This announcement was met with similar concerns to those raised against the East-West Link. These centred on the very undemocratic processes that produced these projects in the first place.</p>
<p>Another key concern was about the efficacy of building tollways when other valued alternatives such as public transport are not only available but also desired. Indeed, these are set out as ambitions for the future city in a succession of metropolitan plans.</p>
<p>In the weeks and months after the West Gate Tunnel announcement, a community liaison group and then a public process of evaluating the environmental effects were organised. This did result in some design modifications. However, this was a process about how best to manage out conflict and limit engagement to questions about design.</p>
<p>This is common practice for transport infrastructure planning across Australia. It it is not what can be reasonably called “best practice” in citizen engagement.</p>
<p>The lack of transparency and carefully controlled consultation remove the publicness of infrastructure.</p>
<h2>Market-led planning and its impacts</h2>
<p>The West Gate Tunnel is a case study in both market-led planning and how these processes can be an assault on democratic, participatory planning. These proposals and other public-private partnership schemes continue to be devised, as seen recently with a proposed “<a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/future-melbourne/tech-giants-push-for-piece-of-30bn-super-city-in-east-werribee/news-story/51e77278242514b23567bf6b9e00050c" target="_blank">super city</a>” in East Werribee.</p>
<p>It’s clear more needs to be said about the links between citizen participation and infrastructure planning in this context. To design better citizen consultation is to better understand what galvanises citizen interest and protest.</p>
<p>It is more than just the project. It is what the project represents. In many cases, it is a departure from a clearly stated vision for the city.</p>
<p>Our ability as citizens to assert what is in the public interest – throughout the infrastructure planning process – can be further severed when unsolicited proposals become commonplace.</p>
<h2>A way forward</h2>
<p>A recent alliance between the Coalition and the Greens in the upper house <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/tools-down-at-west-gate-tunnel-after-liberals-greens-halt-6-7b-dud-20180307-p4z3am" target="_blank">revoked the West Gate Tunnel planning amendment</a>. It’s a reminder that any planning process that undermines inclusive citizen participation and ignores the publicness of infrastructure planning will meet with resistance. Westconnex, the East-West Link, <a href="https://theconversation.com/au/topics/roe-8-34736" target="_blank">Roe8</a> in Perth, and now the West Gate Tunnel are all examples of this.</p>
<p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/92840/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">Infrastructure cannot be divorced from the city and its citizens. But as long as citizen engagement is limited, infrastructure will be a hotly contested area of decision-making.</p>
<p><span><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/crystal-legacy-18412" target="_blank">Crystal Legacy</a>, Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning, <em><a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-melbourne-722" target="_blank">University of Melbourne</a></em></span></p>
<p>This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/sidelining-citizens-when-deciding-on-transport-projects-is-asking-for-trouble-92840" target="_blank">original article</a>.</p>
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Citizens should be included when deciding on transport projects

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<p>The 2018 City Wealth Index uses four critical measures to identify the cities that matter to the wealthy – wealth, investment, lifestyle and future. </p>
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
<p> </p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">Wealth</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
<p align="center">Investment</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">Lifestyle</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
<p align="center">Future</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
<p align="center">Overall Rank</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
<p>New York</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
<p>London</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">4</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">5</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
<p>San Francisco</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">5</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
<p align="center">4</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
<p align="center">6</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
<p>Los Angeles</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
<p align="center">5</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">12</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
<p align="center">4</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
<p align="center">4</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
<p>Chicago</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">6</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
<p align="center">18</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
<p align="center">8</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
<p align="center">5</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
<p>Singapore</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">7</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
<p align="center">15</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
<p align="center">10</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
<p align="center">5</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
<p>Paris</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">13</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
<p align="center">14</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">7</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
<p align="center">5</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
<p align="center">7</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
<p>Tokyo</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">10</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
<p align="center">22</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">6</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
<p align="center">8</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
<p>Hong Kong</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
<p align="center">3</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">10</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
<p align="center">25</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
<p align="center">9</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
<p>Washington DC</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">12</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
<p align="center">10</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">7</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
<p align="center">13</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
<p align="center">10</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
<p>Sydney</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">20</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
<p align="center">7</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">14</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
<p align="center">17</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
<p align="center">11</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
<p>Dallas</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">9</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
<p align="center">6</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">35</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
<p align="center">9</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
<p align="center">12</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
<p>Boston</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">24</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
<p align="center">13</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">21</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
<p align="center">7</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
<p align="center">13</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
<p>Houston</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">8</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
<p align="center">15</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">29</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
<p align="center">14</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
<p align="center">14</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
<p>Miami</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">19</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
<p align="center">8</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">19</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
<p align="center">20</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
<p align="center">14</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
<p>Atlanta</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">20</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
<p align="center">10</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">24</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
<p align="center">15</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
<p align="center">16</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
<p>Beijing</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">15</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
<p align="center">37</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">15</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
<p align="center">19</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
<p align="center">17</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
<p>Shanghai</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">29</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
<p align="center">21</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">23</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
<p align="center">15</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
<p align="center">18</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
<p>Munich</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">39</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
<p align="center">23</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">26</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
<p align="center">20</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
<p align="center">19</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
<p>Madrid</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">52</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
<p align="center">25</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">9</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
<p align="center">24</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
<p align="center">20</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
<p>Melbourne</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">44</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
<p align="center">15</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
<p align="center">25</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
<p align="center">26</p>
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
<p align="center">20 </p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p>Liam Bailey, Global Head of Research at Knight Frank, commented this year’s index produced some very interesting results with regard to the projected growth of wealthy households around the world that will be exciting to track.</p>
<p>"However, North America’s domination of the current household wealth tables is unequivocal.</p>
<p>"Although the economic powerhouses such as New York and London dominated the overall rankings again, it is interesting to note the power of other US cities.”</p>
<p>Knight Frank’s Head of Residential Research, Australia Michelle Ciesielski noted Sydney sits at 11<sup>th</sup> overall on the City Wealth Index, influenced by ranking seventh in the category ‘investment’ in property over the two years ending 2017. <em style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.15999984741211px;"><br></em></p>
</body></html>

Sydney and Melbourne rank in top 20 in Knight Frank City Wealth Index

<html><body>
<div>
<p>Sydney has the nation's most evenly distributed new apartment market which puts it at less risk of inner city oversupply, the 2018 UDIA State of the Land Report suggests. </p>
<div title="Page 4">
<div>
<div>
<p>Sydney accounted for 28% of total market supply in 2017 with 37,740 lots/multi-units completions, which reflected a similar production output to 2016 but a 48% uplift on 2014 </p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p>Just over a fifth of new Sydney unit completions (apartments, townhouses and terraces) were within five kilometres of the city centre in 2017.</p>
<p>It compared to almost half of all Melbourne unit completions.</p>
<p data-gtm-vis-first-on-screen-7770372_137="2971" data-gtm-vis-total-visible-time-7770372_137="4000" data-gtm-vis-has-fired-7770372_137="1">In Adelaide and Brisbane almost two-thirds of new unit completions were within their respective five kilometre inner rings.</p>
<div title="Page 4">
<div>
<div>
<p>Population growth, or lack of it, is the primary driver of demand for new dwellings, the report noted.</p>
<p><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/2018/3/23/UDIA%201.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p><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/2018/3/23/UDIA%202.jpg" alt=""></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p>The UDIA said a third of new Sydney units were within 5 to 10 kilometres of the CBD, 28 per cent of completions were 10 to 20 kilometres out and 18 per cent of completions were as far as 50 kilometres from the centre of town, according to data compiled for the report by CoreLogic.</p>
</div>
<div>
<div id="article-inline-ad">The UDIA report also found that new multi-unit completion (10 units or more) hit a record 77,365 in 2017, up 8 per cent on 2016 and 64 per cent higher than three years ago.</div>
</div>
<div>
<p>Most of this growth was due to a 25 per cent rise in Melbourne unit completion which reached 25,900 last year, just below the 28,300 units completed in Sydney.</p>
<p>It noted the heighted levels of new residential supply being delivered had been led by Melbourne which recorded a total production of almost 49,000 lots/multi-units in 2017, which was up 96% on 2014.</p>
<div title="Page 4">
<div>
<div>
<p>Melbourne’s total market output accounted for 37% of the combined capital city lots/multi-unit production in 2017. </p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p data-gtm-vis-recent-on-screen-7770372_137="9975" data-gtm-vis-first-on-screen-7770372_137="9975" data-gtm-vis-total-visible-time-7770372_137="4000" data-gtm-vis-has-fired-7770372_137="1">Brisbane's unit market fell 3 per cent over the year to 11,900 completions while Perth slumped 38 per cent to just under 5000 completions.</p>
<p>Among the smaller unit markets, Adelaide completed 2130 units, up 39 per cent, with Canberra's new unit market doubling to 4100 units last year.</p>
<div title="Page 4">
<div>
<div>
<p>Residential supply from Perth has retracted sharply over the last three years, with the 2017 output of 11,900 lots/multi-units representing 9% of national capital city supply, down from the 16% national market share with 17,900 lots/multi-units in 2015. </p>
<p><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/2018/3/23/UDIA%203.jpg" alt=""></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p> </p>
</body></html>

UDIA says spread of Sydney apartment construction would reduce oversupply risks

<html><body>
<p>The latest Northbridge prestige offering comes with jetty and deepwater mooring which is not affected by Middle Harbour tides.</p>
<p>It can accommodate a 27 foot motor cruiser or yacht at the bottom of tiered native gardens.  </p>
<p><a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-northbridge-126988726" target="_blank">The three storey, six bedroom home</a> sits on 2,042 sqm with the grounds coming with a championship sized synthetic grass tennis court which was designed in consultation with champion Mark Edmondson.</p>
<p>The Dorset Road home's lower level is dedicated to recreation including full kitchen and billiard room leading out to the pool and alfresco area.</p>
<p><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/2018/3/22/northbridge.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>"Entertaining here is a breeze," says Christie's International listing agent Martin Ross.</p>
<p data-reactid="345">The cul-de-sac abuts Northbridge Golf Club and virgin native bushland. </p>
<div>
<div>The Northbridge record was set last July at $21 million on Coolawin Road, bettering a nearby $15.2 million sale in 2016. There was also a $15 million sale late last year of another Coolawin Road home, which was designed by Alex Popov on a sloping 2010 sqm waterfront.</div>
<div> </div>
<div class="cT-imageLandscape lead"> </div>
</div>
</body></html>

Northbridge prestige home for sale

<html><body>
<p>The Gold Coast region was the busiest non-capital city region last week, with 53 auctions; however Geelong recorded the strongest clearance rate at 80 per cent, according to CoreLogic.</p>
<p>Click here<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/3/16/clearance%202.jpg" target="_blank"> to enlarge.</a></p>
<p><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/2018/3/16/clearance%202.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>A townhouse in Geelong sold at auction for $461,000 (pictured below).</p>
<p><span>The home was sold by Peter Fort from Whitford.</span></p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-unit-vic-geelong-127592414">12/203-207 Little Malop Street</a> unit offers two bedrooms, central bathroom and open living with private courtyard.</p>
<p><span><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/2018/3/16/geelong.jpg" alt=""></span></p>
<p><span>Located in the heart of Geelong CBD, it is within walking distance of Westfield, restaurants, parkland, the waterfront and the hospital precinct.</span></p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p> </p>
</body></html>

Geelong auction market remains strong 

<html><body>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Warren Ginsberg, from Ray White Double Bay, finished last week in a flurry with a trifecta of sales <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_495084649"><span class="aQJ">on Friday</span></span> to seal four contracts <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_495084650"><span class="aQJ">in four days</span></span> to the value of $11.2 million.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr">A timeless residence at <a id="m_-6465388716788642138LPlnk206200" href="https://maps.google.com/?q=50+Olola+Ave,+Vaucluse&amp;entry=gmail&amp;source=g" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&amp;q=https://maps.google.com/?q%3D50%2BOlola%2BAve,%2BVaucluse%26entry%3Dgmail%26source%3Dg&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1521758800931000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHU-QvA3-p123qQh9kayfvOYYUydA"> 50 Olola Ave, Vaucluse</a> received significant interest, with 132 enquiries across three weeks (pictured below).</p>
<p dir="ltr"><span><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/2018/3/23/Original31412505.jpg" alt=""></span></p>
<p dir="ltr">Ginsberg said he was happy with the quick nature of these premium sales.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“For three out of the four sales last week, the average time on market was 17 days giving confidence the market is still strong,” Ginsberg said.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“We’ve seen double-digit growth for many years now, so it was inevitable a general price decrease was looming, however I’m confident the market can still offer great returns based on the low days on market.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Studdy family sold <a id="m_-6465388716788642138LPlnk118069" href="https://maps.google.com/?q=480+Old+South+Head+Rd,+Rose+Bay&amp;entry=gmail&amp;source=g" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&amp;q=https://maps.google.com/?q%3D480%2BOld%2BSouth%2BHead%2BRd,%2BRose%2BBay%26entry%3Dgmail%26source%3Dg&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1521758800932000&amp;usg=AFQjCNEkuKY4EXKz1Ot9_JBF0gWVsXwvKg"> 480 Old South Head Rd, Rose Bay</a> (pictured below).</p>
<p dir="ltr"> </p>
<p dir="ltr"><span><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/2018/3/23/Original31474663.jpg" alt=""><br></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>“As a mortgage broker, I’ve seen the average time on market up to 40 days in some instances and for Warren to exchange within half that time and exceed our asking price by 13 per cent is really incredible,” Oliver Studdy said.</span></p>
</body></html>

Quick Olola Avenue, Vaucluse sale

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>"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."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=374893]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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;</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=269527]</p>

<p>Rothelowman's Gary Tsui said the architecture was conceived to respond carefully to its Upper North Shore setting.</p>

<p>"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."</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>"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."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=374892]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Construction is underway with completion expected in mid-2027.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=7354]</p>


Joel Robinson

Boutique Gordon townhomes now come with a BMW iX3 50

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p><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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359521]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359527]</p>

<p><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.</p>

<p>"There isn't another beachfront holding in Byron Bay of this size and position that could be developed again," Vitale said.</p>

<p>"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.</p>

<p>"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.</p>

<p>"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."</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359523]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>EADE Byron Bay is being exclusively marketed by Projx Australia in conjunction with WHITEFOX Projects.</p>

<p>WHITEFOX National Projects Director Phillip Rand said demand had been driven predominantly by owner-occupiers.</p>

<p>"We are seeing buyers at EADE place significant value on quality, space, design, resort-style amenities and the rarity of this location," Rand says.</p>

<p>"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."</p>

<p>Residences at EADE Byron Bay are currently priced between $4.75 million and $15.95 million.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145590]</p>


Vitale breaks Byron Bay records with EADE sales flurry 

<p>When buying an apartment, most people compare the big-ticket items first. Floorplans. Kitchens. Balcony size. Natural light. The view.</p>

<p>But there's one everyday consideration that often doesn't come up until after moving in: how parcels are delivered.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>For apartment residents, that can present a challenge.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>It's one of those details that rarely features in a display suite but can have a noticeable impact once residents move in.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Australia Post's Parcel Lockers provide one solution.</p>

<p><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></p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>For buyers, it's a reminder that the best apartment features aren't always the most obvious.</p>

<p>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.</p>


The apartment feature many buyers don't think about, until their first missed delivery

<p><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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p><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" /></p>

<p>"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.</p>

<p>"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."</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p><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" /></p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>The architects say landscape is intended to be integral to the building rather than an applied element.</p>

<p>"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."</p>

<p>"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."</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>


HG Developments doubles down in Newstead with second Maud Street apartment development

<p>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.</p>

<p>But in many cases, that's not actually what those sustainability ratings guarantee.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>That disconnect has led to the emergence of a new movement across Australia's property industry: nature-based cities.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Nature Based Cities (NBC) was established in 2022 to help accelerate that shift.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>"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.</p>

<p>"In Australia, you can have a five-green-star rated building that's concrete and glass with not a blade of grass.</p>

<p>"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."</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>"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.</p>

<p>"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.</p>

<p>"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."</p>

<p>For apartment buyers, the shift is also changing the questions worth asking.</p>

<p>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?</p>

<p>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.</p>


Staff reporter

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