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The Kahlbetzer's Twynam Agricultural Group has publicly listed three of its Lachlan River frontage properties for sale by expression of interest campaign closing March 12.
The properties, which include <a href="https://www.raywhite.com/nsw/jemalong/1825448/" target="_blank">Jemalong Station, Jemalong Citrus at Forbes and Merrowie at Hillston</a>, cover 46,000 hectares.
They were being quietly offered for sale, but under new FIRB rules from February 1 they have to be publicly advertised for at least 30 days in order to be sold to foreigners.
The Kahlbetzer family's wealth has been estimated by the Financial Review at $841 million. The farm offerings could total $100 million plus.
Below, the cotton at Merrowie.
<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/2018/2/7/cotton.jpg" alt="">
Johnny Kahlbetzer confirmed the bush chatter adding that there were plenty of buyers. 
It pioneered cotton properties in the Riverina starting with the purchase of Merrowie in 1991.
</div>
<div>
Twynam has appointed Gary Johnston of Johnston Rural Group Forbes and Bruce Gunning of Ray White Rural International Sydney.
<div>Jemalong Station, located 35km west of Forbes, comprises 13,387ha with 2,384ha of irrigation development an 8,885 ML JIL Water (Jemalong Irrigation Licence), 3,107 ML Groundwater.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Adjoining Jemalong Station is Jemalong Citrus on 360.84ha. It has access to 1000 ML Groundwater and 750 ML JIL Water. The property comprises about 170,000 orange trees, mostly winter juicing varieties.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The other property being offered for sale is Merrowie which is situated 15km west of town of Hillston. It is approx. 32,730ha with 9,906ha of developed irrigation and has available approx. 6,689 ML of General Security Lachlan River Water Entitlements as well as 10,528 ML of Groundwater Licence and approx. 16,000 ML above ground water storage.</div>
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Kahlbetzer's Twynam selling three farms - but not off market

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Property tycoon John Gandel has lost his case seeking to claw back $20 million in his dispute with the Chadstone Shopping Centre retailer Myer.
It alleged there had been a mistake in the drafting of the variable outgoings provisions in the lease for Myer Chadstone.  
It was alternatively suggested there that those provisions have been misinterpreted.
The variable outgoings covered payments such as council and water rates, land tax, building insurance and property management fees. 
ASX-listed Vicinity Centres said it was "disappointed" by the decision and advised it was "considering its options".
"The Supreme Court of Victoria handed down judgment in favour of Myer and dismissed the claims made by the landlord," it said in a statement to the market. 
Vicinity recently advised the portfolio valuation increase of $324.1 million or 12.1% uplift in its investment in Chadstone Shopping Centre.
Chadstone was independently valued at $6 billion with the capitalisation rate firming from 4.25% to 3.75%.
It advised Chadstone continues to trade strongly following completion of the $666 million (Vicinity share: $333 million) major development in June 2017. 
The case resulted in an 84 page judgement in the Victorian Supreme Court with Justice Clyde Croft rejecting the claims made by the joint owner of Chadstone for rectification of the lease and payment of alleged unpaid outgoings between 2000 and 2016 totalling $19.14 million, plus GST, interest and costs. 
Justice Croft dismissed the plaintiffs' claims that mistakes in the lease contained "infelicities or absurdities" that resulted in underpayment by Myer and misinterpretations that needed rectification.
He also dismissed claims there could have been "incompetence, and possible negligence" by eight experienced lawyers and property professionals that drew up the original lease. 
"There is, in my opinion, simply no basis for supposing such endemic incompetence or negligence on the part of these apparently relevantly skilled and experienced individuals," Justice Croft ruled. 
The action was brought by fund manager Perpetual, acting as a custodian for Gandel Management, and Bridgehead, the landlord of Myer Chadstone.
The original negotiations took place nearly three decades ago.
Witnesses' recollections of at least 14 drafts exchanged between various parties were "sporadic and hazy, as would be expected", the judge noted.
The lease was executed in September 2001 and the plaintiffs discovered the mistake 11 years later.  
Myer did lose its defence that the legal action was disallowed by the statute of limitations.
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John Gandel loses $20 million Myer recoupment case

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The Lightingales retail premises in Claremont, Western Australia, has sold for $3.05 million within 24 hours of being listed for sale through Savills.
Agent Barney Dear brokered the deal for the showroom at 269 Stirling Highway on behalf of a private investor.
The sale was at a yield of 5.36% and a land rate of $3,011 per square metre.
“Selling this property so quickly from the commencement of its campaign launch is a clear demonstration of the strong demand for well-located leased investments in Perth’s western suburbs,” Dear said.
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Lightingales, Claremont premises quickly switches owners through Savills

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The latest update of Pyrmont-Ultimo Cityscope shows an annual total sales figure of $1.335 billion for the year ending January 2018, with 120 sales recorded over that period.
It was a large increase from the previous 12 months ending January 2017, during which 165 sales were recorded with a total value of $216.3 million.
The table below shows sales recorded for the last eight updates of Pyrmont-Ultimo Cityscope.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/2/6/pyrmont%201.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
<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/2018/2/6/pyrmont%201.jpg" alt="">
There was a significant decrease in total sales value in the most recent quarter, with a total of 27 sales at a value of $43.6 million, compared to 34 sales at a total value of $406.9 million for the quarter ending October 2017.
Recent notable sales include:
<ul>
<li>142-152 Broadway, Chippendale, a one-storey rendered brick commercial building and a parking lot for 7 vehicles, was bought at auction as a development site for $21 million through Colliers International and Ray White Commercial.;</li>
<li>Lot 46, Sydney Wharf at 56 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont, a two-storey commercial suite comprising 11 sqm on level 1 and 103 sqm on level 2 in the berthing building, was bought with a 17 sqm car space plus 8 marina berths and 2 secure basement car spaces with storage (not cover by Pyrmont-Ultimo Cityscope),  for $4.35 million through Knight Frank Sydney and</li>
<li>Lot 14 at 53-55 Glebe Point Road, Glebe, a retail area of 326 sqm on the ground floor, was bought for $3.875 million through Burgess Rawson.</li>
</ul>
<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/2018/2/6/pyrmont%202.jpg" alt="">
There are several properties listed as for sale in January including:
<ul>
<li>423-427 Harris Street, Ultimo, three two-storey terrace houses used as student accommodation and 617 Harris Street, Ultimo, a three-storey terrace originally built in 1881 and refurbished in 2013 and used as a medium-term tourist accommodation, are for sale in one line through Karbon Property – Sydney; and</li>
<li>451 Harris Street, Ultimo, a two-storey building built 1880 comprising of a ground floor retail showroom and residential on upper floor, for sale with an asking price of $1,650,000 through McGrath Commercial and Metro Commercial.</li>
</ul>
Cityscope also advised leasing opportunities including:
<ul>
<li>31-35 Bank Street, Ultimo, a one-and-two-storey office and warehouse building with an apron and a loading dock to Bank Street with 13 undercover car park and outdoor parking for 20 vehicles, has office space of 800 to 1,555 sqm for lease through Ray White Commercial; </li>
<li>Ultimo Trade Centre at 28-48 Wattle Street, Ultimo, a five-storey brick Federation-style warehouse building connected to a two-storey brick warehouse building, has warehouse space ranging from 100 to 2,000 sqm for lease through DJ Wear &amp; Associates-Sydney and </li>
<li>80 Bay Street, Ultimo, a four-storey federation warehouse building with four ground floor retail tenancies and offices on the upper levels refurbished in late 2017, has office space ranging from 1,100 to 2,700 sqm for lease through Ray White Commercial.</li>
</ul>
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Pyrmont-Ultimo commercial sales top $1.3 billion over the last year

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The Whitsundays Island Hayman is set to be rebranded an InterContinental Resort after its previous operator, the Kerzner Group’s high-profile One&amp;Only Group, cut ties with the island’s owner.
Hayman Island will be rebranded an InterContinental Resort when it reopens after a massive renovation due to the damage sustained from Cyclone Debbie.
It is currently accepting reservations from 1st March 2019 but hopes to be welcoming guests from late 2018.
The high-profile Great Barrier Reef resort had been rebranded a One&amp;Only resort in 2014 amid much fanfare following an $80 million refurbishment.
Hayman Island’s owner, ­Malaysian conglomerate Mulpha Australia, offered up the management rights to its portfolio last year.
The Australian reported three parties were short-listed for the prized management rights to its four eastern seaboard hotels and resorts.
The American hotel giant Marriott was among the short-listed, but incumbent operator IHG successfully won the rights to the Mulpha properties and will continue to operate the Sydney and Sanctuary Cove resort hotels under the InterContinental brand.
Mulpha’s Rydges Hotel in Cairns would remain under a Rydges hotel.
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InterContinental to take over Hayman from One&Only

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The latest research from Docklands Cityscope shows around 74 sales at a total value of $1.671 billion for the 12 months to January 2018.
It compared to 42 sales at a total value of $306.5 million for the previous year.
The table below shows sales recorded for the past eight updates of Docklands Cityscope.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/2/6/docklands%201.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
<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/2018/2/6/docklands%201.jpg" alt="">
The commercial property sales activity significantly decreased in total sales value for the quarter to January 2018, when there were 16 sales at a total sales value of $33.2 million, compared to 22 sales at a total value of $386.1 million for the previous quarter.
Its notable sales in the January 2018 update of Docklands Cityscope included:
<ul>
<li>Aurecon Centre at 850 Collins Street, an eight-storey office building with retail space on the ground floor and car parking, with building area 17,337 sqm plus 120 car space lots in property at 852 Collins Street, which were bought for $15.61 million; </li>
<li>Units 211E, Unit 212E, Unit 213E, three first floor retail shops and Unit 214E, a first floor commercial unit located in the Waterfront City at 425 Docklands Drive, which were bought for $5 million and </li>
<li>Unit 118E in the Waterfront City at 425 Docklands Drive, which was bought for $2.5 million. </li>
</ul>
<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/2018/2/6/docklands%202.jpg" alt="">
 
Several properties were listed as for sale in January including:
<ul>
<li>Channel 7 Melbourne Broadcast Centre, 160 Harbour Esplanade, an office/studio building of five storeys plus basement parking for 144 spaces, with a total net lettable area of 7,980 sqm, for sale through Colliers International; </li>
<li>Lot 127 in Lifestyle Working Collins at 838 Collins Street, a 74 sqm commercial unit on level 1, for sale through Jalin Reality Australia Pty Ltd – Melbourne and</li>
<li>1G/439 Docklands Drive in the Waterfront City Stage 1, a 200 sqm retail premises on the ground floor of the west building at the northern end, for sale through No Agent Property – Moorabbin. </li>
</ul>
There were leasing opportunities too including:
<ul>
<li>The V1 residential tower , 8 McCrae Street, a 21 storey building with 13 retail premises to the street frontages and one small first floor office unit, has retail space ranging from 76 to 202 sqm for lease through TT Global – Melbourne; </li>
<li>380 Docklands Drive, an A-Grade, 11-storey office building, consisting of retail space on the ground level, parking on levels 1 to 3, and office space on levels 4 to 10, has office space ranging from 200 to 466 sqm for lease through Colliers International – Melbourne and Knight Frank  and </li>
<li>Aurecon Centre, 850 Collins Street, an eight-storey office building with retail space on the ground floor and car parking, has office space ranging from 440 to 1,790 sqm for lease through Colliers International – Melbourne. </li>
</ul>
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Docklands sees $1.6 billion in 2017 commercial property sales: Cityscope

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Set across the road from the hallowed MCG, the Pullman on the Park hotel has been listed with $200 million plus price hopes.
The hotel, managed by the AccorHotels since 2015, has been under the ownership of the Canada-based real estate firm Brookfield since 2012 when they took over ASX-listed Thakral Holdings.
It had previously been Hilton on the Park, a 419 room landmark hotel on Wellington Parade.
Upgraded last year with a $6 million renovation, it was built on the site of the 1880s Cliveden Mansion alongside Fitzroy Gardens.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/2/6/pullman2.jpg" alt="">
JLL Hotels are <a href="http://property.jll.com.au/hotel-sale/east%20melbourne/pullman-melbourne-on-the-park-6015" target="_blank">marketing the property</a> in conjunction with McVay Real Estate's Sam and Dan McVay who are taking expressions of interest until March 15.
The Hilton South Wharf recently fetched $230 million last year; Qatar Airways bought the Sheraton Melbourne from Golden Age at around $135 million and there was the off-the-plan $220 million sale of the new W Hotel to be built at Collins Arch in February to Japan's Daisho.
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Melbourne's Pullman on the Park hotel for sale

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The film maker Ian Darling has bought the Woollahra commercial office premises he'd been renting in the heart of Woollahra's Queen Street shopping precinct.
The off market $10.9 million trade was the highest commercial sale on the pricey retail Queen Street strip.
The only prices higher have been leisure assets including the Woollahra Hotel, which fetched $23,681,000 when sold in 2015, plus the business value which took the reported acquisition costs to around $30 million. 
Real estate agency Goodyer had previous occupied the second level at <a href="http://www.commercialview.com.au/109-queen-street-woollahra-nsw/commercial-for-lease-details-11185296" target="_blank">109 Queen Street</a> which Darling secured recently.
Wholefoods had been a retail tenant. It has been the headquarters of the Pongrass Property Group.
It was sold by the Yared family.
Darling is the founder and executive chair of Shark Island Institute and executive director of its production arm, Shark Island Productions, a documentary company.
His documentary credits as a producer, director and executive producer include Suzy &amp; The Simple Man, The Genesis and The White Blindfold among a number of others.
Last year he was named Australia's Leading Philanthropist by Philanthropy Australia.
The highest price paid for a house on Queen Street is $13 million, set in 2016 when style-setter and former Vogue staffer Rebecca Caratti bought the renocated Clyde Cottage in Woollahra.
Caratti, daughter of Perth earth moving tycoon John Caratti, emerged as the buyer of the home that belonged to one Singapore's richest people, Ronald Anthony Ooi and his wife Erica Han.
They bought it as a run down cottage for $4 million in 2011.
 
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Highest commercial price ever on Queen Street, Woollahra 

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A Melbourne-based developer has secured four permit-approved Cheltenham properties for $6.5 million before they hit the market.
The 2,867 square metre corner allotment, which encompasses 1-2 Moola Street and 4-6 Barker Street, has potential for 49 units.
Savills Australia’s Julian Heatherich brokered the deal on behalf of a local investor, securing a land rate of $2,260 per square metre or $132,000 per unit.
Heatherich said the sale was a positive sign of the year ahead.
“2018 has kicked off with a flurry of activity, with developers back in force looking for their next opportunity,” he said.
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Off-market Cheltenham development site sale

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<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
The Harry Café de Wheels owner Michael Hannah and his co-owners are selling the home of Hannah's Pies in Ultimo at March 1 auction.
The <a href="https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/property/562-576-harris-street-ultimo-nsw-2007-2014137555" target="_blank">Harris Street site</a> is tipped to fetch about $20 million through Colliers.
It is made up of a warehouse and adjoining terraces. 
<div class="related-quotes section">It is adjacent to accommodation provider Urbanest's Darling Square.</div>
Hannah's Pies, which sells pies over the counter at Harris Street, is the sole supplier to Harry Café de Wheels outlets.
The sale of the property comes as the pie cart business launches in China, with up to 300 of its carts to be rolled out across the country over the next 15 years.
</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-media section"><img class="lazy620x0" src="http://www.afr.com/content/dam/images/h/0/m/8/u/v/image.imgtype.afrArticleInline.620x0.png/1516592915083.jpg" alt="The site at 562-576 Harris Street, which is made up of a warehouse and adjoining terraces, has been put up for sale by ..." width="620" data-src="http://www.afr.com/content/dam/images/h/0/m/8/u/v/image.imgtype.afrArticleInline.620x0.png/1516592915083.jpg"></div>
<div class="cq-article-content-media section"> </div>
<div class="cq-article-content-media section">"Its proximity to both the revitalised Darling Harbour and International Convention Centre is going to be a huge drawcard for both local and offshore groups," Colliers International's Miron Solomons said.</div>
<div class="related-quotes section"> </div>
<div class="related-quotes section">He expects interest from student accommodation providers given its proximity within Sydney's university precinct including the University of Technology Sydney and University of Sydney.</div>
<div class="related-quotes section"> </div>
<div class="related-quotes section">The offering is expected mirror the sale of the nearby vacant site at 142-152 Broadway which the University of Notre Dame bought for for $21 million or $40,000 a square metre, Colliers International said.</div>
<div class="related-quotes section"> </div>
<div class="related-quotes section">The pie group has now expanded to more than 10 locations throughout Sydney and more recently into Asia.
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Hannah's Pies premises listed in Ultimo

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

Joel Robinson

Boutique Gordon townhomes now come with a BMW iX3 50

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

Vitale breaks Byron Bay records with EADE sales flurry 

When buying an apartment, most people compare the big-ticket items first. Floorplans. Kitchens. Balcony size. Natural light. The view.

But there's one everyday consideration that often doesn't come up until after moving in: how parcels are delivered.

As online shopping has become part of everyday life, parcel deliveries have shifted from an occasional event to a regular occurrence. Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally.

For apartment residents, that can present a challenge.

If nobody is home to accept a delivery, parcels may be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in a building lobby or common area, or require building management to step in. In higher-density buildings, where dozens or even hundreds of residents may receive deliveries each day, parcel management has become an increasingly important part of everyday living.

That can create a range of frustrations. A missed delivery often means making time to collect a parcel elsewhere, while packages left unattended in foyers or mail areas can create clutter and increase the risk of theft. What seems like a minor inconvenience can quickly become a recurring issue for residents who shop online regularly.

It's one of those details that rarely features in a display suite but can have a noticeable impact once residents move in.

As a result, buyers are beginning to look beyond traditional apartment features and consider how a building supports day-to-day convenience, including whether there are secure options for receiving deliveries.

Australia Post's Parcel Lockers provide one solution.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CkF2oKmlACg?si=C50sDaoUUn2nuLmq" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than having a parcel delivered directly to an apartment, eligible deliveries can be sent to a nominated Parcel Locker. Once the parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can collect it using a QR code or one-time PIN at a time that suits them.

The Parcel Locker network now includes more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with installations at Post Offices, shopping centres, transport hubs and an increasing number of residential developments. By providing a secure collection point, Parcel Lockers help reduce missed deliveries and avoid parcels being left unattended in common areas.

For developers, parcel infrastructure is becoming another way to improve the resident experience. Rather than relying on concierge staff or leaving parcels in communal spaces, secure collection points help streamline deliveries while preserving the presentation and functionality of shared areas.

For buyers, it's a reminder that the best apartment features aren't always the most obvious.

A generous floorplan or quality finishes might help narrow the shortlist, but the conveniences that simplify everyday life, whether that's EV charging, secure bike storage or reliable parcel delivery, often become the features residents appreciate most once they're living there.

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

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hg-developments">HG Developments</a> is doubling down on Maud Street in Newstead, filing plans for a new apartment tower just a few doors down from its under-construction Aire Newstead development.

Recently submitted to Brisbane City Council, the proposal is for an 18-storey building designed by bureau^proberts, which has drawn heavily on Brisbane's subtropical design principles while referencing the suburb's industrial heritage.

A total of 64 apartments are planned for the amalgamated 1,518 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/17-21-maud-street-newstead-qld-4006">17–21 Maud Street</a>, a short walk from the Brisbane River and Newstead Riverwalk.

<img alt="First look: HG Developments plans 18-storey subtropical apartment tower for Newstead" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a400c7fd-bd15-48f8-a63b-10ede92efe00" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Maud%20st%20bldg.png?VersionId=.0vPmjpbC7CNP7kqGWa6L7rGIwsNExaw" />

"The building is defined by a series of vaulted motifs that reinterpret the arches, colonnades and layered facades evident throughout Newstead's historic built fabric," the Urban Design Report states.

"Combined with recessed glazing and generous balconies, these elements create a layered building envelope that provides shade, weather protection and opportunities for natural ventilation whilst establishing a distinctive architectural identity."

The proposal comprises 64 two, three and four-bedroom apartments across 18 residential levels, positioning it alongside a growing number of taller residential projects transforming Newstead's northern precinct. The tower incorporates extensive subtropical landscaping, with cascading planter boxes, deep planting at street level and a landscaped rooftop recreation area.

<img alt="First look: HG Developments plans 18-storey subtropical apartment tower for Newstead" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1d8140f4-8b98-45cd-b1b8-1efe8c8e266b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Maud%20st%20podium.png?VersionId=VAZtbCoD44YCJ57N99fQCAKeSJx7ldZs" />

Bureau Proberts has prioritised passive environmental design throughout the project, with generous balconies, recessed glazing and operable façades helping reduce solar heat gain while maximising natural ventilation. River views become available from the upper levels, while the building has been orientated to capture prevailing breezes from both the Brisbane River and the west.

The architects say landscape is intended to be integral to the building rather than an applied element.

"Vertical greenery, cascading planter boxes and elevated gardens are woven throughout the architecture, softening the built form and strengthening the connection between residents and the subtropical environment."

"Through the integration of landscape, high-quality materials and passive design principles, the development delivers a refined residential address that celebrates Newstead's heritage character while contributing positively to Brisbane's evolving subtropical identity."

Newstead has remained one of Brisbane's most active apartment markets in recent years, with a number of developers continuing to back the inner-city suburb.

HG Developments is currently delivering the 40-apartment Aire Newstead at 25 Maud Street. Fortis recently launched the 65-apartment <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-walker-newstead-12-kyabra-street-newstead-qld-4006">Crest &amp; Walker</a> on Kyabra Street, while builder-developer BPG and Don O'Rorke's Consolidated Properties are both expected to launch their respective Newstead projects before the end of the year.

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

Walk past a new apartment development promoting its sustainability credentials and it's easy to picture rooftop gardens, mature trees, landscaped courtyards and residents surrounded by nature.

But in many cases, that's not actually what those sustainability ratings guarantee.

Australia's leading environmental rating tools have played a significant role in improving the energy efficiency and environmental performance of buildings. Yet despite their focus on reducing emissions, many don't require developers to include trees, biodiversity or meaningful green space.

In other words, a building can achieve one of the country's highest sustainability ratings while containing little more than concrete, glass and hard landscaping.

That disconnect has led to the emergence of a new movement across Australia's property industry: nature-based cities.

The concept goes beyond designing buildings that consume less energy. Instead, it encourages developers to treat nature as essential infrastructure, integrating biodiversity, tree canopy, living landscapes and green spaces into projects from the earliest stages of planning.

Research has consistently linked access to nature with better physical and mental health, cooler neighbourhoods, improved biodiversity, stronger climate resilience and more connected communities. As Australia's cities continue to become denser, advocates say those outcomes should be considered just as important as energy efficiency.

Nature Based Cities (NBC) was established in 2022 to help accelerate that shift.

Founded by Hamton Executive Chairman Paul Hameister OAM, the not-for-profit was created after research highlighted a significant gap in Australia's sustainability framework. While existing environmental rating tools rewarded energy performance and emissions reductions, they placed little emphasis on the inclusion of living landscapes.

"We've always wanted to do more, and we know other developers who want to do more, but the ESD rating tools just aren't there," Hameister says.

"In Australia, you can have a five-green-star rated building that's concrete and glass with not a blade of grass.

"The focus is on reducing emissions, which is laudable, but there hasn't been enough attention paid to protecting and re-establishing nature. We need both for the health of the environment and for communities."

Since its launch, NBC has developed independent design guidelines and accreditation frameworks that encourage developers to prioritise ecology, biodiversity, tree canopy, walkability and living landscapes alongside traditional sustainability measures. The organisation first focused on medium and high-density residential developments before recently expanding into precinct-scale communities and masterplanned neighbourhoods.

Jan Talacko, founder of sustainability consultancy Ark Resources and a member of the Nature Based Cities Advisory Council, says the initiative addresses an area that has largely been overlooked by the property industry.

"Throughout my 25 years of working collaboratively with all stakeholders in the property sector, I've always favoured a pragmatic approach to sustainable design which encourages initiatives that not only meet environmental expectations but also improve amenity," Talacko says.

"Whilst we are making steady progress in relation to energy and carbon emissions from buildings, there has been much less emphasis on encouraging biodiversity and tackling the urban heat island effect.

"The Nature Based Cities initiative responds to a gap in the suite of tools currently used by the property development sector, which don't provide sufficient incentive, or recognition, for the integration of landscaping and greenery."

For apartment buyers, the shift is also changing the questions worth asking.

Rather than assuming a sustainable building will naturally include abundant green space, buyers are increasingly being encouraged to look beyond environmental ratings and ask what nature is actually being delivered. How much tree canopy will the development create? Has biodiversity been considered? Are landscaped spaces designed for people as well as appearance?

As Australia's cities continue to grow upwards and outwards, the next generation of sustainability may not simply be measured by lower emissions, but by how successfully developments bring nature back into everyday urban life.

Staff reporter

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