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The biggest name in fast food, McDonald's, has moved into apartment development in western Sydney's Parramatta, teaming with developer Stockland.
The project is at its Parramatta restaurant site at 355-375 Church Street.
Some 350 apartments are proposed along with 1565 square metres of new retail space, a car park and the new restaurant.
The fast food group will retain ownership of the restaurant stratum lot, which is proposed to have two levels of seating, a PlayPlace, McCafe and a dual-lane drive thru.
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McDonald's senior development director Josh Bannister noted this was the group's first mixed-use development.
They do not have any other plans at this stage, but the company has been looking at value-adding its property portfolio with residential components elsewhere in Sydney.
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The proposed apartments will include one to three bedrooms, with views across the Parramatta Park, Parramatta River and towards the Blue Mountains. 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

McDonald's moves into apartment development joint venture with Stockland

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GUEST OBSERVER
Infrastructure Australia has called for metropolitan-scale governance of Australia’s largest cities. The new report by the Commonwealth’s statutory infrastructure agency, which sought to scope out the prospects for Sydney and Melbourne over the next 25 years, identifies integrated governance and leadership as keys to success.
The report notes state governments’ role in metropolitan planning and infrastructure provision, and local governments’ role in planning policy implementation and local services. It argues, though, that our fast-growing cities are at risk of fragmented governance and disjointed infrastructure provision by local councils.
Larger governing entities, Infrastructure Australia suggests, can employ staff with higher-order skills. The result is more efficient infrastructure delivery and operation and better strategic planning. The agency argues that such entities can more readily partner with state and federal agencies in metropolitan and regional planning.
In support of its claims, the report cites OECD studies that linked higher productivity to reduced governance fragmentation. The principal measure of this is the number of local governments within a city (Melbourne and Sydney have 30 or more councils each).
Infrastructure Australia sensibly avoids prescribing a governance model. Instead it offers exemplars of integrated governance elsewhere.
These models include the Greater London Authority, which sits above London’s municipalities, the Auckland Council, formed in 2010 from seven local and one regional authorities, and the City of Brisbane, formed in 1924 from a mix of 20 shires and boroughs. Although it is not directly endorsed, the recently established Greater Sydney Commission is noted as a step towards greater integration.
Scholars and practitioners have for some decades called for governance reforms for Australia’s large cities to enable democratically founded planning. What insights might such thinking offer?
How did our cities get to this point?
The first step is to understand history. Both Sydney and Melbourne have in the past enjoyed the integration and oversight of metropolitan agencies.
The County of Cumberland, for example, produced Sydney’s first metropolitan plan in 1948. The Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW) played a very strong role in that city’s development. Arguably, each city’s roads agency strongly influenced post-war development via freeway building.
Metropolitan agencies can tend towards technocratic managerialism if they lack democratic foundation. The County of Cumberland drew delegates from local councils, but was replaced by a state planning agency under ministerial control in 1964. The MMBW was originally composed of local council delegates, with ministerial appointees added later, but fell to changing public sector philosophies in the 1980s. Its functions were replaced by a mix of water authorities and a state department of planning under ministerial direction.
The lack of metropolitan democracy in recent decades has meant state political decision-making has dominated planning in Sydney and Melbourne. Planning ministers wield extensive power to write metropolitan plans and rule on major development applications. The 2002 Melbourne 2030 Metropolitan Strategy is infamous for continuing freeway-based urban development despite the extensive public consultation it undertook revealing much greater preference for public transport.
While the state-centralised model of planning governance offers some democratic oversight – the minister can be removed at state election time – it also leaves planning open to capture by powerful donor interests, such as private developers or infrastructure proponents. This problem is heightened when state treasuries encourage “market-led” proposals for major projects.
Ministerial politicisation also turns planning into a partisan contest. The result is a succession of plans, often vacuous in content, that are jettisoned by each new minister. The city becomes overlain with a palimpsest of differing strategies in short succession. There is little prospect of establishing long-term coherence.
Worse, in response to perceived political advantage at election time, infrastructure projects may be announced out of sequence or out of plan, adding to the incoherence. Melbourne, for example, lacks a transport plan as mandated by statute. Instead, both sides of politics have imposed multiple major transport projects without properly considering their strategic purpose or alternatives.
Politicisation also means fundamental urban questions are avoided. Transport planning is an example, where improving urban productivity demands a shift from roads to public transport, yet ministers are typically captive to the road lobby.
Even where independent infrastructure agencies advise on planning strategy, ministers readily ignore their recommendations. And with a state minister ruling over a metropolitan polity, there is a mismatch of democratic geography.
The quest for a better model
So what might metropolitan governance look like that avoids the flaws of the technocratic model while ensuring both adequate democratic participation and limits on the prospects of political capture? What principles might an integrated governance model adhere to?
Given the pressures and stresses facing cities, there is an urgent need to inscribe principles of democracy, sustainability and equity within governance arrangements. A new planning authority model is necessary that sits between the overarching state legislative framing and local administration and services. It should aim for a metropolitan governing body to enable effective representative decision-making about urban strategy and investment.
As I have argued previously (with Brendan Gleeson and Marcus Spiller), the case for an independent “commission” model is compelling, but so is the opportunity to improve urban democracy. The question of whether a metropolitan body draws representation from local municipalities, or has its own electoral jurisdictions and mechanisms, deserves greater deliberation.
The Greater London Authority operates on the basis of electoral structures separate from both national government and local municipalities. The Auckland Council is also separated from national government and runs via a representative local ward structure. Metro Vancouver is a federated authority of 21 municipalities, one electoral area and one Indigenous body that plans and delivers regional-scale services.
For Australian cities, a combination of local representation (via an electoral college or an additional tier of political representation) seems viable.
The question of a mayor is also highly pertinent. Auckland, London and Brisbane each directly elect a metropolitan mayor who provides leadership across the entire city. This creates a high degree of democratic accountability at the metropolitan level, while providing a focal point for city-to-city conversations. That is not the case with the Sydney or Melbourne lord mayors, who represent a single municipality.
Recognise Indigenous sovereignty
Another fundamental consideration in metropolitan governance is Aboriginal sovereignty. In no part of Australia was this sovereignty voluntarily ceded. Any metropolitan governance arrangements should recognise unceded Aboriginal sovereignty.
Again, there are models for this overseas. Vancouver’s regional district provides for local indigenous input. The Auckland Council includes an independent statutory board that advises on Maori issues.
In Australia, Victoria recently instituted joint governance of the Birrarung (Yarra) catchment covering much of Melbourne. Thus, the basic principle of Aboriginal input to urban governance is recognised in policy. Aboriginal metropolitan representation accompanies a treaty, perhaps under which rent is paid for the urban occupation of country, with proceeds to support Aboriginal advancement.
What about the state and federal roles?
What role might the state government then play in metropolitan governance? The state should set the legislative context, so planning law is democratic, inclusive and sustainable. It should also enable financing arrangements for urban infrastructure.
Finally, the role of national government remains relevant. As a signatory to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the New Urban Agenda (NUA), the Australian government has accepted a role in framing national urban policy.
The government released a national urban policy in 2011, but seems to have forgotten it. Reversion to ad-hoc City Deals is not enough.
There is a clear role for the federal government to frame Australia’s urban responsibilities under the Sustainable Development Goals and New Urban Agenda and to collaborate with state and metropolitan governments on implementation.
Australia’s large and growing cities need more democratic, sustainable and inclusive urban governance. To achieve this we must move to representative arrangements that enable our cities to determine their futures as metropolitan polities.
Jago Dodson, Professor of Urban Policy and Director, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University
This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/all-the-signs-point-to-our-big-cities-need-for-democratic-metro-scale-governance-92417" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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All the signs point to our big cities' need for democratic, metro-scale governance: Jago Dodson

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Montello is one of the few Tasmanian locations that Investar calculates has secured a big increase in stock.
The sales stock growth was recently calculated as up by 50%, from 20 houses this time last year to its current 30 offering. 
Investar put its median rental at $240 a week.
The median house price sits on $189,000, according to CoreLogic.
A three-bedroom house currently on the market is an <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-montello-127253150" target="_blank">8 Alice Street</a> offering, which is priced at $199,000 plus. 
It came with open plan kitchen and dining and garage space.
Another three bedrooms offering nearby is priced at $169,000 (pictured below).
This <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-montello-119377119" target="_blank">2 Morse Street house</a><a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-montello-125987954" target="_blank"> </a>is situated about 10 mins walk to CBD. 
It was previously rented fully furnished, (all furniture is included in the sale) for $220 per week.
A Margaret Street house has been sold for $213,000 this January. 
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-tas-montello-127016182" target="_blank">The 8 Margaret Street </a>house came with three bedrooms and two living.
Set on Mace Street, near Montello Primary School, a three bedroom house sold for $155,000 in 2016. 
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-tas-montello-115131635" target="_blank">The 19 Mace Street house </a>came with a separate garage and the 800 ㎡etre yard (pictured below).
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Montello ranks as having Tasmania's biggest stock rise

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EXPERT OBSERVATION
From Christmas to Easter, to school holidays, to which day of the week certain public holidays fall, the way the calendar looks each year will impact on the movements of house hunters and dictate the way you should market a property.
<h3>The New Year’s resolution rush</h3>
The New Year almost always brings new interest in the property market. That’s partly because over the Christmas/January holiday period people are busy with family and holidays rather than house hunting. It’s also partly because the low stock levels over that period have come to an end – so buyers actually have something to look at again. And, it’s also partly because a lot of people are acting on their New Year’s resolution to make a move this year, or get into the market.
We also find many in this group are only in a very preliminary stage of looking.
<h3>24 February 2018: the serious selling season begins</h3>
In Sydney, a typical auction campaign last four weeks. And, given agents are often hesitant to list a property prior to Australia Day, that means February’s final Saturday is often the year’s first big auction day, as well as the first real barometer of where the market is at.
In 2018, this fell on Saturday 24 February, when 893 Sydney properties went under the hammer, achieving an auction clearance rate of 71.7%, according to CoreLogic. In Sydney’s east, we saw strong sales and good competition.
<h3>The effects of an early Easter</h3>
School holidays and public holidays tend to be times when agents and sellers shy away from auctions or even open homes, reasoning that buyers will be doing other things. Usually, that means the first real slowing of the property market after its late February season launch, comes with the Easter school holidays.
This year, however, Easter falls on the final weekend in March, with the school holidays not coming until late April. We think that’s likely to have a “twin peaks” effect, where the property market gets going early before stock dries up in March. Then a new batch of listings will be released again in April giving buyers properties to choose from come May.
<h3>The winter chill really isn’t that bad</h3>
A lot of people will tell you that winter isn’t a great time to list a property. For this reason, the June long weekend – in 2018, Saturday 9 June – traditionally becomes the time of year that the number of listings falls. We take a different approach.
It’s true that there are often fewer people out and about in winter but the ones who are looking tend to be genuine buyers. When this combines with a lower number of listings, it means that the middle of the year can be a great time to sell.
<h3>Spring in the air</h3>
Along with autumn, Spring is the traditional selling season and there’s a lot of debate over which of the two seasons is the best time to list. That’s because buyers come out in force, gardens look at their best, and people generally begin feeling upbeat as the weather starts to look up. In September, particularly after the grand final/Labour Day long weekend which falls on Saturday 30 September 2018, things really start to pick up.
In Spring, increased buyer interest usually means increased auction numbers and that can help drive up property prices. On the flipside, a higher number of listings means that it can also be harder to stand out from the crowd.
That said, the end of Spring is when a lot of people start to feel time pressure, especially if they’ve pledged to be in their new home by Christmas. That means it’s a time of year when people get serious about putting their best foot forward.
<h3>The holiday mood sets in</h3>
Usually, the first weekend in December is the last big auction weekend of the year. After that, the listings begin to fade and people begin to think of holidays. We don’t usually advise anyone to start an auction campaign around this time of year. But that doesn’t mean we don’t sell any property. Instead, this can be a great time of year for off-market campaigns because people who are still looking for property tend to be serious. Also, new buyers in the form of expats and offshore buyers often come into the market, combining their property search with a Sydney holiday.
<h3>And finally…</h3>
There is always debate over the <a href="https://bencollierteam.com.au/timing-the-property-market/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">best time of year to sell</a>. And, while the calendar shapes the property market, there are advantages and disadvantages to selling at any time of year.
Ben Collier is Property Partner and co-founder at The Agency.
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Calendar events can have a dramatic impact on the property market: The Agency's Ben Collier

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CoreLogic head of research Tim Lawless has noted although dwelling values have been falling over the past three months, rental rates have been increasing over the same period.
"In fact, rental rates are higher over the year in all capital cities other than Perth and Darwin and within all regional markets except for regional Western Australia," Lawless said.
"The markets experiencing the greatest increases in rents over the past year have been Hobart (10.2%) which has recorded double-digit annual rental growth for the first time since August 2009 and regional Tasmania (7.6%) which is experiencing the strongest rental growth since the end of 2008. 
Lawless said with rental rates climbing at a time when dwelling values are falling, the result is that gross rental yields are starting to repair after a long period of yield compression.
"In fact, at a national level yields have not been as high as they are currently in 11 months."
Rental yields are lifting from record lows in Melbourne and Sydney.
"Throughout the last 12 months, gross rental yields in Sydney and Melbourne have lifted from historic lows.
"Although the increase in yields is gradual, gross rental yields in Sydney are now at their highest level since October 2016 and in Melbourne yields are the highest they have been since September of last year.”
“Ordinarily, higher yields would be a factor attracting more investment activity to the market, however a combination of softer dwelling values, tighter credit and lower sentiment will likely continue to dampen investment participation in the housing market.less competition from the investment sector has likely supported a rise in first home buyer buying."
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<li>Highest rental yield: Darwin 5.9% </li>
<li>Lowest rental yields: Melbourne 2.9% </li>
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Gross rental yields in Sydney and Melbourne have lifted from historic lows: CoreLogic

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A Maryborough three bedroom house has been sold by mortgagees for $170,000.
It last sold for $195,000 in 2006.
Partly renovated,<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-maryborough-126728142" target="_blank"> the 531 Alice Street</a> home comes with three bedrooms, lounge, dining and family areas.
Additional features include two bay garage and large undercover entertaining area at the rear.
The suburb's median house price sits on $205,000 according to CoreLogic.
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Maryborough, Queensland three bedroom house sold by mortgagee

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The Echuca residential market has shown no signs of slowing down after a year of further tightening and an increase in off market sales as agents have multiple buyers interested in property before it hits the market.
In many instances this resulted in the asking price or a touch stronger being achieved, HTW's latest report noted.
The valuation firm advised it was consistent across almost all Eucuca market segments with tightening market conditions spreading into rural residential holdings which historically required marginally longer selling periods.
Land sales west of Echuca have been well received amid limited competing supply while Moama has continued to see significant development.
"Nevertheless there is still an imperative to having properties listed correctly with older stock at secondary locations probably being the only slight drag on the market," the HTW report advised.
"Builders are busy and the market is likely to stay tight for some time, particularly the rental market on the back of commencement of the second bridge." 
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New bridge boost for Echuca residential rental market: HTW

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One of Hobart's most impressive trophy homes, Stokes House, recently hit the market. 
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-new+town-127254962" target="_blank">The home at Stokes Point in New Town</a>, just north of Hobart, is one of the largest and finest mansions in Tasmania, according to EIS Property Hobart agents Deb Stephens and David Gunning.
Stephens and Gunning are asking for offers over $4 million.
Stokes House has been hidden from the public eye for well over a century by the extensive verdant gardens on its 4,410 square metre parcel.
It is a Gothic Revival mansion with ballroom that dates back to the late 1880s when it was built by then Lieutenant Governor of Tasmania Sir John Dodd, with a no expense spared construction and sourcing of the materials. 
The surrounding suburbs of Hobart are attracting the most attention.
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Historic Stokes House, Newtown for sale at $4 million 

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The 12 Cross Street, Double Bay premises have been sold at auction for $14.7 million. 
The Ma family purchased the property which consists of five retail tenancies and five commercial tenancies.
It sold at a super compressed yield of 2 per cent to the family of HongKong press baron Ching-Kwan Ma.
Bidding started at $8 million with Damien Cooley of Cooley Auctions.
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Miron Solomons sold the property in conjunction with James Wilson at Colliers International and Matt Pontey. 
“This trophy asset not only has multiple income streams, but also offers significant development upside.”
The development pipeline is tipped to exceed $600 million, primarily in the form of apartments in Double Bay.
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Ma family buys in Double Bay for $14.7 million 

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Landcom is calling for expressions of interest to create new communities around Sydney’s new metro stations in the city’s northwest.
Landcom chief John Brogden said the Cudgegong Road Station South project met the NSW Government’s direction for the organisation to take a lead role in improving the supply, diversity and affordability of new housing in Sydney.
“Landcom has partnered with Transport for NSW to develop surplus government land around Sydney Metro Northwest stations once construction is complete to create new places for families, businesses and communities,” Mr Brogden said.
“The Cudgegong Road Station South project will see around 1,100 dwellings and 9,000m2 of retail, commercial, and community space constructed adjacent to the new metro station, enabling residents to live, work, shop and relax within the precinct.
“The mixed use development will feature a range of buildings up to eight storeys, affordable housing, and a substantial central park, all within reach of the new metro station that will operate services every four minutes in the peak.
“Landcom is seeking Expressions of Interest from suitably qualified developers to deliver diverse places that demonstrate design excellence and provide diverse housing options that meet the needs of different households.”
Mr Brogden said the Cudgegong Road development was the first site of a wider program to transform government-owned land around new metro stations at Cherrybrook, Castle Hill, Hills Showground, Norwest, Bella Vista, Kellyville and Epping.
“The vision for Sydney Metro Northwest Places is to create diverse, sustainable communities where people want to live, by providing essential services, leisure destinations and public transport at their doorstep,” Mr Brogden said.
“The Sydney Metro Northwest Places is a 10-year program that will deliver about 11,000 new dwellings, parks, community facilities and up to 400,000 sqm of floor space dedicated to employment opportunities in retail and commercial enterprises, supporting new and future residents living around these public transport hubs.
“Landcom and Sydney Metro are working with the Department of Planning and Environment, local councils, other government organisations, industry, businesses and local communities to deliver the project."
They expect strong interest from local and international developers.
As master developer for the site, Landcom is coordinating the planning, civil infrastructure, and public amenity works for Cudgegong Road Station South. Landcom is seeking a developer to manage detail design, approvals and construction of new buildings on individual sites.
The development is being marketed through Colliers International until April 10.
The invitation to tender is expected to be issued mid-year, with a contract to be awarded by the end of the year.
Landcom will hold a community information session on Saturday, 17 March from 2 to 4 pm at the Rouse Hill Town Centre library to answer questions about future planning for the Cudgegong Road Station South project.
Services on Sydney Metro start in Sydney’s Northwest in the first half of next year.
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Cudgegong Road Station South EOI underway

Buyers considering a residence at boutique Gordon townhouse development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/lume-gordon-43-47-dumaresq-street-gordon-nsw-2072">Lume</a>&nbsp;now have another reason to bring forward their decision.

For a limited time, purchasers of a residence at Lume will receive a BMW iX3 50 electric SUV, valued at more than $120,000, as part of their purchase. The offer is designed to add value for buyers while complementing the lifestyle envisioned for the architecturally designed Upper North Shore development.

Scott Timmins, Development Manager at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/winim">WINIM</a>, said the partnership was created to provide buyers with a compelling reason to act.

"In today's market, buyers need a compelling reason to act now, and the BMW partnership was designed to create that catalyst. We wanted to add genuine value for our future purchasers. Choosing the all-electric BMW iX3 50 also reflects the values behind LUME, forward-thinking design, innovation and a more sustainable way of living. It's a premium incentive that complements the lifestyle our buyers aspire to and rewards those who commit early."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=374893]

Delivered by WINIM in partnership with Burtonwood Investment Partners, Lume comprises 14 architecturally designed two, three and four-bedroom townhomes created for families seeking the space of a freestanding house with the ease of modern, low-maintenance living.

The three-storey residences, designed by award-winning architecture practice <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, have been tailored for families and multi-generational living, featuring private internal lifts, flexible lower-level spaces, generous open-plan living and entertaining areas, media rooms, and landscaped outdoor spaces with custom outdoor kitchens.&nbsp;

Inside, engineered oak flooring, bespoke dining joinery with integrated wine fridges and backlit bars, sculptural porcelain bathrooms, Parisi freestanding baths and Astra Walker tapware create interiors that balance functionality with refined finishes.

Each townhome has been designed to combine generous internal spaces with sustainability initiatives such as EV charging infrastructure, while <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>'s landscaped communal areas, centred around a restored creek line and native planting, encourage residents to connect with nature and spend more time outdoors.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=269527]

Rothelowman's Gary Tsui said the architecture was conceived to respond carefully to its Upper North Shore setting.

"Our vision was to create elegant, uplifting homes that draw on and positively contribute to the local character through meticulously considered design and an interaction with the surroundings."

The communal landscape has been designed as more than an open space between homes. Arcadia's Ben Newell and Kate Phillips said the adjoining reserve provided an opportunity to create a distinctive natural retreat for residents.

"Just as waterways carve their way through Ku-ring-gai's landscape, a raised boardwalk weaves through the reserve, connecting the homes to this tranquil oasis."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=374892]

Located just 300 metres from <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/gordon-nsw-2072">Gordon</a> Village and Gordon railway station, Lume offers convenient access to Sydney's CBD while placing residents close to some of the North Shore's leading schools, including Ravenswood, Pymble Ladies' College and Knox Grammar. Lane Cove National Park, Gordon Golf Club and a range of cafés and restaurants further reinforce the family-focused lifestyle on offer, with the BMW iX3 50 complementing everything from local trips around Gordon to weekend drives and city commutes.

Construction is underway with completion expected in mid-2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=7354]

Joel Robinson

Boutique Gordon townhomes now come with a BMW iX3 50

Two apartments have sold for more than $10 million at EADE Byron Bay, setting some of the highest apartment prices ever achieved in the coastal town and underlining the growing appetite for luxury beachfront apartments in Australia's most popular coastal locations.

The $210 million project by Vitale Property Group has now secured more than $70 million in sales, led by residences that changed hands for $12.75 million and $11.75 million.

The record-breaking transactions reinforce the shift occurring in Byron Bay's premium property market, where affluent downsizers and lifestyle buyers are increasingly opting for high-end apartments over large beachfront homes.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/eade-byron-bay-29-shirley-street-byron-bay-nsw-2481">EADE Byron Bay</a> occupies a rare 6,000 sqm absolute beachfront site on the corner of Shirley and Milton Streets overlooking Main Beach and The Wreck surf break, just 350 metres from Byron Bay's town centre.

The 25-residence development is the first beachfront apartment project approved in Byron Bay in more than a decade and is currently under construction, with completion expected in May 2027.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359521]

The project has attracted a mix of local Byron Shire residents downsizing from larger homes, alongside interstate buyers from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane seeking a permanent coastal lifestyle without compromising on space.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hayball">Hayball</a> and with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/alexander-co">Alexander &amp; Co</a>, EADE comprises&nbsp;10 garden apartments ranging from 284 sqm to 622 sqm, nine with private pools, five full-floor apartments and 10 rooftop residences with private plunge pools, expansive outdoor entertaining areas and uninterrupted ocean views.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359527]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/vitale-property-group">Vitale Property Group</a> Managing Partner Chris Vitale said the project's combination of scale, location and limited future supply was driving buyer demand.

"There isn't another beachfront holding in Byron Bay of this size and position that could be developed again," Vitale said.

"Buyers are responding to the scarcity and the irreplaceability of a site of this calibre and to floorplans they can't find elsewhere in the market.

"We are seeing buyers place significant value on quality, space, design, resort-style amenities and the rarity of the location. The sales achieved to date demonstrate that discerning purchasers recognise the long-term significance of what is being created at EADE Byron Bay.

"Many are coming from larger homes in the Byron region, or from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and are after the space, security and convenience, without the upkeep of a house."

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359523]

The Byron Bay project follows Vitale Property Group's delivery of the Mondrian Hotel and Private Residences at Burleigh Heads, with EADE continuing the developer's focus on luxury coastal developments.

Residents will have access to a resort-style swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna, cold plunge pool, concierge services and dedicated workspaces, while the project is targeting an 8-Star Green Star rating.

EADE Byron Bay is being exclusively marketed by Projx Australia in conjunction with WHITEFOX Projects.

WHITEFOX National Projects Director Phillip Rand said demand had been driven predominantly by owner-occupiers.

"We are seeing buyers at EADE place significant value on quality, space, design, resort-style amenities and the rarity of this location," Rand says.

"The sales achieved to date demonstrate that purchasers at this level recognise the long-term significance of what is being created at EADE Byron Bay."

Residences at EADE Byron Bay are currently priced between $4.75 million and $15.95 million.

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Vitale breaks Byron Bay records with EADE sales flurry 

When buying an apartment, most people compare the big-ticket items first. Floorplans. Kitchens. Balcony size. Natural light. The view.

But there's one everyday consideration that often doesn't come up until after moving in: how parcels are delivered.

As online shopping has become part of everyday life, parcel deliveries have shifted from an occasional event to a regular occurrence. Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally.

For apartment residents, that can present a challenge.

If nobody is home to accept a delivery, parcels may be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in a building lobby or common area, or require building management to step in. In higher-density buildings, where dozens or even hundreds of residents may receive deliveries each day, parcel management has become an increasingly important part of everyday living.

That can create a range of frustrations. A missed delivery often means making time to collect a parcel elsewhere, while packages left unattended in foyers or mail areas can create clutter and increase the risk of theft. What seems like a minor inconvenience can quickly become a recurring issue for residents who shop online regularly.

It's one of those details that rarely features in a display suite but can have a noticeable impact once residents move in.

As a result, buyers are beginning to look beyond traditional apartment features and consider how a building supports day-to-day convenience, including whether there are secure options for receiving deliveries.

Australia Post's Parcel Lockers provide one solution.

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Rather than having a parcel delivered directly to an apartment, eligible deliveries can be sent to a nominated Parcel Locker. Once the parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can collect it using a QR code or one-time PIN at a time that suits them.

The Parcel Locker network now includes more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with installations at Post Offices, shopping centres, transport hubs and an increasing number of residential developments. By providing a secure collection point, Parcel Lockers help reduce missed deliveries and avoid parcels being left unattended in common areas.

For developers, parcel infrastructure is becoming another way to improve the resident experience. Rather than relying on concierge staff or leaving parcels in communal spaces, secure collection points help streamline deliveries while preserving the presentation and functionality of shared areas.

For buyers, it's a reminder that the best apartment features aren't always the most obvious.

A generous floorplan or quality finishes might help narrow the shortlist, but the conveniences that simplify everyday life, whether that's EV charging, secure bike storage or reliable parcel delivery, often become the features residents appreciate most once they're living there.

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

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hg-developments">HG Developments</a> is doubling down on Maud Street in Newstead, filing plans for a new apartment tower just a few doors down from its under-construction Aire Newstead development.

Recently submitted to Brisbane City Council, the proposal is for an 18-storey building designed by bureau^proberts, which has drawn heavily on Brisbane's subtropical design principles while referencing the suburb's industrial heritage.

A total of 64 apartments are planned for the amalgamated 1,518 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/17-21-maud-street-newstead-qld-4006">17–21 Maud Street</a>, a short walk from the Brisbane River and Newstead Riverwalk.

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"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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