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<p>Stockbroker Shaw Partners expects another McGrath Estate Agents downgrade after it has already missed its targets for the first half of the year.</p>
<p>"We have never liked the stock, disputed the "stickiness" and "defensive" nature of rent rolls," its savage note said.</p>
<p>Its analysts have downgraded the share price of McGrath to as low as 22 to 25 cents, Fairfax Media reported.</p>
<p>It said McGrath management had "zero credibility."</p>
<p>Its note to clients was titled Titanic. McGrath shares rose in morning trade to 54 cents today, up 3 cents. </p>
<p>"When you have mass exodus of agents something stinks internally and of course there are the external structural challenges," its note says.</p>
<p>"The 'corporate' angle is likely to keep the stock at higher levels than it should be, use this as a chance to sell.</p>
<p>"Company looks set to do $4 million to 4.5 million in EBITDA, being generous and implying a 40 to 60 per cent improvement on the first half," its note said.</p>
<p>"The cost cuts have gone as far as they can while leaving the company with the resources to benefit from market improvement," Shaw said.</p>
<p>Bell Potter which underwrote the McGrath float at an earning multiple of 8.8 (to enterprise value) in the $2.10 IPO price has moved to a "sell" recommendation.</p>
<p>"In our view the lack of a leadership team and also options for the company (outside of privatising) support this recommendation," Bell Potter said.</p>
<p>Without spending a cent, John McGrath resumed defacto leadership of the company this week amid board and company tumult.</p>
<p>Key sales staff and a big private shareholder have backed him to turnaround the company he founded 30 years ago, perhaps by taking it private.</p>
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

McGrath Group share price could fall by half again: stockbroker

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<div>House prices are likely to rise only modestly across Asia-Pacific (APAC) in 2018, with regulatory tightening, rising interest rates and declining affordability acting as a drag in most markets, says Fitch Ratings in a new report. <br><br>Monetary tightening in the next few years - globally and within the region - will gradually bring to an end the ideal conditions that have supported housing markets over much of the last decade.</div>
<div> </div>
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</div>
<div> </div>
<div> <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/2018/1/24/fitch%201.jpg" alt="">
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<div> </div>
<div>However, tightening is unlikely to be enough to trigger a sharp correction during 2018, Fitch suggest.<br><br>Regulators have taken steps to contain price rises in most of APAC's major markets in recent years.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>"There were signs of these steps gaining traction in 2017 in the main hotspots - Australia, New Zealand and China - where price growth slowed from the double- to single-digits.<br><br>"Several APAC markets will soon start to feel the impact of China's limits on overseas foreign-currency transfers.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>"Australia and New Zealand have attracted particularly strong Chinese investment.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>"Australia has placed its own limits on foreign, non-resident buyers, while we expect New Zealand to introduce restrictions this year.<br><br>"We forecast house-price growth across Australia's eight capital cities to slow to 2%, from 5% in 2017.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>"Low interest rates and high population growth are likely to support prices, but rising supply, falling rental yields, tighter lending standards, foreign-ownership restrictions, and income growth lagging cost of living increases will dampen price gains.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>"Moreover, stable economic performance and prudent underwriting standards are likely to help contain increases in arrears as mortgage rates rise.'<br><br>Fitch forecast arrears in most APAC markets to remain below 0.5%.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>"The impact is likely to be slightly more pronounced in Australia and New Zealand as house-price growth stabilises, especially in big cities.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>"Household debt is high in both countries and most mortgages have flexible rates, which leaves borrowers more exposed to faster-than-expected interest rate rises." </div>
<div>
<br>There global report advised in New Zealand, strong population growth and sluggish housing construction - particularly in Auckland - are likely to result in continued supply shortages, despite regulatory tightening. We expect house-price growth to pick up, but only slightly, to 3.0%.<br><br>Fitch's Global Housing and Mortgage Outlook includes analysis of house prices, arrears and mortgage lending volumes for 22 countries, including Australia, China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and Singapore in APAC.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>National house prices are forecast to rise this year in 19 of 22 markets highlighted by Fitch Ratings in a new report, but growth is expected to slow in most markets and risks are growing as the prospect of gradually rising mortgage rates comes into view this year. </div>
<div> </div>
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<div> </div>
<div>"Arrears are at very low levels in most markets. They will only move in one direction as mortgage rates rise slowly due to higher policy rates and more expensive bank funding from the gradual unwinding of quantitative easing. Floating-rate loans and borrowers refinancing to new rates will be first affected," said Suzanne Albers, Senior Director, Structured Finance, Fitch Ratings. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>"We expect home prices to stabilise in Sydney and Melbourne. However, if corrections are only limited after several years of very high growth, the risk of large price declines in future downturns remains," added Ms. Albers. </div>
<div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></div>
<div><span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span> </span></span></span></div>
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Australian house price growth to slow to 2 percent: Fitch Ratings

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<p>The former Labor state government minister Carl Scully has been appointed among the community and business leaders to chair the Sydney Planning Panels that make decisions on major development proposals.</p>
<p>The appointments were announced by the Department of Planning and Environment’s executive director of regions, Steve Murray, who said the new chairs bring a high level of expertise to the panels.</p>
<p>“The decisions made by the Sydney Planning Panels will be independent and based on the merits of the proposals that are put before them.”</p>
<p>The four new Planning Panel Chairs are:</p>
<ul>
<li>The Hon. Carl Scully — Sydney Eastern City Planning Panel</li>
<li>Mr Justin Doyle — Sydney Western City Planning Panel</li>
<li>Professor Helen Lochhead — Sydney South Planning Panel</li>
<li>Mr Peter Debnam — Sydney North Planning Panel</li>
</ul>
<p>The new chair of the Sydney Central Planning Panel is expected to be determined in the coming weeks. </p>
<p>The new chairs have been appointed because the roles of Sydney Planning Panel Chair and District Commissioner of the Greater Sydney Commission have been separated. </p>
<p>The appointments followed consideration of 70 applications by a selection panel. </p>
<p>Currently, the projects they assess are valued over $20 million but from the 1st March that threshold will be increased to $30 million.</p>
<p>The panels also act as the relevant planning authority in some decisions when directed by the Minister for Planning or the Greater Sydney Commission, undertake rezoning reviews, and provide advice on planning and development matters when requested.</p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold;">Carl Scully — Sydney Eastern City Planning Panel</span></p>
<p>A former minister of the NSW parliament, Mr Scully’s career spans more than 30 years in the public and private sectors. He practised law for seven years before embarking on a 17-year political career. For almost 12 of those years he served in ministerial positions involved in the delivery of major infrastructure projects including the portfolios of public works and services, roads and transport, and housing. He returned to the private sector in 2007 where he has worked for WorleyParsons, most recently as director of International Business Development. In 2015, he was appointed as Chair of the NSW Mine Safety Advisory Council.</p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold;">Justin Doyle — Sydney Western City Planning Panel</span></p>
<p>Mr Doyle is a lawyer focused on planning and environment law, with 11 years’ experience as a practicing barrister, and 10 years before that as a solicitor. He has been the lead counsel for a team of barristers acting for the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure in cases on the land at Badgerys Creek to allow for the development of Western Sydney Airport. His work also includes land contamination issues and the redevelopment of the former James Hardie asbestos plant which includes negotiations with the Department of Lands and Parramatta Council.</p>
<h4>Professor Helen Lochhead — Sydney South Planning Panel</h4>
<p>For more than 20 years Prof Lochhead has combined university teaching with her practice as an architect specialising in complex large-scale projects. She is currently Dean of the Faculty of the Built Environment at the University of NSW. Prior to that her career focused on the planning and delivery of major projects ranging from a five-year city improvements program for the City of Sydney to major urban regeneration projects. Prof Lochhead has extensive experience on university, government and industry committees, panels and boards, most notably as the National Board of the Australian Institute of Architects, Central Sydney Planning Committee, Sydney Harbour Design Review Panel and the NSW Heritage Council.</p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold;">Peter Debnam — Sydney North Planning Panel</span></p>
<p>Mr Debnam served as leader of the opposition of the NSW parliament as well as holding several shadow ministerial positions including shadow minister for planning<br>and urban affairs and housing from 1997 to 1999. Before politics Mr Debnam had broad management experience starting with his<br>military service followed by business development and general management in the aerospace and rural service industries. He completed an MBA in 1993.<br>Since leaving politics in 2011, Mr Debnam has contributed to charities and not for profit organisations including as the Chair of NSW Kids in Need Foundation Limited,<br>The Muscular Dystrophy Association of NSW, and the Advisory Board of Our Big Kitchen Limited.</p>
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Carl Scully gets eastern Sydney planning posting from State Government

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<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
<p>A group of 20 Southbank townhouse unit owners in Melbourne have banded together with hopes of securing a combined $25 million as a development site offering.</p>
<p>The four-block property, Coventry Square at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-apartment-vic-southbank-119872805" target="_blank">77 Coventry Street </a> stands on a 1483 square metre site close to South Melbourne market amid high-rise towers.</p>
<p>The hope for a significantly better return than their separate market rate as recent sales have been around $630,000 for a two-bedroom apartment.</p>
<p>Coventry Square comprises 12 two-bedroom apartments and eight three-bedroom apartments with the proceeds to be divided based on council rate valuation percentages.</p>
<p>Collective sales require approval from 100 per cent of owners.</p>
</div>
<div class="related-quotes section">The Coventry Square offering was put together by Christian Ranieri and Ed Wright of RPM Real Estate Group.</div>
<div class="related-quotes section"> </div>
<div class="related-quotes section">Wright says the site was attracting interest as a possible hotel development given its close proximity to the Southbank arts precinct, and as an office or commercial development which are extremely attractive in the current market.</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
<p>Without any immediate approvals, the building will generate rental income with two-bedroom apartments renting for $500-530 per week and three-bedders at $630-660 per week.</p>
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Collective Southbank strata exit with $25 million hopes for 20 vendors

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<p><span>At Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula, some $3.5 million to $3.6 million is being tipped for the homes of </span><span>Steve and Vicky Smith of Smith Builders .</span></p>
<p>They have listed their <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-sorrento-127255370" target="_blank">Wolveridge Architects-designed beach house</a>, fully furnished by Coastal Living.</p>
<p><span>The four-bedroom, three-bathroom property is set on a 1345 sqm lot.</span></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/2018/1/24/SORR2.jpg" alt=""></span></p>
<p><span>It combines rammed earth and recycled timbers in a light-filled, open-plan design featuring a skylit Miele kitchen, bespoke cabinetry, a Jetmaster open fire and a double garage. </span></p>
<p><span>There are multiple outdoor retreats, landscaped gardens and a heated pool. </span></p>
<p><span>Rob Curtain of Peninsula Sotheby’s International Realty has the listing.</span></p>
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Architect designed Sorrento home for sale

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<p>The Agency has entered Sydney's Northern Beaches with agents David Rothschild and Lincoln McCarthy.</p>
<p>"David’s market knowledge in the broader Seaforth area is unparalleled and in my view, he is one of the most experienced negotiators in Sydney,” says Matt Lahood, The Agency’s CEO.</p>
<p>“And when it comes to Lincoln McCarthy, well he is one of the future ‘super stars’ of real estate in my opinion.”</p>
<p>David Rothschild has specialised in the premium property market across Seaforth, Clontarf, Balgowlah Heights, Balgowlah, North Balgowlah, Fairlight and Manly, having transacted over $750 million in local residential sales. </p>
<p>“The Agency’s innovative systems, and new approach to selling and listing real estate, translate into real value for the client by removing unnecessary red tape,” he suggests.</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/2018/1/23/David.jpg" alt=""><br>Lincoln McCarthy has achieved results across the Northern Beaches setting multiple block, street and suburb records.</p>
<p>“We believe the uniqueness of The Agency offering is locked into its own motto, ‘people sell houses not companies or brands’, linking agent and client by creating a platform that is not an obstruction,” David Rothschild says.</p>
<p class="TheAgencyBody"><strong> </strong></p>
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David Rothschild joins The Agency

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<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
<p>Sydney has 600,000 bedrooms not being used according to data compiled by EY from 2016 Census estimates.</p>
<p>Unlocking the additional capacity within 30 minutes of the Sydney CBD could boost New South Wales’ GDP by $750 million annually, it suggests.</p>
<div>The greatest numbers of unused bedrooms are North Sydney/Hornsby, Outer West/Blue Mountains and the Inner South West.</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
<p>The Eastern Suburbs, the Inner West, the Inner South West and Parramatta have a high number of available rooms that could meet accommodation needs between one and five times over.</p>
<p>The most acute shortage – where the number of surplus bedrooms is insufficient to meet demand – is in the City/Inner South.</p>
</div>
<p>The number of spare bedrooms equates to 190,000 unused dwellings, EY said in its report <em>Sydney housing conversations: moving from affordability to accessibility.</em></p>
<p>The EY Sydney managing partner Andrew Price suggested better questions needed to be asked about solving affordability problems in housing.</p>
<div class="page" title="Page 8">
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<p><span>"There is a need for an </span><span>additional 135,000 bedrooms in the greater Sydney area, with the biggest demand in the belt stretching from the CBD to Parramatta; to comfortably house all residents in Parramatta an additional 22,000 rooms are required, while </span><span>for the Inner South West this gure rises to 25,000. </span></p>
<p><span>"While the largest untapped supply is in the outer ring and northern suburbs, there are nevertheless plenty of rooms in the population belt described: 40,000 in Parramatta, 60,000 in the Inner South West and 16,000 in the CBD/ Inner South." </span></p>
<p>Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/1/23/PAGE%207%20BEDROOM.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a></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/2018/1/23/PAGE%207%20BEDROOM.jpg" alt=""></span></p>
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</div>
</div>
<p>He suggests the existing underutilised supply of housing stock could hypothetically meet the forecast demand for new stock for the next five years. </p>
<p>It estimated if all unused bedrooms within 30 minutes of Sydney's CBD were to house a working adult, that the boost to productivity would equate to an additional $750 million injected each year into the NSW economy.</p>
</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
<p>The report noted Sydney actually had an estimated 1.5 million unused bedrooms spread across 900,000 dwellings, but for the purpose of EY's analysis under-utilised properties are defined as those properties which had two or more vacant bedrooms on census night in 2016 because a single vacant bedroom is often used for other purposes.</p>
<p>Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/1/23/PAGE%208%20BEDROOM.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/2018/1/23/PAGE%208%20BEDROOM.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>"Of course in reality, the housing problem is not just about bedrooms," Price acknowledges.</p>
<p>"Households want to live in a self-contained way, and not share utilities such as kitchens and bathrooms.</p>
<p>"However if a small number of households with spare room capacity were prepared to move to more appropriate sized accommodation, this could make a signifcant contribution to addressing the problem.</p>
<p>"A redistribution of housing stock that saw surplus bedroom capacity in key hotspots utilised more fully would go a long way to easing housing pressures," he says.</p>
<p>Sydney vacancy rates have hit a four year high.</p>
<p> </p>
</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-media section"> </div>
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Using Sydney's 600,000 vacant bedrooms could boost productivity: EY

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<p>Real Estate Institute of NSW figures showed residential vacancies rose to their highest level in four years in Sydney.</p>
<p>The residential vacancy rate in greater Sydney picked up to 2.2 per cent in December from 2.1 per cent in November.</p>
<p>The increase came from the middle and outer-ring suburbs.</p>
<p>The normally slow holiday period tally took it to a level it last seen in July 2013.</p>
<p>Sydney's vacancy rate was higher in September 2012, when it was 2.5 per cent, REINSW figures showed.</p>
<p>The December 2017 REINSW Vacancy Rate Survey saw availability in the Sydney metropolitan area up 0.1 percentage points at 2.2 per cent. </p>
<p>During 2017 there was a slight decline in rental availability in Sydney which bottomed out in March and April before rising again as the year progressed to see supply meeting demand. </p>
<p>Vacancy rates in Inner Sydney were down 0.1 percentage points in December at 2.0 per cent, while Outer Sydney rose 0.2 percentage points at 2.3 per cent and Middle Sydney was up 0.4 percentage points at 2.6 per cent. </p>
<p>The Hunter fell 0.3 percentage points at 1.7 per cent with Newcastle down 0.6 percentage points at 1.7 per cent, while in the Illawarra, vacancy rates fell 0.1 percentage points to 1.7 per cent. Wollongong was up 0.1 percentage points at 1.7 per cent. </p>
<p>Across regional areas, Albury fell 0.7 percentage points at 2.3 per cent, Coffs Harbour was down 0.2 percentage points at 1.8 per cent, Northern Rivers rose 0.1 percentage points at 0.9 per cent and New England added 0.2 percentage points to 2.5 per cent.</p>
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Sydney vacancy rates edge to four year high

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<p>Fairfax Media should turn to the former REA Group head Greg Ellis, investors have suggested.</p>
<p>It follows the shock resignation of Domain Group Australia chief executive Antony Catalano.</p>
<p>Catalano sent shares in both companies plunging on Monday when he resigned, citing family pressures, just two months after Domain floated on the ASX on a separate share market listing from Fairfax, its parent company and majority shareholder.</p>
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
<p>Patrick Potts, an investment analyst at Martin Currie, which owns more than 5 per cent of Fairfax, indicated they would be happy if the international search settled on Greg Ellis, who as chief executive of REA Group from 2008 to 2014 helped create the leading property website company.</p>
</div>
<p>The Melbourne-based Catalano, who decided the Sydney workload was too great given he<span style="color: #333333;"> has eight children, will have to forgo 4.2 million options issued less than two weeks ago and won't receive a termination payment.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #333333;"><span>As Domain's largest individual investor, his resignation cut the value of his own stake by 17 per cent to $7 million. Fairfax shares fell 8 per cent on the news to 66¢ with <span>chairman Nick Falloon to step in and run Domain until a new CEO is appointed.</span><br></span></span></p>
<p><span>Ellis, who owns a Balwyn home, might not be available because of his current contract with Scout24, a large German real estate and car web sales business he runs.</span></p>
<p><span><span>It is a Frankfurt Stock Exchange-listed online classifieds business.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>And this morning <span>a spokesman for the company told Fairfax from Berlin that <span>"Greg Ellis is fully committed to Scout24." </span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span>"Irrespective of this he will contribute his expertise to the further development of the Domain Group in his role as a member of their supervisory board."</span></span></span></p>
<p> </p>
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Greg Ellis suggested as Antony Catalano's Domain replacement

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<div>
<span id="x_gmail-m_5399368607563286463gmail-docs-internal-guid-72d47209-1c3c-2164-d49e-f5cd5e6cebe9">Tony Fountain, one of the Ray White Group legends, has died </span>aged 72.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The veteran estate agent began his Ray White career in the fledgling business in New South Wales in 1988. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>"He was relentless," recalled Ray White co-chairman, Brian White today.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>It was in recent years he moved to Bowral where is suffered a stroke on the weekend.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>His most recent sale was the Kangaloon property, Summerside.<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-acreage+semi-rural-nsw-kangaloon-127070614" target="_blank"></a>
</div>
<div class="x_gmail_default">
<p dir="ltr">"I am pleased to announce that our NSW Awards program will now include the Tony Fountain Auction Award," Brian White said.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"It will be a fitting reminder to all our members of the crucial role Tony played in the continuing development of our national expansion." </p>
<p dir="ltr">Tony is survived by his long-term partner Sam Hudson and his step-daughter Emily, plus his daughter Kylie Fountain and husband Kevin Hall, son Jason Fountain and wife Paula and son Kurt Fountain and his wife Josie and grand-daughters Charlotte and Sybella.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p>
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Ray White auctioneer extraordinaire Tony Fountain dies

<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>

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<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>

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<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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